Go Baby Grow

Chapter 24 – Primping and Pictures

Friday, May 29th

The day of the St. Frances prom arrived. After school, Lissa met Julie at the salon for a whirlwind afternoon of girling. Appointments were made for a manicure, hair styling, and makeup. Throughout the afternoon, Lissa insisted on snapping pictures and texting them to Amelia.

Julie chose an understated light pink nail polish and insisted her makeup be simple. The varied brown eye shadows and the volumizing mascara enhanced Julie's natural beauty. Since she usually wore her hair in a bun or ponytail, the stylist convinced Julie to wear her hair down. Playing with Julie's natural waves, the stylist was able to add curl and place a loose knot in the back. The knot looked spontaneous even though it was incredibly secure. Julie joked to herself, I'm pretty sure the stylist had used at least a full bottle of product and an entire container of hairspray. When she was ready to go, her chair was turned so she could look in the mirror. She gasped then smiled, thanking the team from the bottom of her heart.

Meanwhile, Ryder and three of his friends headed to the Lake House where they planned to get ready. Later, the limousine would transport their dates to Owen and Amelia's for pictures. From there, they would head to dinner and then to the prom itself. Owen and Amelia had invited all the parents to stay for dinner once the kids left, and they were anticipating a full house.

One friend, James, stood in front of the bathroom mirror fussing with his hair while another, Mark, attempted to figure out the unfamiliar bow tie. Darren, fully dressed, sat and watched the others.

"Dude, you've had to wear a bow tie at school before," Ryder teased as he fussed with his cummerbund.

Mark retorted, "My mom always ties it for me." With that admission, Mark was hazed by all of his friends, with one offering to call Mark's Mommy to come over for a fashion emergency.

Lowering his voice, James asked, "Ryder, did you get a room at the hotel?"

"No," Ryder answered without detail. "Julie has to be home afterward."

"Doesn't mean you can't use a room until you take her home," Mark pointed out.

"She's not like that," Ryder clarified. "Besides, how many times do I have to explain to you guys that she's a friend."

"Sure she is," Mark taunted. "You should get a room, Ry. That's what Kara and I are doing."

"Are you guys…" Ryder began to inquire.

Interrupting, Mark proudly boasted, "As of tonight we are." He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a handful of condoms.

"Us too," James mentioned. "Jana's been counting the days." Hearing that, Mark threw a couple condoms James' way.

"Oh, yeah, I'm sure she has," Darren roared. "Who wouldn't want to jump you, James."

"F#$# you, Dude," James sputtered as he elbowed his pal.

"What about you Darren?" Mark pushed. "You getting laid tonight?"

"Why would I tell you fools?" Darren retorted. "Besides, it wouldn't be our first time anyway."

James persisted with Ryder, "Dude, you used to be the Sex God of St. Frances. When was the last time? You used to be my hero."

"I dunno," Ryder responded casually as he sat on his bed. "It's been awhile."

"What about that little freshman dancer?" Darren wondered aloud.

"She was the same age as my little sister," Ryder clarified. "I couldn't go there. She probably would have but I didn't push her that direction."

"What happened to the old Ryder?" Mark laughed. "Man… you need to get it out of your system before you go to the Academy and work out so much you end up with no sex drive."

"Yeah," Ryder offered a sly smile, "That's not happening to me."

Knocking on the wall at the top of the stairs, Amelia hollered, "Everybody decent?"

"As decent as we'll ever be, Mom," Ryder responded.

Slapping her hands onto her cheeks, Amelia oohed and ahhed. "Look at all of you! Yesterday, you were all in 2nd grade at St. Frances learning how to play soccer." Spreading her arms wide, Amelia continued, "Now you're all grown up and tall and ready for the prom."

"Mom…" Ryder groaned quietly.

"Don't shush her, Ry. She's adorable," Darren insisted as he hugged Amelia. "Thanks, Dr. Shepherd."

"Hey, who's holding my pregnant wife?" Owen joked as he approached while wearing scrubs.

"Hey, Dr. Hunt," the three friends offered.

"You're not wearing those for the pictures, are you?" Ryder tested.

"I could," Owen joked. "Heck, Mom and I could even wear matching outfits."

"Niiiicce," Mark joked.

Owen glanced at his watch and pointed out the time. "How's this working? Are you picking up the girls?"

"They're on their way. The limo is picking each of them up and coming over here," James shared.

With a broad smile, Owen surveyed Ryder's room and the nearly-adult boys he'd known for years. "You guys clean up pretty well," he teased before stepping out to change clothes.

The four guys were ready and waiting for their dates to arrive. They sat in Ryder's room joking and talking.

"Ry, what's up with Julie? When do we finally get to meet her?" Mark inquired.

"Yeah, we've heard all about her nonstop for the last year, but we're beginning to doubt she exists," Darren joked. "Are you that afraid to introduce her to us?"

James wondered with a grin, "Are you worried about us meeting her or about her meeting us?"

"That's obvious…" Ryder deadpanned. "I've waited all this time so I could make sure she wasn't easily scared by a bunch of chumps." Ryder's phone sounded and he grabbed it out of his jacket. "She's ready and over at Nolan's house next door. Can you three clowns manage on your own for a few minutes? I'll be right back."

Ryder hurried over and stood at Nolan's front door. Taking a deep breath to center, he let himself in and bellowed, "Prince Charming is here!" He stepped back immediately when Molly, covered in PB&J, began to run toward him, "Ucka Wy!" Molly was not only messy, she was only wearing a diaper. Even her thin baby hair held parts of her lunch.

"Not right now, Molly," Nolan announced as he ran over and scooped up his eldest. "Sorry, man. I was about to pop her in the sink for a quick bath, and she escaped from me as soon as her clothes were off." Looking at Molly, Nolan teased, "Didn't you?! You escaped when Daddy tried to wipe off your face and clean you up." Molly smiled proudly and kissed Nolan's cheek, leaving evidence of her snack behind. Her tiny nose wrinkled as she snickered and reached out for her uncle.

"We'll play later, Molly Molls," Ryder smiled as he blew her a kiss and caught one in the air that she blew back. Nolan scooted back to the sink and began rinsing off the Peanut Butter Monster, and Ryder anxiously shifted his weight from one foot to another and switched his gaze from the floor to the ceiling.

"She's in our bathroom," Nolan explained.

"I'll wait," Ryder smirked.

"Ryder… she's… breathtaking," Nolan shared with awe. Ryder could tell his brother was being sincere.

"Yeah?" Ryder sought to confirm. "I've seen a picture of the dress. It's great."

"Wait until you see it, and her, in person," Nolan whispered.

Lissa stepped out of the bedroom and exclaimed, "Oh! Ryder. You're here."

"JJ sent me a text and said she was ready," Ryder detailed.

"We thought it might take you a few minutes," Lissa chuckled nervously. "I'll let Julie know you're here." She began to walk back to the bedroom, but turned to look at Ryder as she whispered, "Ryder… she looks elegant."

Ryder grinned uncomfortably and rested his hands in his pockets. Nolan, now trying to manage all three girls, was distracted.

"Hey, RB," Julie called out with a smile.

Ryder glanced up and blinked, muttering, "Wow… JJ, you look beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous."

"I feel like a fragile porcelain figurine. I'm afraid a zipper will give out or my hair will frizz or I'll trip in these new shoes," she laughed. Although Nolan was across the room, he was listening in and enjoying the cute-ness.

"We should get next door," Ryder smiled. "I walked over. Should I have brought the car instead?"

Julie shrugged and showed her typical, everyday self, "Nah… I can walk." When she stood next to Ryder, she surveyed his tux and held part of her skirt against the cummerbund, noting, "The color match is perfect, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Ryder smiled, not paying any attention to the color match. His eyes were fixed on his date – Julie the All-State basketball star, distance runner, and no frills Academy-bound girl was standing before him looking like a Princess. He wanted to scoop her up in his arms and stare.

"You're a knockout, Ry," Julie shared as she winked. For the first time since she'd met him, Julie saw Ryder blush.

They excused themselves and the Tremblay Hunts promised to make it over to the house for pictures. Ryder offered his arm and Julie rolled her eyes, "Oh, knock that off, Flyboy."

When Ryder mentioned they'd go to dinner and the prom as a group, Julie requested everyone's name in advance. "Darren, Mark and James, right?" Julie confirmed as they approached the Lake House.

"Yep and Nina, Kara and Jana," Ryder added. "All St. Frances people. It's a little incestuous – we've all known each other for at least 10 years."

"Have you slept with any of the dates?" Julie pressed.

"Umm… yeah," Ryder shrugged with honest embarrassment.

"All three?" Julie giggled.

"No, one of them," Ryder admitted. "One of them and almost another one."

"Ahh," Julie nodded and kept her gaze fixed on her date.

"I'm not telling you who," Ryder laughed.

"I'll have it figured out before the night is over," Julie assured him.

"Come on," Ryder encouraged as they approached the front walk. "And get your mind out of the gutter."

The dates had not arrived, but the guys were all downstairs milling around. Ryder opened the door for Julie and she stepped into the familiar entryway. The guys all approached and extended their hands, introducing themselves one-by-one.

Amelia ran over and put her hands on Julie's shoulders, "I don't want to touch you or mess anything up. You look amazing… that dress, I'm still thrilled you chose it." She added, "Your dad's on his way. Be forewarned, he wants a picture of the two of you so he's coming in his formal uniform. He is so excited to see you. He said to tell you that he has a surprise for you."

"Really? That's not like him. I wonder what it is," Julie commented. Lately, he had been softening. While she appreciated it, Julie didn't always know what to make of this new version of her father.

"Here's the limo," Owen announced from the upstairs breezeway as he straightened his tie. The guys all walked out to the front walkway and Julie and Ryder followed them.

Nina, Kara, and Jana all stepped out of the limo with wide smiles and perfect hair. Julie immediately felt like an imposter as she watched them smoothly glide to their dates. This trio obviously came from money and had been groomed for their future roles in society.

Darren, who Julie had already determined was the most mature of the guys, introduced Julie to the other girls. Each shook her hand formally and offered a warm greeting.

Jana, who was a bit more exuberant than the others, hugged Julie and stated, "Welcome to the St. Frances reality where everyone knows everyone else. If you forget anyone's names or need anything, just find me."

"Who did your hair?" Kara asked Julie with admiration as she touched one of Julie's curls.

"Antonia's or something like that," Julie shrugged. Ryder enjoyed watching her from afar and loved how she didn't play the pretty girl role.

"Antonio's?! Downtown?" Kara reacted with awe and widened eyes.

"Yeah, that's it," Julie smiled softly.

"How in the world did you work your way into Antonio's?" Nina questioned. Her tone was a mix of admiration and challenge.

"No idea. Lissa – Ryder's sister-in-law – chose the place. She arranged it all," Julie smirked.

"We know Lissa," Jana chirped. "She was ahead of us in school. I think she graduated when we were in 7th or 8th grade."

"Oh, that's right," Julie nodded. "St. Frances, where everybody knows everybody else."

"Where do you go to school, Julie?" Nina inquired with a hint of interrogation. Ryder chuckled internally, knowing that the dates would be shocked when they heard the answer. St. Stephens was one of the most elite and expensive private high schools in Seattle.

"St. Stephens," Julie answered with nonchalance, not needing to boast or prove where she rated in the social strata of Seattle.

"Oh my…" Kara gulped. "St. Stephens is… it's quite the place… a great school."

"I like it," Julie smiled, yearning for Ryder to save her from the probing pretty girls.

"Are you a Seattle native?" Kara tested.

"My father and I moved here from Maryland when I was entering 7th grade," Julie detailed.

Nina, a rare fifth generation native Washingtonian, inquired, "What brought you out here?"

"My father is a Navy officer. He assumed a land-based post here shortly after my mom died," Julie recited her oft-used line.

"Oh, how sad," Jana offered with sincerity. "I'm sorry to hear about your mom."

Not far from where the girls were, Amelia answered the door and welcomed Adam. He stepped in and spotted his daughter, blown away by her appearance. Freezing in place momentarily, he soaked in the sight of the young woman who was clearly Claire's daughter.

He proceeded over to the girls and politely introduced himself, "Ladies, nice to meet you. I'm Captain Caldwell."

Starry eyed by his impressive chest-full of medals and officer's uniform, Jana warmly shook his extended hand and introduced herself. Nina and Kara followed, with Kara commenting, "Julie was just sharing that you used to live near Washington D.C."

"For many years," Adam confirmed. "I spent most of my career commanding ships. Julie, her brother and mother, lived near D.C. while they patiently waited for me to return home from wherever the waters had taken me."

"From Washington to Washington," Nina laughed softly with a practiced society-girl observation.

Adam smiled then turned to his daughter. Kissing Julie's forehead and hugging her from the side, he commented, "Julia… you are stunning."

"Thanks, Dad," she responded, savoring his far-too-rare embrace.

"Let's grab a picture. I dressed up in this crazy suit, so I need to make it worthwhile," Adam chuckled. "Then I can change into jeans."

As he led her to a nice spot, Julie mentioned, "Dr. Shepherd told me you had a surprise."

"Later," Adam winked.

The other parents were arriving as well. Soon, everyone was posing in various groupings and arrangements. Ryder stepped over and greeted the Captain, offering to take a picture of Julie with her dad. Just before Ryder snapped the last shot, one of Julie and Adam looking at one another, Adam whispered, "You're the mirror image of your mom, Itsy Bit."

The highlight of picture time occurred when the entire Shepherd-Hunt clan of twelve gathered in front of the fireplace. Nolan and Lissa had dressed their daughters in matching blue dresses and Lucas was proud to announce that he'd tied his own tie. Somehow, Julie managed to snap a picture where everyone - even Emmy and Lizzy – smiled.

"Silly one!" Lucas decided as he jumped up and down. "Silly one!" Nolan put Molly on his shoulders and Lissa leaned against him holding a baby in each arm. At a foot shorter, she didn't need to worry about blocking Nolan from the camera. Ryder opened his mouth wide and picked Lucas up by the ankles, Ria jumped on Ryder's back and held Molly's hand, and Olivia folded her arms and raised one eyebrow. Owen put an arm around Amelia, opened his mouth in a surprised face, and pointed at her baby bump. Annabelle leaned onto the baby bump and smiled sweetly, and Amelia put her hands on her cheeks and widened her eyes.

"That's going in my locker at the Academy," Ryder laughed when he studied it. "Love it."

As everyone headed to the limo, Adam pulled Julie aside. Subtly, Amelia aimed her camera at the two of them to capture the moment Adam had told her would occur as a surprise.

"No crying," Adam began. Julie smiled as she turned her head to the side with curiosity. Adam grasped her hand and looked into his daughter's eyes. He pulled out a gold bracelet with diamonds on it and attached it to her wrist. "This was your mom's. Tonight seemed like the right time to pass it on."

"Dad…" Julie sputtered. "Thank you," she stated as she held back tears and hugged her father.

Ryder, already in the limo and unaware of the Hallmark moment, called out, "JJ, let's go."

"I have to go," Julie stated to Adam.

"Have fun," he grinned. "No curfew tonight – just be safe. No drinking…"

"and nothing illegal," Julie finished his sentence with a giggle. She ran the few steps to the limo and piled in next to Ryder. Adam sighed as he watched his now-grown little girl take another step toward maturity. Even though he'd been indifferent about her birth years prior, he found himself choked up at the thought of her flying from the nest.

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