A/N: The day after a night of drinking is never fun haha. Enjoy this! xx Mariah
The party that Katie had thrown for her twenty first birthday the night before was quite a bash, Ned realizes. He had been so happy to see his wife have a completely carefree night. It had been nice to see so many of their friends get together. Katie had called her few friends from her classes at Rockland and a few of Ned's colleagues girlfriends were closer to Katie as well and came too, tagging their boyfriends along so they too could have fun. They'd had good food and plenty of alcohol to drink at the local bar and Melinda even came for a bit to help set up and it had been a rather good time.
She did overindulge a bit, though, but he didn't blame her. She hardly has the time to have a night of drinking and last night she definitely had the time and she wasn't going to waste it, even if she would pay for it the morning. But, all in all, she had felt it had been well worth it when she settled in bed next to Ned. He'd put her to bed first, going to shower, but she'd snuck in and got one last birthday present from him. Sated and content, they found themselves asleep quickly.
She woke up to the beep of Ned's alarm, but that wasn't unusual to her. He always had to work in the morning during the week. She however did not enjoy the bright sunlight streaming in the bedroom window and over her face, she groaned, pulling a pillow over her face. She rolled onto her stomach, feeling her head throb to the beep of the alarm and her stomach lurch as she settled into the new position.
"Sorry," Ned grunted, he'd meant to shut it off beforehand so she wouldn't wake, but had forgot and drifted back to sleep. He wiped his eyes, stretching as he settled back against his pillow. After a moment, she felt Ned's lips against her side. "Are you awake?" He kissed her shoulder next, rubbing his hand up her blanket covered form. "Katie?"
She grunted slightly before actually answering. "Yeah," she sighed, her mouth feeling slightly dry.
Really, how much had she had to drink last night? She remembered sharing half of Ned's beer at dinner and the three mojitos with the girls after when the guys went to play pool. She couldn't quite remember how many shots Ramona had brought over after that.
Had it been five or eight? Maybe ten?
She couldn't remember. At all.
Blurry fragments of Katie's memory from the previous night started piecing together. She drank way more than she usually did, letting loose after a stressful semester.
It was her twenty first birthday. She'd just gotten married. She had a lot to celebrate and let loose about.
It did suck that Hannah couldn't be there. She just had Jace, but she knew they would party one day soon when Jace was a bit older. But Katie had plenty of friends from her writing groups and classes at Rockland.
She'd let loose on the dancefloor, dancing freely to the beat of the music. She danced with her friends and her mom. Her siblings had come for the dinner part of the party, leaving before the real drinking began. Jim took them home and her mother lingered, helping Ned stay sober for some bit before leaving at nine when Lana wouldn't go to bed without a lullaby.
Katie brought Ned to the dance floor, dancing to a groovy R&B song and letting him feel her up in the darkest corner of the room.
She'd gone her usual route with her outfit, wearing the new dress her mother had gotten her. The blue looked amazing on her and the skirt came low on her thigh, showing a nice amount of leg. It was spaghetti strap and with the hotness of July it was perfect. It also complemented the tan she'd gotten from walking to and from class all of the summer.
She'd wanted to help save the planet, and she didn't mind the mile or so trek.
"Oh, I really did drink quite a bit last night, didn't I?" She asked with bit of a laugh, the pillow lifted up just a little and Katie squinted against the light to see Ned smiling down at her. "It was so much fun though."
"You did and it was," he agreed, kissing her forehead and then her nose. "Fortunately for you, I put aspirin and water on the table next to you last night," he peers back at the clock before looking back at her. "I can even make you a light breakfast if you can stomach it. Unless you want to get more sleep."
"What time is it?" She lifts her head enough to place the pillow underneath it, her eyes adjusted to the light.
"Nearly half past seven," he said. "I work at eight."
She closed her eyes then. "Bloody hell. Can you close the drapes?"
"You know I'm an early riser for my patrols and this isn't my usual morning routine," he kissed her cheek as he sat up in bed. "I'll close the drapes for you. Just take the aspirin and go back to bed. I'll come home and make you some lunch and wake you up."
Ned moved off the bed and pulled the drapes shut, making the room darker, which helped quite a bit. She slowly then sat up a bit as he sat on her side, kissing her as he held out the pills and water glass. Katie tossed them back and swallowed them, drinking more of the water than she needed to because it helped make her mouth feel less dry.
"I think I'll get some sleep," she rubbed her eyes and yawned, covering her mouth in case of morning breath as he leaned in to kiss her lips.
"I've dealt with my fair share of morning breath with you," he moved her hand slightly, stealing one peck before saying, "And we're married. A kiss goodbye is in the vows."
"Is it?" She said, her smile growing wider as he kissed her again. "I love you."
"I love you too," he pushed off the bed, going about to change into his uniform. "I wish I didn't have to work. I wish I could've taken time off to be with you for a proper honeymoon."
"Ned, stop overthinking. Our weekend was perfect and so was last night, and hopefully a lot of nights in the future." She settled into the bed, watching him dress and ready for the day. He always looked sharp in his uniform. She'd always thought that. He looked very handsome.
"I guess I can agree with you. You like the view?" He asked, buttoning his cuffs.
"Very much," she smiled, bringing the blanket up to her chin. "You're just so darn handsome in uniform."
"I'm glad someone thinks so," he bent over to open his side drawer. He carefully brought out his weapon, discharging it and reloading it before placing it in his holster and leaning over the bed to kiss Katie again. "I'll see you in a few hours. Get some sleep."
She nodded, kissing his lips, loving the smell of his aftershave. "Love you," she whispered again.
"Love you too, Katie," he said as he closed the door quietly on his way out.
Katie spent most of the day watching the dark clouds begin to roll in overhead. Ned had come home for lunch as promised, waking Katie up with his version of mac and cheese. Her nausea had subsided after she got a few more hours of sleep and dehydrated.
But now, instead of looking out her bedroom window in her pajamas, she's gotten dressed and showered and is at the store looking at the dark clouds looming over Grandview from her mother's storefront window. Delia had taken the morning off and Melinda called Katie in, saying that she was swamped.
The morning had been busy, but since Katie came and finished the rush only a few people have trickled in. Neither of the women minded, they got a lot of inventory done downstairs which meant Katie and Melinda played old records and danced to 1930's music while they did inventory.
Unlike most people, Katie didn't mind rain. It wasn't the rain itself really, but the way the air smells after, especially in the summer, almost like the essence of a fresh start.
"Alright," Melinda sad to her after a full hour of no customers. They'd finished all of the inventory for the month and that hardly ever happened. "Looks like the clouds scared everyone off."
"I know," she replied, turning her head.
"They've already cancelled the movies in the park for the weekend," Melinda told her. "Mackenzie's bummed. They were going to play Shrek and she wanted to be able to watch it with Lana since they took it out of the rentals at the library."
"Really?" She asked. She had been looking forward to tagging along with Ned. It was always nice to snuggle up on a blanket and watch a movie in the park with your family. "I was hoping to come too."
"Don't get too bummed," Melinda made a weak attempt at hiding her own smile to whatever she was about to share. "Dad has his own movie night planned if you're still up for it."
"What?" She started to walk toward the register, leaning against the post.
"Yeah. He and Mack went to the dollar store and got all kinds of goodies. We're gonna make the living room into a comfy blanket lounge area and watch a few different movies." Melinda explained, her hands were all over the place as she explained, something Katie herself inherited from her mother. "Plus it'll be cool with the AC."
"That sounds fun!" She grinned. "Ned and I will definitely pop-over. We can bring a snack if you want."
"You don't have too, but it'd be great if you did too." Melinda smiled. "But if you want to go off and see Ned at the station you can. I can hold down the fort here until we close at four. It's almost three."
"You close at four on a Tuesday? Since when?" She asked, hands on her hips. "You've never closed that early. Like ever. Except in an emergency."
"It's just the new summer hours," Melinda gave her daughter the new business cards her father had convinced her to get with the remodel this year. They'd gotten a new logo and new hours. She just didn't know about the seasonal times apparently. "Your father convinced me to close a bit earlier in the summer so I'd have a bit more time to do things with the kids. Plus next summer the baby will be here and I thought it was a good idea to get it started now for next year."
"That'll be nice, especially like you said." She handed it back. "I like that you added color to the logo. It's really cool and abstract almost."
Her mother laughed, pausing to look at the card before sliding it back with the rest. "It was Lana's work more so than mine. She'd drawn on the logo page on accident and it looked pretty cool so I just kept it and sent it in like that," Melinda shrugged, her laugh taking over the end of the sentence. "Your dad was so mad." She paused, laughing again before continuing. "He thought it was on accident and that we'd have to reprint them until I told him. He was mad that I hadn't asked him and it took him three days until he finally was like 'I guess it's kind of cute'. He can be so stubborn."
Katie laughed then, hearing her mother's spot on impression of her father's voice always gave her a genuine belly laugh.
Her mother could be so funny. She loved spending time with her like this, it was one of her favorite things to do. She would cherish every moment she had with her forever.
"Look who's talking!" She threw at her, crossing her arms. "But I'm not one to judge. I'm as stubborn as you both are too." She went to collect her jacket then, glad she'd brought it not that it is starting to drizzle now outside. "Do you have an umbrella I could borrow? I feel like it's going to start pouring before I finish talking to Ned."
"I'll go check," Melinda walked into the back room and Katie followed, grabbing her purse and sending a quick text to Ned.
You busy?
Melinda went to the wardrobe she recently got for coats and other belongings. She saw the red umbrella that Jim had gotten her so man years ago, grinning as she grabbed the wooden handle.
"I have this," Melinda said , dusting it off. "Just be careful with it."
"Is there sentimental value?" She asked, taking the umbrella from her mother slowly. "Maybe a story?"
Her mother's cheeks blushed and she smiled at her daughter.
So there was a story.
Her phone dinged and she glanced down. Ned.
Yeah. I was just thinking of sneaking over to see you ;)
Melinda waited to reply as her daughter laughed, replying quickly.
Maybe I'll have to sneak over first ;) Just talking to mom.
"Your father gave to me," Melinda said simply as Katie met her gaze again. The story was far too long for a simple conversation with Katie on her way out. She would have to ask another time. "It's just very special to me."
"It won't leave my sight," she smiled, going to hug her mother. "Promise. Cross my heart." She repeats the action she used to as a child and kissed her cross necklace.
It was something she'd never forget to do before leaving. Her mother's hugs were something Katie could never get enough of. Her arms enveloped around her mother, kissing her cheek as she basked in her lavender perfume. She will never not relax at the smell and she squeezed her before pulling back.
"You should come for dinner tonight," Melinda pinched her cheek, straightening her necklace on her blouse. When she got dressed this morning the sun had been shining. It was humid, a high of eighty. She paired a pair cotton black shorts with a yellow blouse covered in daisies and strappy black heels.
She'd brought a leather jacket in case of rain. "I'll make something special for your birthday yesterday. Name a dish."
"I'm not sure if Ned will be off early enough, but I will be there." She beamed, back stepping toward the front of the store. "I'm not sure… surprise me with something cheesy. Love you mom." She blew her a kiss.
"Love you too, dancing girl." Melinda rubbed her back as they walk out together, stepping off toward the register as she went to the door. "Oh! Katie!" She stopped and turned back, the door open as the thunder cracked above the clouds, the rain suddenly falling faster and heavier now. "Don't forget to wear pajamas over. Mackenzie made the rule for the movie night."
"I'll bring some to change into after dinner," she laughed, opening the umbrella and holding above her head.
Her phone dinged again and the door closed as she fished her phone out again. Melinda watched as her daughter replied to the text, looking around for Ned, who she presumed was the textee. She held onto the umbrella and stepped out, she shined in the darkness of Grandview in bright yellow just like Melinda would've. Seeing her with the umbrella warmed her heart as she saw her meet Ned across the street, kissing him and walking off.
Melinda grabbed her phone, calling her husband to see what he was doing. She would definitely close early if he had some free time.
"Hey Mel," his voice flooded her ears and smiled, blushing.
"Hey you," she grinned, going about to close out the till, pressing the phone to her ear. "What are you up to?"
"I'm just watching the rain fall over the square from my office," he said. "I just finished my last round check before I was about to leave. What are you doing?"
"I'm closing out my till," she said, pressing print and pulling the receipt out. She checked over the numbers, opening the drawer. She counted the bills, seeing that the money matched at four hundred dollars. A hundred dollar profit from the rush earlier. "Gonna put the money in the safe downstairs and close the shop. Wanna come by? I'm not due home for another hour... and I'd love some time alone with you."
"I think that can be arranged," he grinned, grabbing his briefcase as he walked out of his office, locking it on his way out. He made it to the elevator quickly, pressing the down button and the doors open. "I'm gonna lose you. About to step in the elevator. Meet me in the basement?"
The store doors dinged and Professor Payne walked in, shaking his hair of the rain. She smiled at him, but held her hand up in case he was going to start talking. "Maybe. Payne just walked in." she laughed, placing the money in the blue deposit bag. "You might just have to come find me now won't you?"
He stepped into the elevator, humming as he pictures finding her in the store's basement and kissing he, devouring her.
"I'll always find you," he said and then hung up.
She shook her head and set her phone down. "What can I do for you, Rick?" She asked, grabbing hold of the deposit bag.
"I got your call. Your voicemail was vague," Payne shrugged, walking toward her. "How are you? I saw Katie across the square. She looks happy."
Melinda nodded, smiling. "She's very happy with Ned." She said. "And yes, about that call… I forgot for a moment. There's a ghost. A girl. About twenty or so and she died during childbirth. I have Jim digging up what he can. What do you think you could find?"
"I'm not sure," the Professor pondered, tapping his chin. "What's her name?"
"Amber Britton," Melinda said, turning to walk around. "Will you call me as soon as you find anything?"
"I always do," Payne smiled. "It was nice to see you Melinda."
After Katie visited Ned, she went home. Her stomach acted up again and she lost her lunch, not having the energy or the stomach to make any snacks, she just napped until her mother called.
The ring startled her awake and she saw that it's five thirty.
"Hello?" She yawned, sitting up slowly. Katie leaned into the headboard and rubs her eyes, seeing the sky has opened up again and now the sun is about to set.
"Hey, are you still coming over for dinner sweetheart?" Her mother asked, Katie could hear her pulling something from the oven and setting it on the counter. "Shoo Aaron. It'll be ready in like ten fricken minutes," she heard her mother smack her little brother's hand away. "I'm just pulled dinner from the oven and thought I'd call you and see what's up. You hadn't texted."
"I took a nap," she yawns, getting off the bed. "I wasn't feeling good when I got home from the station. I threw up my lunch. Another side effect of my hangover sadly."
"Well, I know how that feels." Melinda sighed, laughing a little to make light of it. "I had to make your dad make the sides because the smells were making me nauseous."
"At least mine was alcohol related," she muttered, opening a drawer to grab a pair of pajamas.
She grabbed her purple and grey shorts and shirt set and walked toward the stairs. She grabbed her purse and placed the clothes in there as she grabbed her mom's umbrella. She could hear the storm, the wind howling and the thunder booking.
"Yeah," she could picture her mother's hands at her stomach as she spoke. "Mine's a baby. Best blessings of my life though."
"Thanks for having me mom," she pulled a jacket on, tossing the hood up to protect her from getting to wet as she opened the umbrella. "I'm just about to leave. I shouldn't be too long. Wait for me for dinner?"
"I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat baby girl and of course we'll wait. The casserole is still cooling anyways," Melinda hummed and the phone moved as she yells. "Aaron come help me set the table!" She moved it back. "Alright Katie. I'll see you when you get here. Drive save in that weather."
"I will. Bye mom." She shoved her phone in her purse before opening the door, holding the umbrella firmly as she walked out to her car. Although raining, the day was still humid. She hopped in her car and closed the umbrella, buckling up as she turned her car on. Once she pulled out of the driveway, she steered her car in the direction toward her parents house.
Katie was there in plenty of time, going straight in from the humid rainy weather, straight into pre-dinner routine at her family's house. She could see Aaron setting the table as Mackenzie was fighting with her father over a movie choice in the living room. Lana was dancing in the foyer, smiling when she saw her big sister.
And her mom was absent. As far as she could tell.
Katie set the umbrella where it belonged, shaking the water off as she placed it with the other one near the door. She kicked her boots off then and slid her coat off.
"Hey, Lana," Katie said, walking forward and picking her up. The little girl was almost three, and she smiled wide to see her big sister, even if she interrupted her dance. "Doesn't it smell yummy in here?"
"Super yummy in my tummy! Mommy let me help her put all the cheese on," Lana wiggled her tongue between her gap in her top teeth.
"That's awesome!" She cheered, winking at her.
"Katie!" Mackenzie conceded on her argument with Jim to jump over the couch and hug her. "I'm so glad you came. Are you watching the moving?"
"Me too and duh," she squeezed Mackenzie as she placed Lana down, who ran off to see if she could convince their dad into a Disney movie. "Where's mom?"
"I think she went upstairs," Mackenzie dipped under her arm to sneak into the kitchen as Katie went to the stairs, just as her mother came around the corner at the top.
"Hey baby girl!" Her mom's smile grew as she saw her oldest child, pulling her into a hug.
When she pulled back, she noticed her mother midsection was a little more plump than usual. Her sweater that usually was loose, was tight against her stomach, showing the slight curve. Instead of the skinnier mother with wide hips that she usually was, Katie saw a woman breathing life into this world. It's impossible to deny the happiness that seems to radiate from her eyes and skin.
"You look beautiful mom," she hugged her again. "You're showing."
"Not much," Melinda said, running her hands over her abdomen. "But a little. Not as much as I showed with you at fourteen weeks."
"How long did you know?" She asked.
"We found out at seven this time, so longer than usual," Melinda said, but motions for Katie to let her explain, which she intended to. "But there was a reason. You remember when I had Kenz, the labor was early and long and risky. And ever since then Dr. Carr had been worried with how another pregnancy would end. Lana was smooth. No complications, thank god, but she wasn't completely sure if this baby would be the same. I'm not as young as I used to be Katie." She walked forward and Katie followed. "Even if I like to think I am."
"I know, but still. I just wish I would've known sooner," she sighed. "I would've been there for you. At every appointment and every test."
"I know," Melinda smiled, holding her hands tightly. "Which is why I didn't tell you. You had a wedding to plan baby. You did not need to be worrying about me."
"Yeah, I guess." She shrugged. "I'm just happy you told me now. Does that mean everything is on track?"
"Yes, everything is on track. A perfect, healthy baby," Melinda said.
Dinner had gone smoothly. Ned arrived halfway through and Katie made him a plate, kissing him as he sat down. The rain had gotten harder and he was soaked through and through. He'd ended up stripping down to his boxers in the kitchen so Melinda could dry his uniform. Jim had loaned him a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt while he showered to warm up.
It wasn't too long after that when they all settle in for the first movie. With fresh popcorn being passed around and varieties of candy in bowls on the coffee table, they are set.
Katie lounged over the couch, her head in Ned's lap. Jim and Melinda sat on the other end, curled up
in each other, while Jim's lap held Katie's feet. Aaron took the lounger and Mackenzie and Lana snuggled up on the love seat. It had been peaceful until Katie bolted up from the couch.
There's a lurch and she clapped her hand over her mouth, swallowing the bile just long enough to get into the bathroom under the stairs. It's a mad dash until she was kneeling in front of the toilet, spilling her dinner and all other food in her stomach into the bowl.
The movie had been left on for the kids, but the adults moved from the room, concerned for Katie.
Melinda stayed back, saying that if she catched one whiff she'd be a goner too. Ned was by his wife's side, holding her hair back. Jim was trying to think if hangover effects usually last this long. When she finally flushed the toilet and Ned helped her clean herself up, her mother handed her a glass of cold water. She took small sips while Ned rubbed her back.
"I'm so sorry," she told them, putting the glass on the sink. "I ruined movie night."
"Don't talk like that," Melinda leaned against the doorway. "Everyone has a few days like this in their lifetime. More if you're a mother."
Katie sighed and leaned into Ned's shoulder. She didn't want to move yet, just in case of the aftertaste bringing up anything more. "I just want this hangover to be over," she groaned, closing her eyes.
"I might be more than a hangover," Jim said, scrolling through his email board from work. "Moe's bar just got flagged for e coli."
"Of course," she huffed. "I had the chicken pasta there."
"You should definitely just get some rest tomorrow," Jim said, sliding his phone into his jeans pocket as he leans into the doorway. "Hydrate and eat healthy foods. Get all of the toxins from your body and take a nice bubble bath. If you still aren't feeling good give me a call," her father looked at Ned, who nodded. "Then we'll talk about coming in to the hospital."
"I have tomorrow off," Ned said, kissing her cheek as he wiped the corners of her mouth with a wet washcloth. "We can just have a nice day in. I'll take care of you, crank the AC or heat up and everything. Whatever you need."
"Okay," she pressed her face into his arm, basking in the warmth of his body. She felt so cold sitting on the floor and so empty from just having throw up. "Would you care if we went home? I'm not feeling up to another movie. I kinda just want to go home and sleep."
Katie and Ned stood then, hugging her dad and mom.
"You do what you need to do," Melinda squeezed her and then Ned. "You should always put yourself first."
They continue talking as they walk toward the door, leaving the boys in the bathroom.
"I think your uniform is done drying," Jim opened the closet in the bathroom and the stackable washer and dryer were in there. The drying cycle had just finished. He pulls the uniform out for Ned, giving it to him. "Just in time, eh?"
"My lucky day," Ned chuckled. "I'll bring these back another time. I'm too lazy to switch."
"That's fine, drive safe. Have a goodnight, you two." Jim clapped the young man's back and hugged him as they walk out, meeting where Katie and Melinda are chitchatting. Katie was dressed in her shoes and jacket when Ned came, pulling his shoes and coat on.
Melinda was telling her to use an essential oil that she was giving her to help relax her body. "The best time to use it is after a bath," Melinda said. "Just squirt some in your hand and rub it into your skin. I can feel my body relax. It does wonders when you're sick and after a long day."
"I was thinking about a nice warm bath," she grinned, thinking of the warm water enveloping her. It would be so perfect.
"I'll give you a massage after," he said, taking the bottle of essential oil lotion. "With this. If you want."
Katie smiled at him, nodding as she kisses him and going to open the door. "Bye guys, Ned and I are going." Katie said , blowing a kiss toward her siblings. "Love you!"
"Wait!" Mackenzie rounded the corner and stole a quick hug. "Bye."
"Bye," she kissed her sister's hair and squeezed her just as Lana squeezed her leg. She swung the little girl up and kissed her chubby cheek as Mack pulled back. "Bye miss lanabanana."
"Bye Katie," Lana whispered and wiggled to be set down.
She waved to her brother, who saluted her from the lounger and she rolled her eyes at him. "Love you too Aaron."
"Not big on hugs," Aaron shrugged, looking back down at his phone. "Love you."
She hugged her dad last and then took Ned's hand in hers as they leave.
"I hope this stupid sickness goes away soon," she sighed as she pulled the door closed..
"Me too, for your sake and mine." He agreed, squeezing her hand.