It was a Saturday morning when Jake woke up to Gaby whispering excitedly beside him, practically buzzing with energy. “Babe, wake up. I have a surprise for you,” she said, practically dragging him out of bed.

Jake rubbed his eyes. “Gaby, it’s 8AM. Can the surprise wait until I’ve at least had a waffle?”

“Nope!” she grinned. “Get up, get dressed, and don’t ask questions.”

A short drive later, they pulled up to a pet rescue center. Jake raised an eyebrow. “Wait… are we getting a dog?!”

Gaby beamed, her eyes sparkling. “Not just any dog. Our dog.”

Inside, she led him straight to a fluffy white cloud of a puppy with light brown ears and the sweetest little eyes either of them had ever seen. The pup immediately waddled over, tail wagging like crazy.

“His name’s Mochi,” Gaby said proudly. “I found him online last week and fell in love. He’s all ours.”

Jake knelt down, instantly letting the pup lick his face. “No way. He’s so fluffy. Gaby, you didn’t tell me he was, like, a walking pillow.”

Gaby laughed. “He’s basically a teddy bear that breathes.”

They signed the papers, bought a bunch of stuff (treats, toys, a leash with tiny bones on it, and an absurdly cute matching hoodie Gaby insisted on), and headed back home with their new best friend in Gaby’s lap.

That night, Mochi curled up on the couch between them, tiny snores filling the room as Gaby leaned her head on Jake’s shoulder. “We’re officially dog parents,” she whispered.