A Womb With A View by Kakie
Chapter 11
George and Jeannie McBeal were due to arrive Christmas afternoon to visit with their daughter before separately heading back home to be with their respective significant others.
"You shouldn't be this nervous, honey. They are still your parents," Larry commented as he tied her shoe.
"I can't help it. This is going to hurt my dad. He always wanted to walk me down the aisle when I got married."
Larry set that foot down and picked up the other. "And he will get to when we have our wedding in April."
"I hope he sees it that way."
Larry was about to add something when the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," she said and opened the door to her parents.
"Mom, Dad, Merry Christmas."
Each of her parents wished her a Merry Christmas as they hugged their daughter.
"Come in."
They stepped inside and stopped when they saw Larry.
"Merry Christmas, George...Jeannie."
"Merry Christmas, Larry. I didn't realize you would be here." Jeannie looked to her soon-to-be-ex husband. He shrugged in response.
"Mom, Dad, come and sit down. Can I get you something to drink?"
"Coffee would be good." George chose a seat closest to the door.
"Make that two," added Jeannie who sat on the sofa.
The tension in the room was thick.
"I'll get the coffee," volunteered Larry. He knew Ally wanted a few minutes alone to pave the way for what was coming.
George waited until Larry was out of earshot. "I thought he was out of your life."
"Dad," she said rubbing her stomach, "that's not possible. Besides, I don't want him out of my life. I love him and together we're going to raise our baby."
"What makes you think he's going to stick around? Mark my words, Allison, he'll leave you again and all you'll be left with is this baby and a broken heart from a man who didn't love you enough to marry you."
"That's not true, George," Larry said as he entered the room with two cups of coffee. "After what I did, I know you have no reason to believe me but contrary to what has happened in the past, I love your daughter. She is my life and my future. I'm going to spend the rest of my life with her."
George's eyes narrowed. "You claim to love my daughter? My daughter is seven and a half months pregnant by you and not married. If you loved her, if you really loved her, she wouldn't be in this mess right now."
"You're wrong, Dad."
George tore his eyes from Larry to his daughter. "In what way? That you wouldn't be in this mess?"
She locked eyes with him. "No, that I'm not married." She held up her left hand. "Larry and I were married last night."
"Oh God." Jeannie's hand covered her mouth.
"I see," responded George evenly. "You eloped last night?"
"Yes, George, we did." Larry sat beside his wife and held her hand. "It was what we both wanted."
George turned to Ally. "You wanted to get married without your mother and I there?"
"Dad, I just wanted to marry Larry without any fuss or complications."
"Fuss or complications?" Jeannie stood up. "Do you think that's all a wedding is? You are my only daughter and you took away my chance to help plan your wedding. Not only that, but you didn't even invite us to your elopement. I had no idea you could be so cold, Allison." She grabbed her coat.
"Mom, wait. Let's talk about this.
George grabbed his coat. "I think you've said enough." He closed the door behind him.
Ally began to cry beneath the twinkling lights. Helpless, Larry held her close.
The newlyweds spent the next several days locked in the apartment. They didn't venture out very often and mostly had everything delivered. Aside from what happened with George and Jeannie, it was a perfect honeymoon.
"You know, the next four weeks are going to go by so fast that you won't have time to realize I'm not here."
Ally raised an eyebrow at him.
"Okay, that's a stretch. But you have the baby shower Renee and Elaine are hosting soon. That should be fun."
She raised another eyebrow.
"Okay, so Renee and Elaine trying to host anything together is a recipe for disaster but they're doing it for you."
Ally sighed. "I know and I appreciate their thoughtfulness but the closer this baby gets, the more nervous I get and I wish you weren't going to be so far away."
Larry turned on his side and faced her. It was the only position she found remotely comfortable. "You have no idea how much I dread leaving you. Anything could happen while I'm gone."
Ally touched his cheek. "The doctor told us yesterday that there is no reason for the baby to come early. My maternity leave begins February 1st and I should stay home and take it easy."
Larry grinned. "Seeing that ultrasound was something else. I can't believe I was looking at a picture of my unborn baby. I'm sorry that there wasn't one done with Sam."
"What time is your flight tomorrow?"
"Three o'clock." He glanced at the clock on the nightstand. "You know, it's not too late if you want to put in an appearance at the New Year's Eve party at Cage and Fish."
Ally thought for a minute. "Would I have to leave this bed?"
"Of course."
"Then forget it. I'm not going anywhere." She leaned over and kissed him.
When Ally woke the next morning, the clock said it was nearly ten. Their own New Year's celebration lasted well past midnight. She rolled out of bed in search of her missing husband. She didn't find him but did find a note on the table.
'Honey, When I called to confirm my reservation they told me that my flight had just been cancelled due to bad weather. The only flight leaving for Detroit leaves at eleven. I couldn't bring my self to wake you to say goodbye so I decided to do the next best thing. Go look out the window. I'll call you when I get in tonight. Try to be a good mother-to-be and take it easy. I love you. Larry.'
Whether it was the hormones or the fact that she woke up on New Years Day alone to a note, Ally wanted to cry. She moved slowly to the window and peeked out. At that point she did cry. Sitting in front of the apartment were three snowmen; each one smaller than the next. They represented the daddy, the mommy and the child. Ally could not think of a better goodbye gift. She went to get her camera.
"Here, open my next." Elaine shoved a wrapped gift into Ally's lap.
"No, open mine." Renee also shoved her gift into Ally's lap.
Elaine and Renee's big baby shower was a big bust. Aside from Elaine and Renee, Georgia, Ling and Nelle were the only ones present. And Ling and Nelle were there because they lost a bet with Richard. Ally glanced at the empty chair in the conference room that was decorated with streamers and a big "Proud Grandma" balloon. Her mother had declined the invitation to the shower. It had been three weeks since Christmas morning and there had been no contact on either side. Although her mother had never been her best friend, she suddenly longed for maternal comfort.
After the shower and everyone had gone, Ally stood alone in her office looking out the window. Her hands were tucked under her belly.
"Did you know you're glowing?"
Ally glanced to the left and saw Jeannie standing in the door.
"I don't feel like glowing. I'm depressed and lonely and my own mother refused to come to my baby shower."
Jeannie walked up behind her daughter. "I'm sorry about today. I'm sorry about a lot of things."
Ally turned and faced her. "Why can't you be more like other mothers? Why can't I have a mother who is occasionally proud of me and who doesn't see everything I do as a mistake?"
Jeannie touched her arm. "I am proud of you, Ally. Very proud of you."
"You'd never know it from my end."
Jeannie sat down on the corner of the desk. "I know I made a lot of mistakes with you, mistakes I wish I could go back and undo. My only excuse is that I never had an example to learn from. My mother left when I was a baby and my dad never remarried. My mothering skills were rocky at best. I vowed when I married your father that I would be the best mother I could. I tried but I never was any good at it."
Ally saw the pain her mother's face. "That's not true. You weren't a bad mother, just distant."
"I don't want to be a distant mother anymore, Ally. I want to be a real mother to you and a real grandmother to your baby."
"And Larry?" she asked suspiciously.
Jeannie took a deep breath. "He's your husband and the father of your baby. I want to get to know and accept my son-in-law."
Ally smiled. She felt better than she had in weeks. "Thank you, Mom. What about Dad?"
"He'll come around. He's hurting right now but he can't stay upset with you for long. Give him time to accept things. He really wanted to give his daughter away at her wedding."
"He still can." Ally explained their plans to her mother. "I realize it's not the same thing as before." "It sounds perfect," commented Jeannie. "I know just the perfect place, too. And by April, the weather will be warmer and..."
Without warning, Ally embraced her mother. "I'm glad you're here, Mom. I need you."
Jeannie blinked back the tears. "You have no idea what that means to me."
Ally pulled back and stared out the window. "They are predicting snow again."
Jeannie laughed. "They have been predicting it every day since New Years and it hasn't happened."
"I think it will tonight so I think you should stay with me tonight and discuss your granddaughter."
Jeannie hugged Ally. "That sounds like the best idea in the world."
It snowed that night and continued for the next two days. For the first time she could remember, Ally and her mother shared quality time together. They discussed the baby and made plans for the April re-wedding. Jeannie took her coat out of the closet and slipped it on. She stared at her daughter. "I want you to be happy, honey. I want you to have the life you always wanted."
Ally handed her the scarf and her bag. "I have it, Mom. I'm married to my soul mate, I'm going to be a mother soon and I have a career I love. I don't think I deserve to be this happy."
"Yes you do," her mother said sternly. "You deserve all the happiness life has to offer you. And I'm going to bring your father around."
"Mom, the two of you are getting a divorce. You don't have that kind of influence over him anymore."
"You want to bet? We've been married for thirty-eight years. That kind of bond never disappears. You'll see that one day."
Ally smiled at the thought of being married for that long. "I hope so. But I first have to get my husband living in the same city as me. We've been married three weeks and have only spent one week together."
"So, when does my son-in-law arrive?"
Ally liked the way that sounded. It was almost as good as husband and father. "He's driving up next weekend. Friday was his last day at work and he's spending this week packing up his apartment and making arrangements.
"You must be excited."
"I am," she said. "I've been so lonely without him. It's hard being a newlywed and going to bed alone every night."
Jeannie patted her shoulder. "I'm sure he feels the same way."
"He says he does. Hearing his voice before I go to sleep is comforting."
Jeannie hugged her daughter. "He'll be home before you know it. Now, I need to get back. I'll go see your father tomorrow and maybe by next weekend you'll have two visitors."
"That would be nice."
"What time is Larry due to arrive tomorrow?" Renee asked Ally as they played scrabble in the apartment.
"Please don't do that."
"Do what?" asked Renee. "I just asked a simple question."
"A simple question in your disapproving tone." She pushed the board away. "Renee, I need your support. Larry may be my husband but you are my best friend. I need to be able to count on you all the way, not wondering if you are going to unleash that Raddick verbal bashing I know so well. For my sake and the sake of your goddaughter, can you be civil to Larry? I'm not asking you to embrace him as your long lost friend when you see him but don't slam the door in his face either."
"Fine, you win. I will treat Larry with more respect than he deserves. Tell me this, do you believe you would have married him if there was no baby?"
Ally was quiet for a minute. "That's something I have thought about a great deal and I honestly believe we would have found our way back together eventually. The pregnancy just speeded things along."
Renee glanced at her watch. "I need to go. Trevor is picking me up tonight and I need to get ready."
Ally struggled but eventually got to her feet. "I appreciate you coming back after work with dinner and your company. I promised Larry that once I started my maternity leave, I wouldn't drive anymore."
"Did Richard and John throw you a goodbye party?"
"Elaine wanted to have something at the bar but a bar is the last place a pregnant woman should be when she's two weeks from delivery. I think she had something anyway. Any chance for Elaine to sing."
Renee grinned. "Good old Elaine. Some things never change."
Ally walked her down the steps.
"Are you sure you should be out here? That recent snow fall left some icy patches."
"I'll be fine." She watched as Renee got in her car and turned around. Unfortunately, one of the nasty icy patches caught her foot and Ally grabbed air as she fell.
Within seconds Renee was at her side.
"Ally, honey, are you okay?"
Ally opened her eyes. "Hurt. Help."
Renee's hand shook as she dialed 911. Afterwards, she held Ally's hand as they waited for the ambulance. It arrived within minutes but it seemed like hours. No one needed to tell Renee that the blood coming from Ally was serious.
"Renee?" said Ally, as she was loaded into the ambulance. "Call Larry. His cell number is number two on my speed dial. Tell him to come home."
Renee watched as the ambulance pulled out. She immediately began to dial. She didn't even let John get out the word hello when she rushed him. "John, its Renee. Ally's fallen on the ice. The ambulance just took her to Memorial Hospital. I need you to get there and stay with her. I have to call her parents and Larry. I'll meet you there."
"I'm on my way."
Chapter 11
George and Jeannie McBeal were due to arrive Christmas afternoon to visit with their daughter before separately heading back home to be with their respective significant others.
"You shouldn't be this nervous, honey. They are still your parents," Larry commented as he tied her shoe.
"I can't help it. This is going to hurt my dad. He always wanted to walk me down the aisle when I got married."
Larry set that foot down and picked up the other. "And he will get to when we have our wedding in April."
"I hope he sees it that way."
Larry was about to add something when the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," she said and opened the door to her parents.
"Mom, Dad, Merry Christmas."
Each of her parents wished her a Merry Christmas as they hugged their daughter.
"Come in."
They stepped inside and stopped when they saw Larry.
"Merry Christmas, George...Jeannie."
"Merry Christmas, Larry. I didn't realize you would be here." Jeannie looked to her soon-to-be-ex husband. He shrugged in response.
"Mom, Dad, come and sit down. Can I get you something to drink?"
"Coffee would be good." George chose a seat closest to the door.
"Make that two," added Jeannie who sat on the sofa.
The tension in the room was thick.
"I'll get the coffee," volunteered Larry. He knew Ally wanted a few minutes alone to pave the way for what was coming.
George waited until Larry was out of earshot. "I thought he was out of your life."
"Dad," she said rubbing her stomach, "that's not possible. Besides, I don't want him out of my life. I love him and together we're going to raise our baby."
"What makes you think he's going to stick around? Mark my words, Allison, he'll leave you again and all you'll be left with is this baby and a broken heart from a man who didn't love you enough to marry you."
"That's not true, George," Larry said as he entered the room with two cups of coffee. "After what I did, I know you have no reason to believe me but contrary to what has happened in the past, I love your daughter. She is my life and my future. I'm going to spend the rest of my life with her."
George's eyes narrowed. "You claim to love my daughter? My daughter is seven and a half months pregnant by you and not married. If you loved her, if you really loved her, she wouldn't be in this mess right now."
"You're wrong, Dad."
George tore his eyes from Larry to his daughter. "In what way? That you wouldn't be in this mess?"
She locked eyes with him. "No, that I'm not married." She held up her left hand. "Larry and I were married last night."
"Oh God." Jeannie's hand covered her mouth.
"I see," responded George evenly. "You eloped last night?"
"Yes, George, we did." Larry sat beside his wife and held her hand. "It was what we both wanted."
George turned to Ally. "You wanted to get married without your mother and I there?"
"Dad, I just wanted to marry Larry without any fuss or complications."
"Fuss or complications?" Jeannie stood up. "Do you think that's all a wedding is? You are my only daughter and you took away my chance to help plan your wedding. Not only that, but you didn't even invite us to your elopement. I had no idea you could be so cold, Allison." She grabbed her coat.
"Mom, wait. Let's talk about this.
George grabbed his coat. "I think you've said enough." He closed the door behind him.
Ally began to cry beneath the twinkling lights. Helpless, Larry held her close.
The newlyweds spent the next several days locked in the apartment. They didn't venture out very often and mostly had everything delivered. Aside from what happened with George and Jeannie, it was a perfect honeymoon.
"You know, the next four weeks are going to go by so fast that you won't have time to realize I'm not here."
Ally raised an eyebrow at him.
"Okay, that's a stretch. But you have the baby shower Renee and Elaine are hosting soon. That should be fun."
She raised another eyebrow.
"Okay, so Renee and Elaine trying to host anything together is a recipe for disaster but they're doing it for you."
Ally sighed. "I know and I appreciate their thoughtfulness but the closer this baby gets, the more nervous I get and I wish you weren't going to be so far away."
Larry turned on his side and faced her. It was the only position she found remotely comfortable. "You have no idea how much I dread leaving you. Anything could happen while I'm gone."
Ally touched his cheek. "The doctor told us yesterday that there is no reason for the baby to come early. My maternity leave begins February 1st and I should stay home and take it easy."
Larry grinned. "Seeing that ultrasound was something else. I can't believe I was looking at a picture of my unborn baby. I'm sorry that there wasn't one done with Sam."
"What time is your flight tomorrow?"
"Three o'clock." He glanced at the clock on the nightstand. "You know, it's not too late if you want to put in an appearance at the New Year's Eve party at Cage and Fish."
Ally thought for a minute. "Would I have to leave this bed?"
"Of course."
"Then forget it. I'm not going anywhere." She leaned over and kissed him.
When Ally woke the next morning, the clock said it was nearly ten. Their own New Year's celebration lasted well past midnight. She rolled out of bed in search of her missing husband. She didn't find him but did find a note on the table.
'Honey, When I called to confirm my reservation they told me that my flight had just been cancelled due to bad weather. The only flight leaving for Detroit leaves at eleven. I couldn't bring my self to wake you to say goodbye so I decided to do the next best thing. Go look out the window. I'll call you when I get in tonight. Try to be a good mother-to-be and take it easy. I love you. Larry.'
Whether it was the hormones or the fact that she woke up on New Years Day alone to a note, Ally wanted to cry. She moved slowly to the window and peeked out. At that point she did cry. Sitting in front of the apartment were three snowmen; each one smaller than the next. They represented the daddy, the mommy and the child. Ally could not think of a better goodbye gift. She went to get her camera.
"Here, open my next." Elaine shoved a wrapped gift into Ally's lap.
"No, open mine." Renee also shoved her gift into Ally's lap.
Elaine and Renee's big baby shower was a big bust. Aside from Elaine and Renee, Georgia, Ling and Nelle were the only ones present. And Ling and Nelle were there because they lost a bet with Richard. Ally glanced at the empty chair in the conference room that was decorated with streamers and a big "Proud Grandma" balloon. Her mother had declined the invitation to the shower. It had been three weeks since Christmas morning and there had been no contact on either side. Although her mother had never been her best friend, she suddenly longed for maternal comfort.
After the shower and everyone had gone, Ally stood alone in her office looking out the window. Her hands were tucked under her belly.
"Did you know you're glowing?"
Ally glanced to the left and saw Jeannie standing in the door.
"I don't feel like glowing. I'm depressed and lonely and my own mother refused to come to my baby shower."
Jeannie walked up behind her daughter. "I'm sorry about today. I'm sorry about a lot of things."
Ally turned and faced her. "Why can't you be more like other mothers? Why can't I have a mother who is occasionally proud of me and who doesn't see everything I do as a mistake?"
Jeannie touched her arm. "I am proud of you, Ally. Very proud of you."
"You'd never know it from my end."
Jeannie sat down on the corner of the desk. "I know I made a lot of mistakes with you, mistakes I wish I could go back and undo. My only excuse is that I never had an example to learn from. My mother left when I was a baby and my dad never remarried. My mothering skills were rocky at best. I vowed when I married your father that I would be the best mother I could. I tried but I never was any good at it."
Ally saw the pain her mother's face. "That's not true. You weren't a bad mother, just distant."
"I don't want to be a distant mother anymore, Ally. I want to be a real mother to you and a real grandmother to your baby."
"And Larry?" she asked suspiciously.
Jeannie took a deep breath. "He's your husband and the father of your baby. I want to get to know and accept my son-in-law."
Ally smiled. She felt better than she had in weeks. "Thank you, Mom. What about Dad?"
"He'll come around. He's hurting right now but he can't stay upset with you for long. Give him time to accept things. He really wanted to give his daughter away at her wedding."
"He still can." Ally explained their plans to her mother. "I realize it's not the same thing as before." "It sounds perfect," commented Jeannie. "I know just the perfect place, too. And by April, the weather will be warmer and..."
Without warning, Ally embraced her mother. "I'm glad you're here, Mom. I need you."
Jeannie blinked back the tears. "You have no idea what that means to me."
Ally pulled back and stared out the window. "They are predicting snow again."
Jeannie laughed. "They have been predicting it every day since New Years and it hasn't happened."
"I think it will tonight so I think you should stay with me tonight and discuss your granddaughter."
Jeannie hugged Ally. "That sounds like the best idea in the world."
It snowed that night and continued for the next two days. For the first time she could remember, Ally and her mother shared quality time together. They discussed the baby and made plans for the April re-wedding. Jeannie took her coat out of the closet and slipped it on. She stared at her daughter. "I want you to be happy, honey. I want you to have the life you always wanted."
Ally handed her the scarf and her bag. "I have it, Mom. I'm married to my soul mate, I'm going to be a mother soon and I have a career I love. I don't think I deserve to be this happy."
"Yes you do," her mother said sternly. "You deserve all the happiness life has to offer you. And I'm going to bring your father around."
"Mom, the two of you are getting a divorce. You don't have that kind of influence over him anymore."
"You want to bet? We've been married for thirty-eight years. That kind of bond never disappears. You'll see that one day."
Ally smiled at the thought of being married for that long. "I hope so. But I first have to get my husband living in the same city as me. We've been married three weeks and have only spent one week together."
"So, when does my son-in-law arrive?"
Ally liked the way that sounded. It was almost as good as husband and father. "He's driving up next weekend. Friday was his last day at work and he's spending this week packing up his apartment and making arrangements.
"You must be excited."
"I am," she said. "I've been so lonely without him. It's hard being a newlywed and going to bed alone every night."
Jeannie patted her shoulder. "I'm sure he feels the same way."
"He says he does. Hearing his voice before I go to sleep is comforting."
Jeannie hugged her daughter. "He'll be home before you know it. Now, I need to get back. I'll go see your father tomorrow and maybe by next weekend you'll have two visitors."
"That would be nice."
"What time is Larry due to arrive tomorrow?" Renee asked Ally as they played scrabble in the apartment.
"Please don't do that."
"Do what?" asked Renee. "I just asked a simple question."
"A simple question in your disapproving tone." She pushed the board away. "Renee, I need your support. Larry may be my husband but you are my best friend. I need to be able to count on you all the way, not wondering if you are going to unleash that Raddick verbal bashing I know so well. For my sake and the sake of your goddaughter, can you be civil to Larry? I'm not asking you to embrace him as your long lost friend when you see him but don't slam the door in his face either."
"Fine, you win. I will treat Larry with more respect than he deserves. Tell me this, do you believe you would have married him if there was no baby?"
Ally was quiet for a minute. "That's something I have thought about a great deal and I honestly believe we would have found our way back together eventually. The pregnancy just speeded things along."
Renee glanced at her watch. "I need to go. Trevor is picking me up tonight and I need to get ready."
Ally struggled but eventually got to her feet. "I appreciate you coming back after work with dinner and your company. I promised Larry that once I started my maternity leave, I wouldn't drive anymore."
"Did Richard and John throw you a goodbye party?"
"Elaine wanted to have something at the bar but a bar is the last place a pregnant woman should be when she's two weeks from delivery. I think she had something anyway. Any chance for Elaine to sing."
Renee grinned. "Good old Elaine. Some things never change."
Ally walked her down the steps.
"Are you sure you should be out here? That recent snow fall left some icy patches."
"I'll be fine." She watched as Renee got in her car and turned around. Unfortunately, one of the nasty icy patches caught her foot and Ally grabbed air as she fell.
Within seconds Renee was at her side.
"Ally, honey, are you okay?"
Ally opened her eyes. "Hurt. Help."
Renee's hand shook as she dialed 911. Afterwards, she held Ally's hand as they waited for the ambulance. It arrived within minutes but it seemed like hours. No one needed to tell Renee that the blood coming from Ally was serious.
"Renee?" said Ally, as she was loaded into the ambulance. "Call Larry. His cell number is number two on my speed dial. Tell him to come home."
Renee watched as the ambulance pulled out. She immediately began to dial. She didn't even let John get out the word hello when she rushed him. "John, its Renee. Ally's fallen on the ice. The ambulance just took her to Memorial Hospital. I need you to get there and stay with her. I have to call her parents and Larry. I'll meet you there."
"I'm on my way."
