The Arrangement

47

Maya and Carina spent the weekend preparing for the nursery, excited to transform the room into a cozy, welcoming space for their baby. Carina had carefully chosen a soft, soothing color palette, and Maya was determined to take on the painting herself.

On Saturday morning, Maya set up the room with drop cloths and painter's tape, while Carina picked out a playlist of calming music to keep them entertained. Maya was wearing old clothes and had a look of determination on her face, while Carina was ready with snacks and drinks to keep them energized.

As Maya started rolling the first strokes of paint onto the walls, she couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. The soft pastel color began to cover the walls, creating a serene backdrop for the nursery. Carina watched with admiration, occasionally offering encouragement and helping with touch-ups or the more intricate details around the edges.

While Maya painted, Carina started unpacking the numerous items she had ordered online. Boxes of baby essentials and nursery decorations were scattered around the room, and Carina eagerly sorted through them.

Maya set to work painting the nursery, eager to bring their animal-themed vision to life. She had chosen a charming design featuring playful, cartoonish animals—perfect for a baby's room. The walls were soon adorned with a soft, pastel background, and Maya meticulously painted whimsical animal characters: a friendly lion, a curious elephant, and a gentle giraffe.

By the end of the day, the room had been completely painted, and Maya was beaming with pride. The walls looked fresh and inviting, and the nursery was starting to take shape. Carina was equally pleased, and they both admired their work, imagining how the room would look with the new furniture and baby items.

Maya looked at Carina with a satisfied grin. "It looks amazing. I'm so glad we did this together."

Carina smiled back, her eyes shining with happiness. "It really does. And I'm thrilled with how it's turning out. Thanks for taking on the painting—it means a lot."

The next day, Maya and Carina set out for a day of shopping, primarily focused on visiting the baby store to find the perfect items for their nursery. Although Maya wasn't exactly thrilled about the prospect of spending hours shopping, her excitement about preparing for their baby kept her spirits high.

As they walked into the baby store, Carina's eyes lit up with excitement. The store was filled with everything imaginable for a new arrival: cribs, changing tables, adorable onesies, and colorful toys. Carina eagerly led the way, guiding Maya through the various sections and showing her the items she had been eyeing.

Maya followed along, her initial reluctance fading as she took in the sight of all the cute and practical items. She was particularly drawn to the various styles of baby furniture and accessories. While she might not have been enthusiastic about shopping, the idea of setting up their baby's room made it worthwhile.

Carina picked out a few items she hadn't had a chance to see in person, like a soft, organic cotton blanket and a set of stackable, colorful blocks. She also showed Maya a selection of diaper bags and asked for her input on which one would be best for their needs.

As Maya and Carina continued browsing through the selection of diaper bags, Carina picked up a classic tote-style bag with a beautiful design. "What do you think of this one?" she asked, holding it up for Maya to see.

Maya glanced at it and then back at the backpack-style options. "It's really nice, but I'm leaning towards something more hands-free. We're going to be juggling a lot of stuff, and I think a backpack might be more practical."

Carina raised an eyebrow. "You think so? I do like the look of the tote, and it seems pretty spacious."

Maya nodded thoughtfully. "It is spacious, but think about it—when we're out and about, we might need to reach into the bag quickly or even carry our baby and the bag at the same time. A backpack will help us stay organized and keep our hands free."