THE LITTLE BUNDLE OF JOY
October 19th 2010
It was noon and Shelley was currently downstairs watching TV. She happily watched Honeybelle and friends fend off the dark Pony Master, Krispa, who was trying to destroy the town of Pony Oak Hills. At that moment Grandma Mara stepped into the room.
"Shelley dear? I just made lunch. Let's turn off the TV for a little while, okay?"
Shelley sighed but clicked it off. "Fine. Only 'cause I saw this episode already."
Shelley took up a spot at the dining room table to a plate of chicken nuggets, broccoli, and strawberry slices. There was also a cup of her favorite strawberry kiwi juice as well.
"This looks good. Thanks Granma," Shelley smiled.
Grandma Mara smiled back before sitting down to her own lunch. The two were silent for a couple minutes before the older woman made a small cough to ignite the conversation.
"So Shelley, how are you feeling today?"
"Okay," the little girl shrugged.
"How do you feel about your new baby brother?"
Shelley rolled her eyes but didn't answer.
Grandma Mara went on. "Your mommy just had a new baby this morning. Aren't you excited to go meet him today?"
Shelley frowned as she smashed a chicken nugget with her fork. "No. I don't want a baby brover. I don't want to go see him today or ever."
"But I think your daddy is coming over today to bring myself and you to the hospital to go meet him. Mommy and Daddy are really happy. I'm happy too. I'm sure it would make everyone even happier if you wanted to see him too," Mara said gently.
"But I don't want to see him," Shelley emphasized. "I didn't ask for a baby. I wanted a Power Pony bike but 'stead they give me a baby."
Mara sighed as she tried explaining things in a way the four-year-old would understand. From what she got so far, Shelley was not looking forward to being a big sister. Of course Mara's son and daughter-in-law were going to tell Shelley they loved her more than ever as the weeks went by but no doubt the stress of a newborn would get to them and she might feel ignored soon enough. Mara was thrilled to have a grandson now but her only granddaughter had to feel special too.
"Shelley love, a new baby brings a lot of joy into a home. Little Stanley is going to make everyone very happy. And do you know what's going to happen when he gets a little older?"
"What?" Shelley grumbled into her lunch.
"He's going to be looking up to you. He's going to expect his big sister to show him everything in life. And it would make your mom and dad so happy and proud to see you step up to take that role. Being a big sister is a great privilege. Can you try to be a little excited about seeing the baby today?"
Shelley rolled her eyes as she stabbed at her broccoli. "I guess."
Around two that afternoon Mara heard the phone ring. It was Randy. "Hello dear. How is everything? Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Okay. I understand. Okay. Don't worry dear; the baby's health is most important. Uh-huh. All right. And how is Sharon? Well that's good. Do you think she'll be up for visitors? Oh that's wonderful to know. Okay. Oh, everything is fine over here right now. Of course Shelley was a little annoyed that she had to be dragged to the hospital last night after Sharon went into labor, only to be taken back home by the baby-sitter this morning. But we had lunch not too long ago and she's been coloring ever since. I'll see if she'll go down for a nap later but she doesn't appear tired right now. Yes…well it would be nice if we could time it right Randy. As soon as you get word when we might see Stanley then we'll come over. Okay. Love you dear. Good-bye."
Shelley was currently in the living room with paper and crayons spread out on the table.
"Shelley my love, that was Daddy on the phone just now. We can't see the baby right away; he's still being looked after by the doctors. But we can see Mommy any time. I was thinking it might be good to wait a couple hours more so we have a higher chance to finally seeing Stanley. In the meantime, since you have all of your art supplies out, why don't you make Mommy a pretty picture or card?"
Shelley didn't look up from her picture of the witch costume she saw herself in this coming Halloween. "Why? Is she sick?"
"Well, no not really. But she is in the hospital. She just had a baby so might be feeling a little sore. It would be such a nice surprise if you gave her something pretty when we see her today."
Shelley shrugged, again, looking uninterested. "I guess."
After three Mara got herself and Shelley ready to head to the hospital to visit her daughter-in-law and hopefully get to meet her new grandson. She had been sent a few pictures from Randy via her cell phone but she had yet to see the bundle of joy herself. Once they made it to Hell's Pass Hospital Mara stepped inside the gift shop to purchase something before going up to the Labor and Delivery Ward on the third floor. She spotted her son slumped over in a chair in the lounge.
"Daddy!" Shelley yelled and ran to him.
"Huh? Oh, hey there honey," Randy yawned, stretched, and went to pick his daughter up. He got to his feet. "Glad you could make it. Sharon hasn't had any visitors yet, she wanted to rest as much as possible before people started coming in. And, well, she's a little upset she hasn't really gotten to see Stanley yet."
"What do you mean? She didn't even get to hold him yet?" Mara frowned.
"Briefly. But after they did their exam he was whisked off to the NICU," Randy said heavily.
"Daddy, what's Nick-You?" Shelley asked.
Randy set his daughter to the floor. "Oh, just a special place they take babies that might be a little sick after they're born."
"Is he really really sick?"
"Huh? Oh uhh, no he should be okay soon."
Shelley crossed her arms as if that was unsettling news.
Randy was rubbing his eyes now and let out a yawn. "They did bring the baby in an hour after he was born to try and get him to latch on but he was having troubles doing so. So off he went back to the NICU. Sharon's pretty upset about that right now…"
Mara shook her head. "The poor dear… and poor Sharon."
"Yeah," Randy nodded before turning back to his daughter. "Well Shelley, do you want to see Mommy? She was hoping you would stop by today," Randy spoke.
Shelley nodded and took hold of her daddy's hand as they walked down a hall and stopped at room 4407. Sharon was currently sitting up in bed, TV remote in hand.
"Sharon dear, how are you?" Mara smiled and hugged her.
"I'm doing okay, thank-you," Sharon said heavily, smiling slightly.
"Congratulations on the new babe," the grandmother beamed and handed over a bouquet of flowers and balloons.
"Thank-you so much Mara. These look beautiful." Sharon then looked around to see her daughter standing away from the bed, looking a little confused. "Shelley sweetheart, there's my pretty girl."
Shelley didn't move.
"Go say 'hi' to Mommy. It's okay, she won't bite," Randy smiled and pushed the girl over to her mother.
Sharon gave her daughter a hug and kiss. "I'm so happy to see you honey. And what's that you have there?" she nodded to the paper in Shelley's hand.
"I- drawed you a picture." Shelley presented the picture to her mom. "It has the Power Ponies on it and says 'For My Mommy' on it," she described, pointing to the mess of letters on the paper where only a few were legible.
"Thank-you so much honey. Do you know what I'm going to do with it? I'm going to set it on this table right here so I can look at it all day long," Sharon propped the picture on the bedside table against a glass of water.
"How are you feeling though dear?" Mara asked as she stood by the woman's left side, hand on her shoulder, concern in her eyes.
"Honestly? I could be better. It only happened what? Nine hours ago? It hurts to get up and around right now. The doctors and nurses say to relax but…it's hard." She sighed heavily. "I just want to see him again. I want to hold him."
"You will soon Shar," Randy stroked her hair. "They just want to keep him a little while longer."
Almost as if her wishes were heard, there was a knock on the door and Sharon's doctor graced the floor.
"Hello everyone, good afternoon. How are you feeling right now Sharon?" Dr. Garbell asked, holding a folder in her hands as she fixed the glasses on her face.
"As to be expected after one gives birth. I just want to see him," Sharon said heavily.
"Well if you feel able enough to make it in a wheelchair then you and Randy can take a ride up to the NICU to see your new son. How does that sound?"
Sharon and Randy shared relieved smiles.
"I can really see him?" Sharon asked.
Dr. Garbell nodded. "Of course. We want newborns to get as much time with their mothers as possible, even if they might be a little sick. We can see if Stanley will try to latch again."
"We'll be right there," Randy nodded as he watched his wife already move to the side of her bed to hop in a wheelchair.
"Wonderful," smiled the doctor before turning to the grandmother and little girl in the room. "You two will be able to see Stanley today too, but let's give the new Mommy some time first, how does that sound?"
Randy helped his wife into a wheelchair and they followed behind the doctor two minutes later.
"Can we go home now Granma?" Shelley asked her grandmother after her parents left.
"What? Why would you want to? We still have to see your baby brother silly."
Shelley huffed and crossed her arms. "Granma, why did the doctor say Mommy was a new Mommy just now?"
"Well, it's just a term some people use for a mother that just had a baby."
"But Mommy was already a Mommy 'fore the stupid baby got here. So she's not a new mommy no more."
Grandma Mara rubbed her chin as she tried to think. "Well, since your mommy just gave birth to a new baby it makes her a new mother in a way. She's going to do all the things new mothers do when they have a baby. Some of it she will remember how to do since you were her baby first. Others things will be brand-new," the older woman tried explaining.
"Why?" Shelley asked as she hopped up on a chair, facing her grandmother, eyes full of curiosity.
"Well everyone is different sweetheart. Even babies. The new baby will do some things differently than how you did them when you were little. And your mom and dad will have to learn how to do some things in a different way to make sure little Stanley grows up happy and healthy. Plus, he's a boy. Your parents only know what it's like to have a little girl in the house."
The two stayed in the room for another half hour before Randy stepped into the room again, pushing Sharon along. He helped her back into bed.
"How is he doing?" Mara asked, eyes full of worry again.
"Well, he's stable right now but he's still not latching," Randy sighed. "But we can go see him now if you want."
Mara beamed and bent down to Shelley. "Shelley dear, do you want to go meet your new baby brother now?"
Shelley crossed her arms and glared. "No."
"C'mon Shelley, I know Stanley wants to see his new big sissy. Let's get out of here for a little while," Randy tried.
"I want to stay here wif Mommy," Shelley stepped closer to her mother's bedside.
Sharon yawned and gave her daughter a hug. "Sweetie, why don't you go with Daddy and Grandma right now, okay?"
"No!"
"Shelley, Mommy needs to rest. C'mon, let's walk around for a little while," Randy urged his daughter close to the door.
So Shelley had no choice but to have her father take her in his arms as they made their way to the NICU part of the nursery on level 4 of the hospital. They stepped out of the elevator and walked along to the NICU. Randy spoke with the nurse in charge of the ward at that moment that he had permission to be there before he faced his mother.
"You'll be able to hold him, you just have to be extra careful, he's attached to a couple things," Randy explained. He then turned to his daughter. "Shelley honey, since Stanley is still so little, you won't be able to hold him right now. But Grandma or myself will hold him up to the window and you can see him that way, okay?"
"I don't want to see him," Shelley pointed out.
Randy ignored this. "Ready Mom?"
Mara nodded and the two scrubbed their hands clean and put on special covers for their shoes before heading into the NICU. Randy led his mother over to the space set up a few units to the left. They stopped at an incubator where a little baby currently laid. He was attached to a few monitors via a strap on his left foot and had a thin tube attached to his left nostril. He flexed his legs out and hand every-so-often.
"Here he is, little Stanley," Randy beamed.
"Oh Randy dear, he's just gorgeous…" Grandma Mara fawned, placing a hand on her chest.
"He's doing okay right now although he is having troubles feeding at the moment. That's what the tube in his nose is for, to help him put on some weight. They said his breathing is a little labored at the moment as well. But Dr. Garbell told us not to worry; he should regulate himself and be right on track soon. These things are to be expected if a baby is born near-term."
"The poor dear." Mara touched the newborn's hand before looking up at her son. "Can I then…?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, of course. Let's see here… heeeyy Stanley, somebody wants to meet you. I know, I know…" Randy spoke as he carefully lifted his son up and he began to whine.
Mara held out her arms as the infant was carefully placed in them.
"Hey there Stanley sweetheart. I'm your Grandma Mara. Shhhh, you're okay love. You're okay," Mara cooed as she rocked him gently.
"Want to see his hair?" Randy smiled and lifted the tiny powder blue hat on the baby's head to reveal a little pouf of thin black hair.
"How precious. Oh Randy dear, he really is a dream. I know how much you two wanted a boy."
Randy rubbed his neck now. "Yeah well, I would still love our second kid if we had had another girl. C'mon Mom…"
"I know, I know. But I am happy too that I now have a grandson along with my granddaughter." Mara gently bounced the infant as he fussed again. "Do you know when Sharon's parents will come in to see him?"
"Soon she hopes. Of course things are busy back home. But they will try to come out in the next couple of weeks. But Sharon is already fretting about the idea that Stanley's so tiny and slightly sick that she wants to put off any other visits for at least a month."
Mara smiled down at the baby again. "Stanley… what did you say his middle name is again?"
"Quintin. Stanley Quintin. I know, it's a little odd but apparently Sharon found the name in some book not that long ago and felt some connection to it, I dunno," Randy shrugged.
"Do you like the name?"
Randy looked a little surprised at this question. "What? Of course I do Mom. Honestly I wasn't feeling a strong pull to any of the names we did narrow it down to. Although I kind of wanted him to have a name that started with an R. I mean Shelley and Sharon both share the letter S so it would only be fair. But I lost that argument very quickly. But look at him, he really is a Stanley Quintin isn't he?" the man beamed.
Mara smiled. "He is dear. It really is the sweetest name for him."
Randy then gasped. "Oh! Hey, hold him up for a minute Mom. I want Shelley to see him." Randy stepped out of the NICU to his daughter who was currently sitting on a bench playing with her Power Pony figure. "Shelley, do you want to see your new brother?"
"No."
"C'mon, I'll lift you up so you can see. Grandma is holding him now."
Giving her father a hard look, Shelley allowed the man to pick her up and hold her near the glass window of the nursery. Grandma Mara lifted Stanley up just high enough for the girl to catch a look.
"See that? That's your baby brother. I'm sure he can't wait to play with you and for you to teach him all sorts of things when he goes home."
Shelley didn't say anything. She cast her eyes down. "I wanna go down Daddy." Randy set her down. "I wanna see Mommy again."
Randy sighed. "I don't know Shelley, Mommy is probably sleeping. We can go see but I want to say good-bye to your brother first." Randy and his mother both caught one more look of little Stanley before going down to see Sharon again. As predicted she was currently sleeping. Randy suggested it would probably be best if they went back home for now which Shelley was not happy about. All she wanted was for her mommy and daddy to be together at home again but then this stupid baby thing happened.
Unfortunately for Shelley the remainder of her grandmother's visit was not very exciting. Since the stupid baby had arrived three weeks earlier than planned there were some things her daddy and grandma had to get so her mommy could be prepared for the baby when she came home. Randy, his mother, and Shelley spent a good two hours at Target trying to get all they could for Sharon and Stanley. Randy took note that they did not have any diapers or diaper cream so he made sure to stock up on such items. He also wasn't sure how well their newborn would eat once he was released from the hospital so he decided to buy a couple cases of a special sensitivity infant formula in case Sharon wasn't able to produce enough of her own milk. He was ready to pull out his own hair after an hour of being in the store.
"I have no idea what to buy! Do we need a special baby bottle sterilizer machine? What about special baby laundry detergent? Or more newborn clothing? Stanley's smaller than Shelley was when she was born by two pounds! Surely he'll be able to fit into newborn clothing longer than she did?" Randy spoke aloud to himself as his mother stood by.
"Randy, calm down dear. This isn't your first child, you know what did and did not work out when you had Shelley," Mara tried to sooth, hand on his arm.
"But Stanley is different Mom. He's sick, who knows when he'll even be discharged! Maybe he won't even need newborn clothes because he'll be too big by the time he's released!"
"Randy, really… you told me that he'll be okay. The doctors told you and Sharon that he should be fine to go home in a few days. Yes he's a little smaller than a typical newborn but he isn't a micro-preemie. Now let's regroup and figure out what we know you and Sharon will need and use. You didn't use a bottle sterilizer with Shelley so I don't feel it's an essential item to get, at least not today. I would say yes to the special delicate laundry soap as a baby's skin is very sensitive. Plus winter will be coming up soon and you don't want Stanley in stiff or scratchy clothing if he's going to be extra bundled up."
Shelley, who was playing with her stuffed horse, finally looked up, clearly getting bored by now. "Daddy, can I get something too?"
Randy was currently comparing different bottles and nipples for said bottles. "Huh? Not now Shelley, Daddy's busy."
Shelley rolled her eyes and went over to her grandmother. "Granma, there's a new Power Pony Clubhouse I want. Can I get it?"
"Maybe you can get something little dear before we leave. Right now Daddy and I have to make sure your mommy has everything she needs when she brings the baby home."
And so Shelley had no choice but to hang around the baby department in Target as her father and grandmother loaded up an entire cart with things. They were about to head into a line to pay for everything when Shelley reminded them she could get something too. Randy was against this, claiming he was probably going to spend close to $300 right now but Grandma Mara allowed Shelley to get something small- a Pretty Pony Surprise Heart. The rest of the evening was spent getting things ready for Sharon when she was able to go home.
The following day, October 20th, Randy received a phone call from the hospital that Sharon was indeed able to go home. Grandma Mara would still be staying around until Stanley was able to be discharged too. Randy wasted no time that morning driving to the hospital to bring his wife back home. He had made a couple trips already to the car to load gifts, balloons, supplies, and important papers before it was finally time to gather up Sharon. Before anything the parents made their way over to the NICU to visit their son. Sharon was able to hold onto her baby for twenty minutes before Randy made the suggestion they should probably head home. Sharon's heart broke as she passed her son along to a nurse, especially when Stanley began to cry as soon as he left his mother's arms.
"C'mon Shar… he'll be okay. He'll be home soon," Randy soothed, rubbing her shoulders.
Sharon dabbed at an eye and nodded. "I know. But this isn't how I imagined it would be. I thought I was going to bring him home the same day I went home."
"Yeah well, babies don't exactly follow along their parents' plans do they? He'll be fine. He just needs to prove he can eat on his own and he'll be out of here. The doctor already said his breathing is better. We can see him again tonight. But I know you want to get to your own bed and take a nice long bath. And Shelley misses you," Randy tried.
Sharon sighed but nodded and finally got into the wheelchair Randy had out for her and together the two left the hospital.
Grandma Mara was just serving up lunch to Shelley when she received a text from Randy saying he and Sharon were on their way. When Shelley found this out she got really excited and abandoned her sandwich to wait up for her parents by the front door. As soon as the door opened and Randy walked in, aiding Sharon along, Shelley cheered and ran to her mother.
"Oooff! Hello sweetie," Sharon winced as she had the air knocked out of her.
"Mommy, I'm so happy you're home! I liked havin' Granma around but I'm happy you're back from the hospidal. Are you okay now? Are you still sick?" Shelley asked.
Sharon smiled slightly. "I'm better now Shelley. Mommy still hurts a little so it will be hard to walk around so you have to be a big girl and help me out with things, okay?"
Shelley nodded. Only at that moment did she notice something else- and it made her smile more. "Yaaa! You didn't bring the baby home! You decided not to have him after all!"
At this Sharon's eyes instantly filled with tears.
"Oh, oh Sharon dear…" Grandma Mara frowned, seeing the woman tear up.
Sharon sniffed. "I- I was expecting to bring him home today, that's all."
"You will soon dear. But we want to make sure Stanley is as healthy as possible before that happens," Mara said, slightly concerned.
Sharon was wiping her nose in a tissue now. "I know. But to come home without my new baby… knowing he's still in the hospital hooked up to things. Just- just as we were leaving, when I had to give him back to the nurse…"
"Mommy, now that the baby is gone, can we turn his room into room for my own pony? Can we?" Shelley looked up, excitedly.
With those words Sharon broke down completely, falling into the couch, Randy helping her along.
"Mommy, can we"-
Grandma Mara placed a hand on the girl's head. "Shelley doll, why don't we go out for a little walk, okay?"
"Why? I want to know"-
"Let's give Mommy and Daddy some time alone. We can bug them later, okay?"
With a scowl, Shelley allowed her grandmother to place a jacket over her as well as put her in boots before stepping out. Randy was back to rubbing his wife's shoulders once his mother and daughter left.
"Cmon Sharon, get a hold of yourself. You're becoming a mother hen and the kid isn't even here yet."
"Our newborn son is in the hospital Randy! I will react however I damn well want!" Sharon shot him a dark look.
"Yes but he isn't a critical case. He just has difficulties feeding at the moment."
Sharon dabbed at her eye. "I'm going to feel like such a failure if I can't breastfeed my own baby."
"You can still pump if he won't take to the breast at first. And I got some special baby formula for newborns with sensitivity. And special bottles that resemble an actual nipple flow. Stanley will be fine."
Sharon shook her head now. "And Shelley… she still thinks we aren't bringing a baby home. She wants him out of her life and he isn't even here yet."
Randy waved a hand at this. "That's just how Shelley is; don't think too much on it. Having a newborn in the house is a big adjustment for everyone. Hopefully we find a groove early on. Personally I'm hoping Stanley's going to be an easy kid, one that hardly cries."
"Every baby cries Randy."
"Well isn't the second one supposed to be more laid-back than the first?" Randy looked generally confused.
Sharon let out a yawn and squeezed her husband's hand. "Promise me we'll visit the baby again today."
Randy kissed her on the top of her head. "We will Sharon, don't worry."
October 22nd
Sharon was beside herself with joy that evening. Nearly three days after her baby was born she would finally be able to bring him home. Around four in the afternoon she was given a phone call from the hospital that Stanley was finally eating on his own. If Sharon was able to successfully feed him then he would be able to go home. And even if he didn't latch onto her right away, as long as he took to a bottle with his parents he'd be discharged. Sharon and Randy were more than eager to get to the NICU that evening, hoping today would be the day. Stanley was no longer attached to any tubes or monitors and was more alert than he had been the past few days. Sharon was led to a rocking chair in the corner as the nurse in charge passed along her son.
"Let's see if somebody wants a little snack today," smiled the slightly older lady.
With a little adjusting from the nurse Sharon pressed Stanley to her left side. He moved his head around slightly, as if confused what was happening.
"C'mon baby… c'mon…" Sharon said softly. A few seconds later he seemed to have been able to find what he was looking for and latched on. Sharon looked up, a bright smile on her face.
"Well?" Randy bit his lip, coming forward.
"He's doing it! He's doing it. That's it sweetheart, good job. You're doing so good…"
Randy looked over to the nurse who was smiling.
"I'll go inform the doctor. Excuse me…"
An hour after the parents arrived at the hospital they were finally allowed to bring their newborn baby home. Sharon had Stanley's going-home outfit all picked out thanks to Randy's mother who bought the outfit the other day at Target. Sharon dressed him in a white long-sleeved shirt with the words: I'm so cute, it's scary in black, white pants with little bats and pumpkins, tiny orange socks, and a little hat that resembled the top of a pumpkin on his head. The nurses and doctor gave the parents a few more pointers and important information before handing over their baby's release papers and birth certificate. And finally they were on their way home.
"Oh it feels so good to finally bring him home," Sharon said, as she looked down on their son in his car-seat on the ride home.
"See? What did I tell you? He'd be home before you know it! He just needed a couple days to get really strong. Now you can fatten him up like you want and we can finally be a complete family," Randy was saying, glancing behind him at his wife in the backseat with their son.
Twenty minutes later they were home. Sharon carefully took Stanley out of the car-seat and wrapped him in a blanket as they stepped inside.
"Mom? Shelley? We've got a surprise for you!" Randy called as he set down some things.
There was a sound of someone small running down the stairs.
"A surprise?" Shelley said excitedly, and ran to her parents. She stopped dead in her tracks when she spotted her mother holding…something. "What's that?" she glared.
Grandma Mara came out from the kitchen and dropped the oven mitts she was using. "Oh goodness! He's home!" she exclaimed happily and hurried forward.
"Yep. He had no trouble with feeding. Sharon was able to do her thing and Stanley well, was able to do his," Randy was smiling. "He lost a few ounces a couple days ago but the doctor said that's normal for newborns. He was- what? 6.10 at birth, right? He's now 6.11 so that's good. His breathing is good, everything looks good."
"Mara, thank-you again for the outfit, it's perfect," Sharon indicated the Halloween-inspired outfit Stanley was dressed in.
Mara smiled. "Well I had to get him a new going-home outfit since the one you were originally going to use isn't quite fitting for the season. At least not yet."
Sharon's original outfit for her son was going to be a darling matching brown turkey-inspired outfit since his due date was set to be November 12th. The chances that he'd be able to fit into it next month were still high since the newborn clothing he currently was in was slightly too big. If anything Sharon was happy her son was born in October after all, that meant that she had almost two weeks to dress him up in Halloween outfits and pose for darling Halloween-themed pictures. October was always one of her favorite months anyway; scary movies, candy, adorable children in costumes, crisp cool weather… Sharon was happy she now had something else to look forward to with the month.
Sharon then took notice that Shelley had hopped on the couch and turned on the TV, an angry scowl on her face. She walked over to her daughter and carefully bent down.
"Shelley? Did you want to say 'hello' to your new baby brother?"
Shelley said nothing as she flipped through the channels.
Sharon sat down now, causing Shelley to scoot away.
"Shelley honey, little Stanley is strong enough to be home now! Isn't that exciting? We can finally be one happy family. I know you couldn't officially say hello to him a few days ago but now you can. Did you want to say hello?"
Shelley mumbled something.
"What's that sweetie?"
"I said- I don't want to say 'hello'. I didn't ask for a stupid baby. I asked for a Power Pony bike."
Randy came forward now and sat on the other side of their daughter. "Well maybe you can get a Princess Pony bike or whatever the hell it is from Santa in a couple months. But c'mon, say 'hi'! He's part of the family now!"
Shelley then got to her feet and ran to the stairs, yelling, "I don't want a stupid baby!" before storming off to her room.
Randy got to his feet, about to follow after but was stopped by his mother.
"Just leave her alone for now dear. She'll come around soon enough."
Randy shook his head and rubbed his eyes. "It's frustrating, Stanley's only been home for ten minutes and already Shelley is making a scene. I do not want my daughter to resent her own brother."
Mara smiled sadly as she took her son's hands. "It's going to take some adjustment for Shelley. Her home-life is forever changed. Now she's going to have to share yours and Sharon's attention with a little brother. And she's four, which means she is able to express how she's feeling and can physically be more demanding too. Don't force anything right now, take is slow. Remind Shelley how special she is and how much you love her. But also present the new arrival as a pleasant one!"
Randy rolled his eyes. "Oh whatever Mom. Shelley's a kid not a dog."
"No really, if Shelley is reminded of all the great things that will happen now that she's a big sister she'll warm up to Stanley better. Try to include her in some baby-care duties."
"What?" Sharon looked up as she bounced Stanley, who was fussing slightly now.
"Have her fetch the diapers, new clothes. Maybe distract the baby with a toy if you're trying to change him or bathe him. Don't beat yourselves over this too much; sibling rivalry exists among any pair of siblings even if they get along well most of the time. Shelley will love Stanley, eventually."
Sharon and Randy knew Randy's mother was making good points. In order to raise their children to the best of their abilities it meant getting everyone on board and creating an environment where both children felt safe and loved even if some bickering and jealousy was to take place. Sharon could already see how things would play out in the coming years… Shelley would have her typical arguments that Stanley got away with everything and got extra attention because he was younger, and Stanley would counter back that it wasn't true and would point out all the things Shelley got to do that he couldn't because she was older.
That night was a little tough on everyone in the household. Shelley was still mad that her parents brought the baby home after all and didn't want to talk to them. Instead she asked for her grandmother for things such as helping her out with putting together a puzzle as well as do some art projects with her. She also wanted Grandma to supervise as she took a bath and to help her brush her hair after. At this point Sharon and Randy felt it was best if Randy's mother stayed the night. It was clearly what Shelley wanted and Sharon and Randy were preoccupied looking after the new baby. However when the morning came Mara decided it was best to finally head home.
"But Granma! We still hafta set up a stage for all my ponies to fight!" Shelley complained over breakfast.
"I'm sorry dear but I really think it's best I went home today."
Shelley was glaring now as she stabbed at her scrambled eggs. "Then I wanna go wif you."
Grandma Mara chuckled along with Randy, who had just sat down with some coffee.
"Shelley, Grandma has her own life to get back to. She has a house and a cat and other things to take care of," Randy smiled.
"I like you here though. Please stay longer," Shelley continued to beg.
Grandma Mara smiled sadly. "Sorry love, maybe another time. I think Mommy and Daddy want to start doing things like a normal family again. But you know what you can do to make Grandma really happy?"
"What?" Shelley spat, crossing her arms.
"You can be a nice big helper to Mommy and Daddy! You get to be a real big girl and do things for Mom, Dad, and Stanley. They would all be so happy and thankful if you helped out. You can get some items your parents ask you to, you can sooth the baby if he's crying, you can help dress him and bathe him… there's so many great things you can do to be a great big Helper for Mommy and Daddy and a Big Sis for Stanley," Grandma Mara said brightly.
"But I don't want to do any of that."
To put it short, Shelley was not happy when her grandmother packed up her things to leave within the hour. Grandma Mara held her new grandson for a few more minutes before giving him a big kiss and handing him over to Sharon again.
"Congratulations again you two. He really is a perfect little angel," the grandmother spoke.
"Thank-you again for everything Mara. I'm really thankful. And thank-you for all those meals you prepped for us for the next two weeks. That will really help us out a lot," Sharon said gratefully.
"Oh it was nothing Sharon dear. Anything for you and Randy to spend more time with the baby and less worrying about cooking." Grandma Mara gave Shelley one last kiss, told her to 'make Grandma proud' and finally hopped in her car and drove off.
Randy smiled at his wife, daughter, and son after closing the front door. "Well, looks like it's just the four of us now. It's going to be pretty nice isn't it?"
"Yes, we're a perfect family now. I really can't wait when we"- at that moment Stanley began wailing and Sharon excused herself and went upstairs.
Shrugging, Randy grabbed a beer from the fridge and plopped down in front of the TV. Shelley stood near the couch, looking up at her father.
"Daddy, how long is the baby going to be here anyway?"
"Huh? Oh um, a while. Years," Randy frowned as he turned up the volume for a countdown show showing the wildest police chases in America.
Shelley took a step forward. "I still don't know why. I asked for a Magical Power Pony Bike. Not anofer baby doll."
Randy smirked. "He's not a doll Shelley. He's an actual baby. Now go off and play something, Daddy wants to watch some TV."
"But I still don't know how," Shelley emphasized.
"How what?" Randy was starting to look annoyed now.
"How he got here!"
Randy glanced at her for a second before looking at the TV. "Well, he just did. Mommy and I wanted another kid so we… got another kid. I'll explain it to you another time. Now why don't you go upstairs and bug Mommy for a while, okay?"
Grumbling, Shelley trudged upstairs. She was about to go inside her room when she paused at the doorframe of her new brother's nursery. Sharon, who was currently inside with Stanley, took notice.
"Shelley! Come inside, it's okay. He's not going to bite," Sharon smiled at her daughter.
Shelley hesitantly stepped inside to take note on what her mother was doing. She had just finished changing Stanley's diaper on the changing table. Sharon placed her daughter on a stool so she could look on.
"See? He's harmless. Do you want to give him a kiss?"
"No." Shelley glared before looking at the baby again. "What's that?" she pointed to a dark clump on the baby's stomach.
"That's where the baby was attached to me. You see honey, every baby has a cord that's attached to them and to their mommy. Special nutrients in the cord help the baby to grow."
"Huh?"
Sharon smiled as she took hold of her son so her daughter could get a better look. "Once the baby is born the doctor cuts the cord so the baby can be his own separate person."
Shelley's eyes went wide, she looked almost concerned. "But doesn't that hurt Mommy?"
"No, in fact Mommy and baby don't feel a thing. The cord eventually dries up like you see on Stanley, and in about a week it will fall off and leave a belly button!"
Shelley's eyes widened again and she lifted up her own shirt to look at her belly button. Sharon chuckled.
"Yes, you had a stump like that too. We all do after we're born. And then it becomes our belly buttons. Kind of strange, isn't it?"
Shelley looked at Stanley again. "Can I touch it?"
"No! No, we have to be very careful until it falls off on its own." Stanley began fussing again. Sharon dressed him back up in the brown onesie he was wearing that bore a puppy on the front then pointed out the glider in the corner of the nursery. "I think the baby wants to be rocked. Do you want to sit in the glider chair and hold him?"
In a way Shelley did, she was curious, but she was now battling with her own thoughts. A part of her wanted to hold him since it looked fun but a part of her didn't, thinking she'd hurt the baby. Not that she was too concerned if she actually hurt him, she just knew she'd get in trouble if she did hurt him. She simply said 'no' and walked out the room to her own.
October 25th
Shelley awoke at 8:30 that morning. It had been hard staying asleep the past few days since the stupid new baby would wake her by his crying. But thankfully Shelley woke herself up that morning and went downstairs to get breakfast. Of course most mornings her mother was the one to prepare her food but she felt she could pour herself a bowl of cereal without much trouble. Using a stepstool, she was able to take down the Honey Nut Cheerios from the cereal shelf, grabbed a bowl and spoon, and dragged the milk carton over. She ended up pouring too much cereal in her bowl and overflowed it with milk but the end result was she got her cereal, which was all that mattered. After breakfast she went back upstairs to get herself ready for the day. Thanks to a Magical Power Ponies planner that came with fun magnets, Shelley was able to keep track of the days of the week, and according to today, Monday, it was time for school. Shelley knew that after breakfast she had to brush her teeth but usually her mother supervised her with this task. She was about to knock on her parents' bedroom door when the phone rang from downstairs. At that moment Shelley could hear the baby on the other side of the door begin to cry. Shelley still did not think it was fair that the baby got to sleep in the same room as Mommy and Daddy but she couldn't. Frowning, Shelley decided to go downstairs to answer the phone.
"Hi, I'm Shelley," Shelley answered.
There was a pause on the other end. "Hello? Is this the Marsh residence?" spoke a lady on the other end.
Shelley thought for a second. "Um, my last name is Marsh."
"Okay. Shelley Marsh honey, is your Mommy or Daddy home? This is the administrator for South Park Elementary. I need to speak to one of your parents."
"Okay… just a minute…" Shelley hurried off upstairs and began banging on the door of her parents' bedroom. "Mommy! Daddy! Phoooonnneee!" the sound of the baby's cries grew louder. A few seconds later the door opened to reveal a very haggard and annoyed Randy. Shelley was almost blasted by the noise of baby Stanley now.
"What? What the hell is it?" Randy snapped.
"Phone," Shelley held it up to her dad.
"What? Who the hell is this?" Randy spat in the receiver.
"Is this Randy Marsh? The father of Shelley Marsh?"
"Yes, what?"
"This is the administrator of South Park Elementary. I'm calling in concern of your daughter. According to her preschool teacher, Miss Claridge, your daughter did not show up during roll call this morning. We were wondering if there was a reason your daughter is absent in class today."
Randy rubbed his eyes, trying to process what this lady just said. "Look lady, I'm sick of your attitude, stop harassing my family!"
"No, Mr. Marsh. This is Mrs. Delores from South Park Elementary. I was only calling to ask about your daughter, Shelley, and why she is absent today for class."
Randy turned to his wife, who was currently bouncing Stanley in her arms as she sat up in bed.
"Who is it?" Sharon asked.
"The school. Shelley's… absent?"
"What? How? What day is it?"
At this question Shelley stepped into the bedroom. "It's Monday, my Magic Power Pony Planner says so!"
"It's Monday?!" Sharon and Randy cried.
Randy hurriedly spoke into the phone again. "Um, she'll be there soon, thanks," and hung up. "How the hell did we already forget what day it is?"
Sharon let out a yawn as she continued to try and quiet down the baby. "Sleep deprivation is al-al-(yawn) ready setting in Randy." She looked at her daughter now. "Get ready for preschool Shelley, Daddy will take you."
"What? Why me?" Randy snapped.
"Do you currently have an instant way to feed our son?" Sharon gave him a dark look.
Grumbling, Randy grabbed his car keys and went to meet up with his daughter ten minutes later. Randy glanced behind him at Shelley in her booster seat on the ride to school.
"Why didn't you wake me up earlier Shelley?"
Shelley shrugged. "I can't tell time. I just woke up and saw it was time for school."
Randy walked with Shelley down to her preschool teacher, Miss Claridge, over an hour late to class now. The teacher looked a little confused at his attire, which was a set of green pajamas and slippers on his feet.
"Is everything okay?" the teacher asked as Shelley went to put her things in her cubby.
"Huh? Oh yeah, sorry about today. My wife just had a baby not even a week ago."
Miss Claridge beamed now. "Did she? How exciting! Oh, no wonder everyone is a little frazzled today. Well if it's a new baby keeping you up then I won't mark Shelley as absent today seeing as she gets here on time every day otherwise. Well you get back to your wife and new baby Mr. Marsh; we'll have a lot of fun today here."
Randy nodded back gratefully and left the area. Miss Claridge went over to Shelley who was currently looking over to a table where some activity was about to take place.
"Shelley honey? I heard the great news!"
Shelley looked up. "What great news?"
"I think you should tell all your friends here! Children? Children! May I have your attention please?" Miss Claridge called to the group of twelve or so kids gathered around a couple tables. "Shelley here has something really exciting to tell everyone. Well Shelley? Do you want to tell everyone the great news?"
Shelley looked thoroughly confused now. "I don't have nothin' to tell nobody Miss Claridge."
The woman's smile did not falter. "Your daddy just told me. Think about something that happened a few days ago. What's a really big thing that happened a few days ago?"
Shelley thought for a second before narrowing her eyes. "You mean the stupid baby?"
Miss Claridge looked over to the other children. "Did you hear that children? Shelley's mommy just had a new baby!"
There was some excited chatter from the other kids now.
"Oh wow! That's super cool!" exclaimed a girl.
"My mommy has a baby too. It's a girl," spoke a boy.
"I wish I had fifty babies!" smiled another little girl.
Shelley groaned as everyone made this out to be a big deal.
"Do you have a baby brother or a baby sister Shelley?" asked the teacher's aide, Miss Leslie.
Shelley crossed her arms. "Brover…" she murmured.
"What's his name? Is it Tyler, like mine?" spoke a boy whose name was indeed Tyler.
"If I had a baby brother I'd call him Spiderman," spoke another boy.
"Well Shelley? What did your mom and dad call him?" asked Miss Claridge.
Shelley huffed yet again. "Stanley…"
"Oh, how sweet," the two adults in the room cooed now.
It took another few minutes before the talk of the 'happy news' calmed. Or so Shelley thought. When her teacher began to explain the activity that was set up that day she wanted to throw a fit: everyone was going to be decorating mini, or as the teacher newly explained, 'baby' pumpkins. Miss Claridge even had to gull to suggest Shelley make her little pumpkin out as a gift for her new sibling. But Shelley knew the first thing she would do when she got home was throw the stupid little pumpkin in the trash. The rest of the day was spent with some lessons in letter recognition and a kickball game outside. Finally it was 12:30 and time for class to end. Shelley waited around the classroom, flipping through the pages of a book even though she couldn't read any of the words in it. She didn't notice her other classmates leave with their parents one after another until twenty minutes later she looked up to see that she was the only kid left in the room. Thankfully the teacher's aide was still there.
"Hmm, looks as if your mom is running behind a little today, huh Shelley?" Miss Leslie smiled.
Shelley shrugged. "Guess so. My daddy dropped me off today. Guess he'll pick me up too."
Almost forty minutes had gone by at this point and still there was no sign of either the girl's mother or father. At this point the nice young lady took Shelley with her to the principal's office where a phone call was set out to the Marsh house again but to no answer. Principal Victoria then called up Barbra Hearton, their neighbor, who was listed as the emergency contact person for the girl. Mrs. Hearton agreed to pick Shelley up from school and take her home. Thankfully the woman did not fuss about the new baby like everyone else had so far. She simply said she was looking forward to seeing little Stanley when the time came, but for now she was glad to take Shelley home.
Randy was confused when he opened the door to see neighbor Barbra Hearton standing there with Shelley.
"The school called to tell me neither you or your wife picked Shelley up after class today," Barbra spoke.
Randy rubbed his eyes. "Damn, didn't realize what time it was already. Well thanks Barbra, won't happen again. Promise."
"Can I just stay at your house today Mrs. Hearton?" Shelley looked up to the woman.
Mrs. Hearton smiled. "Not today dear. I'm sure your parents want you home so you can be a family. I will see you later okay?"
Randy then gasped. "Oh hey! Did you want to see the new baby?"
Mrs. Hearton peered over his shoulder as if the baby was right behind him. "Maybe another time. But when did Sharon have him? I thought he wasn't due until November sometime."
"Yeah well, Stanley had other plans. Sharon had him last Tuesday," Randy crossed his arms, smiling.
Barbra was smiling like a fool now. "Stanley? Oh what a beautiful name."
"Sharon found it in some book she said. Funny, I could have sworn she had her heart set on the name Spencer. Ah well. It's just as dorky of a name. Anyway, thanks again for picking Shelley up."
Randy went into the kitchen a few minutes later after he had finished talking with their neighbor. He was looking in the fridge now. "Sorry about, you know, forgetting to pick you up honey."
Shelley had followed after her father into the kitchen, not saying anything.
"Do you want a snack or something? I could make you uhhh, a sandwich or whatever."
Shelley shrugged. "Guess so." While her dad was taking some things out of the fridge and cupboard she began fishing around in her backpack. "I made something today in school. I wanna show you n' Mommy. Where is she?"
"Mommy is taking a nap upstairs."
Shelley gave him an odd look. "Mommy's taking a nap? Grown-ups don't take naps."
Randy chuckled. "They do honey, and once they start having kids, trust me, the idea of a nap is even more exciting."
"Hmm. Well I made something. Look"- Shelley took out her little baby pumpkin but at that moment Sharon stepped into the kitchen looking annoyed.
"Did you get the swaddles out of the dryer yet Randy?"
"Mommy! Look what I made in school today"- Shelley held up her pumpkin.
"It's very nice dear," Sharon passed off before turning back to her husband. "Well Randy?"
Randy thought for a second. "I don't think I even took them out of the washer yet."
At that moment there was a cry from upstairs. Sharon was glaring at Randy now. "Great, now I have nothing to swaddle Stanley in."
"Oh whatever, it's not that big of a deal. Just wrap him up in some other blanket, damn," Randy bit back.
"He likes the blue one with the elephants Randy!"
"He's not even a week old yet! He doesn't have a preference for fucking anything Sharon!"
And the two of them went back upstairs, arguing all the while.
Shelley looked at the little pumpkin in her hand for a moment before going over to the trash can and chucking the item in. Little happened leading up to dinner that night. Shelley had spent her time in her bedroom throwing her dolls around and furiously coloring in a coloring book. Around 6:30 there was a tap at her door; her father stepped in.
"Dinner is ready Shelley. I made a favorite, Hamburger Helper," Randy told the four-year-old.
Shelley looked up from her coloring book. "Is Mommy gonna eat wif us?"
"Yeah. She's hungry too. C'mon, we're all going to sit in front of the TV and watch something together as a family."
Smiling, Shelley hurried downstairs but stopped in her tracks when she noticed her mother place the baby in the special HappyBabe Sooth N' Rock baby swing near the TV tray she was sitting at. Sharon turned around and smiled at Shelley.
"Hello sweetie. Daddy made Hamburger Helper and we're going to watch Iron Chef America! Does that sound nice?"
Shelley glared at her mother and took up the seat furthest away from her. Sharon looked a little hurt but didn't say anything as the three of them sat down in front of the TV. They ate in silence for a good thirty minutes before Stanley woke himself up with hiccups.
"Ohh baby, what's wrong?" Sharon cooed and picked up the whining infant.
Shelley crossed her arms now as she sank into the couch. Sharon had Stanley over her shoulder, gently patting and rubbing his back.
"Want me to try?" Randy held out his hands to take the baby from his wife. Sharon handed him over and he began bouncing him slightly as he rubbed his back. "Shhh, you're okay buddy. It's just hiccups. You're okay…" Randy then glanced to his right where Shelley was still sitting and glaring hard at the television. An idea then popped in his head. "Say Shelley, do you think you have an idea of how to quiet the baby?" he wanted to listen to what his mother had told him and Sharon earlier, about trying to include Shelley in things regarding the baby. Maybe then she'd feel more welcoming towards the new intruder.
Shelley loosened her arms slightly and looked over. Her daddy held the baby inches from her; Stanley's face was quickly turning red as he gasped for relief through his fussing. He was rather ugly and annoying in Shelley's mind. She did the only thing that came to mind to shut him up- she slapped him. And he screamed. And screamed.
"Shelley Marsh!" both her parents shrieked as they got to their feet.
Randy almost dropped Stanley as he handed him back to his wife. He roughly set his daughter on the floor and had her face him.
"What in the hell was that? You never ever hit the baby! Ever! You go to your room right this minute Young Lady! Now! No dessert! No bedtime story! Go!"
Tears welled in Shelley's eyes as she ran upstairs. She was full-on crying by the time she reached the landing.
It took a good forty minutes to finally calm Stanley down again as he was passed back and forth between both parents until he finally fell back asleep in Randy's arms after he had walked around the living room rocking him and stroking his tuft of black hair. He still sniveled here and there and there was now a bright pink hand-print on his left cheek but he was asleep again.
"What in the world was she thinking? Why the hell did she think she could hit the baby?" Randy said wildly.
"I don't know Randy," Sharon looked miserable, dabbing at her eye. One of her fears during this second pregnancy was the thought of her daughter purposefully hurting the baby. Randy had tried to ease her fears, stating Shelley wouldn't actually do such a thing yet here they were. Barely a week into this new life and Shelley had already injured Stanley. She expected such things would happen when they were a little older but it was too early in her mind for sibling rivalry to take place!
"What are we going to do Sharon? We have to make sure she doesn't do that again. We have to, I don't know; lock Stanley up in a Shelley-proof crib. Or lock Shelley in a cage of her own…"
Sharon gave her husband a hard look as she carefully set the baby back in the soother seat. "That's not something to joke about Randy. But I agree, Shelley cannot do that again. We will let her sit upstairs on her own so she can think about what she did. I'm sure no dessert and no bedtime story is enough for her to feel sorry for what she did. We will talk to her in the morning."
Sharon then gathered the dishes off the TV trays and went into the kitchen to begin to clean up. She stepped on the pedal of the trashcan to open the lid up to toss in some crusty leftovers from dinner when she spotted something on top the trash already inside. Curious, she went to get the object out. It was a small pumpkin, painted red and purple with googley eyes and a tiny witch's hat glued to its head. Her heart broke at the thing.
"Something up?" Randy asked, coming in a minute later. Sharon showed him the pumpkin, tears in her eyes. "What's that?"
"The project Shelley made in preschool today. And we just brushed it off like it was nothing. Oh Randy… our daughter hates us!"
"What? Oh god, oh no…" Randy cried before embracing his wife. The two shed some tears for a few minutes before letting go.
"We- we have to make it up to her. What can we do to show her she's still our special little girl?"
The two stood there for a couple minutes thinking. Randy then had an idea.
"Say… you know that thing you were planning for Stanley tomorrow?"
"The newborn photos? What about it?"
"Well, maybe Shelley could be a part of it too."
Sharon raised a brow. "Why? It's newborn photos of just Stanley. We did the same thing with Shelley."
Randy rubbed the back of his neck now. "I know but what if we, I dunno, changed things up a bit? Make it more of a 'sibling Halloween photo-shoot' thing."
Sharon said nothing so he continued.
"Yeah, we can go with Shelley out to Target, have her pick out a special Halloween dress or outfit or something and we can take a few pictures of her too at the studio."
Sharon's face dropped. "I don't know Randy. Stanley's only a week old, maybe it's best we wait for the pictures."
"Oh come on Sharon. It'll be perfect! You had all these ideas in your head of a fun Halloween-themed photo session at the photo studio in Middle Park! Why wait?"
Sharon still looked troubled. "Stanley's so little. I don't want him to be exposed to germs and everything in the outside world yet. He hasn't even received any of his shots yet."
Randy rolled his eyes as he gripped his wife's shoulders. "Sharon, I love ya babe but please don't turn into some hen of a mother already. It's good for a baby to be outside, experience things. The more germs he's exposed to the sooner he can build up an immune system. C'mon. Are you really planning on keeping him locked up inside for the first year of his life?"
"Of course not. It's just that"-
"He's fine Sharon. The kid's already eating like a champ. Heh, seems like once he got a taste of real boob juice a few days ago he was hooked," Randy joked.
Sharon had to smile. "You're right. I don't want to be overbearing already. Maybe we can take Shelley with us tomorrow and have a sweet sibling photo session. But…"
"What now?" Randy groaned as he went to the fridge to grab a beer.
"Shelley hasn't even touched the baby yet. I don't count slapping him as an actual loving touch. How will we get any sweet pictures of the two if she won't even touch her own brother?"
Randy shrugged, already taking a long swig from the beer. "That's what the professional photographers are paid for. They'll figure it out."
October 26th
Shelley awoke early that morning, around 7:15. She was afraid of being late to preschool again so went to bed early to wake up early. It's not as if it there was any reason not to go to bed early- her parents had gotten mad at her the night before because she hit the baby and told her she couldn't have a bedtime story or dessert. Well her mother hadn't given her a bedtime story in a couple nights now so she wasn't too hopeful about that. But she was still hurt that neither her mommy nor daddy had gone up to say good-night. She didn't have a bath and her mother wasn't there to look on as she brushed her teeth or tried brushing her hair after said bath. Now Shelley sat up in bed, wondering if it was okay to go downstairs again for breakfast. She was about to hop out of her bed when the door opened and Randy stepped in, closely followed by Sharon, who was carrying a sleeping Stanley in her arms. Shelley looked down.
"Shelley? Is it okay if Mommy and I talk to you for a minute?" Randy asked lightly. Shelley shrugged so he took that as a sign he could sit at the edge of her bed. "Shelley, do you know why we sent you up to your room last night?"
"I hit the baby…" Shelley said softly, looking at her hand.
"Yes, your hit the baby. We never hit babies. Or anyone at all. Do you know why that is?" Randy continued.
"'Cause.. 'cause I can get in trouble."
Randy and Sharon had to smile at the statement.
"No sweetie, we don't hit people because it can hurt them. Especially little babies. Do you see what you did to Stanley's face?" Sharon spoke, lowering the infant down to show her daughter the slight pink mark still on his cheek.
Shelley frowned. "I… I did that?"
"Yes. You really hurt Stanley, he was very unhappy. You have to promise not to do that again, understand?" Sharon continued in the same gentle way.
Shelley nodded. "I- I guess I'm sorry then. I didn't think I did that. He was just bein' loud so it was the only think I thought of."
Randy picked up a doll from her bed. "If you feel angry with the baby you can hit your dolls, okay? Hit them all you'd like. If you want Mommy and me to get you a special doll so you can use it to hurt instead of the baby, we'll do so."
"How's else am I gonna shut the little turd up next time he cries?" Shelley demanded.
"Shelley! Don't call your brother a turd! That's so mean," Sharon gasped.
Randy held out a hand to his wife. "Honesty Sharon it's not worth it. Siblings give names to each other all the time. She's just going to continue to use it even if we tell her no."
Sharon frowned as she looked at the baby in her arms. "Still…"
Randy sighed before clapping his hands together. "Listen honey, Mommy and I thought up something fun today for you and Stanley. Want us to tell you?"
Shelley crossed her arms. "Why do I have to do it with him?"
"It will get you out of preschool for today," Randy told her.
"Yeah! What is it?"
Randy explained how they were going to take some pictures of everyone at the Magic Eye Photo Studio in Middle Park, some which would include her. Sharon would take her to Target to pick out a special Halloween outfit for the pictures while Daddy took care of the baby at home for the time being. They would also go to the park and do all they could to have a fun day today. Shelley grew excited now and was about to follow her mother down the stairs when Randy touched her shoulder.
"I'm going to place this little guy up here for now," he said and placed her little decorated pumpkin on her dresser.
Shelley smiled and hurried after both parents down for breakfast. Not long after breakfast Sharon took Shelley out to Target as well as the big Spooklacular Halloween Expo store that was always set up in what was usually an abandoned building other times of the year. Sharon ended up finding many great outfits and props in both stores for Shelley and Stanley. She even had Shelley partake in making the final decision on some of the items she bought, looking a little excited now at the thought of matching some of her outfits with her little brother. A stop at the donut shop for a special treat and nearly $250 later, the two returned home. Sharon had booked a special time at the Magic Eye Photo Studio at 3 P.M. that day and soon enough it was time to gather everyone and everything for the photos. Shelley was eager to show off the witch costume she was going to be dressed as for Halloween and so Sharon and Randy decided to start the photos off with her. Plus Sharon had to feed Stanley and it was easiest to pose a baby after he had been fed. Twenty minutes later it was time to prop Stanley in some fun and sweet poses for his individual pictures.
Stanley was posed in many cute arrangements. One series had him wrapped in an orange fabric sleeping in a box of candy corn; another series had him naked with a pumpkin hat, sleeping inside a hollowed-out pumpkin. Even more pictures included him posed in front of a football themed set up, another in a baseball setup. During all these pictures Shelley thankfully didn't show any jealousy towards the attention her brother was getting. In fact she even helped her parents and the photographers out with the props and overall look of Stanley's pictures and she picked out some of her favorites when the photographer showed her them. Finally the time had come for the series in which Sharon was most nervous about- the sibling pictures. Like any parent, adorable pictures of their newborns were an obvious event to look forward to, but pictures of their children together in adorable poses? Well, perhaps it was an easy-enough feat for most families but seeing how Shelley was already reacting to Stanley's arrival, Sharon wasn't quite sure if it would go over well or not. Thankfully the photographer had a great idea to start off the sibling pictures.
Shelley was dressed in her witch costume again and sat on a box where Stanley was propped on top a cauldron with a sign in front that read: 4 Sale: One Little Goblin Brother. All Shelley had to do was look away, angry. It worked and they got a few great pictures out of this pose. At this point Stanley was starting to get fussy and becoming more aware that he was being posed in all sorts of ways for some pictures. Sharon rocked him in her arms to calm him.
"Do you think he's ready for the final set?" asked the photographer, Lauren, ten minutes later.
Sharon and Randy shared a look.
"Well, let's get him in the costume. See where to go from there," Randy suggested.
And so Sharon placed a pair of tiny black pants that had a black tail attached on her son's bottom and a knit black hat with cat ears on the top of his head. Shelley, still dressed as a witch, hurried to pose next to the cauldron. This was a costume she picked out all her own: what was a witch without a black cat? Stanley was awake now, looking around with bleary eyes at what was going on now. Sharon knelt down next to her daughter, a little nervous. What if she tried hitting him again? The small handprint on his cheek had faded as the hours went by but still…
"Now Shelley. Be honest, do you really think you can hold the baby without hurting him?" Sharon asked.
Shelley nodded. "Yeah, I promise I won't hit him again."
Taking a deep breath, Sharon passed her son to her daughter, guiding her hands as to how to properly hold him.
"Just like that now… support his head…place your other hand here on his bottom…okay, good… good job sweetie," Sharon praised. She adjusted Stanley's legs and the tail of the costume so they could be seen and stepped back. As soon as she stood next to Randy tears filled her eyes.
"What is it?" Randy whispered, rubbing her shoulders.
"Look… look Randy… our daughter is finally- finally holding her baby brother. (Sniff) Look at them… isn't it precious?"
Randy's lips pulled into a small smile. "Yeah, yeah it's pretty great all right…"
Shelley's heart was racing slightly as she looked down at the bundle that was in her arms. A part of her wanted to just drop him there but another odd sensation was flowing through her now. It was as if someone was to barge into the room right then and there and demanded to take her brother out of her arms she would get up and punch that person away! Was this what it was supposed to feel like to be a big sister? This thing in her arms really did feel different from holding a plastic doll. This baby was real and was breathing, his little tongue poking out of his mouth every-so-often, flexing his little fingers and toes. Stanley was gazing at her now and let out a sigh. Shelley had to smile back.
"Hey there. You little turd. I'm Shelley," Shelley said softly to him.
The final pictures of the set went as well as anyone could have hoped for, and when Lauren the photographer showed Sharon that she had taken some pictures of the moment Shelley held her baby brother for the very first time without her knowledge, Sharon broke down again. She loved that those raw moments of her children were actually captured and to see actual love in Shelley's eyes and trust in Stanley's… Sharon ended up paying extra for the photographs after Lauren had given the parents a copy of the 100s of photos on a CD. Sharon and Randy would pick out their favorites to see which ones they wanted to use as the official birth announcement of their son as well as which ones they wanted to blow up and frame. All in due time. The most important thing that had occurred that day had been a success and Sharon couldn't be happier.
It was dinner time by the time the Marshes went back home. Thankfully Randy's mother had helped to prepare many meals for the family for the next couple weeks which had already been a big help. The family enjoyed their spaghetti and meatballs during a much-less dramatic fashion than the night before. Unfortunately once again Sharon wasn't able to look after bed and bath duties concerning Shelley for Stanley had begun another crying fit. Randy took over that night. He had read Shelley one of her favorite books, Chrysanthemum, as he tucked her into bed.
"Thank-you for being such a good big sissy today Shelley," Randy told her as he put the book away.
Shelley was frowning. "I guess. Stanley feels different than a baby doll. He's warm. And moves. But I still think he's a stupid stinky turd."
Randy chuckled. "That's fine. But as long as you learned your lesson to not hit him again, call him whatever the hell you want."
Shelley smiled and bit her lip. "Umm, Daddy, is Stanley okay?"
"Why do you say that pumpkin?"
Shelley shrugged. "He just cries a lot. He's cryin' now. I dinnit know babies were so loud."
Randy rubbed his chin. "He's fine. I think. He just can't talk yet so he's going to cry about everything. He's hungry. Cold. Tired. Needs a diaper change. Scared… it is annoying but that's why Daddy is going to sit back with some special Daddy Juice after this to help."
"Does it though? Can I try some?"
"Ohh no, it's for grown-ups only. But yes, it helps. A lot. Anyway, have a good night then Shelley."
Shelley turned around after her father left the room. It had been an interesting day. Fun, but interesting. She was able to get some fun pictures taken and dress up and spend some alone time with her mommy. But what was sticking with her more than anything was the feeling she had earlier when she held the baby in her arms for the very first time. It was at that moment that Shelley realized little Stanley was here to stay and that it was indeed her job to protect him from all the mean people in the world. She didn't know if she loved him yet but she was finally accepting that this was her new life. That she would always have to share her parents' love and attention with Stanley. They were now his mommy and daddy too. Maybe one day soon she would see him in the way all the other people around her did. In the meantime Shelley could only settle for 'if I have to look after this turd I will.' And that would have to be okay for their parents for now.
I am always happy when readers suggest ideas for me, it really does help. Like many of my stories, I had the beginning of this written but didn't know what to do with it. Then it was suggested I write a story about Stan's actual birth and should focus on certain aspects, such as him being born early and Shelley's overall thoughts of the event. I then knew the direction I wanted to take this story, so thank-you kind stranger! I know M&T don't get that deep with Shelley's character but that's where I step in, and obviously as you know, the Marsh family dynamics are some favorite scenes for me to write. There were also some other fun story suggestions I've received. Not sure what the next installment will be yet, but I do not plan on writing about 2-year-old Stan getting fillings in his teeth. That was only meant to be for the story 'Stan's Phobia' and I do not want anything that occurred in that story to be associated with other SP stories. I will work on my next chapter of The Lives and Lies of Fielding Creek in the meantime. But you never know where I will be inspired so always keep checking in. Thanks for the suggestions, please do keep them coming!
Stay safe, lots of love: Rose, August 17, 2020