Dolled Up
Chapter 77 Dolled UpCcontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
THE MALL, NEW YORK. “Why are we shopping again?” As they walked into a clothing store, Nina asked Tania for the umpteenth time. Tania groaned, “Can you just trust me, please? I am trying to get you a nice dress and take you to dinner.” “Dinner? Why is that all of a sudden?” “Just because I want to spoil you! I want to treat my friend nicely. Especially since I want to be your child’s godmother.” Nina laughed. “Like anyone else would ever be the godmother. You know it will be you. Like there is anyone else.” Tania grinned eagerly. “Now that we have agreed on that. How about you try this on?” She pulled out a lovely white dress on the cloth rack, handing it to Nina. “This looks nice.” “Try it out then.” Nina walked into the dressing room a bit reluctant. She wasn’t a fan of changing, but Tania wasn’t a person she could refuse. She wore the dress, and a pleasant gasp escaped her lips. The dress clung to her nicely and didn’t make her uncomfortable. She already loved the dress. Tania whistled and clapped her hands when Nina stepped out of the room. “This is gorgeous. You should thank me for having such a good eye.” Tania boasted. Nina snickered as a blush crept up her face. “Well, thank you. This dress isn’t so bad. I want to keep it.” “You are keeping it. Also, you are not taking it off until we get to our dinner spot. Come on now, let’s get it paid for.” She urged. When they got to the paying counter, Nina held her back. “The dress is quite expensive. Let me pay.” Tania slapped her hand gently. “No, I want to do this. Just let me.” “Are you sure?” “Hundred percent.” After the shopping, Tania dragged them to a salon where Nina got her hair and makeup done. Nina was still perplexed about why she got dolled up for an outing involving only them. “I have a surprise for you.” Tania mused when they entered the car. “Okay.” Nina drawled. “So what is the surprise about?” “I would need to cover up your eyes.” “Why?” “Why not? It wouldn’t be a surprise if your eyes were wide open.” “What in the world are you up to, Tania? I am too pregnant for all of these kinds of jokes.” “Do you trust me?” “Do I have any other choice but to trust you?” “No, you don’t.” She giggled. “So, let’s do this,” Tania announced, covering Nina’s face with a blindfold. “This had better be worth it,” Nina warned. “You bet.” She uttered. The drive didn’t take too long before Tania stopped the car again. “Are we there yet?” Nina asked, obviously tired of the suspense. “Yes, we are, mama,” Tania announced as she exited the car to open the other side. “Easy now.” She urged, helping her stay steady on the ground. “Okay, will the blindfold be removed now?” “Not yet. In a minute, please.” She mumbled, grinning from ear to ear. The door of the house opened slightly. Xander, Jace, and Carla were already inside. As soon as they were in, Tania pulled off the blindfold gently and hurried forward to join the others. “Surprise!!!” They hollered. Nina scratched her eyes. She glanced around and was surprised at the sudden change in her living room. “You were driving me back home?” She asked Tania. She was still amazed by the room. They had it designed for a baby shower/ gender reveal party. Everywhere was filled with pink and blue balloons, several wrapped gifts on the table, and a white cake on a stand with a “mum-to-be design” on it. Carla and Tania hurried to her side and aided her to the chair designed for her. Before she knew what was happening, she had a crown on her head and a label around her neck that read “soon to be mum.” Nina’s face showed obvious shock. She didn’t know what to say or do and allowed them to guide her as desired. “Congratulations, Nina. Happy baby shower. Since you haven’t gotten to do one.” Carla mused, letting out a throaty laugh. She finally got herself together and pointed at Xander. “You did this, right?” Xander thinned his lips and stepped forward. “I wasn’t sure if you would like it. But I wanted to do something for you. There is one more thing, so do not burst just yet.” “Ok.” She answered that she did not have any other choice of response. Nina’s heart raced as the TV screen came on, and it showed a theme of tribute to her. Jace was the first to come on, and the others followed. Everyone assured her of how much they were willing to be there for her and her unborn child. Tears rolled down her face, ruining her makeup. Their comments got her all teary-eyed. Just then, Tania handed Nina a white balloon. “What is this for?” She asked. Xander folded his arms to the back. “So, I did something I probably shouldn’t have. I called Uncle J. R. and asked that they get me the result of your baby’s gender. I know you will get angry at me, Nina. But this is all to make you happy. You deserve to know. You should be able to connect with your child from now. Do you think you are willing to know?” Nina gulped hard, her eyes searched that of everyone else in the room. She could see the eagerness in their eyes. Nina looked around the room; there was too much evidence of their hard work. These are people who love her with no strings attached. These folks wouldn’t mind pausing their daily life to make her feel good. It would be a shame if she turned back on it all because of her fear. She took a shaky breath and stared at the balloon, probably because she had never been close to it. Now that she has it at the tip of her finger. Curiosity has taken a grip on her. Nina nodded slowly, still looking up at every one of them. “Yes.” Tania squealed, and the others let out a loud breath of relief. “Here is a pin. You are to pop it after the countdown. So, are you ready?” “Yes.” “I love you.” Tania cooed, kissing her forehead. “And here comes the gender reveal,” Xander announced. The four of them chorused all at once. “In 1, 2, 3, 4, 5……” Nina popped the balloon, and pink shreds of flakes popped out of it. “It’s a girl!” They yelled, jumping up and down. Nina sat still, not sure how to react. The emotion seemed to grow inside her bit by bit, and when it mounted. Tears were all she could release. Xander knelt in front of her, placing a hand on her knee. “What is it, baby? Why are you crying?” He asked. She sniffed, wiping off the tears. “No-Nothing. I-I-I am going to have a girl, Xander. A girl.” He nodded, smiling. “Yes, mama. You are going to have a mini-me. No, a mini Nina. Isn’t that beautiful?” She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. “Thank you so much, Xander. Thank you.” “Anything for you, Nina. Anything.” Nina stood up and hugged each of them, mumbling a thank you. “So, can we proceed with the gift opening and games now?” Tania asked. Nina laughed. “Why not? What’s with the permission?” “We had to be sure you wouldn’t get angry,” Carla explained. “So the gender reveal was brought forward, just in case you didn’t want any of it.” “You all are such a darling.” Nina mused. “Please do all that you want.” She urged. “There is something else,” Xander said. Nina furrowed her brows. “What is that?” “Come with me.” He urged. Xander held her by the hand and guided Nina towards the room where he slept. He opened the door, and the sight had Nina gasp in shock. “Hell no!”