I followed her to the clothing section, and something in my stomach tightened as I looked at the tiny onesies and sleepers hanging on the racks.
They were sosmall.
I reached out and touched one—a soft white onesie with little ducks embroidered on the chest. The fabric was impossibly soft, and I couldn’t imagine something so small and fragile depending on me for everything.
But I wanted it.
God, I wanted it so badly it hurt.
I grabbed the onesie and added it to the growing pile in my arms. Then another. And another. Newborn sizes. 0-3 months. 3-6 months.
I didn’t know when the baby was due. Didn’t know if Truth would even let me be there for the birth.
But I was going to be ready.
“Toys?” the woman asked, and I nodded.
We moved to the toy section, and I picked out soft plush animals, rattles, and teething rings. A mobile with stars and moons that played lullabies.
Everything my child would need.
Everything they deserved.
“Diapers and wipes?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Bottles?”
“Yes.”
“Formula? Or is mom planning to breastfeed?”
I hesitated. I didn’t know. Truth and I hadn’t talked about any of this.
“Both,” I said finally. “Just in case.”
She nodded and added it to the list.
By the time we reached the checkout counter, I’d spent over an hour in the store and accumulated enough items to fill an entire nursery.
The total came to just over eight thousand dollars.
I handed over my credit card without hesitation.
“Would you like us to deliver and assemble everything?” she asked.
“No. I’ll do it myself.”
She looked surprised but nodded. “Alright. Let me get some help loading your truck.”
It took three employees and twenty minutes to load everything. The crib box barely fit, and I had to fold down the back seats to make room for the dresser and changing table.
But I didn’t care.
This was mine.
This wasreal.