Avery and Ryan stood in the center of a large furniture showroom, surrounded by perfectly staged living rooms, dining sets, and plush beds. The smell of fresh wood and leather filled the air as Avery ran her fingers over a soft velvet armchair.
“This one feels nice,” Avery said, glancing at Ryan, who was squatting beside a coffee table, testing its sturdiness.
Ryan looked up, grinning. “Yeah, but is it baby proof? Picture a little toddler running around with sticky hands.”
Avery rolled her eyes playfully. “We don’t need to baby-proof the furniture just yet, Mr. Overthinker. Let’s focus on finding a couch that doesn’t scream ‘practical’ but is still comfortable enough for family movie nights.”
They wandered through the showroom, stopping in front of a large sectional in a soft gray fabric. Ryan plopped down dramatically, leaning back with a contented sigh.
“Sold,” he declared, patting the cushion.
Avery laughed, sitting beside him. “We haven’t even tested the others!”
Ryan stretched his arms behind his head. “Why bother? This one’s perfect. It’s big enough for us, Sunny, and all the throw pillows you’ll insist on buying.”
“Good point,” Avery admitted, bouncing lightly on the cushion. “But let’s see if the salesperson can tell us about stain resistance. Just in case we spill juice—or worse, crayons.”
Ryan groaned. “You’re making me nervous about the chaos our kid is going to bring.”
Avery smirked. “Get ready for glitter, crayons, and mystery stains.”
Next, they moved to the dining section, where a sleek oak table caught Avery’s eye.
“This one’s nice,” she said, running her hand over the polished surface. “Simple but elegant.”
Ryan tilted his head, considering. “It’s nice, but what about this one?” He pointed to a round table with a lazy Susan in the middle. “Perfect for passing food—and for spinning stuff when we’re bored.”
Avery laughed. “Spinning stuff, really? You’re worse than Oliver.”
“Just thinking practically,” Ryan said with a wink.
They eventually agreed on a sturdy rectangular table with matching chairs, envisioning family dinners and future homework sessions.
A week later, Avery stood in the middle of their new home, boxes piled high around her. The spacious Craftsman-style house felt both exciting and overwhelming. Sunlight streamed through the large windows, highlighting the warm tones of the hardwood floors.
“Okay,” Ryan said, walking in with another box labeled Kitchen. “Remind me again why we have so much stuff?”
“Because I have a baby on the way, and you can’t expect me to live without my ten million candles,” Avery replied, smirking.
Ryan raised an eyebrow. “Candles? I thought these boxes were labeled ‘Essentials.’”
“They are essential!” Avery shot back, laughing.
Their first task was setting up the living room. The new sectional arrived just in time, and Ryan groaned as he maneuvered it through the front door with the help of the delivery team.
“Pivot!” Avery called from the doorway, barely holding in her laughter.
Ryan shot her a mock glare. “You’re enjoying this too much.”
Once the couch was in place, Avery draped a soft blanket over the back and arranged throw pillows while Ryan set up the coffee table.
“It’s already starting to feel like home,” Avery said, stepping back to admire their work.
Ryan pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. “That’s because you’re here.”