The soft glow of the living room lamp casts a warm light over the apartment, wrapping the space in a cozy warmth. Outside, the hum of the city echoes faintly, blending with the gentle, low music playing in the background. You’re curled up on the couch, your legs tucked beneath you, scrolling through your phone. Mark sits beside you, his arm draped lazily over the back of the couch, his presence both relaxed and attentive.

“Look at this one,” you say, a smile spreading across your face as you turn the screen toward him. The picture is of a tiny white onesie with a cartoon stethoscope printed on it, playful and charming. “Tell me that isn’t the cutest thing you’ve ever seen.”

Mark leans closer, his blue eyes scanning the screen. He chuckles softly, the sound low and comforting, his lips curving into a smirk. “It’s cute,” he admits, tilting his head slightly, “but I think you might be getting ahead of yourself.”

You roll your eyes, feigning exasperation, but the smile tugging at your lips gives you away. “I’m just saying... hypothetically.”

He raises an eyebrow, his smirk deepening. That teasing, playful look of his is one you know all too well. “Hypothetically, huh? Is that what we’re calling your Pinterest board titled Future Baby?”

Your cheeks heat as you laugh, reaching over to shove his shoulder lightly. “It’s research!”

Mark’s laughter follows yours, but then he shifts closer, the playful glint in his eye softening as his hand rests on your knee. The weight of it is grounding, steady, and yet there’s something tender in the way his thumb brushes absentmindedly against your skin. “Alright, researcher,” he murmurs, his tone quieter now. “What else have you got?”