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characters all looked happy and playful. She’d been pleased with how effective a design it was for something so simple.
    “Do you think this will suit your baby, Trent?” Juliet held the artwork up for them both to consider.
    “I love it and it’s perfect for our child. Who wouldn’t love Yoshi?”
    Juliet laughed as Trent mimicked the voice of the little green dinosaur perfectly. Scarlet was astonished by Trent’s surprise talent and joined in the laughter.
    Juliet’s eyes never left the paper. “It’s got to be this one, Scarlet. It’s perfect for us.”
    Scarlet was relieved. She’d been unduly worried they wouldn’t like any of her work. “To be honest, that’s the one I thought you’d go for.”
    “Lots of happy little Yoshis.” Trent pulled out her phone and began working on a message.
    “Who are you texting?” Juliet asked then rolled her eyes. “As if I didn’t know.”
    “I’m telling Elton he’s got to order in every color of the plush Yoshi toys we can get in the shop. If they’re going to be painted on the walls we’re going to need a cuddly version on shelves in there too.”
    “I can get shelves made up to resemble Mario blocks,” Scarlet said and loved the joy that lit up Trent’s face. She noticed Trent deferred to Juliet again though.
    “What do you think?”
    “A Mario theme. I like it. It’s a relief quite honestly. Considering how many graphic and violent games you play, I’m all for the happy Yoshis playing instead of soldiers fighting or zombies on the rampage.”
    “I wouldn’t want anything like that in the baby’s room. Although…” Trent flashed Juliet a sly look. “Our bedroom could do with a makeover, maybe?” Trent moved quickly to escape Juliet’s swift playful slap at her arm.
    Scarlet laughed at them. “Can I go measure the room? Then I can work out the dimensions of how big the border should be and how many Yoshis it’s going to take to circle the walls.”
    “Sounds like a Professor Layton puzzle,” Trent said as she slipped the artwork off Juliet’s lap to look it over again. “Scarlet, I can’t thank you enough for this. It’s fantastic.”
    “You’re welcome. Now let’s get the technical stuff out of the way.” She pulled out her tape measure. “Let’s get this nursery ready for the arrival of Baby Sullivan-Williams.”

    *

    Scarlet followed Juliet upstairs. The proposed nursery was bare except for a rocking chair sitting in the middle of the room. Quickly and efficiently, Scarlet worked her way around the room. She judged what she’d need and wrote herself notes as to how she could make the border work.
    “Thank you for making this exactly what Trent would have wished for,” Juliet said once Scarlet had finished jotting all her measurements down.
    “I didn’t think she’d be one for a regular nursery setup. But how about you? Is it what you want?”
    Juliet nodded enthusiastically. “It’s exactly what I want. Games are such a huge part of Trent, and I’ve been introduced to so many of the worlds she plays in. Having some of the cuter characters from one is just perfect. I like Yoshi. He’s one of the good guys.”
    Scarlet tucked away her stuff in her jeans pockets. “I’ll gather up the supplies and then I’ll set a date with you to get this room transformed.”
    “You let us know when you need the money and we’ll get it for you.”
    “Oh no, this is my gift to you both. You won’t pay me a dime.”
    “You can’t do this for nothing, not with all the paint you’ve got to buy and your time.”
    “I know a man who can get me the paint cheap,” Scarlet said with a grin. “What’s the point of being in the business if you can’t use it to your own advantage? The rest will be a labor of love. You and Trent have been such wonderful friends to me since I’ve returned home. This room is my gift to you for the little one I can’t wait to meet.”
    Tears trickled down Juliet’s face and she brushed them away