My brother's best friend

Chapter twenty

Taylor holds up a small green baby outfit. "When did you say the ultrasound is?" She asks putting it back where she found it. "Not for a while." I look at a little pink outfit with a tutu before moving on, "Maybe we should start with painting the room?" She holds up a new outfit that reads, Mamma's boy. I smile and watch her put it back. 

"But what colour would you paint it?" I shrug, "Maybe we should just wait." She nods but holds up one last outfit before we exit the baby store. "We were actually going to buy me a few things." I say as we walk to the next store, which is luckily a clothing store for women and not babies. 

We head over to the maternity wear and start looking for things I'd wear. I remember I have to get a few new bras and leave Taylor to shop on her own while I head to the underwear department. 

When I return to where I left Taylor she was chatting up a guy. "Linds, would you believe this guy? He says I don't even look that pregnant." She laughs. "That's because you aren't pregnant, dear." I say sending the man a smile. "Now, get lost." He hurries away and Taylor frowns at me. 

"I read about guys like him, T, they hang around the maternity wear section in clothing stores and try to chat up pregnant ladies." She gasps, "Their mommy snatchers?" I laugh at her phrase but nod anyway, "Yeah, so don't talk to strangers." She nods and hands me a few items she picked out. 

"Why don't we buy a crib?" Taylor asks as we pass the baby store again. In its display window, there's a beautiful crisp white crib filled with toys and blankets and bottles. Everything a baby needs. 

"I don't know, because your brother said something about having one." I say, pulling her away from the window. "How about a rocking chair? He told me you guys wanted one." I roll my eyes, "T, we just bought some clothes, I'll buy one when I get the chance. I need to work some more." 

"Then let me buy it." She says happily. "Let me be a good aunt." I shake my head, "No, save your money. You can buy the baby something small when it's time for the baby shower." She sighs but drops the matter. 

"By the way, Daniel asked if Abby could help you and Amanda plan the shower." I say casually. Taylor frowns, "Why?" I shrug, "Maybe he just wants her to be part of it." Taylor huffs, "I still can't believe you steered her right into his arms. You could have had him. And don't pull that I-don't-love-him-crap with me. I know you, and I know him. That baby was the result of love and nothing else. You two can try and ignore it, but it will come and bite you in the ass sooner or later." 

I roll my eyes, "Can she help you plan the thing or what?" Taylor pulls a face, "If you don't have a problem with it, I sure as hell can't. Besides I'm sure mom already asked her to help." I laugh knowing she's probably right. 

"But, since I'm being so good, I'm going to buy a bib." She says before taking off back to the baby store. I try to stop her but fail and watch as she enters the store. I consider going after her but decide to find a bench and wait for her.  

A few minutes later she returns with a bag in hand, "I didn't buy just a bib." She confesses sitting down next to me. "I figured." I say, trying not to laugh. She places the bag between us and opens it up, "I did get a blanket, but it's soft and gender-neutral." She pulls out a soft grey blanket rimmed with mint green. Then she pulls out a bib in the same colour scheme, the mint dotted all over the bib. And last, but not least, she pulls out a small stuffed monkey. Its grey body is fluffy and its tail is tipped with the mint green that's on the other two items. "It adorable." I gasp taking the plush toy from her. She smiles, "I knew you'd like it." 

"We're not buying anymore, though." I say, handing her the toy again. She checks her watch, "Let's go home." She pulls me up from the bench and hurries to the car. 

"What's the rush?" I ask when we're in the car. She shrugs, "I want to get home." I roll my eyes at her, "I know you better than that, T. I am your best friend." She looks over at me, "Just wait, alright?" I want to protest but decide I'll follow her instructions. 

We arrive at the house and Taylor bolts out of the car, running around to open my door. She pulls me from the car and hurries me inside. "What's going on?" I ask as she hurries up the stairs. Finally, she comes to a stop and I am glad for the break. I've never felt tired after climbing the steps, but I guess this is the fatigue that they mentioned in the pregnancy article. 

"Just stand here." She says, placing me in front of Levi's old room, the door closed. She knocks on the door and waits. She flashes me a smile and it looks like she's about to explode with excitement. 

The door flies open and there, in front of the window is a beautiful dark wooden crib, inside there's a small mattress covered in a grey sheet. Taylor hurries inside and places the new items inside the crib before stepping aside. 

Next to the crib Amanda and Dwayne were standing with big smiles, Amanda holding a plate with cupcakes on it. On the other side of the crib, Daniel and Levi were also smiling. "What's all this?" I asked stepping into the room. Daniel shrugs, "I knew you wanted to get a crib and mom and dad had our old one, so, here it is." He says, looking slightly embarrassed. 

"It's wonderful, thank you." I walk over to him and give him a kiss on his cheek. His cheeks turn red and I remember the rest of the people. I quickly give Levi a kiss as well. I give Amanda, Taylor and Dwayne each a hug. 

"Who wants tea with Amanda's wonderful cupcakes?" I ask. Everyone chimes in and starts piling out the door. I hear Amanda apologizing for the rest of the boys who weren't here. Before I leave the room I glance back at the crib and the things inside. 

I am lucky to have these people with me. 

"Are you coming?" I hear Daniel ask behind me. I shut the door and smile at him, "Yes, I am." I feel his hand on the small of my back as we walk down the stairs. I smile up at him, "Thank you." He gives me one of his lopsided smiles, my heart melts and my knees almost give way, "You're welcome." We head into the kitchen and join in on the joyous conversation going on.