New Beginnings (Growing Pains)

Beverly sat on the chaise of her burgundy leather sectional, trying to understand how she had gotten herself into this mess. She recalled several conversations that rushed past her ears like an indie race car. There has got to be some way for me to get out of this mess…she thought, as she grabbed her glass of chocolate milk off the oak coffee table.
“You ok baby?” her husband, Mario, inquired, noticing the lifeless expression on her face.
“Not really, I mean I don’t know what to say to her. She is my mother and I love her, but she is really being unreasonable. I can’t believe that she is going to sell the house that holds so many memories. On top of that, she had the nerve to tell me that I would have to bring my credit score up if I wanted to buy it. I kinda feel bad for telling her that she should not be here for the birth of Jazarah and Jariah.” She felt a kick from each of her unborn children as she said there names.
“No matter what she does, she’s still your mom.”
“I know, but I want our children to see where I grew up.”
“Is that more important than your mother seeing her grandchildren be born?”
“Not at all, this is why I am trying to figure out what the hell I am going to do.”
“You need to call your mom, and if not, I am gonna call her.”
“Ok, but can we at least go eat breakfast first? I am having a craving for IHOP’s pumpkin pancakes.” She smiled, rubbing her ever-growing belly.
“How can I say no to such a beautiful face? Of course we can go.” Mario reached for her coat while hugging her from behind. “My beautiful wife is carrying my beautiful daughters.” Beverly smiled and grabbed her purse. Being the doting husband he was, he opened the door and helped his very pregnant wife to the car.

* * * * * * *

The IHOP smelled of freshly cooked bacon, eggs and, of course, pancakes. The array of smells all hit her nose at once. Almost in unison the babies kicked in delight. I’ll ask them to make sure they put some peanut butter on my pancakes this time…she thought, licking her freshly moisturized lips. Mario smiled at Beverly, taken by the magnificence of his wife’s voluptuous pregnant figure. She sauntered to there table, where he ever so gently pulled out the chair and made sure that she was comfortable before he sat down.
“You have such a great husband,” the waitress commented, “what will you all have today?”
“Let the lady go first,” he said.
“I would like a short stack of pumpkin pancakes with a side of peanut butter, plain eggs and turkey sausage.”
“A bowl of fresh fruit for her as well,” he said with a more serious expression on his face. He wanted to make sure she was eating as healthy as possible.
“And what can I get for you sir?” The waitress asked, jotting down the previous order.
“A garden omelet with buttermilk pancakes and a coffee, and please make sure to bring a to-go box.”
“For the lady?” the waitress inquired
“No, for him.” Beverly stated, fully aware that she would eat every delectable morsel on her platter. Since the gastric by-pass surgery he had only two years earlier, he was only able to eat a small amount at any sitting. The husband and wife engaged in small talk, while waiting for the food to come.
“So what is on the agenda for today?” her husband asked, adjusting the silk tie around his neck.
“Well it is about time that we go and register at Babies-R-Us and Wal-Mart, I mean the baby shower is right around the corner.”
“Do you think they are going to have one at work for you too?” he asked, rubbing his wife’s swollen feet under the table.
“Probably, they keep hinting at it.”
“Well, if not, we will be fine.”
The couple sat in silence while eating. They were meditating and focusing on all the tasks they had to complete for the day.

* * * * * * *

The Rug Rats ringtone from her phone broke the peaceful silence the two created.
“Hello,” she answered, still startled by the ring.
“Look, I wanted to…” her mother started
“Mom, I am so sorry for what I said. I want you to be there when your grandbabies are born. If you want to sell the house that is your choice.”
“That’s just it; I didn’t know you were so attached to this place. If you want the house, it’s yours.” Her mother said, fully aware that this would only make her look better, but never expecting the answer she got.
“We would love to, how much would you sell it to us for?”
“Umm…uhh…let me call you back.” Her mother stumbled over her words in disbelief and hurried off the phone.

* * * * * * *
A few months later…
The ride to the hospital was filled with screams.
“This is bullshit!” Beverly exclaimed
Beverly was in the delivery room with her feet in cold metal stirrups.
“Push,” the doctor yelled from underneath her. She squeezed her Mario’s hand and pushed with every ounce of energy she had. The doctor took her hand so that he could show her the baby was crowning.
“She’s almost here baby,” her husband said, tears welling up in his eyes.
“Thank God I took the epidural, cause there is no way in hell I was doing this natural,” she said and continued to push out Baby # 1. The labor and silence was broken by the shrill cry of the beginning of life.
“She is beautiful,” her mother and Mario exclaimed in unison.
She continued pushing to reveal and second miracle, this is when she let go of the little strength she had left and collapsed into her husbands embrace.
“Honey you are amazing,” he said, no longer able to hold back tears. He ran out to tell his family the good news.
“Hallelujah,” his mother exclaimed from the hallway.

* * * * * * *
She held Jazarah in her arms and looked over at her husband, who was putting Jariah to sleep. Soon they would be in there home, not only to reminisce on past memories, but to create new ones. Her mother wound up selling her the house for what was left to be paid on it and getting an apartment nearby. His mother would be moving in for a short time until she found a place that was close. This was only the beginning of their growing pains.