Mia woke up to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the curtains, her body still humming with the warmth of this morning. As she stretched, a lazy smile spread across her lips, the scent of something delicious drifting in from the kitchen.
She sat up, wrapping the sheets around her as she listened. There was a soft clinking, the occasional shuffle of feet, and the low hum of Max's voice—he was talking to himself, something he always did when he was deep in thought.
Curious, she slipped out of bed, pulling on one of Max's oversized shirts before leaving the bedroom. The moment she stepped into the living room, her breath caught.
The space was spotless. The couch cushions were fluffed, the coffee table was wiped clean, and the little mess from last night's movie marathon had disappeared. The kitchen was the same—no dishes in the sink, the counters gleaming.
And then, there was Max.
Standing at the stove, shirtless, his dark hair still tousled from sleep, he was plating something that smelled incredible. He glanced up as she entered, a slow, knowing smile on his face.
"Morning, beautiful." His voice was warm, rough from sleep.
Mia leaned against the doorway, arms crossed but eyes soft. "You cleaned."
He shrugged, setting a plate on the counter. "Figured you deserved to wake up to something nice after… everything." His smirk was unmistakable.
Her cheeks heated at the memory of their tangled limbs and whispered words in the early hours. "And breakfast, too?" She eyed the spread—two breakfast burritos, a glass of fresh pineapple juice, and a bowl of fruit arranged like a magazine.
Max stepped toward her, brushing his fingers down her arm before pulling her into him. "Had to make sure my girl starts the day right." He kissed her temple, then another along her jaw before whispering, "And maybe earn a few more of those sweet sounds you made this morning."
Mia laughed, shaking her head as she playfully smacked his chest. "You're impossible."
"And you love it," he teased, handing her the glass of pineapple juice before stealing a quick kiss.
She sighed, melting into him. Yeah, she did.
Mia sipped the pineapple juice, its sweet tang waking her senses as she settled onto one of the barstools at the kitchen island. Max slid onto the stool beside her, biting into his breakfast burrito with a satisfied groan.
"Damn, I outdid myself," he said through a mouthful of food, making her laugh.
She took a bite of her burrito, the mix of eggs, cheese, and crispy bacon wrapped in a warm tortilla hitting the spot. "Okay, I'll admit it—this is good."
Max shot her a smug grin. "See? I'm not just a pretty face."
Mia rolled her eyes but smiled as she reached for a slice of strawberry from the fruit bowl. "So, what do you feel like doing today?"
He leaned back slightly, thinking. "Well, we still need to check out finishes for the new house. Wanna hit up the builder's showroom?"
Her eyes lit up. "Yes! I've been looking forward to picking out flooring, countertops, etc." She rested her elbow on the counter, her chin propped in her palm. "I just hope we don't spend hours debating cabinet colors."
Max chuckled. "We probably will. But hey, at least we'll have fun arguing about it."
Mia smirked. "As long as you don't try to sneak in some crazy backsplash just because you think it 'looks cool.'"
He gasped in mock offense. "Excuse me, my taste is impeccable."
She arched a brow. "You wanted a black kitchen island with neon blue barstools."
Max pointed at her. "Still think it would've been sick."
Mia laughed, shaking her head. "We'll see about that."
He reached for her hand, lacing their fingers together. "After the showroom, how about we grab a late lunch somewhere? Make a little date out of it?"
She squeezed his hand, warmth blooming in her chest. "That sounds perfect."
"Good," he said, lifting her hand to kiss the back of it before flashing her that heart-stopping grin. "Now eat up, babe. We've got a big day of very serious design choices ahead."
Mia stood in front of the closet, one hand resting on her belly as she scanned her options. At seven months pregnant, comfort was the priority, but she still wanted to look cute for their little outing.
Behind her, Max was sitting on the edge of the bed, strapping his walking cast back into place. "I swear, this thing is a pain in the ass," he muttered, tightening the Velcro straps.
Mia turned, smirking. "Well, maybe next time you'll listen when I tell you not to play rough with the kids when you're already sore."
Max scoffed. "First of all, I was on fire that night. And second, I didn't know I was gonna land wrong." He glanced up at her with a grin. "You still feel sorry for me, though, right?"
She laughed. "A little."
He stretched his arms out toward her. "Then come here and kiss me better."
Rolling her eyes but smiling, Mia walked over and kissed his lips. He hummed in approval, letting his hands settle on her hips. "Much better," he murmured against her lips before glancing down at her belly. "How's my little lady doing this morning?"
"She's been using my ribs as a jungle gym, so I think she's having a great time," Mia said, rubbing the curve of her stomach.
Max grinned and leaned down, pressing a kiss just above her belly button. "Alright, sweetheart, let your mom breathe a little today, okay?"
Mia sighed happily, running a hand through his hair. She loved seeing him like this—so soft and affectionate.
"Okay," she said, stepping back with determination. "Time to get dressed."
Max sat back against the pillows, watching her with open admiration. "You could wear a paper bag and still be the most beautiful woman in the room."
Mia rolled her eyes. "Flatterer."
After some debating, she finally settled on a stretchy mini dress that comfortably hugged her bump. She paired it with a light denim jacket and white sneakers. She pulled her hair into a loose ponytail and dabbed on some makeup, just enough to feel put together.
In the meantime, Max pulled on a simple Henley and joggers, ensuring his walking cast fit comfortably before grabbing his watch and running a hand through his messy hair.
When he turned to see Mia fully dressed, his expression softened. "Damn, you're glowing."
She huffed, placing a hand on her hip. "That's just sweat from trying to bend over and put my shoes on."
Max chuckled, grabbed his crutches, and made his way over to her. Still, you look gorgeous." He leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Ready to go pick out some future-home stuff?"
Mia grinned, looping her arm through his. "Absolutely."
And with that, they headed out, excited to take another step toward building their dream home together.
As they stepped out into the warm morning sun, Max paused beside Mia's Cadillac Escalade, running his hand along the sleek black exterior. He let out a low whistle. "You know, I think today's the day."
Mia raised an eyebrow as she opened the passenger door. "The day for what?"
Max grinned, tapping his walking cast. "The day I finally get back behind the wheel. Let me drive, babe."
Mia hesitated, eyeing him warily. "Are you sure? You've been off your foot for weeks."
Max scoffed. "I've got the walking cast now. I'm mobile. My right foot is also fine—braking and accelerating will be smooth. I promise." He gave her his best puppy-dog eyes. "Come on, I've been dying to drive this thing."
Mia sighed, crossing her arms. "Alright, fine. But we're switching the second I feel like you're struggling."
Max's grin widened as he carefully approached the driver's side. "Deal."
He climbed in, adjusting the seat to fit his longer legs before gripping the steering wheel with a satisfied sigh. "Damn, this thing feels good."
Mia buckled up and watched him as he started the engine. "Just take it easy, Mr.' I've Got This.'"
Max chuckled, shifting into reverse and smoothly backing out of the driveway. Pulling onto the main road, he shot her a smug glance. "See? Told you I've still got it."
Mia rolled her eyes but smiled. "Just focus on the road, hotshot."
Max chuckled, resting one hand casually on the wheel as he drove. "Man, I might need one of these. It's like driving a luxury tank."
Mia smirked. "Yeah, well, let's see if you still feel that way when you try to park it."
He shot her a playful glare. "Have a little faith in me, woman."
She laughed, reaching over to rest a hand on his thigh. "I do. But if you tap a curb, you're returning the keys."
Max chuckled, giving her a quick wink. "Fair enough."
Mia relaxed as they drove toward the builder's showroom, enjoying having him behind the wheel again. It was just another little step toward normalcy—and another reminder that no matter what, they always made a good team.
Mia and Max walked into the builder's showroom, greeted by the bright, open space filled with walls of tile samples, flooring swatches, and cabinetry displays. The scent of fresh wood and new materials filled the air, making the reality of their soon-to-be home feel even more exciting.
Max let out a low whistle as he glanced around. "Alright, babe, where do we start?"
Mia rubbed her belly thoughtfully. "I think flooring. Once we pick that, everything else will fall into place."
The associate led them to the flooring section, where they immediately gravitated toward a sleek, wide-plank white oak. It had a soft, natural finish—clean and modern but warm.
"This," Mia said, running her fingers over the sample. "Light enough to keep things bright but not too stark."
Max nodded. "Agreed. Plus, it'll make the black accents pop." He wiggled his brows at her. "We are doing black accents, right?"
Mia smirked. "Yes, we are. In moderation."
Next came the kitchen cabinets. They debated but ultimately chose natural light stain upper cabinets for a crisp, timeless feel, with a dramatic black island as a statement piece.
"See? I told you a black island would be sick," Max said, grinning triumphantly.
Mia shook her head, amused. "I know, I know. You were right."
For countertops, they both fell in love with white quartz with subtle veining—clean and modern but with enough movement to add character.
Then came the backsplash. Mia had been worried this would take forever, but surprisingly, they both agreed on running the countertop up the wall. It felt fresh and sophisticated without being too trendy.
Max ran his fingers along a stunning large-format concrete-look tile when they moved on to bathroom finishes. "This for the master shower?"
Mia nodded excitedly. "Yes! And we'll do matte black fixtures to add contrast."
Max grinned. "Damn, our bathroom is gonna look like a luxury spa."
By the time they picked out hardware—sleek black handles for the kitchen and brushed nickel for the bathrooms—they felt accomplished.
Max leaned down to kiss Mia's temple. "I think we just designed a masterpiece."
She laughed, squeezing his hand. "We make a pretty good team."
"Hell yeah, we do." He looked around once more, a satisfied gleam in his eye. "Now, how about that late lunch? I'm starving after all that expert decision-making."
Mia chuckled, nodding. "Let's go celebrate our future home with some good food."
After one last look at their chosen samples, they left the showroom, excited about what would come.
As they pulled into the Iron Star Urban Barbecue parking lot, the smoky scent of slow-cooked meat drifted through the air, making Mia's stomach growl. She glanced at Max, who was already looking at her with a knowing grin.
"You're about to order half the menu, aren't you?" he teased.
Mia laughed as she unbuckled her seatbelt. "Listen, our daughter has decided she wants barbecue, and who am I to deny her?"
Max chuckled, carefully stepping out of the Escalade. "Fair point. Let's go feed the little lady—and her starving mother."
Inside, the warm, rustic atmosphere was just what they needed after spending hours making house decisions. Exposed brick walls, wooden tables, and the hum of country blues playing in the background made it feel cozy but modern. They found a booth near the window, and Mia sighed contentedly as soon as they sat down.
Max reached across the table, taking her hand. ""Pretty good day, huh?"
Mia nodded. "Yeah. We picked out all the finishes for our house, and now I'm about to eat some amazing barbecue. I'd say today is a win."
A few minutes later, their food arrived, and Mia practically beamed as the server set down her Pulled Pork Sandwich—tender, slow-smoked pork drenched in golden BBQ sauce, topped with crispy onion rings and house-made pickles, all on a fluffy bun. She popped a crispy Brussels sprout into her mouth and sighed happily.
On the other hand, Max was staring at his plate like it was a work of art. His St. Louis Cut Pork Ribs looked perfect—slow-smoked for hours with a secret dry rub, their bark crisp and caramelized from the hickory-pecan wood blend. He picked one up, taking a massive bite before groaning in satisfaction.
"Oh yeah," he said, licking his fingers. "This is what dreams are made of."
Mia smirked, taking a bite of her sandwich. The mix of smoky pork, tangy golden barbecue, and the crunch of the onion rings was pure perfection. "Okay, I get it. This place was the right choice."
Max scooped up a forkful of potato salad, nodding. "Told you the reviews were awesome."
They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, both too focused on their food to talk. Max would sneak a sprout off Mia's plate every so often, and she'd swat at his hand, but she didn't mind.
Max leaned back with a satisfied sigh as they slowed down, rubbing his stomach. ""All right, I officially need a nap."
Mia laughed, taking the last sip of her sweet tea. "Same. But first, we need dessert."
Max raised an eyebrow. "Are you serious right now?"
She gave him a look. "I'm growing a human, Max. Of course, I'm serious."
He chuckled, waving down the server. "Fine, but you're sharing."
She grinned. "No promises."
And just like that, they ended their day exactly how they wanted—full, happy, and excited for the future.
As Mia and Max walked into their home, both sighed contentedly. The afternoon had been perfect—picking out finishes for their dream home, indulging in some of the best barbecue in town, and finally, they could relax.
Max eased onto the sofa, carefully adjusting his walking cast while Mia curled beside him, resting her head on his chest. His arm automatically draped over her, his fingers tracing slow circles on her back.
"Okay," he murmured. "We officially ate way too much."
Mia chuckled, adjusting slightly to get more comfortable. "Worth it, though."
Max grinned. "Completely."
Just as they started to sink into a comfortable food coma, Max's phone buzzed on the coffee table. He lazily reached for it, seeing his brother Jeremy's name flashing across the screen.
"Yo," Max answered, putting the phone on speaker.
Jeremy's voice was tense. "Tell me you've seen it."
Max frowned. "Seen what?"
There was a pause, then a heavy sigh. "Nate. That piece of shit posted something on social media about you—something about 'taking his sloppy seconds.'"
Mia's stomach dropped, and she immediately sat up. "Are you kidding me?"
"Wish I was," Jeremy said. "And people are talking. His little fanboys are in the comments hyping him up, even though the whole world knows he cheated on Mia and—" Jeremy hesitated before finishing, "—and hired those guys to hurt her."
Max's jaw clenched, his fingers tightening around the phone. His expression darkened, his easygoing demeanor replaced by something sharp and dangerous. "Send me the link," he said.
A second later, Jeremy forwarded the post. Max opened it, his eyes scanning the disgusting words Nate had written, painting himself as some kind of victim while making Max and Mia sound like a joke.
Mia crossed her arms, shaking her head in disbelief. "He has no shame."
Max's hand flexed at his side, his anger barely contained. "He's been quiet for years. Why now?"
"Because he's a pathetic loser who can't stand seeing us happy," Mia muttered. "He wants attention and thinks this will get to us."
Max exhaled slowly, then grabbed his phone again. "Well, he's about to get the kind of attention he doesn't want."
Mia watched as he scrolled through his contacts and pressed a number. It rang twice before a deep voice answered.
"Max. What's up?"
"Ethan, I need a favor," Max said, his voice calm and steady. "Mia's ex Nate's running his mouth on social media, and I want that shit taken down. Now."
There was a pause. "Send me the link. I'll get on it. You want me to file the paperwork?"
"Yeah," Max said without hesitation. "Cease and desist letter. And make sure he knows that if he so much as breathes in our direction again, we're coming for him legally."
"Got it. Consider it handled."
Max ended the call and tossed his phone onto the coffee table. He ran a hand down his face, exhaling through his nose as he tried to push down the anger inside him.
Mia reached for his hand, lacing her fingers through his. "Hey," she said softly, her thumb brushing over his knuckles. "We knew he might try something eventually. But we're handling it. And I refuse to let him ruin even a second of our happiness."
Max turned to her, his features softening slightly. "I just hate that he even thinks he can say anything about you—about us."
Mia squeezed his hand. "Let him talk. It won't change the fact that you're the best thing that ever happened to me."
Max exhaled, his grip tightening around hers. Finally, he nodded. "You're right." He kissed her temple, lingering there momentarily before pulling her back into his arms.
They sat there in silence for a while, the warmth of each other's presence pushing away the bitterness of Nate's pathetic attempt at stirring trouble. Whatever he had hoped to achieve, it didn't work.
Because of Mia and Max?
They were unshakable.