What made a good wife and mother? How many books did I need to read and memorize?
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
When in doubt, cook. I had an insane, yet wonderful idea.
"Do we have plans for Thanksgiving?" I asked.
"I'll get reservations wherever you want," Ben said.
"No, it's not a restaurant holiday. I usually host my sisters. You could invite your dad."
"You'd feel safe with my father, Irene, and Eleanor all in the same room?"
"Sure. All weapons will be checked at the door, and no alcohol will be served, except sparkling grape juice," I said with a wink.
"You're fearless, but if my dad hits on Eleanor…"
"He'll show he has excellent taste in women. They'll all be on their best behavior. No one else will offer to feed them. Plus, my sisters will be vying for favorite aunt-to-be status."
"Okay, but remember blood stains are permanent on linens and carpeting."
"We'll keep them in the kitchen. The tile and grout can be replaced."
We pulled out our phones and texted our relatives.
The next morning I awoke alone. A note sat on his pillow.
Meetings and more meetings. Speaking of which I think you should meet the staff. Be ready at noon for lunch. Ben.
Already nine o'clock, I should shower and start digging in more boxes. They were all in the proposed nursery. My doctor's appointment was at three o'clock. I had a slight chill. Everything happened at once: first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes architectural drawings and insurance estimates. I hoped the baby had an MBA, a law degree, and a great sense of humor.
In the kitchen, I grabbed a banana, two jalapeños, a horseradish and feta sandwich and a glass of chocolate milk. I settled in the office and listed Helen's awards: societies of children's writers, Caldecotts, a Pulitzer, and many lifetime achievements. A Mother's Day card from Ben. What a sweet boy. I rubbed my belly.
I hope you are just like your daddy. Sometimes.
The time flew. I had just finished with my hair, when Ben came through the door. "I have to go to the doctor today at three," I said.
"I know. I'm going with you."
"Thank you."
He kissed me and wanted more.
"I'm eternally grateful to you for loving me and having my son. Nothing I have ever done or will do will repay those debts. Now let's go before I drag you to bed," he said.
We walked the two blocks to Ben's office because I needed some fresh air. The tall steel and glass building bustled with people. Up to the thirty-fifth floor, the door simply stated Cobb and Associates. Ben entered and all activity stopped. I counted seven people, including Mark. Boxes labeled for the museum were on a table in the conference room. The phones rang as everyone stared at me.
"This is Alexia. Alexia, meet your fellow employees. Now someone please answer the phone," Ben said.
Activity resumed. Two women answered the phones and typed information into their computers. Mark moved the boxes, and two other men helped.
Ben asked everyone to bring him up to date. Pledges poured in. The publisher had sent book cover mockups to be approved. The usual bidders sought to buy anything he cared to sell. He thumbed through phone messages.
An older woman waved at me. Must be Doris.
"Here I thought I was being helpful, and I redid your work," I said, shaking her hand.
"Actually Mary had to be off to take care of her mother. You were doing her job. Very well I might add. You're welcome anytime," she said.
"I know there will be more to do with the museum. I would appreciate it if you would let me know when you need help. I can type, seal envelopes, or answer the phone."
Before Doris could respond, Ben put his arm around me.
"I don't know, the boss is an idiot. I hate dealing with him," he said.
"I would like to be useful," I said.
"You're in charge of the personal stuff and me. Your days and nights are booked. Now, we're off to lunch. Why don't you order in for everyone?" Ben suggested to Mark.
"Yes boss. I have a business idea for Mrs. Cobb. She can relay all the bad news to you," Mark said
"You don't think I'd growl at her?" Ben asked as he kissed my forehead.
"Never, she's got you eating out of her hand."
"Careful, if anyone took advantage of her good nature, I wouldn't like it."
I said goodbye and reminded Doris to call me for help. Of course, she wouldn't dare without Ben's permission.
"They're very nice. Do you pay them well?" I asked.
"Don't you think they should feel honored to work for me? You were."
"I thought I saved a desperate man."
"You did." He hit the elevator button.
"But I only got one payment."
"I opened my home and heart to you. You're welcome to write yourself a check. I have contacted the bank, you're all set."
"I don't want your money," I said as we headed downstairs.
"Thanks for reminding me. We need to talk about money," he said.
"I have six hundred fifty-eight dollars in my checking account. It's all yours."
"Don't be ridiculous. I don't want your money either."
We hailed a cab and rode to the restaurant.
"Our marriage is a partnership," he said.
"You're the senior partner." I caught the cabbie flick us a glance. Probably delighted to have a set of squabbling passengers.
"Yes ma'am. Now and always."
"I don't want to be bossed around."
A glint in his eye grew. He would not be denied.
"Let's try it my way for now," Ben said as he patted my leg.
"Because you're smarter and older than me?"
"I'm older. I believe I have more life experience. I want to take care of you. You're my responsibility now."
"Do you believe I'm capable of caring for my child or will you search for more competent help?" I didn't want to hand off the baby, but a full time advisor would come in handy.
"Our child, Alexia. You will be in charge of all things baby. Truce? I'm hungry."
We walked into the restaurant. My feelings were so muddled. I wanted someone to carry the load. Take the responsibility. My sisters let me coast. He offered me a lifetime pass. Why fight him? Follow his lead? Take his directions?
"Ben. I thought I saw your name. How are you?" a man said, extending his hand.
"Roger, this is my wife, Alexia."
"Congratulations. Finally took the plunge. Good luck, fair Alexia. He's a handful. We went to high school together so if you have any questions, please feel free to call me."
"I'm never coming here again," Ben said.
We were seated at a table in the back, away from the crowd.
"Enjoy your lunch, Mrs. Cobb. It's on the house as a small wedding gift."
Ben, whether he liked it or not, was a mover and a shaker in Chicago. Roger appeared friendly and wanted to impress me. The new wife of a celebrity could help business tremendously.
My critical eye sharpened in a restaurant. A horseshoe bar dominated the center of the room. The people surrounding us conducted business. The clientele wasn't there to eat. They were there to work. I surveyed Ben in these different surroundings: the power suit, crisp white shirt, pure silk tie. Stoic expression as he perused the menu. His profession: corporate board member, visiting head of state, or power broker at large. I married a chameleon, fitting in everywhere.
"You intimidate people," I said.
"I know. I got it from my Dad. Does it upset you?"
"No, I'm determined to get used to it."
He took my hand and kissed it.
"Please try hard."
After lunch, we had an hour to kill before the doctor's appointment.
"You're going to need maternity clothes soon," he said.
"We'll look, but no buying yet."
Too superstitious.
He put his arm around me.
"Everything is going to
be fine. Easy pregnancy, carefree delivery, wedded bliss. We'll just float for the rest of our lives. If shopping spooks you, how about taking a tour of the museum site?" he asked.
I had only seen the plans not the actual construction.
"Absolutely."
The square block had been walled off with protective scaffolding over the sidewalks. The work site was noisy, dirty, and progressing.
Ben marched over to the wall and opened the door with a key. The foreman appeared and yelled conversation.
Crews were shoring up the sides. The skeleton of the building rose to the sky. Sparks flew from the steel beams. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine the finished product.
The deafening machinery became children's laughter. The hanging rods were beautifully decorated walls. Mobiles hung from the ceiling. A little boy approached me with a flower. I bent down, took the flower, and kissed his cheek.
"See you soon," he whispered.
"Alexia, what are you doing?"
Ben had been squatting on the ground checking some invoices with the foreman when I leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"Newlyweds are the best," the foreman said.
I turned beet red as we left.
"I'm sorry. I daydreamed, and I thought you were our son. I have been seeing him in my mind."
"Pregnant women are fascinating," Ben said.
"Or crazy."
"The doctor will render the verdict."
I braced myself in the back of the cab. My stomach flipped. I shouldn't have had the corned beef sandwich with sauerkraut, whole dill pickle, and chocolate peanut butter pie.
He took my cold hand and kissed it.
"Good thoughts. Positive thinking. Deep breathing. Relax," he said as he rubbed my shoulders.
"Practicing to be my birthing coach?"
"Women have had babies forever. Don't worry. You'll be a great mother. He couldn't ask for better."
I nodded my head in agreement as the tears flowed down my face. When we arrived at the doctor's office, I was shaky. Ben went to the receptionist and explained my condition.
"First time moms are a handful, Dad. Get used to it. Bring her in the side room. She'll be able to calm down faster without an audience."
She led us into the examining room and handed Ben the trash can. I promptly deposited my lunch in it. He wet a paper towel and dabbed my face.
"This reminds me of my senior year of high school. We would drink till somebody puked. It always felt better after," Ben said.
I feigned a weak smile.
The nurse put the can in the hall. Then she asked questions, checked my vitals, handed me a gown and sheet, and asked Ben to leave.
"I beg your pardon," he said.
"The doctor will want to examine your wife. If she has any questions or concerns to discuss with him, she's entitled to some privacy."
"I'm the reason she's here."
"I understand, sir."
We heard voices in the hall and a slight knock on the door.
Just then, the doctor appeared. "Ben, go and fill out the paperwork. Give Alexia some space. I have to examine her, and I don't need you hovering over my shoulder," Tad said.
"I've seen everything she's got."
"Out."
He frowned, stood toe-to-toe with Tad, and left.
"I don't envy you, Alexia. You'll have an infant and a three-year-old. Before you change, you should be in another examination room. Come down the hall with me," Tad said.
I picked up my purse and followed. The next room had an ultrasound machine, a plastic bottle oozing blue gel, and a torpedo wearing a condom.
"It's ominous, but useful. Everything off and I'll be back," Tad said.
I hated going to the dentist, but the gynecologist came in as a close second. Too many pointy metal stakes in my private parts. Pregnancy meant multiple visits instead of once a year. Oh, joy. I undressed, put on the fashionable gown and matching sheet, and plopped myself on the cushioned bench. The stirrups stretched out before me. My stomach calmed, but my nerves were shot.
A soft knock on the door, then Tad and a nurse came back in.
"Alexia, this is Sue. She will be helping me take measurements and analyze the screen," he said.
"Hi," she said as she sat at a computer.
"Lay back and put your feet in the stirrups," he said as he put on gloves and squeezed gel on the missile.
"Is the submarine going inside me?" I asked.
"Yes, it has a camera attached. I need to see where the baby is, check out your uterine wall, and generally poke around. Ready?"
"As I'll ever be, admiral."
The cold probe eased its way in. I tried a vibrator once and the battery died. Twice. Eleanor said I did it wrong. How many ways were there to do it with a hollow piece of plastic?
"So far, so good," he said as he pointed to the screen.
It could be the ocean floor for all I knew. Dark, murky, white to gray swirls against a black background. He pivoted to the left and pushed a button.
"There's a baby," he said, pointing to an ink splotch.
I craned around to see better and started to cry. I knew I was pregnant, but to see him filled my heart with joy.
"And there's another baby," he said, moving the probe lower.
Two as in more than one?
"Excuse me, I'm not myself today. You mean another image from the opposite side," I said.
"No, I mean twins. You are carrying two children, Alexia. Congratulations," he said as he withdrew the camera.
Underwater images get blurred. Fluids flowing through me obscured the image creating a mirror effect. See, I offered logical explanations for the doctor's mistaken conclusion.
"Are you sure there's no mistake?" I asked.
"Do you want me to go back in and scope for more?"
Sue smiled and continued to type. Very funny. A comedian for a doctor with a trusty sidekick.
"Alexia, Sue is going to get Ben. You stay put and try to relax."
Easy for him to say, he just doubled his bill. Me? I was battling surprise, delight, and terror. My personal set of triplets. My bottom lip trembled, and the tears washed down my cheeks.
Sue left and Ben entered the room in two minutes. I cried harder and couldn't speak.
"What's wrong?" he asked, looking pale as he took my hand.
"Alexia's sobbing for three. You're expecting twins," Tad said.
Ben laughed. Obviously in shock.
"Fantastic. An heir and a spare," he said, leaning over and kissing me.
"I'll leave you to get dressed. On your way out, make your next appointment, and pick up a folder. I'll have them add information about multiple births," Tad said.
"Is there a problem?" I whimpered.
"No, not at all. You're young and healthy, I anticipate a smooth delivery. We'll know more as the months progress, but no worries."
Ben squeezed my hand.
"Thanks, I'll try to stay calm," I said to myself who needed convincing.
Tad grabbed his laptop and left.
I let go of him, balled up the sheet, and dropped the gown. Ben handed me my clothes, and I started to dress.
"Let's not tell anybody anything until Thanksgiving. I want to see their faces," he said.
"Aren't you a teeny bit nervous?" I asked as I snapped my pants.
"Everything will be fine. Let's concentrate on what we'll need: cribs, clothes, diapers, a house, a nanny," he said.
"Tent dresses, sensible shoes, widened doorways, 52G bras," I said, tucking in my shirt, possibly for the last time.
"Alexia, other than you, this is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I think it's fantastic. I realize nobody is growing inside me, but I'll do anything to make you more comfortable. It will be a wild ride, but I'm game."
He hugged me tightly and loosened some of the tension. Everything would be fine. I could do it. He kissed my cheek and moved on to my mouth.
"I know it will be crowded, but we are so not givin
g up sex," I said, wrapping my leg around him.
"Especially if your breasts grow into watermelons."
Wasn't it an old wives' tale about swallowing seeds and they would grow? Those women knew more about oral sex than I thought.
A few weeks later, I asked Ben to take me to the grocery store. Nothing built anxiety better than pushing through pre-Thanksgiving shoppers. I knew my list by heart. I've been throwing down turkey day since I hit sixteen. Mom nurtured my recipe clipping and handed the kitchen over to me.
"We've always eaten the big meal early around noon or so. Then at six o'clock, we have turkey sandwiches and dessert. Will this fit in with your dad's schedule?"
"Sure," Ben said, following me.
I loaded up the cart with turkey, white and sweet potatoes, onions, carrots, celery, and green beans.
"Does your father like cranberries?" I asked.
"Sure."
"Any vegetables to avoid? Food allergies?"
"If you make it, he will eat it."
I picked up my stuffing and pumpkin bread ingredients. Next, apples for pie and vanilla ice cream. He found grape juice and smiled. I added a few bottles of wine and one of scotch. This was a no-calorie counting holiday. We got into the checkout line.
"I've never bought this much food at one time," he said.
"I'm sorry," I said, opening my wallet.
"Don't be ridiculous. We always went to a restaurant. My mom excelled at many things, but cooking never ranked in the top five thousand. This is a nice change of pace," he said, handing the cashier his credit card.
We lugged the bags to the car, then two trips with the elevator, and another half hour to unpack.
"We'll have to hire a delivery service. You won't be able to shop in a few months. Too much carrying, you'll be exhausted," he said.
I almost disagreed, but with my girth about to balloon, he was right.
"Also, I'll have Mark available for errands or driving you."
I kissed him and shooed him out of the kitchen. I had to get in the zone, tap into my training and skill to produce the ultimate Thanksgiving experience. I limited the spices because Eleanor said the Pilgrims hadn't discovered habañero chilis. Pity for them. My stomach curled up, and I took a deep breath. No time for nausea. We were planning a feast and making our double baby announcement to our family.
Spicing Up Trouble: a romantic comedy Page 22