One week down. Nineteen more to go. Daphne and Emmett went to Carlton to hear what the school boards final decision was going to be. It was the first time in a week she knew for sure Emmett had left the house. She knew he needed to get out. So, as much as it sucked to be stuck in that bed alone she was happy he wasn't stuck in here with her. She was happy when her mother came in. "I come bearing gifts." Katherine said with a smile as she held up a shopping bag.
"Mom you can come in this room without bringing something." Bay said as she looked over at her mother who was sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Well I was at the mall getting your grandmother's birthday present, when I passed the Disney Store. I used to get all of your clothes there when you were little. And I could not pass these up." Katherine said as she handed Bay the bag. Bay felt like crying when she pulled out the baby clothes. For the first time it felt like her mother was looking forward to this. She looked at the two dresses with their matching socks and shoes. "They have Dumbo on them. When you were little your room was pink elephants so it just made sense."
"They are beautiful mom." Bay said as she reached out to hug her mother.
"They have a blanket that matches that I can have her name put on. Once she has a name." Katherine said as she hugged her mother. Bay just laughed as she let go of her mother.
"Emmett and I have narrowed it down to twelve." She said as she grabbed a notebook by her bed. "It's so hard picking one. What if it doesn't fit her?" She said as she handed the book to her mother. Katherine looked at the list for a moment.
"These are certainly different." She said as she looked at the list.
"We want something special for her, but we avoiding things like Clover and Apple." Bay replied with a laugh.
The tension in the room was clear. He made a point to sit in the front row of the assembly with Daphne and his mother by his side. "The Occupy Carlton protest has caused the school board to reconsider their recent decision to close Carlton." The principal's words did not come as a shock to him. "Carlton will remain open. Starting next fall the school population will be made up with fifty percent hearing students." And there was the shock. It was automatic. He just stood up. No thought was behind it.
"No. No. Everything that we went through and they still pull this. We will keep fighting. Bay did not suffer for fifty percent of a fix." He signed as he looked at the principal.
"You're actions were reckless. That is why Bay got hurt. I know how passionate you are … you all are about this. But, this is as good as it is going to get." The woman replied as he stood there.
"Then consider this your first withdraw. Find a hearie to fill my seat if you must." He signed before he walked out of the room.
She thought it was going to be a good day. Hell, she got her mother to set her up a bed on the sofa so she had a different view. But, when they came in she knew that good day was over. It was a parade of them too Melody, Emmett, Daphne, Noah, Travis, Natalie, and Matthew. Everyone one of them looking like someone just died. "It didn't go good did it? Is the school shutting down?" She signed as she sat up.
Melody was the one to come forward. She sat down across from Bay. "No. The school board voted to keep the school open as fifty percent deaf and fifty percent hearing. Emmett got upset about it. All of this was for nothing. He walked out and the gang followed with all of the protestors." Melody answered.
"We aren't done fighting. We can't be done fighting." Daphne said as she looked around the room.
"Right. You won't give up till Carlton is one hundred percent deaf." Bay replied sourly as she looked at Daphne. "Maybe it would be best if I just go back upstairs. That way you can use the living room to plot your next move. Just do me a favor and leave me the hell out of it." She said as she started to pull herself up. "It must have been so hard on you. If it was a deaf student was had their brain scrambled you would have got what you wanted. You wouldn't have a hearing person defining your future." She signed with anger before she walked away.
Bay was Bay. She was hot headed and crazy and so passionate. She was proud to have those characteristics in her sister. So, she couldn't help, but go after her. Not that it was hard. Bay couldn't get up the stairs on her own these days. John's office was the only place she really. "This is still considered resting." Bay said as she looked up from the sofa she was sitting on.
"Where did you get all that about a hearing person defining our future?" Daphne asked as she looked at her. She just sat down on the arm of the sofa.
"Isn't the real question, how long did you think that you could hide all of that? Sure I was disconnected from the world in the hospital, but I have been home for a week. One of the first things I did was look at the Occupy Carlton twitter and web page. I thought we were on the same side in there. I am so sorry I ruined you campaign. If I would have been fine and say Natalie or you were stuck in a coma for weeks, maybe you would have had your school back." Bay said as she looked at the blonde. "I can almost picture the headlines Poor Deaf Girl Loses Three Weeks of Her Life." The tears were running down her face as she said the last part.
"Bay it's not like that. Those people who made those comments didn't know you. They are all over the world expect for here. You are one of us. When we win this fight you will be walking in there with us." Daphne replied.
"I know I am hazing on something's, but I remember that vote. I remember pushing myself to the brink keeping up with you. Not that it matters. Katherine is going to home school me this year and then I am thinking of getting my G.E.D." Bay said. "Tell Emmett I will be here waiting for him when you are done plotting the next disaster."
Katherine was fixing dinner when he walked in. "Is it an end of the world party in there or what?" He asked referring to the sad group in the living room.
"Apparently the school board decided to keep the school open only if they agree to fifty percent hearing. And too make things better Daphne and Bay are fighting. Bay is in your office. She doesn't feel welcome with the others or something." Katherine said as she looked at her husband. "I think she realized how some people were reacting to her accident." He just sat down at the counter.
"We couldn't keep it from her forever. I am still fielding calls from reporters." He said before he picked up a piece of paper that was sitting on the counter. "What is this?" He asked as he held it up.
"Bay gave that to me. It is the list of names that Bay and Emmett have narrowed it down to." She replied as she looked at him.
"I thought it was a girl. Some of these names are boy's names." He said as he looked at the list.
"They want something different. And they have some nicknames picked out." She replied as she started to put food on plates.
"Liberty Cash Bledsoe. My granddaughter might be named Liberty." He said as he looked at his wife.
"They would call her Libby." Katherine replied.
"Ferris Ophelia?" He questioned as he looked at her. "Let me introduce you to my granddaughter Ferris. Why yes she is named after a cheesy eighties movie." He added as he set the list down.
"That's where Bay gets her beautiful attitude from." She said as she touched his face as Toby walked in the backdoor. "I think that all the names on the list are beautiful." She said as she looked at her husband.
"What are you talking about?" Toby asked as he walked towards his father.
"Your sister wanting to name your niece Journey Eliza." John replied as he picked another name on the list.
"Jo for short." Katherine added.
"I think it fits. They have been through a journey together." Toby replied as he looked at his father before he walked away.
Baby Girl Bledsoe Top Twelve
Edison Sage Bledsoe
Nova Chance Bledsoe
Journey Eliza Bledsoe
Carter Grace Bledsoe
Jasper Quinn Bledsoe
Wilhelmina Rose Bledsoe
Magnolia Sky Bledsoe
Lottie Wynn Bledsoe
Ferris Ophelia Bledsoe
Sawyer Juliet Bledsoe
Liberty Cash Bledsoe
Jacqueline Finn Bledsoe
A/N: I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this chapter and what the Baby Girl Bledsoe's name should be.