Life at the inn had become a mix of routine and anticipation. The house was coming together piece by piece, and with each passing day, the Evergreens could see their return home drawing closer. But in the meantime, there was another major milestone to tackle - potty training Rowan.
"Alright, little man," Jake announced one morning, setting down a brand-new, brightly colored potty chair in the center of their room at the inn. "Today, we embark on a great journey. A journey of independence. A journey of… the potty."
Aria, watching from the bed, laughed. "Jake, you make it sound like he's going on some epic quest."
Jake crouched down beside Rowan, who was eyeing the potty chair like it was some strange new species. "This, my son, is your throne. Just like grown-ups, no more doing business in the diaper."
Rowan blinked at him, then promptly picked up the potty chair and put it on his head like a helmet.
Aria burst out laughing. "Well, that's one way to use it."
Jake sighed dramatically. "This might take longer than I thought."
The first few attempts were… eventful. There were close calls, false alarms, and one unfortunate incident where Rowan decided the potty was better used as a step stool to reach his toy shelf.
"At least he's innovative," Aria chuckled as she wiped up yet another failed attempt.
Jake, lying dramatically on the floor, groaned. "We are never moving out of diapers. Never."
"Oh, come on," Aria teased. "You said it yourself - it's a journey. Besides, I seem to recall a certain someone taking their time with this milestone when they were a kid."
Jake shot her a look. "That's classified information."
After another day of potty training adventures, the family took a break to visit their house and check on the progress. As they pulled up to the property, Aria felt a rush of emotions. The structure stood tall, the walls reinforced, the roof brand new. It still smelled of fresh paint and sawdust, but it was beginning to look like home again.
The construction foreman greeted them with a smile. "You're getting close! A few more finishing touches, and you should be ready to move in within the next couple of weeks."
Aria ran her hand over the front porch railing, feeling the sturdy new wood beneath her fingertips. "It looks incredible."
Rowan, meanwhile, was busy toddling through the house, inspecting every corner like he was the official quality control manager. He made an especially big deal out of the new bathroom.
"Well, at least he likes this potty," Jake joked, watching as Rowan patted the side of the toilet approvingly.
Aria grinned. "Maybe we should have just started him with the real thing."
As they stood in what would soon be their home again, Jake wrapped an arm around Aria. "We're almost there."
She leaned into him, watching Rowan toddle through what would soon be his bedroom. "Yeah. And when we do move in, let's hope potty training gets a little easier."
Jake chuckled. "Or at the very least, let's hope we don't find the potty chair being used as a cereal bowl."
They laughed, feeling lighter than they had in a long time. Their home was nearly ready, their son was growing, and despite the chaos of potty training, life was moving forward in the best way possible.