by Carrie Carr
Lex removed the coat and watched while the nurse completed her preliminary exam. As soon as the woman was finished, Lex replaced the jacket on Amanda.
Dr. Sandra Vaughn came into the room. She was of average height and her light brown hair framed her delicate features. She gave Lex and Amanda a friendly smile and took the proffered chart from her nurse. "Good morning. Amanda, it looks like your blood pressure is a few points too high, so let's try to keep an eye on that. But I see no cause for alarm as of yet." She placed the chart on the counter and washed her hands at the sink before donning a pair of gloves. "Why don't we get the uncomfortable part of the exam out of the way, then we can move on to the fun stuff."
Lex stood by Amanda's head and concentrated on her partner's face. Amanda handled the exams much better than she did, which was a private source of embarrassment. But, she figured passing out would be worse. So, she held Amanda's hand and listened carefully while the doctor related her findings.
"Everything is looking great." Dr. Vaughn scooted her stool away and stood. She removed the gloves and washed her hands again. "All right." She snapped on a fresh pair of gloves. "Let's have some fun. Terri, bring the ultrasound machine over. And grab the gel from the freezer." At the couple's nervous looks, she laughed. "Only kidding."
Terri took the gel from the warmer and handed it to the doctor. Dr. Vaughn smeared a liberal amount over Amanda's bare belly then ran the transducer across the area. She pointed out several things to them on the screen while manipulating the device. "Quite an active one you've got there."
"Tell me about it," Amanda sighed. Being awakened in the middle of the night by the baby's movements was already getting old.
Dr. Vaughn chuckled. "Looks like she's an exhibitionist, too."
Amanda perked up at the pronoun. "She?"
"Most definitely." Sandra gestured to a certain area on the screen. "She's very cooperative. And a little bigger than I expected." She saw the concerned look on Lex's face. "Not too surprising, considering how big you are." She caught herself. "Oops. Sorry about that. Sometimes I forget."
Lex shrugged good naturedly. "That's okay. I think of her as mine, too." She accepted a towel from the nurse and used it to clean the gel from Amanda's skin. "So, Junior looks all right?"
"Junior?"
Amanda pulled the gown down and swatted Lex on the arm. "Silly joke. Lex has been teasing me about naming the baby Junior, even if it was a girl." She cut her eyes at her partner. "But now that we know for sure, that's a definite no, right?"
"Yes, ma'am." Lex helped Amanda sit upright. "Is there anything special we should be doing right now? It seems like every book I've read says something different."
The doctor finished washing her hands again and dried them. "No, I think you're doing fine." She directed her next comments to Amanda. "Rest with your feet up when you can." She shook both their hands. "I'll see you next month."
"Thank you, Dr. Vaughn." Amanda waited until the doctor and nurse were both out of the room before she turned on Lex. "I can't believe you called the baby Junior."
"I didn't mean to." Lex's face changed from chagrined to elated. "We're going to have another daughter. Isn't that cool?"
Amanda's faced mirrored hers. "It is. I was hoping for a girl."
"So was I." Lex helped Amanda get dressed. "Want to go celebrate?" It didn't matter to her what the baby's sex was as long as both of them were healthy. She was more excited to hear that Amanda and the baby were both doing well. But, the announcement still made her want to run outside and shout it to the world. She couldn't wait to tell everyone.
THE FIRE HAD burned down to embers, and the once boisterous house was now silent, except for an occasional exclamation from Lorrie. She sat on the den floor, close to the twinkling Christmas tree, surrounded by toys, empty boxes, and discarded wrapping paper.
Lex breathed a sigh of relief. Christmas evening had gone better than she had hoped. Everyone in their family seemed to have enjoyed themselves. But she was more than happy to have the house quiet once again. She was stretched out along the leather sofa, with Amanda propped against her, dozing. Her hands cradled Amanda's stomach, and she found herself stroking the surface from time to time.
"Momma, look." Lorrie bounced the blocky toy farmer around with one hand. It had come with one of her favorite gifts -- a plastic barn with several animals and people.
"That's great, lil' bit. Is that you?"
Lorrie looked at her as if she were an idiot. "No." She waved the piece at Lex. "It's Momma."
It felt funny being chastised by a three-year-old. Even though she was pleased with the gifts she had been given, Lex's favorite part of the evening was any time Lorrie opened a package. She'd always hug the item to her as if it were the most important thing in the world. After it had been suitably loved, she would run over to whoever gave it to her and give them a big hug and a kiss. Lex couldn't understand why Lorrie wasn't exhausted after all the excitement. She felt the body propped against her chuckle. "I thought you were asleep."
"I was, until I heard you and Lorrie talking. She set you straight, didn't she?"
"Yep." Lex kissed Amanda's ear. "Is it close to her bedtime? I believe I promised you a massage."
Amanda stretched. "Oooh. I like the sound of that." She noticed the paper still cluttering the floor. "Lorrie, it's time to clean things up and go to bed."
"Don't want to." Lorrie looked around and grabbed a piece of wrapping paper and put it on her head.
"Mommy's right, kiddo." Lex waited until Amanda scooted away before dropping to her knees on the floor. "I'll help."
Lorrie stood, the wrapping paper still on her head. It was covered with cartoon cows, wearing Santa hats. She dodged out of Lex's reach and took off around the room at a gallop. "Moo!"
"Lorrie!" Lex dove for her again and missed.
"Moo!" Lorrie giggled as she evaded her momma. "Moo!"
Amanda aimed an unreadable look at Lex.
"What?"
"You had to wrap her farm in that paper, didn't you?"
Lex gathered up several piles and stuffed them in a nearby trash bag. "I kind of thought she'd want to be the rancher."
"No, not your daughter. She wants to be the cow."
"Moo!" Lorrie hopped around Lex, who finally gave up and sat in the middle of the floor.
Chapter Twenty-Six
THE THUMP OF small feet running, punctuated by sharp, staccato barks, made Amanda rub her temples with her fingertips and close her eyes. It had been going on all morning and she felt like she was slowly losing her mind. She wished Lex was home. But her partner had been "volunteered" by Martha to help set up chairs and tables for the Ladies' Auxiliary New Year's Eve dance. So, Amanda found herself alone for the day, with only Lorrie and her best friend to keep her company. A high pitched bark in the next room startled her. "Lorrie, what are you two doing?"
Clattering nails on the hardwood floor announced the arrival of her daughter's four-footed partner in crime. One quick, yet effortless leap and the excited dog sat beside her. The terrier cocked her head and looked at Amanda.
"I swear, Freckles, you look like you understand everything I say." Amanda stroked the animal's soft head. Her daughter stomped into the room, dragging an old tee shirt of Lex's. "Lorrie, why do you have Momma's shirt?"
Lorrie waved the dark blue cloth. "Fleckles is cold. She wants dis."
Amanda prayed to whatever deity would listen to grant her strength. Lorrie's "terrible two's" had been a cakewalk compared to how her three's were starting. "I don't think your momma would be happy to come home and see Freckles dressed in her favorite tee shirt. Please go upstairs and put it away."
"No." Lorrie tossed the shirt onto the floor and crossed her arms, in an uncanny imitation of Lex. "Fleckles wants it."
"Excuse me?" Amanda was all for her daughter asserting her independence, but she was becoming tired of Lorrie's favorite word. "Lorrie, I'm not asking you again. Please put the shirt back where you got it."
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"No." Lorrie stomped her foot for good measure.
Freckles watched the goings on with great interest. She wagged her stubby tail at Amanda, expecting the treat her playmate's mommy always had close at hand.
It was almost amusing how much Lorrie favored Lex when she was being stubborn. But no matter how cute she was, her attitude couldn't be tolerated. Amanda stood and held out her hand. "Please give me the shirt, Lorrie."
"N--" Lorrie could see that her mommy meant business. She exhaled heavily and gave her the garment. She knew what came next. Her parents had learned of the "time out" chair from the daycare teachers and quickly instituted it at home, much to the child's disappointment. Lorrie stuck out her lower lip and walked slowly to a small chair near the office door. She flopped hard onto the wooden seat and pouted.
"Thank you." Amanda took the kitchen timer that resided on the bookshelves and set it for one minute. Lorrie would be allowed up once it went off. She folded the shirt and placed it on the coffee table. A sharp bark caused her to turn. "Yes, Freckles?"
The terrier lay on the ground with her rear high in the air. She wriggled her butt and barked again.
Amanda took a dog treat out of the container that was on a lower bookshelf. "I think Lex is spoiling you." She gave the bone-shaped treat to Freckles, who snapped it up and raced into the office to eat it. "You're welcome." The timer dinged and she waited until Lorrie got up and came to her. Amanda kneeled and gave her daughter a hug.
"Love you, Mommy." Lorrie tucked her head into Amanda's neck and sniffled. "I sowwy."
"I love you too, sweetie. Would you like to help me put Momma's shirt where it belongs?"
Lorrie nodded. She dutifully took it from the table and held it close to her chest. "Fleckles, you help." She led the way, the frisky dog by her side.
LEX STRETCHED UPWARD as far as she could reach. She was perched precariously on a rickety chair fighting for balance. With a final swing of the hammer, she had the banner draped across the wall. A sudden grasp on her calf caused her to almost fall.
"Lexington, are you sure that's straight? It seems a touch crooked to me." Mrs. Pendleton tugged on the jeans once more. Her bluish white hair was cropped close to her head and the glasses she peered through were so thick, it was a wonder she could see anything at all. "I don't think it's centered very well."
"No, ma'am, it's centered and straight. I measured before I hung it." Lex fought the strong urge to kick her leg free from the old woman's grasp. Martha was going to owe her big time for what she'd gone through all morning. It seemed as if every woman in Somerville over seventy was crammed into the Knights of Columbus Hall, decorating it for the big New Year's Eve dance. The old women had run her ragged. She started to step off the chair, but Mrs. Pendleton's hold on her leg caused her foot to slip. Lex tumbled off the chair, her fall only broken by the frantic grip she took on the banner. She fell against the wall but landed on her feet. "Damn."
Mrs. Pendleton slapped her arm. "Mind your language, young lady." She craned her neck and glared at the drooping sign. "Well, it's certainly crooked now." She tsked and toddled away.
"Ornery old bat." Lex raised the hammer as if she were going to throw it. Her arm was grabbed and held tight.
Martha pulled Lex's arm down. "Lexie, what am I going to do with you? That's no way to talk about Gladys. She was only trying to help." She eyeballed Lex's handiwork. "Run to the kitchen and fetch the ladder. I don't know why you were climbing on that old chair, anyhow."
"It's not my fault. That old biddy--"
"Hush." Martha took the tool away from her. "Go on. If you'll hurry up and get this hung, I think there are a couple of ladies who want to take you to lunch."
"Oh, no. Not the Holstein, I mean, Goldstein sisters. They've been giving me grief since I got here." Lex backed away from Martha. "I'd rather starve, thank you very much."
Martha held the tool by the head and waggled it at Lex. "Be nice. They're only trying to be helpful. This is the one big thing they get to do all year long. Behave yourself."
Lex took another step away. It was a good time for a retreat. "You say the ladder is in the kitchen?" She didn't wait for a response. "Got to run, bye." She turned and jogged away.
"Brat." Martha flipped the hammer in the air and caught it before laying it on the chair. "I'll get her for that one."
The kitchen was bustling with activity. Women maneuvered around each other while they cleaned and got things ready for the refreshments that would be arriving the next morning. Lex saw the ladder near the pantry, but a woman was already using it. She moved closer, hoping to be able to borrow it once she was finished.
Mrs. Pendleton brushed by Lex, causing her to bump into the ladder. The woman who had been standing on the top rung began to fall and Lex instinctively caught her. She cradled her in her arms and looked into her face. The young woman was in her early twenties, and her auburn hair fanned across her face.
"I'm sorry about that. Are you okay?" Lex realized she was still holding the redhead and immediately set her down.
"Oh, I'm more than okay." The woman brushed her hair out of her face. Her dark brown eyes sparkled. "Thanks for saving me. I'm Ashley."
"Nice to meet you, my name's Lex. I'm sorry about bumping into you like that. How did you get roped into helping around here?"
Ashley wrapped her fingers around Lex's arm. "Why don't we go somewhere quieter to talk? It's like a madhouse in here."
"I'm sorry, I can't. I've got to get the sign in the main room hung. I came in here for the ladder." Lex wriggled out of her grasp and took a step away. She wasn't comfortable with the look Ashley was giving her. "Do you need it anymore?"
Ashley's face took on a predatory gleam. "No, I'm done. How about I help you? I'm sure it would be easier with two of us."
Lex grabbed the ladder and kept it between them. "No, I can handle it." She backed through the kitchen door. "Thanks." She quickly dragged the ladder across the room, intent on finishing so she could get out of there.
A happy yell echoed in the Hall. "Momma!" Lorrie raced to where Lex was setting up the ladder and attached herself to Lex's leg. "We gots foods."
"Hey there, lil' bit." Lex bent and hoisted Lorrie into her arms. The reprieve was a welcome one.
Amanda followed at a more sedate pace. She stood next to her partner and rubbed her on the upper arm. "Martha told us you were about finished. And, as our daughter so eloquently put it, we brought a picnic lunch. I thought it would be fun to sit in the gazebo in the square."
"Sounds great." Lex kissed Lorrie's cheek and set her down. "Give me a second, and I'll be done."
THE DECEMBER AFTERNOON was unseasonably warm, which allowed the trio an opportunity to enjoy an outdoor lunch. Amanda and Lex were sitting on an old blanket, both propped up against the inside wall of the gazebo, enjoying the relative privacy it afforded them. They snuggled while Lorrie galloped around the grass that surrounded the structure, riding an invisible horse.
Amanda was sitting between Lex's legs and her head was pillowed on her chest. "You're quiet. What's up?" The hand that had been lightly rubbing her belly stilled.
"Huh?"
"Is everything all right?" Amanda covered Lex's hand with her own, stroking the long fingers.
Lex exhaled heavily and resumed her rubbing. "Nothing's wrong. I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"Are you sure you want to go to the dance?"
Amanda turned her head slightly to look at her partner. "Why? Don't you?"
"Well yeah. I guess so. It's that this year you're, you know." Lex patted Amanda's stomach, which seemed to grow larger every day.
"I'm pregnant, not an invalid. What's the matter, are you ashamed of being seen with me?" Amanda felt tears sting her eyes. She hated how easily she cried these days. "It's because I'm fat, isn't it?"
"No!" Lex kissed Amanda's head and pulled her closer. "You're not fat at all, sweetheart. I think you get more beautiful every day. I didn't want you
to get worn out tomorrow night, that's all."
Although she enjoyed how attentive Lex had been lately, Amanda was tired of her over-protective streak that had grown to epic proportions. "I know and I appreciate it. But we've already planned on staying at my grandparent's house after the dance, and Jeannie and Rodney are excited about watching Lorrie for the evening. If I start to get tired, I promise I'll tell you, and we'll leave."
"Okay." It was a battle she'd never win, so Lex caved. She was looking forward to the dance and they hadn't missed a year since they were together.
They sat quietly for a while, exchanging kisses while keeping an eye on their daughter. Lex was about to doze off when Amanda gasped. "What is it? Are you okay?"
Amanda sat perfectly still. There. She felt it again. "I think I felt the baby move."
Lex placed both hands on her belly. Since she had read every book on pregnancy she could get her hands on, Lex knew it was too soon for her to feel the baby's movements from the outside. But it didn't keep her from getting excited. "What did it feel like?"
The excitement in her lover's voice brought a smile to Amanda's face. "It was kind of a flutter, I guess. Wait." She paused for a moment and her smile widened. "That's such a weird feeling."
Lex felt like jumping up and hollering. The miracle they were a part of continually amazed her. She raised the bottom of Amanda's top and covered her stomach with her fingers and kissed her ear. "I can't wait to meet Junior. I bet she's going to be beautiful, like you." Her hands were playfully slapped.
"Hush. I've told you if we have a girl, you're not naming her Junior."
"Why not? I think Amanda Junior has a nice ring to it." Lex couldn't help but tease her wife. "We could call her Junie for short."
Amanda chuckled. "No way. How about naming her after you?"
"Not a chance. I don't want our daughter going through life having to fight every time someone teases her."
"You know, I've always wondered how you got your name. Do you know?" Amanda loved Lex's name. It suited her.
