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At seven, Rafael returned to the Bay Health Center and entered Annabelle’s room waving a sheet of paper. “All done, sweetheart.”
Interrupting her singing, Arianna raised her head. “What’s that?”
“Your foster care placement contract. I signed it. You’ll add your signature. Josie will pick it up in two days when she visits us.”
“Seriously?” Her eyes rounded. “That’s it. We’re foster parents?”
“Yep. A done deed. As soon as Dr. Cody discharges Annabelle, we’re taking her home.”
“Oh my God, my head is spinning.” She laughed and stared at him, her eyes glittering with joy that swiftly turned to panic. “Oh Lord, we’re not ready. No crib, no clothes, no diapers... Oh my God, this is amazing. You are amazing, Captain Rafael Lopez. Come here and kiss me. I love you.”
“I love you too, babe. I want you to be happy.” He came to her and wrapped her and the baby in his arms. “We’ll take care of this baby together. Now, it’s time for Annabelle to go beddy-by. I’ll call the nurse.” He pressed the call button.
The nurse came in a moment later. “I’ll change her, give her tonight’s medication, and let her sleep. You can leave.”
“See you tomorrow, my baby girl.” Arianna kissed her soft hair.
Once home, Rafael took Arianna straight up to her place. “Why don’t you take a shower and relax while I warm up some food? We’ll talk over dinner.”
A short while later, they sat at the table. While he poured Merlot into their glasses, she served the pea, carrot, and potato casserole she’d made to accompany their steaks.
“A special toast to our baby girl. To her health and happiness with us.” He clinked his glass against hers.
“Rafael, I can’t tell you how happy I am.”
“I know, babe. I am, too. After dinner, we’ll sit down and look up cribs, car seats, strollers, and all the paraphernalia a baby needs. We’ll order online, but we’ll pick it all up tomorrow morning before our princess comes home.”
“This is so much fun. Where am I going to put everything?”
“I told Josie we would have Annabelle stay in my condo which is more spacious.”
“Only occasionally. I want her in my place, most of the time.”
Arianna was so excited aboutherbaby, he didn’t want to argue.
“I asked you once if you wanted to make it official. I guess we’re official now, right?”
“I guess we are.” She chewed on her lip, her gaze lowering to her plate.
Understanding her disappointment, he considered her quietly. When he’d mentioned a ring in front of the caseworker, Arianna’s eyes had widened with excitement. He guessed most women had dreams of rings and white dresses at some point in their lives, even Arianna who’d claimed to be anti-commitment and anti-promises. But one thing at a time. They needed to deal with Annabelle’s health and care before anything else.
Rafael spent the night with Arianna. After making love, she drifted to sleep with a smile on her face, while he spent an hour wondering if their intimate relationship would change with a baby in the background, or more realistically in a crib next to their bed.
They arrived at the mall early the next morning to pick up the items they’d ordered and visit the stores for diapers, clothing, formula, and the other necessities a baby needed.
“Look at this pack-and-play combo, “Arianna exclaimed. “I can lift the bassinet to move it, and it can shift into a change table. The playpen part is spacious enough and has a storage space for diapers and clothes. I love it. We’ll keep it next to my bed, but we can move it anywhere. It has wheels.”
In addition, Arianna grabbed a dozen baby outfits, including onesies, pjs, dresses, bonnets, as well as blankets.
Rafael paid for everything, carried the bags without uttering a comment, and stowed the new acquisitions in the back of the truck they’d borrowed from the janitor. Discharge time was around eleven. They would barely have time to dump the boxes and bags at home before going to the hospital.
“We’ll take my car,” Arianna stated. “Your Porsche is useless.”
“Shame on you. You’ve just insulted my one...huh, my Porsche.” Which wasn’t hisone and only loveany more.
Finally, they picked up their baby. Arianna sat in the back of her car next to the baby’s car seat and held Annabelle’s hand during the drive.
Things didn’t work according to plan since Annabelle refused to stay in the bassinet or playpen, and stopped screaming only when Arianna carried her.
