Names and Birthdays
Part 25
By Cari
cxcarleo@naz.edu

This piece starts on October 3.

As always, thanks go to Lori and Rachel for letting me bounce ideas off them. I do not own any of the characters and make no money from their use.

Note: Although Mark's dad was alive for his wedding, he has since passed on.

Songs used in this piece:

"I Will Be Right Here" by All-4-One

It was Tuesday October 3, and Mark and Elizabeth were lying in bed around 8:30 PM because Elizabeth was on early the next day and Mark had worked a double so he was exhausted. Elizabeth said, "Please promise me you're not planning a party for my birthday."

"If you feel that strongly about it, I won't. I did invite Doug, Carol and Susan for dinner though. Do you want me to cancel that?"

"No, that is ok. I hope no one does anything at work."

"I'll talk to everyone and ask them not to. I don't want you to be upset for your birthday."

"Thank you." Just then, Elizabeth felt a twinge in her stomach and without a word; she took Mark's hand and placed it under her nightshirt, against her stomach.

For a moment, Mark didn't feel anything, but then the baby kicked again. "This is the first time he has kicked strong enough for me to feel him."

"I know. When I felt his kick I thought it might be enough for you to feel, I hoped it would. I love this feeling."

"Me too. It makes me realize even more that this really is our baby, that we're going to be parents in a little more than three months. That's so amazing to me."

"It is to me as well. You know what I was thinking about?"

"What?"

"Names for him."

"That's a good idea. Did you have any in mind?"

"Well there is one that came to mind on Saturday, as soon as she told us we were having a son. It is David Charles, for our dads."

"I love it. I think your dad will be honored and I know my dad would have been too," Mark said with a small smile.

Elizabeth reached to put an arm around Mark and said, "I'm sure he's watching over us and our son right now. I'm glad we were able to choose a name so quickly, it makes things easier."

"It does. Doug has a few days off next week and he agreed to come over and help me with the nursery."

"That's good. You guys can take care of painting and then we can put up the border when we get it."

"And that way we don't have to worry about the rug. The painting will be all done by the time the carpet is installed."

"I think the room will look great."

"I do too."

It is now around 5 PM on Saturday October 7, Elizabeth's actual birthday. Mark was in the kitchen, stirring up something in a pot when the doorbell rang. He let Doug and Carol in and asked, "Where's Susan?"

Doug answered, "She had plans this afternoon and then she has to work at 7. Dinner smells really good," Doug added as they walked into the kitchen.

"Thanks, it's spaghetti."

"Where's the birthday girl?" Carol asked, looking around.

"Up in the bedroom. She was exhausted. She was on from 6 AM on Wednesday until 10 PM on Thursday. Then she got called in yesterday at 7 AM and didn't get home until after 9 PM. She crawled into bed almost as soon as she got home. She was up for a while today, but was very short tempered. She felt bad that she kept snapping at me, so she went back up to bed about two hours ago," Mark said, glancing at his watch. "I feel really bad because I wanted her to have a nice birthday. Carol, maybe if you could check on her..."

"Of course," Carol said, heading up the stairs. Mark and Elizabeth's bedroom door was only partially closed, but Carol knocked softly.

"Come in," Elizabeth said.

Crossing the room to the window seat where Elizabeth was, Carol said, "Happy Birthday." She knelt down beside the seat and gave Elizabeth a hug. She sensed that Elizabeth was a little reluctant to let go, so she held her longer. When Elizabeth finally pulled away and leaned back against her 'husband pillow,' Carol sat on the very edge of the window seat and asked, "Are you OK?"

"Yes, I was just thinking."

"This seat has always been good for that. Both my mom and I spent a lot of time sitting here and thinking. Watching the animals that gather around the pond always helped me relax."

"There have been quite a few animals today. Several deer, and other small animals, I think they're trying to enjoy the nice weather while it lasts."

"It is a really nice day. Why don't we take a walk before dinner?"

"Do we have time?"

"I think so. It didn't seem that Mark had dinner all ready yet. They won't start without the birthday girl anyway," Carol said with a smile.

A few minutes later, Carol and Elizabeth walked down the stairs into the den where Doug and Mark were. Elizabeth said to Mark, "We're going for a walk, do you guys mind waiting a little for dinner?"

"Not at all. Take your time."

"Thanks."

After Carol and Elizabeth headed out the back door, Doug asked Mark, "Is everything OK?"

"Yeah, I think so. I hope so. I don't know how much I'm supposed to tell you, so you may want to pretend you don't know anything if Elizabeth asks. Although, I imagine she's telling Carol right now."

"Of course. You don't have to tell me if you don't feel right."

"No, it's OK." Mark paused slightly and then continued. "Elizabeth had the amnio done yesterday and now we're waiting for the results. It's taking a toll on Elizabeth and while I'm trying to be strong..."

"I know that feeling When Carol was sick it took all my strength to hold it together in front of her. You saw how I was...You have to let it go when Elizabeth isn't around or you'll explode."

"I know, I went to the gym today and got a lot out."
"That's good. I'm glad Elizabeth decided to go through with the amnio. Hopefully the results will ease your concerns and worries."

"I hope so, I just want to know one way or another. I know the doctor was just doing her job by advising us to take the test, but I wish the subject never came up. For the past week, since we first seriously started to consider having the test, it has been hell. I knew Elizabeth was concerned from when the doctor mentioned it so that tempered our excitement over finding out it was a boy."

"I could tell. I was going to ask if everything was OK, but I figured you would tell me when you were ready."

"Thanks. She and I talked it out Saturday afternoon after she cried herself to sleep. She then called her dad, which helped. It was just someone else to talk to."

"That is always a help."

"Yeah. He also offered money so that put aside her concern about further straining our budget."

"I didn't know you were concerned."

"We don't really need to be overly concerned. Things were a little tight when we first started buying the big ticket baby items because County screwed up our pay raises."

"Did you get it straightened out?"

"Yeah. Accounting said that because Elizabeth was co-chief, she was only part time. But Kerry worked it out."

"I'm glad. You should have come to us."

"We thought about it, for a short term loan until they straightened everything out. But we were able to layaway the baby items and then it was all fine. Elizabeth is just worried about another big expense in case County screwed up again."

Switch scene to Carol and Elizabeth who are now sitting in the backyard on a large rock near the pond. Elizabeth said, "Thanks. The walk really helped, as did the company."

"I'm glad. I've always found walking to be a good way to relax when I'm stressed out, either with someone or alone."

"I didn't really want to be alone today but I kept snapping at Mark over the littlest thing so I went upstairs to give him a break from me."

"You were worried, as is he. Waiting is one of the worst things."

"I know this is as hard on him as it is on me. He just tried to comfort me and for some reason, I didn't want that."

"That can be hard. When I was sick, there were times when I just wanted to be able to vent. Luckily, Doug would sense that. He would either hold me and let me cry in his arms without trying to stop me, or he's just leave me alone if I needed my space. One day, I was so upset; I locked myself in the bedroom. After about 15 minutes, I sheepishly walked out to the kitchen and told Doug we needed new pillows. He asked if I felt better, and I said that I did. He told me that was all that mattered. Maybe if you and Mark can work out an agreement where you can tell him that you just need to get everything out."

"That's a good idea. I think I'll stop blowing up when I get the results. I just want to know so I didn't have to worry."

"I wish you didn't have to spend your b-day worrying."

"Speaking of which, we should probably head in. We've been gone almost 45 minutes and they're probably starving. Thanks for listening," Elizabeth said, giving Carol a hug.

"You're welcome."

Carol and Elizabeth walked into the house, and met Mark and Doug in the den. Elizabeth slowly walked to Mark and buried her head in his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his head in her hair. Carol and Doug headed to the kitchen to set the table and give Mark and Elizabeth some space.

About 10 minutes later, Mark came into the kitchen and said, "Thanks guys."

"No problem."

"Elizabeth will be down in a minute, she went to wash her face."

When she came back down, they all sat at the table. Doug said, "First, let's toast. Happy Birthday Elizabeth."

They all clinked their glasses of sparkling cider and Elizabeth said, "Thanks."

Later that evening around 9 PM they were all sitting in the living room with the radio playing quietly in the background. Elizabeth opened her gift from Doug and Carol and found a gift certificate for a day at a spa that specialized in the treatment of pregnant women.

"Thank you so much," Elizabeth said, giving Doug and Carol hugs. "This is exactly what I needed."

"I just saw the ad in the magazine the other day and then asked around. It's supposed to be really good."

Mark, meanwhile, had walked across the room to turn up the stereo when he heard the beginning strains of a song. The song that was playing was, "I Will Be Right Here" by All-4-One.

Mark walked behind Elizabeth, put his arms around her waist, gently laying his hands on her stomach. She leaned back against him, and for the first time that night she seemed at least partially relaxed.

Wherever you go, whatever you do,
Whenever you need me
How can I say how much you've done for me
How much I have just knowing I had you
You touched my world
And I'll never be the same
You touched my heart
And know everything has changed
You are the one in this life I'll remember

Wherever you go
Whatever you do
Wherever you are
My heart is with you
No matter how far I'll always be near
Whenever you need me
I will be right here

There'll always be a part of you with me
I hope there'll be a part of me with you
Oh baby just call my name
And I'll hear you on the wind
Just close your eyes
And I'll find you once again
Just know that I'm on your side and remember

Wherever you go
Whatever you do
Wherever you are
My heart is with you
No matter how far I'll always be near
Whenever you need me
I will be right here

And when the wind touches you
It will touch me too
And the same star you see
Will be the one that shines on me
I'll be here when you need me
I'll be here any time
Baby I'm on your side so remember

Wherever you go
Whatever you do
Wherever you are

Wherever you go
Whatever you do
Wherever you are
My heart is with you
No matter how far I'll always be near
Whenever you need me
I will be right here
I will be right here
I will be right here

Just as the song was ending, Doug's cell phone rang. He picked it up and we can only hear his side of the conversation. "Hi, yes. Oh my God...No, you made the right call...You ride with her and we'll meet you there...Oh, crap...I'll call ahead."

Doug hung up and Mark asked, "Is everything OK?"

"That was Rosemarie. Suzy's fever spiked and she was having trouble breathing. She called an ambulance, I told her I'd meet her at County..."