“They’re pretty great.”
“I’m happy that Brilyn will have at least one grandparent to love her.”
He rose a brow. “Did you forget to tell me we decided on a name?”
“Well, It’s the only one for now we both like; so that’s how I’ve been thinking of her. What do you think?”
“Brilyn Scott. It has a nice ring to it.” The name rolled off his tongue. “Thanks for agreeing she’d take my last name.”
“The Scott name means more than Hollis.” Sybil frowned and unbuckled. “Your family has a legacy of strength. I’d rather her be a part of that.”
“I wish I could go back in time and change your childhood.”
Her lips contorted to a combined frown and smirk. “Thanks for the thought, but I’m okay. Really. Brilyn will have everything I didn’t—strength—and most of all, unconditional love.”
Pride for Sybil engulfed him. “You are a strong woman. Don’t ever doubt yourself.”
She smiled her acknowledgment, then pointed toward the store. “We should get in there before the early Christmas shoppers pour in.”
Rubbing his hands together, he grinned. “Baby gear, here we come.”
“Don’t forget our budget.” Her eyes narrowed with a warning, but her smiled softened her words.
“I know, I know.” He heaved an exaggerated sigh. “You’ve only reminded me a hundred times.”
“Because I know you.” She shook a finger. “You’ll have her spoiled before she arrives.”
He winked. “Your point?”
“It’s a losing battle, isn’t it?”
“Not yet. I’ll stick to the budget we decided on.” He jumped out of the truck, but right before closing the door, added, “Unless I see a must-have.”
A hearty laughed escaped when he saw her roll her eyes. He opened her door, and she got out, shaking her head and laughing.
Once inside, they went to the baby side of the store. Shelves upon shelves of baby feeding gear greeted them. They walked to the back of the store where the furniture and bedding was located.
The sheer level of options overwhelmed him. “Where do we start?”
A wide-eyed Sybil looked back at him. “Furniture?”
“I know we decided on one set for now, but I’d like at least a cheap crib for my house.” He wanted to experience everything about being a dad, even getting up in the middle of the night, and Sybil had agreed he could keep the baby at his house several nights a week. He was certain she’d only agreed because they lived so close to each other. “I’ll pay for it, of course.”
“That’s your call. If you want to, go for it, but I’d hate to see you spend that money when she could sleep in one of those portable cribs for the nights she stays with you.”
The price tag on a crib—one he’d consider basic—caught his eye. His eyed bulged. His own bedroom set had cost less. “I can always pick one up later.”
“What theme should the nursery be?” Sybil’s head turned slowly, examining all the quilts along the wall and displayed on the cribs. “I go back and forth between girly with pink and ruffles, or going with a neutral theme.”
“Neutral gets my vote.” The corners of his lips turned up. “Of course, I’m a guy, so pink ruffles aren’t quite my thing.”
Sybil crossed her arms and stared at him with arched brows. “Who stopped by last week with a sleeper for her full of pinkandruffles?”
“That’s different. I don’t want anyone to think she’s a boy, especially if she doesn’t have hair at first.”
“Giraffes!” She left her exclamation in the dust and went running to a display twenty feet away.
He caught up with her in several long strides and saw what stole her attention. “A jungle theme?”
