Some days, some weeks went by, as Summer faded into fall, and the cool weather became apparent. There was no longer hot weather, or sticky mud. Now, it was cool, crisp fall weather. Bev had suggested going to the pumpkin festival, with Paula and Filburt. Bev was on her last leg of pregnancy at this point. She and Paula were. It was getting harder for Bev, as she sat, feeling the baby kick every five minutes.
Emily sat in her room. Today was a beautiful fall day. It was 49 degrees, and the air was crisp, and cold. Today was the day for the pumpkin festival.
Cupid, from the "Rocko's Modern Life" episode, "Leap Frogs", (yes, cupid was in that one) helped Emily get ready. Please keep in mind, this is still in the cartoon world, there are going to be wacky characters running amok.
He helped Emily put on her full body princess pajamas. "There". He said, putting long socks on Emily's feet. "There we go, let's just put on this jacket". "Let's just bundle you up". "Oh, you look beautiful, sweetie". Cupid said, with a soft, gentle tone. He had on only his underwear, as cupids go. "Are you excited to see your family today?". "Yes". Emily said. Cupid kissed Emily's cheek, wiping her face.
The kitchen today was quiet, as Emily went in the kitchen, seeing her mom, Bev sitting at the kitchen table. She had on a long sleeved, yet sexual, black maternity dress. She wore boots. "Mommy". Emily said, looking up at Bev.
"Hello, sweetheart". Bev said, gently. Emily came over for a hug. "You look marvelous". Bev said gently. Her voice sounded deep, raspy, sexual, as if it was what you would hear on an answering machine, or a GPS.
"Thank you". Emily said. "Mmm". Bev said, sitting back a bit. "Mommy, there's pumpkins". Emily said. "There are". Bev said, gently. "It'll be a fun day". Bev felt a bit tired, as she sat, drinking her coffee.
Bev also had on her scarf, and her maternity fishnet stockings. She looked somewhat sexual, but very bundled up.
Ed came out, wearing a sport's coat over his tie. "Are you ready?". He asked, in a somewhat plain, distracted, languid voice. He was gentle, overall though. "Yes". Bev said, as Ed helped her up.
"Daddy". Emily said, coming over. "Hi, honey". Ed said, gently. "Are you ready for the pumpkin festival?". "Yes". Emily said.
"Sweetie, why don't we get some milk to take with us". Cupid said, gently. "Ok". Emily said. Cupid went over, filling Emily's milk container with almond milk. "There you are, sweetie". "Have fun today". Cupid then flew away.
Bev smiled a gentle smile down at Emily, as her heeled shoes clicked across the floor. "Mommy, I can't wait for pumpkins". Emily said. "Yes, we'll have an exciting day". Bev said, kindly. She went over to the side, talking with Ed, as a car pulled in to their driveway. It was Filburt and Paula. Paula's baby bump had gotten bigger now as well. "Hey". Bev said, plainly, tiredly, as she stood. "Mmm, hey". Paula said, struggling to get out.
"Sorry I forgot to call". "My uterus was aching like you wouldn't believe". Paula muttered. "My uterus has been dumb as well". Bev muttered. "Mmm, I just, take it where I can get it". "I'm perhaps due in a week anyways". She sat, opening her Peach Tea, taking a sip.
"Ms. Paula". Emily said, looking up at Paula. "Mmm, hello, sweetie". Paula said, gently. Emily noticed Paula's baby bump was really big at this point. "Is the baby ok?". Emily asked. "The baby's doing really well". Paula said, gently. "Mm, I know the pumpkin festival's your favorite". "You'll love how beautiful it is". Paula smiled.
"It is beautiful, my love". Bev's raspy, smoker's voice was heard. It was similar to a woman's sultry, sexual voice over a GPS. It was like deep throat, sex. Or the tang of a sex tape, only cut by crisp cold air.
"You'll like the pumpkins, the leaves on the trees". Bev said, making it simple for Emily to understand. "God's gift to us". Bev stroked Emily's cheek, as Emily looked up at her mom.
"My best friend". Bev smiled a gentle smile. She had on cherry red lipstick, and some blush. Her cheeks looked a bit bigger although.
The cold, crisp, dry air, gleaned with the essence of sex. The essence of love, and the natural process of marriage, and birth. "Mmm, my wonderful love". Bev said to Emily, gently. She winked at Emily, as Emily nodded, trying to keep up with her mom.
Bev and Paula sat, talking, muttering some things to one another.
"I haven't smoked in eight weeks". "I felt my vagina ready to explode". Paula muttered. "It was ready to explode after four". "I just, did whatever". Bev muttered. "Mmm, she kicked earlier this morning". Paula muttered. She adjusted her collar. "I felt like my uterus was going to $$$". "That's a b###". Bev mouthed to Paula. "####". Emily tried to be part of the conversation. Everyone just stood around, whispering. There was so much pressure now, so much intensity now that the pains, the labor was coming shortly.
Ed muttered something to Filburt, as Filburt nodded. They stood around, talking. The cold air seemed to whip around, as a frost. "Mmm, sweetie, are you ready to go?". Bev asked Emily, gently. "Yes". Emily said.
Bev and Paula went in one car, as Filburt and Ed went in another. Paula helped Bev get into the passenger's side, as Paula herself, had trouble getting in on the other side. "Here, I can help". Emily said, helping Paula get in. "Thank you, sweetie". Paula said, gently. Emily got in the back, wanting to be with the girls. It was pretty silent all the way through, as Paula and Bev muttered some things to one another. It was sex talk, so they were sure to be careful around Emily.
"Mm, he treats me right". Paula muttered. "He lit me some candles, and he got me a luscious ###". Paula muttered. "Ed's treated me well for some time now". Bev muttered with her deep, raspy voice. "He ####". She mouthed to Paula. Emily looked up at them, trying to hear what they were saying, and be part of it. "He's pretty tight for a man". Bev muttered. Emily nodded. The essence of sex, of love was still in the air, as the natural process had seemed, perfectly.
The rest of the ride was quiet for the most part. No one spoke, no one did a thing. Bev felt tired, as she rested her head against the headrest of the seat. Her scarf sat just above her lips. She seemed cold, and unflattering, as she kept a feminine appeal to her wrinkly skin, as she had her cherry red lips.
Bev looked back at Emily. She just kept looking at her, staring at her, as she felt some stress, some pressure from her pregnancy. Bev looked expressionless, tired, as she stared at Emily. She looked at Emily, looking and seeming tired, stressed. Emily looked up at her mom. She wanted to ask her mom some questions, she wanted to do something with her mom.
"Mom". "mom". Emily wanted to say. "Mom, you're so pretty, you're a princess, or a queen". "Mom's so big, she blocks out the sun". Emily wanted to say that. She didn't.
Bev just kept staring at Emily, feeling the pain in her stomach from when the baby kicked. Bev knew Emily cared. There was still a friendship there. There was still a relationship. Bev looked back at Emily, sighing dreamily. There was nothing she wanted, or could admire more in a daughter. Emily looked up at her mom. She understood what her mom was going through. She understood that mom had a baby in her belly. Emily felt as if she was part of the process. In essentiality, she was surrounded by grown, married, sexual adults. She was innocent. She was the youngest, for now. She was an innocent child that looked up to these adults for love, and guidance. She looked to them for advocacy, for clarity.
Bev stared at Emily, as her eyes began to fall. "Love". She said, gently. Emily looked up at her mom, responding to the word, "love". Emily sat, looking up, knowing Bev was exhausted. "You're my best friend". Bev said, gently. "You too, mommy". Emily said.
Bev's eyes began to close, as she began snoring a bit. Emily looked up, seeing her mom sleeping. Bev's hormones were becoming something, as the pregnancy really took its toll on her. "Is mommy sleeping?". Paula whispered to Emily, driving a bit, taking a shortcut up to the Zimmerman farm. "Yes". Emily said, quietly. "We have to be quiet". "That we do". Paula whispered. She didn't say anything else to Emily, as they drove up a gravel road. There wasn't much on the gravel road. There were only a few things. Bev opened her eyes again, as they reached a bit of a pothole.
"Mmph". She mumbled, stirring awake. She looked outside, not seeing anything important. She continued looking back at Emily. "Mommy, we're almost there". Emily said. "Almost". Bev said, gently. She sighed, tiredly, relaxing.
As they drove up a gravel road to the Zimmerman farm, by the Zimmerman sign, Bev commented a bit, beginning to wonder. "Perhaps the Zimmerman family bought it out, or handed it down through generations". Bev muttered, softly. "Maybe". Paula said, tiredly herself.
They pulled up to the Zimmerman farm, finding a parking spot near the grass. They parked right beside the Bighead's car, where Ed and Filburt were. The car got turned off, as Paula struggled to get out, she helped Bev out of the passenger's side. "Mm, this is it". "The pumpkin farm". Paula said, smiling. Filburt muttered something to Ed, walking over to where Paula was. "This is owned by the Zimmerman family, I suppose, isn't it?". Filburt asked. "Mm, Bev was saying something about royalties, and it was being handed down". Paula said. "Mommy is tired". Emily said, staying by Bev, as Bev sat on a haybale, sighing, exhausted. "A little bit". Bev said. "I just can't wait to get home and take a nice bubble bath". She winked at Emily. "Ok". Emily said.
Ed walked around, looking to see what they had, exactly. "Let's see, they have a hay ride, they have the haystack, you might enjoy that, sweetie". He said to Emily. "Let's see what else is here". "Daddy, it's a scary hayride". Emily said. "It's scary?". He chuckled, ruffling Emily's hair.
"Mommy, can you do the hay ride with me?". Emily asked. "Mm, I would love to, sweetie". Bev said, gently. She hobbled, pulling herself up. Emily helped Bev. "Thank you, sweetie". Bev said, kindly.
Ed walked around, as Bev and Emily stayed together. "Sweetie, there might be somewhere you and I could go for some private time". Bev said, gently. Her raspy, smoker's voice cut through the thick, cold air. "They have gourmet cider you and I can enjoy". Bev said, gently. "I'll have to have that since I can't drink wine". "Ok". Emily said. "I'll whisk you away for a bit". Bev said, gently. She winked at Emily.
Paula and Filburt whispered to one another for a bit. "I could really go for a drink". Paula said, sighing. "Or a smoke". "I haven't had one since August". "We'll try to survive this". Filburt said. "Besides, you are due next week". "Mmm, you're thing doesn't hurt, does it?". Paula whispered. "Not as much as it did". Filburt muttered.
Emily came over to Paula and Filburt. "Sweetie, are you ok?". Paula asked, gently. "Mm, you look so pretty". Paula smiled. "Thank you". Emily said. Paula gave Emily a kiss. "The baby's going to come out". Emily said. "Mmm, yes, she'll be coming soon". Paula said, gently. "Soon, you'll have a new girlfriend to hang out with". Paula sat on a haybale.
"Sweetie, what would you like to do first?". Filburt asked, gently. "There's the hayride, pumpkin painting, the pumpkin patch". "Mm hmm, it's your day, you get to pick". Paula said, gently. "I want mommy to do the hay ride with me". Emily said. "That sounds like a good choice". Paula smiled.
"Mommy". Emily said to Bev, as Bev talked with Ed for a bit. "Yes, sweetie?". Bev asked, gently. "Can we do the scary hayride?". Emily asked. "Of course, love". Bev said, gently. "Would you like to do it, hon?". She asked Ed. "I would be delighted to". Ed said, gently.
Paula, Filburt, Ed and Bev got on the hayride, as it went smoothly. There were no bumps, or anything. It wasn't as scary as one might think, as a random man came on the hayride, and just plainly said, "boo". The others laughed a bit.
"That wasn't scary". Emily said. "It sure wasn't". Bev said, smiling.
After the hayride, the women sat on hay bales, stretching out. "Mmm, it's been quite an afternoon". Paula said, clearly exhausted. "Somewhat". Filburt said. Bev and Ed were somewhere else talking.
"Mmm, sweetie, let's fix your jacket". Paula said, gently. Emily's jacket was open, and the zipper was all the way open, and crooked. She tinkered with the zipper a little bit, fixing it. "There you go, girlfriend". Paula said, smiling. "All ready". "You look dapper". Paula chuckled. "She does, she looks great". Filburt said. "My mommy got me this jacket". Emily said. "Your mommy knows her seasons". Filburt said, standing up. "Ms. Paula, can you paint a pumpkin with me?". Emily asked. Paula yawned a little bit. "Sure, sweetie". Paula said, gently. "We'll look for something to get mommy and daddy for their wedding, as well".
"Ok". Emily said. "Let's go do it, gal pal". Paula said, tiredly. Filburt helped her up. Paula, Filburt, and Emily went over to where pumpkin painting was. Emily picked out a pumpkin, picked out her paint colors, and began to paint the pumpkin. Paula sat, chatting with her husband.
"The sonogram says, her immune system has been properly nourished for the time being". Paula said. "By this time next week, her system should be fully developed". "At least we'll know in the short term". Filburt said.
"Sweetie, your pumpkin looks beautiful". Paula said, gently. "It's blue for a boy". Emily said. "Mmm, that's wonderful". Paula said, tiredly. "Are you excited to have a baby brother?". "Yes". Emily said. "I'm gonna be the best big sister ever". "I'm glad". Paula said, gently. "Mm, it's special being a big sister". "And a godparent". "Your parents know you'll be an amazing role model for your younger brother". "Yes". Emily said. "I'm excited for you". Paula said, gently.
Over in the distance, standing beside one another, talking, crossing their arms, as if they were watching, were the Bigheads. Bev talked to her husband about some things as they observed passerbys. Ed muttered something, as Bev muttered something back.
Emily wanted to be part of that conversation. She wanted to go over there and talk to her parents. But this conversation was between her parents. Emily sat, finishing her pumpkin. "Mmm, I feel tight". Paula said, stretching back a bit. "Mmm, a bubble bath is in order". Filburt said. "Really?". Paula said. "Yes". Filburt said. They looked at one another, gazing at one another. "Mmm, maybe some Shirley Temple". Paula said, tiredly. She did feel tired. She didn't say a whole lot that day. Perhaps because she was tired. "Mmm, sweetie, I have the perfect idea for a gift". Paula said, gently. "Just let me rest for three seconds". She sat on a chair, as Filburt situated it so she could relax.
"Mmm, we might have to get some things situated later on". Paula said, closing her eyes for just a few seconds. "Mmm, do you want to find some things for mommy, and daddy?". Paula asked, gently. Emily looked up at her. "Yes". "I can help you look". Paula said, tiredly. "Mmm, let's go check in here". Filburt helped Paula up, as they went into the gift shop. It was a small place, with only a few things. Some things were made of glass, others were made of wood.
Paula and Emily looked at some of the glassware. "Mmm, I think this would be a pretty gift". Paula said, gently. She picked up a glass rose, observing it. "Mommy, and daddy". Emily said, looking at the rose. "Mommy and daddy would like it". Paula said, gently. "I want to get it". Emily said. "Of course, sweetie". "My treat". Paula said, gently, getting some money from her wallet. "I want to pay for it". Emily said. "It's my treat, I insist". Paula said, gently. "Why don't we pay for mommy and daddy's vow renewal together?". "Ok". Emily said.
They bought the gift, and then went back outside to meet Bev and Ed. Bev sat on a haybale. Emily hid the gift from her. "Mmm, how was pumpkin painting?". Bev asked, gently. "It was good". Emily said. "I made one for my baby brotter". (again, she couldn't pronounce "brother" correctly). "That's lovely, sweetie". Bev said, kindly. "We'll cherish it". "Just as we cherish you". She smiled, winking at Emily. Filburt, Ed, and Paula were elsewhere, talking.
"Sweetie, I saw this wonderful vendor someplace around here, that makes gourmet cider". Bev said, kindly. "I think it'd be wonderful to try". "What do you think?". "I don't know". Emily said. "Sweetie, Cider is like Apple Juice". Bev said, gently. "It's just a bit warmer". "You'll enjoy it". "Ok". Emily said.
"Mmm, let's go see about some". Bev said, gently. Bev walked with Emily over to the cider cart, where a man was handing out free cups. "Here you are". He said, kindly. "Thank you". Bev said, as the man handed Emily a cider cup. "Thank you, mister". Emily said.
Bev hobbled over to a haybale, sitting down. "This is lovely". Bev said, gently. "I haven't had cider in a while". "It's hot". Emily said.
"Mmm, sweetie, it'll help you warm up a little bit". Bev said, gently. "Are you ok?". "Would you like some help?".
"No thank you". Emily said. Bev and Emily drank their cider. "Mommy, is grandma and grandpa coming to vow?". Emily asked. "They are, sweetie". Bev said, gently. "Our vow renewal is soon". "I might plan it for after the baby comes".
"It'll be wonderful". "We'll get you a beautiful dress to match mine, we'll get some new shoes, you'll look lovely".
"Mommy I pay money for vow". Emily said. "Mmm, you and Paula can help pay for the brunch". Bev said, gently. "We'll take money from the savings account". "I'll help you pay for it". "Ok". Emily said.
They sat drinking cider, as Bev got tired. She became more, and more tired, as she felt a sharp pain in her stomach. It was the kick from the baby. "Mmm". Bev mumbled, sitting back a bit.
"I love you, sweetie". Bev mumbled, she then got herself awake, as she stood up to go join the others at the picnic table.
Filburt brought over some banana bread, and some cider, as they sat down. They muttered a few things to one another.
They stared at a few couples that passed by. "I don't see a wedding ring on her finger". Paula muttered, taking a sip of some cider. "She might be having an affair". Filburt muttered. "Perhaps, she might not be engaged, but she looks like she might have kids". Paula muttered. "He's probably having an affair". Filburt muttered. "Maybe she had them out of wedlock". Ed muttered. "Either way, mom strips for cash, and sells her body". "Mmm". Paula said. There was a pause, a brief silence for a moment.
Paula sighed, tiredly, having a sip of her cider. "Don't forget, our friends, Marcus and Leah might be booking the cabin the same week we are". Paula whispered to Filburt. "Her and I might do a mommy, and me class". "Marcus and I might go to a retrospective on third street". Filburt said. "That'd be nice". Paula whispered.
Bev sipped some of her cider. "Sweetie, did you try this, yet?". Bev asked, gently. "This is banana bread". "It's a sweet bread that's made with banana flavoring, and bits of banana". Emily looked up at her mom. "No". Emily said. "Let's try some, love". Bev said, gently. She gave Emily some banana bread and put it on a plate.
Emily tried it, feeling a bit relaxed. The banana bread was delicious. She wanted more of it, so she ate it. She had more, a little bit more, and some more.
"It's delicious, isn't it?". Bev said, gently. "Mommy, this is good". Emily said. "Mmm, sweetie, I knew you'd love it". Bev said, smiling a gentle smile.
"Sweetie, are you doing ok?". "Would you like more cider?". Paula asked, gently. "No, thank you". Emily said. Emily looked over at Paula. "Baby's coming". Emily said. "Mmm, yep, she is". Paula said, gently. "She'll be here next week". "I'm my baby brotter's god mom". Emily said. "Mmm, that's exciting, sweetie". Paula said, gently.
"Yes, you'll be his lead person". Bev said, tiredly, yet gently. "We'll get you a nice dress to wear for that occasion". Bev sighed, exhausted at this point. Everyone was exhausted at this point.
"Mmm". Bev said, stretching out a bit. "Mmmm, Ed". she looked up at her husband.
"I found a brochure for a nice Mexican restaurant". Paula said, stretching back a bit. "That's lovely". Filburt said, sipping some of his cider. "Do we have the points for it?". "We do". Paula said, smiling. "I could do that". Filburt said.
"We could do that as well". Bev said, gently. She looked at her husband. "I'm sure we could". Ed muttered. "Sweetie, would you like to have Mexican for lunch?". Bev asked Emily, kindly. "What's Mexican food?". Emily asked, struggling to pronounce the word, "Mexican". "It's just like rice, and chicken, and beans". "Veggies". "All your favorites". Bev said, gently. "Ok". Emily said. "Good". "Maybe later, you and I can split some fried ice cream". Bev whispered, smiling. "Ice cream". Emily said, quiet enough that nobody else heard.
"This'll be our secret". Bev whispered, winking. Emily looked at her mom. "Mommy, when the baby comes, can we take him to Me-s-i-can?". Emily asked. Again, note here, that she mispronounced "Mexican".
"Of course, sweetie". Bev said, gently. "Mmm, you can have all the ice cream you'd like". She stretched out a bit. "You're my love". She winked at Emily. Emily looked up at her mom. "Mmm, you're my best friend". Bev said, gently. "You too, mommy". Emily said. Bev looked down at her daughter, her girl she had adopted. Emily was so...innocent, so hardworking, kind, strong, honest. She knew Emily was a trier.
Bev sighed, tiredly. "I love you, my hero". She said, gently, tiredly. "I love you, too". Emily said. Bev understood Emily. She knew Emily had her Barbies, and her singing, her princesses, and her animals. She also knew Emily as a leader, as someone she could confide in. She didn't talk about sex, or her marriage with Emily. Emily was way too young, but she did talk to Emily honestly. They talked about family. They talked about Bev's childhood, and who she was when she was Emily's age.
Bev saw Emily as an inspiration. She saw her as a survivor. Someone that endured a lot of pain, but stayed positive, and willing to learn. Bev saw Emily as someone who needed to be taken care of. She saw Emily as someone that was strong, and selfless. She felt safer, and more secure with herself around Emily. Emily was her hero. Of course, she was cynical, and did feel bad for Emily. She believed Emily would have to be taken care of, and sheltered, coddled the rest of her life because she had an intellectual disability. Emily would get Social Security, and disability, and live in a part of the house, or with her younger brother, and be taken care of.
She loved Emily however, and believed her to be the best, because of how honest, and brave she was. She did mean well, she was a serious hero, much like Brendan McGinnis. Bev saw her as their success. As their safety net.
The adults sat, exhausted at this point. They didn't think a pumpkin festival was beneath them, like my dad's relatives, dear reader, they were tired. Paula and Bev were at the last point in their pregnancy, and were experiencing the changes in hormones. Their husbands had been with them on their journey. Ed and Filburt both felt exhausted. Their penises hurt after having all that sex.
The adults sat, muttering some things. "Mm, Paula Deen had a new recipe on the Food Network she was trying". Paula muttered. "I saw that". "Wasn't that cocoa Butternut Squash cookies?". Bev asked. "I think". "She may've been making a new butternut recipe for her cookies". Paula muttered. "They had revenue on a food truck that came in second on the ideas for Shark Tank". Filburt said. "Their revenue was probably at 12%, when they last went on there". Ed said. "It was a tanked sale". "They're a small business". "They might have met halfway". Paula said. "I'd meet them halfway if I had the opportunity". Filburt said.
"You have the exchange". Paula said. "I think we could start something". "It'd be risky". Filburt said. "We could do it, when we retire". Paula said. "Make some extra money".
"Mommy, are you staying home because of the baby?". Emily asked. "I might be". Bev said, gently. "I'm taking something called a maternity leave". "What's that?". Emily asked. "A Maternity Leave is when someone that's pregnant, such as myself, takes some time off of work to take care of her baby". Bev said, kindly. "I'll be off for five to six weeks, until we can get someone, preferably a Daycare, or a baby class to watch our baby". "Mommy, can I take care of my baby brotter?". Emily asked. "You have school, sweetie". Bev said, gently. "I can help". Emily said. "Mmm, of course, honey". Bev said, gently. "You can hold the baby, maybe help give him his bottle". "Then, we'll read him bedtime stories". "That'll be fun".
"I have at least 6 weeks". Paula said. "They're granting me paid maternity leave, as I'm part of the Board, so, I can go back in when I need to". "That's lovely". Bev said, gently. "As a grief counselor, and specialist, I'll have paid leave as well, as I'm three years to the board".
"I'll just do as I need". Paula said. Paula got up, when Filburt requested something. "Maybe those payments can get us more space". "Perhaps". Paula said. Filburt put a hand on her stomach. "Make sure my allotted payment is in full". Filburt requested. "I will, sweetie".Paula said. "You know how I like my bath salts". Filburt said. "Mmm, yes". Paula said, drinking the last bit of her cider. "We're almost 65, so our retirement initial is almost done in full". Ed said. "Yes, we're getting part C, D, and F". Bev said, taking the last drink of her cider. "That's good". "We still need to plan our retirement". Paula said. "Our financial advisor is taking maternity leave as well, for 6 weeks, so we'll have to wait until after our babies are born". "That's Cindy Feldman, right?". Ed asked. "Yes, Feldman did our strategizing, and planning". Paula said.
"We had Feldman do Emily's financial tree, and strategizing for benefits". Ed said. "She is pretty good, but, she suggested her own way of methodizing". Paula said. "Her methodizing isn't that bad". Bev said. "It got us an annuity". "We got that as well". Paula said. "She recommended us to J.G. Wentworth". "We got cash on the spot". "That's nice". Bev said. "We didn't act on our annuity". "We just did what we could at that moment". "I got settlements at work, so we had more than what we would get from an annuity". Ed said. Emily looked up at her dad. "877 cash now". Emily said. "Yes, that's from the commercial". Ed said, kindly. They sat, tiredly. "Mmm, sweetheart, would you like to pick out a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch?". Paula asked, gently. Emily sat, drinking some of her cider. "Emily". Paula said, kindly. Emily looked up at Paula. "Yeah?". Emily asked. "Let's go pick out a pumpkin, sweetie". Paula said, gently. "Ok". Emily said. "We'll pick one out together". Paula said, gently. "Are you ready?". She stood up, along with Emily.
They went over to the pumpkin patch, as Paula stood by Filburt. Emily looked over at the pumpkins, picking one out. "This is for my mommy, and daddy". Emily said, giving the pumpkin to Bev. "Thank you, sweetie". Bev said, gently. "I love it". "That was very nice of you, hon". Ed said, gently. Emily laughed, and played. "I love you, very much". Bev said, gently. They left the pumpkin patch, heading over to the car. Bev and Ed got in their car, with Emily, as Filburt and Paula got in their car. They drove down the gravel road, away from the pumpkin festival.
Bev and Ed held hands, as Ed drove down the gravel road. Paula and Filburt followed. The radio wasn't on, as they sat, quietly. They drove by a small diner that sat on the river nearby. "There's where we had our first date". Ed said. "Mmm, I remember". Bev said, tiredly. "We were on the river, we had our first kiss". "I ordered pasta, you ordered fish". She and Ed gazed at one another. "There's where you and went to do our special thing". Bev said, as they passed by an old house. They giggled, suggestively. "Mmm, I'm glad we're having this baby". Bev said, dreamily. "True". Ed said. "I might get a chance to finally, be less of a psycho". "Where would you be without me?". Bev said, feeling the tired, and the pains come over her again. "That's true". Ed said. They continued down the road, Bev looked back at Emily, as Emily sat, playing with her Tigger toy.
"My best friend". Bev whispered. She made a kissing motion with her lips. Bev admired her daughter. She loved Emily.
They made their way to the Mexican restaurant. There, they sat, talking, eating chicken enchiladas, and being good.
That night, as Bev and Ed went home, they appreciated one another. Bev felt content. She was pregnant, having her own child, she had a wonderful husband. This was who she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. This was who she loved. They were about to have their vows renewed. Bev felt like the luckiest woman in the world, with her husband, an amazing daughter, and a wonderful son that was coming. Though she had lost family through a dispute, she was happy to be starting a new family. There was hope in this otherwise bleak world. There was a miracle someplace. Things were going to get better. They had to. They would. Just wait and see.