May

Early that morning, Lydia came to wake Beatie up with a kiss. "Honey, you have to wake up. Papa's going to take you to Grammy's now, okay?"

Beatie struggled awake. "Are you going to have the baby born now?"

"Yep. It's decided to be born a little early, but that's fine. As soon as you're settled at Grammy's, Papa's going to take me to the doctor. Are you excited?"

"Nuh-uh. Just sleepy."

Lydia laughed, kissed her daughter again, and went to complete her preparations.

Beetlejuice came in next and gathered his daughter into his arms. "Chickie, it's your brother or sister's birthday today. Can you get dressed and then we'll go to Grammy's? She'll do waffles for you for breakfast if we ask her real nice." He kissed his daughter then set her down and went to help Lydia get ready.

At Grammy's house, Bea Juice opened the door before they could knock, since Lydia had called to alert her, and welcomed them in. "My goodness, dear. You look hungry," she said to Beatie.

"Waffles, please," asked Beatie, trying to appear half-starved.

Beetlejuice laughed at her, then told his mother, "Gotta go. I'll let you both know when anything happens, okay?" He bent to kiss his daughter and told her, "Be a good girl for Grammy, Trix, and I'll see you soon."

He disappeared, to Bea Juice's disappointment. She'd hoped for a kiss herself, but sighed and reached for Beatie's hand to lead her into the kitchen.

Suddenly, there was a poof of air and Beetlejuice was there to kiss his mother's cheek and say, "Take care of her," before disappearing again.

Bea smiled and said to her granddaughter, "Waffles it is!"

ooooo

Bea watched Beatie happily playing, toys and coloring books all over the floor. Her hands itched to tidy up, but she restrained herself and simply enjoyed Beatie's activities, especially with her plastic ogre family.

"We should have a baby," Beatie had the papa ogre say. The mama ogre answered, "Yes, let's have a baby." Beatie then moved the mama ogre's hand over her stomach. "'kay, the baby's in my tummy." "When will it be born?" asked the papa ogre. "When it's ready, 'bout five hours." Then Beatie moved up the littler ogre doll. "Here I am," she squeaked, "all born. Let's have a picnic!"

At that point, Bea put her apron to her face and hurried into the kitchen. Beatie could hear muffled cackling reminiscent of Papa's, but she ignored it and went on playing until she heard Papa's familiar poof of air and turned her head to see him.

"Can't stay," Beetlejuice said quickly as Bea came out of the kitchen. "Just wanted to check on Trix, make sure she's all right."

Beatie ran to him to give him a hug. "Is Mama okay? Is there a baby yet?"

"Not yet, but soon, we think. Mama's fine," he sent his mother a look that said Mama was hanging in there but maybe fine wasn't the best word to choose. "I'll be back as soon as the baby's here. You be good, okay, chick?" He gave her a kiss and was gone again.

ooooo

Barely an hour later, Beetlejuice was back, looking tired but elated. "Lyds is fine; she's fine. And it's a boy, and guess what? He's got fair hair and my ears – Trix, you got your wish!" His daughter had run to him and he picked her up now and kissed her then accepted a hug and kiss from his mother. "At least you got part of your wish. Are you glad, chickie? Are you glad you have a baby brother?"

"I s'pose," she said, a little shyly. "But can we have some more waffles?"