54
New York, Mia
Bella and I strolled through the mall, the bustling atmosphere of shoppers and the myriad of stores surrounding us. Tomorrow was the big day, the gender reveal party, and Bella was the keeper of the secret. She was the one who knew whether it would be a boy or a girl.
As we moved from store to store, gathering all the necessities for the party, I couldn’t help but feel a mixture of excitement and curiosity. Bella had kept the gender hidden from me, and I couldn’t wait to find out what our little one would be.
But today, my role was simply to assist in the shopping. Bella had a surprise planned, and I was more than willing to go along with it. She’d been the one taking charge of this particular aspect of the celebration, and I had no doubt it would be spectacular.
We browsed through racks of party decorations, baby clothes, and various items suitable for the big reveal. Bella held up a beautiful yellow onesie, the fabric soft and inviting. “This would look so good on the baby,” she mused, placing it into her cart.
I chuckled, watching as she eagerly gathered more items for our unborn child. “Auntie is getting it, I see,” I remarked, a teasing tone in my voice. I knew that Bella had already prepared a substantial wardrobe for our little one, and the onesie was just one more addition to the growing collection.
She glanced over at me with a mischievous grin, her eyes alight with excitement. “You can never have too many clothes for a baby,” she retorted, her shopping enthusiasm unwavering.
I shook my head, amused by her dedication. “Well, my child will certainly have a stylish wardrobe, thanks to you.”
Bella laughed, a carefree and joyous sound. “That’s the plan! I want the baby to be the best-dressed in town.”
We continued our shopping, with Bella’s cart gradually filling with an array of items for the gender reveal party. Streamers, balloons, and decorations in shades of blue and pink, as well as some neutral colors, would transform our chosen venue into a festive celebration.
The day had been filled with shopping for the gender reveal party, and as our bags grew heavy with decorations and supplies, hunger pangs began to gnaw at us. Bella and I decided to take a break and headed to the mall’s cafeteria for a quick meal.
The scent of fried chicken and the tantalizing aroma of fresh-cut fries filled the air as we approached the food court. It was an irresistible temptation, and our rumbling stomachs made the decision even easier. We ordered a generous serving of crispy fries and fried chicken, finding a table where we could sit and enjoy our impromptu feast.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
We dug into our meals, savoring the delicious combination of flavors. Bella, between bites of chicken, turned to me with a thoughtful expression. “So, do you already know where the baby is going to grow up? New York or Los Angeles?”
It was a question that Sebastian and I had discussed at length, one that weighed heavily on our minds. The decision was crucial, as it would shape our future as a family. Both New York and Los Angeles had their appeal, and choosing one over the other was a challenge.
“We have New York planned for now,” I replied, the uncertainty still lingering in my voice. It was the choice that seemed most practical at the moment, considering our current circumstances and support systems.
Bella nodded her head in understanding, her mouth full of fries. She chewed thoughtfully and then swallowed, her eyes bright with interest. “That makes sense. New York has a lot to offer, and it’s closer to family.”
I watched her with a fond smile as she continued to devour the fries with an enthusiasm that was both endearing and amusing. “I can use you as a free babysitter,” I teased, recognizing that having a devoted aunt like Bella would be a tremendous asset.
Bella laughed, her eyes sparkling with good-natured humor. “I would love to babysit. Just promise me you’ll call me if the baby has an overflowing diaper.”
I chuckled at the mental image and gave her an exaggerated wink. “You’re going to be our diaper expert, then.”
As we continued to munch on our food, Bella’s thoughts drifted back to a different time. “Remember how we thought that I would be the one who got pregnant first, but look at this… it’s you,” she remarked with a chuckle.
The memory brought a smile to my face, and I nodded in agreement. “Life has a funny way of surprising us, doesn’t it? But I couldn’t be happier.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I am up for babysitting duty. Your little one is going to have the best aunt in the world.”
As we savored our meal at the cafeteria, the conversation flowed easily between Bella and me. Bella, who had always been quick-witted and full of humor, couldn’t resist a playful jab in my direction.
“You know, Mia, you’re going to be one of those moms who carries around a Mary Poppins bag filled with everything a child could possibly need, right?” she teased, a grin tugging at the corners of her lips.
I chuckled and leaned in, playing along with her playful banter. “Well, there’s no doubt about that. I’m already planning my checklist for diaper bags and strollers. My little one will be prepared for anything.”
Bella laughed, shaking her head.