My brother's best friend

Chapter Twenty-Four

I wave goodbye to Abby and shut the door. "I'll clean up, Lollipop." Amanda picks up the tray again and hurries to the kitchen. Taylor looks at me, "Are you alright, Honey." I shake my head. "I don't know what's happening. I just want to cry. And Abby and Daniel-" I start sobbing.

"Maybe it's the hormones?" She asks rubbing my back. I shake my head, "It's not that. Maybe a little, but it's been going on longer than that." "What do you mean?" I sigh and sit on the couch. "I don't know, it's just-" I rake a hand through my hair.

"Oh, honey." She hugs me close again. "Is it Daniel? Did he do something wrong?" I shake my head, "No, it's me. I'm just being silly." "No, you're not. I'm sure if you'd just tell me, we could work it out." She says prompting me.

"What's going on?" I turn and see Daniel coming down the stairs. I quickly look away and wipe at the tears. "Oh, Linds, are you alright?" He comes to kneel in front of me. I nod and try to force a smile, "It's just hormones." He smiles slightly, "But you are alright? Feeling good? No pain?" I shake my head, "Just a bit emotional, it'll be over soon." I tap his hand to try and comfort him.

He cups my cheek and smiles, "I have something I want to show you." He takes my hand and pulls me to my feet. He leads me up the stairs. On the landing he steps behind me, he places his hands over my eyes, "Don't peak." I step forward and almost fall, but find my footing again.

"Careful." He muses from behind me. "Slowly, slowly." He tries to guide me the best he can with his hands over my eyes. We finally come to a stop. "Ready?" I nod, a smile on my face. Excitement boils inside of me as I wait for him to take his hands away.

He removes his hands from my eyes and I slowly open them. The floor of the room covered in white and black plastic, the crib too. The walls are freshly painted with a light grey and the one wall has small greenish dots. "How did you do that?" I ask admiring the little dots. "Will had the idea, it wasn't easy." He lets out a chuckle and my heart throbs.

"Where is my brother?" I ask. Daniel shrugs, "Probably napping." I smile, "It's beautiful, Daniel. Thank you." He returns my smile, "It was only a pleasure."

"I just have one question, what if it's a girl?" I frown at Daniel's question then answers, "Then we hang salmon curtains. Or she will grow up loving green." He shakes his head, "We give her pink spots." I let out a laugh, "You would do it all over again, just to give her pink spots?" He shrugs, "Of course, she'd be my little princess." My heart swells at the happiness and contentment I feel now.

"You'll spoil her; you mean?" I ask, teasing him a bit. "Wouldn't you?" He looks half shocked at the thought of not spoiling our daughter or son. I shrug, "I would." He nods in agreement.

I turn around and take a look at the room again. "It really is wonderful." I look over my shoulder at Daniel. He looks down at his feet and stuffs his hands into his pockets. I roll my eyes at his bashfulness.

"Did you girls get any planning done? The way mom and Abby were laughing I am sure you got nothing done." He changes the topic quickly. I shrug, "I guess. They picked out silly games and activities to do on the day. Luckily I will be so fat by that time I won't be able to do half of them." Daniel laughs, "I'm sure you won't feel that way when you get there."

I raise a brow, "How would you know?" He smirks, "You forget I was three when Taylor and Tyler came. I vaguely remember mom moaning about being fat and wishing the babies would come." I shake my head, "You were thee, you can't remember that. No one remembers when they were three." Daniel shrugs, "I do." I roll my eyes and go to stand by the window, looking out on the garden.

"I remember seeing you for the first time." He sounds serious. My heart stops when I feel him standing behind me. "You were very small. Your mom didn't want me holding you. But I watched you for a long time. Will wanted to play. You had very small hands." He takes my hand and lifts it in front of us. He lets out a chuckle, "You still do."

I take my hand back and try to calm my heart. "I don't believe you. What little boy watches a baby when his friend wants to play?" I turn around to face him when my heart stopped pounding my rib cage. He shrugs, "A very curious boy?" I smile, "You are curious." "What's that supposed to mean?" He raises a brow at me and I shrug, "Nothing." I walk past him, intending to leave the room.

He grabs my waist and starts tickling me, "What did you mean, Linds?" He demands while continuing his tickling assault. I laugh and try to pry his hands away from my waist, but he only pulls me closer, holding me in place.

I gasp for air and look up at him. His fingers stop tickling and his hands rest softly on my waist. His blue eyes stare down at me as I still try to catch my breath. I don't want to move. I just want to stay here forever.

He reaches up and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. He doesn't say anything and I don't dare to break the silence. We stand like that for a few minutes, just looking at each other. I would give anything to know what he's thinking about. Before I can ask we hear a whistle from the door.

Will is standing in the door, his arms crossed over his chest, "Did I interrupt something?" Daniel lets me go and I wish I could chase away Will, but it's too late. He raises a brow at us and I shake my head.

"Amanda made food, we're all eating here tonight." Will finally declares after staring his best friend down and giving me disapproving glances every now and again. I nod, "Sounds great." I walk past my brother and leave them behind. I hear hushed yells as I descend the staircase.

Apart of me wants to know what they are talking about, but I just keep on walking.