2595 words

My habit of checking my phone to discover the temperature every day carries over after our trip. It may be annoying, however on the good side because of this habit I have formed, I manage to catch the text message that Candace sent me in the middle of the night.

Candace: We are good to go. I don't know how he managed it, but Asher was able to get a judge to meet him the Monday after the 4th of July. Of course I learned the two of them are actually pretty close, and once she heard the details regarding our case she immediately signed off on the paperwork. So, after that I went ahead and purchased tickets. I hope you are ready for us because we will be arriving at 11:30 Friday morning.

In the text following that one she includes all the specifics. What airline they will be flying in on, what gate they will be arriving at, and even how long their flight will be. It's crazy, but somehow she managed to find a nonstop flight that will take her only fourteen hours. I don't remember for certain, but I am pretty sure that is how long it took us to get back from Monte Carlo with one layover to refuel.

Shit! This means that I need to get stuff for her ready within only three days. Which I realized immediately isn't completely accurate because Thursday is the day the press conference is scheduled for. Crap, that means I have closer to two days.

Candace isn't bringing much with them other than their clothing, his toys, and some other personal items. So, we basically have to start from scratch for both of them. After all, we don't even have a guest room properly set up yet.

On the good side Hobi has already been researching what all he needs to childproof the house. A lot of things are fine as they are but there are also quite a few things that need fixed. He has already been putting covers on any electrical outlet we aren't using. Outside of that there are still quite a few things on his list that we still need to purchase and implement, mostly in the kitchen.

Too bad Jiwoo's specialty is clothing, and not interior design. Although she probably would love to come with me to shop for furniture and bedding anyway. I type a quick text out to Jiwoo, and get out of bed to make breakfast for my soulmates before most of them have to leave for the day.

Yoongi has meetings he has to attend regarding the production for the next album. Namjoon has to meet with the Big Hit CEOs and Sejin. Hobi has to meet with the choreographer. Jimin is still working on stuff regarding the special stage. Jk has a photo shoot. That leaves only Tae and Jin that would be free today.

I quickly work on an easy breakfast. This morning Yoongi is a little bit behind, but I know that is because he stayed up a bit too late last night working in the studio downstairs. I want to tell Jin about what I learned, but I really don't like repeating myself. I would much rather tell everyone at once when they get a chance to all sit down at the table.

Luckily, even Tae doesn't dawdle in bed too long this morning. He starts trudging down the stairs while all of us are just sitting down at the table. After everyone has food on their plates I relay Candace's message. "So, that gives me about two days to purchase everything I am going to need for the house before their arrival. Honestly, come to think of it, it pretty much only gives me one day. I will probably have to have everything scheduled for delivery tomorrow, and even if I am not there for the press conference I at least want to watch it from home. So, I would rather leave Thursday completely open."

"Before I leave I'll make sure to give you the list of things I still need to purchase to childproof the house." Hobi says after he finishes a mouthful of food. I convinced him to stop saying 'baby proof" even though it is essentially the same thing.

"I wish I wasn't busy today. I actually appreciate interior design a lot, and would love to go with you to help you make your purchases." Yoongi admits, which I can't help but be a little surprised by. I know they all have at least a mild appreciation of art in general, and I guess I should have somewhat expected it. Yet, somehow the fact still surprises me. Then he hands me a business card from his wallet. "This is where we purchased a lot of the furniture for your room. Maybe you can start there."

I smile warmly at him before leaning over and kissing him on the cheek. "Thank you, Bear."

"I actually made plans with my hyungs from Hwarang today." Tae immediately pouts.

I didn't expect him to also be busy, and I definitely want to encourage him to go have fun with his friends. I can't help but admit to myself that I am a bit disappointed to learn he won't be free to go with me though.

Jin's ears turn pink. "I didn't want to have to admit this, but I enrolled in a cooking class. I wanted to study how to make some Western style cuisines since I figured we would have to slowly introduce Joshua to Korean foods. I know that kids' palates are quite different from ours, and I already knew it was something we would have to work on."

Once again, I'm not very happy to find this out so last minute, but it is not only exceptionally logical. It also plucks at my heartstrings that he cared enough to even consider it, let alone actually enroll in such classes.

My soulmates all head upstairs after putting their dishes in the sink. I am going to have to wash them myself this morning, since they are all so busy. It's not something I am accustomed to, but I definitely expected it once they had their first comeback after we got together.

For a moment I think I am going to have to go shopping by myself when Jiwoo finally texts me back.

Jiwoo: Ooh! Let me tag along. I actually helped Aecha look for stuff for her nursery a week ago. I bet I can take you around some of the same spots to get you the stuff we need.

Me: How soon can you be here?

Jiwoo: Lol, I literally just kissed the soulmates goodbye and jumped in the car.

Me: Kay, it might take me an hour or so to arrange security to come with. Not to mention I still have to do the dishes.

Jiwoo: Roger that. Putting the phone down now so I can drive.

I don't expect another text message after that but I get another alert surprising me shortly thereafter. Hobi had quickly typed up what else we needed to childproof the house. Those of the soulmates who have a schedule today line up to get their goodbye kisses. "Be safe and have a good day!" I shout after them.

I shouldn't be surprised about the fact that when I call to get a security detail that those on the other end are emphatically against me going out. I should have considered how hesitant they would be since Hye Rin and Youngmi are still at large, but honestly it didn't even occur to me. The only way they will relent at all is if we take a minimum of four security guards with us. I roll my eyes, because I truly do believe that even four is overkill. That doesn't mean I don't understand their reasoning though. Also, I'm honestly surprised that they can spare that many security guards.

Jiwoo is a bit bummed when she realizes she won't be able to drive herself. Honestly, regarding that fact in particular I am a bit thankful because she drives like a maniac. Han-Bin showed up at the door not long after she did. With him is Sang Hee, Korain, and one other that I only recognized because he was part of a security detail when Jin and I went on our first date. He reintroduces himself as Kisoo. I can't help but be thankful that three out of four of them will be familiar to me. I also can't help but still be surprised by Korain's presence. I'm starting to wonder if it is simply because he is the only one of the 'security team' who speaks fluent English.

"I think we should start at a bedding store first. That should help us set up some kind of theme for the room. What does Joshua like?" Jiwoo asks me.

"Music, but I doubt we will find anything music related for toddler rooms." I frown as I admit this.

"Then we get creative." Jiwoo fiddles with her phone a second before showing me the screen. "Aecha bought these puzzle piece mats to soften the bedroom floor. Should we start with something like that?" Jiwoo shows me a picture of brightly colored puzzle mats.

"Did they come in different palettes? I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that many colors, but it also makes it hard to derive a theme."

"Oh, actually they did. Let me pull up the website."

I point at a set that has aquamarine, navy, and grayish white ones. "I vote we build from that."

Jiwoo nods. "Okay, so second order of business. I am sure that you will probably just end up moving the stuff in Candace's room to another room later on. I mean I wouldn't think you would want to put a guest room next to a kid's room typically." I hadn't thought of that, but I nod due to the sense it makes. "However, I think it would be smart to still try to incorporate things that would make her feel at home in your house. What's her favorite color?"

"Different shades of teal. She loves the more aqua shade, the lighter hue, as well as most of the darker tones." I end up answering immediately, almost surprising myself. I didn't realize that was information I had retained since before I got my serum injection we weren't as close as we are now.

I'm correct in my assumption that we probably wouldn't find music themed bedding for Joshua. I do find a very pretty quilt with colors that mimic the floor puzzle pieces I plan on purchasing, however.

We go over to look for some bedding for Candace, and I'm surprised to quickly come across a white floral set that has a lot of the darker hue with hints at the lighter one. "I think we can pull out emphasis on the lighter shade with our furniture choices."

"The room we have selected for her is pretty big. So, I think we should use the space wisely by also setting up a sitting area for her. Maybe a love seat, a coffee table or automon, some throw pillows."

"I know the few times I have stayed at a bed and breakfast I personally have appreciated when there is a desk sitting in a corner for me. So, I think we should provide that in her room also." Jiwoo suggests.

We stop over at the paint supply section, and while I plan on leaving Candace's room white. I am undecided regarding Joshua's room. I think it would be nice to have a little color though. It's there that I find the centerpiece for the decision on what theme I should do for his room. I point out the wall decal mural that somewhat reflects the colors of the puzzle pieces. "Maybe some kind of outdoors theme?" I suggest.

"Oooh! What about camping? I bet we can find a toddler bed that has a built-in tent!" Jiwoo exclaims excitedly.

"Ooh! I love that!" That's when my eyes trace over a set of glow in the dark stars. "What about designing the ceiling like a night sky?"

That's how his room ideas keep getting built on. After our multiple stops we end up with a toddler tent. Two L shaped storage benches that I plan on using to hide away his toys when he isn't playing with them. We found a giant tree shaped bookshelf, which I plan on getting someone to bolt into the wall so it is sure not to fall over. I plan on doing the same thing to the turquoise colored dresser I picked out for his room. We also purchased an indoor toddler sized slide with a mini ball bit, and we did indeed find the perfect tent bed. It's not a toddler bed like we had hoped, but it sits on the ground so he shouldn't injure himself getting down from it. Also, as long as he continues to like the way his room is decorated he can use it for a few years longer.

For Candace's room we found an elegant pearl colored bedroom set. We happened across a set of prints that tie in nicely with her bedspread due to the floral pattern being somewhat similar. We did indeed pick out a desk. It's white and we also purchased some turquoise colored wall organizers to hang above it. I chose to purchase a turquoise accent chair to go with the desk, although I may upgrade to a proper rolling desk chair in the future when the bedroom set gets moved to another room. I even found some vintage inspired flower vases to sit on both her desk and the two bedside tables. The living area will have a pair of button tufted plush teal ottomans, and a pearl toned loveseat. I probably went a bit crazy with the throw pillows. I bought five; the color palette of them coordinates exceptionally well with the chosen color scheme. Two that were a pretty, almost Moroccan pattern in shades of gray, aqua, and teal. Two solid colored throw pillows, one in aqua and one in teal. Plus a gray one with a somewhat similar pattern to the multicolored one.

Our final stop is to finish purchasing what else we need to childproof the house. I buy four baby gates, two for each staircase. I purchase locks for the kitchen. A lock that fits over the garbage can, two for each of the refrigerators, locks for each and every drawer below the countertop; he shouldn't be able to reach any higher than that unless he monkey climbs up on the counters. I also buy knob covers for the stove. I even chose a set of bed rails, even though I'm pretty sure they won't be necessary. Sang Hee and Korain are kind enough to lug those purchases back to the SUV for us.

It seems to take forever before we get back to the house. Once we do though we both fall back against the closest couch. "I never want to have to do that much shopping in one day again!"

"No, but I wouldn't mind doing it again for a baby nursery one day." She nudges me in the shoulder. I shake my head at her, but can't keep the grin growing on my face. After Joshua gets settled in maybe it will be time to bring up that subject in particular again.

A/N:  The links for the items I used for the rooms will be provided in the comments on the image itself.  :) 

Also, I haven't said it recently, but the images of BTS used in this story do not belong to me.  Credit for those is given towards the wonderful photographers that took them.