The CEO Above My Desk (Mckenzie Shinabery) novel Chapter 254

Chapter 254

Violet

Three Days Later

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when Rowan said the house was nearly finished. Maybe drywall hanging loosely. Maybe exposed wiring snaking across the ceiling. Maybe construction crews still buzzing around with powertools and hard hats,

What I definitely didn’t expect was to pull into the driveway and immediately start crying. Again.

Pregnancy was really turning into an emotional rollercoaster.

The wraparound porch was complete… completely finished. White railings stretched around the entire front, while black accents traced the windows and trim just like I’d imagined. Large wooden rocking chairs sat invitingly in one corner, overlooking the sprawling property.

Someone had even hung flower baskets that gently swayed in the breeze.

I stared, first at the flowers, then at Rowan, then back at the blossoms. Suddenly, my eyes burned.

“Oh no,” I whispered.

Rowan sighed, shaking his head. “You’re crying.”

“I’m emotional.”

“You’ve been emotional since breakfast.”

“That doesn’t make me wrong.”

Theo snorted behind us.

Camille immediately smacked his arm. “Leave her alone.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You thought it.”

“I absolutely did.”

I ignored their teasing and climbed out of the SUV. The moment my feet touched the ground, I moved quickly toward the porch, Rowan trailing behind me.

Before we even reached the door, it swung open. One of the contractors stepped outside with a warm smile.

*Morning, Mr. Ashcroft.”

“Morning.”

The contractor stepped aside. “You’re going to love it.”

1/4

Chapter 254

My stomach fluttered with anticipation.

I glanced at Rowan. His expression was suspiciously proud, like he knew something I didn’t.

I narrowed my eyes. “What did you do?”

His smile only grew wider. Nothing good ever came after that smile.

The moment I stepped inside, I froze, completely overwhelmed. “Oh.” The word escaped before I could stop it.

The interior was stunning. Not mansion–level grandeur, not billionaire extravagance… just home. Warm, inviting, exactly as I’d dreamed.

The open–concept layout stretched before us, the kitchen flowing effortlessly into the living room with no walls dividing the space. Natural light poured through massive windows, filling everything with a bright, airy glow.

The kitchen looked like something out of a renovation show: white cabinets with sleek black hardware, grey marble countertops, a huge center island with pendant lighting, and high–end appliances. Everything was spotless, modern, perfect.

I covered my mouth, tears welling up. “Oh my God.”

Behind me, Camille gasped dramatically, then started crying too.

Theo looked horrified. “Why are both of you crying?”

Camille pointed at the kitchen. “Look at it.”

Theo glanced over, then back at her. “It’s a kitchen.”

Camille looked insulted. “No. It’s THE kitchen.”

I laughed through my tears, and even Rowan looked amused.

The contractor quietly slipped away, probably smart enough not to stick around for pregnant women crying over countertops.

I wandered further inside. The living room connected seamlessly to the kitchen. Large furniture was already in place, a beautiful sectional faced a stone fireplace, built–in shelving lined one wall. Area rugs, accent tables, lamps, artwork… the house was mostly furnished.

I slowly turned, taking it all in. “Rowan.”

His hand found my lower back. “Yeah?”

“When did you do all this?”

His expression softened. “A while ago.

“A while ago?”

He nodded. “I wanted it ready.”

My chest squeezed. Of course he wanted it ready. That was Rowan, he moved mountains for the people he loved, then acted like it was nothing.

2/4

Chapter 254

The master bedroom nearly broke me. The moment we stepped inside, I stopped again. The leafy accent wall stretched behind the bed just as I’d shown him months ago. Deep green leaves Intertwined on a soft neutral background, making the room feel calm, natural, peaceful.

The furniture was perfectly placed, bed, lamps, dresser, bedding, everything looked lived–in, finished. Like we already belonged there.

My eyes filled again.

Rowan groaned. “Oh come on.”

I pointed to the wall. “You and Denise remembered.”

His eyebrows lifted. “You showed both of us like seventeen pictures.”

“That’s not the point.”

“It absolutely is.”

I ignored him.

Then I saw the bathroom and completely lost it. The massive walk–in shower was bigger than my first apartment. Marble tiles stretched from floor to ceiling, with rainfall showerheads overhead. A freestanding soaking tub sat beneath a large window. Double vanities, custom lighting, storage everywhere. Bright, beautiful, exactly how I wanted it.

Camille appeared beside me, eyes wide. She looked at Theo, then the bathroom, then back at Theo. “We need one.”

Theo looked exhausted. “We’re not remodeling our side before we even move in.”

“We need one.”

“The answer’s still no.”

Camille looked ready to fight him.

Eventually, Rowan led me down the hall to the nursery. When the door opened, I stopped breathing. Soft neutral colors covered the walls, warm creams, sage

greens,

soft greys,

and natural wood accents. Nothing overly feminine or masculine.

A crib rested against one wall, a rocking chair filled the corner, bookshelves, storage cubbies, a changing table, tiny decorations… everything waiting, ready.

r

My hand instinctively moved to my stomach.

Rowan noticed and took my hand.

Neither of us spoke. We didn’t need to. Suddenly, this wasn’t just a future anymore. Not a plan or a dream. It was real. Very real.

Behind us, Camille sniffled loudly. Theo handed her tissue after tissue. She accepted every one without question.

Eventually, we stepped outside. Construction crews were still working on the opposite side of the house, Theo and Camille’s side. Framing was up bedrooms taking shape, electrical work underway. Contractors moved about, carrying supplies, discussing plans.

Theo stared for a long moment, then looked at Rowan. “You really did all this.”

3/4

Chapter 254

Rowan shrugged: “It made sense

Theo laughed. “No.” He looked around the house, the property, then Camille. “It didn’t.”

Silence fell, a comfortable silence shared only by people who considered each other family.

For the first time since the bombings, the arrests, the chaos, it felt like we were finally building something. Not just surviving.

And standing on the porch of the house about to become our home, I realized that’s exactly what we were doing.

Comments

3

Write Comment’s

< SHARE