Page 71 of Bound Hearts

“The little onesie with a smiling shark in a suit on it?”

I snicker. “It’s not like I can wear a shirt that says ‘Board meeting at 3am.’”

Okay, I’m loving every second of our shopping excursion.

“The version of you that I’m getting tonight is really hot,” she says offhandedly, stepping forward to study a box on the shelf with sensory toys. “I think Savannah is getting us something like this. I managed to stave them off from arranging a baby shower by explaining what things the baby might need.”

“Still don’t want a baby shower?” Sutton can sometimes be difficult to crack. One moment, she is completely in mom-to-be overdrive and invested in what needs to be arranged for the baby. On the other hand, she doesn’t want extra fuss or to experience things you can only do when you are expecting a baby.

It’s a little fear inside of me that maybe she’s still struggling with the unexpected pregnancy, or maybe she really wanted a girl, or it’s just physical changes. Either way, it causes a blip of concern until her excitement blooms into full swing again.

Abandoning the box with the baby gym, she rushes to the end of the aisle where she spots an activity table. “This is perfect. He won’t be able to use it for a while, but it’s on my list of extras.”

“Extras?” I ask as I trail behind her, watching her have her moment.

“I have my list of what the baby actually needs, and my list for things that are, you know, extras. Things that aren’t a must, but I kind of want to have.”

Instantly, I reach out to clasp her arm, forcing her to bring her attention to me. “Babe, you can have all of the extras you want. The sky is the limit. Money isn’t an issue. Please, go crazy.”

She smirks and chuckles in the back of her throat. "But where is the fun in that? Plus, he will need to learn that it isn’t always so easy. I’ll get maybe one or two extra things for him, and if we happen to receive something as a gift or later on, then great."

She’s stubborn but amazing, wanting to have a plan to instill values in our child. When I walk around my upscale neighborhood sometimes, it’s blatantly obvious how everyone parents differently. I’ve noticed it more lately. Also, how some women enjoy using their husband’s credit card and spoiling a child with every expensive item they could possibly want.

“You’re keeping us in check,” I tell her with a smile.

We continue and both stop in the baby book section, which is displayed under a big fake tree with a slide running through the trunk. A set of parents is watching their little girl play.

Perusing the shelves, Sutton and I both begin to pick up books.

“Damn, I remember some of these,” I say. “Kind of figured they would’ve been replaced by something else by now.”

“A classic is a classic.” She holds a book up for me to approve. It’s something about a moon, but the title rings a bell, and I nod.

There are a few books that make noise, and I’m curious, so I press a couple buttons. A little annoying snippet of a song begins to sound, followed by an overly cheery voice counting a number when you turn the page.

Ah, okay. Seems logical. I keep it in hand. “I'll grab it for the register later. He needs to learn numbers,” I justify.

Sutton laughs. “He does.” Her lips purse as she examines more options, sliding another book off the shelf and not putting it back. “Shouldn’t we talk about the serious topic that we seem to keep flying past?”

Stalling, I’m thrown off guard because I’m not sure what she means. “Okay. What is it?”

She playfully pinches my arm. “His name, silly. We haven’t discussed names.”

“True. It’s one of the major points on the checklist.”

“Well, do you have any ideas?”

I shake my head. “No. You?”

“Nada. And your father mentioned that your mother wasn’t a fan of naming after a family member, so Foster Junior is out of the question. I also don’t particularly want to name him after someone in the family.”

Leaning against the bookcase, I consider for a second, but I come up blank. “We’ll both make a list of five names, and then we put them together. I’ll find some naming app or something, and we can do our research this week.”

“That’s a plan. Now, can we get out of here? I’m starving.” She grins.

“Yes, ma’am, we need to get you fed. You’re eating for two and need your energy for my dad’s birthday party tomorrow.” I guide us back to the checkout.

“You sound half-thrilled, but that’s better than zero thrilled,” she points out, highlighting the obvious.