Chapter 4: Worry
"She's so cute!" I heard myself squeal as my step sister crawled onto a blanket.
"That's the third time you've said that" Sherry laughed, her nervous facade disappearing fast.
"That doesn't stop it from being true."
"You're kids'll be much cuter." Sherry told me, "Just look at you"
"Thanks" I whispered shyly. "I just hope they don't get their dad's attitude on life."
"Why? What was he like?" She asked,
"Um…he didn't think he'd ever amount to much or even get into college. But he was really smart and could do anything when he put his mind to it."
"Then they'll be very determined, since you both seem to have that trait."
"Yeah" I agreed, blushing again.
"Hey, I promised you mom we wouldn't be couch potatoes." She reminded me, "What do you normally do?"
"I normally help out at Mrs. Kim's or Luke's or Miss. Patty's, or The Dragonfly. But you probably don't want to do that."
"What are those places?"
"Mrs. Kim is my best friend, Lane's mom. She owns an Antique shop. Luke's is the local diner; Miss Patty is a dance teacher. She's been on Broadway, she's done almost everything. And you know the Dragonfly."
"What if we go check out how the Dragonfly is going, and then eat at Luke's?"
"Okay." I agreed, standing up. Sherry picked up Gigi, who started to whine until we put her in the stroller. She cooed the entire way to the Inn.
"This place is a jungle" Sherry cried as we tried to find mom.
"I know" I sighed, "but the crazier it is now, the faster it's done, apparently."
"Then I expect this place should be up and running in a week."
"Rory!" I heard mom's voice call around a corner.
"Told you we'd visit."
"Look, I don't have a lot of time to talk" she said, grabbing me by the shoulders and leading me back to the door, Sherry following.
"But that never stopped you before" I joked.
"Right. Well, Sookie's been getting on my nerves about getting the kitchen up, so I really, really need you guys to distract her, okay? Thank you." She turned and yelled something to a construction worker before storming off behind him.
"I guess we're going to Sookie's" I said, still walking, but at a slower pace.
"Yeah, do you think she'd want us to pick up something?"
"Sookie, no, she's an amazing chef, and she'd consider it an insult to her cooking."
"Alright."
"Did your mom send you?" Sookie asked as she opened the door, not seeing Sherry.
"Yeah. Sookie, this is my step mom, Sherry, and my half sister Gigi."
"So great to meet you!" she Sookie exclaimed, "I've heard a bunch about you."
"It's nice to meet you too, Rory's told me that you're an amazing chef."
Sookie giggled and let us in.
"What do you want to eat?"
"Oh, whatever you have is fine" Sherry answered.
"I have everything."
"What if we try one of the new dishes for the Inn?"
"Great idea, you know, I was thinking about…" and she was off talking about food and cooking.
"Why don't we go out for ice cream" Sherry suggested ten minutes after lunch. "I think we need some fresh air."
"The Soda Shoppe isn't too far" I commented as Gigi clapped her hands together and cooed baby-garble.
"I have to stay" Sookie said sadly, "work on the menus. But thanks for stopping by. It was great to meet you Sherry."
"You too" she answered.
"So, do you know yet?" Sherry asked, walking down the porch steps.
"Know what?" I asked, confused.
"Girl or boy."
"both"
"both?"
"No one told you?" I asked, amazed. I thought mom had told everyone, "I'm having twins."
"Well, I was wondering…you size…but I thought…maybe I'd heard wrong."
"No, I'm 5 months with twins." I assured her.
"Wow…that's…a lot" she said, sounding amazed.
"Yeah" I whispered, staring at my feet, or, the stomach slightly blocking my feet.
"It must be scary; I mean I was scared with this one." Sherry motioned to Gigi, "and I have a husband."
"It is" I agreed. "Well…it's not so bad. Mom was in a worse position then me, or better depending your view, so she's really supportive. She's never yelled at me or not shown support." I paused, "when I told her she didn't seem angry at all. We spent that whole night talking… about the future. She's always been here for me."
"You're mom's amazing." She whispered, hugging me. "I know that sometimes…it may seem like I don't like her. I'm just… a bit jealous. She's so strong."
"She's my role model." I answered proudly.
"I can see why." We'd already reached the shop.
"How did it go?" mom asked, sitting beside me as we heard Chris's car leaving outside.
"I'm glad you're my mommy." I whispered, snuggling into her like a little girl. "I know Sherry means well… but I'm worried that Gigi's not going to get a lot of attention." Maybe I said that, but I ment me. I meant the twins.
"Don't worry" she kissed my head, "it'll be okay."