Four: Shopping havoc.
The next morning, Bones decided that it was about time to do some shopping.
"Are you going to be free this evening?" Bones asked Booth while putting on her maternity clothes.
Booth was knotting a tie around his neck, "As far as I know… unless something comes up, why?" he answered from the other corner of the room.
"I would like to buy some baby stuff and I'll really appreciate if you could go with me. I already made a list," Bones added the last part quickly after seeing her husband's face expression, "yesterday, I talked with Susan and she cleared some questions I had," Bones crossed the room and stood in front of him, facing him with a it's-not-a-big-deal look, and she finished the knot.
"It was about time. I've been wondering when this day will come," Booth said and kissed her on the forehead, his arms around her waist.
"When I was in the hospital, I realized that we're running out of time," Bones caressed her round belly, staring it, "these two could arrive any of these days," her eyes met his again.
And with another kiss he added, "I'm well aware of that. I already have many plans for them; actually I think it'll be a good idea to sign them in the baseball team."
"You're kidding me, right?" Bones asked annoyed.
Booth smiled and winked at her, and said, "I'm going to pick you up at 4, be ready."
"Ok, fine. We'll talk about it later. Now, let's go, it's getting late." She said leaving the room.
"I'll drive," Booth said holding the car keys, walking behind her.
"Whatever." Bones just raised her hand, not really caring that matter anymore.
The day went by very fast and Bones was at her office, ready to leave. In the meantime, while waiting for Booth to arrive, she started checking some baby-related websites. Booth knocked the door at four o'clock, just as he said, approached at her desk and greeted her with a kiss.
"Still working? I thought you'll be ready by now?" after a careful look at the screen, asked again, "What are you looking for?"
"I am ready. I was only checking for baby stores. Do you have any idea of how many there are? Hundreds…"
"Well it doesn't matter, we just need one. Let's go now." Booth rushed her, helping her to stand up.
Forty minutes later, they parked in the lot of a huge store. Booth helped Bones to get out of the car and walked a few feet to the entrance. A boy, of about twenty years old, welcomed them as soon as they crossed the entrance door.
Bones was astonished. It was really a huge store. From the spot where she was, it was possible to glimpse the alleys, formed with perfectly lined shelves, packed with many different things.
At the sight of the crowded alleys, Bones thought, "This is going to be more difficult than I thought."
"Good afternoon, my name is Reese. You came to sign in our Baby Table? If you do…
"We're not, thank you Reese, we're just…" Bones interrupted the young employee.
The boy interrupted her as well, "Is there anything you're looking specifically for?
"Yes, but we would like to go on our own, thank you" Bones told the boy, a little annoyed.
"As you wish ma'am, I'll be around in case you need anything," The boy step back, and handing them one of his id's cards, he said, "I'll be please to help you."
"Thanks." Booth said, and once Bones was a step away from them, added, "Excuse my wife, she's been a little out of herself lately."
"Don't worry sir. We're used to these kinds of reactions." The young boy told the man.
"Booth, come on." Bones called Booth annoyed.
In order to ease the situation and to calm her, he hurried himself to her side, and together started to walk through the alleys.
"Ok… so… the most important thing we need is… diapers," she said, reaching the shelves, which were the first ones, right in front of the entrance. She stopped halfway the aisle for a moment, staring hopelessly both sides.
Booth approached at her and seeing her confusion, asked, "What is it, honey?"
"There are so many. How am I suppose to pick the right one?" she grabbed some packages and started to read the labels on it. "Look, this one has Aloe Vera, these other ones vitamin E, those have broader elastic bands, apparently to bring support on the back…"
Suppressing a small laugh, Booth called the young employee, "hang on, … excuse me Reese. Could you help us a little here, please?"
The boy, who was a few feet from them, smiled and walked to where they were, "Sure, what can I do for you?"
"We're having problems to choose the best brand and type of diapers." Booth talked politely.
"Well, I can see you already decided on using disposable diapers…" the boy began talking but was interrupted by Bones.
"Wait a minute… you're saying there are no disposables too, so there are even more options than these ones?" Bones asked clueless, signaling with her index finger the whole aisle.
The boy smiled again and continued, "Yes. I can put you in contact with some companies; some of them have very complete services, you can check them later. Let's get through the ones we have here," he said, grabbing the package Bones was holding, "that way, by the end, you'll have all the information for both options."
"That's fine for me," Booth said, and then asked Bones, "you're ok with it?"
"Fine." Bones answered in a slightly annoyed tone once again, which Booth couldn't understand why.
Collecting a couple of bags the boy began his diapers lecture, "the first thing you need to check when buying diapers, is the size." He said, pointing where the size was marked of each bag. "Each size or stage is classified according to the baby's weight and/or activities."
"But I don't know how much they weight. They've not even born yet, which one am I suppose to buy?" Bones said, placing her right hand on the top of her round belly.
The employee turned and after leaving the bags he was holding, made them follow him to a different part of the aisle and grabbed three small packages. "These are the brands with a Newborn Line." Pulling a sample diaper, he proceeded, "all of them are made with an hypoallergenic cotton-like fabric; this material allows the air to pass through, leaving the skin healthier, -it's less probable to cause a rash- and it's more hygienic.
"…rashes?..." Bones asked in a murmur, totally freaked out.
"Don't worry; in case that happen we have some wonderful products. We'll see them later." And so, he continued explaining everything about diapers: Velcro stripes, indicator marks, the benefits of chamomile, aloe and vitamin E, inner legs gathers, no leaks system, the differences between boys and girls diapers.
Then they moved to the next group of shelves where all kinds of lotions, shampoos, baby oil, wipes and soaps were.
"Lately, our top selling products are the ones from the Bed Time line," Reese said, pointing the light-soft blue and purple bottles and handed them a couple, "These are specially made to be used at night. They are made of natural flowers scent which helps the baby to relax, making easier to fall asleep." Now, he opened one bottle and offered them to smelt it.
Again, Bones asked, visible shocked, "To fall asleep? but that's the only thing babies do, sleep. How can they need help for that?"
The boy gave her a small smile and continued, "All of these products have a balanced pH, which is why they are very gentle with the baby skin, hypoallergenic, soft scented and also non toxic chemicals."
After learning how to use the bed time products: the soap, shampoo, body lotion, oil and powder; they also bought a thermometer, the water temperature was an important issue on the whole bath and bed time routine; and some techniques on relaxing massage they moved to an open clear area at the back of the store where the cribs, strollers, car seats, play pens, high chairs and more furniture were.
The boy kept talking making comments and suggestions, while leading Booth and Bones among the cribs, strollers and beds, when he asked, "Are you sure you don't like to sign in for a Baby Table?
"Yes, I am. Thank you very much." Bones said the last part sarcastically.
"I had to ask again," The employee said, and turned now to talk to Booth. "These are all the car seats we have. Do you have something in mind or would you like to see each one's specifications?"
Now, Booth talked while Bones was squinting at every chair, table, car seat or crib around her. "I heard there is a new multi-function chair, do you have it?
"Absolutely, it's right over here," the teenager walked a few steps to reach it. "It's four functions in one –a cradle, high chair, car seat and stroller- let me show you." And so, he started to demonstrate the offered options.
Booth was amazed, it was better than what he had thought, "I like it. What do you think, honey?"
"I… it's just that I'd planned to buy a twin stroller…" Bones confessed.
Reese offered his opinion, "To be honest with you sir. I think it'll be better to buy everything separately. I've heard some comments on how uncomfortable this chair can be. I mean, think about it, every time you need to use it as a car seat, you have to make sure that it has been properly buckle and tight in the car; that's at least five minutes per chair. And later on, you have to remove it and turn it into a stroller or a cradle, that is twice the time you use when using a regular stroller. I personally recommend you everything split, but that's your call."
"I agree with him, Booth." Bones added more optimistic.
"If that's what you want…" Booth wasn't really convinced about it.
Then, Bones realized something else and pointed it out, "Are we going to have car seats on both cars? Or just in mine?
Booth saw Bones' point, and right away figured a solution, "It's ok. I got it all figured, we'll have two of these four-in-one," he said, instructing the boy named Reese, "for my car and two sets of everything else for yours and the house."
"That sounds perfect for me." Bones was totally in agreement.
Rubbing his hands together Booth said, "Ok, now that everything's settle, we're ready to go," then turn to face the employee and added, "thank you so much for your help Reese."
"You're welcome, sir. It's been a pleasure. That'll be everything you're going to buy?" the boy said referring to all the stuff on their trolleys and the boxes he had just brought.
"Yes, that's it." Booth said giving a quick glance to the piles of clothes, diapers, lotions, baby powder, wipes, toys, blankets and more.
"Ok, then. Follow me. I'll lead you to the cashier." He said placing the boxes in one trolley and starts to push them.
Booth, rounding Bones by the waist, started to follow the boy.
Bones was walking a little absently, trying to remember everything she had planned to buy, because she was having the strange feeling of missing something.
"Booth, we're missing something… something important," Bones spoke in an urgent whisper.
Booth tried to convince her, "We have everything we need, Honey."
"Could you wait a minute, please?" Bones said, calling the employee.
"Yes ma'am. Is there something else I can do for you?"
Tempe stopped midway the main hallway, and moved her eyes through every aisle, certain that she had missed something. After a few seconds, she found it. They missed one of the most important things, it was right after the diapers aisle; she couldn't believe why or how she missed it before.
"I told you we were missing something," she said, now walking to the skipped area.
"What? What is it?" Booth asked clueless.
The boy, realizing where she was heading, followed her, "oh yes, she is right."
The three of them crossed the store, and at the moment she arrived and saw all the cans and bottles thought, "Why I didn't see this coming?"
They spent another half hour, learning about bottles, nipples and formulas. By the end Bones was feeling more confused and overwhelmed about everything.
They paid for everything and after that, Booth took Bones to their favorite diner. Once they were in the car, she thanked her husband with a kiss for being with her that day.
That night Bones went to bed thinking about everything she saw, learned and bought for her babies. It was when she fully realized how soon her life was about to change. She understood what was going to be to have two babies in their house and lives, and immediately a wave of happiness and fear fully hit her. She just caressed her belly and rounded with both arms until she finally felt asleep.
Hello my wonderful reader! thank you so much for reading so far, I really hope you enjoyed the chapter as much as I did. Once again excuse any mistake but hopefully you still got the idea.
Honestly, reviews means a lot to me, well actually to every writer, so I'll be greatfull to know what you think or that you were here, hahaha.
Greetings from Guadalajara Mexico!