by DW Cee
“I think they are trying but last I heard, they were having a hard time getting their visas. Anyhow, I’m calling to warn you three very excited girls will be there driving you mad, in a few days.”
“I can’t wait. I’ll get the rooms ready and I’ll let Paul know. He’ll be really excited. Have a good day, Sheila. Bye.”
I decided to call Paul’s parents to check on their status. I so hoped they could come home as well.
“Hello?”
“Hi Mom. It’s me, Olivia.
“Hi sweetheart. How are you?”
“I miss you and Dad. I was just talking to Sheila and we were hoping you were coming home this week.”
“Your dad just came back from the consulate and we got our visas and our plane tickets. We’ll be home Thursday.”
I hopped up and down in joy. “I’m so happy you’re coming. A week in Africa with you wasn’t enough time. Wait till I tell Paul. He’s going to be so surprised!”
“Your father was going to call him just now.”
“Actually, Mom, don’t call. I want to surprise him. Mike and Sheila and the kids are coming in on Thursday as well. I’ll come pick you all up and we’ll shock Paul when he gets home. I’m so glad you’re coming home. Won’t you consider moving back here with us?”
“After your visit, your father was seriously considering going back to the States. He went through severe withdrawal. I don’t think he’s over it yet.”
I laughed with Paul’s mom. “Send me all your flight information and I’ll come pick you up Thursday at the airport. I love you Mom. Tell Dad I love him too. See you in a few days.”
“We love you too, Olivia. Bye.”
My mood, considerably uplifted, helped me plow through my work so I could meet my husband for lunch.
At the restaurant, I was the first one to arrive so I sat at the bar and waited for Paul.
In walked the most handsome man who came and sat next to me.
“Is this seat taken?” he asked.
“I’m waiting for my husband but you’re better looking so I’ll sit with you instead.”
“What?” Paul began tickling me and openly made out with me in front of the bartender. “When did you get here?”
“Just now. Where are George and his girlfriend?”
“Right here. Hi Olivia. I’d like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Meghan.”
“Hi Meghan. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Very nice to meet you as well. And you must be Paul? I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“All good things I hope?”
“All crazy things, not that I believe half the stories George has told me thus far.”
During lunch, Meghan wanted to hear about our unbelievable courtship and wedding all rolled into one.
“How did you know right away you’d want to be with this man, forever?”
I shrugged my shoulders and smiled. “I don’t know. I just did. And three months later, I know that was the best decision I’ve ever made.” Our kiss began slowly but built into one that George said was too obscene to be shown in public. We had to stop.
“Meghan, are you coming with Paul to our reception this weekend?”
“Um, aren’t you already married?”
“Yeah but my mom wanted to throw us a small party. Between visiting Paul’s parents in Africa and going up to Seattle to see his brother’s family, this was the earliest date we could settle upon. You should come. George would like that.”
Paul enjoyed me putting George on the spot.
“Why are so up so early?” My husband commented. “And is this actually breakfast on the table?” He took a bite of blueberry cornmeal muffin as he made his snide remark.
“If you don’t want it,” I tip toed up and ate the rest of his muffin, “I’ll take it. My grumbling tummy got me up early this morning. I was starving.” I picked up another muffin and started chomping on it. “Did you know I gained seven pounds in the last three months? Mom was right. I have gotten fat.”
“Just more of you to love.”
“So you’re not denying that I’ve gotten fat?”
Stuck between a rock and a hard place, he continued with his breakfast and opened the paper, ignoring my rant.
“I have a surprise for you today, honey.” I walked around the table and hugged my husband from behind his chair.
“What would that be?”
“Silly, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you about it. Come home early tonight.”
“Ooh. Is it a nighttime surprise?” There was much indecency in his tone as well as in the hands that pulled me onto his lap.
“Yeah, like there’s much surprise there when it happens practically every night. You’re a lucky man, Mr. Kingston.”
“I sure am.” He threw another amorous affection my way. “I have to go if I’m coming home early for whatever it is you have in mind.” Just like that, he pushed me off his lap and headed for the door.
“Auntie Olivia!” All three girls practically maimed my short arms that couldn’t possibly embrace a five, seven and ten year old all at once.
“Hello beautiful girls! How are my favorite nieces doing?”
“Which one of us is your favorite?” Heather asked.
Wrong comment to make. I was in trouble.
“You are all my favorite. Heather, you’re the smartest ten year old I know, Lisa, you’re the sweetest seven year old I know, and Leslie, you’re the cutest five year old I know. How can I possibly choose?”
“Good answer. Hi Olivia.” Mike gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Sheila!” I hugged her with excitement. Sheila was the sister I sorely missed and needed while growing up. Even with sisters of her own, she treated me like a true sibling.
“Auntie Olivia. Where’s Uncle Paul?” I picked up Leslie and gave her a tight squeeze.
“He’s at work and he doesn’t know you’re here so we’re going to surprise him. But right now, we need to have some lunch and wait for Grandma and Grandpa. They will be here soon.”
“Hey,” Mike called out to us. “Mom’s plane landed early. We should go get them and we can all go to lunch together.”
“Grandma! Grandpa!” The girls welcomed them just as affectionately as they welcomed me.
Not having seen the girls since Leslie was born, Paul’s parents took their time greeting each granddaughter. When I saw an opening, I went over to hug my new parents.
“Hi Mom. Hi Dad. Did you have a good flight?”
“Olivia, your father has done nothing but talk about how much he was looking forward to seeing you and the girls, the whole way over here.”
I gave Dad another hug. “Did Mom tell you how much I missed the both of you? Why don’t you move back here? We can see each other all the time.”
“We’re considering it,” Dad confessed.
Lunch with a big family was a fun excursion. It was beyond my scope of knowledge as to how Sheila could handle all three girls so fairly and lovingly. She was an excellent mom.
“Olivia, you were hungry,” Dad said looking over at my polished plate.
“Not you too!” I whined.
“What?” he asked.
“My mom and Paul say that I’m fat.”
“No they didn’t!” Mom exclaimed.
“Well, I have gained seven pounds since I got married. Paul’s been so good to me, my mom says that I’ve become lazy, and thus have gained a lot of weight.”
“We think you look healthy,” Mom stated.
“Great. That confirms it. I have gotten fat.”
Everyone chuckled.
Back at home, the girls were busy making a “Welcome Home Uncle Paul” banner while the adults unpacked and relaxed. I got dinner going and my mom came over to meet the in-laws for the first time. She told our hilarious first date story, and then explained line by line what happened when Paul came over the second time. I was ecstatic to have all my family in our house.
“He’s here, he’s here!”
the girls shouted. “I see his car.”
The family stood in position as the girls had coordinated and as Paul walked in the door, the girls yelled, “Surprise!” Three girls yelling at the top of their lungs was no joke. We were all surprised. Heather, Lisa, and Leslie all got a piece of Paul and hung onto him as he walked over and greeted me first before saying hello to anyone else. Flattered and loved, I urged my husband to go greet his family.
All ten of us sat down to dinner and I could see the look of amazement in Paul’s eyes.
“Where did all this food come from? Wait… these are all my favorite. Prime rib, mashed potato, gravy, creamed corn, Yorkshire pudding… Mom, did you cook all this?”
Both moms answered no.
“Where did you order the food from?”
“I made it.” I answered proudly.
“What? No really, who catered?”
“Oh my gosh, are you doubting my ability to follow instructions from a cookbook? I made every dish between yesterday and today. I even made your favorite chocolate cake with chocolate butter cream frosting.”
“How come I’ve been doing all the cooking the last three months? You never told me you could cook.”
“I didn’t know I could do it. You haven’t tasted the food yet. Try it first before you say anything else.” Everyone laughed. “Plus, I like it when you spoil me. I feel loved.” Loud “eews” rang in unison from the girls even before Paul brought his lips to meet mine.
“Hey, none of that while we’re eating, please.” Mike begged.
With dinner and dishes all done everyone retired to their rooms tired from a full day.
“We’re you surprised to see your family today?”
“Yes. Thank you for organizing everything and everyone. It’s nice to have my entire family here. I don’t think we’ve all slept under one roof – ever. Plus, dinner was amazing. Thank you.”
“Uh-huh. I think this feels perfect.” I mumbled before falling asleep.
Friday zoomed by with a horrifying trip to Disneyland with the three kids by myself and I fell asleep even before Paul got home. His hands and lips worked hard to get me up for dinner but I couldn’t be bothered.
Everyone woke up to a festive Saturday and got ready for our party. I wasn’t feeling too well so I stayed in bed while the family enjoyed breakfast with one another.
My sweet husband brought up a tray of food and tried to feed me.
“I shouldn’t have sent you to Disneyland by yourself.”
“It’s okay. I’ll be up soon. The party isn’t until 7:00 so I’ll rest up until then.” I pushed the food away. “Can you take this? I don’t like the way it smells.”
“You should eat something.”
“I want to eat something refreshing and sour – like an orange or tangerine. Do we have any in the house?”
“I don’t know. I’ll check. You sleep some more. I’ll tell everyone to stay clear of the upstairs.”
I fell right back asleep.
“Olivia… Olivia, honey.” A pair of hands shook me awake.
I woke up to a blurry vision of my two mothers hovering over me.
“Are you…”
In a mad dash, I bolted from my bed and ran to the bathroom. What little I had in my stomach, I threw up all over the toilet. I couldn’t stop throwing up.
“What’s wrong with me? Why today of all days? It’s my wedding reception.” I started to cry. “Where’s Paul?”
Both Moms chuckled and helped me clean up.
“Livvy, I want you to use this right now. We’ll be waiting outside.” Paul’s mom told me.
She handed me a pink rectangular box that had in large print, Pregnancy Test. I was horrified. At twenty two, I shouldn’t be pregnant already. I was too immature to be having kids. Paul didn’t need two babies in the house.
“I’m not pregnant!” I stood my ground.
“Just pee on the stick.” My mom commanded.
I did as I was told and placed the cover back on the stick. Handing the stick to my mom, I went back to bed and called Paul.
“Hi princess. You’re up?”
“Where are you?” I cried.
“What’s the matter? I’m at your mom’s helping.”
“Come home. I need you,” I wailed.
“I’ll be right there.”
Mom and Mom hugged each other and looked elated. They showed me the positive sign on the stick and congratulated me as well as themselves.
“Good job, honey! You’re pregnant.” Lydia whooped for joy. “I can’t wait to tell Joe. He’s going to flip.”
I kept the cover over my head. “I’m too young to be pregnant. I want to have more time with Paul.” My childish rants went on as I heard Paul’s car screech into the driveway.
“Olivia?” He was running up the stairs.
“We’ll leave you two alone.” Both Moms left us, grinning from ear to ear.
“What’s wrong? Are you really sick?”
I bolted to the toilet again and tried to throw up. Horrified, Paul came over to clean me up.
“Olivia. Let’s go see a doctor.”
“No! Paul…” I cried some more. “I’m pregnant.” I showed him the stick that was sitting on the bed.
“What?” His worried demeanor quickly changed to an ecstatic one. “We’re having a baby?”
“Yes.” I pouted.
“Why are you upset?”
“Because, I wanted more alone time with you. We’ve only known each other for three months. We won’t have time for each other once there’s a baby. We won’t be as intimate as before. It’s entirely your fault. You’re always all over me and we weren’t very good about using protection.”
Paul outright howled. “I love you, Olivia. I can’t wait to have this baby with you. Maybe they’ll be twins,” he answered rubbing my belly.
DANI 2005
Jamie came over later than expected and I had already eaten. I brought my homework over to the office as he tried to explain to my computer illiterate mother how to use the program Dad had created.
“Jamie, I think I’ll stop here for tonight. You must be hungry. Why don’t you have dinner first, then we can try this again.”
“Alright.” Jamie followed Mom and I followed him with my binder and math book in hand. “How was school today, Dani?”
“It was better than the usual drudgery.”
“Oh? How come? Something exciting happen?”
“Um… this guy asked me to the senior prom.”
“Dani! You didn’t tell me this when I picked you up.” Mom looked hurt. I usually talked to her about everything.
“I didn’t answer him yet. I wanted to think about it before I said anything.”
“Why didn’t you answer him?” Jamie was getting into my story. I liked this interest.
“First, because I don’t want to go. I’m not really in the party mood with Dad being gone and all. Second, because I think he likes me and I don’t reciprocate. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to go? It’s your one and only senior prom. You’ll never get another chance.” Jamie asked.
“Well… I suppose I’d like to go.”
“Then I think you should tell him yes, but let him know that you have no interest beyond friendship.”
“Okay. That’s sound advice. Maybe I’ll go call him right now.” Walking off, I found it odd that Mom deferred all the questions to Jamie. This was what she did when Dad was around. She’d let him say what was on his mind and joined in when she strongly disagreed or agreed with his opinion. Mom was probably just hurt that I didn’t share this news with her first. I’d have to make sure she was okay after Jamie left.
My phone call took longer than expected and I was surprised to find Jamie still in the kitchen hanging out with Mom.
“Everything work out?” he asked.
“Yup. He says he understands and he’s sorry he asked so late. I guess I have to find a dress, now, huh?” I lo
oked at Mom. “Can I try on some of your dresses?"
“Of course. You’re welcome to wear whatever you like.” Mom smiled her usual I’m happy smile – something that had been lost the last six months.
“When’s the prom?”
“This Friday.”
“This Friday?” both Mom and Jamie asked.
“But it’s Wednesday, already. Why don’t you go try on the dresses now? I might need to alter one tomorrow.”
I left the two of them to more conversations of finances and computer and went to find the dress of my choice. Thanks to all the operas and musicals my parents had attended, there was a closet full of dresses to choose from and all the gowns were beautiful. My mom, being so thin, wore teeny tiny dress sizes. I dreaded trying on a dress that might be too small.
Three gowns later, I found a dress I liked and a dress that allowed me to breathe. Finally, I figured out why mom said she felt like a fairy princess – aside from the reality that Dad treated her like one. My heart be still… I looked stunning. I cackled at this pompous thought.
“What do you think?” I twirled for my audience. Hopefully Jamie would find me as stunning as I found myself.
“Dani, you are beautiful,” he said.
Mom of course, started crying.
“Don’t tell me. You’re thinking of Dad and how he would have loved to see me going to the prom.”
She nodded her head yes.
“It’s a bummer I can’t be here to see you going out on Friday night. Email me some pictures.”
“We’ll have to have Uncle George and Aunt Meghan come over with the babies to see you off.” Mom said calming down her tears.
“Jamie, will you come too?” I wanted him to see me look pretty.
“Dani. Jamie is busy. It’s tax season. I’m sure he has many more things to do than watch you go to the prom. You shouldn’t put him on the spot like that.” Her scolding came across as a very protective voice for Jamie. Weird… really weird.
“Sure.” He answered without hesitation. “I can’t wait.”
“Jamie. You really don’t have to. I’ve taken up enough of your time as it is. George told me you’re all working late these days. I hate bothering you like this.”
