This week, I’d finished putting the baby’s crib together. The matching dresser, change pad table, and the most comfortable rocking chair imaginable were all in place. Now all I had to do was show Nellie and hope like hell she was happy with the results.
Once Nellie started to shiver a little, I grabbed a warm towel and helped her out of the tub. I helped dry her off, ignoring her protests that she could do it herself.
I let her get dressed herself, waiting on the edge of my bed for her to exit the bathroom.
“Before we go to bed, I want to show you something.”
“Okay.” Nellie’s eyes narrowed with instant suspicion.
I took her hand and led her to the bedroom closest to the primary bedroom. I paused by the door, glancing at her over my shoulder.
“Ready?” I asked.
She nodded, and I pushed open the door.
Her breath catching, Nellie stepped into the nursery, looking around at everything with wide, shining eyes.
“Noah, it’s beautiful!” she exclaimed, turning to me. “When did you? How did you?”
“I found your Pinterest board,” I admitted. “I wanted to create the nursery you’ve been dreaming of. I hope I did it justice.”
“Yes, you really did,” Nellie said, wiping the tears from her eyes. “It’s way better than I could have ever imagined.”
“Come check out the rocking chair. It’s the most comfortable chair I’ve ever sat in,” I urged her, watching as she did what I asked.
“Oh!” Her eyes widened with surprise. “That really is comfortable!”
“Isn’t it? It’s a rocker recliner. It reclines too,” I told her. “We might as well be comfortable for all those late-night feedings.”
“It’s perfect,” Nellie said, glancing around the room again, her eyes aglow with warmth. “So are you, Noah. I can’t believe you did all of this. I must be the most unobservant person ever.”
I’d stuck to her soft pink, white, and gold palate. The crib rested against the accent wall, where I’d put up a beautiful white and pink floral-patterned wallpaper with sparrows.
“I wouldn’t say that. You’re just easily distracted,” I said. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“Well, I’m surprised.” Nellie said, wiping away more tears.
“Are you happy?” I asked, dropping to my knees in front of the recliner, my hands going to either side of the arm rests.
“So happy, Noah. So incredibly happy.” She cupped my cheeks in her hands, tears were still pouring freely now, but I could tell they were the happy ones. “I love it, and I love you, Noah.”
Her words were a shot of euphoria directly to my heart. “I love you too, Nell. So damn much. And I love our baby. I want you both to be happy and safe, to feel at home here.”
“Well, we do,” Nellie assured me, still smiling through her tears.
“Does that mean you’ll officially move in?” I asked.
“Yes, I’ll definitely move in.”
“Tomorrow?” I waggled my eyebrows.
“I need to give Tabitha and Parker my official notice, but sure.” Nellie smiled, her eyes sparkling.
I kissed her deeply.
Epilogue
Nellie
