Bachelor Mother (19 page)

Come on, Mel. You don’t spend your evenings working on a cradle because of  responsibility. That was a loving thing to do. Quit being so damn defensive and give Bubba a chance.

She wanted to. Oh, how she wanted to. She’d stayed awake nights in bed, thinking it was ridiculous to go on this way, living underneath the same roof and accepting the quiet tension between them. They covered it well with jokes and laughter, but it erupted at times, moments they couldn’t joke away or control. Last night had been one of those moments. And it had been wonderful.

He’d been infinitely careful with her. She hadn’t been aware that he’d read several of the pregnancy books her doctor had recommended until he assured her they wouldn’t harm the baby. “We have ways,” he whispered in her ear. And though she’d felt fat and frumpy the afternoon they’d been shopping for groceries, that night she believed she was beautiful.

She saw the chubby white paw a second before it swiped up on the table.

“
Henry!”
  The cat thundered away and she had to laugh. Whoever it was who'd written about “little cat feet” hadn’t met this guy. Feeling immediately guilty that she’d yelled at him, she took two cooked shrimp out of the colander and walked into the living room.

Henry was glowering underneath the tree behind several wrapped packages.

“I can see you, Hen, and I’m sorry. Come back into the kitchen and I’ll put these in your bowl.”

Before the sentence was finished the cat had darted out, smelling the shellfish. He marched into the kitchen with his tail waving and she put the food in his dish. He attacked it, making little growling noises in the back of his throat.

“You’re giving shrimp to Minnie the Moocher?” Bubba asked.

She turned around, the butcher block at her back. He looked as if he’d just rolled out of bed. His hair was rumpled and his face still looked sleepy. Dressed casually in a pair of jeans, he looked relaxed and happy.

“It was that or risk having my legs slashed.”

Bubba walked lazily over to the refrigerator and took out a carton of orange juice. “Tell me what to do or I’ll get out of your way.”

“If you sauté the onions, I can start making the trifle.”

“That’s right – stick me with the dangerous job.” But he was smiling.

They worked companionably for almost two hours, talking and laughing, discussing anything but what had happened last night. It was as if, Mel thought, neither of them really knew what to say. She wondered if he would expect her to simply move into his room.

No, not Bubba. Stop giving him all those machismo qualities just because you’re nervous.

By late afternoon the meal was under control and she went upstairs to change. Bubba had insisted they both dress up, so after her shower she slipped on a light wool dress in a soft rose shade. It was obviously a maternity dress. She’d bought only three, preferring to spend her time in jeans with a maternity panel sewn in.  At her boutique she wore a loose skirt with a variety of hand-knit sweaters. She found it was a good way of helping customers see all the various options they had when dressing in her creations.

She left her hair loose and applied makeup sparingly. There really was a glow about her. During the first three months she’d wondered what all those people were talking about when they said pregnant women bloomed. Now she could see what they meant. She finally felt pretty again.

She slipped on her flats, then walked over to her closet and took out the package she’d wrapped for Bubba. It was a sweater she’d spent two months making, thick and patterned. She could picture him wearing it during his long winter walks on the beach. Of deep, blue-gray wool, it would set off his blond coloring perfectly.

She could hear the shower running, so she slipped downstairs and put his present behind several of the bigger packages.

By seven that evening she and Bubba were sitting on the couch, watching the tree lights wink on and off. When the doorbell rang, Bubba got up. “I’ll get it.”

Mel leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Though her energy had peaked in the past month, there were still moments when she felt tired. Maybe she could sneak away and take a nap sometime during the evening. Then she could make it to midnight, when they traditionally opened presents.

“Melanie?” She thought she was dreaming, hearing the familiar voice. But when she opened her eyes and turned her head, she saw her mother and father standing in back of the sofa, concerned expressions on both their faces. She stood up slowly, watching their reactions as they took in her physical appearance. Bubba was right behind them, his eyes, warm, reassuring.

“Mom, what are you – ” Her throat tightened up and she couldn’t get the words out of her mouth.

“Bubba asked us to come.” Her mother was rushing her words, as if she, too, was nervous. She was holding a red and white package in her hands and slowly crushing the small box. “He told Sandy everything and she sat us down and explained.”

“Did she explain to Donnie?” She glanced wildly at Bubba. “If he’s coming here tonight – ”

“Donnie won’t be here,” Bubba said.

There was an awkward moment of silence. Her mother walked slowly around the sofa until she stood in front of her. Though Mel searched her mother’s eyes carefully for signs of condemnation, she saw nothing but quiet concern and love.

“Oh, Melanie, why didn’t you tell me everything right from the start?”

She could feel some of the isolation that had enveloped her for so many weeks begin to melt away.

“You aren’t upset?”

“Upset?” Her father finally spoke. His voice was slightly gruff. He ran his hand over his balding head, a gesture she knew he used only when he was nervous. “After Sandy told us why you decided to go ahead we thought you made a good choice.”

“You did?” Her voice sounded strange to her ears.

“Melanie, I knew how much you were looking forward to a family,” her mother said quietly. Mel quickly searched her mother’s lined face for signs of displeasure but found only compassion in her brilliant blue eyes. “Why would I condemn you for wanting a child?”

“Then you don’t mind if… if I’m not – ”

“There is no such thing as an illegitimate child in my family,” her father stated firmly. “And you, young lady, have been worrying your mother for the past two weeks.” He glanced at Bubba. “I think we should all have a drink and start dinner, don’t you?”

Mel could only stare. For just a second she’d glimpsed her father again as she remembered him in earlier times, showing quiet strength and compassion.

“What would you like?” Bubba asked.

“The damn doctor has me on a restricted diet,” her father grumbled.

“A little wine?” Bubba offered.

“Hell, yes! It’s not every day I have a grandchild coming into the world.”

“Oh, Daddy. Thank you,” Mel breathed quietly. Then she looked into her mother’s eyes. “Oh, Mom.”

Her mother’s arms wrapped around her and Melanie tried very hard not to cry.

* * *

Christmas Eve was a smashing success. Bubba’s mother arrived soon after and fell right into animated conversation with Mel’s parents. When the doorbell pealed again, Mel answered and was delighted to find her sister Sandy with her husband, Bill, and their two children at the door.

“Mad at me?” Bubba whispered later as they both went into the kitchen to bring out Christmas Eve dinner.

“No.” She gave his arm a quick squeeze. “I’m glad you got to them before Donnie did.”

“I called Sandy as soon as he left my house. I didn’t think you’d want him to tell them.”

“What happened?”

Bubba grinned. “Sandy called me afterwards to tell me. I wish I’d been there. Donnie exploded in the door in one of his righteous wraths, told your parents, and your father looked up over his paper and said, ‘Yes, Donald, your mother and I are fully aware of what Melanie’s up to. Are you staying for dinner?’”

She started to laugh. “I can just see Daddy doing that!”

“I always liked his sense of humor.”

They lingered over dessert and coffee. Melanie watched Bubba with her niece and nephew. Ten-year-old Jennifer and seven-year-old Michael behaved like absolute angels after Bubba promised them he’d take them to the beach Christmas Day.

“You’ll be staying the night, then?” Mel asked her mother.

The older woman shook her head. “Bubba booked us rooms at the Holiday Inn right by the beach. I’ve been looking forward to a little vacation with your father and Bubba was kind enough to suggest we come.”

Melanie could just picture the two of them together, walking along the beach. Her father would buy some ridiculous hat and wear it just to annoy her mother. They would stop for lunch and he would try to get away with ordering something not on his diet but she would quietly restrain him.

She’d missed them terribly. It had always been her plan to tell them at Christmas, but when Donnie had blown into her life and disrupted everything, she’d lost her confidence.

After dinner, Bubba and Bill unloaded presents from both cars and they all sat in the living room. Bubba lit a fire and put on a CD of Christmas carols. Mel popped popcorn and played with the children. They were excited, asking every few minutes what time it was and if they
please
  couldn’t open just one present.

Bubba entertained them by letting them in on what he had planned for the following day. It gave Mel a chance to sit with her mother and sister and catch up on everything. They listened as Mel described her medical care, how her pregnancy was progressing, how she felt so far.

“I was sick as a dog with Jennifer but not as much with Michael,” Sandy told her, keeping one eye on her children at all times. Bubba had taken Michael out to the backyard because he wanted to see the hot tub and they were visible through the sliding glass door.

“I was sick with all five of you. Especially the twins,” her mother confessed.

“How could you go through it so many times?” Mel asked, totally in awe. Pregnancy made her see her mother in an entirely new way.

“You just do, and it’s only bad in the beginning.” Her mother studied her thoughtfully. “Did you tell your doctor twins run in my side of the family?”

For a moment Mel was totally stunned.
Twins.
There had been times in her pregnancy she was sure she couldn’t cope with one child, let alone two.

“I’ll let her know next week.”

At midnight they opened their presents. She could tell Bubba was pleased with his sweater. He pulled it over his head immediately, even though the living room was warm. Mel’s mother gave her what she always gave her at Christmas – a pretty nightgown and scented soap. But Mel’s lips curved into a smile – this year it was a maternity nightgown with a button front. She also gave her a cross-stitch sampler to hang in the nursery, with tiny bears and colorful balloons.

The living room was completely awash in wrapping paper when, an hour after midnight, Bubba and Mel stood on the front steps and waved as their guests made their way to their respective cars.

“They’ll be back for brunch tomorrow but I said anyone who showed up before noon wouldn’t get anything to eat!” Bubba yawned. “I’m going to get some sleep. You must be exhausted.”

“Did your mom have a good time?”

“Yeah, she did. I know she loved seeing your folks again.”

As they slowly climbed the stairs, Mel wished she could simply follow Bubba into his bedroom.
No, don’t take anything for granted.

They stopped in front of his door and he slowly eased her into his arms.

“I’ll see you in the morning, Mel.” Was it her imagination or was there the slightest bit of regret in his voice?

“Thank you for tonight, Bubba. It meant so much to me being with my family.”

He rested his chin on top of her head. “It wasn’t completely for you. It was kind of a fantasy of mine.”

She was silent, waiting for him to continue.

“All those times when I used to hang out at your house and talk to your dad, I promised myself someday I’d have him and your mom over to my house. And it wouldn’t be like the house I grew up in – it would be exactly like it was tonight.”

Her eyes stung as she thought of all the Christmases he’d missed. On the surface, everything had probably been there – the tree, the presents, his parents – but it had been nothing like the holidays she’d enjoyed.

“I’m glad it finally happened.”

They stood perfectly still, their bodies close together, neither wanting to make the first move to break apart.

“I suppose I should let you go,” he said finally.

“I suppose you should.” She tightened her grip around his waist. Melanie knew she was shameless but she didn’t care.

“I think you’d get more sleep if you went into your own bedroom,” he said softly. “Being the maniac that I am, I won’t be held accountable for my actions.” She could hear just a hint of humor in his voice.

“Being the maniac that I am, I probably won’t take your advice.”

“I’m glad.” Slowly, ever so slowly, he stepped back and lowered his lips to hers. As he started to kiss her, she felt everything around her begin to fade away. There was no reality except the man in her arms.

She’d never enjoyed a holiday more. Mel’s parents stayed for three days before driving home. Her mother made her promise to call every couple of days and said she wanted to come to dinner sometime in January. Bubba asked Mel to go with him to a New Year’s Eve party at Terry’s house. When midnight rolled around, he kissed her. It was only when she stepped back that she noticed several people staring at them.

It had probably looked funny – Bubba kissing an obviously pregnant woman most of Terry’s friends had never seen before.

After the holidays they settled into a very comfortable routine. It seemed to Mel she’d never lived anywhere but in Bubba’s house. He watched her every move, made sure she took her prenatal vitamins, exercised and didn’t overexert herself.

Her love for him deepened but she remained silent. It was only at night, in Bubba’s embrace, that she dared to feel what was deep within her heart. Some nights they didn’t make love. They just talked quietly, wrapped in each other’s arms. When they were intimate, Bubba was especially tender and gentle. Each time Melanie felt herself falling deeper and deeper in love.