CHAPTER 19

Lizzie and Jo leave the doctor's office and shop at Baby World. Lizzie is looking at baby clothes.

"Oh, mom, isn't this cute?" She holds up a baseball onezee.

"It's darling." Jo smiles.

Lizzie continues to thumb through the boy's section. "I can't believe I'm having a baby!" She holds up a tie-dye t-shirt and denim shorts. "The baby would look so great in this!"

Jo can't help but laugh. "Honey, I can't believe it either. My baby's having a baby." She gets a bit misty-eyed. "I just had twins myself and now I'm gonna be a grandmother." She blinks back tears.

"Mom, chill." She gives her mother a hug. "I know Gordo and I didn't plan to have a baby so early, but now that he's coming, I'm excited."

"I know you are, and you'll be a great mom. Now, I think we need to get you some clothes. Go ahead and pick out a few outfits for the baby and then we'll go over to the maternity section."

Lizzie chooses the baseball onezee, tie-dye and denim set, and a Happy Bunny onezee that says "Cute, but kinda stinky!"

"Lizzie! I can't believe you picked that one out!"

"Aww mom, it's cute!"

"Uh, yeah." Jo rolls her eyes. "Let's go get you some clothes."

Lizzie picks out a few outfits and Jo gets some clothes for the twins. After they finish shopping, they go home. Sam is in the living room when the pair returns home. Jo is carrying Lindsay and Lizzie is carrying Mark.

"Hey Jo," Sam greets and kisses his wife. "How was your day?"

"Good." She sighs, "Let me sit down first." She sits down.

"Mom, I'm gonna put Mark down for a nap. He's asleep."

"Okay." Lizzie goes upstairs.

"Jo, let me hold her while you rest." Sam takes the baby. "So, what did the doctor say?"

"I got a good report. We can resume our, uh, 'normal activities' any time," she purrs and kisses Sam on the cheek.

Sam blushes, "Great!" His voice jumps a couple octaves. "How are the twins?" He looks down at Lindsay, who is now asleep.

"Lindsay's doing great." She strokes the baby on the head with the crook of her index finger. "She's gaining weight as she should and Dr. James says she's the picture of health."

"What about Mark?" Sam asks, concerned.

"Dr. James is worried about his weight. He's not gaining weight, but he's not losing either."

"What does she think is wrong?"

"She's not sure. Right now, she's not too worried. She gave me some cereal to try. She seems to think he's not getting enough nourishment."

"Whaddya mean? He eats all the time. He's got a great appetite."

"I know, but he never seems satisfied. The doctor said that some kids are like that."

"Does she think the cereal will help, or will he need something else?"

"She wants us to try it and if we need, she'll order tests at his next checkup."

The couple look directly into each other's eyes and stay silent for a few seconds. Lizzie comes downstairs wearing one of her purchases. She has a blue T-shirt that says "Under Construction" and jeans with butterflies along the cuffs.

"Dad, did Isabella call?"

Sam sits in silence, just about staring at his older daughter before him.

"What?" Lizzie asks, suddenly feeling self conscious.

"Uh, yes." Sam blinks. "She wanted you to call her back. The number's on the counter."

"Dad, what is it?"

"Sam, you're making our daughter nervous."

"Uh," Sam looks down at Lindsay. "Lindsay's asleep. I'll go put her down for her nap." He goes upstairs.

"Mom, what's up with dad?"

"His fifteen year old daughter's pregnant."

"And?" Lizzie frowns.

"I think reality just set in for him. Fathers tend to be overprotective of their daughters."

"So, me being pregnant means he didn't protect me?"

"No, it's not that. It's you being pregnant makes him feel the need to be even more protective." She gets up and puts her arm around Lizzie. "Just be patient with him. He'll get used to you having a baby."

"Oh, okay." Changes the subject. "Mom, I'm gonna go call Isabella." She goes to her suite to call.

Isabella: Hello?

Lizzie: It's me, Lizzie.

Isabella: Lizzie! How are you? How's the baby?

Lizzie: We're both fine.

Isabella: Did you get to find out what you're having?

Lizzie: No, he didn't cooperate, but I think it's a boy. I want a boy.

Isabella: That would be sweet! So, I'm in town now. Would you be able to come for your fitting tomorrow? We can rehearse afterwards.

Lizzie: Sure, that would be great!

Isabella: Meet me at the Starlight Hotel. We'll go to the Arena after the fitting.

Lizzie: Okay. She tries hard to contain her excitement, without much success.

Isabella: I'm so excited about performing with you! She pauses. The doctor did say it's okay, didn't she?

Lizzie: She did and I can't wait! This is gonna be so fun! She giggles.

Isabella: I need to go. So, how is tomorrow at 2? Oh, and bring your mom.

Lizzie: Sounds good. Bye.

They hang up. Lizzie goes back upstairs. Jo is curled up on the couch, resting.

"So," Jo begins, "what did Isabella say?"

"I need to meet Isabella tomorrow at 2 at the Starlight Hotel for my fitting and rehearsal."

"I can get your father to take you, if you'd like."

"Actually, she told me to bring you,"

"Me? Did she say why?"

"No. She just told me to bring you."

"Oh, okay. We'll have to bring the twins."

"I know, that's fine." Lizzie begins dancing around the living room. "I'm performing with Isabella this weekend! Eeeeee!"

Jo watches her oldest child and laughs.