By the end of the week, the nursery was complete.Blush lavender walls, driftwood bookshelves in the form of clouds, a soft rug with stars scattered across it, and the sign "Raspberry" hanging in wood cursive above the crib.Vandaulf stood in the doorway, arms folded, a goofy grin spreading across his face."We should get a crown for that crib."Lily, curled on the glider, rubbed her belly lightly. "Don't tempt Helena.“Already did. She sent me a velvet tiara on Amazon.”“I’m afraid.”“You should be.”He sat beside her, resting his hand over hers. “She’s going to love it in here.”“She better. It cost us five arguments and one suspicious fall from a step ladder.”He kissed her temple. “But it was worth it.”She looked around the room, eyes misty. “I just want her to feel safe. Loved. Like she’ll never have to doubt how much she means to us.”“She’ll know,” he said, gently cradling her bump. “Because we’re building this for her—every glittery, chaotic, mango-scented moment.”That night
Later that afternoon, they ventured out for more baby shopping. A sleek boutique downtown caught Lily’s eye—it had neutral tones, handmade mobiles, and employees who looked like they did prenatal yoga in candlelit caves.The moment they walked in, a sales assistant greeted them with the hushed reverence usually reserved for art museums. “Welcome. You’re glowing.”Vandaulf grinned at Lily. “Told you. You’re the queen.”“Would Her Majesty like to test out our all-terrain, collapsible stroller with cupholders and Bluetooth speakers?” the assistant asked, gesturing like she was presenting the Holy Grail.“Yes, she would,” Lily said, then pointed at Vandaulf. “He’s the royal stroller pusher.”“I prefer ‘Sir Push-a-Lot.’”“You’ll regret that nickname.”He tested the stroller, furrowing his brow as he pushed it in a circle. “This thing turns better than my car.”You mean the sports car you wept about trading in for a dad-mobile?""I didn't weep. I whimpered stoically."By mid-afternoon, they
Just as they were, the doorbell rang.Barkley got to the door first, barking in a frantic security system mode that required a treat. Vandaulf opened it slowly, only to be almost bulldozed by Helena, who strode in like a hurricane in flower-patterned linen."I had a vision!" she declared."Of?" Lily ventured cautiously."The nursery. I dreamed and we need to put clouds on the ceiling!"Vandaulf blinked. "Actual clouds?""Fluffy, puffy, suspended from gossamer thread!" Helena grinned. "Don't give me that look, Vandaulf. I've already arranged for samples.""Oh my God."Behind Helena, Brenna entered on a resigned sigh. "I attempted to intervene. I failed."She entered carrying a baby bathrobe complete with bunny ears and a basket marked "Nesting Emergency No. 4.""I don't know whether to laugh or hide the credit cards," Lily whispered to Vandaulf.“I’ll do both,” he whispered back.The living room quickly transformed into a chaotic planning center. Helena was scribbling theme options on
“Perfect,” the woman said, clapping. “You’re in the pink cloud section. Right this way!”“Pink cloud section,” Vandaulf repeated flatly. “Sounds like a cult.”Lily leaned into him. “You’re in too deep now, snack knight. Embrace the glitter.”"This one has Bluetooth," Lily said, nodding to a spaceship-looking, really modern stroller."Bluetooth? To play for what—streaming lullabies or ordering an Uber when I freak out during diapering?""Maybe both," Lily replied matter-of-factly.The saleswoman suddenly reappeared. "This model can count steps, monitor the temperature of the baby, and change its angle if she's cranky."Vandaulf scrunched up his eyes. "It's smarter than me.""Most everything is," Lily joked.He put a hand on her abdomen. "What do you think, Raspberry? Do you want the stroller with the inbuilt navigation system or the one that has a cupholder for mommy's rescue smoothies?"Lily giggled. "I believe she would like the pink one with flamingos."They purchased the flamingo s
Lily leaned her head sideways, eyes shining, lips barely touching Vandaulf's cheek as she whispered back, "Then let's make it unforgettable."Vandaulf smiled, hot and mad in love. "Oh, we will. Starting with never letting your grandmother and my grandmother plan anything together ever again."As if summoned by pure dramatic instinct, Helena reappeared behind them, holding what appeared to be a tiny tiara. “Good news! I’ve already ordered Raspberry’s first princess sash. It says: She Who Shall Not Be Ignored.”Lily stared. “That’s… wildly appropriate, actually.”“And sparkly,” Helena added, adjusting her sunglasses like she was on a red carpet. “I spared no rhinestone.”Vandaulf looked at Brenna, who was sipping punch and shaking her head.“Don’t look at me,” Brenna said. “I told her it was too much.”Helena gasped. “Betrayed in public? Again? This family needs a dramatic exit clause.”Lily giggled so hard she had to sit again. “You two are worse than the hormones.”“That’s because we’
Brenna hardly even glanced up from her seat when she casually stuck a chocolate-covered strawberry in her mouth. "The only thing the universe is speaking to me right now is that your hat has a shape like a flamingo exploded on your head."Helena grinned. "That's not flamingo, darling. That's victory."Lily, laughing from where she was sitting on the grass beside Vandaulf, watched the two grandmothers, patting her bump with a relaxed hand. "Do we tell them they're both daft or just let them duke it out until dessert?"Vandaulf reclined on his elbows, admiring his wife, utterly entranced. "Let them. It prevents energy from entering baby name debates. We dodged a bullet with 'Gwendolyn Petunia' and 'Daffodil The Third.'"Lily flinched. "The Third? Of what dynasty?Helena, now theatrically waving a napkin embroidered with the words Team Baby Boss, turned to them with a glint in her eye. "So. Now we've got the gender problem out of the way, now we must get down to brass tacks."Brenna shot