Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Getting Ready For Baby...(S11-E4)

 



It's the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Laura has had the house to herself the entire day today. Since the boys did not have school this week due to the upcoming holiday, Luke offered to take them with him to work today and give Laura a little break. Luke hired two new employees in recent months and now possibly a third one soon. Business has been really good since Luke has now become somewhat of a local celebrity via his connections with Rufus. So the Record shop has been booming with business and people are beginning to get their Christmas shopping started early this year.


It's late afternoon now and Laura decides to sort through the last few bins of baby items before Luke gets home with the boys. Little by little this month they have been getting ready for the new baby with Laura's due date approaching they want to make sure they are all ready. She only has a a few more weeks to go. Laura wanted a new crib, but everything else is hand me downs from the other two.

Laura fills the drawers and some baskets with the last remaining items while her mind ponders what this new baby will be like. What will they look like? Whose personality will they favor?....After a whirlwind year of drama with Luke, tacking on this pregnancy was a lot for the whole family to take in, she can only hope that this baby will forever solidify things between her and Luke. The pair has been consistent with couples counseling and the work has paid off so far. Luke has been way more present and way more open with her especially now that Rufus is a permanent part of their lives.

As her mind drifts off to think about Rufus she remembers her family is spending Thanksgiving with her and Ruby this year. She gets stressed just thinking about it. Over these last 9 years that her and Luke have been together Laura has never spent much time with Rufus she mostly only knows what others tell her about her.

She thinks well at least my sister will be there. She will help her handle Rufus. Laura does not know if she has the energy to at this point of the pregnancy. This time around it has been a bit difficult and she is more than ready to have this baby.

While Laura sits there and continues to ponder in silence she suddenly hears the boy's voices barreling up the stairway as Luke's deep voice follows reminding them to not run in the house. Then she hears Luke's boots coming up the stairs and into the hallway. The door creaks open and Laura turns her head. "Hey!" She says with a smile. "The boys have fun with you today?"

Luke nods, "Yeah...they did good. Helped out at the shop and I took them to get pizza for lunch." Luke says as he leans in the doorway. "How you feeling?"

"Okay, just tired...I just finished putting away the last few baby items. Those bins behind me can go in the attic now when you get a chance." 

"Okay.", Luke replies. "I'll take care of it after dinner. You need me to order us some food so you don't have to cook tonight?"

Laura moans realizing she forgot to plan a meal for today. "Ugh, yeah...I forgot to prep dinner today. Are the boys in the other room?", she asks not hearing them at the moment.

Luke nods, "Yeah, they're playing quietly..." Then he walks over to her sensing she is tired and stressed. He is well aware how much this pregnancy has wore her down. 

"It's okay babe you don't need to worry about them or dinner tonight. I got it handled." He assures her and leans over to kiss her. "What do you want to order? Craving anything?" He asks her as he stands back up to face her.

"Um, I dunno." Laura mutters softly, lately she has not been herself. "Something simple is fine. Some fried chicken sounds good." She says feeling more hungry now that she thinks about it.


"What's wrong babe?" Luke says to her with concern. "You stressed about Thursday?

Laura sighs, "I dunno. This pregnancy just has my hormones all over the place lately, and I'm definitely feeling stressed about thanksgiving dinner."

"You wanna cancel it? Just have dinner with your sister and Benjamin?" Luke suggest. "We can, it's no big deal."

Laura shakes her head with a scoff, "Absolutely not and let Rufus think she has gotten to me already? No, no way. I can't do that."

"Just let me handle, Rufus...I'll call her and cancel. No big deal. She'll get over it." Luke insists.

"No! She needs to see we are a family and get it through her thick skull that you and her are over." Laura replies. "Like I wanted to do so many years ago..."

"Babe you know it's not like that. You know I am not in love with her. She is not going to come between us." Luke says a little frustrated. He has repeated these lines so much over the years. He knows this is a very weak spot in their relationship and honestly he really can't blame Laura for feeling insecure about it. 

Laura sighs and turns her head to look out the window, "I'm not worried about that..." she mutters. "I'm worried about how all this will affect our children. Our lives are changing now that Rufus is in it. Your business is changing, which is good I can't complain about that." She pauses briefly, "It's a lot to take in being put on this small pedestal for others to see. We can't even go out in public as a family now. People recognize you."


"Babe. People recognized me before all this too!", Luke reminds her. "This rock 'n roll lifestyle is a part of me. You know that I can't just give it up."

"I know. I don't expect you to. I love that about you. It's just all so much to take in, Luke.", She pauses for a moment. "Between all the life changes and this pregnancy. I just feel emotionally drained lately." She says as her voice cracks with emotion. 


"I know you do, but things will get better. Soon the baby will be here and we'll find our rhythm again as a family of five. Just take it one day at a time babe..." Luke reminds her. "C'mere..." Then he leans forward and holds out his hands offering to help her up.

Laura reaches for his arms and lets him pull her up off the rocking chair and into the loving warmth of his embrace. "You and the boys come first babe...We can cancel Thanksgiving this year it will be okay if you do." Luke reiterates. He knows Laura loves to host family gatherings she is a southern girl born and raised entertaining family with good food and good memories is in her blood. She does not like to cancel.

"No...I'll be okay. We have to get through this not matter what. We can't keep avoiding the inevitable with Rufus.", Laura says doubling down on insisting they go forward with Thanksgiving."I know it won't be easy, but I'm honestly a little excited to see Ruby."

Luke smiles and nods, "Okay babe, if that is what you want, but the offer is there if you change your mind. I have no problem calling and canceling." Laura nods in response then Luke reaches up and cups his hands around her face, looking into her green eyes as they stare up at him meeting his dark brown eyes. "I love you so fucking much babe. You have no fucking idea how grateful I am to be here with you and the boys right now."


"I know..." Laura replies feeling the same sentiment, her voice still a little emotional as they stay in each other's arms. "Because I feel the same Luke. I can't live without you. My world doesn't exist without you."

Hearing her say those words hits Luke hard knowing what their future could have been, he still has not totally explained that experience to Laura. All she knows is that he had a very vivid dream in a drunken stupor that night. Luke's voice catches in his throat as he feels choked up by the emotions that experience left on him. He never wants to put Laura and the boys through anything like that. "I know babe." His voice horse as he tilts her forehead to meet his lips kissing her softly. "I know."


Laura feels that calm, serene feeling when she is in his arms helping to relieve the current tension and anxiety. She steps in and cuddles up closer to him. "I've been thinking that maybe it's time to stop the marriage counseling. Life will be so busy once the baby is born." Laura says to him as her head is nestled into his chest his familiar scent hitting her senses as she closes her eyes and breathes him in.


"Okay...", Luke replies, surprised she is ready to give that up. "If you want to do that. We can always get your mom to watch the kids for an hour or two." Luke adds. 

"Why? Do you think we should still keep going?" Laura asks him as they continue to stand there holding each other. They have been going for nearly 6 months.


"Um...maybe...yeah.", Luke admits. Even though he hates talking to someone else about their marital issues it has helped to teach him to better communicate his emotions with Laura.

Laura leans back and looks up at him, "Really? I...I'm surprised you say that..." she says a little shocked by it her eyes wide with a little curiosity.

Luke smiles, "I know, but I think it would be better if we do. Especially now that Rufus will be around more often. Don't you think?"

Laura bites into her lip realizing Luke makes a good point, "Yeah you're right. Maybe we can just take one month off after the baby is born then get back to counseling." Luke nods, but before he can respond Laura's phone begins to ring. 

She grabs it out of her jeans back pocket and looks at the screen. "It's my sister..." Laura answers the call and sets the phone to her ear, "Hey sis, what's up?"


"I'm in labor...", Michele says quickly as she sits on her bedside.

"What? Really? You're sure?", Laura says a little surprised, but they all knew Michelle was due any day now. That day is today.

 
"Yes I'm sure." Michelle nods. "I called the doctor earlier. Benjamin is getting my things we're about to head out the door."

"Um...okay. Well I guess this means you'll miss all the drama at Thanksgiving this year.", Laura teases.


Michelle smiles into the phone and laughs a little, "Yeah looks like we will. Sorry to leave you hanging like that, but this girl is ready to make her debut." rubbing a hand across her belly as she feels another contraction. "In fact she's letting me know it right now." 

"Are you having a contraction?", Laura asks.


"Yeah...They're fairly mild right now, but we're gonna go ahead and head out to the birthing center.", Michelle tells her sister. 

"Okay. Do you still want me to be there?", Laura asks knowing they wanted to try and be there for each other since they were both having a baby so close together.


"If you can...yeah. I called mom. So she will be there too." Michelle then turns to look over at Benjamin. Who has been tasked with finding a certain shirt in Michelle's drawer before they leave. "Did you find it?"

"I think so.", Benjamin replies as he digs through the messy drawer. "There is so much crap in here no wonder you can't find anything!"


"I know it's in there the maid just washed it the other day.", Michelle says to him.

While Michelle is chatting with Benjamin Laura turns to Luke, "Michelle is in labor and she wants me to be there."


"Okay. How about I order dinner then you can eat, and I'll take care of the boys tonight.", Luke suggests.

"You sure?", Laura says knowing he can handle, but still never ceases to worry.

"Of course, babe...go be there for your sister.", Luke replies.


"Found it!", Benjamin turns and shouts for everyone to hear. "That damn bugger was hard to find in there darlin! You got way too much shit in there."

Michelle looks relieved because she is more than ready to get on the road now, "It's fine." waving off his comment. "Now pack it in my bag so we can go!" she demands.


Laura is getting a feeling that her sister might be a bit feisty when it comes to giving birth, and being in labor, "Hey, Michelle. I'm gonna eat some dinner then I'll meet y'all there okay?"


"Okay.", Michelle replies while Benjamin packs up her bag. As she feels the baby kick."Oh!", She blurts into the phone.

"Are they getting a little more intense?", Laura asks sensing her mood change over the phone.

"Um I think she kicked me...", Michelle says. "I dunno how you did this Laura." Michelle admits.


Laura smiles knowing her sister and how in control she likes to be, "You'll get through it...I promise. Just don't have that baby before I get there." she teases.

"I'll try.", Michelle says with a smile as Benjamin walks over to help her get up off the bed. "We're heading out now. I'll see you soon sis."


"Okay." Laura replies on the other line. "Don't give Benjamin too hard of a time. He loves you sis!", Laura reminds her.

Michelle smiles, "I'll try, but I can't make any promises..." Then ends the call with her sister.

"C'mon darlin' let's git going...." Benjamin says helping her off the bed. Michelle waddles off quickly to the door, as he follows behind her with her bag, reminding her to slow down. "Just be careful going down them stairs darlin. I'm gonna git you there."

"I'm pregnant not injured...", Michelle snaps a little as they stop at the door to their master bedroom. "I can handle walking down some stairs."

"Hey, don't snap at me...", Benjamin replies. "I'm just looking out for you here, that's all."


"I'm sorry...I just really want to get in the car and on the road.", Michelle admits. She is more nervous about this birth than Benjamin is. 

"I know you do darlin...I'm gonna git you there.", Benjamin drawls as he assures her. "Let's just git down the stairs first and out the door."


Michelle nods then turns to exit their bedroom and slowly waddles down the stairs and out the door to their car.

To be continued!

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