Page 41 of Mia Amata

“I really need more home decor,” I told Randy. “I really don’t have much as far as decorations go.”

“Well, you bought enough books to fill some of those shelves next to the fireplace!” she said.

I laughed, “Yes, I haven’t read in a long time, so there were a lot of books that caught my eye. I could have bought a lot more had you not dragged me out of there.”

“I didn’t think we could fit much more into my car! With the baby car seat and stroller, all the clothes, shoes, decor, and books, I’m surprised my car can move and that we have room for us in it! Should have borrowed Josh or Jacob’s truck.”

We laughed and joked the rest of the way home. We finally pulled into the driveway at my house. I unlocked the door, letting Lucky out to take care of some business. He ran around a bit while we started to carry things into the house. A set of car lights came around the curve and Josh pulled up in his truck. Randy squealed, running to give him a hug as he climbed out of his truck. “I thought you couldn’t make it this weekend.”

He hugged her in return, “It just worked out that I could make it back. I have to go back Sunday night, so I am there first thing Monday morning, but I wanted to see you.”

I carried a couple of bags into the house, letting them have this moment alone. Lucky went into the house with me. I gave him some fresh water and food before I headed back outside to get more of my bags from Randy’s car. While I was getting the water for Lucky, Randy and Josh came into the house, carrying the big things that I had purchased that day.

“Hey, Mattie,” Josh said. “Randy told me about the baby, congratulations!”

“Thank you,” I said smiling at the couple. “Thanks for helping me carry my stuff in too.”

“No problem. Where do you want us to put the stroller and the car seat?”

“Back in the nursery if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” he said, following Randy down the hall to the nursery. We got all of my packages carried in, just depositing them on the couch. I looked at Randy and Josh and said, “I would invite you to stay for something to drink, but I can tell you two want to go home and be alone.”

Randy blushed, while Josh said, “Are we that obvious?”

I laughed, “Yes. I know how much Randy missed you while you were gone. Get out of here you two. I’ll talk to you later.”

Randy gave me a hug, and they left. I shut the door, arming the alarm system. I was a little hungry, so I made a sandwich and started to go through my purchases for the day. I knew I would wash all the bedding and clothing I got for the baby before using them, but for the time being, I just took off the tags, putting the items in the nursery in the hamper. I laid out the décor, so I could decide where I wanted to hang the items.

I put the books on the shelves next to the fireplace. I took all the tags off the clothes I bought for myself, putting those in the hamper to wash this weekend. I could still wear most of the clothes I got from Eva and Lauren, but I could tell that in a couple more weeks I would probably need to move into maternity clothes.

After supper was done, I cleaned up the kitchen. I then got the hammer and nails to hang the decor I had picked out. I got the step stool and got ready to climb on it to start hanging decor when someone knocked on the door.

Thinking maybe I left a bag in Randy’s car, I went to the door and pulled it open. It was Jacob. “Hey, Mia.”

“Hey,” I said as I let him in. He noticed I had a hammer in my hand.

“What are you doing?” he asked, walking into the living room.

“I was going to hang some things on the walls. I wasn’t expecting company.”

He smiled. “Josh sent me a text letting me know he was home for the weekend and mentioned that Randy just dropped you off. I hope you don’t mind I came by unannounced.”

I hesitated, “No, I’m just in the middle of something.”

He saw the step stool and all the decor lying around. He looked at me. “You weren’t getting up on that stool to hang things, were you?”

“Well, of course, I was. How else can I reach where I want to put them?”

He reached out and took the hammer from me. “Mia Amata, promise me you won’t climb on any stools or ladders. If you were to fall again…” he trailed off.

“I’m pregnant Jacob, not an invalid.”

“I know that. You fell once already, if you fall again, it could end badly. If something happened to you.” He looked at me so intently that I promised him I wouldn’t do any ladder-climbing or stand on any stepstools. “Good. Now tell me where you want things hung.”

It took a little while, but we finally got everything hung and positioned to my liking. Jacob put the tools away, while I looked around at my home. I was happy with the way the house looked. It felt more like home every day. There were moments when I could hardly believe that I was free. It had only been a couple of weeks, but I felt so at home here, so happy. I had new friends, a loyal dog, a home, and a baby on the way, what more could I ask for?

Jacob came back in from the garage. “What’s next?”

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