They had the best of times shopping.
He was fully engaged in every aspect of every choice they made for the baby.
From the crib, changing table, baby monitor, and nightlight down to the onesies, pajamas, and swaddles, to the bathing, feeding, healthcare, playtime essentials and every other thing they could think of.
They had so much looking up and selecting many more items than the ones they had ever gotten in Sydney.
Maxwell booked the baby needs store she chose for the day and the attendants were at their beck and call.
When Reyona told him she didn't think it was really necessary, he told her it was for the best.
He was still very sensitive about the media exposure they had had to deal with and didn't want them to wake up to their pictures splashed on a cover page because they did something that was supposed to be uniquely theirs.
When he explained it, Reyona remembered what had happened the last time they had gone shopping at Kayooma.
It had been a means for some sleazy papers to make their money while spewing what they were unsure of.
For a moment, Reyona missed the carefree living they had experienced in Sydney.
There was something about people not knowing who they were.
They were able to do things they wanted without any issues.
They were able to act like any normal couple even in public places without thinking twice about who could be lurking around with cameras to capture them.
For a moment, the thought of being in the public eye once again dampened Reyona for a moment.
But that was it. A moment.
She pushed the thought aside and concentrated on the present.
The joy of shopping with a man who looked as excited about spending time with her as much as she was.
He was so into the activity that he even proposed they get two of everything.
Reyona was so excited by his enthusiastic involvement that she said they should get one for each gender then.
That way, once they have their baby and have chosen the appropriate items for him or her, then they could donate the others.
Then they made getting clothes for the baby a competition by having him choose for the girl child while she chose for a boy child.
"That way, Pat would know who to hate when she ended up with some ugly, mismatched clothes," she teased.
Then they parted with each of them saying they were going to get the best outfits yet.
The rule was that nobody was to help them with any selection or combination.
Apart from bringing out the outfits and setting them aside for them, the attendants and manager of the shop were not supposed to help them with any suggestions or advice.
Reyona could feel the excitement of the salespeople as well as they were anticipating who was going to get the best outfits yet.
Or maybe the big smiles on them had to do with the fact that Maxwell had declared that they should bring out the best of their products because his babies deserve the best.
When he said babies, Reyona laughed because he had been so excited that he was even pluralising his words now.
The competition started, and they were each led to the sections where the clothes were.
While she was pointing at cute wear on a baby and asking the sales attendant with her about it, Reyona's eyes went to the street beyond the glass wall.
She froze as her eyes caught on something.
"Yes, ma. We have more of it."
Reyona looked at the man and distractedly asked him to get her the size of a newborn.
She quickly looked back towards the street again, but there was nothing there.
She held her head and closed her eyes for a moment as she wondered if she was seeing things.
For a moment there, she could have sworn she saw a familiar face across the road.
The attendant hurried back with five varieties of the type of wear she had pointed at.
Reyona chose one of each and continued with her shopping with a little frown on her face.
She must have seen it wrong, right?
Yes, that must be it.
Then she tiptoed towards the aisle where Maxwell was getting his clothes.
Just in time to hear him ask "Which of these is the bow again?"
"Hey, you cheat!" Reyona called out to him with a chuckle as she hurried towards the section.
She rounded the edge and saw him holding a bow and a headband in his hands while looking as confused as possible.
He gave her a sheepish grin as she asked "What do you think you are doing?"
The attendant quickly left his side with a hidden smile.
He gave her a long-suffering look as he looked down at the dainty pieces in his hand and said "What was I thinking when I agreed to this?"
Reyona hid the smile tickling her lips and said "Don't try to disguise the fact that you were cheating."
"Actually, it was an innocent question," he tried to fib.
"What was in our agreement, Mr. Rohan? No question asked."
He gave up trying to play tough and came towards her with a mournful look as he said "Save me. At this point, I think our girl might just end up hating me from birth till old age. How does a tiny baby end up needing all these?" he asked as he shook the items still in his hands like they were the cause of the pandemic.
"Max…"
"I will do anything you want. Anything but this, please," he said as he kissed her nose and gave her an expectant look.
Reyona wanted to stand her ground, but then he looked so adorable at the moment.
She rolled her eyes as she finally sighed and said, "Fine. Anything I want, right?"
"Anything," he said urgently.
Reyona told him what he would do in turn for her help, and he accepted eagerly.
She supposed she should have thought better of a more punishing task.
Because the task of helping her select her clothes and lingerie seemed to be the best thing she could have asked him to do.
Especially when he added the factor of helping her try on and remove the clothes.
It was not too long before she realised just how turned on he was by seeing her pregnant body in the tiniest piece of lingerie that he had chosen.
"Maxwell, this is…hmm." her protest had ended swiftly when he teased aside the g-string covering of the hot red lingerie she had on, and drew her slightly forward with its garter belt while sinking his finger into her throbbing core.
"Guess we have to test how quiet you can be, Mrs. Rohan," he teased as he eased her on the upholstered bench.
Then he proceeded to fuck her with his finger.
With the attendant standing right outside the dressing room.
Reyona could hardly remember how they got home.
One thing was for sure though.
She conveniently forgot all her plans to stay out all day.
They couldn't get home fast enough.