Bridget's birthday is fast approaching and for once I have no idea what I'm going to get her. It can't be her usual favourite bottle of wine – I mean, she is 30 weeks pregnant and I don't want to piss her off. Her birthday is in four days, on 6th September. I have toyed with the idea of taking her to a car showroom tomorrow so we can look at getting a bigger car for the baby's arrival – but that's not a very personal gift when it's something we were going to do anyway. I'll probably get her jewellery, that can never really go wrong, but we still really should go look at cars, that has been put off for far too long now.
The next afternoon Bridget and I set off in the Porsche to look for a more practical car that will better suit our impeding arrival.
"What type of car are we going to be looking for Franky? Is there anything in particular you have in mind?"
"Well I want something safe – I think that's a given. Of course something that's reliable as well and will hold all of Peanuts things, I'm leaning towards an SUV as I think they are built the sturdiest and wouldn't worry about you or the baby travelling in one. What do you think?"
"I agree with you – safety has to be top priority; it also has so look nice though – I don't want to drive around in an ugly car." I need to laugh at my wife's comment, of course that would be high up on her agenda.
"Of course not babe – we'll make sure it's a nice, pretty car."
I pull up to the carpark finding a space right at the entrance to the showroom.
"Hi ladies and welcome, is there anything I can assist you with today?" Ugh, I hate when sales people are just too happy – nothing more annoying!
"Hi there, my wife and I are looking to get a new car, one that will be family-friendly, we actually have a two-seater Porsche as our main car currently."
"Oh, yes well I can see how that will no longer be suitable." He says gesturing towards Bridget's belly.
"Yes, my wife here is due in about 10 weeks so we want to make sure we are prepared, we are thinking of getting an SUV, as we are aware we will need a lot of space to fit everything in!"
"That would be a good choice, we have a range of different manufacturers here, so if you want to have a look over there, you will find all of our SUV's." The salesman smiles and points towards a small cluster of larger vehicles.
"Okay thanks, we'll have a look and call you if we see anything we like the look of." I put my hand on Bridget's lower back and guide us over to the group of SUV's.
"These all seem really big Franky – I've never driven anything this size before, might take a while to get used to."
"Well would you be comfortable behind the wheel of something this big? I was going to suggest an automatic then that's one less thing to think about while driving, means you can just focus on steering."
"I was thinking the same actually, it will probably help me get used to it quicker as well."
"Okay, that's settled then, how about this BMW X5, it certainly looks safe, doesn't look too bad and the entertainment packages seem good, has SATNAV and hands-free as standard." I mean, it's not the nicest looking car but it's far from awful.
"I don't know Franky, I don't really like the shape of it if I'm being honest, how about this Audi Q7, I much prefer the look of it and it's got all the same features, if not slightly more."
"Gidge, I meant to ask this earlier before we arrived but what sort of budget are we setting for this car? I'm willing to spend whatever if I'm being honest, I want the best and it's not like we don't have the money. I just got that $25,000 bonus last month after closing that huge case."
"Hmm, I was thinking around $115,000 max? if we need to we could trade in the Porsche I guess."
"Not happening Gidge, you love that car so much, and I love it too, it holds far too many memories for us to get rid of okay?"
"Oh thank god, I really don't think I could part with it!" We share a laugh and are both relieved that selling the Porsche is not going to be an option.
"Oh, look we never looked at this one Mercedes GLE 400, drive away today price $109,500. It has everything, oh look heads-up display, I've always wanted a car with that!"
"Do you want to take it out for a test drive then?" I nod at Bridget and we go to find the salesman.
An hour later we are back in the showroom after thoroughly testing the car.
"Well Franky, I really like it, I think it's a good price for everything included and another good thing about it is there's no waiting, the car we tested will be the one we get." A bright smile forms on Bridget's face, I think it's safe to say she has fallen in love with this car.
"I think it's the one for us babe, and I like the Palladium silver colour and the fact it has black leather interior and not cream like some of the others is definitely a blessing!" I can imagine sticky fingers roaming everywhere so black will be good to have in this case.
"You're right, it's a very nice car, so I think we'll take this one the please. Franky do you want to drive it home and I'll take the Porsche?"
"Sounds good babe, let's get the payments all set up and we'll be good to go."
It is 7.30am on Tuesday 6th September – Bridget's 44th birthday, we both need to be at work for 9am so I have made breakfast in bed for my wife, which we are both currently enjoying.
"This is absolutely wonderful baby, thank you so much – I wish we didn't need to go to work today so we could just spend the day laying around."
"Tell me about it, I would love nothing more, that reminds me actually, when are you planning on starting your maternity leave?"
"Well I think I'll keep going until I get too uncomfortable to be on my feet for too long, I'd rather save as much time as possible for when Peanut arrives."
"Fair enough, just listen to your body though – don't push yourself too hard. I mean you are already getting six months paid leave and it's not like we're desperate for the money, you could quite happily take the whole year."
"I know, I'll wait and see – I don't want this to sound bad, but I'm worried I'll get bored if I take the whole year like I had initially planned, I mean you know how much I love my job, so maybe I'll go back, even if it's just part time after the initial six months, if for nothing more than to keep me sane!"
"You make a valid point, I'm sure your parents would absolutely love to look after Peanut a few times a week if we needed them to."
"You're right, they are just so excited but it's understandable – after all it is their first grandchild. They were probably never in a million years expecting me to give them one!"
"Yup, I think everyone is still shocked. Anyway enough of that talk, I have your birthday gift." I hand Bridget a long, slim rectangular box, wrapped neatly with a small bow on top.
"Well, go on then, open it!" I say as Bridget just stares at her hands.
"Okay, okay!" She unfolds the wrapping paper carefully – the total opposite of how I unwrap gifts. She finally opens up the lid and I hear a small gasp as she peers into the box.
"Oh wow Franky, this is so beautiful!" She takes the item out of the jewellery box and holds it in her hands.
"Put it on for me please." I do as I'm told and take the bracelet from her fingers and place it securely around her wrist.
"Okay, so you see these stones that are on it? Those are birthstones, so I got a Sapphire for you, the Amethyst is February for me, and lastly the Citrine is for Peanut, so you better come in November now baby, not early okay?" I say poking Bridget's stomach with a light chuckle.
"It's wonderful Franky, I love the other little charms as well, the love heart is cute, and there's space for me to add more, it's the perfect gift." Bridget kisses me passionately on the lips before pulling away.
"Well love, as much as I don't want to, we need to get ready for work or we'll be late – come on, get up and ready…I'll thank you properly when we get home tonight" I grunt as I throw my legs onto the floor and stand up to head to the bathroom, 'it's going to be a long day' I think.