Lib Novel Page 90
“Seth and I want to get a dog, and a cat. We decided to wait until the baby comes, plus six months, then gauge our ground. But we want her to grow up with pets. Since we’re just starting to talk about outfitting the nursery, pets are down the list.”
“Now your rewind.” Cleo mimicked the finger roll. “I believe Sonya and I were to be consulted on nursery art and such.”
“Yes, but you’re both so busy, I—”
“Cleo, in particular, is never too busy for anything connected to babies. Are you thinking pinks because girl?”
“Actually, no. Are you sure you want to hear all this?”
“Start talking. Wait.” Cleo signaled the waiter. “We need to order dessert. What’s good?”
“Their peach melba’s amazing. And really generous.”
“We’ll share.”
With that settled, Cleo gestured to Anna. “Not pink.”
“Nothing too girlie, because what if she’s not a girlie girl? Plus, we want at least two, and the next could be a boy. Seth and I liked the idea of a forest sort of theme, and animals. Cute animals.”
“What about magical animals?”
Anna’s eyes went dreamy. “Magical animals?”
“Unicorns, winged horses, friendly dragons, griffins. Throw some elves and fairies in there because, you know, they live in magic forests.”
“A magic forest. Uh-oh.” When her gone-dreamy eyes filled, Anna waved a hand. “Don’t worry, hormones really bring them on. Can you imagine going to sleep and waking up in a magic forest?” She swiped a tear away. “It’s so sweet. It’s so perfect.”
“I could do a mural.”
“You’re going to have me sobbing in a minute. You really could?”
“Trust me,” Sonya assured her. “I’ll assist, but Cleo shines here.”
“Talk it over with Daddy. If you both like the idea, I’ll come look at the room, sketch some things up.”
“I know Seth, and he’s going to love it. Name your price!”
“You can pay for the supplies, but that’s it.”
“But—”
“That’s it, or no deal.”
“You drive a hard bargain.” And had another tear spilling. “But I’m buying lunch.”
On the way home, Sonya stopped at the florist for fresh flowers. She drove home in a happy mood with their scent filling the car.
To be greeted at the door by Yoda with crazed joy, and Adele’s “Hello.”
“Yes, hello! I’m home. Were you a good boy? Did you play with Jack? Did Clover look after you?”
Yoda wagged all the way back to the kitchen with her, where Cleosat at the counter with a sketchbook. Cleo looked up, raised her eyebrows at the armload of flowers.
“Did you buy them out?”
“Came close. We ditched all the faded ones the other day, so it was time to go a little crazy. What are you doing?”
“Oh, playing a little in a magic forest. You were a while at the florist.”