"Define overboard," I say suspiciously.
"Just a few books. And some toys. And possibly a rocking chair."
"Mom," Nick says, appearing in the doorway. "Please tell me you didn't buy furniture without asking."
"I bought a rocking chair," Diana admits. "But it's beautiful! Antique oak, perfect for bedtime stories. It's already in the nursery."
"Along with what appears to be an entire bookstore," Jason adds, passing by with a box labeled "Emma's New Books - Nana's Fault."
I exchange a look with Nick. Diana has been Emma's most enthusiastic grandparent from day one, which is wonderful but sometimes requires gentle management. Last month she bought Emma a toy kitchen that's bigger than our actual kitchen used to be.
"Why don't you show me this nursery," I suggest diplomatically. "Emma can help me inspect."
Nick's face immediately lights up with that nervous excitement he gets when he's proud of something but worried I won't like it. "Okay, but remember, if you don't like anything, we can change it. The paint, the furniture arrangement, whatever you want—"
"Nick," I interrupt gently. "Show me."
He leads me down the hallway, past the master bedroom and guest room, to the room at the end that gets the best natural light. He opens the door with a flourish, then immediately looks anxious.
"Oh," I breathe.
The room is perfect. The walls are painted a soft sage green—the same color we picked out eighteen months ago but never used because Emma arrived early and we ran out of time. There's the accent wall behind the crib in a slightly deeper green, with hand-painted trees that create a peaceful forest scene. Diana's rocking chair sits in the corner by the window, already stacked with books and stuffed animals.
But it's the details that make my throat tight with emotion. Emma's name painted in elegant script above the crib, surrounded by tiny painted birds. A mobile made from felt leaves and woodland creatures hanging over the changing table. Photo frames ready for all the pictures we'll take as she grows.
And in the corner, barely noticeable unless you're looking for it, a small wooden box on the dresser. I know without asking that it contains all of Nick's carefully saved "firsts"—the pregnancy test, the hospital bracelet, the ultrasound photos, the newborn outfit.
"Nick," I start, but my voice cracks.
"Do you like it?" he asks anxiously. "I know the trees might be too much, and we can repaint—"
"I love it," I say firmly, turning to face him. Emma babbles her approval from my arms, reaching toward the mobile with both hands and making excited sounds.
"It's perfect. She's going to love it."
Nick's shoulders drop with relief. "Mom helped with the trees. And Jason painted the name—apparently he has hidden artistic talents."
"It's beautiful. All of it." I shift Emma to one arm so I can reach for Nick's hand. "Thank you for making this so special."
"She deserves special," Nick says simply. "You both do."
Emma chooses that moment to babble something enthusiastic while pointing at the trees, clapping her hands together.
"She likes it too," I tell Nick, who immediately looks like he might cry from pride.
"Of course she does. She has excellent taste."
"She tried to eat packing tape this morning."
"Discerning palate," Nick corrects without missing a beat.
We spend the next few hours unpacking essentials and arranging furniture, with Emma providing commentary and supervision. Diana and Jason prove invaluable—Diana knowsexactly where everything should go, and Jason has an engineering degree that apparently makes him gifted at assembling cribs and bookshelves. Ellie texted earlier that she's driving up tomorrow with a housewarming gift and "proper Chinese takeout because you're probably living on pizza," which is embarrassingly accurate.
By evening, the house is starting to feel like home. Emma's toys are scattered across the living room, coffee mugs have found their way to the kitchen counter, and Nick has already hung our favorite photo in the hallway—the three of us from Emma's first Christmas, all wearing matching pajamas that Diana insisted on.
"First night in the new house," Nick says as we settle Emma into her new crib for bedtime. She's exhausted from a day of exploration and change, but she still wants to examine every detail of her new room.
She points up at the mobile and babbles something that sounds like a question, tilting her head to study the felt animals.