CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Kyle measures the wall and marks a couple of points, then uses the leveller to ensure the points are straight. He remarks one of the points, then tucks the pencil behind his ear. He takes a step back and inspects the marks before turning around.

"I think it looks perfect now, but what do you think?"

The rocking chair dips as I lean back. I tilt my head to the side and pinch my chin.

"It looks good, but I think it needs to go up a little."

He slides his fingers through his messy brown hair and sighs. Kyle places his forehead against the wall and subtly bangs it. He spins around and points to the wall.

"You've got three options, pick one or I'm leaving."

"But Kyle." I pout.

"I'm serious about leaving."

"Ugh, fine, I'll go with the second option."

"Thank you."

With a sigh, he double checks the points with the leveller. I slide my hands around my stomach and grumble under my breath.

"Just know that your Uncle Kyle is an asshole sometimes."

Kyle tosses the pencil at my head, but it hits the chair and tumbles to the ground.

"I'm not an asshole, you can't make your mind up. Also, you better watch that mouth of yours because you'll have an innocent little baby listening to you soon enough."

"I'm sorry for wanting the room to be perfect." I sigh.

"There's perfection and then there's being indecisive."

"You can't throw things at me either because that'll teach her that it's okay."

"But it's okay to throw pencils at you." He smirks.

"Ha-ha." I glare.

With a grin, he plugs the drill in and I block my ears. My nose wrinkles as the noise shakes through the house. Dust trickles down the wall and my ears ring. He discards the drill and dusts the wall.

London wanders into the room and pouts.

"I'm sorry about the noise." I frown.

She peers around the room and sighs.

"Can we paint my room too?"

Kyle's body tenses and I chuckle at his discomfort.

"When you're a little older, we'll redo your entire room. New paint, a new bed and wardrobe, the whole thing!"

She picks up the white unicorn from the change table and pouts.

"But I want to paint my room now." She sniffles.

"You've got a beautiful pink room and the unicorns love it. Won't they be upset if you change it?"

Lo's lip quivers and she sniffles.

"Maybe."

"I think it's rest time, don't you think?"

"No." She shakes her head.

"Do you hear that?" I gasp.

Lo frowns and shakes her head.

"The unicorns just said she wants to have a rest with you and the other unicorns in your room."

"No she didn't." She yawns.

"Just be quiet and listen."

London puts the unicorn beside her ear and gasps.

"Maybe we can have a rest, but I'm not going to sleep."

"You don't have to sleep." I smile.

"Okay." She nods.

"Head to your room and I'll meet you there."

London bounds out of the room and I struggle out of the chair. Kyle offers me his hand and I easily accept.

"Doesn't she have to sleep?" Kyle frowns.

"Yes, and she will once she's in bed." I wink.

"Oh, that's evil."

"Whatever works, you'll learn that soon enough."

London is nestled in the pile of unicorns on her bed. She's snuggled up with the plush unicron which I guess will be added to her overflowing pile now.

"Do you want to listen to the unicorn story?"

"Yes, please." She grins.

I turn the stereo on and hit play.

London yawns and I smile.

"Rest up and then we can go to the park with Uncle Kyle."

"Okay." She nods.

I kiss Lo's forehead and return to the nursery. Kyle already has the shelf mounted on the wall, and it looks amazing. Once I add the decorations, it'll look even better.

"What do you think?" He grins.

"It looks perfect, but what do you think about the cot? I was thinking about moving it onto the other wall or just, hm, I don't know."

"Nope, I didn't sign up for this."

"Kyle." I laugh. "I was just teasing."

I grab two drinks from the kitchen and plop on the couch beside him. He takes a big gulp of water and settles into the couch. He flips the television on and puts a random movie on.

"Now the nursery is done, what's left to prepare?"

"I think that's everything."

"What about names? Do you have something in mind?"

"I've been tossing up some ideas."

"Does Kyle make it into the mix?"

"No way, that's a boy's name."

"What about Kylie then?"

"Never going to happen."

"Of course, just forget about your best friend."

"Ivan has your middle name, wasn't that enough for you?"

"And this is why you should include Kylie." He winks.

I elbow his side and sigh.

"With Ivan, I just knew what to name him. With her, I don't know. I hope that once I hold her in my arms, the name will come to mind."

"Even if you don't use my name, I'm sure whatever you two pick will be amazing."

"I hope so because I don't want my daughter to complain that I picked a terrible name."

"You're not going to pick a terrible name." He chuckles.

"Thanks." I smile. "If that happens, I'll just blame Blake."

"Since I'm your best friend, I promise not to tell Blake that."

"Least you know where your loyalties lie." I laugh.

London peers over the couch with a frown.

"I can't sleep."

"I think it's nap time for everyone," says Kyle.

He scoops Lo into the air and wanders down the hallway. I waddle after the pair and find them in my bedroom. Kyle is sprawled across the bed with Lo lounged across his torso.

"What are you doing?"

"We're having a rest." He smiles.

I climb onto the bed and drop beside them. Lo sprawls between us and I wrap my arm around her tiny waist.

"Rest time sounds amazing." I sigh.

"We should do this more often," Kyle notes.

"Let's enjoy it while we can." I chuckle.

Kyle grabs my hand and squeezes it.

For the first time in a while, I drift to sleep without any struggles.

Chopped some chapters out, so there's seven left! All pre-written, so no more long waits inbetween chapters. Can't believe this is the end. Crazy right?