Smile Like You Mean It (One)

Chapter Twenty Six

A whole two months had passed, with Sal and Bryony back to the way they once were. Sal had been working hard at his job, earning enough money to pay back Brian's parents for the three month's rent they had kindly paid for them.

He pulled up outside of their home, walking over to the front door, as he rang the doorbell. The door was pulled open, as Sal came face-to-face with Brian's father. He smiled at the boy, as Sal held his hand out for him to shake.

"Hello, Sir," Sal started. "I've just come round to say thank you again for what you and Mrs Quinn did for Bryony and I. We'll never be able to thank you enough really."

"It was no problem, Sal." He replied, as Sal nodded his head, pulling a check out from his back pocket. He handed the slip of paper over to the man, as he studied the numbers written on the page.

"I've been putting in extra hours at work to pay you back." Sal explained, scratching at the back of his neck anxiously. "I'm sorry that it took so long."

"Wow, thank you." The man chuckled. "I didn't expect it at all, let alone this soon."

He slipped the paper into his pocket, smiling down at Sal. "Do you want to come in at all? Brian's up there playing video games no doubt."

"I'd better not, Bryony and I are going baby clothes shopping today." Sal expressed, as Brian's father nodded.

Sal bid his goodbyes to the man, before making his way back over to his car, and clambered into the driver's side. He drove himself home, stepping through the front door, coming to find Bryony sat ready and waiting on the sofa.

"Hey," She smiled, as Sal placed a kiss to her head. "I missed you."

"I was gone not even an hour, Babe." Sal chuckled. "But I missed you too."

"You better have." Bryony toyed, raising a brow, as Sal nodded his head.

"I did honestly."

He stepped into the kitchen, sifting through the pile of mail and paperwork on the countertop. He pulled out the handwritten list the pair of them had made just the other day, before he made his way back over to Bryony. "Ready?"

Bryony stood, following Sal out of the apartment, making sure that the door was locked behind her, as they sauntered down to the car. The aim of the afternoon was to gather enough outfits for their soon-to-be baby boy, and potentially even pick out a crib for Sal to build later on.

**

"What about this one?" Bryony asked, pulling out a set of navy dungarees that came with a pale blue and white striped shirt, as Sal tilted his head in thought.

"Add it to the pile." He smiled, watching, as she laid the clothing over the mound of baby clothes gradually building in their cart.

He was looking over the baby blankets displayed on the shelves, when a gasp came from behind him. Sal spun around, coming to find Bryony holding up a new-born sized Deadpool onesie.

"Can we get it, Sal?" She squealed, as Sal chuckled lightly.

"If you don't, I will." He answered, taking the hanger from her grasp, and chucking it into the cart. Sal looked over the pile, dreading the overall price for it all, as he looked around for the cribs. "I think that's enough clothes for now, Love."

He pushed the cart out of the clothing department, practically dragging Bryony by her arm, as she sulked playfully. "He's going to need a place to sleep more importantly."

They entered the baby furniture department of the store, taking a look around at all of the different designs, when one caught Sal's eye. It was a simple crib made of pinewood that had a baby blue mattress with trains all over it. Above, hung a mobile, with aeroplanes spinning around to a sweet lullaby. He turned to Bryony, gesturing for her to join him, as she strolled over to Sal. He pointed to the crib, watching, as her eyes lit up.