by Lia Davis
Jeff’s eyes widened. “Wow. What happened in here?”
“My family happened. I made the mistake of asking them to help me paint the room. I won’t make that mistake again. Paint and the Le Beau men are not good bedfellows.”
Jeff chuckled as he pulled his measuring tape from his back pocket to jot down the measurements.
“I’ll leave you to it. But just one thing...”
Both men stopped to look at him.
“If you get the room finished by dinner time, I’ll handsomely reward your efforts.”
“Well, all right,” Nick grinned.
“I have the carpet in stock so I’m sure I can meet your deadline,” Jeff nodded his acceptance.
It took the entire day and a lot of bribing with bonus payments for the contractors, but the nursery was perfect. And empty.
The next morning
Cade tapped his fingers on his coffee cup. Even though Anna had been thrilled with the pastel pink nursery and new carpet, he’d been awake much of the night thinking about the empty nursery. Somewhere around three a.m. he had hit upon the solution he needed in order to make things up to Anna. Now he needed his lovely mate to head to the spa so he could call in the cavalry. Since they had created the unholy mess in the nursery, they could help him fix this with his mate.
Speaking of the devil, she walked into the kitchen. “Good morning,” Anna’s wolf rumbled contentedly as she kissed his neck on her way to the teapot.”
“Good morning, cher. You’re especially beautiful today. What time are you and the ladies heading to the spa?”
She glanced at the clock. “In about fifteen minutes, just enough time for a cup of tea with my incredible man.”
“You keep that thought in mind today. Just remember how incredible I am and ignore those masseurs I know they have.”
“Masseurs? Hmm,” She grinned, teasing him.
Cade swept her into his arms and kissed her hard. “You shouldn’t poke the big bad wolf, mon amour.”
Anna giggled at his mock-angry expression and kissed him again.
“Keep that up, and you’ll never get to the spa,” Cade growled.
“That dang spa is looking less inviting by the second.”
“Oh, no you don’t. You need a day away. Now, get.”
“All right, I’m going.” Anna laughed as she put her cup in the dishwasher and headed for the door.
The women weren’t even out of the driveway when Cade dialed Simon’s number.
Simon answered in his usual way. “Hey, Cade. What’s up?”
“I know how we can make the painting disaster up to Anna.”
The line was silent for a second. “I’m afraid to ask.”
“The nursery is empty. We need to furnish it from top to bottom. You know, get the crib, dresser, and that changing thingy. All the stuff women like in a baby’s room.”
“This sounds like a really bad idea, Cade. Women are kind of particular about that stuff.”
“How would you know?”
“Rose and I talk about kids, too. We just haven’t started a bun in the oven yet.”
“Are you telling me, you don’t think four grown, intelligent men can furnish one nursery?”
“Heck, no. I’m sure we could do it, but how many of us are going to die over it? Angry wives are scary, Cade, and Rose will have my balls if we screw up again.”
“Well, if you’re too chicken, I’ll have to see if Thomas and Stefan will fill in for you. I was going to call them anyway.”
“I’ll tell you what, if you can get Thomas to go, I’ll go, too.”
“You’re on. I’ll call you back in a few minutes.”
Cade quickly dialed Thomas’s number. This was going to be harder than he’d planned. He hadn’t expected Simon to be such a big baby.
“Good morning, Thomas speaking.”
“Thomas, how are you today?”
“Fine...what are you up to? And don’t tell me nothing.”
Cade chuckled. “I can never slip anything past you. Sometimes you take all the fun out of life. I want to make up the painting mess to your mother by furnishing the nursery. I could use some help shopping and stuff.”
“Did you hit your head?”
“What?” Cade frowned at the phone. “No, why?”
“You either are delirious, or you have a death wish.”
“What is so wrong with buying a crib and stuff?”
“Cade, my man, you have no idea how many ways that could go wrong.”
“So are you saying you won’t go with me today? I was really counting on your help. Tell you what. You come with me, and I’ll get your mother to stop grilling you about your ‘dates’ for the next month. Deal?”
“Make it two months, and you’re on.”
“Deal. Come to my place A.S.A.P. I need to call Stefan.”
Cade quickly dialed Stefan’s number, a little happier now that he had Thomas onboard, even if he had to bribe the little shit.
“Yeah?” Stefan yawned into the phone.
“Are you still in bed? Get up, you lazy ass.”
“I had a very – active – night and went back to bed after I left El’s house. There’s a difference. Why are you bothering me?”
Cade explained the situation to Stefan and waited.
“All right, I’ll go with you guys.”
“Why are you being so helpful? I expected you to refuse.”
“I can’t wait for it to backfire and I want to be there when it does.”
“Whatever. It’s not going to backfire. It’ll be great.”
“You keep telling yourself that. I’ll be the one laughing my ass off when Anna neuters you.”
“Just get your butt over here. I need to call Simon back. We leave in twenty minutes.”
He got ahold of Simon and now all the guilty parties from yesterday were in place to make the nursery epic. There was a children’s specialty store about thirty minutes away. He figured they would find everything they needed there.
Forty-five minutes later, as they filed through the store's entrance, it became painfully obvious—they were the only men in the store. Every woman stopped what she was doing to stare as they walked past.
Stefan abruptly stopped in front of a rack of the tiniest dresses and jumpsuits he’d ever seen.
“What the heck?” Thomas snapped as he ran into Stefan’s back.
Stefan ignored him. He was totally focused on the lacy, pink newborn sundress with frilly underpants he was holding. “I have to buy this,” he grinned.
“Oh, for Pete’s sake. Get a grip,” Simon growled. “We’re here for furniture, not baby clothes.”
Stefan waggled his eyebrows at his little brother. “That doesn’t mean I can’t give my niece a pretty dress from her favorite uncle.”
Cade backtracked to see what was holding the guys up. “You’re not starting the favorite uncle argument already, are you?”
Simon shook his head laughing at Cade’s annoyed expression. “Newsflash, brother. We started that argument the moment you announced you were pregnant.”
“I’m not pregnant, Anna is.”
Stefan raised an eyebrow and nodded toward Cade’s abdomen. “Tell that to your poochy gut.”
Cade quickly ran his hands across his flat belly, “What pooch?”
Thomas rolled his eyes and laughed. “He’s teasing you, geez.”
Cade bared his teeth in a silent snarl, then grabbed Stefan by the back of the neck and marched him down the aisle like a naughty six-year-old. Stefan laughed up a storm the entire way.
“You know, I just remembered, Rose mentioned this morning that she was organizing a couples shower. Well, actually more of a guys and gals shower for you and Anna,” Simon offered from the back of the group. “Stefan has a good idea, for once. We should pick up gifts while we’re here.”
Cade paled. “I have to be there, too?”
“I guess so,” Simon shrugged. “Rose said the women would buy Anna girly stuff, and
we could buy you manly things like tools and sporting equipment.”
Color returned to his face. “I like tools and sports stuff.”
“There, see, all better,” Stefan teased—patting Cade’s head.
Thomas shook his head at Stefan. “You really do have a death wish, don’t ya?”
The next aisle was all small equipment and supplies. Simon stopped to inspect a breast pump. “Hey, Cade. Is Anna breastfeeding the baby?”
A muscle twitched along Cade’s jaw. “Why are you asking?” he growled.
“Whoa, back that angry wolf down. I thought she might like a breast pump. Rose mentioned this name brand to me.”
“If she needs one, I’ll buy it. I don’t want any of you buying anything for my mate's breasts.”
“Okay, crabby pants. I’ll get her something else, sheesh.”
“Look at these cute little booties!” Stefan squealed like a little girl. “Are babies’ feet really this tiny?”
“Yeah, believe it or not.” A small smile played at the edges of Thomas’s lips. “I remember John coming home from the hospital. Man, he was small.”
Simon had moved a few feet further down the aisle to the diaper section. “Cade, are you going to help change diapers and stuff?”
“I don’t know. I hadn’t thought about it.” He frowned and turned pale again. “Shit, there’s a lot I haven’t thought about.”
Thomas clapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. New fathers never know shit.”
Simon looked at Cade holding disposable diapers in one hand and cloth in the other. “Disposable?” He raised the first one. “Or cloth?” he asked raising the other.
“I have no idea,” Cade groaned, feeling more and more unprepared.
“Never mind, I’ll get something else.” Then Simon’s eyes lit up. “I got it!” He snapped his fingers. “A swing chair.”
Simon took off on his own to locate the perfect swing chair, leaving the rest of them gaping after him.
“How the hell does he know all this stuff?” Stefan whispered in awe.
“It’s called talking to his mate.” Thomas laughed. “Maybe if you kept your clothes on for five minutes and had a conversation with El, you would learn a thing or two?”
“Where’s the fun in that?” Stefan asked.
“I think we wasted enough time on all this stuff,” Cade said waving at the breast pumps. “We should locate the cribs.”
They turned down the next aisle and stopped short.
Stefan gaped at what looked like a sea of little jail cells. “Why are there so many?”
Simon cuffed him on the back of the head. “Women like choices, you idiot. How does El put up with you?”
Stefan scowled at Simon as he rubbed his head. “For your information, my mate is going to adore me. We’re still getting to know each other.”
“I had no idea they came in so many designs and colors,” Thomas said in awe.
Cade stood with his hands on his hips, dumbfounded by the simple task of buying a crib. “Any ideas, where to begin? Thomas, what do you think?”
“Well,” he rubbed his jaw as he scanned the cribs a second time. “She likes natural wood, not painted.”
All the men nodded expectantly like he was Yoda spouting wisdom.
“And she hates fancy, swirly stuff,” he warned. Then he spied a smaller section of simple, classic cribs. “I’d say, pick from those,” he suggested as he pointed to the corner of the room.
Cade walked over to a natural oak crib with straight spindles. “What do you think of this one, guys?”
They all nodded like bobblehead dolls. They didn’t have a clue, so they just agreed with his choice.
Grunting, Thomas crawled under the crib to inspect it for safety issues.
“How may I help you, gentlemen?” a little gray-haired saleswoman walked up and asked politely.
“I want to surprise my wife by furnishing the nursery. What do you think of this crib?” Cade asked.
“How sweet. I don’t normally get men brave enough to come shopping without their wives.” She ran her fingers along the top rail and continued. “This is a wonderful choice, classic and simply elegant.” Then she nodded to herself. “If I were buying a crib for my daughter, I would choose something like this.”
Thomas rolled from under the crib and grilled the saleslady about hazards and safety features until he was satisfied with the choice as well.
She turned back to Cade and added, “This model requires assembly, but as long as you can read directions and own a screwdriver, you’ll be fine. All of the employees help to assemble the furniture you see in the store, and I actually put this one together. If I can do it, anyone can,” she chuckled.
“We’re doomed,” Stefan mumbled behind Cade’s back, earning another cuff from Simon.
“Stop that!” he growled as he rubbed his head again.
Cade ignored them, giving his full attention to the saleswoman. “Do you have a dresser or that changing table thing to match the crib?”
“Of course, right this way.”
The next section over had dressers of every shape and size. The saleswoman was a goddess-send. Without her, they would have stood there all day.
“This is part of the set. It will require assembly as well as the changing table over there.” She pointed at an innocent looking piece of furniture about six feet away.
“What do you think, Thomas?” Cade asked.
Thomas inspected the spindly-looking changing table carefully. To him, it looked like a light breeze would send it crashing to the ground. Surprisingly, it was well constructed and a lot stronger than it looked.
“Looks great to me,” Thomas confirmed.
Chapter 3
Emma started the car as her daughters-in-law buckled up. They had left early enough to start their day of pampering with breakfast at the best restaurant in town. But, now it was time to get to the spa.
“What is first on the menu for our ‘pamper the ladies’ day?” El grinned at the others playfully.
“I do believe we are having manicures and pedicures first.”
“Perfect, I need my nails done.” Rose grinned excitedly.
“How about I drop you all at the front door and then find a parking spot?” Emma asked as she neared the spa.
“Sounds like a good idea,” Anna agreed. “We can check-in while you park, and by the time you join us they might be ready to call us for our mani-pedis.”
It could not have been more perfectly timed. Emma walked through the door the same moment they were being escorted to the back of the shop.
Their little group took up almost the entire pedicure station. Choosing their chairs, they each took a seat and began removing their shoes.
Emily from the front desk walked up holding a notepad. “Would you like something to drink?”
“Coffee, please,” Rose and El called out together.
“Do you have tea?” Emma asked.
“Yes, would you like the breakfast blend?”
“Yes, please.” Emma grinned.
She glanced at Anna. “And what would you like?”
“May I please have a water?”
“Of course.”
“Ahh.” Anna breathed and closed her eyes in delight. The water was the perfect temperature and felt amazing, and the massage to come would be divine. There was just something about a foot massage and pedicure. A pregnant woman could never receive too many foot massages.
“What are we scheduled for today besides the mani-pedis?” Rose asked.
“We are enjoying the Diva for a Day package.” Emma grinned brightly.
El smiled. “Sounds fabulous. What does that include?”
“A facial, full body massage, manicure, and pedicure. Plus, we each get a fabulous blowout style and makeup application. Oh, and we will be served lunch. And finally, we each get to pick a gift at the end of the day,” Emma answered excitedly. “We’re going to look and feel like princesses!”
/> “Mmm, sounds perfect,” Anna purred as her masseuse pressed the pressure point connected to her lower back, and she felt immediate relief from her constant backache.
“We get our hair and makeup done, too? I foresee a date night in my very near future. Like tonight,” Rose squealed.
“Good idea, Rose.” El smiled approvingly. “I have a heck of a time getting Stefan to leave my house, or get him to give me space for that matter.”
“I have the perfect little red dress and sexy heels that will drive Simon wild. Oh! That reminds me, I should get my toes and nails done fire engine red to go with the dress.”
Emma had a mischievous gleam in her eyes. “It sounds like spa days agree with all of us. I vote we do this on a regular basis. I like to keep our men on their toes, and they sure won’t let us out in public looking all gorgeous without them.”
“I second that. We should do this once a month.” El sighed as her masseuse pressed a thumb into the arch of her foot.
“You’re so naughty, Emma.” Anna chuckled. “I swear, we should take lessons from you.”
Rose leaned forward so she could see the other women. “Are you going to get Isaac out on the town tonight, too, Emma?”
“I’m going to try, but lately the old coot has it in his head that we need to try again for a daughter. Getting him out of the bedroom is challenging at best. Not that I don’t enjoy the practicing aspect of getting pregnant, but I’m not sure I want to start over with a baby again.”
“Is he serious about more children?” Anna grunted as she struggled out of the chair to waddle to the ladies room.
“I’m beginning to think he is.” Emma sighed heavily. “At first I thought he was joking, but he just won’t let up.”
“I think you’re wise to take your time and really think it through before you have another child,” El advised. “He may have baby fever now, but you know better than any of us how much work a newborn is.”
“Yeah, I’ve only experienced it through friends, and even that was a lot of work,” Rose admitted.
“It may have been a couple hundred years ago, but I still remember all the sleepless nights with cranky babies. I can handle the rest of it, but lack of sleep is not pretty on me.” Emma chuckled.
