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13
Val
“I’m not falling for that twice, Abby.” It was sweet that she’d invited me over for dinner, but I couldn’t believe she was trying to get me to go back on a cruise.
“Mom, I’m not joking this time. I’m going on the cruise with you,” she said, dishing out a bowl of homemade chicken and dumplings. “Besides, you’re invited to a wedding, and you told me that Betty really wants you there.”
I didn’t remember telling Abby about my conversation with Betty and the wedding, but then again, I wouldn’t be surprised to find I was talking out loud and Abby overheard me either. I haven’t been myself since I got back from my cruise. That’s probably because of the emotional rollercoaster I had been on. Loving and losing Rick once was bad enough. Twice, is killing me. Sleepless nights, and even during the day, I find myself daydreaming about him. About what could’ve been.
“Great. Betty wants me to go, but that still does not explain why you want to go all of a sudden,” I said. And I never even agreed to go myself.
“It’s called a babymoon.”
“What on earth is that?” I asked.
“It’s like a honeymoon, but you go on it when you’re pregnant. A vacation before you have the baby,” she explained.
“Aren’t you supposed to go with your husband?” I asked, taking a bite of the dumpling. “Hey, your cooking has really improved.”
She gave me a sharp look. “Are you saying it sucked before?”
I shrugged. “Sucked might be a bit harsh. Lacking flavor would be more appropriate.”
“That’s not much better. And Timothy doesn’t complain about my cooking,” she stated.
“He’s a smart man,” I smiled, then took another bite. “Now, tell me why you think we need to be on that cruise. I mean, it leaves in two weeks. That’s not much time to plan.”
“What planning do you need? We already shopped for everything we needed for the last cruise.”
“The one you never went on? Yes, I remember. I thought you returned all that stuff,” I reminded her.
“Yes, but I got new stuff. You know - stretchy, flowy stuff. Going to need it, you know. I can’t believe it, but I’m already starting to show.”
“Hardly. I think when I was twelve weeks pregnant with you, I looked like I was ready to wear a tent,” I sighed.
Abby stood up and lifted her shirt and showed me her belly. “Like this?”
She showed, but only because she was slender. “You make it sound like you have a beach ball bump. If I eat too much at night, I could give you some serious competition.”
Abby laughed. “Timothy too.” Slipping her shirt back into place, she sat down again. “I’m just glad I don’t suffer from nausea anymore. It’s going to be easy sailing from here.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell her that each stage of pregnancy comes with its ups and downs. “I’m glad you’re feeling better. If I were you, I wouldn’t push your luck by going on a boat.”
“Ship. And I already checked with my doctor. He said it’s okay. I have a list of foods to avoid, and I’ll only drink bottled water. Any more excuses, or can I go ahead and book our tickets?”
“You’re not going to back down, are you?” I asked. She shook her head and I said, “I tell you what, I’m going to pay for our tickets. This way I know you really have one.”
“No argument from me,” she snickered. “Maybe we can get Grandma to come, too.”
That actually would be nice.The last time the three of us went away together, Abby had been a boy-crazy teenager who spent the entire trip whining about missing her boyfriend.
“I think that’s a great idea. You seem to have better luck getting her to say yes than I do. Why don’t you invite her?” I suggested.
“I can’t help it if I am more persuasive than you are,” Abby grinned.
“Don’t get too cocky. I’m not always going to say yes to you,” I warned.
“You don’t have to. Just most of the time will work for me,” Abby said, dialing the number. “Hi Grandma. Guess what? You’re coming on a cruise with me and Mom.”
