Chapter Six: Dreams and Shopping

For the next few days, Eric seemed quiet…worried. Bee was concerned, but he kept brushing her off saying it was nothing, but every night he slept uneasy with the same dream.

Bee busied herself with wedding preparations. Tracy said that she would make the cake, angel-food cake with homemade frosting and strawberry sauce. She called up Reverend Brown and he agreed to marry them on the beach, Eric's and Bee's favorite spot. Then she and the girls went to the wedding store downtown. Her first choice of course was the pants, but they didn't fit anymore so she had to settle for a dress instead. It took her all day to find the perfect dress. Many of the maternity pregnant dresses just didn't have the look Bee wanted. After "trying on the entire store" as Tibby stated it, she found the perfect dress. It was strap-less long silk gown ending half down her calf, narrow 'til her stomach then flowing to the bottom. It was plain, no lace, but it came with a silky scarf to drape around her arms.

"Wow, Bee," said Carmen. "You look stunning."

"Mmhhh, yeah I really like this dress," replied Bee.

"You're so lucky, Bee," said Lena. "You're getting married. You're having twins. You're going to be a mom."

"Yeah, and I have the best friends any person has ever had," said Bee. "Come on you guys group hug."

They all joined in a group-hug. Then Bee said, "Come one girls, we need to get you dresses for my wedding." And so the rest of the day the search the store for the perfect bridesmaids dresses. They were champagne colored and sparkly, halter-topped and ending at the knee.

"Bee," said Eric. It was early Friday morning two weeks since Eric started having those dreams. They were still in bed, Eric sitting up propped against the pillows, Bee lying her head in Eric's lap; he was stroking her hair gently. He had been contemplating for the past two weeks in whether he should tell her or not. Eventually he settled that he would; Bee should know why I'm so worried. I mean we're getting married. Couples tell each other everything, especially if they're worried about each other's safety.

"Hmm?" she responded picking up her head a little to look at him.

"Look…I'm worried. About you and the babies," Eric started.

"Well of course you should be nervous," said Bee sitting up. "You're going to be a dad. How nerve-racking can that be?"

"No," said Eric. "That's not what I mean." He explained the dreams. Bee's face changed, turning into a look of concern.

"But…but, look Eric, it was only a dream or rather dreams. It won't come true. I know you'll always be there for me. I love you, and our children yet to come. I wouldn't leave you guys. I won't die giving birth to our children."

Her voice gave a little quiver of fear in the end unsure of what it was saying was true.

"Look come here," she said giving him a long hug. "Nothing will go wrong."

Tears fell silently from his eyes as he embraced her back. Finally he said, "You're right. Everything will be right."

"Come on, don't worry anymore," said Bee. "I'm gonna fix you some breakfast. You really need it."

Eric went down with Bee and watched as she prepared his breakfast for him: Belgium waffles with butter and orange juice. He thought about all the memories they had shared together; their first kiss, the soccer tournament, that night when Bee was sick, the night he proposed…

"Here your pancakes, dear," said Bee handing him a plate stacked high with buttery heavenly-light pancakes and orange juice. "Just the way you like them."

Bee started washing the dishes. She had to keep herself busy, so she wouldn't think of Eric's dream. She didn't want him to see her worried about it. Everything will be fine, she chanted in her head like a mantra over and over into she convinced herself for the moment. She needed to tell someone, but it seemed all her friends were busy, and of course she couldn't tell Eric. That would only worry him more.

"I better go," said Eric when he finished off his pancakes and wiping his mouth with a napkin. "The coach wants one last practice before tomorrow's match."

"Can you take me with you?" asked Bee. She wanted more than anything to be playing soccer, but since that was not possible watching it live was the next best thing.

"You sure, Bee?" he asked. "It's gonna be cold out today."

"Yeah," said Bee. "I wanted to talk to Tracy in person, but I haven't had the chance to stop by."

"Okay if you want, but I want you to bundle up," he said to her after thinking for a moment. He was making himself coffee to bring to the field and tea for Bee. "The last thing we want you to get is the flu."

"Sure, I'll change and be down here in five minutes," said Bee.

Bee came down dressed in a white hand-knitted sweater, jeans, and a black poncho; her hair parted on the left and was down curled at the very tips.

"I'm ready," she said.

"Ok," said Eric and then handed her the tea. "Let's take my car."

They walked out together hand in hand to his car a silver BWM X3. They got in and drove in silence to the field. Bee's mind started to wander again, so she forced herself to do something anything to get her mind from wandering. She looked at her jeans and memorized every little detail of them, where they fade, where they darken (even though it seemed stupid).

"Bee?" said Eric touching her arm gently. She jumped a little surprised. "We're here."

Together they walked to the field. Then they split, Eric heading toward his team, who were doing stretches, Bee toward the bleachers where she spotted Tracey sitting with her two sons.

"Hey Bee," called Tracey.

"Hey," Bee replied back giving her a hug. "How are you?"

"Not bad. You?"

"Okay. Listen can I tell you something?"

"Yeah sure. Hey kids? Can you go and play over there so Bee and I can talk?"

The kids ran off and Tracey turned back to Bee with a look of concern. "What's up?"

"Well, Eric told me this morning about the dreams he's been having. He says he keeps on having dreams about me and the babies being in danger; at risk of dying."
"Well I mean everyone has jitters about being new parents," Tracey began, the look of worry spreading.

"Yeah, I know, but just hearing those things, just…" Bee shuddered. "I don't want it to come true true, yet I can't help thinking about what if it does. I've been trying to convince myself all morning that the dreams won't come"

"Well I had those kinds of dreams when I was having Brian, my oldest. Don't worry. Nothing bad'll happen. It's just nerves playing with you."

"I guess you're right," said Bee. "They're just dreams. So how does it feel to be a parent?"

"Well, the feeling is just indescribable. It feels just dream-like, surreal kinda; you can't believe these precious little bundles are yours. I mean if you can handle the late nights and diaper changes, then you'll do great."

"Thanks for the support. I really appreciate it."

"No problem."

They watched the players practice and cheered them on. Bee spotted a soccer ball and noticed that the team wasn't using some of the field.

"Hey do you and the kids want to play pass?" Bee asked.

"Okay," said Tracey knowing how much Bee loved soccer, but couldn't play, so for the rest of the morning and afternoon the played pass and keep away. Bee was smiling and much more relaxed than she was that morning.

"You seemed happy playing pass," Eric commented on the ride back.

"Yeah today was fun."

"Glad to hear that."

"Eric?"

"Huh?"

"I love you no matter what happens."

"I love you, too, and nothing will happen."