Three weeks passed. Amy was at home with Ted, almost completely forgetting the "conversation" she'd had while in the hospital. Only small fragments remained in her memory and they really didn't make any sense.
Alex was no longer fighting the orders to stay in bed. Some days she found it hard to move at all. This was a real pregnancy – not like the last. She was properly nourished this time around and was not having any battles with depression. Her stomach was larger than it was with Julia, which seemed to make everything more difficult, but despite it, she was constantly radiating that "mother-to-be" glow. Mort made sure that his wife had everything she needed and his writing was flourishing. His new book was to hit the shelves the following week and he had already started a new one.
Then there was Julia. Every day she would climb into her parents' bed and put her head on her mother's stomach. She would try to talk to her unborn baby sister, though Mort and Alex couldn't understand most of it. And every day, she'd ask either – or both – of them, when her sister could come out and play. The answer never changed: "Soon, sweetie."
With Alex's due date only days away, Mort was becoming noticeably giddy. When his literary agent called him to arrange a book signing, he could have cared less about discussing the schedule. He went on and on about everything that he was doing in order to get ready for his new daughter.
"Mort, I understand your excitement, but…"
"No, Trevor, you don't…you can't!" Mort said cheerfully. "I converted one of the spare bedrooms into Julia's new 'big girl' room so the baby won't have to be in a room that smells like new paint. I've come a long way from hanging shower doors and…"
Trevor laughed. "I think you're forgetting that I have three of my own, Mort. Believe me, I understand the excitement. This signing is important though. Publicity is publicity and…"
Mort sighed, a smile on his face. "I know the drill, Trevor, I think you're forgetting that I've done this before."
"True, but your last book was a top seller, Mort. Your name's been floating around everywhere about this new one. People are really anxious to see you write more than a suspense or thriller piece."
"I know, but right now, sitting in a Barnes and Noble or Borders is the furthest thing from…"
"Daddy! Potty!" Julia's voice cut through the conversation.
Mort covered the phone with one hand. "Be right there, honey." Uncovering the mouthpiece, Mort said, "I have a young lady to attend to, Trevor, I'll call you back later."
"You'd better, this is really…"
"Important, I know. I will. Bye."
"Bye, Mort."
Mort went into the powder room and found Julia trying, in vain, to unhook her overalls. He smiled down at her before kneeling and taking care of the problem himself. "There you go, sweetheart." Mort let his mind drift for a moment as Julia took care of her own "business." Everything that I missed with her, I'll get to do now. Everything Alex went through alone the last time, she'll have help with. I must have done something right to have ended up where I am. I only wish that I could have been here sooner.
"Done!"
"That's my girl." Mort helped her clean up, then carried her upstairs to his room. Alex was sitting up watching T.V. "Everything all right up here?"
Alex smiled. "Wonderful."
"I went potty," Julia said proudly. Julia had been potty trained for a while, but was still impressed with herself every time an accident was avoided.
"Good girl. Come here, sweetie." Julia made her way to Alex's side. "Daddy and I need to talk about something, but we need to talk to you about it too, O.K.?"
"K."
Mort sat on the bed and picked up the remote for the T.V. He turned it off, then said, "You and mommy have very pretty names." Julia giggled. "Your baby sister is going to need a name too."
"Your name pitty too, Daddy," Julia said matter-of-factly.
Mort laughed at the comment. "Well, honey, we're not going to name her Mort."
Alex chimed in, stroking her daughter's hair. "Daddy and I picked out two names that we like, but can't pick which we like better. We thought you might like to pick for us."
Julia's eyes lit up. For such a young child, she was very intelligent and understood most of what her parents said to her. Everyone that saw the three interact was usually interested with how they treated Julia like a tiny adult – it seemed to work in her favor.
"What do you like better," Mort said, "Hallie or Christina?"
Julia didn't waste a moment on thought. "Hallie!" she cheered. "Pitty!"
Mort winked at Alex, both knew the name that Julia was going to pick. "Hallie it is then."
Julia rested her head on Alex's stomach. "Hallie, pay pease."
"Only a few more days, sweetie," Alex said.
That night, after Julia was in bed, Mort came out of the bathroom, his glasses in his hand. "I can push the signing back."
"Are you nuts?" Alex giggled. "Trevor would give himself a coronary."
"What if you go into labor?"
"That's why you carry that magical device called a cell phone, Mort. Karen will be here with me and my bag's already packed…"
Mort sat down and took Alex's hand. "Baby, I don't want to miss one second of anything."
Alex smiled. "We'll see what your opinion is once I'm screaming bloody murder in the delivery room."
"Are you going to be like those women on sitcoms that scream at their husbands?"
Alex's voice softened. "I…I don't know really. Tristan's mom was in with me last time and I certainly couldn't yell at her."
Mort's eyes were sympathetic. "Well, if you feel like you missed out on something that time around, you can yell and scream at me all you like."
"Is this some form of chivalry, Mr. Rainey?"
"Could be," he laughed. He leaned over and placed a feather light kiss on Alex's neck. "However, part of me can't wait to stop being so gentlemanly."
Alex blushed a deep scarlet. She giggled as she said, in the same voice she used to talk to Julia, "Soon, sweetie."