Disclaimers, spoilers, etc. - see part one
WAITING FOR A MIRACLE - PART 29
About an hour later, Donna rejoined them in the
nursery.
"You promised you'd come wake me in thirty minutes,"
she accused Josh.
"I guess you were tired after all," Josh said calmly.
"Aren't you going to say something about our work?"
Donna took a good look at the room around her. The
paint was dry and the wallpaper was firmly in place.
In one corner, CJ was folding the baby clothes Donna
had received at the shower. Across the room from her,
Toby and Sam were struggling to put the dresser
together. The crib and changing table were shining
from Josh's cleaning efforts.
"Oh guys!" she exclaimed. "It looks wonderful in
here! But how did you get all this done in an hour?"
CJ smiled at her. "Josh is quite a motivator."
Josh blushed and looked at his watch. "I think it's
about time we break for dinner. What do you say guys?
The deli down the street?"
"I'll go call in the order," Donna volunteered.
*
Approximately thirty minutes later, the doorbell rang.
"Thirty minutes or less, they weren't kidding," Donna
remarked as she left the nursery to answer the door.
"C'mon guys, it's dinner time.
The group joined her in the living room a few minutes
later. Together, they set out plates, silverware and
drinks and then passed out the food. As they dove
into their sandwichs and chips, few words were spoken.
"Well, this is a good way to shut us up," CJ remarked.
"Put food in our mouths?" Josh asked.
"I think this is the quietest I've ever seen this
group of people," Donna noticed.
"Let's not ruin that moment," Toby grumbled in between
bites.
They continued to eat in relative silence, talking
about work, friends and life in general. After they
had finished and had cleaned up the mess, the five
friends headed back to work.
"So," Donna exclaimed, clapping her hands, "What do we
have left?"
"Not much," Josh answered. "The furniture needs to be
cleaned, and the baby's things need to be put away."
"CJ and I will work on the clothes again. Why don't
you guys clean the furniture?" Donna delegated.
"How come you get to give the orders?" Josh asked.
"Why do you think?" she shot back and pointed to her
protruding belly.
"Point taken."
"Can we get to work here?" Toby asked.
"Grump does have a point," CJ said. "Otherwise, we
may never get done."
"Why don't we turn on the radio?" Sam suggested.
Josh disappeared into another room and quickly emerged
with a small battery-powered radio. "This should do,"
he said smugly as he turned it on.
*
About an hour later, the nursery was complete. All of
the paint was dry, and the wallpaper in place. The
furniture stood proud and shining. The clothes were
folded and put in the proper places. Diapers were
stacked neatly on the changing table.
"The only thing missing is the baby," Josh said.
"This looks unbelieveable. We can't thank you guys
enough for all your help."
"We couldn't have done all this work without you,"
Donna added.
"That's what friends are for," CJ said, as Sam nodded.
"We were happy to help. Even Toby."
Everyone turned to stare at the bearded man, who had
taken a sudden interest in his shoes. "I was happy to
help," he said. "But we should have a toast to all
our hard work."
"Great idea," Donna exclaimed, clapping her hands.
"Josh, let's get that two liter of pop and some
glasses." They disappeared out of the room and
returned with the drinks.
After they each had a glass, everyone held them in the
air. "To your new addition," CJ began. "May your son
bring you all the joy in the world."
"May your son be happy and healthy forever," Sam
added.
"To the new addition of our family," Donna said.
"To Josh and Donna," Toby said. "May your decisions
be wise and your checking account be large." They all
laughed.
"To our friends," Josh said as he acknowledged each of
his friends. "May you one day know the joy of
parenthood and the love of good friends like you."
"Here, here!" They exclaimed as the plastic clinked.
*
TBC
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