SUBMIT✔ (DSD SERIES, BOOK TWO) WATTYS2020

Girls day out

"Lexi," I groan in annoyance as I shield my face from a bright flash.

"Come on, just one more." Lexi chimes as she hold up the camera to snap another pic of me.

"I don't understand your sudden interest in photography," I state resting my crutches under my arms as I look at the tops on the racks.

"I told you I'm making a maternity scrapbook for us," she says as she wobbles up to me with a smile on her face as she walks to the other side of the store not too far away from me. "When we're through with our pregnancies it'll be fun to look back on and show our babies."

A smile makes its way to my lips and I can't fight the warmth that passes through me as she says babies. Twins. No lo creo!

We've been here at the mall for the last hour. Lexi had first pulled me to an electronics shop to buy the small digital camera– which now hangs around her neck by a lanyard and then it was off to Momma's Wear to shop.

She says and I quote 'we need to embrace our pregnancies and buying funny maternity shirts and dresses is a way to make it known. Make a statement.'

I would have argued but I noticed that this is the first time in a while that Lexi and I have actually gone out together so I give in to her suggestion. Plus a day with Alexis is never dull.

Bells jiggle, the sound alerting the attendant that someone has entered the shop and I look up to see a woman with a swollen stomach clinging to a tall guy that hasn't stopped smiling as he looks down at her.

He caress her stomach whispering something to her and she giggles before pecking his lips and pulling him towards an aisle. My hand instinctively caresses my stomach through my off-the-shoulder, grey, sleeved dress and I sad smile makes its way to my glossy lips.

One name floats around in my mind and I shake my head trying get rid of those thoughts. Enjoying my day out with my best friend. That's my goal for today. I need to leave my problems behind me at least for the next couple of hours, I owe it to Lexi.

Recently it's been about me and Johnattan, our babies and the fact I'm keeping them a secret. Today is going to be our girls' day out. Just me and my best friend. Like old times minus the fact that we're both sporting bloated stomachs.

"Chrissie look! I've found the cutest top for you!" Lexi gushes and I groan snapping out of my thoughts as I brace myself for what I'm about to see. I turn to Lexi who walks up to me and holds up the top so I can see its design.

My heart warms at the sight and I find myself gushing as well. In her hands is a pale pink maternity top with sleeves and a V neck. At the stomach area of the tops there's an image of two babies pushing each other around as they lie in a small blob– I'm guessing the placenta– and the words 'I'm Mommy's favourite!' is in a white speech bubble above the image.

"Oh my god," I say as I take it from her looking at it up close. The thought of my babies having petty arguments in the future causes my heart to flutter and a smile graces my lips. "I love it."

"Good because we're buying it and couple others," Lexi states as she raids the racks once more before nonchalantly adding. "Look around and see what else you find."

I fold the top over my arm and smile as I skip through the tops in front of me. This is fun. The tops in this store are all animated and funny. These will definitely make a statement. I skim the tops none catching my eyes before stopping short as I see a top that's definitely Lexi's style.

"Oh Lexi," I sing as I pull out the top. "I think I found something you'll like."

She makes her way over to where I am and I hold up the top showing her the design. She squeals running over to me before grabbing the top and I laugh at her giddy expression.