My brother's best friend

Chapter Twenty-Three

"I told you I don't want to know." I say, folding my arms. "Why not? It's much easier that way." I roll my eyes at Taylor, "I'm not finding out. I think it will be a lovely surprise." She glares at me, "That makes it so much harder to plan the shower though. And it makes getting gifts harder too."

"Sweetheart, if Lollipop doesn't want to know it's fine." Amanda says tapping her daughter's leg, "It's her choice. Well, her and Daniel's." She gives me a look, asking whether I included her son in this decision. I give her a faint nod and she seems happy.

"If Daniel can handle painting the baby's room a light grey with mint patterns, I believe you all will be able to throw a wonderful party and get great gifts." I add, remembering Daniel, Will and Levi are upstairs painting the room.

"Where is Abby?" I cringe inwardly at the name, but make sure to smile when I answer, "I am not sure, Daniel said she'd be here." After the horrible ultrasound experience, I am surprised she called him back.

It's been two weeks since the night I asked Daniel if he'd marry me if things were different. I don't know about him, but I try to avoid him. We are friendly, but only to the extent of being nice. Nothing more, nothing less. He comes during the hours I am at the studio and I am home alone for the rest of the time.

This is actually the first time we'd been in the house together since that night. I sift in my seat at the thought. It's not that I want to avoid him, alright maybe a little, but it's better this easy for all of us. No one gets hurt.

"She's the one who wanted to help." Taylor grumbles. "I'll make some tea while we wait." Amanda says getting off the couch, "Do you want to help me, Sweetheart?" Taylor reluctantly gets up after a minor protest.

I'm left alone on the couch with my brain working overtime, as it's been doing for the last couple of weeks. First of all, I need to figure out if what I am feeling for Daniel now is love because he's the father of my child or because I've just always loved him. Then I need to figure out what I am going to do about it. I bite my lip and shut my eyes, trying to think.

"Can we have- Oh, Linds, it's just you." I open my eyes and see Daniel standing in the living room, small flecks of paint dotted all over him, from his hair down to his feet. A few large drops are on his cheek like he's been crying grey tears.

"Can I help you with anything?" I don't get up, hoping to keep the distance between us. He doesn't seem to share the same desire and come to sit across from me, his hands clasped together and his for arms resting on his thighs.

"Now that I've got you here, I have a few questions. I think some of them might be hard-" I cut him off, "Then start with the easy ones." He smirks, "Alright then." He takes a breath, "Are you sure you want it to be surprised? We can still find out the gender when we go to the next ultrasound." I shake my head, "I don't need to know."

"But what if it's a girl and you want to dress her up like a tiny dancer?" He insists. I shrug, "Then I'll buy one when she's our little girl. And when it's a boy, I'll buy clothes with different balls and dinosaurs." Daniel smiles and my heart melts, "Very well, we'll wait and see." I try to smile back, "Are you sure?" He reaches for my hand, but I pull away, pretending I had to tuck a stray hair back into place.

He looks sad, like the night I told him to leave, a few nights ago. "I am sure." I say, wishing he hadn't come so close. "You had more questions?" I prompt. He nods, his hair falling into his eyes momentarily before going back to their perfect spots.

There's a knock on the door and I thank goodness for saving me from this. I can see on his face how serious he is. And I am afraid of what he might ask next.

I pull open the door with a smile and have to concentrate on keeping the smile there. Abby stands in front of me, a bag draped over the shoulder and papers falling out of it. "Sorry, I am late. I had to find all this stuff." She hurries inside.

"Oh, what are you doing here?" She chimes when she sees Daniel. He gets up and gives her a kiss, "I am painting the baby's room." The way he holds her close and she makes me long to have that for myself. I shove the dream away, looking to the other side as they kiss again.

"Alright, I better get back to work." He gives her a kiss on the cheek and hurries upstairs. Abby turns to me, "Are you ready? I have the best ideas for your baby shower." She sits down and pulls out the papers.

"I'll just go get Amanda and Taylor." I retreat to the kitchen. "We were just coming out Lollipop. Is Abby here yet?" I bite my lip and nod. "That's great, let's get started." Amanda grabs the tray of cups and heads into the living room.

I run my hands through my hair. I breathe out a sigh. "Are you alright?" I look at Taylor. I feel my eyes burn and try to look away. "Oh, honey." She pulls me into a hug. We hear Amanda call for us. Taylor pulls away, "Look at me, Honey, we need to smile now, but we'll talk about it later." I nod and wipe away the tears.

She takes my hand and leads me to the living room. We find Amanda and Abby already talking and laughing. I sigh and sit down on the couch. I watch Amanda and Abby. They are getting along very well. She fits right in.

I don't know what they are saying. I just nod when it seems appropriate.