All The Stars in the Universe

Chapter 6.

Andi walked down Main Street, past all the little shops, her book bag slapping against her hip. Finally, she came to Cloud Ten, and let herself in, waving to Bex. "Hey, mom!"

"Hey, kiddo," Bex nodded. "Ready for our shopping date?" She was sitting down, with her shoes off and her feet up.

"Are you sure you feel up to it?" Andi frowned. She and Bex had made plans to go to the thrift store and shop for maternity clothes after school, but her mom looked tired to her.

"I'll be okay," Bex said. "My feet just hurt. And my back." She arched her back, stretching it out. "Luckily it's been a slow day. Anyway, I have to go. I need clothes. Especially for work. I'm outgrowing everything."

She nodded. Her mom's baby bump seemed to be getting bigger every day. The shirt she was wearing now stretched across it, tight.

Bex bent down, trying to reach for her shoes.

"Let me help you!" Andi said. She knelt down and put Bex's shoes on her swollen feet.

"Thanks, Andiman," she smiled. "You're the best." She reached her hand out for her daughter to help her stand. "Well, you ready to go?"

"Yup," Andi nodded. "I'm ready."

"Mom, I'm heading out!" Bex called to Cece, who was in the back room somewhere.

"Okay!" her mother called back. "Have fun!"

****

Nine Lives was Andi's second favorite place to go, after the craft store. She loved the eclectic, slightly cluttered feel, and the loud music playing on the speakers. She hummed along to the song that was playing as she sorted through racks of hanging clothes, trying to find something for her mom.

"This is so cute," she said, holding up a polka-dotted maternity dress. "I'd wear it if I were pregnant."

Bex tilted her head to the side, studying the dress. It was very much Andi's style, but not so much hers. "I don't know if it's really... me," she said honestly. "Anything in black?"

"I don't think they make maternity clothes for bikers," Andi giggled. She had to admit, she was having a great time; thrift shopping was something she and Bex loved to do together. At least that hadn't changed.

"We should design our own line!" Bex laughed. "We'll make millions."

"Better yet," said Andi, holding her hands up dramatically for emphasis. "Biker wear for babies. Little leather jackets... boots."

"I love it!" Bex flipped through the rack of clothes for the second time, nothing really catching her eye. "Everything is so cutesy," she sighed, wrinkling her nose. "Don't they have anything for cool moms?"

"You have to find something," Andi said, as she continued her search. "You need clothes."

"You're right," she nodded. She took a pair of jeans with a tummy panel off the rack. They were a little mom-ish, but not awful. "If I get these, do you think you could make some holes in them, give them some style?"

Andi inspected the jeans and nodded. "Please. Give me a challenge."

"Okay then," Bex winked. She grabbed another pair, as well as a black baby-doll top, which wasn't really her style (but at least it was black), and a couple solid colored shirts and oversized sweaters. As an afterthought, she picked up the polka-dotted dress. "You know, this is kind of growing on me."

Andi nodded, pleased. "Red is your best color. That's why I liked it for you." She looked down at her feet. "Hey, mom?"

"Yeah?" Bex was holding the dress up to herself in front of a full-length mirror.