Page 50 of Learn the Play

Bellamy

“Is all of this for Camden?” I ask Reid. We’re getting ready to go to Baker’s for Camden’s first birthday party, and there are a lot of gifts sitting next to the front door.

“Yeah.”

“Reid, he’s turning one.” My tone is gentle, but it still saysyou went overboard. “When did you decide to buy all of this?”

“I know. One’s a big deal, and I shopped online.”

“What are you going to do when he turns sixteen?” I ask him.

“Buy him a truck?” He shrugs.

“You do know his parents will probably be the ones to do that, right?”

“Fine, I’ll give him gas money.”

“I know you love him, but this is—a lot.” I chuckle.

“I know, but the little dude is just so cute, and his mom’s a bitch, so I felt like I needed to get him more. Besides, I’m vying for the favorite uncle title. I can’t let the others beat me.”

“He’s one, Reid. He’s not going to remember who got him what, and to be honest, he’s probably going to like the boxes, bags, and wrapping paper better than any of the gifts.”

“What?” His mouth hangs open. “No, he won’t.”

“We’ll see.” I grin. My boss, Grant Riggins, and his wife, Aurora, often tell me that when the kids were little, they’d have preferred to have everything except the gifts. That’s partly why they started doing experiences as a family instead of lots of gifts. It’s something I hope that Reid and I can do for our baby as well.

“Are you ready?” he asks me.

“I am. I’ll grab a handful of gifts on my way out,” I tease.

“No, ma’am, you will not. No lifting for you.”

“Reid, come on. They’re gift bags with toys inside. It’s not like I’m carrying around fifty pounds in each bag.”

“Humor me, Dream Girl.” He comes to stand next to me and wraps me in his arms. “I’ll start packing these down to my truck.”

“I can help you.”

“Nope,” he says, popping thep.

“Okay, well, have fun with that.” I point to the mound of gifts.

“I was thinking ahead,” he says, before darting down the hall. He comes back holding something I can’t make out until he unfolds it. It’s a wagon, and he grins as he loads up all the gifts.

“When did you get that?” I ask him.

“It was delivered the other day. I figured that when our little one arrives, we could use it too. Although there are really cool ones that have straps for the kids and everything.”

“You’ve been looking at stuff for the baby?”

“Of course, I have. I have a lot to learn,” he says, and tears burn the back of my eyes.

“You’re my favorite,” I tell him. I want to tell him that I fall harder for him every day. Or hell, every time he opens his mouth, but I can’t seem to form the words.

“Ah, Dream Girl.” He kisses my temple as he rolls the wagon past me to the front door. “You’re my favorite, too,” he says, holding the door open for me.

“Did you leave anything at the store?” Foster asks as I hold the door open for Reid, and he wheels in a wagon full of gifts.