Chapter 16: Me and My Mothers
Alice Wakefield walked with her daughter and Emily Wilkins down the crowded, busy, cluttered, mall corridor. "I believe the store I heard about is right up here, on the right." She told the other two. The three of them were currently at the mall because Mrs. Wakefield and Mrs. Wilkins had both decided that as the Grandmas-to-be, they wanted to go in together on buying a gift for the baby, for Liz - the crib. So they'd managed to fit it into their schedule to come down to the mall today, on Saturday, to look around. Last weekend had been Easter, and everyone had been busy but that's when Alice and Emily had first discussed it. They'd wanted to take Liz during this past week, so that they could steer clear of the crazy weekend mall traffic, but Elizabeth had had jury duty. And they couldn't take her next week because Elizabeth was using her voucher for that spa with Jess. So it was now or never.
Liz trailed along behind them; she never realized her mother in law could show such leadership. Both her mother and her mother-in-law were walking like they were on a death mission. It was becoming hard to keep up. Liz had a cup of ice-cream in her hand and stopped every so often to take a bite. She must have been a site, a pregnant woman trying to keep up. It was becoming more and more noticeable. She now had a noticeable gut, and about a month ago had to splurge for some new clothes. Since she passed the first trimester and many of the risks for spontaneous abortion had diminished, she started telling her friends and co-workers. Now just walking in the mall people knew. She once again realized she was 2 steps behind and had to race to keep up finally she said something. "Will you guys slow down? I'm not in a hurry or anything."
Alice looked back at her daughter. She had been so engrossed with walking with Emily that she hadn't realized that Liz had fallen behind. "I'm sorry sweetie." She told her, as Liz approached them. "I guess we're just excited to do some baby shopping." She said, her eyes twinkling. This was going to be so much fun- shopping for her grandchild's
crib. And a friend of hers had told her about a great new place which had gone into the mall, and so Alice had insisted that the three of them try this place first. "Oh, there it is!" She said, pointing to a store about 3 stores down ahead of them.
Liz sighed as the two soon-to-be grandmothers took off. She decided to take her time realizing that they would just have to wait for her.
Alice entered the store right with Emily. Immediately she saw a gorgeous old fashioned crib displayed up near the front of the store. "Oh Emily!" She breathed, "Look at this."
Mrs. Wilkins looked at the crib she pointed out. It was made out of wood and was painted white. "Oh that is cute, but check out this one!" She said looking to a sleek modern one with a baby monitor connected to it.
Alice took one more glance appreciatively at the crib she was fawning over and reluctantly looked over to see what the other grandma had spotted. It was- nice... but different, very different from the one Alice had liked. "It's so high tech." She told Emily as she walked over to it, not meaning it as a compliment.
Liz came into the store and was instantly brought into "baby world." Everywhere she looked there were baby supplies and eager parents. She could hear about 3 different infants crying in the background. The joy of motherhood, she thought to herself. She started looking at some baby clothes.
"Yes, I think it's important to be on the modern side, with the threat of Sudden Infant Death, you can never be too safe." She said.
"Elizabeth!" Alice called out to her daughter. "Stop looking at the baby clothes- you don't even know what you're having yet!" She loudly stated. Then she quickly turned back to Emily, registering that last comment of hers. "Yes but then again I hear about an awfully high number of lawsuits of baby cribs malfunctioning and in some of the worst cases, even throwing the poor baby out of it! Ned once represented a case on a company that was being sued by parents who claimed that their high tech crib malfunctioned."
Liz continued looking at the baby clothes. They were easily separated, pink for girl, blue for boy. Todd had convinced her that they should wait until the baby is born to find out what sex it was. Liz had finally agreed with Todd but she still wondered what it would be. She personally was hoping for a girl, and she knew that Todd wanted to have a boy that he could train for basketball and make his next little star.
"Yes, I'm quite familiar about those, but a lot of those cases are when the crib is old and worn out from other use or not made right, now a days they are making them a lot more sturdy." Mrs. Wilkins countered.
Liz finally dropped the clothes and sighed, heading over to her mother. Looking at the two women she could tell there was tension. Liz was
about ready to turn around again and go look at something else, anything beside cribs until they decided.
"Well if you ask me the new ones are the deathtraps." Alice said under her breath. "But let's see what Liz thinks. Liz?" She stated, once her daughter finally made it over to them. "What do you think is the better choice for a crib- something old fashioned and sturdy or something so new it's got more technologies than is good for it?"
Liz looked at the two cribs that they must have been talking about. Personally, she didn't like either of them but she wasn't going to say that, she was at least going to try to be more tactful and not take sides. She looked at another one. It was just a simple crib, one that looked like what she would think of as a crib. It wasn't high tech and it was not old fashioned. "I like that one." She said, walking towards it.
Alice followed her daughter's sight. "Really? Are you sure, I mean, it's nice, but, well, it's kind of plain." She stated, missing the beautiful antique craftiness which was in hers. Heck, she'd even prefer the high tech design of Emily's choice over this dull one. "Right Emily?" Figuring that at least with Emily she'd have an ally.
"It is a bit dull. Are you sure you don't want something that is a bit more... decorative or fun?" She finally concluded for lack of better words.
Alice bit her lip but nodded along with what Emily had said.
Liz rolled her eyes. Now they had resorted to criticizing her tastes. "I don't think the baby will care one way or another, and this one will be cheaper, and more easily transferable." She stated matter-of-factly, reading the sales label.
Alice knew she should have known better. Elisabeth- above all else, was being practical in her choice. "Well now I'm sure there are more
than just these three cribs up front. Why don't we go see what else they have here?"
Liz wasn't really in the mood for looking around. She was hungry and was already tired of trying to mediate their two fights. Relentlessly, she agreed following them back like a puppy dog.
Alice passed by a rack of frilly, discounted Easter baby dresses. She couldn't help but stop and finger the material, and oohing and ahhing over its size and adorableness. "Elizabeth, what's the latest on the bay's sex decision? For the past couple of weeks you two have just kept jumping back and forth between not finding out and finding out. So what's the latest?"
"I've just agreed to let Todd win on this one, as much as might be more of a convenience, I guess I see his point on it being a surprise." Liz looked at the Easter dresses longingly. "I remember when you dressed Jess and I in dresses like that."
Alice smiled, getting sentimental as she looked back and forth between the dress and her daughter. "Oh, I remember that too!" She said, suddenly taking a step towards Liz and hugging her. "It seems like just yesterday that I was dressing my baby, and now I'm helping my baby dress hers." She sniffled. "Oh Emily, be thankful you didn't have any daughters. It's even more painful than it is with boys."
"Trust me, it's just as painful watching a son marry off too, but he chose well." She said, squeezing Liz's hand. "Now are we going to sit here and go down memory lane, or we going to get a crib? I know Elizabeth must be tired."
Liz nodded. She followed Mrs. Wilkins over to the other crib displays.
Alice was still wiping her eyes as she trailed behind the other two. She felt a little foolish. "Liz, dear, I' glad you're being so thoughtful to Todd's wishes, but are YOU absolutely sure YOU don't want to know the sex of the baby ahead of time. I mean, once the baby's here, you're not going to have a lot of time to go out buying clothes and decorating his room accordingly. If you knew the sex you could have all of
that completely done with by the time it's time to give birth."
"I agree with you mom, but I want to respect Todd's wishes the same way he's respecting mine about me working, and my choices about labor." Liz said
Alice looked at Emily and then simply shrugged. "Alright, I don't want to start anything between you two. It's just that I didn't find out, and I think if I had it to do over again I actually would have. And in this day and age, where things are even more hectic, well....well I guess I'll just stop now."
Mrs. Wilkins listened into the conversation but was looking at the different cribs. She saw a pretty pale yellow one with blue and pink designs.
"Oh that's pretty." Mrs. Wakefield commented.
"Mom you didn't find out cause it wasn't possible back then, and for now I just don't want to make any major decisions until I have to, unless there was some genetic problem the doctors said its not even necessary."
"Alright, alright, I get the hint, I'll back off." Mrs. Wakefield said, raising her hands in surrender.
Liz turned to look at the crib. It was a pale yellow, but she wasn't quite sure. She didn't know what they were doing for room decor and she wanted to keep it simple and something that would go with everything. Liz shook her head, "I like the white one right beside it." She said. It looked very similar to the one she pointed out earlier.
Alice sighed as she and Emily shared a special glance between them. Obviously Liz was set in her ways. Some people were just too stubborn to change......
Liz caught their secret look. Sometimes even now her mother treated her like she was five years old, or even as if she were Jessica. She decided to drop it, "I'm going to go get a sales associate or someone to help us out."
"I think that's a great idea dear. Emily and I will just keep looking around here ourselves."
Emily put her finger to her chin and pondered Liz's choice. "It is kind of simple, but I can see why Liz would like it." She stated, making sure Liz was out of earshot.
Alice studied the white crib. "So can I. Maybe it's just the decorator in me but I have a hard time accepting simple things when I know there is something so much better and prettier- not necessarily flashier- out there." Alice sighed. "Does it seem like it's been 5 months
already? It sure doesn't to me."
Liz found a guy stocking some formula mixtures and asked him to help her with the cribs.
"I can't believe it either, it's amazing how fast the time flies, and how fast kids grow." The comment was made referring to both Liz and Todd. It seemed like just yesterday they were playing soccer together.
Liz brought the clerk with her and explained the situation and showed him the crib she had selected, asking for his advice.
"They grow way to fast...." Alice commented. "And I hope both Elizabeth and Todd realize that. It's the rudest awakening a parent can get."
The clerk commented on Liz's choice saying it was their most popular crib, and it was the safest out there. Liz smiled at his statement, looking at both her mother and mother-in-law.
Well that little comment by the young store clerk quickly shut both herself and Emily up. "It's - nice- sweetie. And it does leave a lot of options for decorating the room. I guess if the crib is simple that's ok if you just keep that, and only that simple and plain." Alice spoke, the decorator in her coming out. She hadn't come right out and told Liz this yet- but she had full plans on being in charge of decorating the nursery.
Liz tried hard not to laugh out loud. She had expected her mother to say that. She could almost see her mothers mind looking into wallpapers and paint colors for their nursery.
She thanked the clerk and asked him if they could deliver the crib, and how much extra would it cost. Apparently Elizabeth had made her decision, Alice thought to herself, as she turned away and looked at some of the other nearby cribs.
Emily was about ready to object but decided against it. If it was Liz's choice then let it be. It wasn't really her choice.
The clerk pulled out a piece of paper and started getting the details of address and a payment plan. He and Liz walked up to the front leaving Alice and Emily by themselves.
"Well I guess she picked the one she wanted....And I'm happy as long as she's happy."
Emily looked longingly at the pale yellow one once more. "I guess so." She said, following Alice as they walked to the front of the store. Emily caught some books that she wanted to check out on birthing and labor.
Liz finished up the paperwork on payment plans and quickly signed them. She would just hand the bill over to her mom and Mrs. Wilkins when it came. She looked around and saw them browsing a bit. She walked over to them wanting to see what they were doing.
While Emily had engrossed herself in riffling through various books Alice had just picked up one, and looked through that. The title was "So, You're Having Twins". She smiled when she saw Liz walk back over to them. "Well that was quick. And, I'm not just talking about the payment either. You make your choice rather quickly, I mean, we could have looked at more stores...." She trailed of. "If it has been Jessica we'd be here at least another 2 hours. Speaking of Jessica- when are you two leaving?" She asked.
Liz smiled, she knew perfectly well that Jessica could never make up her mind if her life depended on it. "Well I figured most of the stores would have the same stuff, and I really liked that one." She said. "We're leaving Saturday morning. I think we were just going to take a drive, since it isn't too far away."
Emily heard Liz's last comment, "Where are you going?" She asked trying not to speak in a disapproving tone.
Alice nodded, "I haven't been there myself, but one of my clients has, and she absolutely raves about it. I bet you'll come home an all new woman."
"We're going to that new spa." Liz explained.
"It was Todd's Valentine's gift to Elizabeth!" Alice said brightly.
"Without Todd? I don't think that is such a wise choice. What if something were to happen?" Mrs. Wilkins stated, fretting.
"What do you mean, Emily?" Mrs. Wakefield asked, confused.
"It's only for a week. And it's not like we are going to the middle of a desert. We're just going to a spa," Liz said trying to defend herself.
"I mean that what if you were to miscarriage? Or hurt yourself, and the doctor isn't nearby?" Mrs. Wilkins said.
Alice brought a hand over her mouth in shock. "Emily, that's not going to happen." She rubbed Liz's arm. 'Don't worry about it Liz, everything will be fine for you up there. And I'm sure if something did happen, they have doctors nearby. But it won't."
Liz's eyes widened, she hadn't thought about that. And her ob-gyn had assured her that it would be perfectly safe and she had nothing to worry about, but now that she had said something she was getting scared, what if ...
"I still just don't feel secure knowing my daughter-in-law, being in such a delicate condition, is at a spa in the middle of no where." She said harshly.
"It's safe to travel when you're pregnant." Alice offered, trying to get Emily to get of this subject.
"The spa is up in the mountains, on the way to Big Bear- I'd hardly say it's in the middle of nowhere. That place is probably overflowing with tourists."
"Mom maybe I should call Jess and reschedule. I mean she does have a point, I shouldn't risk it." Liz said nervously
"Yes, but tourists can't help massive bleeding. She needs to be by a doctor."
Alice sighed and looked at Emily, a bit annoyed. "Liz there is absolutely nothing to worry about. Todd wanted you to go on this trip, so even he thinks its ok. Nothing, and I repeat- nothing is going to happen. You're in good health and so far your pregnancy has been completely normal." Mrs. Wakefield continued, trying to reassure her daughter. " I think you should go, I really do. The break from work will do you good. You'll get a chance to relax and spend time with your sister."
Liz nodded but still felt uneasy. She was going over worst case scenarios over and over in her mind.
"Fine, but I still just have a bad feeling about this." Emily said deciding to drop the subject. As much as she was against the trip she didn't want to scare Liz, who already had enough on her mind.
"Elizabeth if you have any doubts now, I'm sure all you need to do is go home, talk to Todd about it, and he'll convince you that everything will be fine and that you should go."
Liz relaxed after her mom tried comforting her, "So what now?" she said referring to their shopping trip.
Emily sighed, "It's up to you, this is your shopping day." she said.
"I wanted to check out some strollers I guess." Liz said, walking slowly over to the transportation section of the store. She suddenly stopped. When she had moved she felt something in her stomach move. At first she thought it was just nerves but it was something else. It felt like a few butterflies rolling around in her tummy, but it was a good feeling. She felt it again this time only it felt like a small flower opening up. She put her hand on her stomach. She waited for it to happen again.
"Come on Liz, let's go look at the strollers. I wanted to get back to work." She said. "So I only have a bit of time left." She didn't catch Liz's quizzical expression.
Alice immediately picked up a vibe. Instinctively she turned to look at Elizabeth. She saw her daughter standing still, an odd expression on her face, and what Alice noticed the most- was that Elizabeth's hand was on her stomach. "Elizabeth what's wrong?" She asked, quickly walking over to her.
"Nothing. I mean, I'm not sure. I just had this weird feeling in my stomach, it was like... " She tried explaining it but she couldn't. She just looked at her mother like she was supposed to have the answer.
Emily saw that they had both stopped and came back looking at Liz and waiting for her to continue.
"I knew you shouldn't have eaten that ice cream cone- it was nothing but sugar." That was the thought on the tip of Alice's tongue when suddenly she stopped herself from saying that. She looked at Liz long and hard. There was something in her expression.... "The baby kicked didn't it?" She stated as she felt Emily join them once again.
Liz looked at her mother with wide eyes, "Oh my gosh! Really?" She put her hand on her stomach trying to urge the baby to kick again.
Emily smiled, "Yes, it's right about this time that you can start to feel movements." She said.
Alice smiled delighted at her daughter's happiness. "I want to feel." She exclaimed, moving in and placing her hand there too.
Emily also put her hand on Liz's stomach. As she waited for the baby to kick again they tried massaging the stomach. But nothing seemed to happen. Instead she heard a stomach growl. Liz blushed, "Sorry." She said.
Mrs. Wakefield smiled and let out a sing song laugh. She removed her hand. "I guess the baby has done enough entertaining for right now, and it's saying that it's hungry! Let's go get some food in you Liz."
Alice Wakefield walked with her daughter and Emily Wilkins down the crowded, busy, cluttered, mall corridor. "I believe the store I heard about is right up here, on the right." She told the other two. The three of them were currently at the mall because Mrs. Wakefield and Mrs. Wilkins had both decided that as the Grandmas-to-be, they wanted to go in together on buying a gift for the baby, for Liz - the crib. So they'd managed to fit it into their schedule to come down to the mall today, on Saturday, to look around. Last weekend had been Easter, and everyone had been busy but that's when Alice and Emily had first discussed it. They'd wanted to take Liz during this past week, so that they could steer clear of the crazy weekend mall traffic, but Elizabeth had had jury duty. And they couldn't take her next week because Elizabeth was using her voucher for that spa with Jess. So it was now or never.
Liz trailed along behind them; she never realized her mother in law could show such leadership. Both her mother and her mother-in-law were walking like they were on a death mission. It was becoming hard to keep up. Liz had a cup of ice-cream in her hand and stopped every so often to take a bite. She must have been a site, a pregnant woman trying to keep up. It was becoming more and more noticeable. She now had a noticeable gut, and about a month ago had to splurge for some new clothes. Since she passed the first trimester and many of the risks for spontaneous abortion had diminished, she started telling her friends and co-workers. Now just walking in the mall people knew. She once again realized she was 2 steps behind and had to race to keep up finally she said something. "Will you guys slow down? I'm not in a hurry or anything."
Alice looked back at her daughter. She had been so engrossed with walking with Emily that she hadn't realized that Liz had fallen behind. "I'm sorry sweetie." She told her, as Liz approached them. "I guess we're just excited to do some baby shopping." She said, her eyes twinkling. This was going to be so much fun- shopping for her grandchild's
crib. And a friend of hers had told her about a great new place which had gone into the mall, and so Alice had insisted that the three of them try this place first. "Oh, there it is!" She said, pointing to a store about 3 stores down ahead of them.
Liz sighed as the two soon-to-be grandmothers took off. She decided to take her time realizing that they would just have to wait for her.
Alice entered the store right with Emily. Immediately she saw a gorgeous old fashioned crib displayed up near the front of the store. "Oh Emily!" She breathed, "Look at this."
Mrs. Wilkins looked at the crib she pointed out. It was made out of wood and was painted white. "Oh that is cute, but check out this one!" She said looking to a sleek modern one with a baby monitor connected to it.
Alice took one more glance appreciatively at the crib she was fawning over and reluctantly looked over to see what the other grandma had spotted. It was- nice... but different, very different from the one Alice had liked. "It's so high tech." She told Emily as she walked over to it, not meaning it as a compliment.
Liz came into the store and was instantly brought into "baby world." Everywhere she looked there were baby supplies and eager parents. She could hear about 3 different infants crying in the background. The joy of motherhood, she thought to herself. She started looking at some baby clothes.
"Yes, I think it's important to be on the modern side, with the threat of Sudden Infant Death, you can never be too safe." She said.
"Elizabeth!" Alice called out to her daughter. "Stop looking at the baby clothes- you don't even know what you're having yet!" She loudly stated. Then she quickly turned back to Emily, registering that last comment of hers. "Yes but then again I hear about an awfully high number of lawsuits of baby cribs malfunctioning and in some of the worst cases, even throwing the poor baby out of it! Ned once represented a case on a company that was being sued by parents who claimed that their high tech crib malfunctioned."
Liz continued looking at the baby clothes. They were easily separated, pink for girl, blue for boy. Todd had convinced her that they should wait until the baby is born to find out what sex it was. Liz had finally agreed with Todd but she still wondered what it would be. She personally was hoping for a girl, and she knew that Todd wanted to have a boy that he could train for basketball and make his next little star.
"Yes, I'm quite familiar about those, but a lot of those cases are when the crib is old and worn out from other use or not made right, now a days they are making them a lot more sturdy." Mrs. Wilkins countered.
Liz finally dropped the clothes and sighed, heading over to her mother. Looking at the two women she could tell there was tension. Liz was
about ready to turn around again and go look at something else, anything beside cribs until they decided.
"Well if you ask me the new ones are the deathtraps." Alice said under her breath. "But let's see what Liz thinks. Liz?" She stated, once her daughter finally made it over to them. "What do you think is the better choice for a crib- something old fashioned and sturdy or something so new it's got more technologies than is good for it?"
Liz looked at the two cribs that they must have been talking about. Personally, she didn't like either of them but she wasn't going to say that, she was at least going to try to be more tactful and not take sides. She looked at another one. It was just a simple crib, one that looked like what she would think of as a crib. It wasn't high tech and it was not old fashioned. "I like that one." She said, walking towards it.
Alice followed her daughter's sight. "Really? Are you sure, I mean, it's nice, but, well, it's kind of plain." She stated, missing the beautiful antique craftiness which was in hers. Heck, she'd even prefer the high tech design of Emily's choice over this dull one. "Right Emily?" Figuring that at least with Emily she'd have an ally.
"It is a bit dull. Are you sure you don't want something that is a bit more... decorative or fun?" She finally concluded for lack of better words.
Alice bit her lip but nodded along with what Emily had said.
Liz rolled her eyes. Now they had resorted to criticizing her tastes. "I don't think the baby will care one way or another, and this one will be cheaper, and more easily transferable." She stated matter-of-factly, reading the sales label.
Alice knew she should have known better. Elisabeth- above all else, was being practical in her choice. "Well now I'm sure there are more
than just these three cribs up front. Why don't we go see what else they have here?"
Liz wasn't really in the mood for looking around. She was hungry and was already tired of trying to mediate their two fights. Relentlessly, she agreed following them back like a puppy dog.
Alice passed by a rack of frilly, discounted Easter baby dresses. She couldn't help but stop and finger the material, and oohing and ahhing over its size and adorableness. "Elizabeth, what's the latest on the bay's sex decision? For the past couple of weeks you two have just kept jumping back and forth between not finding out and finding out. So what's the latest?"
"I've just agreed to let Todd win on this one, as much as might be more of a convenience, I guess I see his point on it being a surprise." Liz looked at the Easter dresses longingly. "I remember when you dressed Jess and I in dresses like that."
Alice smiled, getting sentimental as she looked back and forth between the dress and her daughter. "Oh, I remember that too!" She said, suddenly taking a step towards Liz and hugging her. "It seems like just yesterday that I was dressing my baby, and now I'm helping my baby dress hers." She sniffled. "Oh Emily, be thankful you didn't have any daughters. It's even more painful than it is with boys."
"Trust me, it's just as painful watching a son marry off too, but he chose well." She said, squeezing Liz's hand. "Now are we going to sit here and go down memory lane, or we going to get a crib? I know Elizabeth must be tired."
Liz nodded. She followed Mrs. Wilkins over to the other crib displays.
Alice was still wiping her eyes as she trailed behind the other two. She felt a little foolish. "Liz, dear, I' glad you're being so thoughtful to Todd's wishes, but are YOU absolutely sure YOU don't want to know the sex of the baby ahead of time. I mean, once the baby's here, you're not going to have a lot of time to go out buying clothes and decorating his room accordingly. If you knew the sex you could have all of
that completely done with by the time it's time to give birth."
"I agree with you mom, but I want to respect Todd's wishes the same way he's respecting mine about me working, and my choices about labor." Liz said
Alice looked at Emily and then simply shrugged. "Alright, I don't want to start anything between you two. It's just that I didn't find out, and I think if I had it to do over again I actually would have. And in this day and age, where things are even more hectic, well....well I guess I'll just stop now."
Mrs. Wilkins listened into the conversation but was looking at the different cribs. She saw a pretty pale yellow one with blue and pink designs.
"Oh that's pretty." Mrs. Wakefield commented.
"Mom you didn't find out cause it wasn't possible back then, and for now I just don't want to make any major decisions until I have to, unless there was some genetic problem the doctors said its not even necessary."
"Alright, alright, I get the hint, I'll back off." Mrs. Wakefield said, raising her hands in surrender.
Liz turned to look at the crib. It was a pale yellow, but she wasn't quite sure. She didn't know what they were doing for room decor and she wanted to keep it simple and something that would go with everything. Liz shook her head, "I like the white one right beside it." She said. It looked very similar to the one she pointed out earlier.
Alice sighed as she and Emily shared a special glance between them. Obviously Liz was set in her ways. Some people were just too stubborn to change......
Liz caught their secret look. Sometimes even now her mother treated her like she was five years old, or even as if she were Jessica. She decided to drop it, "I'm going to go get a sales associate or someone to help us out."
"I think that's a great idea dear. Emily and I will just keep looking around here ourselves."
Emily put her finger to her chin and pondered Liz's choice. "It is kind of simple, but I can see why Liz would like it." She stated, making sure Liz was out of earshot.
Alice studied the white crib. "So can I. Maybe it's just the decorator in me but I have a hard time accepting simple things when I know there is something so much better and prettier- not necessarily flashier- out there." Alice sighed. "Does it seem like it's been 5 months
already? It sure doesn't to me."
Liz found a guy stocking some formula mixtures and asked him to help her with the cribs.
"I can't believe it either, it's amazing how fast the time flies, and how fast kids grow." The comment was made referring to both Liz and Todd. It seemed like just yesterday they were playing soccer together.
Liz brought the clerk with her and explained the situation and showed him the crib she had selected, asking for his advice.
"They grow way to fast...." Alice commented. "And I hope both Elizabeth and Todd realize that. It's the rudest awakening a parent can get."
The clerk commented on Liz's choice saying it was their most popular crib, and it was the safest out there. Liz smiled at his statement, looking at both her mother and mother-in-law.
Well that little comment by the young store clerk quickly shut both herself and Emily up. "It's - nice- sweetie. And it does leave a lot of options for decorating the room. I guess if the crib is simple that's ok if you just keep that, and only that simple and plain." Alice spoke, the decorator in her coming out. She hadn't come right out and told Liz this yet- but she had full plans on being in charge of decorating the nursery.
Liz tried hard not to laugh out loud. She had expected her mother to say that. She could almost see her mothers mind looking into wallpapers and paint colors for their nursery.
She thanked the clerk and asked him if they could deliver the crib, and how much extra would it cost. Apparently Elizabeth had made her decision, Alice thought to herself, as she turned away and looked at some of the other nearby cribs.
Emily was about ready to object but decided against it. If it was Liz's choice then let it be. It wasn't really her choice.
The clerk pulled out a piece of paper and started getting the details of address and a payment plan. He and Liz walked up to the front leaving Alice and Emily by themselves.
"Well I guess she picked the one she wanted....And I'm happy as long as she's happy."
Emily looked longingly at the pale yellow one once more. "I guess so." She said, following Alice as they walked to the front of the store. Emily caught some books that she wanted to check out on birthing and labor.
Liz finished up the paperwork on payment plans and quickly signed them. She would just hand the bill over to her mom and Mrs. Wilkins when it came. She looked around and saw them browsing a bit. She walked over to them wanting to see what they were doing.
While Emily had engrossed herself in riffling through various books Alice had just picked up one, and looked through that. The title was "So, You're Having Twins". She smiled when she saw Liz walk back over to them. "Well that was quick. And, I'm not just talking about the payment either. You make your choice rather quickly, I mean, we could have looked at more stores...." She trailed of. "If it has been Jessica we'd be here at least another 2 hours. Speaking of Jessica- when are you two leaving?" She asked.
Liz smiled, she knew perfectly well that Jessica could never make up her mind if her life depended on it. "Well I figured most of the stores would have the same stuff, and I really liked that one." She said. "We're leaving Saturday morning. I think we were just going to take a drive, since it isn't too far away."
Emily heard Liz's last comment, "Where are you going?" She asked trying not to speak in a disapproving tone.
Alice nodded, "I haven't been there myself, but one of my clients has, and she absolutely raves about it. I bet you'll come home an all new woman."
"We're going to that new spa." Liz explained.
"It was Todd's Valentine's gift to Elizabeth!" Alice said brightly.
"Without Todd? I don't think that is such a wise choice. What if something were to happen?" Mrs. Wilkins stated, fretting.
"What do you mean, Emily?" Mrs. Wakefield asked, confused.
"It's only for a week. And it's not like we are going to the middle of a desert. We're just going to a spa," Liz said trying to defend herself.
"I mean that what if you were to miscarriage? Or hurt yourself, and the doctor isn't nearby?" Mrs. Wilkins said.
Alice brought a hand over her mouth in shock. "Emily, that's not going to happen." She rubbed Liz's arm. 'Don't worry about it Liz, everything will be fine for you up there. And I'm sure if something did happen, they have doctors nearby. But it won't."
Liz's eyes widened, she hadn't thought about that. And her ob-gyn had assured her that it would be perfectly safe and she had nothing to worry about, but now that she had said something she was getting scared, what if ...
"I still just don't feel secure knowing my daughter-in-law, being in such a delicate condition, is at a spa in the middle of no where." She said harshly.
"It's safe to travel when you're pregnant." Alice offered, trying to get Emily to get of this subject.
"The spa is up in the mountains, on the way to Big Bear- I'd hardly say it's in the middle of nowhere. That place is probably overflowing with tourists."
"Mom maybe I should call Jess and reschedule. I mean she does have a point, I shouldn't risk it." Liz said nervously
"Yes, but tourists can't help massive bleeding. She needs to be by a doctor."
Alice sighed and looked at Emily, a bit annoyed. "Liz there is absolutely nothing to worry about. Todd wanted you to go on this trip, so even he thinks its ok. Nothing, and I repeat- nothing is going to happen. You're in good health and so far your pregnancy has been completely normal." Mrs. Wakefield continued, trying to reassure her daughter. " I think you should go, I really do. The break from work will do you good. You'll get a chance to relax and spend time with your sister."
Liz nodded but still felt uneasy. She was going over worst case scenarios over and over in her mind.
"Fine, but I still just have a bad feeling about this." Emily said deciding to drop the subject. As much as she was against the trip she didn't want to scare Liz, who already had enough on her mind.
"Elizabeth if you have any doubts now, I'm sure all you need to do is go home, talk to Todd about it, and he'll convince you that everything will be fine and that you should go."
Liz relaxed after her mom tried comforting her, "So what now?" she said referring to their shopping trip.
Emily sighed, "It's up to you, this is your shopping day." she said.
"I wanted to check out some strollers I guess." Liz said, walking slowly over to the transportation section of the store. She suddenly stopped. When she had moved she felt something in her stomach move. At first she thought it was just nerves but it was something else. It felt like a few butterflies rolling around in her tummy, but it was a good feeling. She felt it again this time only it felt like a small flower opening up. She put her hand on her stomach. She waited for it to happen again.
"Come on Liz, let's go look at the strollers. I wanted to get back to work." She said. "So I only have a bit of time left." She didn't catch Liz's quizzical expression.
Alice immediately picked up a vibe. Instinctively she turned to look at Elizabeth. She saw her daughter standing still, an odd expression on her face, and what Alice noticed the most- was that Elizabeth's hand was on her stomach. "Elizabeth what's wrong?" She asked, quickly walking over to her.
"Nothing. I mean, I'm not sure. I just had this weird feeling in my stomach, it was like... " She tried explaining it but she couldn't. She just looked at her mother like she was supposed to have the answer.
Emily saw that they had both stopped and came back looking at Liz and waiting for her to continue.
"I knew you shouldn't have eaten that ice cream cone- it was nothing but sugar." That was the thought on the tip of Alice's tongue when suddenly she stopped herself from saying that. She looked at Liz long and hard. There was something in her expression.... "The baby kicked didn't it?" She stated as she felt Emily join them once again.
Liz looked at her mother with wide eyes, "Oh my gosh! Really?" She put her hand on her stomach trying to urge the baby to kick again.
Emily smiled, "Yes, it's right about this time that you can start to feel movements." She said.
Alice smiled delighted at her daughter's happiness. "I want to feel." She exclaimed, moving in and placing her hand there too.
Emily also put her hand on Liz's stomach. As she waited for the baby to kick again they tried massaging the stomach. But nothing seemed to happen. Instead she heard a stomach growl. Liz blushed, "Sorry." She said.
Mrs. Wakefield smiled and let out a sing song laugh. She removed her hand. "I guess the baby has done enough entertaining for right now, and it's saying that it's hungry! Let's go get some food in you Liz."