Betty and Matt both let out a small groan when the 7:30am wake up call they requested rings right on schedule. Matt managed to pack most of their belongings the previous evening given that they plan on being at the town home by 9:30am at the latest. The blood pressure monitor, one of the few items not packed the night before, reads 138/78 with Betty lying down.
Sighing, Betty announces, "I suspect that will be the lowest reading today, given the moving and all. I am beginning to think we will be here until the baby arrives after all."
Giving her a gentle kiss, Matt replies, "If we are here, in our new home that is in your name, then so be it. As long as you are both healthy, that is what is most important. Also, this way, neither of our families will miss the actual event."
Returning his kiss, Betty says, "I do like the idea of my family being present when she arrives, and not needing to come into town days before and expect us to entertain them given the unpredictability and length of international flights."
Betty continues, "On the other hand, I haven't decided if I want anyone other than us in the delivery room. If we are here, then some people may get insulted if they are asked to wait outside."
Matt, who is packing up the remainder of the their belongings, turns and looks at her stating, "Betty, while we haven't done a childbirth or baby class yet and we will need to find them VERY soon, it is your body and your decision as to who is or is not in the delivery room. I'll support whatever makes you most comfortable," responds Matt.
"Thanks Matt, I'd expect nothing less from you, but will likely need your backup if we decide to limit who is in the room," responds Betty as she smiles at him.
Betty and Matt both glance around the suite, to make sure there is nothing they have forgotten, as they wait for the bellboys to come up for their bags. Matt, who paid the bill when he called for the help, gives both of the young men a nice tip for getting all of their possessions into the waiting towncar and van so efficiently. They then head to their new home, where they are greeted by Jeff, Chris, and Tom, members of the Hartley maintenance/yard staff.
"Hello, I was not expecting you, but your help is always appreciated," remarks Matt, who then introduces Betty to each of them.
"Mr. and Mrs. Hartley sent us. They decided you could likely use extra bodies to move things, with specific instructions that Ms. Betty find a good seat and watch," responds Chris, which results in laughter from all of them.
Being organized people, Betty and Matt have labeled the boxes, bags, and suitcases as to which room they should be placed in. The belongings they had at the Ritz are in their respective locations rather quickly.
When Hilda and Bobby arrive, they remark, "We thought you needed help getting things away but apparently not."
Matt replies, "My parents sent some helpers, unbeknownst to us, but please stay, with the furniture and all due to arrive shortly, there will still be a lot left to organize. The more people here, the less likely Betty is to get up and try to do things herself."
"Hey," retorts Betty, "I think I've done an excellent job supervising without getting up so far, but you are correct, the more people here, the less likely I will be to test it."
"You are doing great, Betty, I can only imagine how it must be to be told you need to lie down, when you actually feel fine, especially when you are accustomed to doing for yourself. Just keep reminding yourself that both you and she are worth it," answers Matt.
"True," responds Betty. "Come here, please, my servant and capable assistant," she adds with a giggle.
"Yes, my lady, what is your bidding?" asks Matt, bowing in front of her.
Betty gently grabs Matt's shirt and pulls him down, virtually on top of her, and proceeds to give him a lengthy, romantic kiss, not caring who is watching.
She lets go and whispers, "That will do for now, Thank you."
Blushing, Matt says, upon catching his breath and getting up, "I'd say that is one advantage to Betty being on limited activity, most anything I say or do is appreciated in a big way."
Everyone laughs. The Furniture World delivery arrives. It takes nearly two hours to get all items in their desired location, with Matt, Hilda, and Bobby making sure they check in with Betty, who has remained in the front living area, from time to time to confirm that furniture placement is to her wishes. The office supplies are delivered as well, with the study on the first floor looking like a working office in no time. Matt thanks Jeff, Chris, and Tom before sending them on their way.
"Let's see if my mother had them stock the fridge and cupboards while she was at it," states Matt, as it's lunchtime already.
Bobby, having followed Matt into the kitchen, announces loudly, "Kitchen and pantry are full and ready to be broken in. We'll make some sandwiches and bring them out there for a living room picnic."
"Great, but get a move on it, all four of us are hungry and we expect excellent service with a personal touch," yells Hilda, laughing.
Both men serve their respective partners lunch, with all four of them eating heartily. Betty gets a call from Ignacio, who she is happy to tell that the deliveries and set up of the new home have gone very smoothly. Matt speaks with his parents and thanks them for sending the help and the food, confirming the dinner for 6pm that evening. Hilda and Bobby then excuse themselves, promising to return around 5:30. Betty and Matt are glad to have a little time alone to relax and prepare for the upcoming call with Mr. Dunne.
"Look you didn't need to remind me," jokes Betty as she takes her blood pressure, getting the same reading as earlier in the day, 138/78.
Neither Betty nor Matt comment on the reading since it remains above the numbers provided by the OB. They review the notes they've taken while they await Mr. Dunne's call. His call comes in promptly at 2pm.
"Well, I am glad the electronic equipment is working," states Matt, with the video screen in sharp focus and audio clear as well.
"Hello," says Mr. Dunne, "Betty, glad to see that you are following Doctor's orders and lying down."
"How have those readings been?" he asks.
Glancing at Matt, Betty replies, "Unfortunately, not where they need to be. If I were a betting woman, I would say we are here for the duration of the pregnancy. Luckily, Matt was able to get both home and office furniture delivered today, so we are ready and eager to help get the next issue out even if from several thousand miles away."
Mr. Dunne responds, "Sorry to hear that your blood pressure remains stubborn, but this way, less people are interrupting you while you work and your family is right there with you."
Mr. Dunne, Betty, and, to a lesser extent, Matt, then discuss the upcoming issue, with Betty indicating who she thinks is the best match among the staff for the various assignments. They agree to have another meeting, either in person or via teleconference, with the entire team on Wednesday, two weeks before the publication date, to clarify everyone's responsibilities and check on progress. They say their goodbyes, with Betty assuring Mr. Dunne they will call him Monday afternoon with any medical updates.
"That went quite well," remarks Matt giving her a hug, "I told you that Mr. Dunne was willing to work with you, he knows how valuable you are."
"I'm glad you were right. At least work seems to be stable even as my medical state fluctuates," responds Betty as she returns his hug.
"Alright, my blood pressure just read 134/73-I know that is lying down, but I would still like a tour of the house anyway since we have nearly 3 hours before our guests arrive," announces Betty.
"Seems like a reasonable request," replies Matt.
They then walk, albeit slowly, throughout the rest of the first floor and then go to the second floor.
Smiling, Betty remarks, "I think we did a great job on the furniture choices-they really seem to fit us. Now, I want the nursery delivered since that room looks lonely right now."
"I'll call the store and see if they can rush that too," responds Matt.
They enter the master bedroom, where Matt surprises Betty with bedding that they had looked at but seemingly deferred to a later time.
"You got the linen I was admiring but didn't think was practical!" exclaims Betty.
"Now we need to see if it is as comfortable as it looks," she continues as she leads him towards the bed.
Getting no argument from Matt, Betty and Matt then make love in their new home, shower, and get dressed with plenty of time to spare before their guests arrive.
Matt opens the door for the staff from "Steak Central," who he has contracted with for the first dinner in their home. He shows them to the kitchen, where they get to work preparing the meal.
Hilda, Bobby, Ignacio, Elena, Justin and Austin are the first to arrive, with Justin remarking, "This place is big, yet fits both of you. I do still have a few decorating suggestions."
Everyone laughs, with Matt giving them the grand tour while Betty stays on the couch in a reclined position.
When the tour ends, Ignacio sits down next to Betty and says, "Mija, I am so proud of you. You are doing a wonderful job following doctor's orders so that you and my grandbaby will do well."
"Thank you, Papi," replies Betty, giving her father a hug, "As Matt reminds me frequently, the baby and I are both worth it."
Victoria and Cal arrive together, with pleasantries exchanged. Both Victoria and Cal come over to Betty and give her words of encouragement. Matt does his second tour of the redecorated home within a 15 minute time period. They then sit down in the dining room to eat, with Matt and Bobby pushing a recliner in for Betty so that she can eat with the entire group.
"Excellent choice in caterers," states Victoria, "Steak Central rarely disappoints. I must say-you got the furniture changed out very quickly. While certainly not what I would go for, your new furniture seems to fit both of you and I hope it serves you well for many years to come."
"Thank you," remark Betty and Matt together.
Looking at Hilda, Victoria adds, "I'd say this furniture is similar to the baby shower games, not something I would choose for myself, but something that works well just the same."
Nodding, Hilda replies, "Yes, they are definitely continuing to mix different worlds, but it seems to fit for them."
Matt says, "I expect that while not a typical crowd, we will have many a gathering here with friends and family alike where all will feel welcome."
Glancing at the Suarez family, then at Victoria, and finally at Matt and Betty, Cal remarks, "We are definitely an eclectic group, but as long as you are both happy, and our grandbaby is happy and healthy, that is what matters."
"Agreed," remark all of the guests, virtually in unison.
They finish dinner. Everyone then says their goodbyes, with reassurances from Matt and Betty that they will call in the early afternoon to let them know if they are permitted to return to England or will be staying in New York until the baby's arrival.
Betty, chuckling slightly, says, "Apparently, most everybody is on their best behavior. Whether it is because they don't want to be accused of aggravating my blood pressure or not, I'm going to take it while I can get it."
Smiling at her and giving her a sweet kiss, Matt replies, "See another benefit to our daughter, promoting civility."
Betty and Matt then slowly walk upstairs, hand and hand, to their room to go to bed on their first night in their new home. Betty looks around and smiles at Matt, with her having a feeling of peace that they made the right decisions in their furniture choices and in her choice in a life partner as well. She takes her blood pressure one more time before going to sleep, with a reading of 137/79.