Chapter 41
"What the hell goes first?" Paul asked, staring at all the parts of the cribs that had to be assembled. The room had long since been cleaned out and painted a cheerful yellow and white.
"That's why they write directions, Paul. Now Part A is supposed to go into part B," Nadine replied.
"Huh?" Paul was once again looking at the parts they were supposed to put together.
"Slip part A into part B," Nadine replied.
"Are you sure that's what it says?" Paul snatched the directions out of her hand. "You sure you aren't reading the ones printed in Japanese?"
"Are you sure you understand English?" she shot back. "My God, Brian's right about one thing, you can be a pain in the ass sometimes."
"What's happening?" Brian peeked his head in. "You guys having fun?"
"Ask Miss Know It All over here who thinks she's reading directions right." Paul grumbled.
"Someone has to be," Brian said. "We know how well you read them….oh wait, you don't."
"Yeah, Bree told me about the incident with your hair being three colors thanks to this one," Nadine grinned, grabbing the directions back from Paul.
"Shut up," Paul replied. "Just help me put all this shit together, huh? Jesus, a guy screws up one thing and no one lets me live it down. I happen to be mechanically inclined, you know. By the way," he said to Brian, "what are you still doing here anyway? I thought you went to the doctor with Briana."
"Yeah, but I'm expecting a call from Creative. It would be pretty awkward for that call to come through while I was sitting in an exam room."
"Staying in character. Right," Paul replied. "More like going to the doctor with the missus makes you squeamish. Admit it."
"Then next time you can go with her, since you apparently know everything. Anyway, amigos," Brian said, "until I get that call, I'll be in the other room getting the rest of the stuff in order."
An hour later:
"And done," Paul grinned proudly as he tightened the last nut on the second crib.
"Uh..Paul?" Nadine asked, looking at a handful of screws and nuts. "Any chance you may have forgotten something?"
"No. Actually they look pretty good. Why?"
"Then what are these for?"
"Probably extras," Paul replied. "Check them out; Brian got some pretty sturdy shit."
He grasped the bars and gave one of the cribs a shake. Within seconds, the entire crib collapsed, with the exception of a few parts.
"Oh, how mechanically inclined we are all right," Nadine giggled. "Very sturdy, Paul."
"Just hold your smart ass remarks and help me fix these damn things," Paul grumbled.
"What the hell is going on in here?" Brian asked anxiously. "I thought I heard something fall."
"Mr. Fix It didn't exactly put all the parts in the cribs and we had a collapse," Nadine snickered.
"Let me guess, didn't read the directions again, huh?" He gave Paul a knowing look.
"You got it," Nadine answered.
"Shut up," Paul sniffed.
"Better yet, let's all fix this mess," Brian offered. "If nothing else, I'd like to have these done by the time Bree gets back home."
Meanwhile:
Briana lay still as the ultrasound was being done on her. She was a little disappointed that Brian wasn't with her, but understood that it was important that he stood home to take the call from his job. With a possible big push coming for him, she knew more money came with more exposure, and with twins on the way, it certainly would benefit all of them in the long run.
"A new picture of the two little ones," Dr. Edwards announced, showing her the screen of the ultrasound and smiling.
"Is everything all right?" Briana asked.
"You're progressing very nicely. Would you like to know what you're having?"
"Well…I have to admit the curiosity has gotten to me," she confessed.
He showed her a few areas of each baby, highlighting various parts.
"My gosh," Briana gasped after several minutes. "Are you saying that…."
"Of course," Dr. Edwards grinned again. "Two healthy babies, one of each gender. Looks like this is your lucky day, Briana."
He then pressed a few buttons and gave her a copy. "Something to take home to the proud father," he added with a wink.
Briana smiled back before he left the room. She then dressed and prepared to leave, wondering how things at home were progressing and couldn't wait to tell everyone the news.