Chapter fifty five.

"I'm sorry but run that by me again?" Sarah asked.

It was the morning after Ayla's unexpected trip to the hospital, Kris and Sarah were sitting in the living room while Ayla got herself a drink.

"We're just going to pretend, to keep up appearances as it were, that we're a couple. Everyone thinks it anyway, so why not play along? And it's only until people stop caring." Ayla said, joining her friends on the sofa.

"It kind of makes sense." Kris admitted.

"In a bizarre, mental, other kind of sense, yeah. I guess." Sarah agreed.

"Look it's not real. It's like having a fake boyfriend when you go out with the girls. A guy friend who'll pretend to be something more for the night, so other guys leave you alone. But on a larger scale." Ayla explained.

"Yeah, we get all that," Sarah said. "But I don't get why he suggested it in the first place."

"Well as far as everyone else is concerned we're involved I guess. And I mean if I did this with anyone else it'd look dodgy. At least with Marcus there won't be any awkward questions."

"You mean like: 'How the hell did you two get together?'" Sarah asked.

"Or: 'What do you two have in common?'" Kris added.

"Well we're gonna figure all that out this afternoon."

"And what's happening this afternoon?" Sarah asked, impatience lining her voice.

"Well we're going shopping for a crib and bedding."

"We?" Sarah questioned again.

"Me and Marcus. He owled me this morning. Look if I go on my own it'll look odd. People think it's his baby. And you two are busy, so I can't ask you."

"Right. So you're ok with it? And there's nothing else going on? If he'd pulled something we'd know. I mean you wouldn't have told us otherwise right?" Sarah said. "So now the big question, what colour bedding are you going for?"

"How is that the big question?" Kris asked.

"Yellow." Ayla said.

"Yellow?"

"Yup yellow."

"Do you really know what you're having?"

"Yes. You were there Kris."

"Yeah, but I didn't come in with you. I don't know what the Healer said do I?"

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that."

"So why yellow?" Sarah asked.

"Because I like yellow. And the whole pink for a girl, blue for a boy is stupid."

"So are you going to tell us?" Kris asked.

"Nope. I like having it as my own little secret."

"Ayla! You're killing me!" Sarah cried.

"Well I'm sorry but I have to go meet Marcus now."

"When will you tell us?" Kris asked, grabbing hold of Ayla's wrist. "I'm not letting go until I know when you'll tell us."

"Soon." Ayla said, pulling her hand away from her friend.

"How soon?" Sarah called as Ayla walked to the door.

"Bye! See you later."

Ayla was meeting Marcus at a specialist baby shop. It was special in the sense that it dealt with prospective magical babies, and all the joys that went with them. It stocked warming and cooling blankets to keep baby comfortable, as well as self cleaning sheets and a whole range of other essentials.

While the girls had gotten Ayla a bundle of baby stuff, there was still a lot she needed. Cuddly toys, clothes, spares of everything, a carry cot, crib and pram to name but a few.

She made her way up the small side street, not far from the Leaky Cauldron. Marcus was waiting for her outside 'Celeste and Warner's Beds from Above' "Send your baby to heaven in one of our beds" the sign read. She grinned as she saw him looking through the window,

"Hey, sorry I'm late. The girls were nagging me."

"You told them then?" he asked.

"Yeah. And I'm not telling them what the baby is. So they're annoyed about that too."

"What did they say?"

"Well they sort of agree that it's probably a good idea. They just think it's strange."

"Yeah? I thought they'd hit the roof."

"Me too actually. You are sure though?"

"How many times do I have to say it? It's my idea, of course I'm sure."

"Ok then, just thought I'd check. Well, let's go buy a bed then." Ayla said as she opened the door and walked in.

They stepped in the quiet little shop. The interior was dark and cool, Ayla couldn't help but feel it was a little shabby. She was about to suggest they try somewhere else when a short, thin man bustled through from the back room.

"Ah Mr Flint, if you don't mind my saying you and your young friend look quiet out of place here. Why not come through to the back?" he said, holding the curtain in place of a door out of the way and ushering them through it.

"You know him?" Ayla whispered?

"No. Must be a fan." Marcus said shrugging.

Ayla couldn't hold back a gasp as she entered the back room. It was filled to the brim with baby stuff, and was a startling contrast to the front of the shop. This room was bright, and clean, full of shiny new toys, cradles and bedding.

"There now, this is more like it I daresay. We keep the front like that to discourage the muggles from coming in. It's a tad hard to explain away the dirty nappy vanisher."

"It's beautiful." Ayla said grinning from ear to ear. This was definitely more like it.

"Thank you, thank you. Hocus pocus may come naturally to our kind but baby's have always been the joy of mine and my wife's lives. Anyone can cure a wart, this is our own brand of magic. But enough about that, what can I do for you two?"

"Well, we'd like to look at some cribs please."

"Wonderful. A well crafted crib is a thing of beauty I say. If you don't mind my asking, when is your little miracle due?"

"In November. Thirteen weeks left, I think."

"Lovely. Now do you have anything particular in mind?"

"Uh no. Not really."

"Right well we have a small selection in store. Let's start with looks, would you like a wooden frame? We do do, ahem, plastic if you prefer."

"Uh wood." Ayla said, she glanced at Marcus. He shrugged and nodded with her decision.

"Good choice. Now we do a cot that you can rock baby back and forth in. would you be interested?"

Warner flicked his wand and the crib appeared. It had to legs which joined on either side of the bed part. As she watched the crib began to sway slowly.

"Uh I'm not sure."

"We do have more traditional cots of course. That don't move."

"I think I prefer traditional." Ayla admitted.

"Right. Now you have a choice of two. You can either have a drop down front, for east access, or not."

He flicked his wand again and the cots appeared, first the drop down. Ayla could see it would be easier to get the baby out of. It also looked like her idea of the perfect cot. The second looked exactly the same, but she could see that the front was bolted tight.

"Is one better than the other?" Marcus asked.

"Not necessarily. Each has its pros and cons, as with everything."

"What do you think?" Ayla asked Marcus.

"Well it's up to you in the end. I'd say the drop down."

"Yeah I think I agree."

"Wonderful. Now bedding, any thoughts?"

"Yes. I want yellow."

"Lovely. We do a plain yellow, checked, daisy and sunflower print, or suns and stars"

"Wow. That all sounds great."

"Well let's get all of them then." Marcus suggested.

"You serious?"

"Yeah, you'll need spares. So why not?"

"Ok, if you're sure."

"Yeah positive."

"Marvellous. Now is there anything else you'll be needing today?"

"No thanks. I think that'll do for now." Marcus answered, smiling at Ayla. "How much will that be?"

"Well if you'll just follow me we'll add it up. Now would you like us to deliver? Or we can deliver a week before the baby's due?"

"Yes, that'll be better. How about November eleventh?" Marcus asked as the two walked away.

Ayla was speechless. She hadn't meant for Marcus to pay. But what else could she have expected? They were pretending to be a couple. It would be assumed that he should pay. Well she'd just have to pay him back later. She stood where Marcus and Warner had left her. She ran her hand along the rail of the crib her baby would be sleeping in. Everything here was perfect.

"Ayla! Darling congratulations. We're both in the club together!"

"Kate?" Ayla said in disbelief.

"When are you due? I'm summer, but I'm guessing you're spring?"

"Winter actually."

"Lovely. I don't know where Olly's got to. Absent father already, it's not a good sign is it?"

"No, I have to go. See you."

"Bye darling." Kate called as Ayla ran through the front of the shop. As much as she wanted to help Wood, free him from her cousins clutches, she didn't have the nerve to face him. She was carrying his baby, and lying about it. She was also overcome with the overwhelming urge to smack Kate, though she doubted it would be entirely appropriate, given the situation.

Marcus found her outside.

"What happened?" he asked. "Are you pissed off because I paid? 'Cos' I didn't mean to upset you, I just thought it was easier."

"No, it's not that. I saw Kate. She's pregnant."

"Kate? Your cousin, who married Wood? She's pregnant? By Wood?"

"I'm guessing so. It was just a shock you know? They're married, of course they're going to… And I thought I was prepared for it, but this is just too soon."

"Wow, everything I've ever said about him isn't true. That sucks."

"Thanks for your support Marcus." Ayla said sarcastically.


Ok so I keep losing track of time, and now I'm losing track of posts. I completely forgot about this one. Anyway hope you all enjoyed it, I guess summer is over now huh? Oh Yeah! Happy first birthday people! Trouble is officially one years old (as of sept 11). Aw my baby is growing up!