Greetings, I wanted to write a happy little AU for my resilient OTP so here it is.

Disclaimer: I don't own TID, or IKEA for that matter.


"Don't you think we should go smaller?"

"I think this table is lovely," Tessa said, fingering the smooth mahogany. "Very sleek."

"It's just for two," Jem reasoned, placing his hand on hers.

"What about visitors, then?"

"We'll hardly have any, Tessa, and if we do, they're unlikely to dine with us."

"You're forgetting about the Fairchilds and Lightwoods, and the Herondale boy." The ghost of a smile lingered on Tessa's lips. "I never thought we'd be friends with their descendants." They resembled their ancestors in a way or two. There were hints of Henry's inventions, Charlotte's iron will.

However, it was difficult to continue pondering over this when they were picking out new furniture for their new home at IKEA together.

"This place is amazing," Jem marvelled. "Look, Tessa, they've arranged the furniture here so it looks like an actual room! Like a sample home, it's brilliant."

"Oh, this one is pretty," Tessa wandered to a kitchen space. "I love how they've organised the pots and pans. I should try that, if I ever get around to cleaning up properly." She couldn't help smiling at Jem's enthusiasm. He was so endearing this way, his face flushed with excitement.

Jem had shifted his attention to an impressive array of crockery, and she watched as he bent over, examining the mugs. His dark hair had begun to grow out, and it hung over his eyes as he selected a matching pair. He grinned and beckoned her over.

"We could have matching mugs. Look at the size of them! Think of all the tea we could drink, Tessa."

She laughed, "Better put them in the trolley, then." Jem took the cart, strolling past a group of lively girls. There were plenty of other families in the surroundings, some struggling to manage their children. A pair of mothers tried desperately to subdue their toddler, who was crying and clutching a stuffed carrot.

Jem silently thanked his current lack of offspring. "What's the theme this time, then? You've had a brightly coloured kitchen before, a Victorian sitting room, and what was that one? The entire flat furnished to resemble the interior of the TARDIS?"

Tessa waved him away. "It's been a long century, Mr. Carstairs. Can't an immortal being have a little enjoyment over mundane pleasures?"

"I'm not sure if a TARDIS home is very mundane, Mrs. Herondale-Carstairs," Jem grinned cheekily, addressing her pointedly. Before she could make a retort, he sauntered over to a bookshelf. "How's this? Good enough to accommodate the novels, I think."

Tessa thought for a moment before writing its number down on a little notepad. In an hour or or so they had a sufficient list of selected furniture. They pushed their loaded trolley down the aisle. There were seemingly endless rows of enormous boxes lining the racks up to the ceiling. Jem stared at them in awe.

"Now, we pick up our things," Tessa told him briskly. "and I hope they aren't too high up the shelves." She took one look at his face and realised she hadn't had this much fun shopping for furniture for so many years.


Pretty short, I know. And rushed. Alas, we make do with what we have. Favorite or leave a review if you liked it, and thanks for reading.

Love from OrangePassion456xxx