Episode 12: First Baby part 2
It's me, Tony again. A couple days have passed since the Star Night Festival. Ever since that day, me and Ellen have been having fun after I'm done taking care of my livestock, Koro and Zara. Me and Ellen had snowball fights with Michael on the 26th. He still thinks winter is fairly boring, but I have a feeling that he is slowly moving out of that mindset. The next day, on the 27th, when I came by to visit Michael & Ann, Ann asked me a question that I never expected to hear.
"Tony. Do you think that I'm acting like a girl?" She asked me as she was still tinkering with her machine, like usual.
I didn't know what to say. I wanted to be truthful- I've never seen a girl get into fixing appliances and machines before. Plus, she doesn't wear anything ladylike like skirts at all. But...
"Well... You're not too bad. Why do you ask?" I finally said.
"Because my Dad always tells me to behave more like a girl, and I don't really know how a girl is supposed to act." Ann said, with a troubled expression on her face.
I get it. Because she's been around her dad a lot, she developed his profession, inventing and fixing stuff. I was going to ask where her mom is, but I had a feeling that it's not such a good idea to ask. So I just said my goodbyes to Ann and left.
Saturday, 28th of Winter, 1976
Many minutes after waking up out of bed, I was watching television, waiting for Ellen to finish cooking breakfast. Minutes later, while we were eating syrup covered waffles, eggs and bacon, there was a question that's been bugging me ever since I woke up... And I wanted to ask Ellen about it, and I figured now is the right time.
"Ellen...?"
"Yes, Tony?"
"Umm... the baby... do you feel it kicking yet?" I asked her.
Ellen looked down. "... Nope. I don't feel anything yet," She said, looking up at me and smiled wide, showing her teeth.
"OK." I nodded, forcing a smile but feeling a bit sad.
It sure takes a while for a baby to be born, and Ellen saw through my facade, she could tell I am disappointed.
"Honey, don't worry too much! The baby will come when it's ready," Ellen assured me with an enthusiastic smile. She knows I'm excited to be a father... I just can't wait to hear the baby call me "daddy". I'd love to be called "daddy" for a change. But that time will come soon, i just have to wait.
For now, after eating breakfast, I brushed, fed and talked to Aloe for a while. She enjoys my company a lot, especially when I sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to her. Then I fed my chickens and stored their eggs for shipment, then I fed Zara and brushed her mane. It's too cold to be riding around the ranch right now, but Spring is coming up soon. After doing my chores I walked back into the house to warm up and watch Benjamin The Cottontail Rabbit. Ellen and Koro watched the cartoon with me. I managed to catch the intro to the show just in time. The chorus in the theme song said:
"Benjamin the Cottontail Rabbit!" Then Benjamin jumped up from behind the tall grass and said: "Just call me Benny!"
"So this is your beloved cartoon show, huh?" Ellen smiled at me.
"Yep. I've loved this show since I was 10. I don't care if I watch a rerun, I still watch it," I replied.
"Hmm.." Ellen nodded.
"Woof!" Koro barked.
A few scenes after the episode began, we saw this scene where Benny was in a clearing, fighting off several of Leio's python friends, punching them and kicking the daylights out of them as they tried to bite Benny.
"Take that! And that! And that!" Benny shouted after each blow.
"Curse you, Benny! I'll get you one day! You haven't seen the last of Leio the Python!" Leio cried out in anger.
"And me, Reptilia! One of these days, Benny, you'll know why you bunnies are supposed to fear us pythons! " Reptilia said, slithering up next to Leio, facing Benny.
"Bring it on, ya scaled losers! I eat snakes like you for breakfast! Mess with me or my family and friends, I'll give you a taste of my trademark Bunny Punch!" Benny said, taunting the pythons by gesturing them with his finger to come at him.
Ellen couldn't help but start laughing. I looked at her.
"What? What are you laughing at?" I looked at her.
It took Ellen a few seconds to stop laughing.
"Nothing. I just wish that rabbits in real life were like Benny." Ellen replied, wiping a tear.
"Aha. Benny isn't completely fearless, you know," I grinned.
"Really? What's he afraid of?" Ellen asked me.
"The only thing he is most afraid of is... anacondas," I said, then shuddered at the thought of a big snake constricting my body, making it hard for me to breathe.
Ellen's eyes widened briefly. "I see. I don't blame him."
Hours passed to nightfall and we fell asleep.
Sunday, 29th of Winter, 1976
After doing our chores, me and Ellen went to the church with everyone else. Not only Ellen was praying for her friends and family to be healthy, but also her unborn baby. I smiled. Ellen is such a kind, caring person. That's another thing we have in common.
Monday, 30th of Winter, 1976
Several minutes after eating breakfast, me and Ellen were sitting on the couch watching the news channel. Ellen had her right arm behind my neck, resting on my right shoulder while I had my left arm around her torso and my left hand resting on her left thigh and my right hand rubbing her small bulging stomach. I could almost see her belly bulging out a little from under her dress, making a small, noticeable circle in the fabric. When we were naked showering in the shower stall, it is very easy for me to see that the baby really is growing inside my wife.
"...This year is over today. What was your year like? Well, Neighbor Town will be in a festive mood tomorrow because lots of people are going to the top of the mountain to see the sun rise," the newscaster woman said, with a photograph of the sun rising above her left shoulder.
"Woof woof woof!" Koro barked up at me.
I looked at him. "That's right, Koro. Winter will be over tomorrow and we'll be able to feel the fresh spring season air again," I smiled down at him.
"Snow gave us a hard time, I'll miss seeing the snow," Ellen remarked, looking back at the window at the falling snow.
"Ah, don't worry, darling. There will always be a next year," I reassured her, still rubbing her belly.
She smiled at me. "You're right, darling," she said then kissed my nose.
A few minutes after that, I took care of my livestock, doing what I always do. Soon I'll have to go back to planting and growing crops again. After I was done, before I could re-enter my house, a pickup truck pulled over near the gates to my ranch. Mike stepped out and approached me.
"Mike!" I called out to him, waving.
Mike walked up to me while biting snowflakes.
"How's it going Tony?" He asked me after we stopped four feet away from each other
"Great. Today's the end of my first year at the ranch," I said.
"Yeah. Today's the end of my first year as a trainee shipper. The New Year's Festival is tomorrow. So you should head on over to town and say the last hello of this year," Mike advised me.
"I will," I nodded.
"Take it easy, buddy," Mike said as he left.
I sighed and walked back into the house. "Honey, I'm going to town to say my last good morning for this year," I said.
"Okay. Be careful," Ellen said.
After that, I left the house and the ranch and walked for nearly two hours to get to Neightbor Town.
I walked down the road as snow fell on me. It's strange. The year is almost over and its still snowing. When I reached tow, I talked to Nina & Liz, Ann & Doug, Ellen's mom and dad and uncle, and Mayor Stan, his wife and Maria, and even Priest Daniel. I didn't see Eve around. She must be in another part of town. When I got back home, I took the time to fix some of the fences, using my new hammer to completely break down the broken ones and replace them with the new. I got a chance to say my last hello to Derek when he arrived to pick up my eggs. Then I went in the house and warmed up. Ellen had baked a potato pie ready for me to eat, and I ate it all. Boy, it was delicious and sweet! After that, at 6:37 p.m., we fell asleep.
Tuesday, 1st of Spring, 1977
"Tony... Darling... Tony..." Ellen's voice sounded so distant, it was like an echo. "Tony... Wake up..." Ellen said.
My hearing became more clearer when I woke up.
"I'm up, I'm up, darling... Jeez, what time is it?" I asked her.
"It's 5:00 a.m." Ellen pointed at my alarm clock.
"What?" I asked groggily.
"Come on! We don't want to miss the sunrise!" Ellen said, changing out of her pajamas and into her house dress.
I completely woke up now.
"Oh yeah! The New Year! Today's my 2nd year in the ranch!" I said.
I got dressed with Ellen and we headed on over to the mountainside forest. Along our way there, we met up with everybody from town. We traveled through the forest, going up the hill until we reached the peak of the hill, giving us a glorious view of the vast forest below and the mountains further away in the distance.
The sun hasn't shown up over the horizon, so it's still fairly dark out.
"Isn't this exciting, darling?" Ellen asked me as she held my left arm close.
"It sure is." I nodded.
I looked around and saw Eve sitting next to Terry. I couldn't believe it!
"Whmmm, it's going to be good this year," I heard Terry mumble.
I couldn't tell if he was smiling with his thick white facial hair.
"Hi, Eve. How's it going?" I asked her.
"Great, Tony. I have a feeling that this year will be better than the last. I hope you and Ellen will be happy together with your baby," Eve said to us.
"Thank you, Eve," Ellen smiled.
Stan's wife came up to me and said: "Have you prayed already? It's important to choose a goal at the beginning of the year."
"I already have a goal, ma'am." I replied.
"That's good," She smiled at sat down next to Stan a few yards northwest from where me and Ellen are sitting.
"I'll be back, darling, I'm going to see how everyone is doing." I said as I stood up off the dusty ground.
"Okay, Tony. Be back with me before the sun rises." Ellen said.
I walked up to Ellen's mom, who was standing in front of us. I tapped her right shoulder to get her attention.
"May business go well for you, ma'am." I said humbly.
"You too, Tony," she replied.
Then I walked up to Mrs. Fortune.
"Hello there young man. Congratulations on your first child. Do you want to pick a card to read your fortune?" She asked me.
"Sure," I nodded.
She showed me three cards stacked from top to bottom in the palm of her right hand.
"Pick any card you like," she told me.
It was a hard decision, but, I picked the one at the bottom, close to her fingers. She showed me what's on the card.
"'Excellent Luck' Great harvest! Everything goes well," Mrs. Fortune described the card.
"Ah, I can see that. Especially with the baby coming," I said.
"Yes, I heard. Congratulations."
"Yep. I'm excited about it," I said with a confident smile.
"That's good. Now run along, child. The sun should be rising any minute now," Mrs. Fortune replied.
I walked up to Maria, who was sitting in the opposite direction of her parents.
"Hi, Maria. I hope this year will be good for you," I said. Maria nodded and said.
"Same to you. May this year be a good one for you."
Then I walked up to Michael, who was sitting a few feet northeast from Maria. He was staring intently at Liz for some reason.
"This... this year, I'll tell her..." Michael said to himself.
I guess Michael has a big time crush on Liz. They are single parents, after all. I walked up to her to see how she's doing.
"Hi, Liz."
"Tony. Hello."
"I hope this year goes great for everyone," I said.
"Yes. May the earth give us gifts this year too," Liz nodded with a modest smile.
Then I walked to Daniel, who is standing near the "nose edge" of the cliff.
"Tony. How was harvesting last year?" He asked me.
"Great. I'm looking forward to this year's harvest too. Everybody seems to have very high hopes for this year," I said.
"Indeed. May everybody live happily. Now let's pray together," Daniel said.
As Daniel started preaching about the relationship between night and day, how they signify the beginning of a new day and new opportunities for everyone, I looked up at the sky. The dark sky is slowly brightening now! I ran back to Ellen and sat down beside her. Seconds after I got back to Ellen, the sun slowly rose up, brightening the dark scenery around us. It was a beautiful sight to see. A new day and new year, shining before our very eyes on the cliff side peak of the mountain. Even the mountains miles ahead turned into a golden hue when the sun appeared.
"Wow...!" Ellen said in awe as she rested her head on my shoulder.
For the rest of the day we had a party. No businesses were open today, not on New Year's day. And later that night, me and Ellen earned a good night rest after the fun we had at the New Year's Festival.
Wednesday, 2nd Of Spring
I woke up, and jumped out of my bed to see Ellen had woken up minutes before me. She was looking out at the window at the beautiful spring scenery of our ranch.
"Good morning, honey," I said as I came up to her left side.
"Good morning, sweetheart. There was a sparrow playing in front of our house some minutes ago. It was cute," Ellen told me.
"A sparrow, huh?" I asked.
"Yep. It was just hopping around like its happy to see spring as much as we are," Ellen said.
"Oh," was all I replied.
I looked down at her stomach and I noticed that it has distended a little more since the 30th day of Winter. It is not quite the same size as a watermelon yet, otherwise Ellen's spine would be aching a bit right now, but it is big enough to be seen even under the fabric of her dress now, stretching outwards a few inches almost as if she is hiding a basketball two times smaller than its normal size under her clothing, making her pregnant condition more obvious to see.
"I see the baby is growing," I commented.
"Yes. The baby is growing just fine. Tony, can I ask you for a favor?" Ellen asked me as she gently rubbed her round belly.
"Sure. What is it, sweetheart?" I asked her.
"Will you think of a name for the baby?" She asked me.
I stepped back a few steps looking surprised as if I won the lottery. "Me? You want me to do the honors?"
Ellen nodded at my question, smiling. "Since you're looking forward to the baby's birth, I figured it'd be fair if you name the baby when it comes."
I was surprised. I'm not very good at thinking of names. Coming up with one for Zara and Aloe was difficult enough.
"Please, honey? I'll bake more strawberry shortcakes if you do," Ellen urged me.
A smile slowly formed on my face as Ellen left the bedroom to get started cooking breakfast.
"Okay! It's a deal!" I agreed as I followed her out.
Minutes later, as we were eating breakfast at the dinner table we were looking over at the television, watching the weather news.
"Hello, everybody! This is the weather forecast for tomorrow! Sunny with winds up to 22 mph for the whole day tomorrow! And..." By that moment I started to ignore the weather woman as I was eating.
I started thinking real hard of what to name the baby. The problem is, I don't know if its a boy or girl! What should I name him or her? Should I name him after my grandfather? Cousin? Ooh! I just don't know!
"Tony? Are you okay?" Ellen noticed that I looked really focused in my thoughts, to her eyes I looked as if something was troubling me.
"Huh?" I broke out of my trance. "Nothing, honey. Well, I better go feed my livestock and go buy some seeds from Liz," I said as I stood up from my chair.
"Good luck, dear. And please take care of yourself," Ellen said to me before I walked out the door and shut it.
I took the long walk to Neighbor Town and went to Liz's shop as soon as I reached town. I saw Nina watering some newly budding flowers in front of the shop.
"Morning, Nina," I called.
"Morning, Tony. Spring is great. I love the smell of flowers blooming everywhere," Nina commented.
"Yeah, smells great. I hope this year's spring season will give us some things special," I replied with a cheerful smile.
"They will. I know for sure. You and Ellen are going to have a baby, so that's a pretty good start," Nina said.
"Ha ha, yeah, it goes without saying," I said then I chuckled and scratched the back of my neck.
Without saying another word, I opened the door and entered.
"Good morning, Tony! I see you're ready to return to growing potatoes and turnips!" Liz said to me as soon as she saw me enter from behind the counter with her cash register.
"You betcha! And I'm not just growing turnips this time!" I commented as I walked on over to the table where turnip, potato, grass and flower seeds are being sold.
"Well, good for you!" Liz smiled, clapping her hands.
I took three bags of potato seeds, three bags of turnip seeds and three bags of grass seeds.
"I'll take these." I said as I headed over to Liz.
"Okay... That'll be $45." Liz said.
I gave her the money.
"Thank you, Tony. Have a good harvest!" Liz waved bye to me.
"I will, Liz! And before I go, in a few weeks, me and Ellen are having a party at the ranch, celebrating her pregnancy. I want you, Nina, and everyone else to join when you're not busy... Like on a Saturday," I said.
"Sure. I'll be there," Liz said.
I left then.
I came back to the ranch to see Ellen outside, hanging some washed bath towels on the clothesline for the sun to dry.
"Welcome home, darling," Ellen said as she grabbed one towel from the basket and began flapping it around in the air to get rid of the lint and wrinkles in it.
"Thanks, honey. Well, I better get to work too," I said.
I went into my tool shed to get my newly upgraded garden hoe. I never had a chance to use it in the winter, so this is my chance. I took my garden hoe, left the shed and headed out east of my ranch, deciding to plant the turnips and potatoes out east from the cow and chicken house instead of near my tool shed like last year. I held my garden hoe in my hand and prepared to till the ground with it. I made sure my gloves were fastened on my hands, then I gripped the handle of my hoe, brought it up over my head, then swung it down! As soon as the gold plated blade of the hoe dug into the ground, an amazing thing happened! My new garden hoe somehow sent a shockwave moving forward, tilling the ground forward 14 feet from where I'm standing! The shock wave also made a mole pop up from the ground, too. The mole looked at me, presumably in an angry way.
"Ah... ha-ha-ha-ha... Sorry. I'm so sorry," I apologized to the mole, smiling nervously.
The mole ran off going south several feet and dug its way back underground. Continuing on with my work, I tilled more ground with my hoe, as I slammed it into the ground, the hoe sent a straightforward moving shock wave that rips up ground that I haven't even touched with the hoe's blade. After I made four rows of tilled soil, I began planting the potato and turnips seeds. I planted the turnips first, making two horizontal rows of turnips, and two horizontal rows of potatoes. By noon I took care of the grass seeds, planting more grass seeds at the southeast corner of my ranch. I was working hard. Time was flying by without me even noticing it. I ran back to my tool shed to put down my garden hoe and get my sprinkler. Then I came back out and ran out to my turnip & potato garden and began sprinkling them. I have done so much today, my muscles were aching. I stopped to drink a plastic bottle of water and wipe my head with a white towel.
"Whew..." I said as I continues sprinkling, drops of rain hitting the turnip and potato seeds.
By the time I was done, Derek arrived to get my eggs... But I forgot to ship them.
"Hey, Tony! I see you got- oh, no shipping today?"
"Not today, man," I shook my head.
"Well, there's no reason for me to stick around here. See you tomorrow," Derek turned around and left, jumping in his pickup truck and driving off.
I then went to the cow barn to brush, talk to and feed Aloe. And to clean up her poop. The worst thing about that job is even after cleaning up her mess, the putrid, pungent stench of cow poop still lingers in the air of the barn for a few minutes! As I was brushing Aloe's body, an idea hit me. I could let Aloe be outside for a few days, eat grass freely and take a dump wherever she wants, as long as I don't have to smell it and pick it up.
"How do you like the feeling of springtime air, Aloe? Feels good, doesn't it?" I asked her as I guided her out of the barn.
"Moooo!" She mooed in reply.
A minute later after guiding my cow out into the protected open fields of my ranch, I was feeding my chickens, putting their share of food in their feeding boxes.
"Okay guys, I know I'm late, but dinner is served," I said to my chickens.
The chickens around me clucked like crazy, getting agitated as I gave them their daily serving of chicken feed. Then I fed Zara, then came back home with five chicken eggs with me.
"Honey! I got a gift for you," I called when I came in the house.
"Thanks, honey! I got something for you, too," Ellen said when she came to the living room.
Then she showed me cheery pie on the dinner table. I got to eating it right away.
"Thank you for all your hard work, darling," Ellen smiled.
After all the work we did, you know we got a good night sleep after all that. However, I didn't fall asleep until I put Aloe back in the cow barn. I don't want to encourage wolves or wild dogs to try to get into my ranch and kill my livestock.
Thursday, 3rd of Spring, 1977
Me and Ellen woke up, done our early morning routine of bathing and eating breakfast, and going outside to do our work. Ellen took a deep breath and sighed.
"Such a warm day. Feel that nice breeze?"
"Yeah. Feels good." I said stretching my arm and feeling the cool wind partially drown out the heat from the sun my skin felt.
"Well, I'll take care of Koro and Zara. You can take care of Aloe, the chickens and the turnips and potatoes," Ellen suggested.
I nodded. "Okay, deal." I gave her a smooch on the cheek, then she smooched me in return and I ran into the tool shed to get my sprinkler and cow brush.
I then walked to the cow house. "Aloe, good morning!" I called as I walked in.
"Mooo!" Aloe mooed happily.
"That's right. you know what time it is? Grooming and feeding time!" I said, showing Aloe the cow brush.
I then started brushing Aloe's body, from neck to back. Aloe always enjoys it when I brush.
"Mooooo!" she mooed cheerfully.
"And now, it's breakfast time!" I walked to the fodder spout and yanked out a few clumps of grass and put them in Aloe's cubicle and she immediatelystarted chowing down on it.
"Have a nice morning, Aloe," I said as I began to leave.
"Moooo!" Aloe mooed in reply.
Then I went to the chicken house to feed the chickens. As soon as I went inside, all five of the chickens gathered around me, clucking excitedly.
"Whoa, whoa! I know you guys are hungry, but give me some room, please!" I said as I tried to weave my way through my excited chickens, trying not to step on them, and their poop pellets in the process.
I made it to the fodder spout and pulled out enough grass to feed all my chickens, then after cleaning up their poop, I left. I then walked out east from the chicken house and headed to where I planted. Then I sprinkled every place I planted turnip and potato seeds. After I was done, I heard Ellen call me.
"Tony! could you come here for a minute?"
"I better go see what she wants," I said to myself.
I ran to where Ellen usually is, washing and drying clothes and bathroom towels near the stables. But she wasn't around. "Honey, where are you?" I called. "Here, in the stables." Ellen replied. I walked in the stables.
There I found Ellen, petting Zara's mane gently.
"There you are, darling. What is it?" I asked her.
"I want to see you ride Zara," Ellen said.
I slowly pointed at myself. "Me? you want me to...? Why can't you?" I asked her.
"Because I've never ridden a horse before! I want to learn by watching someone else do it. And also because I'm pregnant. I don't want to fall off and hurt the baby," Ellen replied.
She had good reasons, I suppose. I most definitely do nto want her to have a miscarriage, so I nodded.
"Okay, okay."
I put the nylon halter around Zara's head, placed the saddle on her back, then climbed on her back, placing my feet on the foot ring for footing as I climbed on Zara, then I shifted my body, getting myself more comfortable on the saddle.
"Okay, Zara... Let's go! Hiyah!" I shouted, cracking the rein.
Zara whinnied, then ran out the stables so suddenly, it made my heart nearly jump out of my chest!
"Whoaaa!" I yelled, feeling the wind whipping my face as Zara ran towards the tool shed.
Ellen casually walked out of the stables to watch me ride on Zara.
"Be careful, honey! Hang on!" Ellen shouted out to me.
"Oh, now you tell me!" I called back at her sarcastically as Zara ran by the tool shed.
Zara kept on running south- I could see the fences that mark the perimeter of my ranch about 80 yards away and we were heading straight towards it with each passing second.
"Whoa! Turn left! Turn left!" I ordered Zara, twisting the reins to the left, forcing Zara's head to turn left to let her know that she need to turn that direction.
"You're doing great, honey! Ellen called out to me.
Zara then headed for the fence in the southeastern corner of my ranch.
"Uh-oh, jump-jump-jump!" I urged Zara, but she already knew.
She jumped over the fence with grace!
"Whoaaaa...!" I yelled, feeling my stomach lurch with me in the air, giving me the feeling that someone is tickling it.
Now we are outside my ranch, in the open field. Zara continued running east for a few yards then turned back around and returned to the ranch, jumping over the fence again, giving me that gut twisting feeling again, and returned to Ellen standing in front of the stables and stopped. I climbed off Zara's back, feeling a little dizzy.
"Are you okay, honey?" Ellen asked me.
"I feel like I left my stomach back out in the field..." I muttered, feeling dazed.
Friday, 4th of Spring, 1977
We woke up, done our usual morning routine. After showering, we ate breakfast, bacon and pancakes... with syrup. Then we watched the weather news and learned that it'll still be sunny tomorrow.
"Looking forward to seeing rain again, honey?" Ellen asked me.
I shrugged. "I don't know if I miss the snow or rain. Let's step out for some fresh air," I said.
We left the house, stepping outside.
"Ahhh... As usual, another beautiful spring morning," Ellen said, stretching her arms out.
"Yeah. Smell that fresh air? The trees today are producing some tasty oxygen," I replied, standing behind Ellen, putting my arms around her body and rubbing her distended belly, making her giggle.
"I'll feed Koro and Zara. You can take care of Aloe and the chickens, sweetheart," Ellen said.
"Got it. Take care of yourself, darling," I said as I walked off towards my tool shed.
As I was walking to my tool shed, I took one more look back at Ellen as she poured kibbles into Koro's dinner bowl near the front door to our house. Ellen is a beautiful sight to see, even though the baby inside her is making her belly stretch out a few inches. I don't know why, but there's something about a pregnant woman that demands respect. I don't know if its her beauty, or if its the fact that new life is being created inside her body... my son or daughter... or that a few a couple months from now, she will have to go through a lot of intense pain to push her baby out of her womb. I don't know how it feels carrying a baby in your body, but when I once years ago asked my Mom how did it feel giving birth to me, she said that giving birth to me did not feel good, it was the most painful experience she ever had, but she had the endurance to withstand the pain. As I went in the tool shed to pick up the brush and sprinkler, and leave out to the cow house, I daydreamed that my son/daughter is already born and calling me "Daddy! Daddy!" Thinking about that made me smile. To think that I'll be called "daddy" soon sent shivers up and down my spine.
"Oh! Tony, watch out!" I heard Ellen call me.
I woke up out of my daydream to see myself walking towards the wall of the cow house!
"Oof!" I bumped my head against the wood.
I dropped my sprinkler and rubbed my head.
"Owww..." I moaned.
Ellen ran up to me as fast as she could without overexerting herself in her pregnant state.
"Are you okay, honey?" She asked me, trying to check my head.
"I'm fine, Ellen. I'm fine, it's just a flesh wound, that's all. Just let me get back to work," I assured her.
Ellen nodded slowly then hesitantly walked back towards the house and entered it, leaivng me outside alone with Koro who is still eating his dog food. I picked up my sprinkler and entered the cow house. I brushed, talked to, and fed Aloe, then I went to the chicken house to feed the chickens, then I went out into my garden out east and sprinkled the sprouting turnips and the potato seeds. After watering them, I looked at the two rows of potato seeds, wondering why they haven't sprouted yet.
"Hm... Lazy seeds...? Nah..." I shook my head then left.
I went to Neighbor Town to see how everybody is doing. Nina and Liz are too busy to chat with me, so I headed on over to see Maria, who is sweeping dirt out of the road, like always.
"Hi, Maria. Still sweeping the roads, like always, huh?"
"Yes. How are things at the ranch, Tony?" Maria asked me.
"And how's Ellen?" She added.
"Oh, she's doing fine. The baby's growing bigger. And things are going really well at the ranch today. I'm thinking about buying another cow before the end of the season," I said.
Maria nodded. "I see things are going really well for you- good harvest, having your own family... You are really blessed, Tony," Maria gave me a warm smile.
I blushed and rubbed the back of my hair sticking out under my cap. "Really? I don't think I am..." I said sheepishly.
Maria's grin grew a little wider. "You are humble, too. By the way, Tony, I think I've asked you this before, but do you believe in God?" She asked me.
I rubbed my chin. "Well... Before, last year, I was neither a non-believer or a believer, but when I look at the environment around me, the people and animals I meet, and all the luck that comes to me at my work as a rancher, I can't help but believe," I said in all honesty.
"Is that so? It's very unusual these days. I advise you to come with us to church more often," Maria suggested, looking quite pleased that I believe now.
"I'll try," I said.
"I better go. Please do your best work," Maria said to me before leaving to her house nearby.
As I was just standing there in deep thought, Timothy, the little boy who has a crush on Maria came up to me out of nowhere, startling me.
"Things girls like are flowers and sweets, right?" He asked me.
I paused for a second in thought. "For some girls, yes. Others like different stuff. It depends on their personality. Why do you ask?" I told Tim.
"I'm saving money to buy a present for Maria," Tim smiled confidently.
I admire this kid's guts. Once he sets his eyes on the prize, he doesn't get distracted or anything. I rubbed his matted blond hair. "Go for it, little guy. You can do anything and get anything you set your mind to." I said as I petted him.
He smiled at me. "Thank you Tony. Will you be at our wedding?"
"I sure will. I'll be your best man, if you want," I said.
"Wow, thanks! See ya! Gotta get to the gift shop!" Tim ran off.
I sighed smiling as I watching him merrily hop away. Kids. Always looking for something that puts some sunshine in their lives.
Then I decided to go downtown and visit Ann and Michael. When I entered their house, I saw Ann, as usual, tinkering with that machine- She obviously made some minor adjustments to it- the machine looked a little different- instead of looking like a large cylindrical tube made of metal, it looked more like a giant beer keg, with four legs that resemble the legs of a dinner table, keeping the machine standing.
"Hey, Tony!" Ann called to me with a wide grin as soon as she noticed me, showing all of her teeth.
Michael was cleaning out the milking tube, a device that helps milking cows by hand much easier. There are four small tubes each one meant to fit over the four finger shaped parts of a cow's udder , connect the conjoined tubes to a milk bottle, then start milking the cow with your hands, the milk from each tube will flow directly into the milk bottle. I'm planning on buying that thing, by the way- Aloe is almost growing into an adult cow capable of producing milk. But before I bothered Michael about the milker's price, I decided to have a quick chat with Ann.
"Hey Ann... I want to ask you something," I said as I approached her.
"Sure. What is it?" She asked me while twisting a wrench in her right hand.
"Is spring your favorite season of each year? If it is, how does it make you feel? Happy, or sad like rain?" I asked her.
She turned around, crouched down, placed her wrench back into the red toolbox then stood up and faced be again, rubbing her dirty, oily hands on her loosely short pants, looking at me in thought.
"Well... I don't know why, but... it makes me feel good. It makes me go like: 'Okay, it's show time!' Know what I mean?" She asked me.
I nodded. "Yeah. It makes you feel pumped to do something."
"Yeah! That's right!" Ann nodded in agreement.
"I got another question. What do you plan on doing when you're an adult?" I asked her.
"Me? I'm going to make great tools like my Dad!" Ann said aloud proudly.
Michael moaned in depression after she said that. Uh-oh.
"Ann... sweetie, there's more to life than inventing and fixing tools like me," he said as he walked up to Ann, with the milker in his hands.
"Like what?" Ann asked, raising her right eyebrow in curiosity.
Michael licked his lips and shook his head slowly as soon as she said that. "I don't know! I just want to expose you to all the things you can do besides inventing harvesting tools," He shouted, but I doubt he meant to shout at his daughter because his eyes widened briefly when he realized how over the top his words had an impact on Ann- it made her sad.
"But...but... Making tools is really what I like! I've been doing this since I was 10 years old!" Ann defended herself, her blue eyes moist with tears.
Overcome with guilt of shouting at her, Michael knelt down on both knees in front of confused Ann. I stood back, not wanting to get involved.
"Ann, honey... You were sheltered with me ever... since your mother passed away... I never given you the chance to see the world. I've always kept you near home. The only thing you saw was me making and repairing harvesting tools, and you decided for yourself that you'll do what I do because that is the only thing you ever saw in your childhood," Michael said sympathetically, his own eyes moist with tears.
Ann said nothing. She just lowered her head as if she were ashamed or embarrassed about something.
"So please... Think about this. I don't want you to be like me. I want you to be yourself. Agreed?" Michael asked her.
Ann reluctantly looked up at Doug. "...I'll do the best I can... For you, Dad..." she said then sniffled twice.
"Agreed. Thank you, Ann," Michael gave Ann a hug. I left, not wanting to spoil a touching moment.
Hours later, I returned to the ranch, with only an hour left until Derek arrives to pick up the eggs I prepared for shipping. I entered the house to receive a welcome home hug from Ellen.
"Welcome home, darling!" Ellen said as she hugged me.
As she hugged me I could feel her swollen belly pressing against me. It felt like being touched by a very firm and very full water balloon.
"I'm back, honey. How are things going?" I asked her.
"Well, I made a strawberry shortcake for you. I know how much you like those," Ellen smiled, guiding me to the kitchen and showing me the cake on the dinner table.
"Yes! I love these more than rice balls and croissants!" I sat down at the table and began tearing down into the cake. Hours later, me and Ellen fell asleep together.
Saturday, 5th of Spring, 1977
*BRRRING!* The alarm clock ringed. Me and Ellen groggily woke up. "Ugh... I don't recall setting the alarm on that thing," I mumbled.
"I did it, Tony... Sorry," Ellen apologized to me with a sheepish smile, then she scratched her itching scalp before she pushed the bed sheets off from over us. and reached over towards the small dresser next to our bed and pushed the "snooze" button, shutting our alarm clock up.
"Good morning, darling," I said with a heartwarming smile when our eyes met.
"Good morning, sweetheart. Have you thought of a name for the baby yet?" She asked me as she rubbed her round belly.
"Uh, not yet. I'm thinking of either John, Jake, or Red, named after my 3rd cousin," I said.
"Either one of those names sound nice, but I don't want a common name. Try something else," Ellen said as she climbed out of bed and walked to the bathroom to prepare to shower, brush her teeth and all that.
"Well..." My voice trailed off as I followed Ellen into the bathroom. "This naming business is really difficult. You expect too much from me, honey, I don't know what would be a good name for our baby," I said after I closed the door behind us.
"Oh, come on, honey, don't give up on me now. I'm sure you'll come up with a good name sooner or later..." Ellen said when she reached into the shower stall, twisted the hot water valve twice, then twisted the cold water valve once so that the water raining down from the shower head won't be scalding hot. "... Do you need motivation to think of a good name?" Ellen asked me as she undressed.
I blinked incredulously while watching Ellen take off her nightgown. "Motivation? You think that I need motivation! Aha! That was so funny, I forgot to laugh. oh wait, I did laugh!"
"Is this motivation enough for you?" Ellen winked at me as she stepped into the shower.
As I glanced at her naked figure, I noticed that her belly is not the only part of her body that is swollen. What I mean by that is her boobs have grown a cup size or two. I'm not sure, but I think it has something to do with our baby, I heard that women sometimes lactate during pregnancy, which means Ellen's breasts are carrying more milk than what she normally had before she was pregnant, her body is is preparing itself to breastfeed our baby when it is born.
I shrugged. "Okay, okay, honey, I give up, I'll do my best to come up with a name," I conceded defeat to my wife.
Anyway, I undressed too and joined my wife in the shower stall and closed the door, feeling lukewarm water rain down on us, and I washed her back and she washed mine. Minutes later we ate breakfast and watched television. I went outside for a while to feed Koro and Zara, brush, chat and feed Aloe, feed the chickens and store their eggs for shipping, and last but not least, water the turnips and the sprouting potatoes. Then I walked back into the house to watch television with Ellen.
"Honey, don't you ever feel alone on a Saturday?" I asked her as we watched an action movie on channel 22 called "Electra Woman and Dyna Girl".
"Lonely? No. Why?" She asked me.
I shrugged. "On Saturdays, it seems like everybody in town is gone for the day to who knows where, and where are we? Here in the ranch, nothing interesting to do," I said.
"Are you saying you hate ranch life?" Ellen asked me.
"What? No! No no no no no, I'm not saying that at all. What I mean is, on Saturdays, I used to feel alone... before I married you. Now that you're here with me, I don't feel alone anymore," I said.
Ellen looked deep into my eyes with those alluring brown eyes of hers. "That's great, honey. I'm never alone when I look at those pretty blue eyes of yours," she said, looking at me in a seductive way.
I should be nervous, the way she looked at me, but I'm not. I took that as a loving compliment. "Thank you honey. In return, I'll work twice as hard to think of a new name for our baby, like I promised before." I said as I reached down and rubbed Ellen's pregnant belly.
"That would mean a lot to me of you did, darling," Ellen said as she put her hand on top of mine.
Hours passed and when Derek arrived to pick up the eggs, I chatted with him a while before he left, then at night, Ellen made another strawberry shortcake for me before we fell asleep.
Sunday, 6th of Spring, 1977
*BRRRRRING!* The alarm clock rang loudly in my ears, rudely interrupting moments of blissful silence.
"Rise and shine, darling! It's Sunday!" Ellen called to me.
When I opened my eyelids, I saw Ellen staring down at me with a cheerful smile.
"What's going on, honey...?" I asked her.
"I'm going to make a special breakfast deluxe today! You'll love it!" Ellen smiled with her eyes closed.
Minutes later, we were at the table eating the biggest breakfast Ellen has ever cooked- waffles, pancakes, bacon and scrambled eggs! Boy, I'm gonna get really full of this, and my son/daughter will certainly get loads of nutrients from their Mom, too. Me and Ellen started eating after we prayed to the Harvest Goddess. I dug a fork into the waffle and pancake then dipped them both into syrup and brought them both into my mouth. Koro was eating his bowl of kibbles under the table.
"This is good stuff, honey! The maple syrup makes the pancakes taste twice as good!" I said after swallowing a mouthful of scrambled eggs and pancake.
"Thank you dear. I always look out for what's best for my Tony," Ellen rubbed my cheeks, making me blush.
After eating I went outside to brush and feed Aloe, feed the chickens and store their eggs for shipping, then I noticed out in the garden, the turnips are ready to be picked! I brought Zara on over to the garden to put all the turnips into the bags that hang on both sides of Zara's saddle. I opened the bags and began stuffing all the turnips inside.
"Michael... Thank you so much... Everybody... THANK YOUUUU!" I shouted up into the air, my voice echoing.
Afterwards, I went to the mountainside forest and asked Warren if I could fish in his pond.
"Sure, Tony! Here's a fishing rod. I wish you luck!" Warren told me.
"Thanks. I'll need it," I said.
I approached the pond and sat down on the wooden bench and cast the line. I waited for 3 minutes until I felt something yanking the pole.
"Oh! I got something!" I exclaimed happily.
I yanked the rod back and I pulled out a fish! Finally! I grabbed it in my hands. It was flapping like crazy. I handed Warren back his rod.
"Thanks, Warren. I owe ya one," I said.
He nodded. "So what are you going to do with the fish, eat it?" He asked me.
"Nope. I got a better idea," I said.
I went to Neighbor Town and found the old peddler woman where she usually is.
"Hello. What do you got for me today?" She asked me.
"Fresh fish." I said, placing it on the table next to her.
"Fresh fish, hmm... This is nice. I'll pay you $300. How does that sound?" She asked me.
"I'll accept that price," I nodded.
She gave me the money.
"Nice doing business with you, child. So was the blue feather I sold you useful?" She asked me.
"Yep. I'm married, and I have a son or daughter coming up soon," I nodded proudly.
"That's good. I shouldn't call you child, now. You've grown up faster than you look," The peddler smiled.
"Yep. Well, I gotta get back home. Thank you for the cash!" I said as I left town.
Tuesday, 8th of Spring, 1977
After eating breakfast, Ellen and I watched the weather news and learned that it'll rain at midnight tonight.
"Honey, remember to let Koro back in the house before the day ends," Ellen reminded me as we walked outside.
"I will. Don't worry," I replied.
Ellen fed Koro and Zara while I handled Aloe, the chickens, and the potatoes. I brought Zara with me after she was done eating and I stuffed all the potatoes in the bags and used my sprinkler to water the turnip seeds I planted yesterday. Then in the evening, after Derek came to pick up the chicken eggs and potatoes, me, Koro and Ellen headed back into the house.
Wednesday, 9th of Spring, 1977
Me and Ellen were already wide awake, already showered and stuff. Ellen and I were looking out at the window at the hard falling rain.
"Whoa... Look at that. Its raining cats and dogs out there," I commented.
"Yeah..." Ellen slowly nodded in wonderment.
We then heard thunder rumble in the distance.
"Well, I better get out there and fix the fences and feed my livestock," I said, taking off my cap and brushing my hair for a few seconds.
Ellen looked at me like I'm a little crazy.
"It's raining so hard outside. You might catch a cold. I don't recommend going out there, honey," Ellen said with a worried frown.
"Has rain ever stopped me from visiting you?" I winked at her.
"... No... Go on and do what you need to do, honey. But first, eat your breakfast. You'll never get your jobs done properly with an empty stomach," Ellen said.
Minutes later, after eating breakfast, I brushed and talked to Aloe for a while as she was eating the grass I gave to her... After I cleaned up her poop, that is.
*Rumble...* I heard the sound of thunder.
"Hear that, Aloe? That's the sound of thunder," I told Aloe.
"Mooo..." Aloe mooed softly.
"Yeah, it does sound a little scary, doesn't it? But really, its nothing to be afraid of."
"Moooo."
"Well, I better get going. See ya tomorrow."
"Moooo!"
I then went to the chicken house and fed my chickens and put their eggs up ready for shipping. Then I went to my tool shed to get my super hammer to fix the broken fences. Luckily only one section was broken. Lucky break for me! This downpour is really getting me wet- it took me 30 minutes to repair that fence! I went back into the house.
"Are you okay, Tony? Did you catch a cold?" Ellen asked me.
"Nope, I'm alright," I said as I removed the red rag from around my neck and flapped it to knock off the water on it.
"Here, have a ham sandwich, and watch television with me- The Friends Of Mineral Town show is on!" Ellen said.
"I love that show!" I smiled.
Thursday, 10th of Spring, 1977
After bathing, eating breakfast with Ellen and Koro, feeding my livestock and watering the turnips, I ran on over to Neighbor Town to pass out invitation cards to the baby shower party at our ranch that me and Ellen plan on having 6 days before the Flower Festival. Everybody we know is interested in coming to the party. I even gave out invitations to Luke, Emmet, Ingo and Toby. They were interested, too. And after buying three bags of potatoes from Liz, I returned to the ranch to plant and water them. In the evening, Derek came by to get my shipment. I asked him if he and Mike could come to Ellen's baby shower on the 17th, but he said neither him or Mike can't because of their job as a shippers. Too bad. Well, when I returned home, Ellen had a cake ready for me to eat, and before we fell asleep, she gave me lots, and I mean LOTS of kisses and smooches.
Thursday, 17th of Spring, 1977
Me and Ellen woke up real early... At 6:00! We bathed, ate breakfast, checked the weather channel to see the weather forecast, and we went outside to put the finishing touches to the baby shower, along with Luke and his carpenters. We had 5 tables surrounding the well, the 5th one being the biggest table will hold the cakes, chicken and other foods we'll eat during the party, and we had balloons and other party decorations everywhere else. On the roof of the house, Luke and I had put a huge banner on top that says: "Congratulations, Tony & Ellen!" Then we were done.
"Well, that about does it," I said, slapping and rubbing my hands together as If I was dusting them off from a hard work, looking up at the banner on my house.
"Yep. Now all we have to do is wait for the party guests," Luke said, looking up at the banner next to me as well. Then he looked at me. "I'm happy for you, Tony. If your dad was here right now, he will be too. You've really grown up, Tony."
"Thank you, Luke. You know, I really wish he would be here, even Mom. I want to show them how well I've taken care of the ranch, and that I'm married now. Their heads will be totally spinning!" I smiled at the thought.
"Yep." Luke looked at his watch.
"They should be here as soon as the sun rises," Luke said.
"While they're coming, I'm gonna go take care of my livestock and water my crops. I'll be back." I left Luke, heading to my tool shed.
I grabbed the brush and milker and went to the cow house to brush, talk and milk and feed Aloe. She's an adult cow now, capable of producing milk, then I put the bottle of milk in the shipping box, went to the chicken house and did the same to their eggs after feeding the chickens. Then I watered my potatoes, and four rows of turnip seeds.
At 7:30 a.m., everyone I know from Neighbor Town has finally arrived! Maria and her parents, Nina and Liz, Mrs. Fortune, Timothy and Lisa (the girl who always hangs out with Mrs. Fortune), Ann and Michael, Reuben, Hank and Ellen's Mom, and most surprisingly, even Eve and Terry! I didn't expect to see them here since I don't see them very often now.
"Heeey, guys!" I greeted them all.
They all said their greetings to me and Ellen and crowded around, filling the tables with different kinds of foods and presents.
"Thank you for inviting us, Tony," Mayor Stan said as he shook my hand.
"You're welcome, Mr. Mayor," I replied.
Everyone was talking to each other, laughing, telling jokes, and everything. It is a great and amazing sight to see.
"Hey, Tony!" A familiar voice called, and I turned around to see who it could be.
"Hey, Ann!" I exclaimed and gave her a friendly hug.
"I wouldn't miss this party for the world. I'm happy for you and Ellen," Ann told me.
Then Nina joined in.
"Yes, we are really happy for you. Here, give these to Ellen," Nina gave me a rose.
I looked at it then Nina.
"Give it to Ellen. Tell her its a gift from me," Nina instructed.
"Wh... why can't you do it?" I asked her.
Nina and Ann looked at each other for a few seconds and burst out in laughter.
"Boy, Tony! You just don't get it, don't you?" Ann giggled at me.
"What? What?" I wondered about why they're laughing... I then realized- They're giving me this rose to give to Ellen so she'll think that its a gift from me! "Ohhh! I get it now! Sorry! I'll see you guys later," I said, moving away from Nina and Ann closer to where Ellen is, near the table that's set a few feet northeast from the well, in front of the cow house. As I was walking towards Ellen, I saw that she was talking to Tim and Lisa.
"So the baby is in there?" Lisa asked Ellen.
"Uh-huh. It sure is." Ellen said.
"Cool! Let me touch!" Tim said.
He reached out and touched Ellen's bulging belly.
"Whoa... But I can't feel the baby kicking. Do you feel it kicking?" Tim asked Lisa as she put her hand on Ellen's belly.
"Wow...! It feels so smooth and a little solid. Is there anything else in there besides the baby?" Lisa asked Ellen.
"Water. Lots of water," Ellen replied.
"Does the baby feel heavy to you, Ellen?" Lisa asked Ellen.
"Yes, a little bit. It's nothing I can't handle," Ellen nodded.
Then she looked up and saw me.
"Oh! Tony!" She exclaimed.
I walked up to her, Nina's rose in my right hand.
"I... well, Nina told me to give this to you," I said then gave her the rose.
Ellen took it in her hand and looked at it in awe. "Ohhh... It's so beautiful... Thank you, darling," she said to me with loads of love and gratitude in her voice.
I felt confused. I didn't pick the flower, Nina did.
"But, I... ah.. Nina... I didn't..." I stammered, then Tim grabbed my left hand.
"hey, Tony. Can I talk to you for a minute? In private?" He asked me, tugging my arm a little.
"Uh... Sure. Sure," I left with Tim, leaving Lisa and Ellen.
"Oh, sure. Leave the boys to go talk their boy talk," Lisa frowned in icy disapproval.
Then she turned her attention to Ellen. "So tell me, Ellen, how does it feel to have a baby growing in your belly?" Lisa asked Ellen.
"Well, it's not very easy to explain. The truth is, the baby is not really in my stomach, it is in my womb, and as the baby grows bigger with each passing day, my stomach grows bigger, and along with that, you feel the baby's body weight slowly increasing and gradually pushing down on your own body weight as it grows, and..."
Ellen continued speaking to Lisa, meanwhile, Timothy led me to the front porch of my house, away from the crowds of people.
"Okay. Timmy boy, what is it that you want from me?" I asked him.
"Advice." He said.
I raised my left eyebrow. "What kind of advice?"
"Advice on love."
"Love? Whoa, fireball, you're asking the wrong guy. I got lucky in love. You'll have to ask Mrs. Fortune for advice like that," I protested.
Timothy grunted in frustration. "I tried, but she won't give me any advice. She says I'm too young to look for love. So that's where you come in. You're married, you ought to know a few things about love. Tell me, because I know you do," he urged me.
I groaned and rubbed my eyes. "Okay okay, I'll tell you everything I know," I said in a sullen tone, much to my discomfort.
"Great." Tim smiled.
I cleared my throat. "Okay. Remember the question you asked me last time I saw you?" I asked him.
"Yeah. I asked you if girls like cakes and sweets," Timothy recalled.
"That's right, and I answered some of them do, some don't. Know why?"
"No."
"Because the things girls like match up with their personality. Before you ever think about giving a girl a gift, learn her personality first. Get to know her. Gather some clues on what she likes. Be like a detective finding clues to an unsolved mystery," I explained.
My metaphor is working. Tim is really listening- I saw a smirk on his face.
"...And once you know what she likes, then you are ready to give her gifts. The more gift you give her, the more she'll like you. Do anything you can to win her love and respect. Got it?" I asked him.
"I got it, Master Tony! Thank you and bye!" Tim then left.
"Hey! Don't call me Master!" I called after him.
when he didn't reply to me, I sighed in disappointment, then I walked back into the crowd to chat with everyone.
Minutes later, Mayor Stan called for everyone's undivided attention.
"Excuse me! I'd like to have everyone's attention for a moment. Before we sit down and eat our delicious meals, I would like two special people to provide us a short speech. After that, you may ask the two special people two questions each. After that, then we can dig into our foods. And now, I would like those two special people to come here before us and give us their praise of thanks for attending their baby shower party. Tony and Ellen, congratulations!" Mayor Stan called us.
Me and Ellen walked over to where he was standing, as everyone was clapping- in front of the stables. Me and Ellen turned around, facing everyone. "
Hello, everybody. I'm Tony," I said.
"And I'm Ellen." Ellen introduced herself.
"And we're expecting a baby!" We said together in flawless unison.
At that, everyone cheered and clapped.
As soon as the cheering and clapping died down, I said: "When I first moved into this ranch, I didn't think that I would find success and love so quickly..."
"When I first met Tony when I chased my dog Koro here, I never imagined that he would be the man that I will be with forever and ever," Ellen said.
"But I was wrong. When I first met Ellen, I knew there is something special about her. I didn't believe it at first, but eventually I came to believe it," I commented.
"I admit that there was something that I liked about Tony, but I didn't know what it was, I even denied myself about it, but as the months passed, I slowly realized that he's the one who can complete my life," Ellen said, hugging me.
Everyone cheered and clapped then.
"Okay! Question time! Anybody got any questions to ask us? Anyone at all?" I looked for some hands raised.
After 5 seconds, I found one, it was Eve, wearing her favorite red dress as usual.
"Eve," I called her out. "What do you want to ask me?"
"What do you plan on naming the baby?" She asked me.
"Uh... Whoa... That is a good question, see, I really don't know yet. If its a girl, I'll name her Jane or Naomi, I think. If it's a boy, uh... I dunno yet," I felt dumb and clueless at the question.
"I got a question for Ellen," Liz called.
"Do you plan on having another baby?" She asked.
Ellen blushed a little. "I... I don't know. Time will tell, that's all I can say," she said.
"I got a question for Tony," Terry called.
"Go for it," I urged him.
"Do you plan on letting your son and daughter see the beauty of nature around us?" Terry asked me.
I nodded. "Definitely. I want to expose him or her to a lot of things. I don't want him or her to experience one thing, but a lot of things, I want to enrich and broaden his or her experience," I said.
"I got a question for Ellen," Ellen's mother called.
"What do you always cook for Tony?"
"Well, uh, I cook all kinds of foods for him, but, the foods he mostly likes is strawberry shortcakes."
Ellen looked at me with a sly smile. I smiled back, feeling a little humiliated. Everyone laughed and cheered.
"Okay! The speech and questions are now over! Let's eat!" I shouted.
Everyone started eating and me and Ellen took our seats with Michael, Ann, Nina and Liz.