Chapter 16 #2
“The moms and I attempted to knit a baby blanket together. It’s the most colorful, mismatched, badly knitted blanket in the history of baby blankets.
We even tried to have Piper, who owns the boutique, fix it, and she said it was a lost cause.
But it’s still a blanket, and it’s warm. ” She's proud with a goofy grin.
I laugh. “I-it’s the best blanket,” I stammer out. “So incredibly sweet. The baby will love it.”
“Really?” Her face goes lopsided. “It’s a weird purple mixed with a mustard yellow then gray and pink. Not even sure what the other color is.” She points to a square.
“Totally sure,” I swear.
“We can stich on her name once you know. Do you have any ideas?”
Vaughn and I look at one another. “Not yet,” he mentions. We can add names to the list of things that we really need to discuss, but now we are showered in complete kindness.
“Good plan, see the baby first,” one of my colleagues says.
“I’m sure she’ll have your eyes,” Vaughn nearly whispers so only I can hear.
God, why am I melting around him today. Hell, it’s not even just today. It was the moment he walked back into my life.
I’m saved by Brielle, Connor’s mom, announcing that we have one more surprise, and she points to the kitchen where I think Connor and Declan got roped into helping.
We all migrate over to the kitchen island, with Vaughn being instructed to cover my eyes with his hands. This isn’t helping my current predicament. He covered my eyes once, with a blindfold, somewhere between taking me doggy style and missionary during a storm.
Alas, I’m unable to relive my memory because he laughs right before his hands fall away from my eyes, and instantly a wide grin hits me.
“Best baby shower ever, right?” Hadley is getting a little cocky, but she’s right.
Before me lie plates of all types of cookies. Followed by chocolate chips, pink sprinkles, mini marshmallows, and anything you might want to cover the ice cream that will stuff your make-your-own ice cream sandwich.
I grip Vaughn’s arm tightly because I’m not sure I can stand any more, because this feeling of gratitude is too much.
“Thank you,” is all I manage to say. “Yeah… best baby shower ever.”
The rest of the afternoon was just spent relaxing on the sofa and snacking while Vaughn spoke with the guys and drank a beer. Occasionally our eyes would catch, and a subtle smile would form between us.
Now, we’re home. It feels weird saying that but also right.
Vaughn brought all the gifts up to the nursery, and I’m now sorting through it all to find newborn clothing that needs to be washed.
“They certainly covered everything,” he comments while he stuffs diapers in a drawer, even studying a few because I can imagine that he has never changed one.
I focus on my task. “It’s wonderful, isn’t it?”
“It is. They even sent us home with a cheese plate, what are the odds?”
I chuckle. “Does it have the Dutch cheese that’s hard and sharp?”
A bashful look falls onto his face. “You remember that?”
“One of the oddest references to sex, but I’ll let it go.”
We have had good times together, that we can’t deny.
His look doesn’t fade, which is promising.
I nervously swipe my hair to my shoulder. “Actually… uhm… I got you something.”
“Really?” Stunned is an understatement.
“Bottom drawer. I didn’t wrap it or anything.” I do my best to downplay this, I don’t want it to be a big deal.
He heads straight to the bottom drawer of the dresser. It’s still empty except for the gift.
A closed-mouth smirk begins to form as he holds up the tiny onesie. “My dad can fire the coach,” he reads out loud.
“General manager joke,” I clarify.
“Oh, I got that. This may get me into trouble, but I love it.” He examines the onesie and notices the Spinners logo and can’t stop smiling.
“It’s a little big because I thought she could wear it during hockey season. That is if you want her to visit you at work.” I’m doing my best to keep this a simple moment.
Vaughn looks at me with intensity. “For sure, I want that. Didn’t really cross my mind, but since you said it, then absolutely… she’ll need her mom with her.” Now it feels like he is testing the waters to read me, or rather he doesn’t want to say what he is really thinking. He does that a lot.
“Of course. Wouldn’t miss it.”
“Good, good…” He tries to focus on something else, our moment breaking, as we’re both unsure of what to do with this feeling that keeps orbiting us closer.
“Vaughn… thank you for coming today.”
“Truthfully, it wasn’t something I thought I would enjoy, but it wasn’t so bad. I got to see you completely happy, Isla.”
I smile again. “I am. Well, as much as I can be.” My eyes drop to my belly. “I have to push her out soon, and you… I mean we… no, I mean the situation between us is… I don’t know what I’m trying to say. Can we forget this?” I ramble completely.
It only makes him more entertained. “Maybe.”
I roll my eyes. Great, just great. Add this to my list of things I do to dig us deeper.
Vaughn begins to stroll out. “I need to call my brother, pack for Nashville, and take a long shower.” Oh, now we’re back to inuendo by highlighting “long.”
Damn it, this isn’t great for my stress levels.
“Take it easy, I’ll lift the heavy stuff later.”
I salute him. “Sure thing, sir.”
That sexy smirk is back in full force. “Careful, Isla, I may just have to fuck our baby out of you.”
My jaw drops, and he leaves me there.