Chapter 45

Maya's POV

"Black Friday plans are as follows. Riley, Nessa, Smackle and I are doing the Rhea Lana sale. Josh, Zay and Lucas will watch the girls and put the Christmas lights up on both houses." I explained.

"Why can't we all go shopping, and then do lights?" Josh asked.

"Nessa and I registered for early shopping passes and can bring one friend each. You have to be a new mom or an expectant mom to get in at 6am. We had to give information on how old our kids were or when our due dates are." I added.

"Farkle is our chauffeur since we already know that you will tell us that we can't go shopping alone." Riley pointed out.

"Why does Farkle get to go?" Zay argued.

"1, The girls are your kids also. 2, It's your house. 3. Do you really want Farkle on a ladder?" Nessa countered.

We waved bye and headed out. Once we got to the place it was held, we were amazed at all the cars. Farkle dropped us off at the door. We each had a bag, but it was clear that our little bags weren't going to cut it.

"Let's find the big stuff we need first, and then look at clothes." Riley suggested.

"Maya, look at this stroller!" Smackle called me over to look at the Doona stroller. It was a car seat with a stroller attached, the wheels just fold up into the base.

"I've looked at those. They sell for around $500." I glance at the stroller, noting that it still had the tags on it.

"That can't be right. This tag says $50, for the Doona and the base."

A worker came over to see if she could help us. "We had a consignor this time whose family owns a baby boutique. They are selling leftover stock from last year's designs. The price you see is correct, they just need to sell these to make room for new items."

I grabbed the Doona in a dark green color, and Nessa picked out a double stroller that could fit a child up to 45 pounds. Her two youngest could still fit in it, and the oldest isn't much bigger if need be.

Next area was furniture. I needed a crib or a bassinet, and Nessa was hoping to find toddler or twin beds. Right now all 3 girls were sleeping with her and Zay in a queen size bed.

We found convertible cribs, that could be a crib, a toddler bed or a full size bed for $25. We both grabbed a tag off of dark brown ones. Smackle discovered a set of bunk beds that could be used together or separate for $30, solving the bed problem.

"Beds check, strollers check, Car seat check. Now on to clothing and toys." I look at our selections.

"The girls need winter clothing at least a coat and a few items." Nessa said, checking her list and total spent.

"Oooh Ness! Come look at this couch and chair." Smackle waved us over.

"It would be perfect but that's not in the budget this time. Besides, I don't see a price, just a sticker to ask a volunteer." Nessa said softly.

"Ma'am, whats the story on this couch? There's not a price." Riley flagged down a volunteer.

"This is a special item. Let me go get Autumn and she can explain more about it." The volunteer quickly brought back another lady.

"Hi, I'm Autumn. Katie was telling me that you were asking about this couch. Its a special circumstance, that it is actually not for sale. This couch came from a special lady in town, it was at her parents' house and they were just moved into a retirement home, just days after they bought this furniture. The family decided not to sell it, but to bring it here to be given to a family who would enjoy it." Autumn explained.

"Well, she needs it. They have a rocking chair in their living room and that's it." Smackle replied.

"SMACKLE!" We all shushed her.

"I'm just telling the truth. I bet no one else here went from a single college student to a married mother of 3 in a few days time. Then you add in moving the girls from Texas to Philly, and that bumps you up even more." Smackle shrugs.

"Oh yes, I remember reading your story when you applied for the new mother pass. I agree that it sounds like you are the perfect home for the furniture. Is someone home today so it can be delivered? I can send my husband and a few other guy volunteers over with it." Autumn asked.

"I can call my husband and have him go home. I think he's at a friends house so he would have help with the girls today." Vanessa said softly.

"Come up with me and let me scan your passes so I can register the furniture under your account. We added bonus cash onto accounts also, so let me scan all your passes so we can see what you may have." Autumn motioned for us to come with her.

My pass showed to have $50 bonus cash added to my account. Riley and Smackle's guest passes had coupons for $5 off $25. Autumn scanned Nessa's pass and looked at the screen with a puzzled look.

"Let me try that one more time to make sure what I'm seeing is correct." Autumn scanned it again.

"The bonus cash is assigned by a panel of volunteers who read your stories you submit and they pick the most deserving one for our largest bonus amount. You have been selected for one of the grand bonus prizes. Its not worth any cash back, you have to spend it all here, but you have $500 to spend today. No strings, anything here is available to you." Autumn explained.

"I have to call my husband. I know I used my guest pass, but can he come help me shop?" Nessa looked dazed.

"In your case, we will make an exception to the rule. Go call him, and help your friends wrap up their shopping, then he can switch places with them." Autumn smiled.

"I'll call Josh and send them over to help with the girls while you call Zay. Then you can help me find baby stuff." I suggested.

"Zay, you won't believe what just happened. I just won a $500 shopping spree... come help me shop!" Nessa was in tears as she talked to Zay.

The Rhea Lana ladies would never understand how much of a burden they just lifted from Nessa and Zay's shoulders.