The tall 'maternal' blonde was laughing pleasantly as Tommy adjusted the musical stuffed bunny rabbit against her stomach. Tommy's mother, sweet woman, or from what Beatrix heard, had sent them an early 'pregnancy' gift. It arrived in the mail and upon opening the blonde stared agog. The gift was a medium sized stuffed animal, a bunny rabbit no less, white with a pink nose, the stomach was flat…not like a normal stuffed animal, and inside the stomach was an equally flat music box that played select classical lullabies. Okay, it was really cute but when Tommy coaxed her into actually using it she wanted to throw the fucking animal out the window.
Now, it was cute but she didn't entirely like it….but she hadn't thrown it out the window, yet. The stuffed rabbit's musical stomach was made so it sat flat or more like conformed to the shape of Beatrix's slightly bulging tummy. She really wasn't that 'big'. She was about the size of a partially deflated or more like half a basketball.
"Do you really think that music is going to calm her down? Because I am quite partial to my kidneys," she joked affectionately at the man beside her. Earlier that day Beatrix took Tommy to the doctor's with her. The daunting doctor's visit. Thank God Tommy knew almost nothing about pregnancy or wasn't letting on that he knew anything, so the fact that the doctor could tell them the sex of the baby at such an early stage wasn't too suspicious. Nor was it peculiar that the baby sprouted very 'proficient' legs. All in all the visit was a success and in a way drew the new couple closer; which Beatrix more than needed.
She was now lying on her back, her head propped up on two pillows, and blue eyes staring questionably at the music playing rabbit.
Tommy, lounging next to Arlene, his head supported by his elbow, smiled broadly, "Well, according to my mother...it's supposed to aid in a smoother pregnancy." He shrugged, not so sure about that theory himself, "She said she used to put a small music box close next to her when she was pregnant with me, since they didn't have such fancy stuffed animals back in her day. She swears by it, noting that I turned out to be such a nice guy that it has to be a sure thing." He chuckled, his hand stroking the soft fur on the stuffed animal that was lying on top of Arlene's slightly bulging belly. "Either way, it was a nice thought though, she's ecstatic about all of this ya know." His eyes turned up to the tall blonde, "She's been wanting me to have kids for years...I'd even bet she's been secretly stocking up on baby stuff for at least five years now..."
He then laid down flat on his back next to the pregnant blonde; hands lacing behind his head. Tommy was very content, content with his life...content with Arlene, and while things had sorta gone on an unexpected route with her, he couldn't be more content with the thought of them having a child together. He could already picture their little family in his mind...living in his small house. Maybe, if the store picked up a little, he could afford a bigger place...and nicer things for Arlene and the baby. He wanted to be able to provide for them like they deserved.
He wrapped one of his arms around the back of Arlene's head; nestling down next to her, his gaze cast down at Arlene's bunny laden stomach. He was already feeling very happy about the whole pregnancy thing, but after going to the doctor's with Arlene he felt even more so. Dr. Herman had been very nice and was willing to answer the multitude of questions Tommy had about pregnancy and newborns.
"Just think Arlene," he mused in a quiet voice, "Nine months from now...we'll be able to lie here with our baby..." he looked up at her with a lopsided grin, "...it's almost impossible to believe." He squeezed her shoulder, "I can't wait..."
Beatrix cast a wide and affectionate smile down at him. Her blue eyes sparked with excitement, but that was just sugar coating over the amount of angst, guilt, and sadness she felt. The past few months had been bliss, and she was very content with her new life style but she couldn't deny the itching in the back of her mind that wanted more. That more went completely back to Bill and what she left behind. By now Beatrix had effectively and efficiently closed herself off from anything having to do with Bill or her past. She had had her relapse at the bar and she had given Bill more than his far share of 'missing' and thinking about him. She had paid her dues and now she had far exceeded her time for further 'mourning'. She had her baby girl and Tommy to fill her thoughts with, and that was more than enough.
"Life's complicated that way," she muttered lightly. Her hand brushed up and a few select long white digits brushed against his cheek tenderly. "It'll be perfect." A tender moment passed between the couple. In this moment it was obvious how much Beatrix cared about Tommy. She still debated whether she loved him. It was complex. But she was slowly beginning to love him in some manner. It surely wasn't puppy love, but it wasn't quite what she had had with Bill…but it was there and it was special.
The moment passed and Beatrix blinked her intense blue eyes on the rabbit. The music had stopped and so did the kicking. Her lips twisted into an amused smirk. "Fuck, it worked." Her only reasons for despising this result was that it meant she'd have to keep the fucking rabbit around and use it.
Tommy leaned over, placing a tender kiss on Arlene's smirking lips; sorta missing the point of her disgruntled attitude, "Good thing too...," he murmured, "I would hate to have you dealing with a kicking baby all of the time," he chuckled lightly, a hand straying to her hair; brushing some stray strands from her forehead, "I can't even imagine having something inside my belly...kicking around like that." Like most men, he found the thought weird...but kinda cool. Of course, he was glad he didn't have to deal with it, but...he had the utmost respect for the woman who would have to carry his child around for nine months. The more pregnant Arlene got, the more Tommy started to treat her as something "frail." Even at work, he insisted she not pick up anything heavy and he was constantly keeping an eye on her, just to make sure she wasn't straining herself. He was being protective; already turning into a father.
"Guess the bunny's staying then," he spoke up after a moment; finally picking up on Arlene's comment. He gave her a small smile, "Well, at least you don't have to wear it in public...and my mother will be ecstatic to know that it worked, I'll have to tell her the next time she calls...which, will probably be tomorrow." Ever since finding out her son was going to be a father, Tommy's mother had been calling even more frequently then normal...wanting to check in.
Tommy shifted a little into a more comfortable position against the headboard. He stayed silent for a few minutes; during which time his demeanor grew less mellow and a more nervous. He wasn't a great liar, nor was he great at hiding his emotions...he liked to be truthful and he liked to let people know how he truly felt.
"Ya know," he began, a little faultily, rubbing at his cheek, "I was thinking Arlene, maybe we should get married...," he glanced at her; obviously seeking approval. He'd been thinking about this a lot lately throughout the past couple weeks, thinking about how it was the right thing to do...thinking about how much he loved Arlene, and how...it just seemed right. "It just seems right," he whispered, eyes searching hers, voicing his own thoughts.
If Tommy was searching her eyes for something he wasn't going to find anything. She was emotionless, blank, and vacant but her mind was blazing. What the fuck had he just suggested? Marriage? The thought was laughable and she would have laughed if Tommy hadn't been so blatantly serious about it. Holy fuck, he was serious. Beatrix sat up, knocking the bunny off her stomach and onto the floor (not on purpose), and pulled her shirt back down to cover her stomach. Her eyes remained on him.
Never in her entire life did she think about marriage. Sure, she secretly yearned to settle down with a husband and kids, but she came to the conclusion long ago that she wasn't the marrying type. Ah, but as quickly as the tall blonde appeared shocked she switched gears. Beatrix Kiddo wasn't fit for marriage, but Arlene Machiavelli sure as hell was. The more her shock dissipated the more she realized how fantastic the idea really was.
Marriage would more than give her baby a secure father and living establishment. And hell, she could get a legal last name, which was a perk. The tall blonde pursed her lips and turn cast her eyes away from Tommy. "It does seem…right," she muttered in a soft reply. She shifted her eyes back to Tommy; which were now ablaze with happiness and deep thought affection. Her lips curved into a thin smile. "It's a perfect idea."
Tommy's broke into a wide smile, his eyes widening in completely unchecked elation, "You do?" He laughed, more at his own stupid question, "You do...you do, of course you do, oh man!" He suddenly embraced her, quickly checking himself in fear of 'hurting' her in his strong hug, "This is great," he whispered into her ear, still pressing her to him with affection, "…..it will be real nice Arlene, nothing too fancy...ya know just our friends...in a nice little church," he pulled away, still smiling, "But, we'll get you a nice dress...something really pretty...for a beautiful woman," he caressed her cheek, "A nice short ceremony and a big barbeque style reception..."
Tommy wasn't sure why he was so giddy over a wedding, it was more of a woman thing...but he'd thought so much about it and he'd secretly been a little apprehensive to bring up the idea to Arlene. He'd thought about doing the whole traditional thing, down on one knee and everything...but...that just didn't seem right, and he hadn't been able to afford a ring yet, so...it would have been a little bit weird. He thought, maybe bringing it up like this, it would be easier...and it was...even better; Arlene was all for it.
Tommy was still smiling, not able to help himself, "All my friends will insist on coming...and my mother of course...hey," he lit up with an idea, "...you should call your father...'pa'..tell him to come...it'll be great Arlene, a real good time."
Tommy's elation began to rub off on Beatrix and she couldn't help but become elated over the whole aspect of marriage. She had been excited about it to begin with, that was why she complied with the idea. But seeing how Tommy was so fucking happy about it made her even more so. She kept that smile thin but it was slowly widening as she felt more than secure in his embrace. Well, that was until he bought up the subject of 'guests'.
Her smile faltered. "Oh no, Tommy, my pa wouldn't be able to come…" she quickly checked herself to put on a calmer façade. She had become too edgy. She pursed her lips, blue eyes half lidded. "I," she began again more slowly and effectively. "….don't think my pa would be able to get away from the mines. And…he's really hard to get in touch with. He may not even see the invitation until its too late." Her lips curled back into a smile, but blue eyes flickered with a hidden grief. If her supposed 'pa' couldn't come to the wedding she knew she had no one else too invite. Her past couldn't be touched or invited for that matter. So her side of the chapel would be little lonely; it wasn't a big surprise for the blonde.
She decided to switch the subtopic. "A small chapel sounds ideal…but," her demeanor went back to being equally elated. She was quick to brush things off and return to brighter things. "I have to protest to the barbeque reception." She noted Tommy's disappointed expression and quickly added, "I won't have it unless you get someone else to play Barbeque King."
Tommy quickly smiled, "Ohh..no..no..no problem, Jack can be Barbeque
King...or maybe one of my cousins...I have a bunch."
He squeezed her hand, "Ok...so small church...and," he looked a little disappointed, "...well I guess if your pa can't come, I understand." He quickly brightened up, "Don't worry about guest's honey, I bet we can fill that church no problem." Tommy knew Arlene felt a little uncomfortable about her lack of personal contacts, but he was trying hard to make sure his friends were her friends. So far, everybody who'd met her loved her...and he knew that those who came to the wedding would as well.
Tommy sat back, looking very happy about this new turn of events; as if that already wasn't obvious, "I'll call around, find a nice little church here in El Paso, and maybe we can get Janeen, Joleen and Erica to help with invitations and décor and everything." He looked down a little, "We don't have a lot of money to work with...but, I know we can make it real nice." He then turned back to Arlene, "Should take a couple weeks to get everything organized...but..," his hand brushed her soft cheek, "...I hope it doesn't take too long..."
Beatrix smiled warmly and leaned forward to grab at the sheets before settling back down with the covers up to her shoulders. She turned her head to Tommy her eyes glittering with affectionate amusement. He was so damn eager to get the wedding done and over with it was somewhat comical. She was excited too, but unlike her supposed pregnancy with Tommy, the wedding she wanted to take slowly. She wanted simple and nice and she knew he could more than supply that. "It should take a month to prepare for the wedding. That's long enough," she commented lightly.
Lids were slowly beginning to weigh over those blue eyes as the events of her rather 'boring' day were settling in. All she did was work in the store stacking albums and working the register and she felt like she had been whole day. It was probably better that way given her delicate condition. She could tell at times when Tommy was treating her like a glass vase. She fucking hated it, but deep down she was more than thankful. Beatrix knew she could easily kick ass but the pregnancy was beginning to falter that aspect. She was starting to understand what the doctor meant by needing the 'protection' of a man during her pregnancy.
"I'm not buying a dress with a fucking train on it," she suddenly stated sternly but the smile on her face took away from the full impact of it. "Something simple, classic white, a subtle flower print…lace…a veil but one that goes in the back, I hate the idea of something in my face…and…" An idea suddenly sparked and she pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Maybe we should wait till after the baby's born to get married. The dress won't look half as good with a bowling ball right there..." Her hands came to rest on top of her bulging tummy and settled there comfortably. She was half joking on that manner but when she had started picturing her dress the whole aspect of it looking 'pretty' or gorgeous for that matter was dismayed greatly by the realization she'd still be pregnant.
Tommy settled down next to her, pulling the sheet further around them, "God...but Arlene, that means we'll have to wait like eight months to get married. I don't know if I want to wait that long. And besides," he propped himself up again, turning to gaze at her fondly, "You look goddamn beautiful, pregnant or not. I can already picture that dress on you, and believe me...you look like the prettiest woman I've ever seen in it, gorgeous." He smiled sweetly, a hand running through her hair, "Every man at that wedding is going to be thinking to himself...'that is the most beautiful bride I've ever seen'...I'm sure of that honey, so don't you worry about being pregnant, I think it's beautiful."
And Tommy meant every word of that, he was a very sweet and loving person. He didn't lie and he wasn't giving Beatrix a line of bullshit. He just wanted her to be happy and to give her and their baby the best home they could have. He was not self serving nor greedy. He was a good man, a simple man, not an exciting man, not a complicated man and certainly not a dangerous man, but he was a good man. He didn't call her 'baby', he didn't play mind games with her and he wasn't very good at being a smart ass. But, he couldn't fathom being cruel to her, nor hurting her in any way...and most definitely getting any sort of pleasure out of hurting her. Love takes on many forms and it would be foolish to judge that one form was better than the other; it was still love.
He set his head down next to Arlene's, their faces touching. "You look tired honey..." he laid a hand on her sheet covered belly, "...best we all get some sleep...we'll talk about the wedding later..."
Tommy had to admit, he was pretty tired too, and he felt his eyelids quickly grow heavy with exhaustion as he remained nestled next to his future wife.