"I'll get it!" Liv shouted excitedly after the doorbell to the house rang. The reason for her excitement was that Bethany was on her way over. She had asked Liv if she would be a bridesmaid in her upcoming wedding to Jake and Liv happily accepted. Today, she was going to see her dress.
Martha was in the kitchen and heard Liv's footsteps as she ran towards the stairs and then jump happily down the stairs before heading to the front door. Martha caught her up as she raced to the door in case it wasn't her desired visitor.
Unluckily for Olivia it wasn't who she expected. "Oh," she said when she saw a delivery man had rung the doorbell, disappointment clearly visible on her face.
"I'm sorry," apologised the delivery man to the little girl who was retreating back into the hallway now it wasn't Bethany at the door. He handed Martha a package before leaving. Martha was about to close the door when she spied someone turning into the driveway.
"Liv, look who's here," Martha called to her daughter. She didn't have to wait long before Liv was back.
"Hello, Aunty Beffany!" Liv greeted the clerk enthusiastically before she had even entered the house. A big hug swiftly followed as soon as she had passed the threshold.
"Hi Liv!" Bethany greeted. "I wish everyone greeted me like this!".
"Liv let Bethany go so she can come in," Martha instructed. Liv did as she was told and the three females headed for the kitchen. "Coffee?" Asked Martha.
"That'd be great," Bethany replied, sitting at the kitchen table. Liv soon settled on her lap. "Did you have a good Christmas?" Bethany asked.
"Uh huh," Liv answered. "I got some guinea pigs from Santa! Can I show Aunty Beffany them, Mummy?".
"If Aunty Bethany wants to," Martha agreed.
"I had guinea pigs when I was younger," Bethany informed Liv.
"Come and see them," Liv suggested as she jumped off Bethany's lap and headed to the utility room where the cage was. "Grandma managed to persuade Daddy to get us each one although he doesn't like them. He thinks they are like big rats but they aren't are they? That one is Will's and is called Peppa, because he likes Peppa Pig," said Liv pointing out the pet in question. "The white one is Lil's. Can you guess what her name is?".
"Snowy?" Bethany tried, not too unreasonably.
"No. It's Feta, like the cheese," revealed Liv. "And that one is mine and is called Olive because she is Olive coloured and also it's like my name,".
"Oh right," was all Bethany could say.
"Shall we let Bethany have her drink at the table instead of out here?" Asked Martha as she popped her head into the room once the drinks were made.
"Ok," Liv agreed. "I just need to get the pigs some more water and food. They have nearly finished it all,".
"They look like they are being very well looked after," remarked Bethany.
"Mummy or daddy help me clean them out but I do everything else," Liv said, "don't I Mummy?".
"You do," Martha agreed. "We are both hoping it lasts," she added once Liv was out of earshot.
With the drinks finished it was time for Bethany to show Liv her dress. As she slowly got it out of the suit bag, Martha quickly saw a potential problem with it. She just hoped Liv would like it. "Oh isn't it pretty, Liv," Martha gushed. It was a very nice dress. White with lots of sparkle which Liv would like. There just happened to be a blue ribbon as well. Unfortunately, as Martha thought, this was all Liv could focus on.
"Mummy, it's blue," Liv pointed out. "I don't like blue. Blue is for boys,".
"Don't be silly, Liv. You like blue. Your jeans are blue aren't they?".
"It's not the same. Can it be a pink ribbon, Auntie Beffany?".
"Aunty Bethany is not changing her whole colour scheme for you, Liv," Martha said sternly.
"Well all my other bridesmaids are wearing blue," Bethany pointed out. She knew Liv liked pink but hadn't foreseen it was going to be such a big problem.
"There are others?".
"Yes, my sister and best friend," Bethany replied, quickly adding, "but you are the only experienced one. I need you to show the others what to do," to make Liv feel important.
"I can do that Auntie Beffany," Liv said eagerly.
"I know. That's why I chose you," Bethany said, with a little smile at Martha.
"Is there anyone my age?".
"My nephew Harry is going to be a pageboy. You two are the same age,".
"Right shall we see if this dress fits Liv?" Martha asked.
"Ok," she replied not very enthusiastically, but that disappeared as soon as she tried it on. "Look how it swooshes!" She enthused to her audience as she spun round in circles.
"You like it then?" Martha asked and received a nod. "And it fits as well. Good job Aunty Bethany!".
A couple of days later and Martha was dropping Liv off at the church for the wedding rehearsal. "Everyone, this is Olivia," Bethany said, introducing the rest of the wedding party to Liv.
"'Lo" said Liv a little shyly.
"Give it a minute and she'll be talking your arm off," Martha told the others. "Right Liv, I'm going for a coffee and I'll be back in an hour. Be good ok?".
"Ok," Liv agreed. "See you later mummy,".
"How did it go?" Martha asked a little over an hour later.
"Ok apart from a little falling out with the page boy around the time we were practising our vows," Bethany answered.
"Oh god, I'm sorry," Martha apologised.
"Don't worry, it was actually quite funny, even the vicar was laughing,".
"What happened?" Martha asked.
"Not sure entirely but Liv replied quite loudly that she didn't smell and that it was boys who smelt,".
"Oh god," Martha said embarrassed. "She better not do that tomorrow during the service,".
"I don't think she will. I made Harry apologise and she seems to have forgiven him,".
"Mummy why are boys so 'nnoying?" Liv asked as she made her way over to her mother.
"I don't know sweetheart," Martha replied.
"I'm never going to like boys, ever," she revealed.
"Daddy will be very pleased to hear you say that," Martha answered. "But I think you might change your mind in a few years,".
"Don't think so," she huffed.
"Ok, well let's say good bye to Bethany and we'll see her bright and early tomorrow morning," Martha instructed keen to get home and slightly dreading the day ahead.
Thankfully the wedding passed without incident between the page boy and youngest bridesmaid, in fact they were as thick as thieves, whispering and giggling throughout most of the surface and scampering around together outside the church whilst the photos were being carried out.
Clive and Martha were sat on a chambers table at the reception and Liv was sat with them as well. As soon as the dinner was finished the speeches started and when Jake got up he thanked all the wedding party for their help before handing out presents. Liv was called up to collect hers which she did, although a little shyly, aware everyone's eyes were on her. Thanking Jake and Bethany she quickly headed back to her parents where she clambered up on Martha's lap to open her gift.
"Oh wow, isn't it pretty," Martha remarked as she saw the bracelet her daughter had been given. It was pink and very sparkly and she knew Liv would love it.
Clive's father came to collect his granddaughter not long after the disco started allowing Martha and Clive the opportunity to spend the rest of the evening together. Clive's parents had been babysitting the twins during the day as they were too young to attend the wedding and behave.
Taking full advantage of their child free night, Clive and Martha stayed up well past their usual bedtime and didn't return home until two in the morning, both slightly the worse the wear for alcohol.
Unaware of how late their night had been, Liv disturbed them at seven o clock in the morning. "Mummy, daddy!" She cried excitedly as she opened the door to their bedroom. "The guinea pigs have had babies! I'm so excited! I'm going to tell grandma and grandpa and then phone Ruby," she informed them before leaving them alone again.
"What was Liv twittering on about?" Clive asked, rubbing his eyes as he slowly came to life.
"No idea," Martha said stretching, "I only woke up half way through her speech. I think your parents were mentioned though. I should go and save them," she said as she started to wearily make her way out of bed.
"Come here," Clive said as he pulled his wife back towards him. "Mum and Dad said they'd do morning duty," Clive informed her. "We should take them up on their offer because I rarely get to spend any uninterrupted time in bed with you anymore," he murmured in her ear before placing featherlite kisses along her neck.
Martha joined in and soon Clive and Martha were making love as quietly as they could before falling asleep again. Waking up a couple of hours and feeling more refreshed than after their early morning wake up call, Clive and Martha put on their dressing gowns and headed downstairs arm in arm.
For some reason there was a hive of activity in the utility room as Clive and Martha entered the kitchen. "What's everyone doing in here?" Clive asked as he entered the small room.
His mother turned to face him looking very sheepish. "I'm so sorry darling. The pet shop promised me we were buying three females but that doesn't appear to be the case,".
"What are you talking about Mum?" Clive asked.
"I already told you and mummy," Liv said indignant. "The pigs have had babies! Seven of them and they are so cute. I have to think of names for them all," she continued chatting away cheerily.
"Seven?" Clive asked. "We have ten guinea pigs now?".
"Uh huh. Isn't it exciting?" Liv asked missing the fact her father was anything but excited about the news.
"So who is the father then?" Asked Martha as she crouched down with her daughter in front of the cage.
"I think it's Olive because she hasn't got any babies by the side of her," Liv observed.
"You might be right," Martha agreed. "She or rather he should get a new name don't you think?"
"I think so. We can't call him Olive,".
"We could swap the O to a C and call him Clive!" Martha suggested, grinning at her husband and he shot her an unimpressed look.
"Like daddy!" Liv said. "Ok he's going to be called Clive now,".
"Thanks for your input, Marth," Clive muttered.
"You're welcome," Martha replied.
