Chapter 10: Surprises
Vanessa couldn't speak. She couldn't blink… it was so beautiful. She was afraid closing her eyes even for that millisecond would make the image in front of her disappear.
So she just stood there. Glued to the spot, as a smile slowly crept across her perfect lips.
Standing near the door, she had a full view of the room. The nursery was beautiful, dream like. It was simply perfect.
The walls were painted in a soft pastel green, perfectly outlining soft clouds of white and beige imitating a lovely and endless sky under which their little one could dream, play, laugh and grow happily.
The ceiling was bare, same beige color as the clouds, and adorned by a faint swirls patter around the borders and an antique gold chandelier.
The changing table was all ready stacked with diapers and products that Vanessa remembered talking to Zac about, but had never purchased herself. When did he have time to buy all this? She wondered.
The doors to the armoire were opened and she could just see small clothes hanging from tiny silk cloth hangers on one side, while other delicately folded pieces rested on the shelves on the other side. She recognized the white layette garments she had picked out not long ago, as well as the little cowboy and cowgirl boots resting atop a small shelf on the wall.
There were framed pictures of the two of them hanging on one of the walls, as well as other pictures from their extended families and even their pets adorning the top of a short, antique bookcase.
A gorgeous large wooden picture frame, matching the color of the furniture, hanged above the crib on the wall right behind it.
It was a set of black & white pictures. It started with one of them on the beach during their wedding, followed by one of the couple on the couch with their pets, and a picture of Vanessa looking out their bedroom window while her hands caressed her round stomach. Then the first 3D sonogram of their baby sucking its thumb at 38 weeks and finally a blank space where she knew the first picture of their newborn child would be. And underneath the photographs was the word 'Family', handwritten in big graceful letters.
The small details she could see all around filled her soul with joy and her eyes with tears, and Zac found himself bewildered once again about how he and the guys had managed to put it together and have it ready in just hours. Of course, they had had a little help.
All the furniture they had bought was perfectly put together and organized. Everything was shiny clean and polished, making the dark wood look as exquisitely new as it was. The room from the door was arranged so that the crib with its simple beige canopy was placed against the back wall, yet at the center of everything. All the other pieces surrounded it and transformed the area into an official nursery where everything fit closely together yet did not clutter the space.
It was cozy, comfortable and relaxing. Filled with warm colors, soft light and a few plush toys made of pure white fabric placed happily around the bedroom. They had talked before about buying some white toys since they still didn't know the sex of their baby.
And Zac had done exactly that. Getting a bear, an elephant, a lamb, a bunny and a puppy (each with a different colored ribbon bow around their neck) the soft animals complemented the only other white things in the room. One of these things was a Burberry infant French terry hoodie hanging from the child's coat rack in a corner, it was the first present Stella had bought for her niece or nephew on her trip to London that summer.
While the other things were special family heirlooms the couple had months ago asked their parents for. Vanessa spotted them all right away.
Her satin and lace christening gown with the hand embroidered neck and bib, along with its matching bonnet and booties were now hanging from tiny pegs under a shelf. A large white blanket with ruffles and tiny green and blue flowers that Zac's grandmother had quilted for him when he was born was folded in half and delicately draped across the front of the crib. Hanging from a bright red ribbon to one of the walls was a white clay circle with Vanessa's hand print from when she was a year old and right underneath it, also attached by two small pieces of the same red ribbon was a square white clay plaque with her baby foot prints. And finally, the small wooden rocking horse that had been in the Efron family for three generations had been repainted by hand and brought back to glory thanks to David and Starla, and now the horsey stood in the new nursery, proud and ready for the new baby.
"This is…" –Vanessa couldn't finish the sentence. She was still in awe, and Zac was still holding his breath. He loved the way the room looked, but there was still a little voice at the back of his head nagging him for doing it all without asking for her opinion on anything.
Zac needed to say something; he couldn't hold it in anymore. The silence and the wondering were eating at him. So he did as he often does in an awkward position, he let his mouth run free and started rambling about things he thought she might like.
"We didn't dress the crib because the sheets could get dusty before the baby's born and then we'd have to change them, though I did call my mom and she told me how to wash them and have them ready to use. Also, the baby's clothes is all folded and placed by size in the dresser drawers" –He walked over to the dresser and opened the first drawer to reveal five or six sets of Ziploc clear plastic bags containing perfectly folded little items.
Though Vanessa's voice was thick with emotion, she finally managed to break her silence and find the words to ask him why the clothes were in plastic bags. "A tip from your mom actually. She says they keep better and stay cleaner for longer. I took me hours to wash all of it" –he smiled as he remembered how he had struggled to be as gentle as possible when handling the little garments. He had been so afraid of damaging something, that he had purchased a special delicate detergent, and actually washed each of them by hand trying to use only his fingertips.
No wonder he felt like a zombie, Zac told himself as he reminisced about the past few days and the little voice kept reminding him that she had still to say if she really liked it. The look on her face suggested so, but oddly, he still wanted to hear the words.
He was still staring at her, and she was still glued to the spot when she finally smiled and closed her eyes long enough for more big happy tears to escape and run freely down her cheeks. That's when he foolishly realized that there was no need for anything to be said.
Vanessa sniffled and Zac released the breath he didn't even know he had been holding. He walked towards her and wrapped his big palms around her head, bringing her forehead towards his lips. He kissed it and then rested his nose atop her hair; smelling the sweet smell of her and feeling his own tears prickle his eyes.
Once again, the world stood still and nothing else but this precious moment existed.
Suddenly, the spell was broken by a soft meow and some very loud purring.
Vanessa turned around to see their cat snuggling and rubbing the side of its face all over the giant plush glider placed between the crib and the bookcase.
"Not gain" –She heard Zac mumble as he went over to where the pet was.
She couldn't help but laugh as the cat watched Zac approach and then jumped onto the matching ottoman before her husband could grab it. Zac did not seem amused as the kitty repeated her previous rubbing and purring against the smooth fabric.
"No, bad cat!" –He pointed at it and slowly reached out again, managing to grab it just before the furry animal jumped again. "She's been doing this since yesterday! Come on Goldie, I even bought new pet beds for you guys to rest in here with us when the baby's born. Why can't you just behave like a good girl huh?" –He placed her down on one of the luxurious pet beds, and expected her to stay there. She immediately jumped up onto the polished toy chest and lay there looking up at him.
"Of course."
"Zac" – Vanessa called out to him as he and the cat continued to stare at each other, apparently both analyzing who would make the first move.
She had to softly grab his arm to get him to look at her. While the cat took the gesture as a possible victory and started licking her front paw nonchalantly.
"How did you… I mean, this is incredible! It's so beautiful. I can't believe all this, and the walls. I can smell fresh paint still, oh my Gosh did you paint these Zac? But you don't paint. And who put this all together, baby how did you do this? I don't even-" Zac's lips against her own stopped the flood of words spilling from her mouth.
Her hands took hold of his cheeks, just like his were holding hers once again. And peck after peck they shared sweet innocent kisses in their child's nursery.
Finally, she giggled against him and he pulled back. "Before I answer all your questions, I want you to tell me you honestly don't mind that all this was done without your input"
"Of course I don't mind. I love this! Do you have any idea how wonderful this surprise is? If I wasn't already so in love with you this would have been the deal maker babe! And if I didn't weight two hundred pounds right now I would have jumped your bones about five minutes after I walked in! Also the fact that I just told you I could actually have sex in my own child's room should clearly tell you how grateful I am"
Zac's smile could have lighted up the entire city after that comment.
"How can anyone be so cute and so dirty at the same time, hmm?" –He asked as he took her hand and led her to the glider.
"Don't you mean, how can anyone be so pregnant and so horny at the same time?"
"No, I'm actually getting kinda used to that to be honest! Let's rest for a minute; you're not supposed to be standing up too long"
Zac sat her down on the spot their cat had occupied just minutes before, and then took a seat on the armchair closer to the restroom door.
"Holy crap, this chair is amazing" –Vanessa touched the soft fabric of the glider's arm. She didn't remember it being this good when she tried it out at the store, probably because the one they had on display had not been upholstered with the elegant fabric she chose, which now spread under her fingers as she slightly rocked back and forth. "I swear, I could live in this thing"
"I know! I keep thinking about us sitting here after the baby's born and reading to her. See? I already organized the books we got online and the ones you're grandmother dropped off from her book collection. And then when the baby gets older we can just seat here and watch her play on her little play table over there" –The chairs were positioned close enough together around the bookcase on a corner next to the crib, with a small nightstand next to the glider where a single table lamp in the shape of a birdcage stood next to a small control remote.
Vanessa smiled fondly at the familiar lamp on the nightstand, she had bought it years before during their trip to Japan for HSM3 promo and ended up never using it because it was so delicate she was afraid it would get damaged, but here it was perfect.
"What's this for?" –she held the little control remote in her hand.
"Oh, it's for the lights. So we can control them either on the switch by the door or with this remote anywhere in the room" –Zac took the gadget from between her fingers and proceeded to show her how to turn the chandelier lights or the shelve lights on, and how the touch pads on it controlled the intensity and brightness of each of them as desired.
"Oh my God, you did think of everything." –She still couldn't quite believe the amount of thought and details that had been put in to the nursery. Or how it all had been done in the first place, but she was convinced it would have taken her months to get all this precious work done.
"So, Zachary David Alexander Efron. Are you ever going to tell me how this all came to be or am I to believe the nursery fairy paid you a visit while I was away?" –She raised her eyebrows expectantly, while he considered the fact that she was unknowingly not that far from the truth.
"I am, but first of all, I want to show you two more things!" –Zac jumped off his chair.
"There's more?"
"Yeah! It's no big deal but I think you'll like these."
He walked over to the door of the room and closed it. The white door had been painted the same color as the walls, but instead of clouds there was a beautiful tree painted in pastel colors. The trunk of the tree was a growth chart, on its crown there were two small birds and a nest with a baby bird.
"See? We can measure the baby as he grows and keep record of it. Cool huh?" –Zac looked up to see Vanessa coming over to look closer at the door.
"Ok, you have to tell me who did this because I know you and you cannot paint like this!"
"Be patient. And come over here, I want to show you something. " –He took her by the hand and led her over to the baby's closet. He opened the door and picked up a big flat present wrapped in fancy light blue paper and tied with a big brown bow.
Vanessa gasped as Zac handed it to her.
"Another gift? Baby, you shouldn't have. This whole room is a giant present!"
"I know, but the room is more of a surprise for you and a present for the baby and us. This, on the other hand, is especially for you. You told me you wanted it" –Vanessa was indeed intrigued, and bit her tongue softly as she quickly tried to rake her brain for a clue.
Coming up with nothing, she shook it lightly, nothing moved.
"I feel like a little girl on Christmas morning again"
"Well, you could just not open it now and do it at the Baby Shower in a couple of weeks with the rest of the presents. Up to you babe"
The gift was a little heavy, so she walked by to the nearby dresser and rested some of the weight on it.
"I can't believe I'm going actually going to be eight months pregnant soon. The date seemed so far away when the girls told me they were planning the whole thing. Where does the time go Zac?" –She played with the bow as he smiled and walked behind her, resting his chin on her shoulder and his hands on her tummy.
"I know. Before we notice, this little baby is gonna come out and change our whole lives."
Vanessa reached her hand up to run her fingers through his hair as they both looked out the window, pass the pale curtains and over the Hollywood Hills.
"Are you scared?" –She asked him for the first time.
He sighed and replied honestly. "I am scared shitless Vanessa"
"Me too" –It was a serious conversation, but their voices remained light and calm. His fingers were running over her stomach ever so slightly, and the miracle inside it moved and then got the hiccups.
The couple laughed and looked down simultaneously. Her hands covered his and they felt her tummy shake every time their baby jumped softly.
"I think we'll be alright though" –Zac whispered and kissed her on the side of her head.
"Yeah, we'll figure it out together. Like all new parents do"
"Definitely" –He moved her hair aside and started kissing her neck. She knew the closeness and the kisses and the soft whispers were soon going to lead them down a well known path. But as much she had joked about it before, she was not willing to do anything like that in their little one's nursery.
"Ok baby, help me decide. Should I open it now or save it for later?"
"It's up to you" –He said in between his neck kisses.
"Yeah, but you got me all curious!"
"So open it"
"Ooh! Speaking of the baby shower, I talked to Brittany and she told me she's coming from NY! Apparently Ashley called her way back and she told Ryan to clear his schedule because she really wants to see me with my big belly in person"
Zac smiled and thought about the last thing he read on one of her pregnancy books about how women usually grow absent minded and forgetful. But he decided against telling Vanessa that she had given him those same news a few days before after she spoke to her friend on the phone at the hospital.
"That's cool babe. At least I can see Ryan then since he's working for my birthday. Now, I don't want to rush you or anything but you need to be off your feet for a while, and I might be tired but I also have this urge to get you into bed and fuck you senseless until one of us passes out. So…"
Vanessa laughed out loud, and he did too as he got his wondering fingers under her clothes.
"Wow, I guess Mr. Romance has thrown his subtlety out the window! Ok, ok. I'm gonna open it!"
He stopped his actions momentarily as she took off the bow and ripped the paper.
"Zac… you really remembered" –Tears threatened to spill out again as she ripped the paper off and ran her fingers lightly over the glass.
"Of course I did. I know you thought I was joking but I promised you I would make it happen, and I try not to break my promises."
She finished taking off all the wrapping paper and the tissue paper around the large picture frame. The framework was pure gold, and it contained the onesie Zac had bought for their baby on that fateful night he walked away from her so many months ago.
On one side of the tiny garment was a dark brown curl held by a pink ribbon and a small diamond, underneath it was a picture of newborn Vanessa and under this was her name and date of birth.
The other side was almost at exact replica, with a blonde curl and its blue ribbon and diamond instead. And Zac's newborn picture, his name and his date of birth.
Above it all, the word 'Love'.
It was an idea Vanessa had come up with one afternoon while looking at a book on decorating children's rooms. She had mentioned it to Zac, a simple suggestion. And he promised he'd try his best to make it happen.
He found the pictures and luckily enough, their mothers still kept those curls from their first haircuts (Vanessa's had been cut just before her first birthday, and Zac's at around 26 months). The little project was a lot easier to get done than he expected, and he knew his wife would be pleased.
"It's so gorgeous!" –She loved those baby pictures of her and Zac. They were taken at about the same age, each had their little eyes open and you could just make out the color of their eyes. Those two little faces, so serene and wondrous.
The stars had destined them to meet and fall in love.
"You like it?"
"I don't even know what to say Zac. It looks even better than I ever imagined" –She turned around in his arms to face him, the frame big enough that he had to step back but could keep his hands on her belly. "Thank you so much honey"
Her eyes were shinning and he could see the joy and peacefulness swimming in her chocolate orbs. Smiling, he took the frame from her.
"I thought we could hang it right here" –Zac walked over to the changing station and hanged it right above it, on two secure hooks already set on the wall behind it. He had had it baby proofed just the day before and knew it was safe to place there even before he had it wrapped.
It looked perfect. Zac smiled, contented, and turned around to face Vanessa.
"What do you th-"–He was cut off by her hands grabbing his head and nearly smashing his lips against her own. Zac responded eagerly and let her warm tongue invade his mouth as he guided her backwards out of the nursery door.
He was careful enough to go slowly and never take his hands off her while trying to make their way to the master bedroom and keep their mouths together at the same time. It was quite a task to handle with her baby bump in between, but luckily enough their final destination was only a short walk away anyhow.
By the time Zac and Vanessa reached the bed his shirt was off and other pieces of clothes were soon following. The last time they had undressed each other that fast her stomach wasn't even showing yet.
When all that remained was their underwear, Zac kneeled down in front of her and removed her panties, thrilled at the evidence of how obviously ready she already was. He kissed his way slowly up her body and was about to remove her last piece of clothing when she grabbed his hands, pushed him down on the bed and climbed on top of him. She was in control now.
After being together for the first time in what felt like forever to them, they crawled under the covers and slept for about twelve hours straight.
The next morning was spent naked in bed, getting up only to use the bathroom and so Zac could go downstairs and get them some breakfast from the kitchen.
Back in bed, he finally revealed to her how the nursery had been put together in about 48 hours. He explained the way the guys had really come through to put the furniture together, but then he eventually had to call their friend Neil and got the name of the interior decorator he and David hired to do their twin's room back in 2010. Then he had called the lady up and she came over with an entire crew of designers, painters, and organizers.
When she asked how he managed to convince someone as famous as her to come over in such short notice and do all this work, he decided to be honest and tell her he offered to pay her four times what she usually charged plus commissions to everyone she brought along.
Zac knew he had greatly overpaid an already exuberant sum, he knew Vanessa was aware he had been ripped off nicely because of a spur of the moment idea. But he didn't care; the look on her face had been more than worth it.
Vanessa realized she probably should have minded that he went through all that just to surprise her and make her homecoming all the more wonderful, but she absolutely loved the nursery and could no longer imagine it any other way. So she made up her mind not to ask exactly how much he had spent, and then convinced Zac to let her use her phone again so she could call the guys and thank them for helping her husband make one of her wishes come true.
That same day, after lunch, they sat together in their bathtub sharing a bubble bath and drinking a glass of red wine. They were finally relaxed and rested, listening to soft music and enjoying their precious privacy once again, when she decided it was time to give him a surprise of her own.
"Zac, I have something to tell you"
He took the foot she had been resting on his thigh and started massaging it with one hand, while he reached his other hand out over the edge of the tub to grab his glass -as he looked at her among the soapy white suds-.
"Ok, I'm listening"
He took a sip of his favorite Cabernet Sauvignon, and she took a deep breath in turn.
"Well, I want you to keep an open mind about this. Ok? No freaking out"
"Why do I get the feeling I might not like this surprise?"
Then Vanessa told him about her plans.
Zac's tall crystal glass slipped from his fingers and dropped, tinting the water with swirls of expensive French red wine.