“What about this?” he asked, picking up a bottle warmer.
“We’ve got one,” I said again.
“What the hell am I supposed to get the baby if you already have everything?” he asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
“It’s not my fault you missed the shower.” I shrugged.
“I was in freaking Africa!” he said, exasperated as he set the bottle warmer down roughly on the shelf.
I chuckled.
“How was it, by the way?” he asked.
“It was great. Sadie’s friends threw quite the party for us at a brunch spot in Soho,” I said, following him to the next shelf for him to peruse.
It really was quite the event. Erica and Gabriella had insisted on throwing her a shower, even though Sadie was reluctant. She didn’t really like having all eyes on her, but I sided with her friends, saying it was important to celebrate her and the baby. Afterall, it was a hell of a journey to get where we were. She had been through so much. She deserved to be showered with love.
“Well, good. I’m glad. If anyone deserves it, it’s Sadie,” said Kevin, giving me a pointed look.
“Hey!” I put my hands up in defense. “I got my shit together.”
“Mhmm…” He chuckled, picking up a pacifier shaped like a teddy bear. “It’s about time.”
“Have that,” I said with a satisfied smile because I knew it would piss him off.
“Oh, come on!” he said, tossing the pacifier back on the shelf.
He looked around the store, musing. “I wonder if they have a onesie that saysmy dad is an asshole…”
“Ha,” I laughed sarcastically.
He walked to a rack of onesies he had already looked through before, and finally plucked a hanger from the lineup. It was a cream onesie with baby yellow ducks printed on it. It was perfect because Sadie loved going to the park to watch the ducks in the lake. I gave him an approving nod and he sighed with relief, tucking it under his arm.
“Let’s get the hell out of here,” he said.
I chuckled and followed him to the counter where he paid. As the cashier carefully wrapped the onesie in sparkly tissue paper, Kevin looked at me and smiled.
“What?” I asked with a raised brow.
“Nothing.” He shrugged. “I just can’t believe we’re here shopping for baby stuff. I never thought you’d get here, man.”
“I know.” I nodded. It was hard for me to believe too sometimes. Even harder to believe I could be this happy.
“I’m proud of you.” He patted me on the back before taking the small bag the cashier handed to him. He thanked her and we headed out the door to the biting cold air. I tightened my coat, and buttoned it to the top.
“Another New York winter,” muttered Kevin, doing the same with his coat. “How about we go get a beer?” he asked.
“Why not?” I grinned. “It’ll warm us up.”
Kevin nodded and went to hail a cab when my phone rang in my coat pocket. I pulled it out and saw it was Sadie calling. I hit the green button and held it up to my ear.
“Hey, babe,” I said.
“Don’t freak out,” she said calmly.
My heart dropped and quickened its pace all at once. “What’s wrong?” I asked, thinking the worst.
“My water just broke,” she said excitedly. “It’s time.”
