February 14th, 2006
It was very stressful in the house lately. With Dave without work, he was around the house compiling more. Ireland was talking back more because she was now a year older. Lyric was wetting her bed and whining about her up coming birthday party. Randi had a major fashion show in two weeks, which the press will be obsessed with. The only good this that was happening was that Sailor was sleeping a lot more during the night. That helped Dave and Randi a lot.
Ireland showed Randi and Lyric all of the Valentines she had received at her school during the Valentines party. Lyric watched in awe. She couldn't wait until she started preschool that September. She wanted to be a big girl like her sister.
"This one is from Ella. She put a lollipop on it but I ate it." Ireland said.
"I want a Lolli." Lyric frowned. Ireland handed her sister some pink conversation hearts.
"Good girl." Randi winked.
"This one is from my boyfriend."
"Boyfriend?" Randi giggled. "You're too young to have a boyfriend."
"No I'm not. I'm four." Ireland said. Randi chuckled.
"Boys icky." Lyric groaned.
"Very icky. Randi said. Dave walked into the living room and placed a set of blue prints on top of all of the valentines.
"Hey!" Ireland cried.
"What are these?" Randi looked at the prints.
"For my clinic." Dave said. Randi groaned.
"You're really doing this aren't you?" She asked.
"Of course I am. It'll be great. Granted, it probably wont b ready to open until this time next year, but who cares." He said, "The lobby is right here, here is the offices and lounge. Here is the exam rooms and x-ray room. Here's the parking lot."
"This is going to cost a lot, Dave." Randi said, "Not even the building, but the equipment."
"I already looked into that. The state has a grant for new clinics and I can get all the equipment I need for cheap and its high end stuff." He said.
"All right. This is going out back right?" She asked.
"Yeah. We have tons of acres back out there in the field that we're not using, why not put it to use?"
"Well, you'll need a road to get there. You'll need to have the health department approve it all. You'll need to get it zoned for medical use." Randi said.
"All done. I'm getting a grant from Chicago to build a road and connect it to Forrest Ave. The only thing I need to do is plant a tree every ten feet along the road, which is fine because I was going to do this anyway."
"You're really passionate about this aren't you?" Randi asked.
"Of course. It'll be great. I'll be out in the fields working." He winked. Randi chuckled as Lyric and Ireland exchanged looks and left the room.
"You know I'll help you with anything you need." She said.
"I may need a receptionist." He winked.
"Right. You'll need employees and a hospital to be in partner with. If you get a terrible break, you'll need to be able to refer them to someone."
"Don't worry. I have it all under control." He said. Randi sighed.
"All right. What do you need me to do?" She asked.
"Nothing." Dave said, "We're going to start next month with the road. I'm having contractors come in and just survey this week."
"Wow." Randi said, "That's really fast."
"Well, during Sammi's three am feedings, I need something to work on." Randi smiled.
"All right." She wrapped her arms around Dave, "Maybe you can get some people from county to volunteer every once and awhile."
"That would be neat." He said. "Oh I forgot something." Dave pulled out a box.
"What's this?" She asked.
"Happy Valentines Day." He winked, "It's Sammi's birthstone charm for your mother's necklace."
"I've been meaning to get Sailor's charm." Randi grinned brightly. "Thank you so much, Dave." She kissed him. "Also, to get back to the clinic, this wont be like County, Dave. There won't be any traumas. You will probably be mostly working on colds, viruses, and sprains and stuff."
"And pregnancy tests and Blood work and I don't care. It's worth it, Randi." He said, "I won't have Romano or Weaver breathing down my neck." Randi smiled softly.
"I'm so proud of you for doing all of this." She said. She wasn't lying either. She had never seen Dave so passionate like this before.
February 28th, 2006
Randi's hands were shaking. Her stomach was in terrible knots. Her hairdresser ran a brush through her hair. She glanced in the mirror and watched al the models running around getting their clothes on. She could hear the crowd outside. She was panicking.
"Mommy, here." Ireland walked up with Sailor in her arms.
"Christ, don't carry her!" Randi grabbed Sailor. "Where's Daddy?"
"Helping some lady with her underwear." Ireland smiled and skipped away. Sailor began to smile at her mother.
"Yes, Mommy's gonna feed you. Don't get milk on this shirt." Randi started to breastfeed Sailor. She felt bad for the baby. She was only two months old and most of that time, Randi had been working getting ready for this fashion show. She was glad Dave was there though. "I promise, after this I'll spend more time with you."
"Randi, you have five minutes." Gabriel, one of her workers said. Randi nodded and stood up still feeding her daughter.
"Okay, is everyone okay??" She called out. Models nodded. Randi fixed a couple of things, making sure there was no last minute emergencies, still with a baby attached to her.
"Give me Sammi." Dave said walking up to her. Randi nodded.
"I'm going to throw up." She moaned. Dave cradled Sailor.
"No you're not." Dave said, "You need to go out there ad introduce everything."
"I know," She said pushing her curls off of her shoulder.
"Go kill them." Dave said. Randi took in a deep breath and stepped out onto the catwalk. She grabbed a microphone and walked out. She was stunned at how many people were there and how many photographers were snapping her picture.
"Welcome. My name is Miranda Malucci and I am creator and designer of Randi Wear. Tonight you'll see clothing from prom gowns to maternity wear. The motto of Randi Wear, is the get the best style and the best look for the best price." Randi said shaking slightly. "All my works have been inspired by being a single woman, by being a wife, and by being a mother to my three daughters, Ireland Lyric, and Sailor. Enjoy yourselves tonight and see you at the after party." People cheered as Randi went back out. Models started to walk the catwalk.
"You did it." Dave hugged his wife tightly.
"I still feel like I'm going to throw up." She said.
"You're fine." He said, "The girls and I will be out back getting everything ready for the party. You stay here and watch the show." Randi nodded.
"Thanks for everything Dave." She said softly.
* * *
Randi stepped underneath the tent. Photographers snapped their pictures as the Malucci's nibbled on the food. Randi ignored them.
"Randi!" Both Elizabeth and Chuny ran over to them
"Hey." Randi smiled, "Did you enjoy the show?"
"God yes." Elizabeth smiled, "You did a fantastic job! I'm so proud of you." Randi chuckled.
"Randi, that black number was amazing. I might need to buy that." Chuny said. Randi nodded.
"I made it thinking of you." She chuckled, "I'll send it over to your place after the show."
"Oh you don't have to." Chuny chuckled.
"Hey. What are friends for?" Randi winked. She picked up the crystal glass with MM engraved on it and sipped her first sip of alcohol in almost a year, "Mmmm, very nice."
"How do you think your sales are going to do after this?" Elizabeth asked.
"Oh, I think...maybe they'll boost. It looked like people were enjoying them." Randi said.
"You know, People from Elle and Fashion In were here." Chuny smiled. Randi nodded.
"Yeah I heard. You think they liked everything?"
"They loved it." Chuny reassured her friend. Dave walked up to them.
"The girls are getting tired." He said.
"Oh...Okay." Randi looked around. "I still have a lot of smoozing to do." Dave chuckled softly.
"I'll take them all home. Don't worry." he said, "What time do you think you'll be home?"
"One or two? I don't know." Randi said, "I have to work the press and stuff." Dave chuckled as he kissed Randi's cheek.
"Have fun." Dave gathered up the girls and escorted them outside. That had really been an experience. Seeing Randi do what she loved at her very first fashion show. Dave couldn't explain to anyone how proud of his wife he was. She had done so much to her career in the past three years. It truly amazed Dave.