The next morning, Jade woke up to the soft sound of Luna’s tiny paws padding across the hardwood floor. The kitten jumped onto the bed with surprising agility for her size, nuzzling against Jade’s arm. Jade smiled, running her fingers through Luna’s soft gray fur.
“Good morning, little troublemaker,” she murmured, laughing softly when Luna responded with a soft meow.
The sunlight streaming through the window reminded Jade of her plans for the day. She and Mia had decided to take Luna to the pet store to pick out everything the kitten might need—and maybe a few things she didn’t but absolutely deserved.
Later that morning, Mia arrived at the house, practically bursting through the door with excitement. “Alright, where’s my niece?” she demanded, looking around.
Jade walked into the living room, holding Luna in her arms. “Your niece?” she teased, raising an eyebrow. “You’re really claiming her already?”
“Of course!” Mia grinned, reaching out to take Luna. “Aunt Mia is here to spoil you rotten, little one.”
Luna blinked at Mia with her big green eyes, seemingly unbothered by the attention. Jade grabbed her purse and keys, laughing. “Let’s get going before you fill her head with ideas.”
The drive to the pet store was filled with chatter and laughter as Mia peppered Jade with questions about Luna.
“So, does she sleep with you?” Mia asked, her tone mischievous.
“She does,” Jade admitted, glancing at Luna through the rearview mirror. The kitten was curled up in a small carrier on the backseat. “She’s like a little heater. It’s nice.”
Mia smirked. “You’re already whipped. I love it.”
“Shut up,” Jade said, rolling her eyes but unable to keep the smile off her face.
The pet store was bustling with activity when they arrived. Jade carried Luna in her arms while Mia grabbed a cart, ready to load it with anything and everything the kitten might need—or want.
“Okay, first things first,” Mia announced, steering the cart toward the toy section. “Luna needs toys. Lots of toys.”
Jade followed her, glancing down at Luna. “You hear that? Your aunt’s already trying to spoil you.”
Luna meowed softly, and Mia laughed. “That’s a yes if I’ve ever heard one.”
They spent the next twenty minutes in the toy aisle, testing out different options. Mia dangled a feather wand in front of Luna, who batted at it enthusiastically.
“This is a definite yes,” Mia said, tossing the wand into the cart.
Jade picked up a small stuffed mouse and held it out to Luna, who sniffed it before pawing at it. “She likes this one too,” Jade said, adding it to the growing pile.
By the time they left the toy aisle, the cart was already half full.
Next, they headed to the food and treat section. Jade carefully read the labels on different brands, wanting to ensure Luna had the best.
“Do you think she’d like salmon or chicken?” Jade asked, holding up two cans of wet food.
“Both,” Mia said without hesitation. “You’re not feeding her the same thing every day. She needs variety.”
Jade gave her a skeptical look. “You do realize she’s a cat, right?”
“A spoiled cat,” Mia corrected. “There’s a difference.”
Shaking her head, Jade added both cans to the cart, along with a few bags of dry food and some treats shaped like tiny fish.
The real fun began when they reached the bedding and furniture section. Jade and Mia immediately gravitated toward a luxurious-looking cat bed lined with faux fur.
“This is perfect,” Mia said, patting the bed. “Luna’s going to feel like a queen.”
“It’s also a little over the top,” Jade pointed out, though she couldn’t deny how cute it was.
“Over the top is the whole point,” Mia argued, tossing the bed into the cart.
They also picked out a scratching post, a small climbing tree, and a set of bowls for food and water. Luna sat calmly in Jade’s arms, occasionally sniffing at the items as they were added to the cart.
At the checkout counter, Jade couldn’t help but laugh at the total. “This cat has more stuff than I do,” she said, swiping her card.
“That’s because she’s royalty,” Mia said with a wink.
Once they’d loaded everything into the car, they decided to let Luna explore a bit. In the store’s outdoor area, Jade set her down on the grass, keeping a close eye on her as she roamed around. Luna stretched her little legs, sniffing the ground and pawing at a stray leaf.
“She’s so curious,” Mia said, crouching down to watch her.
“She’s fearless too,” Jade said, smiling as Luna darted after a butterfly.
For a moment, they both sat quietly, watching Luna explore.
“She’s good for you, you know,” Mia said softly.
Jade glanced at her friend, her smile fading into something more thoughtful. “Yeah, she is. She makes everything feel a little… lighter.”
By the time they got home, Luna was napping in her carrier, and the backseat was filled with bags from the pet store. Jade and Mia carried everything inside, laughing as they set up Luna’s new bed and toys.
Luna woke up just in time to explore her new setup, sniffing the bed before climbing into it and curling up.
“She approves,” Mia said, watching the kitten settle in.
Jade smiled, leaning against the couch. “I think so too.”