Chapter 23

The soft hum of the alarm clock blended with the morning light filtering through the sheer curtains. Mia stirred first, stretching her arms above her head, savoring the last moments of warmth beneath the covers. The weekend had been nothing short of perfect—a mix of lazy mornings, rodeo, church, and endless conversations about the future.

Max groaned beside her, rubbing his face before rolling over to drape an arm across her waist. "Do we have to get up?" he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

Mia chuckled, brushing a hand through his tousled hair. "Unless you want Ryan Green designing our dream home without us, then yes, we do."

That got him moving. With a reluctant sigh, Max sat up and stretched. "Fine, but I'm going to need food. Lots of it."

They moved through their morning routine in sync. Mia made bacon and eggs while Max toasted bread, both lost in thoughts of the meeting ahead. Today wasn't just another consultation; it was the next big step toward turning their vision into something tangible.

Mia glanced at the notes they had given Ryan on their last visit as they ate their breakfast. The house was more than just walls and a roof—it was their future, built on the land that had been in Mia's family for generations. 

They had spent hours walking the property, imagining the front porch where they'd dip wine at sunset, the cozy living room where they'd host holidays, and the kitchen where they'd cook together.

"You think Ryan will get it?" Max asked, flipping through the pages of notes.

Mia nodded. "I think he will. He seemed to understand our vision last time. And if he doesn't, we'll make sure he does."

An hour later, they pulled into the parking lot of Green & Co. Architecture, a sleek, modern building that contrasted with the rustic charm they wanted for their home. Inside, Ryan Green greeted them with a firm handshake and an easy smile.

"Good to see you both again," he said, gesturing for them to sit. "I've been working on plans from the notes I took last week at the meeting, and I have to say—I love where this is headed."

Mia and Max exchanged a relieved glance.

Ryan spread out blueprints across the conference table. "Now, let's discuss the details. I've incorporated your ideas while optimizing space and keeping the design practical. Tell me what you think."

As they leaned in to study the plans, excitement buzzed between them. This was it. Their dream home was taking shape, and with every line and measurement, it became more real.

After an hour of discussion, revisions, and a few playful debates, Mia and Max finally sat back in their chairs, exchanging satisfied smiles. The final plans for their dream home were set.

Ryan Green tapped his pen against the blueprint and nodded. "I think we've got it. This house will be everything you envisioned—timeless, warm, and built to last."

Mia sighed with excitement, squeezing Max's hand beneath the table. "It feels real now."

"It is real," Max said, grinning. "Now, we just need to ensure the outside is as perfect as the inside."

Ryan chuckled. "Well, with the size of that backyard, you two have endless possibilities. Have you settled on a landscape designer yet?"

Mia nodded. "We have a meeting this afternoon with Willow & Co. They come highly recommended, and we sent them some ideas beforehand."

Max leaned forward, his excitement growing. "We want the backyard to be more than just beautiful—we want it to be an experience."

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "What kind of experience are we talking about?"

Mia grinned. "Picture this—a huge pool, not just any pool, but one with a lazy river winding through it. A space to lounge, soak up the sun, and relax."

Max added, "An outdoor kitchen, top-of-the-line, for grilling and entertaining. A play area for kids—safe but fun. We're talking swings, climbing structures, maybe even a treehouse."

Ryan let out a low whistle. "Sounds like a resort more than a backyard."

"That's the idea," Max said with a laugh. "This place is going to be our forever home. We want it to be where our family gathers, where our future kids make memories, and where our friends never want to leave."

Mia tapped the table. "Oh, and a fire pit. I want cozy nights by the fire, making s'mores."

Ryan shook his head, clearly impressed. "I can't wait to see what the team at Willow & Co. comes up with. If anyone can bring your vision to life, it's them."

With their plans finalized, Mia and Max gathered their things and said their goodbyes. The afternoon sun warmed their faces as they stepped outside, and excitement hummed between them.

Max slid his arm around Mia's shoulders. "This is happening."

She leaned into him, smiling. "It is. And we're just getting started."

As they headed toward their next meeting, their minds swirled with dreams of lazy summer days, laughter-filled nights, and the home they were building—together.

Mia and Max pulled into the sleek, modern Willow & Co. Landscape Design office, renowned for turning ordinary backyards into breathtaking retreats. Their excitement was undeniable—this meeting was the final piece in bringing their dream home to life.

As they stepped inside, they were greeted by a warm, inviting space filled with lush greenery, flowing water features, and a massive digital display showcasing past projects. A woman with a confident yet easygoing demeanor approached them and extended her hand.

"You must be Mia and Max. I'm Olivia Carter, lead designer here at Willow & Co. I've been looking forward to this meeting."

"We have to," Mia said, shaking Olivia's hand. "We've been dreaming about this backyard forever."

"Well," Olivia said with a grin, leading them into a glass-walled conference room, "let's make sure it's everything you imagined."

They took their seats, and Olivia pulled up a large screen displaying concept sketches based on the ideas Mia and Max had sent over.

"All right," she began, "from what I gathered, you don't just want a backyard—you want a full outdoor experience. A place to entertain, relax, and create memories for years to come. So, here's what we're thinking."

She clicked on the first design. The image on the screen showed a massive, resort-style pool with a winding lazy river looping around a raised sun deck for lounging.

Max let out a low whistle. "That's incredible."

"I love the pool shape," Mia added, leaning forward. "It feels natural, not too structured."

"That was the goal," Olivia said. "We want it to blend seamlessly with the landscape. Now, here's where the fun happens." She clicked to the next slide, revealing a swim-up bar and built-in hot tub at one end of the pool. "This will be a great centerpiece for hosting friends and family."

Max grinned. "Now we're talking."

Next came the outdoor kitchen and dining area—a fully equipped cooking space with a grill, pizza oven, and bar seating, shaded by a wooden pergola wrapped in string lights. Nearby, a cozy fire pit area with plush seating was perfectly placed for cool evenings under the stars.

Mia's eyes sparkled. "This is exactly what I wanted. A space where we can cook, eat, and just be together."

"Let's talk about the play area," Olivia continued. "We designed a dedicated space with a treehouse, swings, climbing structures, and a shaded sandbox—perfect for kids to grow into."

Mia reached for Max's hand, squeezing it. "I can already see our future kids running around here."

"And we didn't forget about the details," Olivia said. "We've added soft landscape lighting and a pathway leading to a private garden nook for a quiet escape. You'll also have plenty of lush greenery to create that serene, natural feel."

Mia and Max sat back, taking it all in. This wasn't just a backyard—it was a dream come true.

"This is perfect," Max finally said. "How soon can we get started?"

Olivia laughed. "We'll finalize the details and break ground within a few weeks. By the time your house is complete, your backyard paradise will be waiting for you."

Mia let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. This was happening. Their dream home, inside and out, was coming to life.

Max turned to her, his expression soft. "Looks like we're building more than just a house. We're building a whole life."

She smiled, leaning in. "And I wouldn't want it any other way."

After a long but exhilarating day of meetings, Mia and Max craved a delicious and unhurried meal where they could sit back, soak it all in, and just be together.

"Lunch?" Max suggested as they stepped out of Willow & Co.'s office, stretching his arms with a satisfied grin. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

Mia laughed, linking her arm through his. "I was hoping you'd say that. I need food, and I need it now."

They hopped into Mia's SUV and drove toward one of Mia's favorite spots—a cozy, upscale bistro on the edge of town that serves the best wood-fired pizzas and handcrafted cocktails. The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the streets, and a warm breeze drifted through the SUV's open windows.

The restaurant was in that perfect lull between the lunch and dinner rush when they arrived. They were seated on the outdoor patio beneath a string of twinkling lights, a gentle hum of soft music and clinking glasses filling the air.

Max leaned back in his chair, letting out a breath. "Okay, let's talk about it. How are you feeling after everything today?"

Mia smiled, running her fingers over the rim of her water glass. "Honestly? I feel… amazing. Excited. A little overwhelmed, but in the best way."

Max nodded. "Same. It hit me in that last meeting—this isn't just an idea anymore. We're doing it. The house, the backyard, the life we've been dreaming about."

A waiter appeared, and they ordered a Margherita pizza, truffle fries, and two glasses of iced tea.

Mia reached for Max's hand across the table when the waiter left. "It's crazy to think we'll live in our dream home in a year."

Max squeezed her hand, his thumb tracing lazy circles over her skin. "And we'll be spending weekends floating in our lazy river."

Mia grinned. "Don't forget to make pizza in our outdoor kitchen."

"And watching sunsets from the porch."

"And roasting marshmallows by the fire pit."

Max chuckled. "Okay, now I just want to fast-forward time."

Their drinks arrived, and Max lifted his glass. "To our dream home."

Mia clinked her glass against his. "And to the life we're building together."

They took a sip, and for a moment, everything else faded away—the meetings, the decisions, the long months ahead of construction. They were just dreaming, planning, and savoring the beginning of something truly special.

As Mia and Max drove home after their late lunch, the golden hues of the setting sun painted the sky, casting a warm glow over the town. It had been a perfect day—filled with excitement, decisions, and planning that made their dreams feel more real than ever.

Mia glanced at Max, who was scrolling through pictures of their house and backyard plans on his phone, a soft smile playing on his lips. He reached for his phone, a familiar feeling tugging at him.

"I think it's time to call Mom and Dad," he said. "They're going to love hearing about all of this."

Mia looked up and grinned. "They'll be thrilled. Your mom has been waiting for an update on everything."

Max chuckled. "Yeah, and Dad's probably been wondering when I'd finally call."

He pressed the call button, placing the phone on speaker as it rang. His mother's warm, familiar voice filled the truck quickly.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite son," Charlotte teased.

Max smirked. "Mom, you better not let Jeremy hear you say that."

"Exactly why you're my favorite."

Frank's voice chimed in from the background. "Hey there, son. What's going on?"

Max smiled, already feeling at home just from their voices. "We've had a busy weekend, and I figured it was time to update y'all."

"Oh, I can't wait to hear it," Charlotte said eagerly.

Max leaned back against the seat, glancing at Mia, who nodded in encouragement. "Well, for starters, we went to church Sunday morning—the same place Mia attended growing up. It felt good, really good to be there."

"That's wonderful," Charlotte said, her voice warm with approval. 

Frank chuckled. "Hard to imagine you in a church, son, since you can't sit still longer without falling asleep."

Mia laughed, covering her mouth. "Wait?"

Max groaned. "Dad, don't tell her that."

Charlotte giggled. "Too late. She's part of the family now—she gets to hear all the embarrassing stories."

Max shook his head, smiling, before continuing. "On Saturday, we went to a rodeo with Mia's brother Jessie and his wife Heather."

Charlotte gasped. "Oh, I bet that was fun! Did you enjoy the show, Max?"

"It was a blast," Max said. "Brought back many memories for Mia, and since I've never been to one before, I think I'm officially a fan."

"He loved it," Mia said. The energy, the excitement, everything. I even tried to explain bull riding to him."

Frank laughed. "I would have loved to see Mr. City's face with you training to explain bull riding to him."

Charlotte sighed. "Thank goodness he has you, Mia."

Max rolled his eyes. "Okay, okay, moving on." He took a deep breath before diving into the most significant news. "We also had meetings all day today. We finalized the plans for the house."

"Oh, Max!" Charlotte's voice was filled with emotion. "That's wonderful!"

"It's everything we imagined," Mia added. "Ryan Green did an amazing job bringing our ideas to life."

Max continued, "And after that, we met with Willow & Co. to plan the backyard. It will be incredible—a huge pool with a lazy river, an outdoor kitchen, a play area for the future kids, a fire pit… pretty much everything we dreamed of."

There was silence on the other end for a moment before Frank spoke. "Son, that sounds like a little piece of heaven."

Charlotte sniffled. "I can't tell you how happy it makes me to hear this. That land means so much to your family, Mia, and knowing you two are building your future there—it's just… it's special."

Max felt a lump form in his throat. "It is, Mom. And I could not have gotten this without Mia and her family's support. This place will be where family comes together and make new memories."

Mia reached over and squeezed Max's hand.

"Well," Charlotte said, clearing her throat, "you better believe your father and I will be there the second you let us. And I fully expect to be the first to float in that lazy river."

They all laughed, and Max shook his head. "Deal, Mom. You get the first float."

After a few more minutes of catching up, they finally said their goodbyes, promising to update them as construction began. As Max hung up, he turned to Mia, who was watching him with a soft smile.

"They're proud of you," she said.

Max exhaled, his heart full. "That means everything to me."

Mia leaned her head against his shoulder. "We're building something special, Max."

He kissed the top of her head. "Yeah, we are."

As they pulled into their driveway, the day's excitement settled in—gratitude, love, and the undeniable truth that they were creating something that would last for generations.