Blue Moon #3 (Story of Us Series - Into the Blue) - Sydney Jamesson Page 0,73

descend one floor to our bedroom. While we have been upstairs, Lester has been busy unpacking. He took an earlier flight home and is now placing my cases in the storage wardrobe as we enter. I give him no more than a passing glance; my attention is drawn to the alterations that have taken place in the room. It’s been remodelled in such a way that our bed is on the right when it was on the left before I embarked upon my ’cruise.’ Along with the repositioning of drawers and bedside cabinets, the carpet has been changed—it’s totally different.

Remembering similar circumstances at my apartment in Elm Gardens, I have to wonder…

What’s going on? Did something happen here?

My heart sinks.

What aren’t you telling me?

Lester appears startled by our unscheduled arrival. “I’m sorry. I was just leaving.” He closes the wardrobe door and faces me, carrying a wash basket overflowing with clothes. “Bernie asked me to take your clothes to the utility room, Mrs. Stone. She’s going to see to them tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Lester. No need to apologise. Tell her there’s no rush; to wait until she feels up to it. I have plenty of clothes here.” I tip my head in the direction of the wardrobes behind him.

“Very well, Mrs. Stone. Good evening.” He exchanges a nod with Ayden on the way out, and leaves. The sound of the lift ascending reminds us that he is not far away if needed.

I return my focus to our bedroom. “Things have been moved around. Are you going to tell me why?” I weave my arms across my chest and wait impatiently for Ayden’s answer. “Has something happened that you haven’t told me about? Did they get into our house?”

He tries to hold back on a smile, but fails miserably. “No. Nothing like that.” With schoolboy enthusiasm, he bolts over to the side of the room where our enormous bed used to be. In its place are two full-sized white doors with brass knobs the size of tennis balls. He glances over his left shoulder at me, heightening my anticipation. “Ready?”

Caught up in contagious excitement, I nod. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

In one smooth movement, he pushes back the sliding doors. Where a wall used to be there is a room, and in that room is a beautifully decorated nursery in pale lemon. A cot is positioned left, another on the right with colourful mobiles attached, turning slightly in the draft created by his theatrical entrance.

“Ta da!” he says. “Surprise!”

I’m lost for words.

He’s beaming. “What do you think?”

“I … I think it’s amazing. I had no idea there was even a room here.” I scan the nursery, taking it all in.

“It was used for storage. It’s not finished yet, but the furniture you bought is in place. There are other bits and pieces to buy, but I’ll leave that to you.” He reaches out his hand.

I grasp it and take two tentative steps inside. Fighting back a lump in my throat, I run my hands along the smooth edge of the cot to the left of me. Needing to feel the warmth of his body against mine, I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head on his shoulder. “I promised myself there would be no more tears, and here I am about to cry a river.”

He kisses my forehead. “But these are happy tears, Beth. Our children will be right next door to us. It’s a temporary measure until we find somewhere bigger where they can run and play.”

I look up adoringly into cerulean eyes sparkling with delight. “That won’t be for ages.”

“Even so, I’m thinking of the future when they’re older. I want them to have the best childhood possible. To want for nothing…”

“They will. They’ll have you as a father. What more could they wish for?”

“You as their mother?” He strokes my hair adoringly. “You know I’ll be flying by the seat of my pants for a while?”

His confession touches my heart. “You and me both.” We’re laughing and tearful with the kind of all-consuming joy that puts everything into perspective. After waiting for what seems like a lifetime, we have both come home.

Almost giddy with excitement, I make a mental note of what’s next on my shopping list. “Tomorrow, I’ll sort out some bedding and bottles. I’ll have to do some research about different types, and...” I stop to take a breath.

“Beth! Beth!” Ayden is shaking his head and smiling the biggest smile. “All that can