CHAPTER 22

Lizzie returns home after a month of touring with Isabella. She is 5 months pregnant and the twins are 2 1/2 months old. School is about to start, so Jo and Lizzie shop for school supplies and clothes.

"Okay, what's next on your list?" Jo asks her daughter.

"I think we got it all. However, I need a few clothes."

"Let's look at what they've got next door." Jo pays for her purchases and they go next door.

Lizzie thumbs through some of the maternity tops and dresses and picks out a few. "These are cute!"

Jo holds up another top. "What do you think about this one?"

"Oooh! I like that one!" Lizzie adds it to the pile to try on.

"Why don't you go ahead and try those on, and then we'll look for some more if you need." Lizzie heads to the dressing room. As she models the clothes for her mother, Jo becomes lost in thought. I can't believe I'm buying maternity clothes for my teenaged daughter. I just gave birth to twins myself, and now I'm gonna be a grandmother? Oh, my head hurts.

"Mom? Mom?" Jo stays lost in thought. "MOM!" Jo startles. "You looked a million miles away. Are you all right?"

"Oh," Jo snaps back to the moment, "I was just thinking, that's all."

"I think these will work." Lizzie puts her purchases in the shopping cart. Jo pays for the purchases and they go to the car. Suddenly, Lizzie gasps and doubles over.

"Lizzie, are you all right?" Jo asks, panicking.

"I, I don't know." She doubles over. "Ouch!"

"I'm taking you to the hospital. Get in the car."

Jo drives to the hospital and pulls up to the Emergency Room driveup. "Lizzie, stay here. I'm going to get help." Lizzie nods and Jo runs into the hospital. "Someone help. My daughter. She's 5 months pregnant and in severe pain. Help her!"

Jo and a nurse race out of the building to the car. The nurse wheels Lizzie into the ER. Jo parks the car and runs into the building. Lizzie is on a bed with monitors hooked up to her. A team of doctors and nurses are working with her.

Lizzie sees her mother out of the corner of her eye. "Mommy!"

"Baby, I'm here." Jo reassures her daughter.

"Mommy, I'm scared." Jo rubs her daughter's hand.

"Ma'am, could you please step back?" a nurse asks, "We need to work here."

"Lizzie, I'm going to go call your father and let him know what's going on. I'll be right back."

"Mom, have him call Gordo."

"All right." She calls her husband.

Sam: Hello?

Jo: Sam, it's Jo.

Sam: Are you two still shopping?

Jo: No, we're in the ER.

Sam: Shocked. What happened?

Jo: We were putting the bags in the car, and she doubled over in severe pain.

Sam: What's wrong with her?

Jo: I don't know. Call Gordo and see if Mrs. Garrett will look after the twins.

Sam: I'll call them.

Jo: Oh, and the twins will need a bottle when they wake up.

Sam: I know. Don't worry. I'll see you soon.

They hang up. Jo returns to the ER. She finds Lizzie's room. Lizzie is asleep with an IV in her left arm.

Jo walks in quietly. Lizzie opens her eyes. "Mom."

"Are you okay, honey?" She strokes her daughter's hair.

"The doctor said I have a bladder infection."

"Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry."

"I've got the IV because the doctor said I'm dehydrated. I guess the tour was harder on me than I thought."

"Well, I'm just glad you'll be okay."

"Yeah, the doctor said the baby's fine."

"So, did you get to see what it is?"

"Yep and I'm not telling!" Lizzie grins.

"It's a boy!" Jo exclaims. Lizzie just looks at her. "It's a girl?"

"Not telling, mom!"

Sam and Gordo enter the room. They each gave her a hug and kiss.

"Gordo, you came!" Lizzie's face brightened.

"I made your dad pick me up on his way over."

"I'm glad you came." She puts her arms around him.

"Is the baby okay?"

"The baby's just fine."

"So, did you get to find out what you're having?" Sam asks.

"She's not telling." Jo replies.

Gordo looks at Lizzie, "you found out?"

"Well, I wanted to know, but I know you want to be surprised. If you want to know, I'll tell you later, but I think we should keep it to ourselves."

"No, I wanna be surprised."

Lizzie's eyes widen; she gasps and smiles.

"What's wrong?" Gordo asks, concerned.

"The baby's kicking!" She puts Gordo's hand on her abdomen.

"There's really a baby in there!"

"Uh, yeah."

"I love you!" He kisses her.

"Mom, dad, come feel. Your grandchild wants to say hello." Sam and Jo go to the bedside and Lizzie places their hands alongside Gordo's. A tear escapes Sam's eye. "Dad, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, princess. My baby's having a baby."

The doctor returns shortly and signs the release papers. Jo drives Lizzie and Gordo back to the house, while Sam runs an errand. He returns home about an hour behind the trio. Lizzie is camped out on the rocker recliner in the living room. She and Gordo are watching TV. Sam is carrying a gift bag.

"Hey, kiddo. How are you feeling?"

"Better."

"I've got something for you." He hands her the bag. "Open it."

Jo comes down the stairs, and watches the scene in front of her.

Lizzie takes the contents out of the bag. She first takes out two brag books. One says, Mommy's little bundle of joy and the other, Grandpa's little star. Lizzie laughs. Next, she takes out a onezee, which says, My Granddaddy loves me! "Aww! I love it!" She admires the onezee. She pulls out a T-shirt and a bib with frogs on it. Last, she takes out a midnight blue nightgown. Lizzie squeals with delight. "Thank you so much, daddy!" She gives her father a big hug.

"You're welcome, princess."

Jo quietly goes back upstairs, so she wouldn't interrupt their moment.