Chapter 37: It’s coming together
POV: Zac / Gabby
Word Count: 3444
August 17, 2009
The morning was spent being super lazy until 9:45 when we headed to the doctor’s office. She had her sugar test today so we were there for over an hour, I tried to get them to confirm that this baby was a boy, because I think they lied to us. But the doctor refused saying she didn’t see a reason to do another sonogram, I considered calling another doctor really. But, Gabby wouldn’t go anyway. The sugar test came back fine and the appointment went well. We then headed to lunch.
“So, what is the plan for today? Stella demanded Taylor so we have the day.”
“Well, we need a nursery theme and the local store has the crib bedding I was looking at. Could go by there and see if it’s something we both like in person.”
“Anything else?”
“Well, I haven’t looked through the stuff yet but I mean we don’t have much that is specific for a girl.”
“Because we’re having a boy, they are wrong.”
“They are not wrong Zachary, you got to embrace this.”
“I’m not willing to.”
“Then you just have to deal, because you aren’t having a son.”
“Fine.”
“Have you gotten any more messages from Mr. Creepy?”
“No. I know several people posted baby shower pictures and a few were shared by fans.”
“I gave Chloe permission to post some of them, knowing they’d go viral when she tagged me. Bailey actually sent me a message congratulating us on the little girl.”
“You released the sex?”
“I didn’t pay attention that the cake was behind us in some, it was all pink.”
“Ahh, well we can go there and maybe look at bottles?”
“I don’t think we need them, I think I want to go breastfeeding. I’ve looked up a billion articles and they all say it’s better and better for the baby.”
“But, didn’t Sarah say to have at least a few?”
“I mean yeah but why waste the money on something I don’t plan to use? Sarah had a few and she used them and then Stephanie refused to take her breast. She preferred the nipples on the bottle. I don’t want that.”
“What if I want to feed her?”
“Do you? If you are adamant about that then yes, I’ll risk it but I won’t be happy if she rejects breast after that.”
“How about we get one bottle of the brand we prefer, as an incase. If at some time I really want to feed her then I will let you know ahead of time. I think Sarah’s husband said he couldn’t for several weeks anyway.”
“Three to six weeks.”
I really hadn’t considered that aspect, if she was breastfeeding then I wouldn’t have that unless she did pump.
“Do you have those articles bookmarked?”
“Yep. There on my laptop if you want to read them.”
“I may just do that.”
We finished up lunch and then headed to the baby store, another four thousands sets and options but Gabby spotted the one she had picked out online. It was definitely pink.
“Does it have to be pink?”
“She is a girl, I’m not doing blue.”
I looked at the set, the sheet was a light pink color but the dust ruffle was a light satin pink with alternating panels of the design, which was a off white color with a grey damask design running up and down. The crib bumper was solid pink inside with the middle having the same type of panels and the outside was all the design with satin bows tying it in. The comforter sported the damask design on one side, solid pink the other side. Did I mention the little satin pink ruffles all across the top of the bumper pads?!
“This is the one you like?”
“I like the Damask design and the one I had selected for the boy is just like this only blue. It’s not too much pink and it’s not too busy. Added the fabric matches can be used and we don’t have to use all pink paint.”
“What color would you use?”
“Pinks and maybe the taupe color of the design. I kind of want to add a chair rail to the room, something to divide and do the pink up top and taupe on the bottom. Then the design for the curtains. Simple, easy to do.”
“We are absolutely positive this is a girl right?”
She tilted her head and just looked at me, I was really hoping at some point she’d laugh and say haha jokes on you. But, she wasn’t laughing and she looked serious.
“I have to agree it is simple and the painting wouldn’t take a lot of time. If you like it, then let’s go with this.”
“Do you like it?” She asked.
“Yes. It’s not blue but I’ll deal.”
Finding the exact package took a few minutes but I put it in the buggy along with an extra set of sheets and the curtains, which would come close to the floor. We then roamed around a bit, we had no idea what we needed but paint wasn’t available here. We did find this cute gown that said Princess in Training, it was pink but she put it in the buggy anyway. We then checked out and went to the hardware store to get the chair rails, paint, and everything I would need. I wondered if I could get the walls painted today, the chair rails I bought pre-painted in white. We then headed to the grocery store for stuff and then home.
I checked the mail and there was a box there, I sighed because it was from Maine too. She opened it once we were inside and had the bags inside too. This owl was a gorgeous blue color with the wings open, almost like a give me a hug pose. The note was tucked in the front and she pulled it out with tweezers and laid it down.
I’ve dreamed about giving you a hug, holding you close to me and whispering in your ear. I almost got the chance, was counting on you being home earlier, laying down and taking your daily nap, so I could whisper in your ear and simply watch you sleep..
“He was in our house and you want to stay home?”
“I do because we’ve increased the security and increased the safety.”
I hated her decision but I didn’t want to argue again, she’d said if he got worse and this didn’t qualify even if the note was creepy as fuck. So, I kept my comments to myself and changed the subject.
“Recon I can get it painted today?”
“I don’t see why not, it’s just 3. Even if you don’t get it all done like trim and stuff then at least the walls are.”
“Truth. Okay, I’m going to do that.”
“I need to straighten up and put away groceries and I think start a stew then look through all that stuff. I’ll take that by the office tomorrow.”
I smiled, kissed her and took off up-stairs with the paint and things I would need. Including the plastic for the floor. I first moved the furniture into the center of the room and covered it. Then got started mapping out the taupe and pink areas.
-Gabby-
I knew I couldn’t be around the paint, so I left that to him. I also knew he thought I was making a very big mistake staying home, he wasn’t out right saying it but I knew it was on his mind. But, I’d spent my entire life running from people and problems, if I went with him then I’d be running again. I’d be saying that I have to depend on Zac to keep me safe. I fully understood the risks. But, bowing down to him now wouldn’t solve anything.
I put the groceries up and started the stew then cleaned a bit. I sat down and began to write the thank you notes to everyone along with writing down what we actually had. Turns out there wasn’t much item wise but there were a lot of gift cards! I found that no one got bibs or socks at all. There were a lot of onesie but most were short sleeve, very few long sleeve ones. There were also quite a bit of 3 months and up, but hardly any newborn. It was kind of weird. I was sitting in the middle of the floor with baby items laid out all around me when he came downstairs.
“Are you having fun?”
“Totally. We have no socks, no mittens, no hats. There’s a lot we didn’t get, good news is we have enough gift cards for probably most.”
“Nice. The walls have the first coat.”
“Nice. Stew should be done in about thirty, mind stirring it?”
He smiled and went to the kitchen, stirred and then returned. He helped repack the items for the moment and then set them side. We had dinner once it was done and we were just sitting at the table making a list of the items we knew we needed, but didn’t have yet.
The doorbell rang about 7, neither of us expected anyone so I went to answer. There was a couple standing at the door, they were about middle aged and he reminded me so much of Shawn, the same dark hair and angled face. But his hair was showing signs of grey. She was shorter her auburn hair showing signs of grey as well.
“Hi, can I help you?”
They both seemed a little confused, she was appraising me almost and I swear she lingered on the bump longer than I liked. I hadn’t ever seen either of them before, not even at Zac’s reunions or family get together.
“Are you related to Zac?”
“No. You don’t recognize us?” he asked.
“No. Should I?”
I felt Zac’s hand on my back, heard him greet them but clearly he didn’t know them either.
“Of course you should Gabriella. You’re our daughter.” He said.
“You’re not Julian. I don’t know who you are.”
He went to come forward and Zac stepped in front of me. “Stay back.”
“I’m her father.”
“I’m her husband and she doesn’t know you.”
“We are her biological parents. I gave birth to her. I have every right to see her.”
I couldn’t deny they looked like Shawn and I, features I saw in Shawn were right here in this man. Zac still wouldn’t let them inside. He was asking them normal questions such as when my birthday is, where I was born. Which she knew. But then again, a lot of people knew my birthday, I mean I shared it with Zac!
“Are you expecting?” She asked.
I heard her but I just couldn’t answer her, I couldn’t think of anything except what Julian had told me. What the police report said. What Shawn had told me. I was beginning to just hear pounding in my ears. I couldn’t stand here any longer, I just turned and walked away. Left Zac there to deal with whoever they were. I sat down on the sofa and just breathed, hearing Zac tell them they weren’t coming inside and he didn’t care what they thought. I couldn’t clearly hear what they said in return but eventually the door closed and he came back to the living room.
“Gabriella?”
“I didn’t…I just.”
He sat down and put his arm around me. “It’s okay, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I just couldn’t figure out what to say or do.”
“I understand. I wouldn’t let them in and never answered her question either. I don’t trust this scenario and this is why you shouldn’t be here without me. I did take a number though because you said Shawn has met them, maybe he can confirm.”
“Why not this scenario?”
“There is a man sending you owls and little love notes, telling you that you deserve better than me, preferably him. Then some strange couple shows up? No. Not trusting they’re not lying.”
“Shawn can confirm, I just…”
He tightened his hug. “If he says they are them, would you want to know them?”
“I honestly don’t know. How can I ever love them knowing what they did? I mean they cared more about drugs and booze than they did us. I’m not sure I can look past that.”
“I think you should talk to Shawn, he’s seen them before and talked to them.”
“Even he said they didn’t remember me.”
“Lot of reasons why. Anyway, we should check the room and then you can give me critique.”
“Subject diversion, good one.”
We got up and went up-stairs and the colors were good together and with that rail going across the middle it was going to look great. He started to do the second coat so I headed back down to put up leftovers and fix things for the week.
My parents. I didn’t want my daughter to grow up like me, I wanted her to have a lot more confidence, strengths and abilities. I wanted her to know that I loved her and that her father does. I don’t ever want her to question our love.
I couldn’t say that my parents ever loved me, I couldn’t say they would love her. I wouldn’t trust them to be alone with her either, because unlike Zac’s parents who have clearly proven they will love their granddaughter like their own sons, I knew mine never would. Julian and Travis come closer to being a true grandparent than they did. I didn’t quite want to tell Shawn yet, wasn’t sure how. But, I needed someone so I called Julian.
“Hey honey, how are you doing? Our little girl doing good?”
“She is doing great, she did kick my ribs like an hour ago though. I’m not sure how I am.”
“What do you mean? Things between you and Zac okay?”
“Yeah, we’re good. I had visitors. A couple showed up and said they were my parents.”
“Your birth parents?” She asked.
“Yes. Physically they actually resemble Shawn and I. They don’t look like average drug users though. They weren’t super thin or anything.”
“Well, from the way Shawn talked about them they weren’t really little then, perhaps they got their life straight.”
“Maybe, but I don’t know. I guess they wanted to talk but I couldn’t handle it at the moment and just walked away.”
“Zac handle them?”
“Yeah. He got the number but I’m not sure I even want to call. I don’t know them and I can’t imagine they’d suddenly realize I exist and they want a relationship now.”
“Well, it’s possible they’re just getting their life straight and there trying to make amends.”
“It’s possible.”
“I’m not really someone you should ask Gabriella. I only know what the police reports and the agency told me. None of that was good stuff. Personally, I’d tell you to ignore them and continue your life like you have been. But, if you want a more unbiased opinion talk to your brother. He found them and talked to them before, so he may be able to better explain.”
“I’ll see if he’s available.”
“Good.”
I let her go and texted Shawn, he replied quickly but did say he was working. He was off Friday, so he agreed to come over. I was finished with everything just standing at the counter when I felt his arms come around me.
“Nursery is painted.”
I laid my head back. “Julian said call Shawn, he’s coming over Friday for a day. So, I’ll be home.”
“I think he’ll be the best person to talk to.”
By the way his hands were moving, I don’t think it was a simple holding me type hold. When he went after my neck I was pretty sure it wasn’t and his intentions were much more.
“You smell like paint.”
“Yeah, I need a shower, preferably with you.”
He went ahead and cut the lights off and turned the alarm on, we then headed up-stairs where I started the shower. The room looked really good just with paint, I couldn’t wait to see it done. I let him go first, he had paint in his hair after all and it gave him more of a chance to do whatever he wanted.
I actually got a bath before he moved on to what he actually wanted, the little nips to my neck and shoulders.
“You know we are in the bedroom.”
I felt his lips smile. “I know, but I recall a certain truck stop bathroom shower.”
Yep, I remembered that truck stop too. His hands came around cupping each breast, before moving up to the nipples. The water glided over my shoulders but I could feel him right against my back and ass. The more he twisted or gently rubbed the nipples the less I cared about paint or odd couples at the door. By the time his hands moved down my abdomen I wasn’t concerned with anything but what he was doing.
It was very weird to have him behind me, his lips making contact with a butt cheek while his fingers found much more sensitive spots. The water was still kind of warm only added to what his fingers were doing. The slight shutters is what cause me to move, I didn’t want to be brought to an orgasm that way. I did kind of always like when he was on his knees. But a gentle move and he was sitting on the shower floor and I just eased into his lap then nudged him on back. Letting the water hit me for the moment, going for his lips then his neck, coming down to the nipples where the water added to the movement.
“I’m glad we went with a deep shower and a big one.”
I lightly bit into his abdomen and heard the light yelp. “Me too.”
I didn’t want to bring him all the way with a blowjob either, so just enough to get him nice and hard for me, before moving back up and letting him slide into me. Sex felt slightly different now, was better in some ways and worse in others like positions. He left me there for quite some time before pulling me down. He knew I couldn’t be on my back but when he moved it was my side, with just one leg on his shoulder.
“Little odd.”
He kissed my ankle and then let his nails drag down my leg. “I got a little curious while I waited for you to get done.”
It was different but fuck it felt better, I didn’t think that was possible. Thankfully he didn’t slide around either. The downside to our enclosed shower was yelps and screams sounded so much louder than normal and it wasn’t until several minutes after that we both realized that water was now cold as fuck. I really wanted to lay and recover but getting dried off and warm was more important. Zac made sure I was completely dry and himself and then we got in bed.
“Sure you can handle us both being naked?”
He kissed me. “Worse case I just wake you up, unless you are sleeping very soundly then I won’t.”
He was a good heater once he got warm, but there was a nagging little pull in my brain.
“Baby, have you told anyone about my daily naps?”
“No. Why?”
“The note said that he wanted to be there when I took a nap, my daily nap. Which I usually take around the same time unless something is going on. How would he know I am napping every day?”
“You haven’t told anyone?”
“No. I mean, sure Abby or someone called and when I called back I said I was asleep, but I didn’t say this is my usual time.”
“Maybe he thought you did, I can’t answer that.”
“Maybe he guessed…Okay, you’ve warmed me to the core and I’m sleepy now.”
“Me too.”
Of course about the time I got almost asleep, she stretched or kicked and I groaned.
“Turn over.”
I turned and put my back against him, which would be more tempting but as active as she was the moment he laid his hand over my growing belly, she calmed.
“So wrong.”
“Least you get sleep.”
For sure, I didn’t feel her moving for several hours and by then he’d turned a bit and moved his hand, which I just politely put back over her and drifted back off.