Page 31 of Bound by Love
“Oh, you know…decorations for the baby’s room, all the tons of equipment and cute little baby doodads.”
Sir smiled, pulling out his wallet and handing her cash. “Shop to your heart’s content, my dear. Have fun with it.”
Brie hesitated before taking the money from him. “But…”
“Yes?”
“I was hoping to do it with you. I’d like everything to reflect both of us—as a couple. From the way her room is decorated and the type of baby carriage we buy to the music she’ll fall asleep to.”
He sounded amused when he told her, “Actually, I’d planned on leaving that up to you. Wouldn’t you have more fun calling one of your friends, or even your mother, to help with that?”
Brie shook her head, feeling it was too important. “I want her to have the kind of environment that will encourage her growth and happiness. Your input will help to ensure that.”
He smiled but did not seem convinced.
“Sir, it weighs on me knowing our baby has been through so much stress during the pregnancy. I really want her first months to be peaceful and calm, yet stimulating for her growing brain.”
It was obvious by the look on Sir’s face that he felt responsible for the stress the baby had endured. She heard the sorrow in his voice when he said, “Youbothhave suffered far too much.”
Brie looked at him with compassion. “This isn’t about what’s happened, but her future will be. One that I want us to create together.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “Then understand I will not have an opinion about everything but, if I do, I will express it.”
“Great! Let’s start with the baby’s room first.”
Sir chuckled as Brie ran down the hallway to get her tablet. When she returned, she showed him the different rooms she’d already picked out. “The baby’s room is a place we both need to feel comfortable in since we’ll be visiting it so much. So, I have three examples here to kind of guide us along. What strikes your fancy?”
He looked them over with a critical eye.
Brie had never forgotten how Sir had felt about having a Christmas tree cluttering the aesthetics of his apartment, so her money was on the stylish brown one she’d chosen. She pointed to the screen and said, “What do you think of this first one with the chocolate brown theme? The stripes on the walls and brown rug give it a more adult feel…”
He surprised her by saying, “Much too formal. Looks like a dining room, not a baby’s room.”
Curious, she immediately cued up the next one. “Okay, how about this? The fun, playful animal theme?”
“I don’t care for anything cartoonish.”
“Are you leaning more toward the whole ‘You Are My Sunshine’ theme then?”
Sir’s tone became serious. “While themoye solntsetheme makes sense, the song itself has a negative connotation, considering Lilly is now associated with it.”
Since she had shown him her top three choices, she asked, “Do you have any suggestions, Sir?”
“Yes. I think melding the animal theme with the sunshine might work. More of a nature-themed decor. More realistic than what you showed me, but still colorful to stimulate her senses.”
“It’s perfect, Sir.”
Brie adored the idea and was grateful she’d asked for his input.
“As far as larger items such as the crib, car seat, stroller, etc., I can research those, if you would like, while you take care of the smaller things. But it would help me to know if you are more concerned with quality and functionality or general aesthetics.”
“Hmmm…actually all three,” she answered with a giggle. “I want something that will last, is easy to use, but still looks good.”
“Like you, babygirl.”
She smiled at his unexpected compliment and gave him a peck on the lips.
He let out a low, seductive growl that sent shivers down her spine as he grabbed the back of her neck and planted a long, drawn-out kiss on her lips.
