By the time we’ve made it through the main showroom, we have enough furniture to fill three cabins. Imani is flushed and overwhelmed, clutching my hand like she can’t quite believe this is happening.
“I think that’s everything,” she says, a little breathless. “We should probably stop.”
“Not yet.” I steer her toward a section of the store we haven’t visited. “One more stop.”
She looks up at the sign above the display area and freezes.
Nursery.
“Tolin...”
“Just looking.” I keep my voice casual, but I can’t quite hide the smile playing at my lips. “For future reference.”
She lets me lead her into the nursery section, past cribs and changing tables and rocking chairs. Tiny furniture for tiny people. Our tiny people, someday.
“What do you think of this one?” I stop in front of a crib made of light maple, sturdy and simple. “Good for a cub?”
“We’re not even...” She trails off, her cheeks flushing pink. “We haven’t talked about...”
“Haven’t we?” I turn to face her, resting my hands on her hips. “You asked me about children. I told you I’d give you as many as you wanted.”
“I know, but that was theoretical. We’re not... I’m not...”
I slide my hand from her hip to her belly, pressing my palm flat against her stomach.
“You’re going to give me cubs soon,” I tell her, keeping my voice low. “I can feel it. My bear can feel it. And whenyou do, I want to be ready. I want them to have everything they need.”
Her blush deepens. “You can’t just say things like that in public.”
“Why not? It’s true.” I pat her belly gently. “Pick out what you like. When the time comes, we’ll already have it.”
She stares at me for a long moment, her eyes bright with unshed tears. Then she laughs, shaking her head.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Probably.”
“And presumptuous.”
“Definitely.”
“And I love you anyway.”
“I know.” I kiss her forehead. “Now pick out a crib before I buy the whole section.”
She picks out a crib, a changing table, and a rocking chair that she says reminds her of the one in my mother’s cabin. I add a dresser and a bookshelf because our cubs are going to have books, lots of them.
By the time we’re done, the sales associates are looking at us with something like awe. The grumpy bear just spent more money in one afternoon than most people spend in a year.
Let them stare. Let them whisper. My mate is getting everything she ever dreamed of, and I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks about it.
We arrange for delivery to the clan, and I pay without letting Imani see the total. She’d probably faint, and I don’t need her passing out in the middle of a furniture store.
When we finally walk out to the truck, she’s quiet, processing. Happiness. Disbelief. Overwhelm.
“You okay?” I ask as I help her into the passenger seat.
“I don’t know.” She looks at me with wet eyes. “I’venever... no one has ever...” She takes a shaky breath. “Thank you, Tolin. For all of it.”
