Mindful Beauty

30) Her Words

"Isn't that too small?" Damien frowned in confusion, perplexed as to why Ella was grabbing such a small dress for Melissa. As far as Damien knew, Melissa was tiny, especially in comparison to him, but she couldn't possibly be that small. She was one year old.

"Erica said this is her size. Besides, I think it will fit." Ella murmured, too entranced in picking out the outfit as she browsed the store. "Oh, I love this." Ella quietly cooed, looking at a pair of white, tiny, cloth booties.

"I thought you said you wanted to get her these?" Damien was extremely perplexed now. Why was he holding onto three different outfits and one pair of shoes if that wasn't what they were getting? He just couldn't understand, no matter how many times he visited the store with Ella. His mom was the same way, though. Must be a woman thing, he thought.

"Yes, babe. Those are for her." Ella murmured, still holding the other white, clothed shoes. Ella, without even looking at Damien, explained, "these are for me."

Damien continued to stare. Her? There wasn't a way that she could be pregnant.

"Would you guys like a basket?" A sales-lady approached, an eager smile on her face as she how many things Damien was holding onto.

If only she knew that they were probably going to put about half of those things back, Damien thought as he accepted the basket politely.

"Are you expecting?" The lady continued, slyly looking at Ella's stomach. Her eyes expressed confusion when she saw that Ella wasn't really showing anything. Well, not that Ella could really show her flat stomach since it was winter, and she had on a thick and long, light pink coat.

"Oh, no. It's a gift." Ella cleared her throat, a bit uncomfortable since she was with Damien. Even though they had been dating for over a year and a half, they still wanted to enjoy their time together as a couple. Ella was still young, and Damien showed no signs of wanting to rush to anything.

"Oh, alright. Be sure to let us know if you need anything!" The sales-lady kind smiled, noticing how she was not needed, and left. She had done her part by asking.

Damien simply put the things he was carrying into the basket and followed Ella obediently. After all, he was the one who insisted coming with her to the shop even when she promised it would be quick and that it wasn't necessary.

"So just this?" Damien asked a couple of minutes later once Ella was finished browsing and was picking a final outfit.

"Yeah. I don't want those tights either." Ella took some clothes back, placing them in their corresponding places as they walked back to the checkout area.

"You know, you could give those to the worker. They'll put them back in their place." Damien grumbled when Ella kept letting go of his hand to put the items back.

"I know, but this is nicer." Ella responded, going back to him as he stood, waiting.

"Remind again why you're taking those shoes." Damien was quick to hold Ella's hands in one of his while he paid, ignoring the adorable glare Ella was sending his way. Instead, he kissed her temple while waiting for the woman behind the desk to bag their items.

"For myself. They're really cute." Ella took her hands back when Damien let them go, using one of his to grab the shopping bag as they walked back their car.

Ella's statement left Damien thinking. What would she look like if she were really pregnant? However, as quickly as that image came into mind, Damien shook it out. No. Ella was too young. Besides, he himself didn't know just yet if he wanted to become a father. It would be hard for him having to protect such tiny little things in such a cruel world. He didn't want that responsibility. He could be a terrible father, and he didn't want the responsibility of letting down Ella or those future kids.