California Girls

by Susan Mallery

  She gave in to the threatening tears, crying for what had been and how everything was different now. She was excited about the opportunity in New York and sad about leaving her family. They would stay in touch, of course. Ironically, because of all she’d been through, she’d grown closer to her sisters than ever. As for Mary Jo—well, she’d given up on moving into a bungalow by the beach. Instead she was living the dream in Parker’s Beverly Hills estate. They were wildly in love and the Burbank house had pretty much been abandoned. Ali and Zennie were planning on getting it listed in the next couple of weeks.

  Life was all about change, she thought ruefully. Whether we wanted it or not, things happened. She brushed the tears from her face. She’d been forced to grow as a person. The process had sucked, but she hoped she was better than she had been. Less selfish, more aware of the people she loved. Maybe those life lessons would make her a better journalist, but even if they didn’t, she wanted to continue to strive to be a better person.

  She went downstairs and into the garage, then headed toward Burbank. She was donating her car to the girls’ group she’d been reluctant to fully support with anything other than the occasional visit. Honestly, giving them the value of the car was the least she could do. She would stay with Ali and Daniel tonight, then they would take her to the airport in the morning and she would fly to New York to start her new life.

  A better life, she promised herself. It had to be.

  * * *

  Zennie had decided to deal with her pregnancy by telling herself she was simply a vessel. Whatever happened, her vessel self would be fine. She would eventually return to the vessel she had been before and if, in the meantime, she was forced to eat disgustingly healthy food and give up things she loved and grow a basketball, well, it was for the greater good.

  The fact that the hormones had died down as promised helped a lot. Her breasts hurt less and she was starting to feel a lot more normal. Maybe the second trimester would be better than the first, she thought as she walked into Dr. McQueen’s waiting area.

  Today was her three-month checkup. Bernie and Hayes would join her to hear the baby’s heartbeat for the first time and see the ultrasound. It was too early to determine gender, but at least they would know that everything was fine.

  Zennie told the receptionist she was there, then checked her phone again. The only cloud on the horizon, so to speak, was the fact that she hadn’t heard from Bernie all morning. They’d texted last night and Bernie had been wild with excitement, but this morning, there hadn’t been a word.

  She texted again, saying she was already checked in and waiting for her appointment. There was no response. The nurse called her in. Zennie explained the situation and asked if she could wait for a bit.

  “Sure,” the other woman told her. “But if you give up your appointment, we’ll have to fit you in and that might take a bit.”

  It was Friday so Zennie had the day off. “I can wait. I really want them here.”

  Twenty agonizing minutes went by. Zennie texted Bernie again, then tried to call Hayes. There was no answer. Panic started to set in. What if something had happened to them? What if there had been an accident or a house fire? What if they had changed their minds about the baby and didn’t know how to tell her?

  She told herself to stay calm, but once the panic was established, it would not be denied. She felt herself starting to hyperventilate. How could this be happening?

  She walked out into the hallway so she could pace without disturbing the other clients. She tried calling Cassie and DeeDee, but they were both on shift and couldn’t take a personal call. Finally she texted Clark.

  I’m having my ultrasound. It’s three months and a big deal, but Bernie’s not here and she’s not answering her texts and I can’t get Hayes on the phone.

  It took only a couple of seconds for the little dots to appear on the screen.

  Are you going to keep your appointment?

  Yes. Even if they’re not here, I need to know the baby’s okay.

  Then I’ll be there in thirty minutes. If they show up in the meantime, let me know and I’ll go back to work. If not, I’ll be a friend. Ah, there’s nothing scary to see, is there?

  Despite everything, that last question made her smile. Nothing scary, I promise. Just the heartbeat and an ultrasound.

  Cool. Be there soon.

  She continued to pace and worry and try not to imagine the worst, although at this point she wasn’t sure which was more upsetting—that Bernie and Hayes had been in a traffic accident or that they’d changed their mind about the baby.

  Just when she thought she was going to have to go into the appointment by herself, the elevator opened and Clark stepped out. Zennie ran to him, her arms outstretched.

  “They’re still not here. I don’t know what’s going on, but it has to be bad. What am I going to do? My best friend is dead and I’m pregnant. I know it sounds horrible, but I wasn’t looking to have a baby. I can’t do this. I can’t. I know everyone thinks I’m strong, but I’m not.”

  Clark held her until she finished talking, then put his hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes.

  “There is a perfectly logical explanation for what has happened. I don’t know what it is, but it’s something. We will find out and we will deal. You’re not going to have the baby on your own. All the legal issues were covered in the paperwork.”

  “You don’t know that,” she said frantically. “I might want kids someday but I’m not sure and definitely not like this. Not now. Not with Hayes.”

  “Zennie, calm down. Breathe. It’s going to be fine.”

  “You don’t know that,” she repeated.

  “I do. Whatever happens, we’ll get through it. I meant what I said before. We’re friends and you can count on me. How long have you been waiting?”

  “Nearly an hour.”

  “Let’s go inside and get to the procedures, then we’ll manage the rest, okay?”

  She nodded, still unable to catch her breath. “I don’t understand.”

  “I know. It’s okay. Whatever is happening, you have lots of support. If it’s bad, DeeDee and Cassie will be with you as soon as they’re off work. You have your sisters and your mom.”

  “Thank you,” she said. “I’m sorry to be such a mess.”

  “You’re fine. Now let’s go in and torture me with whatever this is.”

  She managed a smile and led the way back into the waiting area.

  It took another forty minutes for her to be called. Clark waited outside while she put on a gown and robe, then stretched out on the table for the ultrasound. When the technician let him in, Bernie raced in with him and hovered by Zennie’s side.

  “I’m sorry,” her friend said, the right side of her face swollen and puffy. “I’m so sorry. I woke up in horrible pain and went to the ER this morning. They sent me to my dentist where I had to have an emergency root canal. It took forever and they knocked me out with something and I never thought to text because I didn’t think it would take four hours.” Bernie grabbed her hand. “And Hayes is in court so he couldn’t contact you but he’s on his way and oh, Zennie, I’m sorry. I hope we didn’t scare you.”

  The relief was sweet. Zennie held on to Bernie’s hand. “I’m okay,” she said. “I was worried that something had happened.” She glanced over her friend’s shoulder to see Clark giving her an “I told you so” smile. She smiled back.

  Hayes walked in and hurried over.

  “Everyone okay?” he asked. “Sorry I got stuck in court. Bernie, you look awful.”

  “I feel awful. They drugged me. I had to Uber over, so we’ll need to get my car later, but none of that matters.” She squeezed Zennie’s hand again. “Let’s see our baby.”

  “We’ll do the heartbeat first,” the technician said, pulling a container of gel out of a warming oven.

 
Zennie held out her free hand to Clark, so he could join them. Bernie looked between the two of them, but didn’t say anything. Later Zennie would tell her about the meltdown and they would all laugh, but for now, she was grateful for the support.

  “Here we go,” the technician said.

  For what felt like the longest time, there was nothing. Zennie knew that finding the heartbeat this early could take some doing. It all depended on the position of the baby in her body and the—

  The sound of tiny galloping horses filled the room. Bernie cried out and clutched Hayes. Clark squeezed Zennie’s hand.

  “Let me get Dr. McQueen,” the tech said with a smile. “She’ll want to count the beats.”

  Zennie knew that one hundred and twenty to one hundred and sixty beats per minute was normal. The beats were strong and regular and there really was a person growing inside of her.

  “Thank you,” Bernie said, with a shaky smile. “Oh, Zennie, thank you for everything.”

  “Of course. You’re my friend.”

  “And you’re a miracle.”

  “I’ve never been a miracle before,” Zennie admitted, telling herself to remember this moment for when it got hard. Because this made it all worthwhile.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Six months later...

  Ali studied the brochure from the Four Seasons in the Bahamas. It was a beautiful resort with every possible amenity. She didn’t dare imagine the price, but it was tempting.

  “Are you sure?”

  Daniel looked up from his desk. They were in his home office on a lazy Saturday morning, debating what to do after Mary Jo and Parker’s destination wedding on Valentine’s Day. The happy couple was flying everyone to Jamaica for the ceremony at one of those all-inclusive resorts. The timing worked out—Zennie would be recovered from having Bernie’s baby and Finola could easily fly in from New York.

  “Ali, I want what you want. You know that. I love you and I want to get married, but the how is up to you. It was just a suggestion. If you don’t like it, we can have a big wedding somewhere here, if you’d like. The beach or a hotel. The Ritz Carlton in Marina Del Rey is beautiful.”

  It was and yes, they could have a big wedding. Only she kind of felt she’d already done that. And Daniel’s first marriage had started with a blowout wedding. This time she wanted something smaller. Something that felt like them.

  Valentine’s Day was a Friday and Parker and her mom were putting everyone up through Sunday. Daniel’s idea was to fly from Jamaica to the Bahamas and get married there. Just the two of them.

  Ali had been in touch with the resort’s wedding planner and the process was fairly simple. A couple could apply for a wedding license after being on the island twenty-four hours and get married one day later. If she and Daniel arrived Sunday morning, they could apply Monday afternoon and get married on Wednesday. The wedding planner had told them that a midweek wedding would be available with no problem. One of the gorgeous beachfront suites was available for the week. The wedding planner would handle all the details, including providing the required two witnesses. Easy peasy.

  There were a lot of advantages to eloping, she thought. It spared everyone wedding awkwardness. While Glen had come around and was even dating someone else, Ali didn’t relish the thought of walking down the aisle only to see him standing next to Daniel. Not having his brother as best man was an option, but also a difficult decision. Tying the knot in the Bahamas seemed like the perfect solution.

  “Let’s do it,” she said.

  He grinned. “You sure?”

  “I am.”

  “All right. Let’s make our reservations. I’m getting married!”

  His excitement was gratifying. Every day, Daniel made it clear how much he loved her. They were happy and looking forward to their future together. Ali was thinking that she just might talk to Daniel about her going off birth control so that they could start trying to get pregnant on their honeymoon. Wouldn’t that be fun?

  Her cell phone buzzed. She glanced down and read the text, then jumped to her feet.

  “Zennie’s in labor.” She grabbed her phone. “She’s been in labor all night and they’re on their way to the hospital right now. We should go, too.”

  “By ‘they’ you mean Zennie and Clark?”

  “Yes. Who else?”

  “But they’re not dating.”

  “They’re friends.”

  “He practically lives there. They’re together all the time.”

  Ali didn’t understand why Daniel couldn’t get it. “But as friends.”

  “So no sex.”

  She smiled. “Not everyone wants it as much as you do.”

  “And you.”

  “And me,” she said, standing and heading toward the garage. “Some people don’t do it much at all.”

  “From what I hear, Parker and your mom do it all the time and they’re old.”

  “Let’s not talk about my mother. Zennie and Clark have a different kind of relationship.”

  “That poor guy must take five cold showers a day.”

  Ali climbed into the passenger side of the truck, then leaned over and kissed Daniel. “Something you never have to do.”

  “I know. I’m a lucky, lucky guy.”

  She was the lucky one, she thought as he backed out of the driveway and headed for the hospital. Finding Daniel was the best thing that had ever happened to her. She glanced at him, then smiled. Okay, it was actually the second-best thing. The first best had been finding herself.

  * * *

  “I. Can’t. Do. This.”

  Zennie stared up at the ceiling and wanted to kill someone. Anyone would do. A random stranger, a member of her family. She just wanted to lash out, preferably with a baseball—

  “Nooo!” she screamed as the pain ripped through her. “Dammit, somebody do something.”

  The delivery nurse shook her head. “You waited too long, honey. The baby’s on his way and there’s no time.”

  Zennie grabbed the side of the bed as her entire body twisted, those damned muscles she’d been so proud of betraying her now with a force that could crush a planet.

  “I hate this,” she screamed.

  “We’re not having fun, either,” the nurse said calmly. “But we’re not complaining.”

  Zennie saw Clark’s lips twitch. “Do not smile at me, mister. This is all your fault.”

  He was undaunted by her display of temper. “You’re the one who refused to go to the hospital. You said you didn’t want to be one of those whiny women who showed up six days early, complaining about the pain. You said you knew best.”

  All of which was true, but he didn’t have to say it. “I’ll hate you forever,” she growled.

  “Tough talk, Zennie. Tough talk.”

  She was grateful he wasn’t offended. She had no idea where her rage came from, except maybe it was her way of dealing with the pain. Holy crap, how did women survive this? It was her worst ever menstrual cramps times a million. It was so bad, she’d thrown up, but now there was only enduring the hideousness of it all.

  Bernie and Hayes burst into the room. “Oh, Zennie, is it really time?”

  Zennie opened her mouth to yell that it was all their fault when Clark caught her eye. He shook his head as if warning her that Bernie was her friend and she loved her and, dammit, why did it have to hurt so much?

  Another contraction ripped through her. She screamed, knowing she was frightening everyone, but she couldn’t help it. She’d had a relatively easy pregnancy and now she was paying for it.

  “I can’t,” she gasped, as Bernie squeezed her hand. “I can’t do this.”

  “Seems like a silly time to give up,” Clark said calmly.

  She glared at him. “You will pay for this later.”

  “Bite me.”

  T
hat almost made her laugh, but then the pain was back, even stronger this time. Dr. McQueen walked into the room, already in her gown.

  “Someone told me you’re about to have a baby,” she said cheerfully. “Ready, Zennie?”

  “Get it out of me. Get it out now!”

  * * *

  Zennie lay in her hospital bed enjoying the light sedative she’d insisted on after giving birth. She still hurt because hey, she’d just passed something the weight and size of a boulder through her vagina, but it was done. She’d delivered a seven-pound, eight-ounce healthy baby boy.

  “You did a good thing,” her mother said, smiling at her. “I’m proud of you.”

  “And disappointed?” Zennie asked.

  “No. Bernie’s going to be a wonderful mother and she said I could visit him anytime I want. When she’s more comfortable with me, I’ll even babysit, because technically, he’s my grandson, isn’t he?”

  “I never thought of that,” Zennie admitted.

  “Parker pointed it out. So I am getting a grandchild after all.”

  Mary Jo glowed—not just from the news about her grandson, but also because of her relationship with Parker. They were truly in love and while it was kind of weird, it was nice, too.

  Apparently the wedding was on. Her mother had mentioned something about Valentine’s Day and Jamaica. That was five weeks away. Zennie figured she would be almost back to normal by then.

  Her mother left so Zennie could rest, but she was too wound up. The hospital room was filled with flowers. Finola had sent a bunch and promised to visit in a couple of weeks. Bernie and Hayes had delivered a huge bouquet. Dr. Chen had also sent an arrangement with a card that said he was literally counting the days until she was back at work.

  Zennie smiled as Clark walked into the room. He had a take-out bag in one hand and carefully closed her door with the other.