Sweet Hope (Sweet Home #4) (3 page)

Seattle, Washington

The cab pulled to a stop right on the edge of Lake Washington. I stared up at the stunning white stone mansion set beyond a couple of acres of land, protected by huge iron gates. Molly and Rome’s new home.

Rome
… I thought and smiled. No way would Molly choose this house.

Grabbing my cases, I rolled them toward the gates, when they suddenly began to open. I beamed a smile and waved at a large camera atop an ornate post on the surrounding white stone wall.

As I walked down the driveway, I marveled at the gardens: lush green grass, ornate water features, trees of every type, and a million flowers brightening up the grounds.

A large set of paved steps came into view, which led to a white door entrance. It flew open just as my hand rose to knock. My lips spread into an ear-splitting smile as my cousin, Rome Prince, appeared in the doorway, his usual sandy long blond hair messy and his brown eyes bright. He was still the epitome of country-boy style as he stood, arms folded, rocking a fitted white T-shirt and faded jeans.

“Hello, cuz,” he greeted with a wide smile, his thick accent as Bama as ever as he stepped forward, arms wide, and lifted me off the floor in a bear hug.

I couldn’t help but laugh as I hugged him back.

Rome planted me on the floor, and I kissed him on his cheek. “Hello to you too, Mr QB Almighty!”

Rome rolled his eyes and moved past me to grab my luggage. I followed him into the house. My eyes widened as I drank in the foyer, because that’s all it could be described as, a foyer. The place was enormous.

“Rome—” I went to say, when I was cut off.

“Ridiculous, isn’t it?”

My head turned to the sweeping staircase. Molly Prince was walking down, dressed in a long empire-waist sleeveless purple summer dress. Her long brown hair lay on her shoulders and her pretty face wore a happy smile.

“Molls!” I shouted in excitement and, as Molly descended onto the last step, I wrapped her up in my arms. She immediately hugged me back. “I’ve missed you!” I confessed, and let her go so we could walk back into the foyer.

“I’ve missed you too, sweetie,” Molly said, squeezing my hand, only to let go when Rome reached out and pulled her to his chest, his arms wrapping around her shoulders from behind. Molly’s hands lifted to hold his arms, and
that look
they both had when they were with each other drifted across their faces.

An ache momentarily stabbed at my chest. Looking at how happy they were only emphasized how lonely I felt. Working all the hours God sends could be a good distraction, but as much as I adored my job, it could never replace that heart-stopping, bolt of lightning love I so desperately craved.

“Come on. Let’s go and get a drink!” I said cheerily, fighting back my moment of sadness, and let Rome and Molly lead the way to their white country-style kitchen.

Molly must have seen me gaping at the opulence of the room and blushed. “It’s too much, isn’t it?”

My attention was drawn to my timid friend and her embarrassed expression. “Not at all, darlin’. It’s beautiful.”

Molly joined me in looking around the room. I adored that she still found it uncomfortable having money. I didn’t think she’d ever get used to it. But I couldn’t help but think it was an adorable trait to possess.

“She fought me on buying this place, but I wanted somewhere safe for us to live… somewhere for us to start a family,” Rome stated.

Molly’s eyes, which had been fixed on the table, then shot to her husband’s and began to fill with tears.

Rome lifted Molly’s hand to his lips. I felt like an intruder on their private and meaningful moment. Molly appeared to shake herself to and cast me a ghost of a smile. “Ally, you must be thirsty. Can I get you a drink?”

“Don’t worry, darlin’. I got it covered!” I declared excitedly and ran to my carry-on and pulled out the bottle of champagne I’d bought
en route
to their house.

As I looked up, Molly had turned green and was rushing out of the room. “I… I’m… I’ll be back in a moment!” Molly ran out into the hallway. I stood in the middle of the kitchen, eyebrows pulled down.

I turned to face Rome, who was fidgeting on his seat. “She okay, honey?” I asked. “She looked like she was gonna puke.”

Rome’s eyes tracked the direction Molly had gone. “She’s fine.” I could see the concern on his face. But Rome had always been all serious and possessive of Molly. His need to keep her safe and cared for stood above anything else in his life.

Feeling awkward at the silence that immediately followed, I asked, “Where are your champagne flutes?”

Rome snapped out of his worry and walked to a cupboard. Reaching up, he pulled out two champagne glasses and set them on the table as I popped the cork. When I went to pour, I stilled.

“Rome, you forgot one. There’s only two here.”

Rome stiffened beside me, and when I looked up, his eyes were facing the direction Molly had gone. My eyes narrowed, and I nudged him with my elbow. “Hey, cuz! You with me?”

Rome flicked his head to me and ran his hand through his hair. “Yeah, sorry, Al.”

“What’s up?” I asked. “‘Cause y’all are acting real strange.”

I stared down at the two champagne glasses and I let out an excited gasp. “Why isn’t she drinking?”

Rome opened his mouth, but...

“I’m pregnant.” Molly’s quiet voice carried from the entranceway to where I stood. Both Rome and I quickly turned our heads to face her. She was pale, and I could tell she’d just vomited.

The air whooshed from my lungs and my hand flew over my mouth. Molly edged forward, and her lip curled in happiness. “I’m sixteen weeks gone…” She looked at Rome and tears of happiness filled her eyes. “Can you believe it? We’re pregnant again!”

Tears then spilled down her cheeks. Mine did exactly the same as I ran to my best friend, her hands now shaping the small round bump under her flowing dress. I took her into my arms.

“I’m so happy for you, darlin’,” I whispered as I felt Molly grip me tightly.

She was shaking.

I pulled back and wiped her tears with my thumbs. “I’m so damn happy for you.”

“Thank you, Ally,” she said with an excited laugh. Her whole face shone with excitement. But that expression faltered when her eyes drifted to Rome, who still hadn’t moved from his hunched-over position by the countertop. He was watching us closely, but there was pain in his dark stare.

Molly walked away from me, gently squeezing my arm in thanks before she let go and made her way to her husband. Dipping her head, she placed her fingers under his lowered chin and lifted Rome’s head before pressing a kiss to his lips.

“I’ll be fine,” she hushed soothingly.

Rome stared at her for what felt like an age before pulling her onto his lap and wrapping her in his arms. Molly saw me watching in confusion and explained, “I have Preeclampsia, Ally. The pregnancy could be tough, since I shouldn’t have developed Preeclampsia this early. Our doctor has given me a list of things I have to do to help myself, but this one here is terrified.” She ran her hand through Rome’s long hair to emphasize her point. “It’s the reason we haven’t told anyone sooner. You know, just incase something went wrong again. Lexi and Austin know, but I wanted to wait and tell you to your face. Of course Rome can’t stop worrying.”

That twist in my gut was back again.

“I’m terrified of losing you,” Rome’s deep, rough voice said quietly. “No baby is worth that.”

Molly’s head tilted slowly to the side as she watched him. “You won’t lose me. It’s all going to be okay. We’re going to have a baby and everything will be fine.”

They stared into each other’s eyes and seemed to speak to each other simply through their connection.

I rocked awkwardly on my feet and moved toward my cases. Molly saw me from the corner of her eye and stood up from Rome’s lap.

“Rome, show Ally to her room, baby. I’m going to go and lie down.” She rolled her eyes at me. “Doctor’s orders. Lots of rest and no stress.”

I smiled at her and watched as she headed out of the room. Molly then stopped and turned round. “Oh, I nearly forgot. We’ve organized a celebration dinner for you tonight, sweetie. Everyone’s coming. A big hello to you and your arrival in the Emerald City.”

“Molls, I—” I went to argue, worried it was pushing her too far.

“Not you too, Ally! I have enough from my brooding hulking Football stud there, treating me like I’m a fragile doll.” Molly pointed at Rome and playfully gave him a scowl. Rome’s eyes tightened, being playful back. “I’m fine.” Her hand went to her stomach. “We’re
both
fine, and I won’t have everyone stepping on eggshells around me for the next several months!”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said and mock-saluted her.

Molly laughed and shook her head. “And later I want to hear all about this new gallery you’re designing at my school, okay?”

“Sure thing,” I replied, amused.

Molly nodded in triumph, then carefully walked up the stairs, leaving me alone with Rome. Rome picked up my luggage and quickly headed for the stairs, and I followed.

He led me to a room at the end of a long hallway. When he opened the door, my mouth fell open. It was beautiful; light and airy, an all-white room with a huge en suite featuring the biggest tub I’d ever seen.

“Rome… this is…” I whispered and turned to my cousin, who was leaning against the doorframe, arms folded across his chest.

“Now you stay for as long as you want, you hear? Molly loves having you around. And I don’t find it too shabby either.”

I stared at my cousin, hearing the catch in his voice as he tried to cover his apprehension over his wife with a joke. I walked over to his tall frame and took hold of his tense arms. “She’ll be okay, you know. This baby is a good thing. It’s a blessing.”

Rome looked down at the floor. “I know it is, Al, and I
am
happy. We’ve wanted a baby for so long. You know we have. But, Christ, Al, listening to that doctor talk through the risks again and being constantly reminded that her momma died from the same thing Mols has… and…” Rome stopped speaking, and I squeezed my hand on his arm. His nostrils flared and he went on. “And remembering my girl in that damn hospital bed, broken and lost, just kills me. It could happen again. Or it could be worse.”

“It won’t be, Rome.
Everything
is different this time. You’re in a much better place, you’re older, you don’t have your parents breathing down your neck and all that stress to contend with. And I know
you
.
You
won’t let anything happen to that wife of yours ever again.”

Rome’s lip hooked up into a reluctant grin, and I smiled back.

“I’m gonna be an aunt!” I squealed excitedly, and Rome started laughing. My heart broke at how worried he was but then how excited he was when he finally let his happiness shine through.

“Yeah, yeah, you are. Aunt Ally.”

“And you’re gonna be a daddy.”

He blew out a breath and ran his hands down his face. “Yeah… fuck…”

“And you’re gonna be a damn good, one, Rome. The best damn daddy on the planet.”

Rome gave me a huge thankful smile, and I could see the pure joy in his expression. I could see just how much he wanted that little baby Molly was carrying.

Rome shook his head in amusement and mussed up my long brown hair with his hand.

“Rome!” I yelled. “Get the hell off!” I tried to slap him away, but he jumped back out of my reach.

“Glad you’re here, cuz. It’s been too fucking long since we saw y’all,” he said, becoming more serious. “We’re going out to celebrate in a few hours, so be ready about seven.”

Rome walked off before I could say anything, leaving me in this huge guest room. I sat down on the bed.

I was in Seattle, about to take on the exhibition of my life, and to top it all off, I was gonna be an aunt.

This move felt so perfectly right...