Page 8 of The CEO

He grinned. “Anytime.” Adam walked around the front of the car, slipped behind the wheel, and buckled up before starting the engine. “So where is this store?”

It tookthem about twenty minutes to get to their destination. The boutique was located in downtown Denver on the 16thStreet Mall. It was on the corner of 16thStreet and Curtis. The two store fronts showed baby clothes and a gorgeous wicker bassinet.

After they entered the store, Bree checked to see if her friend was working. She was not, so Bree helped him pick out all the furniture and the diapers. When she took him to the clothes area, she picked up the onesies, t-shirts, bibs and little shorts, including swim panties. She picked up a couple of different sizes because she knew from her experience with her siblings how fast babies grow. She also got some footie pajamas that were just a little heavier material than the onesies and would keep Lilly warm without being too hot.

Adam was transfixed by the little pink dresses with ruffles. Then he saw tiny panties with ruffles and had to have those, too.

Bree giggled as he put several of every size and color dress and panties into the cart.

They included a mobile of zebras for over her crib and several soft toys she could hold on to and chew on if she wanted.

Bree picked out the portable playpen, sheets, and a couple of blankets for both the playpen and the crib. She even found a ballerina music box that played Brahms Lullaby.

All these things for a little human were pocket change for Adam, but delivery was free, and most importantly, it included set-up. This alone was worth more than the furniture and clothes for Lilly. Adam was not mechanically inclined, after all.

They walked out, with Bree holding Lilly.

Adam loaded the bags of clothes, toys, and the playpen into the trunk.

“Do you want to come to the house and help me get her settled? She’ll have to stay in my room until the nursery is ready.”

Lilly began to fuss.

“Yeah, we better get to your house so she can eat. It’s been a long time since I met her, and you’ve had her even longer. She’s been a wonderful baby, so easy going, but she’s got to be hungry.” Bree placed the baby in the car seat and strapped her in. Then she settled into the passenger seat and buckled up.

Adam slid behind the wheel and put on his seatbelt before starting the car.

“What do I feed her? Do I need to get baby food first? I’ll have to let Carole know so she can pick some up and keep it on hand. She’s the best housekeeper in the world and she has kids and now a grandchild. She’ll know what I need.”

Bree shook her head. “Carole is the best housekeeper in the world. I even thought about trying to steal her from you, but for our immediate needs, I saw some bottles and formula in the diaper bag. When we get to your house, I’ll show you how to make it.”

While he drove, Adam glanced at Bree. She had a smile on her face and looked beautiful. Serene.

“How do you know so much about babies?”

“I was the oldest of six children. I started taking care of babies when I was eight and it’s not something you forget how to do. Besides I’ve always wanted children. That’s why I agreed tomarry you. I want more than anything to be Lilly’s mother. She’s such a sweet baby.”

They arrived at Adam’s home. It wasn’t far from Bree’s house, though he had a house on several acres of land in the middle of Cherry Hills.

His house was a stately colonial style with a large, covered porch, including white columns supporting the roof.

He punched in the security code, and the gate swung open. The driveway wound around the house to the six-car garage in the back.

“If you’ll get Lilly, I’ll get the rest of this stuff.” She’d visited his home frequently and was familiar with the layout.

“Okay.” Bree released her seatbelt and exited the car. Then she lifted Lilly, in her car seat, out of the vehicle and headed to the door to the kitchen.

Adam carried all the bags in one trip, then the diapers and playpen on the second trip. He stacked all the bags on one end of the cherry wood kitchen table. His kitchen was quite spacious. He’d designed it so the kitchen and family room were basically one big room. That’s the way his parent’s home had been. He liked it, so designed this house just like theirs but on a grander scale. He carried the playpen through the kitchen, down the hall, past the formal dining room and his office, to the left one of the two staircases, and leaned it against the first stair.

When he returned, he heard Lilly crying. She was in her car seat on the opposite end of the table from the bags of baby clothes, sheets, and blankets were behind her.

Bree was getting a bottle ready.

He turned to Bree. “What do I do?”

“Come here and learn how to make a bottle. She’ll be fine for a moment.”

Adam walked over to Bree with his phone out.