CHAPTER 20

The next day, Jo, Lizzie, and the twins arrive at the Starlight Hotel at 2. Isabella greets them in the lobby.

"Lizzie! It's so good to see you!" Isabella gives her a hug. "You look wonderful! I can't believe you're really having a baby!"

"Thanks! I know!" Lizzie smiles and puts her hands on her abdomen.

"Hey Mrs. McGuire!" She embraces Jo. "Congratulations!" She then bends down to look at the twins. "Hi babies! You are so cute!" She straightens up. "Jo, they're beautiful!"

"Thanks!" Jo grins.

"Come on," Isabella begins, "let's go up to my suite. Lizzie, I've got your dresses up there. I think you'll like them. They're, uh what you say, are divine!" Lizzie shrieks with excitement as the trio go to Isabella's suite.

At the suite.

Isabella brings out clothes for Lizzie to try on. "I've got your clothes. I hope you like them. Carolina will help you with your fitting."

Lizzie gasps and admires the clothes. "They're great!" She squeals. "I think I'll try on this one." She runs into the bedroom to try on the first outfit.

Mark begins fussing and Jo takes him out of the stroller. "Are you hungry? Come on, sweetie. Let's get you fed. Isabella, where can I feed him?"

"If you want somewhere private, you can use the other bedroom, or if you'd like, you can use the brown chair here. I think it's comfy."

"Thanks." Jo takes the baby and stroller and sits in the brown chair. She situates Mark and he latches on. Lizzie comes out of the bedroom wearing the first outfit. "Lizzie, you look beautiful!"

Lizzie giggles, "Thanks! I like this one." Carolina is adjusting the outfit.

"You look great!" Isabella states. "Try on another."

She tries on another and models it. "Mmm, I don't think this one's gonna work. What do you think, mom?"

Jo studies the outfit. "Come over here." Lizzie walks over to her mother. "You're right." Jo fingers the sleeve. "I don't think the style's flattering on you. Can you actually move in it?"

"Not really." She looks at Isabella, "Sorry."

"Oh, that's okay. I want you to look and feel good in your clothes. Try on another!"

Lizzie tries on all the outfits and models them for Isabella and Jo.

"I think I like these four." She places the outfits on the couch.

"Carolina," Isabella begins, "could you make the necessary alterations for Lizzie?" She turns to Jo, "I've got something for the twins."

"You didn't have to do that." Jo half-way protests. She finishes burping Mark and begins feeding Lindsay.

"Oh, it was my pleasure!" She goes into the bedroom and returns with two big packages. "Carolina, can you get the third?"

Jo and Lizzie's eyes widen. Isabella sets the packages beside Jo's chair and Carolina gives the third to Lizzie. Mother and daughter open their packages. Each contained clothes of various sizes, baby supplies, scrapbook kits and picture frames for the babies. The packages also contained a set of gift certificates to their local spa, bath sets, bathrobes, and body pillows. In addition, each package had a $1000 CD.

"Isabella, you shouldn't have!" Jo exclaimed. "It's too much!"

"I wanted to."

Lizzie gives Isabella a hug. "Thank you! I love it!"

"Thank you." Jo kisses Isabella on the cheek.

"You're welcome. Now, we need to go to the arena to rehearse. Jo, you're welcome to join us, or if you'd like, you can get a head start at the spa. We'd join you later."

"I'd love to see the rehearsal. Then, we can all go together to the spa." Jo finishes burping Lindsay and the five of them go to the Arena.