"Amanda, congratulations," Shanna, one of the newer employees at the office said to Amanda. "I heard you and Andrew were expecting. You must be so excited."
"I am. We've been wanting to have a baby for a long time."
"I'm so happy for the both of you. Are you hoping for a boy or a girl?"
"It doesn't matter to either of us. We're just so happy to be having a baby. As long as it's healthy, boy or girl doesn't matter."
"You've got to tell me all the details. When are you due? Have you been feeling ok? Having any morning sickness?"
Amanda's mind went blank for a moment at the unexpected barrage of questions on her condition. They were just normal questions that any pregnant woman should be expected to be asked and should be able to answer easily, but she was at a loss. Because she wasn't really pregnant, she didn't know how to answer.
Amanda's sudden hesitancy to speak was starting to make Shanna uncomfortable. "I'm sorry. Am I asking too many questions? I hope I'm not being too personal."
"Oh no, not at all," Amanda said quickly. "My mind was just wandering. Um, I've been feeling ok. I haven't been sick yet. About the due date . . . I'm not sure. The doctor hasn't told me yet. But I should find out soon."
"Did I hear that correctly? Are congratulations in order?" Arthur asked as he wheeled himself into the office.
"Mr. Townsend," Amanda greeted him with surprise. "It's good to see you again. How have you been?"
"Fine," he answered shortly and quickly changed the subject. "More importantly, how are you?"
"Great. I've never been better or happier."
"That's wonderful. I'm glad to hear it. I hope we can talk more before I go, but I actually came in to see Lawrence. Is he busy?"
"No, he's in his office, your old office," Amanda replied. "I'll just make sure he's available, but I'm sure he won't mind if you went right in."
"Hello, this is Lawrence Arrendale. I just wanted to check in and see how everything was going," Lawrence said in the phone. He nodded his head in approval as the person on the other end relayed their progress. "When do you think you'll have everything moved in and set up? . . . By the end of the day? That's perfect. I'll stop by after work to check it out. Thank you so much."
Lawrence smiled to himself as he hung up the phone. He couldn't wait to tell Eileen that their new house was finished and, according to the movers, was almost ready to be moved into. He had a great job, a brand new dream home, and the woman of his dreams. He couldn't ask for more. It was everything he'd ever wanted, he just hated that he had to wait even one more day for it all to begin.
Lawrence looked up at the sound of a knock on the door. "Come in."
"Hello, Lawrence. This place looks different," Arthur remarked to Lawrence as he looked around the room that used to be his personal office.
"We did some redecorating since you were here last."
"That's good. I see you've made the place your own. I noticed some new faces on my way in as well."
"Business has been good, so we needed more help."
"I'm glad to see things are going well, but I didn't come here to check up on you. I wanted to talk to you in private and I wasn't sure when we'd get the chance to speak to each other without Eileen around. Since you're going to be my son-in-law soon, there are some things I think you should know."
"Oh my God, Eileen. Congratulations!" Chloe shrieked in excitement over the telephone after Eileen told her about her upcoming wedding. "I'm so happy for you. When do you think it's going to be?"
"Soon, I hope. It depends on where we can book a place for the ceremony and reception on such short notice. I'm hoping I can find a place and get everything together for next month."
"Next month? That soon? You aren't pregnant are you?"
"What?" Eileen asked in shock. "No, I'm not."
"Are you sure?"
"Very sure. We're just anxious to start our lives together. We don't want to wait any longer than we have to."
"Aw, that's sweet. What have you planned for the wedding so far?"
"Not much, unfortunately. I want to decide on the place first and then decide on the details from there. I'm going to call some places today and start looking for a dress. For bridesmaids I was thinking of you, if you'll be back in town."
"Of course! I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"And I was going to ask Cassie, since she's my friend and Lawrence's cousin too."
"That's nice," Chloe said. After a moment of hesitation she asked, "What about Lucy?"
Eileen sighed. "We haven't talked in so long. I don't think we're going to patch things up this time."
"How could you if you don't talk? Have you tried to make up with her? How long has it been?"
"Too long . . . I'm not sure if trying would do any good at this point. If I thought it would, I would try . . . It just doesn't feel right to be planning my wedding without her."
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