Page 76 of His Arranged Plus-Size Mate

“Oh, so then what is your plan for this house?”

“I figured we would extend. Make the main bedroom bigger and add a couple more down the hallway. Wouldn’t be hard. Then we can extend the living room, maybe add a fireplace.”

Her eyes sparkled. “Really? What else?”

I watched her for a moment. Since being back, I knew what everyone else was thinking. We hadn’t had that decision yet, but I wondered if she wanted to.

“Do you want to have a conversation about children?”

She chewed on her cheek. “Maybe.”

I smiled. I never saw myself as a father. I always put work first. I never planned to settle down and get married. I never thought I would be married.

“Maybe. I don’t exactly want them right now. I know the others are itching to get pregnant, but…I just want it to be us for a few years. Is that selfish of me?”

I shook my head. “No. I like that idea. Gives us time to grow as a couple and focus on ourselves. We got married pretty fast.”

We cooked breakfast together. Hazel talked about her plans to head over to the city council to help the others decorate. Gabriella and her had been planning this party for a couple of weeks now. Gabriella explained that we’d all been so busy with work and trying to get rid of the hybrids that we needed a night to have fun and party.

“What are your plans today?” she asked as we ate.

“I’m heading over to visit with my mom for a couple of hours this afternoon. I’ll send your love.”

Hazel softened. It was another aspect that had changed. Since my return, I have made it very clear where I stand with Hazel. My father and I had a big blowout, which ended with us not talking for weeks. My mother called me a couple of days ago, saying she wanted me to stop by. I hadn’t expected my father to apologize. I also hadn’t expected her to have given him anultimatum. He either fixed the relationship with me or worked at it. Or, she was leaving him.

“Are they going to the party tonight?” she asked. “I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve seen your folks.”

“They will be there. My mother is eager to spend some time with you.”

She glanced at her phone and frowned. “Damn it. Is it already nine? Crap. Gabriella is going to kill me. She wanted me to be there at nine.”

She pulled herself up and hurried back down the hallway. “Don’t forget the party starts at one.”

I put the leftovers away and placed all the dishes into the kitchen sink. Hazel came back down the hallway wearing a tight purple dress. She was trying to pop on heels while she grabbed her purse. “Okay, I have to go. Can you bring the present? It’s wrapped on the dresser.”

“Sure, what did we get him?”

“A watch that Gabriella said he’d been eyeing up.” She walked over, kissing my cheek. “Alright, I’ll see you later. Love you!”

“Love you.”

She hurried out the door, and I chuckled. I turned and cleaned the kitchen before I went and changed. I grabbed the gift and headed to the car. I drove across town over toward my parents’ place. I rode the elevator up and knocked on the door.

My mother pulled it open and smiled. “Oh, honey!” She wrapped her arms around me, kissing my forehead. “You look dapper today.”

“Well, we do have Westley’s birthday later today.”

“Yes, I remember. I got him a gift card to a restaurant downtown. Do you think he’s going to like that?”

I nodded. “I’m sure he will. Where is dad?”

“He’s out, but he’s going to be there.” She shut the door as I came inside. “So, how have you and Hazel been? Are you both starting to get back to a normal life? I know that you’ve been pulling long hours.”

I was still working a lot of nights while the others worked days and searched for the hybrids. It was a long process, but we were safe behind the barriers.

“We’re getting back to normal. We’ve both been busy, but things seem to be coming along. How have you been?”

She smiled. “I’m good. I got a job at the school. So, I start this spring. I’m looking forward to that.”