#blackthornedvancity

Due to unpacking, Paul's film schedule, and Suranne's agent sending her script after script to read, the Jones&Blackthorne house had been busy since they moved in. So busy, in fact, the couple hadn't had much time to actually enjoy being a couple.

Well, Suranne was going to change that tonight.

She knew the cherry blossoms had begun blooming downtown, and she figured Paul would want a chance to snap some photos of them. She texted him and suggested he clear his schedule for the evening, and spent the next couple of hours getting ready. She readied his camera bag and made sure there was a camera for her as well, before showering and getting dressed. She wanted to look nice for him, but still casual, so she donned a long skirt with comfortable shoes, as well as a button up which she tied over her stomach, which was starting to show signs of life inside.

Making her way to Paul's new place, Katie slowly let herself in before calling out, "Paul?" She stepped further inside and turned to lock the door behind her before going to the kitchen, where she thought she heard some movement. Biting her lip, she watched her tv dad busying himself in the kitchen getting their tea and some cookies- though he insisted on calling them biscuits- on a tray.

"Need any help?" she asked softly. She drew a breath then let it out on a sigh, stepping closer and finding the sugar and cream and carrying them to the coffee table with Paul. She slowly curled up on the couch, wrapping one of Paul's ever-present and always comfortable throws around her shoulders. She accepted the tea that he handed her, noticing he'd all ready added her cream and sugar. 

"Thank you," she whispered before blowing on it and taking a sip. Tears began building up in her eyes and she tried to hold them back, but this was real life, not acting. She had no control over her tears right now, and they slowly began trecking down her cheeks.

Suranne and Paul had been looking at places to move into for about a week now, and Suranne was beginning to think she'd have to settle for someplace that was ok, but she didn't love. She wasn't looking forward to the prospect, however, because if she was going to move out of London, she wanted someplace that felt like home here in Vancouver, not someplace that she'd put up with. 

The properties they had looked at were all stunning, but not enough bedrooms, or a terrible view, or way too far out of the city for Paul to drive to work. She realized she was being nit-picky, and she just hoped that Paul wasn't becoming annoyed with her. Not that she'd blame him at all.

Drawing a breath, she looked over at Paul as they made their way to another property with their agent. She offered him a kind smile and squeezed his hand gently, hopeful that they would find someplace they both loved today.

As they neared the building, she smiled softly, seeing the decadence of the neighborhood. There were shops and boutiques lining the street, cafe's, bistro's and restaurants dotting the neighborhood. It seemed like a bustling area, and Suranne's hopes were all ready soaring as they parked, climbing out. The agent wandered over, telling them the history of the building, having been built about ten years ago, the floor level was all shops and a gym for the residents, and she couldn't help but smile at the fact that there was a book shop there. She loved relaxing in bookstores, and this was practically next door.

She wandered with them to the elevator and up to the floor the condo was on, stepping off the lift and discovered the entire floor could be theirs. Yes, seven bedrooms was a bit much, but in Suranne's eyes that just gave them room to grow and stretch as a family. She wandered the flat, her hand in Paul's, soaking it all in. With a sigh, she turned to Paul, a smile on her face.

Suranne had spent the day looking through some new properties their agent emailed her, and she took virtual tours, sending ones she thought she and Paul would enjoy back. She was still in the hotel for now, which was fine, it gave her a chance to feel like she wasn't smothering Paul. She also knew he was working right now, so she had plenty to do at the hotel to keep herself busy.

Eventually she was sent a text from Paul telling her to get ready, that he'd be picking her up soon. She all ready had a dress picked out for their date, but then he told her to dress comfortably, and sweats were preferred. Her eyebrows knit together, trying to figure out what he had planned for their first romantic Valentine's Date that could possibly involve sweats, but not one to question him, she got into her comfy yoga pants, sports bra, tank top, and oversized sweatshirt that she wore off the shoulder. She laced up her trainers and grabbed what she would need, strangely feeling like she was going to the gym rather than a date, but she tried to give Paul the benefit of the doubt and keep an open mind.

Almost feeling like this was a dream, Suranne had called a real estate agent and set up an appointment to view some properties in and around Vancouver. She realized she might have been jumping the gun, as she and Paul had barely just agreed to move in together, nor had they even spoken about if they wanted a house, a flat, what. 

She was so excited, though, she couldn't wait, and once the meeting was firmed up, she texted Paul letting him know she'd meet him at The Urban Tea Merchant, where they were set to meet the agent. She quickly got ready, hoping the baby would let her have a day of looking at properties without causing her to be sick, and was out the door.

Suranne: Hey

Suranne: What would you say if I asked you to move in with me?

Suranne: I mean, not into the hotel, that would be ludicrous