Chapter Five
Aaron helped Sunny into his pickup truck to set out on a long day of shopping for the baby.
Piper called that morning while Sunny was still sleeping to find out how her best friend was doing.
She sounded worried, and Tag took the phone from her, barking at Aaron about making his wife worry about Sunny.
Aaron knew that Tag was just being a protective Hulk, but he also knew that his best friend could pound him into dust if he ever wanted to.
“You guys don’t need to worry about Sunny, Tag.
I’m not going anywhere. I will personally make sure that she and my baby are taken care of.
” A part of Aaron was angry at Tag for not telling him about his daughter, but he also knew that Tag was a good friend and made sure that Sunny was safe while Aaron was off doing his thing.
Tag knew that Aaron needed to get out of town for a while to get his shit together.
“Listen, man, I just don’t want Sunny getting hurt.
She’s been through a lot of shit since you left.
Honestly, you two are the most stubborn people that I know.
She wouldn’t let me tell you about the baby, and even if I had, I’m not sure you were ready to hear about her.
Are you any better now?” Aaron loved that Tag was worried about him, but finding Sunny pregnant forced him to own his shit and grow up.
It was like a bucket of cold water hitting him on a hot day.
You don’t know what the fuck hit you, but afterward, you feel refreshed.
That was Sunny for him—she was his bucket of cold water, and he woke up after months of being in a bad dream.
She gave him purpose, and he finally knew that they could build something bigger than his demons.
“Thanks, Tag—for everything. And yeah, I’m good.
I think finding Sunny on Christmas Day was just the kick in the ass that I needed.
I’m not going anywhere—you have my word.
I want Sunny and this baby, I just need to convince her that I’m not a total ass and that I’m not going anywhere.
” Tag laughed into the phone. “Dude, you need to grovel. Hit your knees and beg, but don’t give up on her.
Sunny is a keeper.” Aaron could hear Piper on the other end of the call asking question after question.
He knew that Sunny’s friend wouldn’t let him off the hook as easily as Tag did.
He probably needed to apologize to Piper, too, since she was most likely taking the brunt of Sunny’s stormy side.
He cringed at the thought of Sunny spreading her anger around town after he left.
Tag seemed distracted, and Aaron really wanted to shower and make Sunny breakfast, so he made some excuses to end the call.
By the time she woke up, he was ready to eat his hand; he was so hungry.
He wanted her to sleep longer, but he was excited to go baby shopping.
Geez, just yesterday he rode into town to make sure that Sunny was all right and to go to Lorna and Sawyer’s wedding.
And now, a day later, he was taking the mother of his baby shopping for a crib, which they found along with everything else a baby could want or need.
Sunny proved to be damn good at sitting and pointing.
His daughter would be dressed from head to toe for quite some time.
They also stocked up on diapers in different sizes and lots of baby wipes.
When it came time to purchase the crib, Piper and Tag strolled into the baby store, and it was like the women didn’t just see each other the day before.
Tag pulled Aaron in for a quick man-hug complete with back slap while Piper and Sunny squealed and twirled around the store like it was Disney World.
“What are you doing here?” Sunny pulled Piper in for a side hug since that was all her belly would allow. Tag and Aaron both found the sight amusing.
“Well, Tag and I spoke to Aaron this morning,” Piper said.
She shot Aaron a dirty look, and he knew that she was still pissed that he had up and left Sunny.
“And, he told us that you were shopping for the baby. Why didn’t you tell me that you had nothing for her?
” Piper rubbed Sunny’s belly, and she looked down at the floor.
The last thing Aaron wanted was for Sunny to feel embarrassed or ashamed that she didn’t have the cash to buy a crib.
“I just—” Sunny started, but Aaron pulled her into his side, wrapping an arm around her.
“Sunny didn’t have much room at her parents’ house for a crib, so she was just planning on using a bassinet.
But, now that she’s living at my place, we have a whole room to fill.
” Piper looked between the two of them, seeming skeptical.
If Sunny chose to tell her friend the truth, that would be up to her.
Aaron couldn’t stand to see her feeling down about her situation—hell, he was partially to blame for her current condition.
“Well—” Piper paused and smiled. “Tag, and I would like to buy the crib.” Sunny was shaking her head, and Aaron was pretty sure she was about to burst into tears again.
“No Pipe, it’s too much.” Sunny squeaked.
“Nonsense, that’s what aunts and uncles are for, right?
If I can’t spoil my niece, then what good am I?
” Sunny nodded her approval, and Piper pulled her in for a quick hug.
They were both crying as they set off to find the perfect crib.
Aaron suddenly felt useless. He didn’t want to remind Piper that this was his baby, especially since she was the one who took care of Sunny while he was away.
But a part of him felt like doing just that.
He was looking forward to being a part of the decisions concerning his daughter.
He was about to go find Tag, who was looking at infant car seat/stroller combos, when Sunny stopped and turned to him.
“Aaron, are you coming?” She held out her hand to him and smiled, causing his heart to skip a beat.
“You should help decide what bed our daughter will be sleeping in.” She lowered her hand slightly, doubt overshadowing her brilliant smile.
“Well, that is if you want to. You don’t have to, you know, if that’s something that you’re not into.
” He took two steps, closing the distance between them, and pulled her into his arms. He didn’t care that Piper was scowling at him or that the salespeople were watching—all he saw was Sunny, and she was damn near perfect.
He kissed her, forgetting where they were or what they were doing.
He licked his way into her mouth and stroked his tongue against hers.
Feeling her melt against him was all the reassurance he needed.
When he finally ended their kiss, he found both Piper and Tag smiling at him and Sunny, like two crazy loons.
Everyone in Harvest Ridge had fallen in love and lost their minds, and he was pretty sure that it was his turn.
Sunny opened her eyes, smiling up at him and, yep—he was ready to jump off the ledge or drink the Kool-Aid.
He would do whatever it took because she took his breath away.
Sunny couldn’t believe that Tag and Piper crashed her and Aaron’s day.
But she was happy to see her friend and so appreciated the thoughtful gift of the crib.
Piper went all out and purchased the nursery furniture as well.
And, by the time they were finished, Piper also furnished her own baby’s nursery.
She didn’t know what she was having yet, but she wanted something neutral and rustic to match her cabin.
Piper arranged for both deliveries, and Sunny found herself feeling a bit envious that her best friend seemed to have it so together.
Aaron and Sunny finished up the day by buying the car seat/stroller combo that Tag researched to be the best. They said goodbye to their friends, and she felt like collapsing onto the floor. Aaron must have seen that she was about to drop and wrapped her in his arms.
“How about you talk to the nice sales lady about—you know—girly things that you will need after the baby arrives, and I’ll start loading up the truck.” Sunny laughed at the way Aaron handled the mention of breast pumps and nursing pads.
“All right, as long as you’re sure you don’t want to help me pick out some nipple creams.” She teased Aaron, noticing the way his eyes darkened, causing her to shiver.
“Don’t tempt me, Sunny. It’s been a damn long time.” He pulled her in for a quick, hard kiss, and she couldn’t help her question when he was about to release her.
“How long, Aaron?” she whispered, looking around to make sure that none of the super skinny, beautiful saleswomen were close enough to hear.
This time, he pulled her up for another kiss, taking his time with her.
She liked the way he seemed not to care about the other people in the store.
When he kissed her earlier in front of Pipe and Tag, she thought that she was going to combust—the kiss was scorching.
This kiss was just as hot but a little sweeter.
He pulled back, leaving them both a little out of breath.