The Paradise Box Set

by Pike, Leslie

  My confession makes us all laugh, and Jack doesn’t try to deny my charge.

  “What’s your point?” he says innocently.

  “That’s fine, Jack, but we want the mother to be calm and stress free as much as possible. Maybe you’re overloading yourselves with too much information. Nicki seems to have a good grasp of things. You don’t need to do too much research. Just try to avoid the toxins you can, but don’t obsess.”

  “See, Nicki, what did I tell you? Toxins. That’s what I’ve been saying.”

  “Did you hear anything I said Jack?” Doctor Nakamura says.

  He smiles his nobody can resist me smile. “Yes, doctor. I’ll be good.”

  “So, ask me your questions. I know you have your list somewhere.”

  Jack removes the list from his pants pocket and unfolds the paper.

  “Oh my God! How many questions do you have? I don’t even have that many and I’m having the baby,” I say frowning.

  “Doctor Nakamura told me I could ask as many as I’d like.” He looks at her for confirmation.

  She smiles. “That’s right. Shoot.”

  He puts the list back in his pocket. “I’m just pulling your leg. I’ve got just one important question today. I’d like to know at what point we need to take sex off the table.”

  “I told you when you asked a few months ago, there’s many benefits to having sex during pregnancy.”

  “But the baby’s bigger now. Isn’t there an infinitesimal chance I’d hurt him?”

  “No, the baby’s sealed in an amniotic sac. It won’t be an issue.”

  “But doctor, I could have a huge penis. What then?”

  “Then I’d say congratulations, but it’s still not going to hurt the baby.”

  “Sorry, Doctor,” I add, shaking my head at my husband’s brand of humor.

  “No need to apologize.”

  Jack shoots me an I told you so look.

  “And also, Jack, sex improves the mother’s sleep, boosts her immunity and reduces risk of preterm labor.”

  Ding, ding, ding. That’s all Jack needs to hear. I’d bet the house we’ll be having sex today and every day until the birth.

  “All right, I feel better. I think I can relax a little because that was on my mind,” he says.

  “Okay, let’s talk about the next tests. Where you are in your pregnancy is an important juncture. You’re about fifteen weeks now, so we’re going to do a Quad Screen and I’m ordering an Amniocentesis test. We’re looking for any chromosomal irregularities. I recommend it for all my expectant mothers who are your age. It’ll rule out some of the major risks and problems.”

  I know that was the very last thing Jack heard before he fainted. It took the doctor and two of her assistants a few minutes to bring him back, take his blood pressure and have him drink a glass of water. That was one for the baby book.

  Dear Baby,

  Today at the doctor’s office, Daddy’s blood pressure dropped so low he fainted. All because Mommy had to schedule a test.

  Even Doctor Nakamura was surprised, and she’s seen it all. ‘Jack is seldom embarrassed, but he was today. We made my appointment for the amniocentesis test, took my blood and said our goodbyes.

  “I’ve got to get ahold of myself. This is ridiculous,” was all he said as we walked out.

  On our ride home he made me promise never to tell the story to any of our friends. He said he’d never hear the end of it. And I have to agree with him. I can just imagine how Steven or Finn would tease him. Because it is kind of funny. Not to Jack, but to the doctor and I anyway. But he can be sure neither one of us will make him feel bad about it.

  * * *

  “Get the door, honey,” I say.

  I lift my hands to show Jack it’s up to him. I’m still frosting the three-layer cake I made.

  Before he leaves the kitchen he comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my bump. He gives my ear a soft nibble and makes his request.

  “Save the bowl for me. I want to lick it.”

  “I’d rather you lick something else,” I tease. “Go. Go get the door.”

  He releases his hold, but keeps talking as he walks out.

  “That’s one thing I’m going to stay steady about, Nicki. Do you know how many germs are in our mouths? They could travel right up your pussy.”

  I hear his voice trailing as he gets further away.

  “Please, honey. I promise to make it up to you in a marathon of oral sex after the baby’s born.”

  Oh, that was lovely for our guests at the front door to hear.

  I can hear the sounds of their approaching footsteps as Jack greets them.

  “Hi, pretty mama,” says Esme as she walks into the kitchen.

  She comes on one side of me, and Finn on the other.

  “I see the glow. It’s beautiful, darlin’,” he says.

  “Thank you friends. How’s it going?” I say as I toss the frosting knife in the sink.

  “Good. I start my next film in January. And Esme’s next job isn’t till February, so we’re off till then,” says Finn as he grabs a grape from the platter on the counter.

  “We’re glad to be back from San Francisco though. It’s always good to get back in your own house,” Esme says.

  “I know. That’s exactly how we feel.”

  “I loved the city though. Do you miss it, Nicki?”

  “Sometimes. Rarely now. It’s pretty hard to miss anything in this castle,” I joke.

  Jack comes into the kitchen with Bliss and Steven following close behind.

  “I’ve got two more. What’s everybody drinking?” he says.

  None of us are in the least bit surprised BB and Paul haven’t arrived yet. BB’s never on time. So to that end, I told her dinner would be served at six when I really planned it for seven-thirty. As we sit in the living room, enjoying each other’s company, we make bets on what time they’re going to show. Already Finn, Esme and Jack are out of the running. It’s long past their estimates. Now it’s down to Bliss and I. The doorbell sounds. It’s seven thirty-five. Jack gets up for the door. I’m sure he’ll give her the business.

  “I won! Ha ha. You’re all losers,” crows Jack from the hallway.

  “Damn it to hell. You only beat me by ten minutes,” I shout.

  “Doesn’t matter. I beat you.”

  We hear the door open and the footsteps coming toward us. In walks Paul and BB. The look on Paul’s face is priceless. He’s aggravated and tired of BB’s constant avoidance of punctuality.

  “Sorry everyone,” he says.

  “For what?” BB asks.

  We start laughing, and it only grows because she has no concept it’s so annoying. Or maybe she doesn’t give a damn. We love and forgive her because we don’t have to live with her. Paul, on the other hand, is over it. Jack puts his arm around him.

  “No worries, brother. You didn’t miss dinner.”

  “See,” says BB.

  The rest of the night flows smoothly with an atmosphere created by people who really like each other. The fact that I can’t drink hardly matters. I’m laughing and loving the conversation as much as anybody.

  “So, what’s the latest weddin’ news?” Finn asks. “My dad’s excited about doin’ the honors.”

  “It’s really my honor. You know how I feel about him. I think of him as my father figure.”

  “I loved your invitations. They’re so elegant and the calligraphy’s gorgeous. I almost framed our envelope with our names written out,” Esme says kindly.

  “You couldn’t have picked a better location either,” BB adds.

  “Thanks to the graciousness of Jack and Nicki. What could be more beautiful than this place?” Bliss says.

  “I did it because I hate to leave my house. It had nothing to do with being gracious,” says Jack smiling.

  “We were going to marry in Pacific Grove, but instead we’re saving it for the honeymoon,” says Steven.

  “Can you believe they turned down
a trip to Italy for that cold wet spot?” Jack says.

  Bliss, Steven and I start protesting Jack’s assessment of one of the most beautiful places on Earth. He waves his napkin in surrender.

  “Okay, okay. I give up. It’s fantastic.”

  “It is for us. Nothing could be more romantic.” Bliss reaches across the table for Steven’s hand. The woman is beaming.

  “What about the bachelor party? Are you going to have one?” Paul asks.

  “Yes, he most certainly is,” says Jack, pointing a finger at the groom.

  “Oh God,” Steven says.

  “It’s tradition,” Jack argues.

  “Just do it, Steven. Otherwise you’ll never hear the end of it,” I say.

  Steven abandons his protest. “All right. But let’s not get too crazy. Just some cigars and a good dinner. Please.”

  There’s a few seconds of silence and then everyone starts laughing at once. There’s not a person here who believes that’s going to happen. Not with Jack planning things. But I think I can speak for all the women here. We are not insecure about our men or our place in their hearts. It’ll just be some minor mischief. I think. So I move on to the next item.

  “Bliss told me she has no interest in a bachelorette party, girls. So let’s talk about the wedding shower. We need to lock down a date. As the Matron of Honor, the privilege is mine you know.”

  “I was thinking about that,” Bliss says stretching out the sentence.

  “Oh no. I know what that means.”

  I’ve been reading between the lines of Bliss’ narrative for too many years now.

  “It’s just that I’d rather go out for a nice dinner with all of you. Other than Steven’s family, and Carl, I don’t have any family except for the people in this room. And Steven’s family has already been so sweet and generous and giving. There’s nothing we really need as far as gifts go. Plus, I’d like the men to be included. There. Have I given you enough reasons?”

  “Well of course, if that’s what you want. But let’s not just talk about it. Let’s look at our books tomorrow and plan something definite.

  “Done. But there is one shower that needs to be scheduled,” Bliss says.

  I know I have a big smile on my face. “Yes? What could that be?”

  “The baby shower?” Jack asks.

  “Yep. I’d love to host one for you. But I need to hear when you think it would work.”

  “My family’s giving me a huge one in February. Of course all you girls will be invited.”

  “No men?” says Jack.

  The other men give Jack looks that would kill a weaker man.

  “You’re kiddin’ right? You want to sit through that?” Finn says shooting his friend daggers.

  “Think twice about that, brother. Hundreds of gifts to open and women oohing and awing over the latest baby bottle,” Steven adds.

  “Not for me,” says Paul without hesitation.

  I get a brainstorm. “Hold on. I’ve got an idea, what if we have a shower with just the eight of us in attendance?”

  “I’m intrigued. Continue,” Jack says.

  “I like that idea,” says Bliss. “We could make a contest out of it. You’re going to get tons of traditional gifts at your other shower. What if we look for the unusual? Maybe we try to find the most useful or creative gift a new parent could want? Maybe we don’t even know it’s out there until we do a little research.”

  I see all the interested expressions around the table. I think of another rule I’d like to add.

  “That sounds great. But let’s put a price limit on things. Maybe a hundred dollars? Otherwise Jack will be buying me a diamond-encrusted baby monitor.”

  “Damn it, woman. You ruined my surprise.”

  “I like it,” says Esme.

  “What about a New Year’s Eve baby shower?” I say.

  I watch the faces of my friends as they consider my suggestion.

  “Listen, you could all get drunkity drunk, wear comfy clothes and I can be the designated barmaid.”

  I think the comfy clothes was the thing that got the men,

  “Let’s do it! I already have an idea that will beat everybody here!” BB says.

  “I want to play too,” Jack adds.

  “Have I ever turned down a gift from you?” I say. “Oh! And we shouldn’t do couple gifts. Each one of you has to bring me your own offering. Not telling your partner what you bought either.”

  “Who decides who the winner is?” asks Finn.

  “And what the prize is?” says Paul.

  “I decide. And the prize will be revealed the day the baby’s born,” I say.

  Chapter Eleven

  BLISS

  “Steven, can you believe we’re just three weeks away?” I say as we make the third trip around the airport. Ben and Melanie’s plane must have arrived late.

  He looks over to me and I see the reflection of my love in his eyes. “I just want to marry you.”

  “That’s exactly how I’m feeling. Except in a way this happy moment in time’s going too fast. I’d like things to slow down a bit. We’ve got Thanksgiving then the wedding, we’re on a treadmill. But I’m happy your dad and Melanie are going to be with us for it all.”

  He gives a little laugh. “You’re the only woman in the world who wants her in-laws to stay in her house the month of the wedding. I appreciate it you know. It means a lot to them, and to me too. I don’t get to be around my dad half as much as I’d like.”

  “Are you kidding? I love it. They’re my family now too. I wish they lived closer. Northern California is too far away.”

  “There they are,” he says pointing to the couple waving curbside outside baggage claim three.

  Steven pulls the SUV over and puts it in park. We get out to greet our guests.

  “HI!” I quickly claim my hug from handsome Ben and give him a kiss.

  “Bliss! Hi, honey.”

  Melanie gets an equal share of my affection. As usual, she’s dressed to kill.

  There’s something special in the air. A certain brand of happiness I’ve noticed getting stronger as our wedding date approaches. And it spreads to the people around us. I sense it and see it right now in Steven’s father’s face and in his wife’s. Magic dust sprinkled everywhere.

  “Are the bride and groom ready for the big day?” Ben asks.

  He throws an arm around Steven and plants a kiss on the top of his head. It makes Steven smile like I imagine he did when he was ten and his father did the same move. The scene is beautiful to me. They’re happy around each other, these two. I can see the pride Ben feels for his son, and I know Steven feels the same about his father. After all, he followed in the famous stuntman’s footsteps.

  “Melanie, I can’t wait to show you the new house. You’ve got such a good eye for design and I need your expert opinion,” I say excitedly.

  She hands her suitcase to Steven, who puts it in the back of the car along with Ben’s.

  “I want to hear all about it,” she says.

  So all the way from John Wayne Airport to Laguna Beach, we fill them in. Laguna Canyon Road winds through the hills toward the coast. It looks as if we’re far from the city, but it’s not true. A few miles and we’re back on the 5 Freeway, battling the Southern California traffic.

  “So, the house was built in 2009, and we bought it from the original owners.”

  Steven jumps in. “Who just happened to be the architect and the landscape designer.”

  “That was fortunate,” Ben says.

  “I think it was a labor of love. They put so much into the place,” I say.

  “Knowing your background I’m sure you really scanned the properties available. Why did they sell?” asks Melanie.

  “They split up. Unfortunate for them, but for us it was great timing. And you’re right, we looked at least fifty houses in the last year,” Steven says.

  I point to the top of the hill. “We’re on top, with a one hundred and eighty degree view of t
he coastline.”

  Laguna Beach has a small town feeling to it, but the hills surrounding the downtown are dotted with beautiful big homes. They enjoy sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and on a clear day, Catalina. We can see it now, on this crisp windy day.

  “This is a good spot. Close enough to the studios when you need to be there, but far enough away from the damn traffic of Los Angeles,” Ben says.

  “Oh yeah. Also, we wanted to be close to our friends.”

  “We got very used to being around each other last summer. And as we have families it’s going to be hard to keep in contact if we’re all spread out,” I say.

  “What are you working on next, son?”

  “I’ve got a coordinating job with some Second Unit in January. I made that deal before Father Kolda’s Sins. I want to honor it. But I’m really looking forward to the day I can concentrate exclusively on Directing. I’m late to the game and I need to focus on that. I think I’m going to get the Adrian Brody, Sylvester Stallone film shooting in May.”

  “You will. I know it,” I say proudly.

  “It’s not a signed contract yet. We’ll see.”

  “That’s a big one. Good luck, Steven,” Melanie adds.

  “Yeah. That’s wonderful.” Ben reaches forward and pats Steven’s back.

  “Oh! This is gorgeous!” says Melanie as we turn into the driveway.

  The house is a one-story wide Mediterranean with an ocean-blue tiled roof. There’s a courtyard in the front, and it’s turned so that the backyard faces the sea.

  “Look who’s here,” I say.

  Jack’s standing in front of his Maserati, hitting golf balls off our hilltop with his driver. He shanks one, and we hear “Shit!” echo down the canyon. We exit the car, and Steven walks up to his friend.

  “You do realize there’s a house down there, right?”

  “Don’t worry. I don’t hit that far or straight. Hey, Ben! Melanie!”

  They exchange their greetings, and our guests take in the exceptional view. Sailboats dot the white capped water and seagulls sound their cry all the way up the hill.