Almost 4 months later, Mid July
"Do you really have to leave?" Aria asked one morning as she ate her cereal for breakfast. "Its summer. We are supposed to do family stuff. Like visit Nana in San Diego!"
"Bugs, she's coming to visit when it gets closer to baby time." Elizabeth sipped her decaf coffee and continued. "Plus, Dad and I will be gone for only two days. You'll have so much fun staying with Nana Grace and Grandpa William." Elizabeth still couldn't believe her parents had gotten married again. To each other, in a private ceremony with only their daughters and families in attendance.
"Yeah."
Max, short for Maxine, whined from her cage. "Bugs, please let Max outside and feed her, okay? I'm going to go take a shower. We have thirty minutes until Laura comes to get you and Max."
"Okay, Mommy."
Elizabeth walked upstairs, feeling huge and achy but wonderful at the same time. She loved the movements of the baby, the kicks, the rolls as he or she changed positions. She felt blessed that God had given her the chance to carry a child.
"Hey," she said to Luke as she walked in the master and shut the door.
"Hi. Today's the day. It's kind of like a second honeymoon," he mentioned, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her neck.
"Mmm, hon, I need to shower."
"You smell great to me." He continued his exploration of her neck, giving her goosebumps.
She didn't want him to stop. He knew the perfect spots to drive her crazy. His lips found hers and his fingers found the hem of her shirt and pulled it up and over her head.
"Luke," she mumbled.
"Just assisting," he said, leading her to the bathroom.
….
Rhode Island, Bed and Breakfast
"So we could go on a picnic. The lady that owns this place said she'd pack us a lunch."
"Babe, its like 90 degrees and I am a bit pregnant. I'd rather stay inside in the air conditioning."
"A bit pregnant?"
"Hush," she laughed, smacking him with a pillow.
"You know I think you are beyond beautiful carrying my child."
"I know. I just don't feel it sometimes."
He rested his hand on her belly, rubbing in circles until he got a kick. "Trust me. Its all I can do sometimes to keep my hands to myself."
"Lucas," she giggled, turning pink.
"Its something about seeing my wife, the person I love and cherish more than anyone else, caring for a life that we created from that love. It just fills me with so many things."
She leaned toward him and kissed his very kissable lips. "Thank you for this weekend. Its just what I needed."
"Mackenzee," he blurted.
"Huh?"
"Mackenzee. If it's a girl. Mackenzee Elise Bouchard."
"Hm."
"No?"
"I still think we will need to meet him or her before we decide."
"Doesn't hurt to pick out a few though."
"We did. I have a list, remember?"
"Yeah but…I just want to add Mackenzee to it."
She picked up her phone and typed it in. "Got it in there."
"You really don't like it?"
"I won't know until I meet the baby." She snuggled up closer to him and sighed. "I think it's a boy though."
"We could always find out."
He was teasing her and he knew that she wanted to be surprised but she was curious if she had so-called "mother's intuition" or if she was completely wrong.
Her stomach growled so he popped up, made himself presentable and exited the room to get the food for their "picnic."
Elizabeth just snuggled under the covers and waited.
……
Monday came faster than they wanted but they had had a wonderful "second honeymoon."
Aria watched through the window for them to return home. Nana and Grandpa William were fun and all but she missed her parents. Max walked over and nudged her arm. Aria patted the couch and stroked her soft fur. "They are coming soon, girl!" she told her. Max woofed and sat there and watched with her.
"I see them!" she yelled, jumping off the couch and rushing out the door. "Mommy! Daddy!" she said, jumping up and down in the grass.
Grace and William walked out too and stood on the porch, holding hands. Elizabeth loved seeing them together. Apparently, marriage was going well second time around.
"Hi, bugs!" Elizabeth said, hugging her, even though the bump got in the way. "I missed you so much."
"I missed you too, Mommy. I'm so glad you are home. So many things have happened."
"Really? That's great. I can't wait to hear all about it. But your little sibling here is kicking my bladder so I really need to get to the bathroom."
Aria giggled and hugged Lucas. "Hi, Daddy."
"Hi, honey. Can you wheel Mommy's suitcase in for her?"
"Sure."
"Thank you."
"Nana said I can come to San Diego and stay with her!" Aria announced as they ate dinner.
"Sweetie, with the baby coming so close, we can't travel right now," Elizabeth told her.
"I can fly on my own, right, Dad?"
"No, honey. That's a long way to fly by yourself."
"But I want to go!"
"We know, bugs, but its not the right time."
"That's not fair! I should be able to see Nana."
"Aria, tone," Lucas said, his hand on her shoulder.
"No! You got to go on a trip and I can't. That's not fair."
"Bugs, I know its disappointing but after I have the baby, maybe we can revisit the subject."
"Whatever."
"Room, Aria Bouchard. Now," Lucas said, in a no-nonsense tone. "I'll be there so we can chat in a couple minutes."
She crossed her arms and stomped off to her room. Lucas sighed and took the suitcases down the hall. He stopped first in the laundry room and started a load and then headed upstairs.
Elizabeth debated hanging out downstairs with her parents or following him up the stairs. Her back was telling her not to climb those stairs so she sat at the counter while Grace tackled the dishes.
"Has she been sleeping much the last couple nights?"
"No. She's been missing you and Lucas," Grace told her. "She knows things are going to change with the baby coming in a few weeks and there's the new house and new dog and staying with us instead of Nana Helen. She's struggling a bit."
Elizabeth nodded, deciding to let Lucas handle the conversation he wanted to have and then she'd go see her too.
…..
Lucas knocked on Aria's door and waited. She didn't answer so he knocked again and peeked inside. She was lying on her stomach sniffling.
"Aria?"
She still didn't answer, showing her Bouchard stubbornness.
"Aria, I'm sorry you're upset."
"I want to see Nana."
"I know but as your Mom said, its not the right time and you can't fly there by yourself."
She just sniffled so he rubbed her back. "Baby, I know this is frustrating but you can't just yell at me or mom whenever you don't get your own way."
"Things are changing," she mumbled.
"Can you turn over so I can see your beautiful face, please?"
She turned over and then launched herself at Lucas, crying into his shoulder.
"Honey, its going to be fine."
After a moment, she calmed and sighed. "Things are changing, Dad."
"I know. Life is all about changes. Changes can be good, though."
"They can?"
"Yes of course. For instance, you are going to have a new baby brother or sister in a few weeks. You are going to be such a great big sister. I can't wait to see you in that role."
"But the baby is the reason I can't go to Nana's."
"That's not really fair, honey. The baby isn't here and didn't make any choices. Mom and I decided."
Lucas knew that she was just an eight year old girl with emotions and a strong personality. It was hard for him to imagine what she would be like in the next few years when she hit puberty.
"I need you to apologize to Mom and then no iPad the rest of the night."
"But…"
"You know better than to yell at us. Even if you are frustrated, yelling just gets you in trouble."
"Fine."
"Aria."
"Yes, sir."
He kissed her forehead and dried her cheeks. "I love you very much, love. You know that."
"I know."
"Okay."
She curled up on her side away from him so he got up and left the room, heading downstairs.
Elizabeth was on the couch with her feet up talking to her parents so he sat down next to her and sighed.
"That's a big sigh, babe," Elizabeth said, squeezing his hand.
"Girls," he muttered. "I hope this one is a boy now."
All three laughed and Elizabeth just leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I'm a girl."
"I like you but you still challenge me."
"I thought of a boy name," she told him, changing the subject.
"I thought you weren't going to decide until you see the baby."
"Just adding to the list."
"Mmhm. Go ahead."
"Jameson William."
"Hm. Actually I like that. A lot."
Grace and William stood up to leave the room. "We are going to get going, dear," William said, bending to give Elizabeth a hug.
"You can stay one more night if you want."
"No, you both just got home and I think Aria needs your full attention right now."
"I'm going to go up and see her," Elizabeth mentioned once Grace and William left a few minutes later.
"I told her no iPad tonight."
"Okay."
"Bugs? Sweetheart, it's Mom."
"Come in," her little voice said.
"Hey. How are you?"
"Hungry. Can I finish dinner please?"
"After we chat, alright?"
"I'm sorry I yelled, Mommy."
"Thank you." Elizabeth took a seat next to Aria on the bed. "Do you understand why we can't go to Nana's this summer?"
"Because of the baby."
"Right. This baby will be here in only 10 weeks and it isn't safe for me to fly."
"I'm big. I don't see why I can't fly alone."
"You're eight years old, bugs and Dad and I don't think you're ready."
Aria kept her eyes down and stared at her hands.
"What's on your mind, bugs? You can tell me."
"Things keep changing," she blurted. "I don't like it."
"Like what?"
"Poppy at school said her parents barely pay any attention to her since her baby brother was born. That's not fair."
"Well, I imagine it's going to be hard to prioritize everything but I'll try my best. That I can promise. I know that I won't be able to do it alone. I'm going to need help."
"You have Daddy."
"I know but I'm going to need your help too."
"What can I do? I'm just a kid."
"Let's see, I'll teach you how to change the baby's clothes and diapers. You can help me give the baby a bath and maybe you can read bedtime stories to him or her."
"Can I rock her?"
"Of course and sometimes I might need a break so you can feed him or her a bottle too."
Aria's eyes lit up. "Do you think Auntie Faith will let me help her too? With Baby Micah?"
"I think we can ask. You never know."
"Okay, Mommy."
"What do you say you go finish dinner and we can watch TV together?"
"Can I have ice cream too?"
"One scoop but sure."
...
only a few more chapters to go!