After the two of them finally caught their breath and came down from their combined orgasms, a pleasant haze settled over the small kitchen. Jax, feeling the warmth of Avery's body still lingering against him, let his shaft fall from her, a contented sigh escaping his lips. He watched, a lazy smile playing on his face, as Avery, equally sated, slipped off the counter. Her movements were fluid, unhurried, as she gathered her scattered clothes, a blush still high on her cheeks. She began getting dressed, her back to him for a moment, and Jax couldn't help but appreciate the graceful curve of her spine.

"You still want pizza?" Jax asked, the words a low rumble in his chest as he buckled his belt, the familiar sound a stark contrast to the earlier cacophony of their passion. He leaned against the counter, observing her, a playful glint in his eyes.

Avery turned, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "You're kidding right? That only made me hungrier." She waved her hands in Jax's direction, a gesture of mock exasperation that only served to heighten the lingering intimacy between them. Her stomach rumbled audibly, confirming her words, and they both laughed, a shared, joyful sound that echoed softly in the quiet kitchen.

"I can see how this would make you hungry," said Jax, his voice a low rumble in the quiet room. His eyes, dark and intense, never left hers as he reached down, his fingers closing around the growing hardness of his cock. A slow, predatory smile played on his lips, a silent promise of what was to come. The air between them, already thick with unspoken desires, crackled with a new, potent energy. Every muscle in his body seemed to hum with anticipation, a primal awareness of her presence, of the profound effect she had on him. The scent of her—a heady mix of sweet desire and something uniquely hers—filled his nostrils, making his blood pound. He could almost taste her, the memory of their earlier encounters a fiery whisper on his tongue. He wanted more, needed more, and the hunger for her was a deep, aching void in his very core.

"You have no idea," Avery purred, her own gaze locked on his, a playful challenge dancing in her eyes. Her fingers trailed lightly over the taut curve of his ass, a teasing caress that sent shivers down his spine. "Now, feed me so you can fuck me in the other seven rooms of this house." She winked, a mischievous glint in her eyes, before turning and sauntering towards the bathroom, a sensual sway in her hips that promised untold delights. Jax watched her go, a satisfied smirk spreading across his face. The game had just begun, and he was more than ready to play. He knew, with a certainty that resonated deep in his bones, that tonight would be a night of exquisite pleasure, a symphony of touch and taste and primal satisfaction. The house, with its many rooms, awaited their conquest, and he couldn't wait to explore every inch of it with her.

***********

While Avery was getting cleaned up, Jax decided to take care of dinner. He pulled out his phone and quickly searched for the number of the local pizza place, a familiar routine from years past. As the phone rang, and he waited to place his order, his mind drifted, consumed by the simple yet profound question of what toppings Avery would want.

Memories, warm and vivid, flooded his thoughts. He and Avery had shared countless pizzas during their teenage years – after football games, at crowded parties, during quiet study sessions. Pizza was practically the soundtrack to their young love. He remembered her particular favorites, the way her eyes would light up at the mention of a certain combination. In fact, there had been times when Jax would miss her so much over the past ten years that he would order this exact pizza just to feel like he was close to her. He was well aware that it made him sound crazy and obsessive and Opie had given him pure hell over it countless times over the years, but in an odd way, it had indeed made him feel close to her.

Not wanting to bother her while she was getting ready, and secretly hoping that her tastes hadn't radically changed over the years, Jax decided to take a gamble. With a confident voice, he placed the order: a large pepperoni pizza, loaded with bacon, sausage, ham, and, of course, pineapple. It was the exact same, slightly unconventional, combination she had always devoured with such enthusiasm all those years ago, a silent testament to a past they were slowly, tenderly, rediscovering.

Jax was just finishing up on the order when Avery came out of the bathroom.

"What did you order?" asked Avery, her voice a casual murmur as she reached into the cooler, the metallic click of the latch echoing faintly in the comfortable silence of the room. She pulled out a frosty bottle, condensation beading on its amber surface, and popped the top with a practiced ease, the fizz of escaping carbonation a small, satisfying sound. Taking a long swallow, she leaned against the counter, her gaze drifting towards Jax.

Jax, a wide, genuine smile spreading across his face, gestured expansively towards the kitchen island where a large, steaming pizza box sat. "Your favorite," he announced. "Pepperoni, bacon, sausage, ham, and pineapple." He watched her reaction, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes, knowing full well the contentious yet beloved nature of the last ingredient.

"You don't know how sexy I find it that after all this time, you still remember something as simple as what I like on my pizza," Avery purred, her voice a low murmur that sent shivers down Jax's spine. She glided across the polished hardwood floor, her movements fluid and unhurried, until she reached him. Her arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him into a tight embrace, and then, with a playful tug, she brought his head down for a deep, lingering kiss that tasted of longing and reconnection.

Jax chuckled, a sound that rumbled in his chest, as he held her close. "It's no big deal, really," he said, though a flush crept up his neck. He wasn't entirely sure how she'd react to his quiet ritual, a peculiar little obsession born of their time apart. "Plus," he continued, his voice softer, "anytime that I got to missing you too bad, I would always order it." He didn't elaborate on the solitary evenings spent, the pizza box a comforting presence, each bite a phantom taste of her presence beside him. It was a private confession, a testament to how deeply she had ingrained herself in his life, even when she was miles away.

"That's got to be the sweetest thing I've ever heard," Avery said, her voice soft with emotion. A gentle smile played on her lips as she added, "Especially considering you never did like pineapple on pizza." It was a small detail, a shared memory from their past, but it held a surprising weight in the quiet intimacy of the moment.

Jax shifted, a hint of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. "After you left, it soon became a favorite of mine." His gaze met hers, a silent acknowledgment of the years that had passed, the changes they'd both undergone. The simple act of adopting a previously disliked food revealed a deeper truth, a subtle shift in his world that had begun the moment she walked out of it. It was a poignant admission, tinged with a longing for what once was and a quiet hope for what could still be.

"Well, it's still the sweetest thing I think I've ever heard," Avery reiterated, her voice thick with affection. She gazed up at Jax, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. The memory of his initial aversion to the controversial topping, and his subsequent adoption of it, spoke volumes to her. It was a testament to how profoundly she had impacted him, even in her absence. "And it makes me love you all the more." The words hung in the air, a declaration of a love that had weathered time and distance, a love that found beauty in the smallest, most unexpected gestures. The revelation, born from a seemingly insignificant detail, solidified their bond, deepening the understanding and affection that had always existed between them.

********

Over pizza and beer, Avery and Jax sat cross-legged on the living room floor, surrounded by swatches of fabric and paint chips. The air hummed with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty as they began to discuss Abel's room. Neither of them knew when he would be able to come home, a thought that weighed heavily, yet also spurred them on. They understood that transforming the spare room into a welcoming sanctuary would take time, and they were determined to have it ready sooner rather than later.

"I was thinking of doing something nautical," Avery said, her voice a thoughtful murmur as she took a long pull from her beer, the cool glass a comforting presence in her hand. She leaned back against the plush cushions of the sofa, her gaze drifting around the cozy living room, imagining how the same warmth could be brought into a new, smaller space. The idea had been brewing in her mind for days, a comforting escape from the clinical realities of the hospital.

"Whatever you want," Jax conceded, throwing his hands up in a gesture of surrender. "I don't know the first thing about interior design, so I'm leaving this entirely up to you. My only request, and it's a non-negotiable one, is that there NOT be any pink anywhere in his room. That color is for girls, plain and simple."

A gentle smile played on my lips. "I'd never put pink in a boy's room, babe. You know that about me," I reassured him, reaching out to playfully swat his arm. "I'm thinking something much more classic, more nautical. More along the lines of soothing blues and crisp whites. We could incorporate anchors, maybe some playful sailboats, and other sea-faring motifs. It would be a calm, yet adventurous space for him to grow."

"Like I said, whatever you want as long as it's not pink," Jax reiterated with a playful grin, leaning back against the cushiony sofa. Avery chuckled, shaking her head. "But in all seriousness, if you know that's what you want for the living room, why don't you and I go look for furniture and things tomorrow? We could hit up that new vintage shop downtown and then maybe a few of the larger stores."

Avery considered it, a thoughtful expression on her face. "No, no plans at the office or anything," she confirmed, then paused. "I just need to drop Dad's truck off first, unless you think we'll actually need it tomorrow for hauling anything big?" She gestured vaguely towards the driveway where her father's rather large, somewhat beat-up pickup truck sat.

Jax shook his head definitively. "No, we won't need it. We'll take my truck," he stated, a hint of pride in his voice as he referred to his own meticulously maintained, powerful pickup. "It's got plenty of space, and it's more comfortable for a long day of shopping anyway. Plus, I think we'll probably end up with more decorative pieces and smaller furniture initially rather than anything that would require a moving crew." He winked. "Unless you secretly plan on buying a grand piano."

"Okay. What about the rest of the day?" asked Avery, wiping a bit of foam from his upper lip after finishing the last of his beer.

Jax leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "About that. Mom's doing a family dinner tonight, and she specifically asked me to make sure you knew that you were more than welcome. And not just you, your parents too." He paused, letting the information sink in. "She's really keen on having everyone there, especially since it's been a while since we all got together."

Avery considered this. "Hmm, I'm not sure if Mom and Dad have plans already, but I'll definitely say something to them about it." His eyes lit up with a sudden curiosity. "What's your mom cooking? You know how I feel about her pot roast." A faint smile played on his lips as he remembered past feasts.

"Prime Rib, I think. Not sure what she's making to go with it," Jax said, stretching his long legs out in front of him, the worn denim of his jeans tightening across his thighs. He pulled Avery gently into his side, her head resting comfortably on his shoulder as a contented sigh escaped his lips. The subtle scent of her shampoo, a mix of lavender and vanilla, filled his senses, grounding him in the moment. The tips of his fingers, calloused from years of working with his hands, played idly with the ends of her soft, chestnut hair, a hint of a smile playing on his lips as he envisioned the upcoming meal. "You know how Mom goes all out for family dinners. It'll probably be a feast. She always does," he continued, a nostalgic warmth spreading through him. "Remember the last Thanksgiving you were here for? The turkey almost didn't fit in the oven, and she had about five different side dishes, each one better than the last. And don't even get me started on her pies. She always has a pecan pie for Dad, and then whatever fruit is in season for everyone else. Last year, it was apple and cherry." He chuckled softly, the memory vivid in his mind. "It's never just a meal with Mom; it's an event. I wouldn't be surprised if she's got some new appetizer she's been perfecting, or a dessert that's going to blow us all away. She probably started prepping days ago." He squeezed Avery's shoulder gently, a comfortable silence settling between them as they both anticipated the delicious chaos of a family dinner at his mother's house.

"You're probably right," Avery said with a chuckle, the sound light and airy in the comfortable silence that had fallen between them. She then added, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "Well, I'd say I'd cook something to bring, but I know how your mom is. She wouldn't let me." Avery's smile widened, a playful defiance in her expression. "Last time I offered, she practically shooed me out of the kitchen, waving her hands as if I were a stray cat about to steal a fish. She kept insisting she had it all under control, and honestly, she usually does. Her mashed potatoes alone are legendary – creamy, rich, and so perfectly seasoned, they could convert even the most ardent potato-hater."

A comfortable sigh escaped Avery's lips as she recalled the scene. "It's sweet, though, how much she loves to host," she continued, her voice softening, a warmth spreading through her chest. "It really shows how much she cares about everyone. Every dish is made with such meticulous attention, and you can just feel the love she pours into preparing everything. It's more than just a meal; it's an experience, a gathering point for the whole family, a demonstration of her unwavering affection. She truly is the heart of every get-together."

"Mom's still shellshocked from that damn cheesecake, you know," Jax said, his laughter bubbling up, a familiar sound that always made me smile. "But hopefully you've been able to work on those cooking skills since then. I'm not sure her heart could take another culinary 'masterpiece' like that."

"Cooking was never the problem. It was the baking," said Avery, playfully hitting Jax on the arm. Her brow furrowed slightly as she recalled the culinary disaster. "Honestly, I could whip up a five-course meal blindfolded, but put me in front of a measuring cup and a stick of butter, and suddenly I'm inventing new forms of inedible art."

Jax chuckled, rubbing his arm. "Hey, you never heard me complain, did you? I ate that cheesecake like it was the best thing I'd ever put in my mouth. Even if I had to chase it with a gallon of water and then some more water." He paused, a shiver running down his spine at the memory. "But, I have got to admit, it was pretty bad. I still want to know who, in their right mind, told you that blue cheese was the correct cheese for a cheesecake. It was... an experience, to say the least. An experience I never want to repeat."

Avery rolled her eyes, though a small smile played on her lips. "Like I told you and everybody else, the recipe said to use it! Clear as day: 'For a truly authentic and surprising flavor, substitute traditional cream cheese with a robust blue cheese.' I swear, I followed every single step. I didn't find out that I was getting the recipe from a prank website until after I had tried to kill everyone and their taste buds with that... that creation." She shuddered. "I still feel guilty about Bobby's reaction. He looked like he'd seen a ghost... a very mouldy, pungent ghost."