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Ibounced on the ballsof my feet as I waited for Melena to open her door. We’d be ten minutes early to get the keys to our new house, but I didn’t care. My hands itched for those keys. Somewhere, Gran was smiling down. If she were alive, she’d be ready with a casserole and raft of advice. Most of it about how to keep Melena happy. She always said, “The recipe for a happy home starts with someone special to share it with.” She claimed that’s why she upended her retirement years to care for Andi and me. After living alone for decades after my grandfather passed and missing out on our babyhood because we lived with our parents overseas, she’d been eager to get to know her grandkids. She’d taught me everything she could about how to make a place home, and I was more than ready to make mine with Melena.

Melena was dressed in athletic gear—yoga pants, a T-shirt, and a hoodie. Her dark hair was caught back in a ponytail and her cheeks were flushed and pink with health. Gran would have approved of Melena. Not of her nonexistent cooking skills, but Melena’s work ethic. She was ready to do some heavy lifting, even though I had no plans to let her overdo it. I was slowly getting to know my competitive wife. If she had her way, she’d lift a box for every one any of our volunteers hefted.

“You ready for this?” I asked.

She smiled. “I’ve been counting down. I’m all packed.”

It only took a few minutes to navigate the streets to the new house. Erik was outside, his SUV parked at the curb. “Congratulations, guys,” he said.

I shook his hand and he handed me the keys. I hadn’t been giddy like this since Christmas when I was ten. My dad had been home for the holiday, and everything felt magical. Melena and I walked up to the door, and I slid the key in the lock, enjoying the snick of the mechanism before I pushed it slowly open. I looked down at Melena, who waved goodbye to Erik. “Don’t mind me, it’s tradition,” I said as I bent, putting my shoulder at her middle and lifting her up into a fireman’s carry.

“Jimmy!” she squealed, laughing.

I stepped over the threshold and bent my knees slowly, placing her feet down gently. The slip of her curves in the soft pants and T-shirt scraped along my forearm as I let her go, and I struggled to focus on her brown eyes. “What? It’s a thing, right? Newlyweds and carrying your wife over the threshold the first time you enter your house?”

She laughed and smacked me on the chest. “It’s less romantic in a fireman’s carry. Then it looks like an excuse to ogle my ass.”

I wiggled my brows at her. “That too. Bonus for me.” She laughed, and I shrugged. “Hey, what can I say? I’m still a guy. And you’ve got a great ass.”

She shook her head at me, but the quirk of her lips told me she wasn’t upset. I grabbed her hand, and we walked slowly through the house, talking about where things would go. We unloaded the boxes in my car before heading back to my apartment to meet the others.

Chase and Tamra pulled up a few moments after we arrived. He’d picked up the rental truck for me, and together we started loading the large furniture. Matteo, Mark, and Brenda showed up not long after, and my apartment was cleared in record time. I tried to keep an eye on Melena to make sure she wasn’t overdoing it.

“Hey, Loverboy. Eyes on the lift,” Chase said.

Matteo laughed. “Yeah. You guys are cute and all, but that won’t make me feel better if you crush my toes with this couch.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m paying attention.”

When we finished loading the truck, we paused, and I texted everyone the new house address. Melena and I hopped back in the car to join the procession.

“I didn’t have the chance to formally introduce Mark and Brenda. Did you figure out who’s who?” I asked.

She nodded. “Brenda and I exchanged numbers. She seems nice. I had no idea there was such a spouse network in the department.”

“Honestly, I didn’t either, but I’m glad she’s reached out. Mark was helpful when I was learning the ropes. Maybe we can have them over once we’re settled.”

“I’d like that.”

Me too. I was getting everything I wanted, all at once. The perfect life was in reach, or nearly. Just a few minor wrinkles. “How are you feeling?”

Melena scrunched her nose. “Fine, Mr. Worrywart.”

“Can’t blame me for worrying. Moving is a lot of work; don’t overdo it.”

“Yes, doctor.”

I chuckled. “Is that an invitation for later? Are we playing doctor?”

“T-minus twelve days and counting,” she said.

“Wow, I had no idea you were keeping track.”

She gave me a meaningful glance. “Better start limbering up. Maybe take some extra vitamins. Hydrate. I have plans for you.”

I laughed, and she smiled. I couldn’t control the width of my grin. At least I wasn’t the only one suffering. Maybe I wasn’t alone in my growing feelings.