Page 10 of Rock the Cradle of Love
“Congratulations.” Sarah smiles and Noah appreciates her ability to keep the dollar signs out of her eyes. Leading them in the direction of the furniture displays, Sarah asks, “Do you know what you’re looking for?”
Three hours later, Emma is screaming as they pull into Noah’s condo complex. Several thick flat boxes are stacked up in the back of Noah’s dark blue pickup truck. Bags of clothing and basic bedding are shoved behind the seats. Two identical bedding sets and the matching accessories have been ordered and set for delivery.
“Do you think that sales lady is going to post online about her two famous hockey-player customers?” Noah asks, sliding out of the cab. He hopes not. It’s not that Emma’s a secret, but nothing is even legal yet. A single hockey player adopting a baby would make for a popular human interest story, but it would also bring unwanted press right now, and he just wants to live his life without too much public scrutiny. Especially before Emma’s legally his.
He’d called Julia yesterday and they’d had a heart-to-heart about Emma. They’d ironed out everything he could think of and he assured her he’d pay for school if the need arose. Noah’d be calling his lawyer tomorrow and getting the ball rolling on the adoption.
“I asked her not to say anything and gave her my card to get tickets next season if she pretended we were non-celebrities. I also asked for her card so that next time you needed anything, we’d arrange to shop during her shift. I don’t think she’s going to chance losing future sales.”
Noah’s mouth drops open. “Seriously?”
Taylor shrugs and winks. “Well, yeah. If I don’t watch your back, who will?”
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you, Taylor Bell. I appreciate it.” Now that Noah thinks about it, Taylor has had his back since he joined the team four years ago. “I think I’m going to owe you more than just a few meals.”
“Nah, it’s cool. You know I love kids and you’re my linemate and my friend. I’m happy to lend my expertise.”
“Well, thanks.” Noah’ll have to ponder some other way to show his appreciation later because Emma is still squalling, and even though nothing’s going to get her to stop for a little while, he’ll feel better if she’s in his arms. She’ll probably feel a bit comforted as well. He hopes, anyway.
“Take her on up, Noah. I’ll haul up the bags.”
“You sure?” He really doesn’t know what he did to garner Taylor’s friendship, but he’s definitely grateful.
Taylor nods, so Noah croons to Emma while he climbs the stairs.
Surprisingly, she only cries for another half hour before a meal, a bottle, and a couple of games of Pac-Man render her ready for a nap. They move her travel bed into Noah’s room and put her down.
“Okay, so, we need to clear out the stuff in her room first, right?” says Taylor.
“That makes the most sense, although I have no idea where to put the furniture.”
“How about in the other bedroom? Can’t we just stuff it in there?” Taylor pushes into Noah’s office/workout room.
“We’ll have to move the treadmill. The Bowflex will be too much trouble though. But then there’ll only be enough room for the dresser and the bedside tables.” It’s not a very big room.
“Do you even want to keep this furniture?”
Noah’s surprised and raises an eyebrow. “Of course I do.”
“What for?”
“It’s practically brand new and what if I buy a house? No sense in getting rid of perfectly good furniture.”
“Okay, okay…” Taylor holds up his hands in surrender. “Can you rent one of the garages in this complex?”
“Probably.” Noah’ll make that a priority this week. Emma should be settled in as quickly as possible. She may only be three months old, but surely she’ll know, somehow, how much she’s loved and wanted.
They wrangle the mattress and box spring up against the wall in Emma’s room for the time being and move everything else into the third bedroom before hauling the boxes of unassembled baby furniture into the living room in order to leave space for assembly in Emma’s room.
* * *
Noah gazes at the crib and the changing table and smiles. Emma’s got a room of her own, mostly, and Noah can’t wait for life to settle down so they can just be.
The hex keys land on the floor with a soft clink. Taylor presses his hands against his lower back as he arches backwards and stretches. “Oh my God, Noah. Whose brilliant idea was this?”
Because they’ve been in the room for so long, the glare of the overhead light is both harsh and dim. It reflects off the dark walls and is making his eyes itch. He’ll be glad for the small decorative lamps he ordered. A night light or two wouldn’t be remiss either. “Yours, you idiot.”
“Right. Christ.” Taylor rubs his eyes. “What the fuck was I thinking?”
