KNOCKOUT

Chapter 15

"Do you think they would let me pay for this, assemble it here, and then use it while we shop?"

I turn around, laughing at Holden holding up a large box. The stroller on the cover looks adorable; I can easily picture us using it all the time. Maggie's asleep in my arms, her dark hair peeking out from the blanket I have her small body swaddled in.

"I'm pretty sure the answer would be a no, H."

He pouts, tucking the box underneath his arm. "Would they at least hold it up front for us?"

"I'm sure they'd love to, Samuels."

I turn around to look at different types of humidifiers, debating on if we should purchase one for Maggie. I don't remember ever using one as a child, but my parents weren't the most attentive or caring. Instead, I make a mental note to research the pros and cons of the product and come back to it.

"Smalls, hurry up."

Rolling my eyes, I turn to follow Holden up to the front of the store. We pass aisle by aisle and Holden's smile grows each time. I never imagined my fighter looking so satisfied shopping in a store created for baby products. Somehow, his happiness makes this even more exciting than before.

"Remind me why we didn't buy any of the essentials prior to the hearing, T?"

I sigh, "I didn't want to get my hopes up."

He turns around, kissing my forehead and smiling slightly at my honest answer. Holden knew how nervous I was for the trial and how relieved I became when the state of New York declared me as Margaret's primary legal guardian.

Although we went through the normal steps of the trial, the results were decided before anybody had a chance to step up onto the witness stand. The hearing itself felt like more of a formality. After Eli lost his temper, the judge had made her decision and there was no way for Eli to recover his defense.

"We should have at least purchased nappies and a car seat." Holden says, putting a hand on the small of my back to walk with me instead of in front of me. "I know we weren't in the car long, but I doubt it was safe."

"Good thing we're here now then, isn't it?"

He hums in agreement, straightening his stance as we approach a cashier. Just like I thought, we're not allowed to buy it and put it together in the store, but they'd be more than willing to keep it behind the counter so we don't have to lug the box around the store. After everything is settled at the front, Holden turns to me with his arms extended.

"Let me have a turn holding our girl."

There was no way to prepare myself for the way those words would hit me, the butterflies fluttering straight out of my chest. I hand over Maggie, smiling at how small she looks compared to him. He coos at the tiny girl for a few seconds before looking up to meet my gaze, "Lead the way, petal."

I grab a cart from the queue, heading toward the back of the store. I figure the best method here is to work our way to the front and grab the things we think our little girl might need in the near future.

We may not be her real parents, but I know Holden and I will give Margaret the world.

"First things first, we should probably get her a car seat."

Holden may or may not be listening to me, but I walk ahead anyway, listening to the sounds of him softly speaking to Maggie. The car seats are much easier to find than I expected, but we still spend about thirty minutes in the aisle fighting over which one to get. Holden is suggesting the Frozen themed seat, but she's too young to know what Frozen is. By the time she gets to the age where she can watch it, there will be a new animated craze.