Chapter 21 –And Baby Makes…..
Two Years Later
It had been a busy two years since Karen and Derek had married. He hadn't returned to Broadway, there hadn't been any shows that caught his interest, so instead he had done a film and some television. Karen had quickly found a new project to sink her teeth into – a new production inspired by the music of Eva Cassidy. She finally got that lead actress Tony she wanted. She was also putting the finishing touches on a debut album with the famed Bobby Raskin.
For now, they were enjoying a few days off, celebrating the nuptials of Derek's best friend Miles to Ivy. They had been together since Karen and Derek's wedding, and with newfound happiness, they all had become firm friends. Ivy and Karen had been able to put the past behind them, to actually be close enough friends that Karen was the only attendant Ivy had.
It was a New York winter wedding. Miles and Ivy had rented out a gorgeous venue called The Glasshouses at the Chelsea Arts Tower. It was two separate floors with floor to ceiling windows, lots of space and incredible views of lower Manhattan, the Hudson River and the Upper West Side. It was all glass, terrazzo floors and incredible interior designing, with clear tables and chairs and lots of white furniture.
Miles had let Ivy have free reign over the whole wedding, just helping her out with final decisions. She had gone with white and silver as the main colours with navy blue for depth and contrast. The floor holding the ceremony was decked out with a white aisle, glass vases filled with floating white roses and topped with a candle lining it. The chairs were all silver framed and had a white cushion. There were massive white rose arrangements around the room. Since they had rented both rooms, the ceremony room would later be transformed into a lounge and club type set up, with white leather furniture, glass tables and dim lights.
Karen had walked down the aisle in a strapless, floor length dress in navy blue lace with silver accents. It had a sweetheart neckline with a shimmering lace bodice and an empire waist band. Her hair was curled and pulled back in a half up-half down style, she had a simple diamond solitaire necklace on a nearly invisible white gold chain, and a simple white gold bracelet, and her usual rings. Her feet were in strappy silver shoes. She carried a simple bouquet of white roses wrapped in silver ribbon.
Ivy followed in a gorgeous vintage inspired white on white lace sheath dress. It clung to her curves, showing them off, then fell away into a beautiful court train. It had a v-neck and illusion shoulder straps. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a messy bun with a few loose tendrils around her face. She had a long train pinned into her hair, which flowed gracefully with the dress. She wore a chunky white gold and diamond bracelet, simple diamond studs in her ears, and her fabulous 4-carat diamond engagement ring. She had flawless makeup complete with a bold red lip.
Miles and Derek had both been dressed in navy blue pinstripe suits, white shirts and silver vests. They both had a simple white rose for a boutonniere.
The ceremony was simple and elegant. The happy couple had decided to go with traditional vows, but they were quite heartfelt. Karen was happy to see Ivy had found someone who made her feel secure and looked at her like she was his whole world. Miles was utterly devoted to Ivy. She shared a tender look with Derek, both of them remembering their own wedding day when the bride and groom shared their first kiss.
The sit down, fully catered dinner had taken place on the lower floor. The tables looked absolutely stunning – dressed up with vases of varying heights filled with more white roses, frosted vases filled with white pillar candles and small tea light candles and holders. There was silver cutlery laid out on white linen napkins, polished glass wine and water glasses.
Karen and Derek were enjoying a dance. They watched Ivy and Miles dancing nearby. Ivy had a smile of pure happiness on her face as Miles had his head bowed to whisper in her ear.
"She has come a long way," Karen said quietly to Derek.
"She certainly has. Miles has been good for her," he replied just as quietly.
He spun her gently around the floor, enjoying her humming quietly along with the music. When the song finished, he led her back to their table. She kept a tight grip on his hand.
"Do you want your Christmas present early?" she asked quietly.
"The super secret one you've been keeping from me?" he asked with a cheeky little boy grin on his face.
"Yep. That'd be it," she replied. She giggled when he gave her a rapid head nod and reached for her evening bag hanging off her chair.
She pulled out a long, rectangular box, wrapped in pretty green paper with gold ribbon. He shook it gently, and heard a slight rattle from whatever was in there. He carefully untied the ribbon, and then carefully peeled the paper off, revealing the plain box underneath. He gently pulled the lid off and looked at the contents with a shocked, yet wondrous look on his face.
"Is this what I think it is?" he asked quietly.
"Yes. I'm pregnant, Derek. We're having a baby," she quietly confirmed.
He stood up abruptly, and pulled her up, giving her a gentle squeeze, and hiding his tears in her hair. She kept her arms wrapped tight around him.
"Best Christmas present ever," he said quietly.
8888888888888888888
Seven months later, after an easy pregnancy, but a long hard labour of sixteen hours, Karen and Derek welcomed Daniel Roger Wills into the world. He was a robust boy weighing in at eight pound five ounces, and measuring fifty-five centimetres in length.
Karen had a hard time with breast-feeding, and eventually had to give it up because her boy was not getting enough. She also suffered post partum depression (PPD), but with Derek and their friends being supportive and wonderful, she got past it within a few months.
Derek was, as expected, a completely devoted father. He walked the floor when Daniel had colic, changed countless nappies, and was there for all the firsts – crawling, walking, clapping and words, to name just a few.
888888888888888888
Karen and Ivy shared a pregnancy the next time, both of them expecting within weeks of each other.
Karen found out just in time for Valentine's Day, and she surprised Derek while out having a romantic evening. This time she put a pair of soft baby booties into a box, so there was nothing but silence when Derek shook his present. Once again, he was surprised, and quite happily announced to the entire restaurant they were expecting another baby when he swept her up in his arms and twirled her around.
The second pregnancy was difficult for Karen. She had bad morning, afternoon and night sickness for the first five months. She managed to get through it though, and the rest of the pregnancy progressed normally until the last few weeks when she was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. Derek was a pillar of strength during the whole pregnancy, picking up the slack in a way that didn't make Karen feel deficient – they were both cautious with the PPD.
Daniel was quite happy to become a big brother with the eventual safe arrival of Lucas Benjamin Wills. He weighed in at eight pounds and two ounces, and measured fifty-three centimetres long. Karen had issues with breast-feeding again, but she was proud of herself for getting two weeks extra out of breast-feeding before she had to stop for health reasons. The PPD also only lasted a few weeks, rather than the months of the last time, so it was a very happy Wills household soon enough.
Ivy and Miles welcomed a baby girl named Penelope Marilyn three weeks after baby Lucas. She was a healthy seven pounds five ounces and fifty centimetres long. However, Ivy had to undergo a caesarean birth, and experienced complications. She was unfortunately not able to have children naturally afterwards.
88888888888888888
Five years passed. Life in the Wills household was busy. Derek eventually got offered a project with Julia, Kyle and Tom that lured him back to Broadway. He had long hours, and plenty of stress, but it was tempered with lots of family time. By now, he and Karen had moved to a larger, family friendly house shortly after baby Daniel took a tumble down the stairs in his old apartment. The place they were in now was heavily renovated before they moved in, and Lucas was born before it was finished, but they had made it perfect for them. They kept the old apartment for an investment property.
Their new home had started life with four apartments, but they completely gutted and renovated. The garden level apartment was turned into a studio. The first floor became a spacious open plan living room and gourmet kitchen, separate dining room to fit twelve, laundry and library with floor to ceiling bookcases and a big bay window. The second floor was the kid's floor, with three large bedrooms, a playroom and bathroom. The third floor was the master bedroom with walk in robe, ensuite bathroom with full tub, terrace balcony and a large office. The top floor became two guest bedrooms with a shared bathroom and a comfortable lounge area.
Karen was still doing shows on Broadway, had released another album and was full time mum to the two rambunctious boys. Daniel was in his first year of school and Lucas was in kindergarten three days a week. They had kiddy gymnastics, swimming lessons, play dates in the park and with other friends, riding bikes and other kid stuff. There were always friends over, and the boys loved singing and dancing with whoever was around. Lucas was already showing directing talents and Derek was pleased, though he would be happy for his boys to do whatever made them happy.
Karen surprised Derek with a baby rattle on their wedding anniversary. Both of them were surprised when the doctor told them it was twins. This pregnancy was harder on Karen, since it was twins and she was older, so she was on bed rest quickly. The boys loved helping Daddy look after Mama, by taking her crackers and tea in the morning, entertaining her when she was stuck in bed, and always making sure she had a hand to hold when going anywhere.
Two girls were delivered via caesarean – Lillibeth Darcy came out first, weighing five pounds ten ounces, and measuring forty centimeters. Sabrina Rose was next, weighing on at five pounds two ounces and measuring forty centimetres. They were smaller than the boys since there was two of them. Karen and Derek managed well, minor PPD, and lots of adjusting. The boys adored their little sisters, constantly helping their parents and doting on the girls.
Derek watched as his beautiful wife cooked dinner, the two boys sat on the couch reading, and the girls cooed at each other in their playpen. Never had he imagined that life would be so full. Karen looked up and caught him watching the family, and gave him a smile. Life was certainly better than they thought it could ever be.
Ivy's Dress - essense-of-australia/dresses/detail/D1688
Karen's Dress - sorella-vita/dresses/detail/8322 (in Navy with silver detail)