Must Be Magic

Sonia smiles warmly as a young couple pulls into the lot beside her black SUV. The man gets out and offers a smile in return as he straightens his button-up shirt and pats his pockets. The passenger door opens and he rushes around the vehicle to help his wife out. She smiles up at him, one hand in his and one on her burgeoning stomach. The car door swings shut and they shuffle forward. Sonia moves to meet them, closing the gap with a hand extended. 

The man surreptitiously wipes his palms on his jeans before extending his own. 

“Matt. Matt Reynolds,” he says. Their hands connect and static crackles briefly between them. 

“Serenity,” the wife says in a small voice, with a small smile to match. “And this—” She rubs her stomach in a slow circle, “is Sloane.” Her voice is more confident as emotion fills it. Serenity and Sonia exchange a polite hug and another little frisson of electricity goes unmentioned.

“Thanks for meeting me at the office. I have three houses lined up to show you today… but I usually get it right on the first try. Not to brag. Okay, okay. Maybe just a little bit of a brag.” Sonia’s sparkling laughter invites the young couple to join, and they do.

The ice broken, Sonia opens the door to the passenger side of her vehicle and gestures to Serenity to be seated. 

“Make yourselves comfortable. There are water bottles in the cupholders.”

After everyone is settled in and buckled, Sonia backs out of the lot. 

“This first house is only a short drive away. I’m not going to say anything about it because I want you to go in without my own thoughts coloring your expectations. Serenity, you’re a teacher, is that right?”

“Third grade. Over at Meadowview Elementary.” She tucks her hair behind her ear. Clears her throat. “It’s hard to believe that I’m growing a whole human that will one day fill a seat in a third grade classroom.” 

“I know it’s cliche, but that day will come far before you’re ready. My daughter is starting her senior year in high school.” Sonia’s voice is thick. 

“Oh, wow,” Serenity says. “You do not look old enough to have a nearly adult child!” 

“I have my little secrets,” Sonia says. “But mainly? It’s Botox. And, unfortunately, hydration.” She lifts her jug of water up in the air. They all share a little chuckle. 

Sonia turns slowly into an established subdivision with mature trees. A family is walking a small dog along the sidewalk and the father waves cheerily as they pass. Serenity glances back at Matt in unspoken communication, her eyes bright.

“My parents live around the corner in the house I grew up in,” Serenity shares, voice thick as Sonia shifts into park.

“Imagine that!” She exclaims, briefly touching Serenity’s arm. 

“Babe, that tree by the road…” Serenity again looks back at Matt. “Can’t you see it? Picnics and lemonade stands set up in the shade?” 

“We haven’t even seen the house yet, love!” Matt chuckles. “And you know I wanted to be a little closer to work. I know it’s only an extra fifteen minutes one way, but that’s still thirty minutes a day that I’m away from both of you.”

“Oh. You’re right, of course.” Serenity sags and her eyes dim. She smiles unconvincingly.

  “You know what that look does to me. We’re already here, and I didn’t say no. Let’s go check it out.” He smiles encouragingly and her demeanor brightens.

Set back a little ways from the road, a slightly tired cape cod rests. Its paint is a little faded, the fence surrounding it a bit crooked. They get out of the vehicle and make their way up the slightly overgrown path of flagstones leading to the front porch. Sonia allows the couple to lead the way. 

“It does need a little work,” Serenity concedes, “but it has so much character.” 

“If we decide this is the best fit, I bet your parents would be more than willing to help out with that if it meant having you this close. Your father can’t resist a project. Assuming, of course, that nothing is structurally wrong. I am curious what other homes are on the shortlist, though.” Matt smiles at Sonia. “Sorry if we ruin a streak of getting it right on the first try.” 

“Oh please,” she says, gesturing dismissively. “I did say usually. Now, let me slip between you so I can get this unlocked.” A little zing passes through the three of them as their shoulders brush. “You two can go in alone and check it out. See if you can picture yourselves here.” 

“Wouldn’t rocking—” Matt starts, just as Serenity chimes in with, “Ooh a porch swing—” They both chuckle a bit sheepishly and reach for each other, fingers twining together.

“Why not both?” Sonia asks. The doorknob sparks as she turns the key in the lock. The door creaks open. “Go ahead in, lovebirds.”

“Ladies first,” Matt insists.  

“Oh, babe. I know it’s the first house, I know it’s a little bit of a project… but it feels like home. Or at least it will once we put a large sectional right here, and our photos on the mantle. Oh! We could hang matching stockings at Christmas!” 

Matt trails behind her and the house does feel somehow right. Any hesitation he might feel disappears when he sees the look on his wife’s face. Walking from room to room, they chatter with hushed fervor as they share their visions for their future. 

The walls in the kitchen are painted a sunny yellow, which is Serenity’s favorite color for a kitchen. Could it be a sign? Matt smiles indulgently. His wife looks stunning standing in a pool of light streaming through the window. Her eyes gleam the way they had when the two pink lines had appeared on the test five months ago.

They step out onto the back deck. Serenity pictures a hammock between two trees to the left. There’s plenty of flat space for a swingset. Matt can see games of catch, and points out a spot for a firepit. He is a master at making s’mores, after all. 

Reentering the home, they walk down the hall and step into the first room on the right. They both point to the perfect wall for the crib where they’ll tuck their daughter soon, and his grandma’s rocking chair will look perfect in the corner. The walls will be blush pink, of course, with a plush rug to match.

Sonia peeks in the windows ten minutes later and sees Serenity and Matt, side by side, her head on his shoulder. Their eyes have a matching faraway softness as they dream. She retreats to her SUV, unwilling to intrude upon their private moment. She tucks the necessary paperwork under her arm, opens the trunk, and pulls out a basket containing sparkling cider and wine glasses. 

“How did you know?” Matt asks as she walks through the front door. 

“Must be magic,” Sonia says with a self-deprecating smile.

“Must be,” Matt and Serenity say in unison. They feel a surge of energy as their eyes meet.