THE BRIDAL SHOWER
STANDARD DISCLAIMERS
PLEASE SEND REVIEWS
THIS IS A BIT LONG BUT AS YOU READ YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE NEED
To Ryann – I update quickly because I don't start posting until I have at least half of it written. J
=====================================================================================================
It's 6 weeks before the wedding…
HAY ADAMS HOTEL – WASHINGTON
"This is going to be so much fun." Mac said.
"Yeah it is." Bobbie said winking at Harriet.
"What made you want to come to the Hay Adams Mac?" Harriet asked with a secret smile.
"I thought it would be nice for the three of us to do something before the baby and the wedding." Mac replied with a secret smile.
"I came here once for a fund raiser, it's so beautiful. A tea here should be fun." Bobbie said waiving her pinkie.
The friends laughed as they entered the lobby of the majestic Hay Adams. Mac kept lagging behind so Harriet would be the first one to walk into the room. It was after all her Baby Shower.
"Mac what is with you?" Harriet said. "Why are you walking to slow?"
"No reason." Mac said with a smile.
As they entered the Lafayette Room for their tea the room erupted with a hail of "Surprise"
"Gotchya!" Harriet said turning to Mac with a grin.
"I don't believe this." Mac said laughing. "All this time Bobbie and I have been planning your baby shower it was actually for me?"
"Mac you only have a baby shower for the first baby." Harriet replied.
"So Mac, no complaints considering you planned your own shower." Bobbie said giving her a hug.
"You guys are too much. Did Harm know about this?" Mac asked.
"Yep, all the men are at Mc Murphy's." Harriet said. "They are throwing him a little bachelor party."
"I'm going to kill him. He never said a word." Mac said looking around the room.
"Not till after the wedding. I want to see my son married first." Trish said walking over to Mac.
"Trish, you're here." Mac said hugging her. "And Chloe, Mrs. Anderson. This is wonderful."
Mac greeted her friends; it was a small intimate group. They enjoyed tea and sandwiches and then it was gift time.
"Oh by the way, if any of you think I am going to wear a hat made of the ribbons, think again." Mac said as she opened her gifts.
"Mac its tradition." Elena said gathering the ribbons from the pile.
She opened the gift from Irena, Gunny's girlfriend. "Oh Irena this is beautiful." Mac said holding up the crystal frame.
"I'm glad you like it. It was hard to shop for you. You didn't register." Irena replied.
"Yes Mac, why didn't you register?" Trish asked.
"I already have what I want." Mac said with a smile. Which of course garnered a collect "aww" from her friends. At least from most of her friends, from Harriet she got an "OWWWW!"
The entire room froze. "Harriet what was that?" Mac asked.
"Nothing I have been having Braxton Hicks contractions for a few weeks now. The doctor said it was nothing." Harriet said with a weak smile. "Open your next gift."
"OK" Mac said looking cautiously at Harriet. "This is from Chloe and Mrs. Anderson."
"You gave me a brother, now I want a sister." Chloe said as Mac held up a sexy negligee.
"Well that should help." Bobbie said with a laugh.
"Thank you, its lovely." Mac said picking up another gift. "This is from my future mother in law."
"Oh Mac you can start calling me mom." Trish said with a smile.
"Thanks Mom!" Mac said with a smile. Just as she was about to open the box…
"YEOWWW!" Harriet yelled.
"Harriet, that wasn't a Braxton Hicks, was it?" Mac asked jumping up.
"Mac, finish opening your gifts. I am not ruining this party." Harriet said holding her stomach.
"Harriet, forget the gifts." Mac said jumping up.
"Oh my god." Harriet said.
"What?" Everyone said.
"My water just broke!" Harriet said in amazement.
"But you aren't due for two more weeks." Bobbie said.
"Don't tell me that! Tell the baby." Harriet said.
"You aren't due for two more weeks!" Bobbie yelled at Harriet's stomach. "Someone boil water."
"OWWWW! Well at least it's not the Admiral's office this time." Harriet laughed.
"Harriet, don't laugh. It might make the baby come." Bobbie said waving her hands nervously.
"Ladies relax." Trish said taking command of the situation. "Now where are the men?"
"Mc Murphy's" Bobbie answered.
"Ok, Mac here are the keys to Harm's SUV. Go get it and take Harriet to Walter Reed. Now Bobbie call Mc Murphy's and let the men know what's happening." Trish said calmly.
"On my way." Mac said running out of the restaurant.
"What's the number for Mc Murphy's?" Bobbie asked to no one. "Someone give me the number."
"Call information." Irena said.
"What's the number for information?" Bobbie shouted nervously. "I've never had a baby before."
"Here let me." Anna, Webb's girlfriend, said calmly.
"This is not happening." Harriet yelled.
"Yes it is Harriet. Just hold on!" Bobbie said.
"Chloe, Martha and Lisa you three gather the gifts." Trish said.
"It's a plan." Lisa, Tiner's girlfriend said.
"Meredith, would you mind driving me to the hospital?" Trish asked.
"No problem." Meredith said.
"Elena, here is my credit card. Make sure the bill is settled." Trish said.
"Ok I will." Elena replied.
Mac came around with the SUV and Bobbie helped Harriet in, and off they went.
"Harriet you know the closest hospital is Walter Reed." Mac said driving at a fast but cautious speed.
"Mac slow down stop hitting bumps." Bobbie said. "It might make the baby come!"
"A Navy baby born in an Army hospital." Harriet laughed.
"Harriet, stop laughing." Bobbie said.
MC MURPHY'S TAVERN
It was a sight at Mc Murphy's. His friends, Bud, Sturgis, AJ, Gunny, Tiner, Webb and Frank, surrounded Harm. The men were enjoying themselves, drinking and toasting each other and laughing.
"My pocket is shaking." Webb said with a smile. "I like it."
"Clay it's probably your phone cell." Harm said a little buzzed.
"Oh yeah my phone. Webb's pants how can I help you?" Webb said answering his phone.
"Clay, it's Anna." Anna said.
"Hi honey, how's the shower. You know you're cute." Clay said.
"Clay you're bombed." Anna scolded. "Listen carefully to me."
"I always listen to you." Clay said. "I like you."
"Clay, listen very carefully. Harriet went into labor at the shower and Mac is taking her to Walter Reed. You need to get someone who is sober to drive Bud there." Anna said.
"Harriet is taking a shower with Mac?" Clay asked looking at his phone.
"CLAYTON WEBB SNAP TO AND LISTEN!" Anna shouted into the phone. "Harriet is having the baby now, she is at Walter Reed Hospital"
"Oh wow. I will tell Bud. He needs to know that. Clayton Webb signing out." Clay said.
"Who was that Clay? You called her honey. I heard you, are you in love?" Harm teased.
"I like her. Where's Bud?" Clay asked.
"Hey Bud. Clayton needs to talk to you – he's in love." Harm called across the room.
"How can I service you Mr. Webb?" Bud asked. "You want me to tell her for you?"
"Bud Harriet's having a baby." Clay said slapping him on the back.
"I know that. I'm her father. I mean I'm the father." Bud said.
"Hmm, Anna said Walter Reed was the father." Clay responded forgetting what he was supposed to tell him.
"No, I'm pretty sure it's me." Bud said nodding confidently.
"What's going on?" Harm asked.
"Clay thinks Harriet had an affair with Walter Reed." Bud said.
"Isn't he dead?" Harm asked.
"I dunno anymore." Clay shrugged. "Ask AJ."
"Wait let's take a vote. Sturgis, Gunny, Tiner, Sergei lemme ask you sumthin." Harm called out. "Come here."
"What's up?" The three asked.
"Do you think Harriet would have an affair with Walter Reed?" Bud asked.
"Nah, he's Army." Tiner said.
"Isn't he dead?" Sturgis said.
"Not possible." Gunny laughed. "Especially when she could move up to a marine."
"Harriet? She would never, well maybe." Sergei teased.
"Gentlemen what are we discussing here?" AJ asked walking over to the buzzed group with Frank.
"Looks like the younger boys can't hold a few beers AJ." Frank joked, since he and AJ were the only two sober in the group.
"Well AJ," Bud said. "Webb thinks Harriet had an affair with Walter Reed."
"But that was before she took a shower with Mac." Clay said.
"She took a shower with Mac? I thought Mac only showered with me." Harm said.
"My brother finally learned." Sergei said laughing.
"Ahh Sir, that's a little too much intel." Gunny said.
"I wonder what the Colonel looks like in the shower?" Tiner mused turning red.
"She looks wet son." Frank said laughing.
"Harriet and Mac in the shower? Was Bobbie there?" Sturgis said.
"Webb, where are you getting this from?" AJ asked.
"From Anna, she called." Webb said. "She made my pocket shake."
"He loves her." Harm laughed.
"Ok, start at the beginning." AJ said.
"Sure, Clay and I were at the bar and he said his pocket was shaking." Harm began.
"Then Harm pointed out it was my phone. So I answered." Clay said holding his hand to his ear and saying "hello."
"Then he got mushy with Anna. Calling her honey." Harm laughed.
"Then Clay told me Harriet was having an affair with Walter Reed." Bud said.
"Ok, Webb exactly what did Anna say?" AJ asked.
"Oh well she said CLAYTON WEBB SNAP TO AND LISTEN then she said something about Harriet taking a shower and labor and the baby and Walter Reed." Clay replied.
"Oh boy." AJ laughed. "Frank I think we need to wrap this up."
"I'll go get my car." Frank said.
"Lt. Roberts front and center." AJ called out.
"Yes sir." Bud replied trying not to wobble.
"Harriet is at Walter Reed having the baby now." AJ said.
"She's having the baby now? But we're not due for two weeks." Bud said. "She has to wait for me."
"Bud, Frank will drive you to the hospital, we will follow. Harm Sturgis and Sergei go with him and sober up a bit." AJ laughed.
"Webb, Gunny Tiner you come with me." AJ said. He settled the bill and they all left for Walter Reed.
WALTER REED HOSPITAL
Frank stopped at the emergency room entrance and let the men out.
"We're having a baby." Bud said as they ran to the reception desk.
"Which one of you?" The nurse replied.
"Me!" Bud said. "But it's not supposed to be here for two weeks."
"Harriet's name Bud, tell her Harriet's name." Harm said.
"Oh right, Harriet Sims Roberts is having my baby." Bud said.
"It's a beautiful way to say I love you!" Sturgis joked. Just then Bobbie walked over carrying a set of scrubs.
"Bud, go change into these. Mac is with Harriet right now. Sergei, go get some coffee. Harm and Sturgis go sit down." Bobbie ordered. The men did as they were told.
In the delivery room Harriet was being prepped and monitored.
"Where is he?" Harriet yelled through her pain.
"I am sure he's on the way. Oh Harriet it looks like you are going to have another…" Mac began as she watched the monitor.
"OWWWWW!" Harriet yelled.
"Contraction." Mac finished.
"Where's the nurse, I want drugs." Harriet said.
"Harriet, you said you wanted a natural birth." Mac said.
"I also said I wanted to be Miss America when I was a little girl. So?" Harriet snapped.
"I'm going to go find a nurse." Mac said.
As Mac left the delivery area, Bud was walking in with Bobbie. "Oh thank god you're here." Mac said with relief.
"Harriet hang on I'm coming." Bud called.
"Bud! It's about time." Harriet said.
"I got here as soon as I could honey." Bud said sweetly going over to give her a kiss.
"You're bombed." Harriet said.
"Not really." Bud said trying to kiss her again.
"Bud, this hurts. I want drugs." Harriet said.
"I know but you wanted natural child birth." Bud said.
"Why does everyone remember me saying that?" Harriet yelled.
"Ok, are we ready?" The doctor asked walking into the room.
"Can I have something for the pain?" Harriet asked.
"Well, I think it's a bit late for that now." The doctor replied. "How about we just check and see where we are."
"We're at the hospital." Bud said. "Harriet, are you sure about his doctor?"
"He's fine Bud." Harriet replied through gritted teeth.
"Harriet, it's time to push." The doctor said.
THE WAITING ROOM
The entire group was in the waiting room. Trish and Irena had stopped on the way and picked up some sandwiches and aspirin, knowing full well it would be needed.
"Harm I can't believe you guys. Bombed at 3 in the afternoon." Mac admonished.
"It was my bachelor party." Harm said innocently. "Besides it wasn't just me."
"Mac, it was all of them." Frank said.
"Hi Frank." Mac said.
"Any updates?" Trish asked.
"Not yet." Bobbie replied. "Why is this taking so long?"
The all sat together waiting for the arrival of the newest Roberts.
"I just realized that Little AJ is still with the sitter." Mac said.
"We'll go." Irena said.
"And we'll take the guys with us." Lisa said. With that Gunny, Tiner, Sergei and their respective girlfriends left.
"Mrs. Anderson, were are the gifts?" Anna asked.
"The restaurant staff said we could leave them there and get them later." Martha replied.
"Ok, Clay and I will go back and get them. Mac can I have your house keys, we will take them there." Anna said and they left.
"Frank maybe we should take Chloe and Martha back to Harm's?" Trish said
"I agree." Martha Anderson said, "no need for us to all be here." With that Frank, Trish, Martha and Chloe took their leave.
"AJ, Harriet mentioned that they were going to do the final shopping these next two weeks." Meredith began. "Maybe we should go to the house and see what they need."
"Good idea. I assume you four can behave?" AJ chuckled.
"Yes sir." Harm groaned from a seated position resting his head in his hands.
The four friends sat together in the waiting room. Harm and Sturgis were now at the "I'm gonna be sick stage." Mac and Bobbie tried their best not to laugh at them. Finally Bud came into the waiting room.
"It's a girl!" He announced and started crying.
"Congratulations. How's Harriet." They asked.
"She good. She's waiting to see you all. They are getting her settled it will be a few more minutes." Bud replied.
They all walked to Harriet's room and waited outside the door. Once the nurse was done they went in.
"Hey Harriet, how are you?" Mac asked.
"Fine, I am so sorry about ruining your shower." Harriet said.
"Don't be silly, this was perfect." Mac laughed.
"Hi Harriet." Bobbie said looking at the baby in her arms. "She's beautiful."
"Thanks Bobbie." Harriet said.
"Congratulations Harriet." Sturgis said walking over.
"Hi Sturgis." Harriet replied.
"Harriet? May I?" Harm said walking to the bed.
"Of course Harm." Harriet said handing Harm the little bundle.
"Hey little girl." Harm whispered as he walked to the window. "I'm your Uncle Harm. You sure are beautiful." Harm said some other things to the baby, which no one could hear. When he turned to give the baby to Harriet there were tears in his eyes.
"Harm are you ok?" Bud asked.
"Yeah I'm fine. So have you picked a name yet?" Harm asked.
"Ashley Beaumont Sims Roberts." Bud announced.
"That's a lot of name for such a tiny person." Sturgis teased.
"I like it." Mac said with a smile.
"Mac do you want to hold her?" Harriet asked.
"Oh yes." Mac said.
"Ashley." Mac cooed. "I'm your Auntie Mac. And I will… I will… I will teach you to kick box."
"Mac she's not a marine yet." Harm teased.
"Ok let's let them get some rest. We'll see all you tomorrow." Sturgis said.
"Bud, we are going to stop by your house." Mac said. "Everyone is there with little AJ. And Meredith and AJ went to make sure you guys have everything you need."
"You guys are the best." Bud said.
"Ok group hug and let's go." Harm laughed.
They said bye and Mac reluctantly gave Ashley back to Harriet. They spent the rest of the day at the Roberts getting things ready for Ashley's homecoming.