They ate in the truck so they could get busy at the house right away. By the time they reached her house, Sybil’s head would drift to the side then she’d pop up awake. He knew the full extent of her exhaustion when she went straight to her room without an argument and took a nap.
While she slept, he unloaded the truck, bringing in their purchases as silently as he could. He staged the boxes in the hallway and living room and started the nursery transformation by applying the border. It would be easier to do it now before everything else came into the room.
After he found the border in one of the filled bags, he realized he’d left his toolbox in the truck. He retrieved it and came back inside, dug out the level. They’d purchased the easy hang border that only required removing the backing, but since Sybil wanted it midway up the walls and not at the very top, he had to mark guide notches along the way to stay even and level.
Satisfaction filled him once he finished and stepped back to view the results. Amazing how one small addition to the room changed its entire countenance. The beige walls complemented the earth-toned border, and the smiling giraffes created a welcoming air. He imagined spending evenings in here, rocking Brilyn to sleep before returning to his own home.
Sybil, Brilyn, and he wouldn’t be a traditional family, but they’d be a family, nonetheless. And he wouldn’t give up on one day marrying Sybil. He wouldn’t ask again until they fell in love, but his heart told him that would come shortly. They’d made their share of mistakes, but they hadn’t been in vain. This baby was their little miracle. Before she’d even been born, she’d brought healing to her mom and dad.
Content and at peace, he dragged the crib box into the nursery. Took out his pocket knife and cut away the packing tape. Piece by piece he unloaded the box, stacking each component in piles separated by which part of the crib they belonged to. He took the empty box and Styrofoam placeholders out of the room to clear his workspace then got to work.
He’d finished the crib and was halfway done with the changing table when Sybil walked in.
Her hair stuck out from her ponytail, and the right half of her face boasted a red spot telling him which side she’d slept on. Wrinkles covered the shirt she wore and sleep lingered in her eyes. She looked a mess.
But a beautiful soon-to-be-mom-to-his-daughter mess.
She covered her mouth from a yawn. “You’ve been busy.”
“It’s coming together.” He waved a hand toward the hallway. “I shouldn’t have a problem finishing it all tonight.”
“How long have I been asleep?” She looked at her wrist for a watch that wasn’t there.
“A few hours give or take.” Three hours and fifteen minutes to be exact, but he didn’t want her feeling guilty for taking a nap she needed.
“I’m going to get a drink then I’ll be back to help. Want anything?”
“No thanks.” He held a screw to the next hole in the leg. “I helped myself to a bottle of water earlier.”
He finished attaching the legs to the top and then started on the shelves.
Sybil reappeared with a cup of juice in hand. “How come you didn’t tell me it’s four o’clock already. You should have woken me up to help.”
“Your body obviously needed the rest.” Not to mention he wasn’t going to invade the privacy of her bedroom. The new Jared had boundaries.
Unease bounced off her. She bit her lower lip and slouched her shoulders.
“Are you okay?” He set the screwdriver aside and stood, walked to her.
“Yes. It’s just, I should run out to the store. I fell asleep before setting out the Italian sausage to thaw for the lasagna.”
What am I missing? “Why don’t we order delivery and you can cook another night.”
“But I promised you I would cook.” She burst into tears.
Oh, man. Was this one of those infamous pregnancy mood swings? “If you want to run out to the store and make the lasagna, that’s fine, but I don’t mind ordering out. Or I could even cook something if you wanted me to. Whatever’s easiest for you.”
The tears turned into a deluge, keeping Jared confused.
“I’m not good at this,” she said between sniffles. “You’ve been working non-stop, while I’ve been lazy. If I go to the store that’s less time to help you.”
Definitely hormones. It never crossed his mind to think she’d been lazy. That was one word he’d never attach to Sybil, but clearly, she’d convinced herself she was.
When the crying didn’t stop, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a comforting embrace. Whispered soothing words in her ear. “You are not lazy. You’re growing a baby inside of you, and that’s hard and important work. We’re in this together, and I’d never think less of you for resting to take care of yourself, which is taking care of our baby. You are a fantastic momma already.”
The tears ebbed away like the receding of a tide. He loosened his hold but didn’t break away from her.
She looked up, wiped her eyes. “I’m crazy, aren’t I?”
