Chapter 6
A couple of weeks have past by from our hearing and things are going better.
Amy and I aren't fighting as much as we had in the past and Emma is getting used to us. I guess you can say Amy and I are getting used to each other also.
Today will be a major test for the three of us though
Tonight I have a major event, the mayor of Austin is having a conference here and they asked me to prepare the dessert.
This is very important to me because one, the mayor of Austin asked for me to prepare the dessert for them and two, this will bring great publicity to my store.
I am super nervous but excited.
I am telling Amy and Emma everything I am preparing and who all is coming. Emma is smiling at me acting like she understands what I am saying and Amy is just staring at me listening.
"I just hope they like everything I prepared, I mean I worked so hard. It will be terrible if everyone hates it" I say more to myself then to Amy.
"Nonsense, you will be fine." Amy says.
"Amy, this is important, this can help my business grow. Everything has to be perfect."
Amy grabs my hands and says "Karma, it will be perfect. Stop worrying".
"How do you know everything will be perfect?" I ask.
"Fine, let me taste something your making. Prepare it for me and I will be honest and give you my opinion." Amy says a matter of fact.
Coincidentally I had a crème Brule in the fridge that I sneaked off for my own pleasure. I am my own worst critic. I run into the kitchen and pull it out of the fridge and make sure it is perfect for Amy.
"Amy" I call out and a few seconds later see Amy coming into the kitchen with Emma in her arms.
She starts laughing, "You actually had a dessert in the fridge?" she ask.
"Yes, I snuck it out of the batch I prepared this morning. I am a sucker from crème Brule. "
I take a spoon out of a drawer and scoop some of the crème Brule out of the dish.
I move the spoon to Amy's mouth and she opens and takes the dessert into her mouth.
Amy takes her time eating the dessert as I see her slowly swallowing it. She is making a face like she is debating if she is enjoying it or not. I slap her arm motioning for her to hurry up and decide if she likes it or not.
"Hmm, I can't decide if I like it or not. I need another bite" she says as she opens her mouth again waiting for me to feed her.
I roll my eyes and take another piece out of the dish and feed her again.
This time a second after I fed her she nods her head.
"Yes, this is perfect. Tonight you will be feeding the mayor of Austin, tomorrow the President of the United States" she says as she waves her hands up.
After a while of laughing and feeding Amy I realized it was time for me to start getting ready.
I kiss Emma on the mouth goodbye and kiss Amy on the cheek. She seems surprised as she froze in place.
I am about to head out the door to go to the event. I am dressed in a black dress that isn't two revealing and some black heals. I want to look perfect but not look like someone who is trying to get laid.
As I walk down the stares I grab my purse and my keys. I walk towards the living room to where Amy and Emma are watching some type of cartoon on the tv.
When I enter the room I see Amy's eyes widen and she sits up. This gives me some confidence.
I walk towards the couch and sit beside Amy.
"You will be okay right?" I ask Amy. I am nervous about the event, but I am terrified of Amy being alone with Emma. I hope everything goes well.
"Yea, it will be fine. You just have fun, if you need anything just call." She says looking at me straight in the eyes.
"Thanks" I say as I get up and head towards the door.
Amy gets up behind me with Emma and they walk me towards the door. Amy opens the door for me.
I lean in a kiss Emma good bye and wave goodbye to Amy but before I knew it her lips are on mine and I feel a rush of emotions going through my body.
When Amy pulls away we stare at each other for a couple of second.
"I- I just. Good Luck Karma" she says obviously not expected to kiss me.
"Thanks Amy." I reply back.
As I turn around and walk to my car I still feel my lips are numb from the kiss. I try to think that last time I felt this way and realized that this was my favorite feeling in the world.
I got home pretty late and I was trying not to wake Amy or Emma.
As I walk into the home I take off my shoes and slowly walk up the stairs to my room.
The night went amazing and the mayor said he would book me for his next event. I am very thankful for the opportunity and can't wait to tell Amy but that would wait till tomorrow.
Shower time with Emma is actually fun.
Both Amy and I wash Emma and we play with the bubbles.
Right now I am giving her a troll doll hairstyle where her hair is sticking up vertically. Emma is laughing and splashing the water having fun. She looks adorable. While I am distracting Emma, Amy is washing her body with a washcloth. After several minutes of playing around I notice that Emma is stop laughing and has a serious face on.
I have seen this face before; it is Emma's face when she has to go number two. Amy doesn't see the face but I do. So I grab Emma out of the tub and move her towards the toilet. I am getting water all over myself and the floor but this is an emergency.
"What are you doing?" Amy asks.
"Emma, she is about to go poop." I say giving Amy Emma.
Amy and I are now at the toilet and I am trying to open the baby proof lock. I am holding the button but the lock is not releasing. I try a few more times but no luck.
Amy hands me Emma as she tries to unlock the toilet seat but I know time is running out.
I look at Amy and see she is wearing a beanie on her head. I have no clue why she is wearing a beanie in the middle of summer but I grab the beanie and put it under Emma's butt.
I made it just in time as Emma face relaxes.
"Really Karma, my beanie?" Amy says giving me the death stare.
"I'm sorry, but we had to do something." I say laughing.
This would only happen to us, every other parent's would know how to unlock a baby proof lock but Amy and I.
I continue to laugh and eventually Amy laughs with me.
"You owe me Ashcroft" Amy says still laughing.
"Sure, just put it on my tab".
I look down at Emma and see something I have not seen before. Her belly button looks weird and it is freaking me out.
I have read several baby books saying if you see something unusual on your child's body then you should get it checked. Better be safe then sorry.
"Look Amy" I say as I point to her belly button. "This looks weird," I continue.
Amy looks to where I am staring and says "No, that is normal".
"No, it is not. I'm going to take her to the doctor" I say as I grab Emma and dry her off.
A couple of minutes later I have Emma dressed and heading out the door.
Amy just rolled her eyes and says nothing is wrong. Nothing might be wrong but I want to make sure. This is Emma, she is important to me.
After I dried Emma off I called Liza the pediatrician the came to my business that day. I told her what was happening and she said to bring her over now.
After about 30 minutes of waiting I am called in. When I enter the room I see Liza writing notes on the cabinet. She motions me to put Emma on the bed.
"What is wrong" Liza ask. I tell her that I was giving her a bath with Amy when I saw something unusual about her belly button.
Liza lifts up Emma's shirt and exams her stomach. After that she listened to Emma's heartbeat and breathing.
After she writes some things in her folder she turns to me.
"Everything is fine Karma. Sometimes belly buttons turn from inside to out when they are a baby, this is completely normal."
I grab Emma from the bed and sit now in the chair.
"I'm sorry, it is just. This is all new to me" I say pointing to Emma. "I am trying my best but it is so hard taking care of a baby. I have no clue why Shane and Duke made Amy and I her guardian. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Emma, but I don't know how to be a mother. Look, I didn't know that belly buttons could turn inside to out. God I don't know what I am doing" I say more talking to myself then Liza.
I feel tears falling from my face and Emma looking up at me.
I take a deep breath and lay my head back.
I see Liza taking out her pin and paper and writing some kind of prescription.
I left my head up take the prescription from Liza.
The prescription reads: One bottle of Moscato and chocolate.
I look up and see Liza smiling to me.
"Look Karma, parenting is not black and white. You have to learn about your child and make mistakes. I think that you and Amy are doing amazing for the situation. I suggest you take my prescription and try to relax tonight. You deserve it." She says.
Before I went home I stopped by the store and got the items on my prescription.
Amy's P.O.V.
Karma has been gone for more then an hour and I am getting nervous. I didn't notice anything different from Emma but Karma did and that scared me.
I am paying attention to Emma it just she is a lot of work and I am tired. That is not an excuse but still. Karma is way better at being a parent then I am. I feel so low compared to her. I mean the way Emma looks at Karma is obvious that she loves her more then me. Emma always wants Karma to hold her and feed her. The only thing I get to do is give her baths and watches tv.
I hear the door open and see Karma and Emma walk into the house.
"How is she?"
"Okay, it was nothing, Emma is perfect." Karma says as she hands me Emma.
Karma walks into the kitchen and takes out a bottle from the bag she is carrying.
Karma bough Moscato and chocolate; I am not sure if she is trying to be romantic with me but I guess not as I see her pull the cork out of the bottle and take a drink from it.
I look at Karma trying to read her but nothing comes to mind. I have known Karma for several years now and figured out that when she gets this way just to leave her alone.
I take Emma and go back to the living room.
After and hour or so I hear a knock on the door; Karma is now fully drunk and dancing around the kitchen to some Rihanna song. It is pretty funny since Karma cannot dance to save her life, but I am just letting her be.
I hear the doorbell rignt walk towards the door and open it. I see Mrs. Hirsh.
Shit.
"Surprised!" Mrs. Hirsh says as she enters the house.
I quickly look to Karma and think of a way to distract Mrs. Hirsh so I can settle drunk Karma back.
Mrs. Hirsh walks into the house and observes, well I don't know what she is observing. This is the first time we have had our random inspection and I am nervous as hell.
"Where is Ms. Ashcroft" she ask and I freeze.
"Uh, good question. Let me find her" I say as I turn around and head towards the kitchen.
I first go to the computer and turn off music and then head towards Karma.
"Amy, that was my jam!" I hear Karma.
"Listen, Karma. Mrs. Hirsh is here, You need to sober up. She is going to inspect us now. We have to pass or else we will lose Emma okay," I say grabbing her face. I need to make sure her mind is processing what is happening.
"Your really pretty" I hear Karma say and she starts to lean in.
Damn it, Karma.
I pull away from her and go to the fridge. I take a glass off of the shelf and pour a glass of water.
"Drink this" I say as I hand her the glass. She grabs the glass and takes a sip.
After a few seconds I grab her hand and head towards the living room.
I am praying to God that we don't lose Emma tonight.
As I walk into the living room, Mrs. Hirsh is staring curiously at us.
I make sure Karma is okay as I sit down beside her.
Mrs. Hirsh looks in between Karma and I judging us. I know this is going to end badly.
"Amy and Karma. I am Frankie Hirsh and I am here to provide you first interview. From now to the end of the interview anything you say or do will be recorded. Are you ready?" She asks.
I nod my head.
"Okay. So tell me about yourself" Frankie ask. She is looking at me so I go ahead.
"I am Amy and I work as an independent film director. I am currently working on a independent film that should premiere at Sundance this summer. Right now I am taking care of Emma with Karma and things are going okay. At first it was difficult getting used to both Emma and Karma but I think we are getting the hang of it." I say. I am feeling confident that I said the right thing. I have a way of words when it comes to tight situations.
"Okay, good. Ms. Ashcroft." Frankie says turning to Karma.
"Uh- I am Karma. I am the owner of Nadler's bakery down town. Yesterday I had a major even where my bakery prepared desserts for the major. It went amazing. The Mayor said he would use me again for an event. I- I one day want to expand my business and open a restaurant. That hopefully will happen in the near future but I am not sure anymore." Karma says.
Frankie is looking at Karma expecting her to mention Emma. After a few seconds she finally asked. "What about Emma?"
"Oh little Emma. She is so precious, but that one time, Amy and I were giving her a bath and she was about to go poop. We couldn't open the baby lock on the toilet so she ended up pooping in Amy's beanie. But other then that Emma is wonderful!" Karma says.
Shit- we are screwed.
Frankie is staring at us in disbelief and disgust.
"Listen Amy and Karma. I am going to be honest. I am not impressed. The house is filthy and it is clear that you" she looks at Karma "are drunk. Karma you didn't mention Emma or Amy in your future and they are going to be your family for the next 18 years. I just need to say that you both have a lot of work to do and hopefully next time the interview will go better." Frankie says.
Wow, that was intense.
"Now, there are some ground rules the four of us needs to set.
1. The three of you are family now. I heard in the past you two had some issues, but you need to put these issues aside for Emma.
2. I know that being a parent can be lonely. This situation is already complicated to begin with and there is no need to make it more complicated. There should be no sexual activities between the two of you. You need to be as platonic as possible.
3. Emma is expected to see her grandparents and family twice a month. Just because Shane and Duke aren't around anymore doesn't mean she has to stop seeing them. I suggest you call both of them tonight and make arrangements.
Do you both understand?" Frankie says.
Karma starts laughing and both Frankie and I stare at her.
"Come on, Amy and I sleeping together. Never going to happened."
This stung a little. I was a little disappointed that this was one of the rules. I mean I don't know what happened last night when I kissed Karma but I know that I wanted to do it again. I guess that is out of the question now. But Frankie is right, we need to put our feelings aside and think about Emma.
"Good then. I will be back and hopefully next time things go more smoothly. Good luck to you both." Frankie says as she stands up and walks out the door.