Chapter 36

"Ithink I need to stop again," Layla said.

"Again?" Zyair grinned.

He didn't mind. More frequent restroom stops definitely beat the earlier days of her getting sick over and over. He stopped the vehicle at the next opportunity. They both used the facilities—Layla joking that Zyair's need to go was a sympathetic pregnancy symptom—and got a snack.

Then they got back to their mission. Zyair drove while Layla read off details from the real estate listings. He had high hopes that with so many options, they were sure to find something quickly. They pulled up at the first one.

Meh, thought Zyair. Layla, however, seemed thrilled and leapt out of the car.

"I think I love it already," she said, throwing her arms wide open and taking a big breath of fresh air.

The realtor was waiting for them. Zyair followed Layla from room to room. It had a cozy feel to it, but Zyair was afraid they would outgrow it too fast.

"I love it," Layla exclaimed at the end of the tour.

"Let's see the kitchen again," Zyair grabbed her by the elbow.

"What?" she asked when they were alone.

"I think it's small," he said. "We're just starting our family. If we want more kids…"

She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. "I can see us here," she said. "With the baby."

"Now close your eyes and think about the baby at five, ten, with a few more kids running around."

She pulled away from him and studied the kitchen critically.

"You're right," she said. "This is a couple and a baby house. Once the baby starts moving around…"

"Okay," Zyair said, relieved. "Also…"

"What?"

"Maybe even if you do love it, a little less enthusiasm?"

"Smart," she said, tapping her temple with her index finger. "I just…"

"What?"

"I'd never thought I'd have the chance to have a family. You know, a real one. Or a home"

"Knock, knock," said the realtor, sticking her head in the room. "Is this the one?"

"No," Layla said firmly. "It has to be perfect. This is wonderful, but not perfect."

"Should we move on?"

Five houses later, Layla was near tears and Zyair was about ready to call it quits as well. One house was great, but it was on the edge of a cliff—a literal cliff. Super dangerous for children. Another was on such a busy road they didn't even bother to go inside. The next two required so much work they would never get in before the baby was born. The last one had a smell so revolting that even the realtor covered her mouth and nose and raced back out with them.

The first house had definitely been the best option, he told Layla.

"We can just move again in a few years," he said.

Layla burst into tears, and the realtor rushed out, saying she had to take a call.

"I want our baby to grow up in the home we are going to always live in," she said.

Zyair was at a loss for words. She clung to him, and his shirt was soon soaked through from her tears. He was sure she was exhausted and was making herself feel even lousier by putting way too much pressure on herself. They did not have to find a home today. They could make it work in the apartment for a while if necessary.

He was absolutely sure all of that was true, but he was equally sure that saying any of it wasn't going to help. He stroked her hair and wondered what they were going to do.

"We will find the right house," he said. "I promise. If not today…"

"I'm sorry to interrupt," the realtor said. "But if you are up for seeing one more…"

"Oh gods, no," Layla said.

"It's on the way back to the city, and it just literally came on the market. I have to stop off there anyway, so think about it."

"Why don't you give me the address?" Zyair offered. "We'll discuss it in the car."

In the car, Layla curled up in her seat. Zyair patted her leg. "Just shut your eyes and rest," he suggested gently.

When they got there, she was fast asleep. Zyair parked in the shade and got out.

"You made it," the realtor said. "I'm really excited about this one."

Since that was the fifth or sixth time Zyair had heard her say that, he just smiled.

"Layla's asleep," he said. "Can you take me around? If I veto it, there's no need to wake her up."

Zyair didn't find anything to veto. The house wasn't huge, but the rooms were spacious. The layout was almost exactly what he had been hoping for, complete with a room over the garage that he could use as an office when he didn't want to go into the city.

"Come out back," the realtor said, and he followed her.

Despite his warning to Layla not to show too much excitement, he couldn't help but gasp as he walked outside.

The lawn was huge, with a big tent set up on one side. The lawn ended at a small forest, which he could see led down to a lake.

"It's the public forest," the realtor said, reading Zyair's mind. "There's a couple of layers of force field to keep the wildlife and hikers off your property. It's flagged for wildlife, too. They learn to avoid it pretty easily. Great program, keeps the animals safe and off the road."

"What's the tent for?" Layla asked groggily.

"Look who woke up!" Zyair kissed her.

"The tent will be gone tomorrow," the realtor said. "They had their daughter's wedding here last week. Their last hurrah, they called it…"

Zyair and Layla looked at each other. He knew exactly what she was thinking.

"Can I take her inside?" he said. "Just us?"

"Of course."

He led her around the first floor. She slid her hands across the counters in the kitchen approvingly. But he was most excited to show her the upstairs. Next to the master suite was what Zyair thought would make the perfect room for the baby.

"Oh, Zyair, it's unbelievable." Layla went over to the window seat and sat.

"If you still want your forest mural, we can do it," Zyair said. "But the forest is right there."

Layla laughed. "Maybe some animals," she said. "Can we have some Earth animals? Our child should know where I'm from, too. Right?"

"Of course," Zyair agreed easily.

They held hands and sat there, looking back and forth from the window to the room they would bring their baby home to.

"It really seems perfect," Layla said. "I mean, we could even get married here."

"Perfect is where you and…" Zyair rubbed her belly gently. "…the baby are. That's my perfect."

"You guys still thinking?" the realtor yelled from the hall. "Can I come in?"

"Yes," they said together.

"Well?"

"We'll take it," Zyair said.

"One condition," Layla said. "We may need the tent."