My Real (33 page)

“Wow.”

“See, I told you. Look how hot your legs look in those,” Ella marvels.

“Alright, I admit. They are amazing,” I relent while still staring at the shoes. “What are you getting?”

She holds up a pair of ice blue patent leather pumps. They have to be at least four inches high. I’m thankful she didn’t pick something that high for me.

“Cute and look,” I say as I put my shoe next to hers. “Leather and lace.” She winks at me and pats my butt.

“Come on hot stuff. We need to find something for Emerson now.”

We walk out of the store with heels for Ella and me and cute white flowery flip flops for Emerson. We drive over to the Men’s Warehouse to get ties for the boys. Then, we pick up the pizza.

“Whose house are we going to?” Ella asks once we get the pizzas.

“Hmmm. Good question. I’ll text them, you go to the RedBox and get a movie to watch while we eat.”

Bailey:
Pizzas on the way. Where are you?

Andrew:
Our house

“They’re at Andrew’s,” I answer. As I twist to put my phone in my purse, I wince in pain.

“Are you ok? That’s the third time I’ve seen you do that,” Ella asks, worrying.

“I’m fine,” I answer trying to hide the pain from my face.

“Bailey, have you called your doctor?” Ella asks.

“No.” I knew I had to, I was hoping it would just go away.

Almost like she was reading my mind Ella scold, “It is not just going to go away, Bailey. Call her right now.”

When she doesn’t put the car in drive, I know she isn’t going anywhere until I call. Once I am on the line, she drives down the road to get a movie. When she gets back in the car, she just looks at me.

“I have an appointment tomorrow during lunch,” I say.

“Good girl,” she says patting my leg. “Let me know if you want me to go with you.”

I just nod. I know what is going to happen at this appointment and I don’t want anyone with me. We drive in silence the rest of the way home. She is giving me time to process and I’m grateful. She went through this with me the last time.

When we get home, I go to get out of the car, and Ella stops me by grabbing my arm.

“Are you going to say something to Andrew?” she asks.

“Not yet. I don’t want to worry him if I don’t need to,” I reply.

Still holding my arm, she just stares at me. She isn’t happy with my answer.

“I’ll tell him, I promise.” She nods just once, still not completely satisfied with my answer. Then she gets out of the car. She puts on a smile and goes into the house first.

“Boys, pizza and beer’s here,” Ella yells out into the house.

“About damn time. I’m starving.” Jake answers back taking the case of beer from her. “We’re all set up out back on the deck. Here, let me get that for you,” he says grabbing the pizza boxes out of her hands as well.

Ella blushes. Yes, she blushes. I can’t believe my eyes.

“Thanks,” she recovers and answers with a million dollar smile.

Bailey follows Jake and Ella through the house and onto the deck where I am sitting rubbing my neck. Bailey walks up behind me and takes over.

“Sore?” she asks really kneading the muscles in my shoulder.

“Just a little but the pizza and beer will help,” I say.

“Is there a lot left to do?” Ella asks as she hands out plates.

“Just one more load to take from my apartment to the house but I’m going to do that tomorrow after work,” Jake explains.

“So I am officially all moved in?” Bailey asks excitedly. I pull her around into my lap and wrap my arms around her.

“You are,” I answer kissing her on the nose.

Ella starts handing out beers and pizza to everyone. Bailey stands up and takes a seat next to me. Jake walks around and pulls out a chair for Ella. My eyes get huge and just as I was about to say something, Bailey elbowed me.

“You girls get everything you needed tonight?”

“Oh yeah, your ties.” Bailey jumps up and grabs the bag off the kitchen table and brings it to the deck.

“Blue for Jake and white for you,” she says showing us the ties they picked out.

When everyone is done, we move into the living room. Bailey and I share the love seat, curling onto each other. Jake sits down right in the middle of the couch, leaving Ella little choice but to sit near him.

“Listen, couch hog. Move over so I can spread out,” she pokes at Jake with a smile. Scooting over a few inches, Jake pulls on her arm so she sits down next to him. He then reaches down to swing her feet up onto his lap.

“Oh, Bailey, your mom left a message for you on the answering machine.” I lean up and reach behind me on the table to play the message for her.

“Bailey, it’s your Mother. I’m not going to be able to make it this weekend. I’m flying out to Italy to meet up with a high school friend.”

That was it. She didn’t mention anything about the wedding at all.

“I’m sorry baby,” I whisper into her ear.

She shrugs under me and says, “Who’s got the remote.” I genuinely couldn’t tell if it bothered her or not.

I hate waiting rooms. They need to come up with a better name instead of the waiting room. I know I’m waiting. Waiting to hear bad news. Waiting to hear that I need surgery again already. Waiting.

“Bailey,” the overly cheerful nurse calls my name.

I follow her down the hall to the exam room, and she gives me instructions to strip down and put the gown on.

Now, I’m lying on the table waiting again.

“Hi Bailey. How are you doing?” Dr. Cam asks as she glances over my chart.

“I’ve been better,” I reply flatly.

“So, you’re having abdominal pains again?” Dr. Cam inquires.

“Yes, they feel a little different than last time though. And, I don’t feel them as often either,” I explain.

“Ok, let’s get an ultrasound and see what we have,” Dr. Cam explains.

She pulls the machine over and puts the gel on my stomach. As she runs the wand over my stomach, her only reaction is, “Hmmm.”

I’m just pulling Emerson’s suitcase down from her closet when I hear Bailey come in from school.

“I’m in Emerson’s room,” I call down the steps as Emerson races down them.

“We’re packing for the beach,” I hear her yell to Bailey.

“You are? Did you pack your snow boots?” Bailey asks her as they walk into Emerson’s room hand in hand.

“No silly, it’s not going to snow. Grandma’s taking me swimming,” Em says, giggling.

“I can think of something even more exciting than going to the beach,” Bailey says.

Emerson freezes and turns to look at Bailey to find out what could possibly be more exciting than the beach.

“Back to school shopping. WooHoo!” Bailey raises her arms in the air and hollers.

I moan and Emerson cheers at the same time. Bailey looks at me and smiles. I’m really not ready for Emerson to go to Kindergarten. I want her to stay my baby forever. I want to keep her home another year, but Bailey told me I was being crazy. She is more than ready to start school. Bailey has already been reading with her, and she can read a good portion of the words in some of the books they are reading.

“Why don’t we get your clothing packed up, and we can go shopping for your school things? We can even make Daddy take us out for dinner.”

Emerson’s eyes get huge, and she spins around to look at me.

“Sure, Kindergarten shopping is a big deal. We should celebrate,” I answer as I start packing her pajamas in her suitcase.

“I’m going to go color while you guys do all the work,” Emerson says while skipping down the hall.

I walk over to Bailey and wrap my arms around her. “So soon-to-be Mrs. Cooper, how was school today?” I ask.

“Uggg. Painful. But, there’s only one in-service left, so I can’t complain.”

I let her go after giving her a welcome home kiss. She goes over to Emerson’s closet and starts pulling outfits out. I’m no longer allowed to pick out her clothing after being told that Emerson never matches. I put her bathing suit in the bag and ask, “You have all of Emerson’s things she will need for the wedding right?”

“Yes, all of our things for the wedding are already packed in your mom’s car. She will bring them to the hotel with her tomorrow morning that way the hotel can steam everything,” Bailey confirms.

“Perfect, Emerson is now all packed and ready to go tomorrow morning. Let’s go shopping.”

I grab Emerson’s bag in one hand and put my arm around Bailey.

Emerson is tying her shoe, getting ready to go out when I call out, “Last one to the car is a rotten egg.” Bailey jumps on my back and holds me back. Emerson jumps up and runs to the car. I start to get ahead when Bailey turns and drops me to the ground. Bailey and Emerson both start doing a victory dance after Em touches the car first.

“Alright you two party animals, let’s get going,” I announce.

Once everyone is buckled in, and we are on our way, Bailey starts going down the checklist to make sure everything is done for this weekend.

“After dinner, we are dropping Emerson off at your mom’s, and she is sleeping there. And then you are picking them both up in the morning and leaving early,” Bailey plans.

“Right,” I agree.

“The flowers are being delivered Friday afternoon, and the minister and photographer will be there at seven.”

“Check, check and check,” I answer. “The only thing left to do here is to pick up the wedding rings.”

“Right, and I’m doing that tomorrow after school. Ella and I will be up as soon as I she picks up her dress from the seamstress. Then tomorrow, you are paying the restaurant. I think that’s it,” Bailey grins.

“You actually pulled off a wedding in less than a month,” I remark, very impressed.

“Oh, I had no doubt about that. With two type A personalities at the helm, we could have done it in a week,” she says.

Bailey turns around in her seat. I can see Emerson is coloring in her seat. “What about you Emerson? Do you have everything you need to get married in two days,” she asks.

“I have my bathing suit and my dress. I’m ready,” she answers as she continues to color.

We pull into the parking lot and all file into the store. Emerson is pulling us both by our hands as she bounces down the aisle. Bailey slides a smile my way, probably as excited as Emerson is.

“Okay Emerson,” Bailey kneels down in front of her. “Picking your book bag is a very important decision. It’s the same bag you will have to carry for a whole year. It can be a tough to pick so just take your time,” Bailey explains.

“I want that one,” Emerson replies pointing to a bright blue bag.

Stunned, Bailey looks at the bag she points to. “Are you sure? You didn’t even look at all the bags yet.”

“Yep. It’s my favorite color.” Emerson replies pulling the bag off the wall and walking down the aisle looking for a lunch bag. Bailey stood, and we watch her pull a matching blue lunch bag off the wall, then walk back up to us. “I’m ready.”

Bailey’s mouth opens to say something, but no words come out. I grab her hand, and we follow Emerson into the next aisle.

“It took me an hour to pick out my book bag for this year,” Bailey says still looking stunned.