Chapter 14 #5
I made my way up to the delivery suite after arriving at the hospital – shopping in tow – as I decided to pick up some pastries and a few bottles of water and juice for Steven and Bianca at the hospital shop.
Bianca and little Aaron were fast asleep, and Steven was sitting in the chair, looking like a man who hadn’t slept for a week.
He looked up and smiled at me dozily as I placed the shopping bags on the side cabinet and crept over to the hospital crib to gaze at Aaron, who was sleeping peacefully, gently sucking on his thumb.
He was absolutely perfect, and incredibly hairy for a newborn.
My heart swelled as he began to do a little stretch.
‘He’s amazing, isn’t he?’ Steven cooed, peering behind me to look at his son. ‘He and Bianca have been amazing, man. I still can’t believe it; I’m a whole dad. A dad!’
I gave him a hug, feeling teary-eyed. I knew he would make the best dad and was just so happy for him at this moment.
‘Thanks so much for the stuff too; I really appreciate it, man. Sorry if you had other plans by the way; I’m just so exhausted.’ Steven rubbed his eyes as if on cue.
‘Boy, please. I’m your sis. This is what I’m HERE for,’ I replied, wiping my own tears. ‘I got everything on your list and some food too, just in case you don’t have the energy to go downstairs. Is there anything else you need?’
Steven had a dig through the bag before picking up an almond croissant and a bottle of water.
‘This is perfect. Thank you so much, sis. I’m actually gonna see if I can have a little nap after this, seeing as they are both still asleep.’ He nodded over to Bianca, who was snoring loudly.
‘After pushing out a nine-pound baby, shit, I’d be snoring too,’ I said, laughing. Me and Steven said our goodbyes as I left him to rest and headed downstairs to the main reception to wait for Theo and try and salvage what was left of the day.
Twenty minutes later, I receive a call from Theo.
‘Hello, hello, I just parked up outside the hospital; which wing are you in?’
‘Oh, let me come out to you; those parking fees are an absolute piss-take,’ I said, gathering my handbag and making my way to the exit.
‘Your wish is my command; see you in a minute, love,’ Theo replied. I quickly nipped to the toilet to powder my face, making sure I still looked cute, took a deep breath, and strutted my way out of the exit to see him.
Theo was by his car, as suave as ever, this time wearing a casual rugby shirt and a pair of light-wash baggy jeans. Everything about him was so effortlessly cool, in comparison to myself, who currently looked like a hyper nursery teacher who had been attacked by her students.
‘Hey, so—’ I started, trying to address the elephant in the room ‘—please ignore the aesthetic today. It’s been a morning, and I’m fully aware I look like I’ve been dragged through a bush.’
Theo just smiled, tilted my chin up with one hand, and pressed a soft kiss onto my forehead.
‘I have no idea what you’re talking about. You’re gorgeous,’ he said, his teeth practically sparkling in the sunlight like a Colgate ad.
Still, somehow, Theo looked at me like I was a vision. Which just proved my theory: men really don’t notice eyeliner smudges – or maybe he was just into feral woodland creatures.
As we got into his car, I turned to face him. ‘OK, so basically, my brother had his son early this morning and I needed to swing by TK Maxx to pick up some last-minute bits for him. Sorry about the chaos of it all!’
Theo started the car and turned to look at me in mock sadness. ‘First of all, congratulations, Auntie! I hope everyone is doing well; that’s major! And secondly, I see that this was all just a ploy – a ruse if you will – to get me to be your free chauffeur for the day, huh? I see how it is.’
I playfully punched him. ‘First of all, don’t flatter yourself.
If I was really trying to scam a free chauffeur, I’d have picked someone with a Mercedes, at least. Secondly, I’ll have you know, I am a delightful passenger – I come with witty commentary, questionable singing, and an endless supply of mints. You’re welcome.’
He smirked, shaking his head. ‘Uh huh, sounds like a hostage situation in the making.’
‘Exactly.’ I grinned. ‘And you’re the lucky victim. Buckle up, babe – today you’re officially my UberXL with benefits.’
Theo made a right turn out of the car park, back to-wards Vauxhall.
‘So, where to next, m’lady?’ he asked.
I didn’t mind what we did, as long as we did it together. But a random thought did occur to me.
‘What about seeing a random shitty film at the PeckhamPlex on Peckham Rye? I used to go there all the time as a kid. A fiver for a cinema ticket! You can’t beat those prices these days; and it comes with an extra serving of sticky carpets and overzealous Jamaican security guards.
We’ll have all the fun. Or we can just walk around the area and complain at the gentrification of it all. ’
Theo laughed, typing the venue into his satnav as he did so. ‘If we survive the carpets and the security guards, I’m buying you popcorn. It’s the least you deserve. We’ll go in that direction anyway and see what we feel like.’
‘You’re on!’ I said, giggling like a little schoolgirl. For the first time in my life, I was going on a normal date, with a normal guy, with a shared chemistry, who was incredibly gorgeous, who liked me back, and it felt exhilarating. It felt as if all my Christmases had come at once.