“Can you pick me up?” Tanisha tugged on Adam’s sweatshirt looking up at him with her sleepy eyes.
“Sure,” Adam lifted her up and balanced her on his hip. She rested her head on his shoulder and her tiny arm wrapped around his neck.
Tonya reached for his other hand. “My granny says I should always hold someone’s hand in a crowd.”
By the time they made it to the parking lot, Tanisha was sound asleep in his arms. Amy watched as Adam placed her in the back seat of the truck, slipping his hooded sweatshirt off to cover her up. Tonya crawled in next to her sister humming on her plastic kazoo the tune, Mary Had a Little Lamb.
Amy scooted over next to Adam and leaned on his shoulder as they crawled at a snail’s pace through traffic. Before they even left the parking lot Amy turned around to see why Tonya had stopped midway through Baa Baa Black Sheep. The kazoo lay next to her little hand, her head tilted upward and her mouth open as she bobbed with the movement of the truck, counting sheep of her own.
“Amy, are you okay?” Adam knocked on the bathroom door. “I’m going to bed babe.”
“I’ll be there in a minute.” She hollered through the door as she waited to hear him walk away.
Amy peeked out the door and tiptoed into the living room finding her way in the darkness as she fumbled over to the stereo. She turned it on and set the needle on the record she had purchased this morning at the drugstore with her shampoo. She ran in the bedroom and crawled in bed next to Adam as Having My Baby by Paul Anka began to play.
“What’s going on?” Adam listened to the song as Amy stared at him waiting to see it register on his face. She watched as he sat up in bed is eyes opened wide. “You’re having a baby? You’re having our baby?? WE’RE HAVING A BABY!!”
Amy looked up at Adam her big hazel eyes filled with tears of joy. “Yes, Adam the doctor called this morning and said I am definitely having our baby.”
“That is the best news Amy. Oh my God. I can’t believe it!!” Adam placed his hand on her tummy. “Wow, I am going to be a dad! Thank you, Amy. This is the greatest thing that could have happened to us. You’re going be the best mom.”
“I was afraid you’d be speechless.” Amy had waited to surprise him all day. “I almost let it slip a few times today but I wanted it to be a special moment between just us.”
Amy’s heart overflowed for this man she loved more and more each day. He lifted her pajama shirt and tenderly kissed her stomach.
Adam beamed proudly at Amy as he gazed up at her. “Our love has created a life inside you. It is a miracle from God above. I love you Amy.”
“Adam you made me the happiest woman in the world when I married you. Now you’ve made me the happiest woman in the universe.” Amy touched his face before kissing him. “I love you more than life itself.”
***
Adam punched out at five o’clock sharp. All day long while he worked at the plastics factory the time had slowed down to a crawl. He couldn’t keep his mind off Amy and the baby growing inside her. After work he picked her up and they hurried over to his parent’s home to share their exciting news.
Adam and Amy entered the downstairs bedroom where a hospital bed had been set up for his father.
“Hi dad.” Adam leaned over and gave him a kiss on the forehead. “I heard you did well today with your speech therapy.”
“Yes,” his father managed to force out.
“He’s been working with the physical therapist too.” Mrs. LaPointe came in to join their conversation.
“I know how brutal that can be,” Adam shared with his dad. “But in the long run it’s worth it.”
Mr. LaPointe nodded at Amy.
“I’m glad you’re home. I made this for you. Adam told me these were your favorite colors.” Amy covered him with an afghan which displayed his patriotic pride.
“Well Mom and Dad,” Adam began as he placed his arm around Amy. “Amy and I have some wonderful news for you. We are having a baby!”
“Our first grandchild,” Mrs. LaPointe gasped as she placed her hands on her cheeks. “I am so happy for the two of you!”
Adam’s father slapped his hand on the metal rail to get their attention. His eyes were smiling and a smile curled on the left side of his face. He pointed at them both then showed thumbs up. He motioned for them to hand him his paper and pencil from the table.
Adam handed it to him and waited as his dad wrote down a note on the tablet. His father handed it to his mother to read.
“Congratulations to both of you. I am proud. Thank you for helping me. Now I want to help you. Move in here with us. Baby is on the way. Money will be tight. Stay until you get on your feet. I love you both and my new grandbaby.”
Adam looked at Amy before answering his father. “Dad, I appreciate your offer. I need to talk this over with Amy first.”
“Why don’t we go for a walk and discuss it Adam?” Amy suggested.
Adam held Amy’s hand as they walked the familiar path to secret spot picking daisies for her along the way. She held the bouquet of wildflowers in her hand as they started the discussion regarding the proposition his father had offered.
“Your thoughts Mrs. LaPointe?” Adam enjoyed the cool evening breeze upon his face.
“Let’s make a list of the pros and cons,” she said watching a monarch butterfly float past.
“For starters we wouldn’t have to pay rent. We’d earn our keep by helping on the farm.” Adam stated the obvious. “Then at least we could save for that house we dreamed of buying.”
“That is one pro.” Amy agreed. “You wouldn’t have to drive back and forth before and after work to do the chores.”
“True. But you realize we won’t have any time to ourselves.”
“I’m sure we’ll manage to sneak away,” teased Amy as she sat down underneath the pine tree. “We never had a problem before. Once the baby arrives we won’t be alone anyways.”
“Hey, we’d have built in babysitters.” Adam knelt down by Amy.
“I can help your mom out. I’m sure she could use some extra help now since she has to take care of your dad and Michelle will be leaving for college.”
“You’re absolutely right.” Adam picked a black eye Susan and tickle Amy under the chin.
Amy scooted over to sit in front of Adam leaning back on his chest. He placed his arms around her and massaged her stomach.
“Adam I think the baby is moving.” Amy turned her head to look him in the eyes. “Do you feel it?”
“No, I don’t’ feel anything. What does it feel like?” He moved his hands around and paused to see if he could feel any movement.
“It feels like butterflies and popcorn popping.” She giggled. “I know that sounds funny but that is the best way I can describe it.”
“Really?” Adam smiled at her noticing the glow about her. “It makes it real, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Amy stared up at the clouds. “Here’s another pro. Our baby would have this beautiful place to call home.”
“I think the pros have won.” Adam rested his chin on her shoulder. “So I take it we agree to make this our home for awhile?”
“I can’t think of a better place to bring our baby home to.” Amy rose to her feet. “I guess we should let your parents know our decision.”
Adam stood up and touched the pine tree tracing the initials upon it. “We’ll have to add the babies name under ours.”
Adam pulled Amy in his arms as he softly kissed her lips. He held her hand on the walk back to the house thinking about how many times in his life he walked down this same path. He smiled thinking someday his son or daughter would walk in his footsteps. Now he understood what his father tried to instill in him. A child put a whole new perceptive on life and the meaning of it.
***
Amy had been packing boxes all day. She couldn’t believe the things they had accumulated in such a short time. Adam wanted to move as soon as possible so they would be settled in before the baby was born a
nd the crops needed to be harvested. After he came home from work today they planned to share the big news with her family.
“I’m home babe.” Amy heard him holler as he came through the back door. He hurried in to see Amy. “How are my two favorite people doing?”
“We’re doing great. I managed to pack everything in our bedroom and the living room.” Amy placed her arms around his waist and gave him a kiss.
“Great.” Adam grabbed some clean clothes out of a box and went in the bathroom. He turned the shower on while he undressed. “I was thinking we could move this weekend. I called Joey and Bob during my lunch break.”
“I’ll get the kitchen and bathroom packed tomorrow then.” She stood in the doorway admiring his physique. “You’re lucky we have to leave soon or I might jump in there with you.”
“Promises. Promises.” Adam laughed as he snapped the shower curtains shut. He popped his head back out. “But hold that thought.”
Amy heard the telephone ring in the kitchen and hurried to answer it.
“Hello?” Amy’s mind was still on Adam in the shower.
“Hi Amy. This is Mrs. Dunn.”
“How are you? Amy asked. “I haven’t talked to you since the wedding.”
“Yes, Hal and I had such a nice time. I was just calling to let you know about the zoo trip we have organized at the church,” Mrs. Dunn explained.
“Zoo trip?” Amy questioned.
“I ran into Bob Prusinski today. I mentioned to him if the center might be interested in taking the kids to the zoo. He loved the idea and paid for the whole group to go. He asked me to give you a call with the information.”
“Bob has a soft spot for the children. He is always trying to help them out.” Amy looked at the calendar. “When is the trip?”
“It is July 15th. We are meeting at the church at eight in the morning. We plan on having a picnic lunch and returning home around seven o’clock.”
“Okay.” Amy marked it on the calendar. “It sounds like fun. Thanks for calling me.”
“See you then,” Mrs. Dunn ended the conversation.
Amy remembered to take the Jell-O cake out of the refrigerator that she had made to take along tonight. She had used pink and blue gelatin to celebrate the occasion tonight.
“Who was on the phone?” Adam walked out of the bathroom wearing only his jeans as he towel dried his hair.
“It was Mrs. Dunn,” Amy explained. “Bob paid for the whole center to go to the zoo in July.”
“Will you be up to going?” Adam questioned. “You know with being pregnant.”
“I don’t see why not.” Amy was spreading the cool whip over the cake. “I guess time will tell.”
Amy played with the radio dial until she found September by Earth, Wind and Fire. She laughed as she bopped back and forth bumping into Adam, singing along to the radio. Adam smirked as he pushed her back and joined her in the chorus. They both moved side to side in rhythm with the song, the warm breeze blowing through the open windows as they headed down the highway loving life in general.
“Great, it looks like Joey and Angie are here too,” said Amy as she carried the cake into the house.
“Knock. Knock,” Adam hollered as they walked in.
“Hi!” Mrs. Makowski greeted them. “Joey and Angie are out back. He insisted on bringing some steaks over to barbeque.”
Adam and Amy followed her mom out into the back yard. The picnic table had a red and white checkered tablecloth and was already set for dinner. They took a seat with Angie at the table as the smell of beef grilling permeated the air.
“You want a beer?” Joey opened the cooler and grabbed two out.
“Thanks dude.” Adam cracked the tab and took a swig. “What a great way to spend an evening. Barbeque and a cold beer.”
“I’ll pass.” Amy smiled at Adam enjoying their last few moments of secrecy.
“Oh I see how you are,” Joey teased as he kept the beer for himself. “Now you are an old married woman.”
“Joey, Joey, Joey.” Amy shook her head. “We are the same age.”
“Let’s tell them Amy.” Adam couldn’t keep it to himself any longer. “The reason Amy can’t have a drink….“
“Is because I am pregnant!” Amy finished his sentence.
“Oh my goodness. Congratulations!!! You two sure don’t waste any time!” Amy’s mom rushed over to hug them both.
“My sissy is going to have a baby.” Joey came over and hugged her. “I can’t believe it!!”
“Awww….that is so wonderful!” Angie rushed in for a group hug.
Amy relaxed among her family as they all welcomed the news of a new addition to the family. She knew her mother and Angie would be excited but she never expected her brother to show such emotion. He was already referring to himself as Uncle Joey and practically offering to pay for everything from diapers to college.
Adam and Joey sat back in lawn chairs with their feet propped up on the picnic table seat. They puffed on a cigar Adam brought along and shared a beer together. Her mom and Angie were already making plans for a baby shower and offering to help her with the nursery. The baby wasn’t even here yet but was already welcomed and loved by both of their families. Amy felt so blessed to have a baby on the way, a husband who loved her to pieces and an entire family that loved them all.
***
Adam finished setting up the bed frame and lifted the mattress upon it. He fell back and plopped down closing his eyes. “I am exhausted.”
Amy dug the clean sheets out of the brown box marked bedroom stuff and sat down next to him. “I really feel at home here Adam.”
“That makes me happy to know.” He leaned on his elbow and ran his finger along her leg. “I was worried you were just doing what you thought was right for everyone else.”
“I truly think this is where we are supposed to be.” Amy stood up and shook the sheets open. “How tired are you Mr. LaPointe?”
“Are you serious woman?” Adam chuckled. “Where do you get your energy from?”
“All I have to do is take one look at you,” she teased. “And it is fuel to my fire.”
“Come here woman,” he pulled her on top of him. “Did I ever tell you how much I love you?”
“Why I declare Mr. LaPointe,” Amy’s eyes sparkled in the moonlight as she batted her eyelashes. “I do recall you mentioned it once or twice.”
“You are my wonder woman babe.” Adam kissed her on the forehead. “I wonder what you are going to do next.”
“Hmmmm…” Amy tossed the sheets up in the air. “I wonder.”
Chapter 19
Adam stomped his feet as he left the barn. He had just finished milking the cows and was walking back to the house to have breakfast. He peeked into the garage noticing it had been decorated while he was gone. The picnic tables were covered in red, white and blue tablecloths. Streamers had been twisted and hung from the ceiling in the same patriotic scheme.
“Are you hungry?” Amy carried a crock pot of baked beans from the house. “I have pancakes and bacon waiting for you inside.”
“Thanks. I am starving. Good morning babe.” Adam took the crock from her as he gave her a kiss. “Where do you want this?”
“Right over there is good.” She pointed to a spot between the potato chips and the hamburger buns. “I’ll need you to carry the jug of lemonade out after you eat.”
“We sure have a nice day for a barbeque.” Adam squinted towards the sky. “What time are the kids coming?”
“Bob and Crystal are bringing them over around noon.” Amy spotted the multi-colored donkey on the picnic table. “That reminds me. We still have to put up the piñata.”
“I’ll do it after I eat.” Adam walked with her back towards the house.
Adam took his work boots off and sat down at the kitchen table. He relished the smell of his breakfast Amy set in front of him.
“Morning mom.” Adam poured some syrup on his pancakes and cut a bite with his fork. “How’s
dad this morning?”
“He is doing great.” Mrs. LaPointe removed the mayonnaise from the refrigerator. “He is looking forward to seeing all the family and friends today.”
“I peeled and cut up the potatoes and eggs for the salad.” Amy placed the bowl on the counter for Mrs. LaPointe.
“Thank you Amy.” She started tossing them with the dressing she made.
“I’ll take the lemonade outside.” Adam set his plate in the sink. “Thanks for breakfast.”
Adam carried the five gallon igloo cooler out to the garage. He followed Amy over to the tree where he threw the rope over a sturdy branch and tied the piñata up.
“I almost forgot the most important thing of today.” Adam ran back into the garage and brought out the American flag. He clipped it onto the rope and raised the flag to the top of the pole. “Now it is official.”
“It is what today is about.” Amy’s gave a moment of silence with Adam in respect to the flag which waved proudly in the breeze.
Adam looked up hearing a horn beep from a distance. He saw a large blue van come into view down the road. Adam wrapped his arm around Amy’s waist as they walked to greet the van when it pulled in.
“Let the festivities begin.” Adam waved at Bob and Crystal. The van door slid open and all the kids piled out excited to be released and run around the yard.
“Hey, can you kids help me out?” Adam walked over to his truck and grabbed a brown bag out of the back. “I need you to empty that pool over there with these.” He tossed each kid a squirt gun.
“You’re good.” Amy laughed as the kids ran screaming over to the wading pool.
“I made a pasta salad,” said Crystal as she handed Amy a large, green Tupperware bowl.
“Where do you want the chicken?” Bob heaved a large cooler out of the back of the van. “We already cooked it so you’ll just have to throw it on the grill with some barbeque sauce.”
“Follow me.” Adam led them into the garage. “There’s a refrigerator in here.”
Wings of Love Page 18
