As Jaxon steered the wheel to the left, his eyes flickered to both directions, ensuring the road was clear before smoothly accelerating forward. The powerful engine hummed beneath them as they merged onto the open road.
"Soo," he began, glancing at Leah with a small grin, "the mansion is a rustic-modern place."
Leah, not being an architect by any means, scrunched her nose slightly. "Rustic? What's that supposed to mean?"
Jaxon chuckled. "It's a blend of wooden elements and modern design. Y'know, like those fancy hotel buildings we've stayed at."
Leah raised an eyebrow. "So... wooden stuff equals rustic?"
Jaxon let out a short laugh. "No, no, not exactly. It's—ugh, I don't know how to explain it. It's more like... a mix of natural wood elements to give it a warm, homey feel, but still sleek and modern. Kinda like your parents' house—it has that rustic vibe."
Still not quite grasping it, Leah tilted her head. Seeing her confusion, Jaxon shifted his grip on the wheel, holding it steady with his left hand while reaching into his pocket with his right. He pulled out his smartphone—the very one he had helped introduce to the world, though it wasn't out for public use yet—and quickly searched for images of rustic-modern homes.
He handed the phone over to Leah, who studied the images before nodding in understanding. "Ahh, I get it now," she said, a smile creeping onto her lips. The thoughtfulness behind his decision—to incorporate elements of her childhood home into their new mansion—made her heart swell with appreciation.
Jaxon took the phone back, placing it safely aside before refocusing on the road. "I promise, once you see it, your mind's gonna be blown," he said confidently. "The amount of space alone is insane."
Leah smirked, leaning back into the seat. "It better be, considering how long you kept it a secret."
Jaxon laughed at that
---
As Jaxon turned right, the car smoothly ascended a slight hill. The incline was gentle, leading them onto a leveled road where the mansion slowly came into view. Leah's breath hitched as the sprawling estate revealed itself, bathed in the soft morning light. Her wide eyes and slightly parted lips said it all.
Jaxon's gaze flickered toward her, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips. "Welcome home," he murmured warmly.
The Aston Martin rolled forward before coming to a slow stop in front of the grand entrance. He shifted the gear into park, then stepped out, circling the car to open the door for Leah. As she took his offered hand and stepped out, Jaxon noticed the slight tremble in her fingers.
His grip tightened just enough to ground her. "Breathe," he murmured, his voice smooth and reassuring. Then, with a playful glint in his eye, he added in an exaggerated showman's tone, "Prepare yourself for the most awesome grand entrance of all time!"
Leah's lips twitched before she let out a soft laugh. "You're so silly," she said fondly, her nerves melting away.
Jaxon grinned, fishing the key from his pocket. With an unnecessarily dramatic flourish, he swung the front door open. The crisp scent of fresh wood and new beginnings filled the air, wrapping around them like an invisible embrace.
Leah took one step inside before instinctively grabbing onto Jaxon's arm. She wasn't even aware she had done it—her body simply moved on its own, drawn in by the sheer wonder of the moment.
Jaxon nearly lost his footing at the sudden tug, a bead of invisible sweat metaphorically forming at his brow. Before he could react, Leah released him and surged forward, eyes darting from one stunning architectural detail to the next.
"Oh my God! Oh my God!" she squealed, clapping her hands together in excitement. "This is amazing!"
Jaxon leaned against the doorframe, watching her with amusement. "Glad you think so," he chuckled, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he took in the scene—Leah, absolutely thrilled, standing in the home he had built for them.
Yeah. This was worth the wait. he thought.
---
After Leah finally managed to level her excitement, Jaxon wasted no time leading her toward the master bedroom.
"So, this is our bedroom," he announced, stepping aside to let her take it all in. "When the architect asked what I wanted, I told him I needed a place where we could sit by the window and just… be." He gestured toward the cozy built-in window seat nestled against a large bay window, perfect for quiet mornings or late-night talks.
Leah's eyes shone as she looked around, taking in the details.
"That's your closet," Jaxon continued, pointing to the right. "I made it a walk-in one. Don't ask why—you'll need it when I eventually spoil you rotten," he teased, flashing a smug grin.
Leah shook her head with a knowing smile, the warmth in her expression never fading.
From the master bedroom, he guided her through the halls, showing her various spaces until they ended up in the kitchen.
"Fancy," Leah murmured in amazement, running her fingers across the sleek countertop.
Then, Jaxon dropped a bombshell. "Truthfully, I placed the order for the mansion a few years back." He smiled at her reaction before adding, "It was finished three months ago, but I officially bought it two months ago."
Leah's head tilted in confusion. "Wait—how have I not seen any files on this?" she asked, brows furrowed.
Jaxon smirked. "Because it was meant to be a surprise. If you had known, wouldn't that have ruined the whole point?"
She paused, considering his words. "Okay, but… how did it stay this spotless?"
"With my abilities, of course," he admitted nonchalantly.
Leah's smile dropped as she crossed her arms. "Jaxon, what if someone had wandered in and noticed that for days—no, months—this place never got dirty? What if someone figured it out? We agreed you wouldn't do things like that," she said, clearly upset.
Jaxon stepped forward, gently placing his hands on her shoulders. His eyes softened as he reassured her, "Leah, my eyes have never left this place, not once. Trust me, I'd know if someone came close. I only did it so I could show you this place in its best form—spotless, just for you."
Leah let out a small sigh, still holding onto her worry.
Jaxon glanced at his watch. "I've got 15 minutes left. Would you like to stay here or have me drop you off at your parents'?"
Leah hesitated before replying, "I'll call Mom over."
Jaxon gave her a small smile, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple before heading toward the car. Just as he reached the door, her voice stopped him.
"And… I'm sorry for how I reacted. I'm just scared," she admitted, her voice quieter now.
Jaxon turned back, his smile never wavering. "I know," he said simply before heading out, leaving Leah watching him with a warm expression.