"My second night on the job and I thought I'd lost my keys! And then the next day, they were in my purse. Sheesh. I thought I was losing it," Donna chirped. "I mean, I know what they say about blondes, but that's the first time I felt like such a ditz."
Before saying goodnight, they spoke of Christmas plans. Donna was excited to learn that they'd have the estate practically to themselves. "That says a lot about you, babe. They trust you. I can hardly wait to start packing!"
Eric laughed. "I'll be working, remember. We'll be stuck there at the house, pretty much. Pack light, I'm saying. Very light. Extremely light. Light, as in an empty bag, light like—"
"I got the idea, Eric-san," Donna teased. "I wish Asahi was going to be there. She sounds like someone I'd like to meet."
9
The Ten-Cent Tour
Carol Henderson brought a tray into her new stepdaughter-in-law's room. "Ready for lunch, I hope?"
Layla sighed. "You are so good to me, Carol. Thanks for staying. I trust Pops is managing okay?" She sat up straighter and adjusted the pillows behind her so that she could eat in bed. After her water had broken the day before Thanksgiving, her doctor had put her on complete bed rest.
Layla settled the tray of soup and sandwich in front of her belly as Carol sat beside the bed in a nearby chair. "Chet's fine. He wants to spend this weekend here, though, if that's okay with you and Keith."
"Of course! Mm, this smells delicious. Nothing beats homemade chicken soup," Layla said.
Carol laughed. "Sorry to disappoint you, but it's from a can." Carol was still getting used to the various personalities in her new extended family but was determined to do all she could to foster good relationships. Not only was it important to her, it was important to Chet. "I'm glad we can give Chet a good report." A visiting nurse practitioner had checked on Layla that morning.
Layla nodded as she finished a bite of sandwich. "I feel kind of foolish, though. When we met you in the summer, I thought I was barely pregnant. Good thing I was further along than that."
"Absolutely. But first babies have a way of surprising us. I'm so thankful your little bunch of broccoli is bigger than you thought, or…" Carol stopped. Layla was in her seventh month, not her fourth as she'd mistakenly thought. A premature rupture of the membranes that early would have been disastrous. As it was, the doctor had put her on bed rest, antibiotics, and a round of steroids to help the baby's lungs develop, in case of a premature delivery. And the baby was about the size of a bunch of broccoli by now.
Tears welled up in Layla's eyes. "I was so scared I'd lose it. Her. Him." She smiled and patted her belly. "If you hadn't been with me, I might not have gone to the hospital as fast. Thank you so much."
Carol stood up. "You'll be just fine, dear. I'm going to tidy up. I'll call Chet and let him know he can come over. When Keith comes home from school, maybe I'll order pizza. How does that sound?"
Layla giggled. "That sounds great. Oh! I completely forgot when the NP came. My little sister called. She's coming during her Christmas break so she can take over nurse duties. You'll be off the hook."
"Kristina, right?" Carol hadn't met Layla's sister yet but had spoken to her a few times on the phone. Quiet, almost timid, just a year or two younger than Layla, she was a teacher at the school Keith had worked at before they moved. Something in the ESE department, autistic children, she thought. Carol smiled and closed the bedroom door behind herself. This was good news—this weekend, and then a break coming soon. She and Chet had only been married a few months, after all.
Carol whistled a tune as she walked to the kitchen, speaking to the fat calico cat as she passed it, "You know, we new brides don't like to sleep alone, no matter what our age."
In response, the cat followed her into the kitchen, hoping for a treat.
Jessica had to stop eating as she listened to Donna's animated recap of Eric's Thanksgiving experience; she'd almost choked on a bite of taco salad, she was laughing so hard. The fact that Eric had even agreed to a rather public appearance in the nude was proof he had changed drastically since they'd been a couple.
She'd nodded appreciatively at the photo of "Florida Eric". His hair had always been his one vanity, but it looked even better now, sun-bleached, below his shoulders. He looks like a Greek god. And nude? No wonder those old ladies had fawned all over him. Not that he looks better than Worth, she thought quickly.
Worth had to travel, but she had opted to stay home in case her mom needed help with Layla. Then Chet called to say he was spending the weekend there. Jessica was in a funk. A wasted weekend without Worth… sometimes she could hardly believe how happy they were, how perfectly matched they were.
"He'll finish the fireplace while I'm there," Donna was saying, "but I'm sure he won't get as much done with me hanging all over him. I mean, we had like three days after the wedding? I really miss him."
The hunger in her eyes made Jessica chuckle. "Well, it sounds like you're making the most of Face Timing." Donna had shown her some of the outfits she'd bought for the occasion. Eric had been so enthusiastic, apparently, that she'd asked Worth about it. Would he like her to order anything?
'Nothing doing,' he'd told her. 'When I get tired of seeing you naked, I'll buy you something. Until then, I want skin, skin, and more skin.' Her cheeks colored at the thought. Last night's "goodbye sex" had been quite memorable.
"Uh oh," Donna suddenly said, staring across the restaurant.
"What? What's wrong?" Jessica followed
