Melissa and Milton started spending almost all their free time together. They would see concerts and movies, sit in the park and look at the stars, and hang out at Melissa's house frequently. Milton helped Melissa around the house when he could cleaning up after dinner and doing general repair. Their relationship begam to take on tones of something long lasting and both Melissa and Milton began to see each other differently. They relied on each other and Melissa started to feel that she wanted Milton to stay with her forever.
She knew it wasn't the traditional way that propsals took place. It was typically the man who asked the woman to marry him. But she wasn't about to wait any longer. One day after work she went shopping at the local consignment store to see if there were any antique rings for sale. She found a matching his and hers set that took he breath away. They were simple yet elegant and she felt her heart rate increase as she brought her purchase home. Tonight was the night and if she didn't stake her claim now she feared the opportunity may not arise again.
Milton came over after his shift had ended and Melissa quickly swept him into the house, nervous with want to have the situation over already but hopefully light that he would say yes. Milton eyed Melssia skeptically. She almost always had an air of nervousness around her but today was different. She smiled and laughed and had an effervescent aura around her. Milton knew something was up, but couldn't quite place hsi finger on it. Melissa was keeping a secret but something about it made his heart jump into his throat.
Before he knew it Melissa was on one knee with a ring box in her hand. The words spilled out of her mouth, "Will you marry me?" They sounded jumbled and blended to Milton's ears but his mind knew exactly what was happening and mentally he felt sharp as a tack. "Yes! YES I will marry you Melissa Baxter!" he nearly screamed as she stood up and he held his hand out for her to place the ring on his finger. This day couldn't get any better as elation swept them both up into a long, deep kiss. "I love you so much," Milton interjected, "I had no idea you were planning on doing this."
Melissa looked at him with a spark in her eyes, "Neither did I to be honest. But I knew I wanted ot marry you and I took it upon myself to ask you. Unorthodox I know but I couldn't wait any longer for one of us to ask. So I went out and found these wonderful rings and everything just came together perfectly. I do have one question to ask. Do you mind if I invite some of the girls over for a party before we completly tie the knot?"
Milton mulled this over for a moment. He did want her to have fun that's for sure. He didn't want to be responsible for killing the lively fun spirit in her, but he also knew what could happen at these parties and was nervous she might get in trouble. He decided on the middle of the road approach, "Yeah sure, but don't get yourself in trouble. I don't want to have to bail you out of jail for disorderly conduct because you and your girlfriends get out of control."
She knew it wasn't the traditional way that propsals took place. It was typically the man who asked the woman to marry him. But she wasn't about to wait any longer. One day after work she went shopping at the local consignment store to see if there were any antique rings for sale. She found a matching his and hers set that took he breath away. They were simple yet elegant and she felt her heart rate increase as she brought her purchase home. Tonight was the night and if she didn't stake her claim now she feared the opportunity may not arise again.
Milton came over after his shift had ended and Melissa quickly swept him into the house, nervous with want to have the situation over already but hopefully light that he would say yes. Milton eyed Melssia skeptically. She almost always had an air of nervousness around her but today was different. She smiled and laughed and had an effervescent aura around her. Milton knew something was up, but couldn't quite place hsi finger on it. Melissa was keeping a secret but something about it made his heart jump into his throat.
Before he knew it Melissa was on one knee with a ring box in her hand. The words spilled out of her mouth, "Will you marry me?" They sounded jumbled and blended to Milton's ears but his mind knew exactly what was happening and mentally he felt sharp as a tack. "Yes! YES I will marry you Melissa Baxter!" he nearly screamed as she stood up and he held his hand out for her to place the ring on his finger. This day couldn't get any better as elation swept them both up into a long, deep kiss. "I love you so much," Milton interjected, "I had no idea you were planning on doing this."
Melissa looked at him with a spark in her eyes, "Neither did I to be honest. But I knew I wanted ot marry you and I took it upon myself to ask you. Unorthodox I know but I couldn't wait any longer for one of us to ask. So I went out and found these wonderful rings and everything just came together perfectly. I do have one question to ask. Do you mind if I invite some of the girls over for a party before we completly tie the knot?"
Milton mulled this over for a moment. He did want her to have fun that's for sure. He didn't want to be responsible for killing the lively fun spirit in her, but he also knew what could happen at these parties and was nervous she might get in trouble. He decided on the middle of the road approach, "Yeah sure, but don't get yourself in trouble. I don't want to have to bail you out of jail for disorderly conduct because you and your girlfriends get out of control."
Melissa announceded her engagement at work the following day. The girls all swooned over her and showered her with congratulations. They laughed deeply after hearing melissa's retelling of the days events. They were all especially impressed with her aptitude of taking matter sinto her own hands. If Melissa had learned anything while living in Sunset Valley was that life waits for no one. You had to grab opportunities when they presented themselves otherwise life would pass you by without a second thought.
Melissa's coworkers insisted they throw her a bachelorette party. She smiled and accepted. "Why don't we have it at my house girls? This way it'll just be easy for everyone to get together." The girls accepted and later that night everyone showed up at Melissa's house to celebrate her last night as a single woman.
Champage flowed, and in some instances was sprayed all over. The girls all had a wonderful time toasting Melissa and eating and drinking. As the night began to wind down Melissa heard a car pull up to the house. The flashign lights made her heart sink into her stomach. The cops had been called. Maybe this party wasn't such a good idea to have at the house. She was sure her rich, snotty neighbors had called the cops and complained about the noise the girls were making.
"Damn," Melissa muttered to herself and she walked outside with her friends in two behind her giggling and carrying on. Melissa turned around and said, "You know this carrying on is what got us in trouble to begin with!" As she turned back around to explain to the police officer they would keep in down and the party was ending soon anyway she realized this was no cop. He pulled a boombox out of th eback seat of his cruiser, cranked the volume to the max, and ripped his tear-away costume off. Melissa's mouth hung agape as she realized they weren't in trouble; she was far from being in trouble with the law but if this dancer got any bright ideas she was sure to be in trouble with Milton. Her guests roared with laughter as the dancer gyrated around her front lawn. The dancer finishe dhis route without getting out of hand, congratulated Melissa, got his payment from melissa's friend who ordered him, and left. Melissa turned to her group of girlfriends and simply laughed. This was surely one crazy night. "We just wanted you to see what you were missing now that you're going to be a married woman!" one of them cried as she got another bottle of champange dumped over her head.
Melissa's coworkers insisted they throw her a bachelorette party. She smiled and accepted. "Why don't we have it at my house girls? This way it'll just be easy for everyone to get together." The girls accepted and later that night everyone showed up at Melissa's house to celebrate her last night as a single woman.
Champage flowed, and in some instances was sprayed all over. The girls all had a wonderful time toasting Melissa and eating and drinking. As the night began to wind down Melissa heard a car pull up to the house. The flashign lights made her heart sink into her stomach. The cops had been called. Maybe this party wasn't such a good idea to have at the house. She was sure her rich, snotty neighbors had called the cops and complained about the noise the girls were making.
"Damn," Melissa muttered to herself and she walked outside with her friends in two behind her giggling and carrying on. Melissa turned around and said, "You know this carrying on is what got us in trouble to begin with!" As she turned back around to explain to the police officer they would keep in down and the party was ending soon anyway she realized this was no cop. He pulled a boombox out of th eback seat of his cruiser, cranked the volume to the max, and ripped his tear-away costume off. Melissa's mouth hung agape as she realized they weren't in trouble; she was far from being in trouble with the law but if this dancer got any bright ideas she was sure to be in trouble with Milton. Her guests roared with laughter as the dancer gyrated around her front lawn. The dancer finishe dhis route without getting out of hand, congratulated Melissa, got his payment from melissa's friend who ordered him, and left. Melissa turned to her group of girlfriends and simply laughed. This was surely one crazy night. "We just wanted you to see what you were missing now that you're going to be a married woman!" one of them cried as she got another bottle of champange dumped over her head.
Melissa got busy after he bachelorette party setting up for her wedding. She wanted a private affair at home to save a little bit of money. She wished she could have her wedding someplace nice with a catered buffet table and a bar tender, but she was more concerned about having cash in the bank to make repairs to her home. She didn't want Milton living in a house with her that was cramped and falling apart. If her dwelling did bother him, which she was sure it did, he hadn't said anything negative about it yet. Finally the day came and Melissa made sure everything was in place for her guests; the arbor, the chairs, a home made spread of food, and most importantly, the cake.
Milton came to the house an hour early and they went over their plan for the day. They both seemed so relaxed as if it was just another fun day together instead of their wedding day. Melissa took this feeling as a good sign that she had made the right decision asking Milton to marry her. One by one the guests began to arrive, even Stiles who Melissa sked if it was okay to invite. They may not have a romantic relationship anymore but they were still friends and melissa wanted to make sure he was there for the wedding. The ceremony went smoothly and neither her nor Milton forgot the vows they had written for each other.
The cake was cut, the guests stuffed themselves with the food Melissa had prepared and everyone had a great time. The newly weds were showered with gifts and congratulations and as the last guest left, Milton and Melissa sank into the silence that now permiated the house. Milton cleane dup after the guests and Melissa washed the dishes in her little bathroom sink. She sighed as she looked around her tiny house; this was no place for a newly married couple to start a family but her hands were tied. She had too much money wrapped up in the property to leave it and Milton didn't have much money either. She didn't really want to leave either. She liked the large plot of land and dreamed that one day her children or grandchildren would be well off enough to put a lrge house on the property with a beautiful garden and nice landscaping. As it was for now the lot was barren less her tiny house. But she was certain with enough hard work her and Milton would be able to turn her shanty into a least a modest home before she died. With that she began her life as a married woman.
Milton came to the house an hour early and they went over their plan for the day. They both seemed so relaxed as if it was just another fun day together instead of their wedding day. Melissa took this feeling as a good sign that she had made the right decision asking Milton to marry her. One by one the guests began to arrive, even Stiles who Melissa sked if it was okay to invite. They may not have a romantic relationship anymore but they were still friends and melissa wanted to make sure he was there for the wedding. The ceremony went smoothly and neither her nor Milton forgot the vows they had written for each other.
The cake was cut, the guests stuffed themselves with the food Melissa had prepared and everyone had a great time. The newly weds were showered with gifts and congratulations and as the last guest left, Milton and Melissa sank into the silence that now permiated the house. Milton cleane dup after the guests and Melissa washed the dishes in her little bathroom sink. She sighed as she looked around her tiny house; this was no place for a newly married couple to start a family but her hands were tied. She had too much money wrapped up in the property to leave it and Milton didn't have much money either. She didn't really want to leave either. She liked the large plot of land and dreamed that one day her children or grandchildren would be well off enough to put a lrge house on the property with a beautiful garden and nice landscaping. As it was for now the lot was barren less her tiny house. But she was certain with enough hard work her and Milton would be able to turn her shanty into a least a modest home before she died. With that she began her life as a married woman.
Milton and Melissa settled in comfortably. However, as the weeks went on after their wedding day Milton began to change. He became restless and was easily frustrated with almost everything he did. Melissa picked up on this quickly and soon began to worry about her new husband. He didn't seem at all happy and Melissa worried he was having doubts about marrying her. She knew she didn't bring a lot of material things to their relationship, but she very much loved him and that was more important and more precious than money and furniture.
Melissa let a few days pass before approaching Milton. "Hey hunny. I just need to know what's going on. You don't seem at all yourself these days. Is there something I should know about?" Melissa braced herself for the worst. She had a sinking feeling Milton may be thinking of seeing someone else and ending their marriage. Or worse was already doing as such.
"Well," Milton ventured, "I'm certainly not unhappy with you. It's more I'm unhappy with myself. Since meeting you I feel like I could take on the world. But I feel like time has passed me by and I haven't even realized it. I should have done more with my life to this point, but instead I've been working at the hospital with no promotions in sight. I'm just really unhappy there. Then there's the prospect of children and fixing up the house and, I don't know, it just feels like the world is so much bigger than I thought and I'm not doing what I really love."
Melissa chastised herself for thinking Milton was trying to sneak around on her. But this smacked of a midlife crisis. Melissa had felt this once only briefly but it's power was overwhelming and it's temptations alluring and seductive. She knew how Milton felt and decided to allow him to progress naturally through this new phase. "Are you saying you want to quit your job? I've been studying hard and according to my boss I should be working in the operating room in time, but I'm not sure when I'll be getting my residency. I'm not too sure I can support the both of us while you chase your dreams." She instantly regretted her poor choice of words and waited for Milton to explode in a rage for her hurting his pride.
Surprisingly Milton remained calm which put Melissa on edge since she was expecting a totally different reaction. This may be a midlife crisis but it seemed that Milton had been planning for this conversation all along. No wonder he didn't react in the vein she was expecting. "Well, I guess I am chasing my dreams. But I feel like I could be doing much more and making us a lot more money if I go into business for myself. It's cutting out the middle man in a sense. I want to be an architectural designer. You know, go around town and update people's houses and yards. They have their budget and I'm working with their money not ours. It's just a matter of finding clients willing to work with someone new to all this. My first house I'll seriously have no clue what I'm doing and that makes me nervous."
Melissa considered all the options. She could argue with him and push him away and hurt his feelings in the process, or, dare she venture down this road, allow him to go out on his own and try this idea of his. The worst thing she could think of was that he wouldn't be successful and would have to get his job back at this hospital or just find someplace else to work. She crunched some rough numbers in her head and decided that her paychecks from the hospital should be enough to keep them above water for a while. And if she got her promotion she'd be afforded a bonus that she could stash away and use in an emergency. "As nervous as I am to say this I think you should go for this Milton. I know you're a hard worker and if you're really that unhappy where you are right now, maybe a change will be the best thing right now."
Milton's eyes grew wide and bright. He thanked Melissa profusely and showered her with hugs and kisses. "You have no idea how happy I am right now," he whispered in her ear. Within the next few days Milton quit his job and began canvassing the neighborhood for potential clients. The work at first was menial and the pay quite low and some days Melissa believed her husband would get fed up and go back to more traditional work. But her persevered and eventually was doing remodels for the wealthiest families in town and being paid handsomely for his work. Which was a good thing because Melissa had her own big news to tell Milton.
Melissa let a few days pass before approaching Milton. "Hey hunny. I just need to know what's going on. You don't seem at all yourself these days. Is there something I should know about?" Melissa braced herself for the worst. She had a sinking feeling Milton may be thinking of seeing someone else and ending their marriage. Or worse was already doing as such.
"Well," Milton ventured, "I'm certainly not unhappy with you. It's more I'm unhappy with myself. Since meeting you I feel like I could take on the world. But I feel like time has passed me by and I haven't even realized it. I should have done more with my life to this point, but instead I've been working at the hospital with no promotions in sight. I'm just really unhappy there. Then there's the prospect of children and fixing up the house and, I don't know, it just feels like the world is so much bigger than I thought and I'm not doing what I really love."
Melissa chastised herself for thinking Milton was trying to sneak around on her. But this smacked of a midlife crisis. Melissa had felt this once only briefly but it's power was overwhelming and it's temptations alluring and seductive. She knew how Milton felt and decided to allow him to progress naturally through this new phase. "Are you saying you want to quit your job? I've been studying hard and according to my boss I should be working in the operating room in time, but I'm not sure when I'll be getting my residency. I'm not too sure I can support the both of us while you chase your dreams." She instantly regretted her poor choice of words and waited for Milton to explode in a rage for her hurting his pride.
Surprisingly Milton remained calm which put Melissa on edge since she was expecting a totally different reaction. This may be a midlife crisis but it seemed that Milton had been planning for this conversation all along. No wonder he didn't react in the vein she was expecting. "Well, I guess I am chasing my dreams. But I feel like I could be doing much more and making us a lot more money if I go into business for myself. It's cutting out the middle man in a sense. I want to be an architectural designer. You know, go around town and update people's houses and yards. They have their budget and I'm working with their money not ours. It's just a matter of finding clients willing to work with someone new to all this. My first house I'll seriously have no clue what I'm doing and that makes me nervous."
Melissa considered all the options. She could argue with him and push him away and hurt his feelings in the process, or, dare she venture down this road, allow him to go out on his own and try this idea of his. The worst thing she could think of was that he wouldn't be successful and would have to get his job back at this hospital or just find someplace else to work. She crunched some rough numbers in her head and decided that her paychecks from the hospital should be enough to keep them above water for a while. And if she got her promotion she'd be afforded a bonus that she could stash away and use in an emergency. "As nervous as I am to say this I think you should go for this Milton. I know you're a hard worker and if you're really that unhappy where you are right now, maybe a change will be the best thing right now."
Milton's eyes grew wide and bright. He thanked Melissa profusely and showered her with hugs and kisses. "You have no idea how happy I am right now," he whispered in her ear. Within the next few days Milton quit his job and began canvassing the neighborhood for potential clients. The work at first was menial and the pay quite low and some days Melissa believed her husband would get fed up and go back to more traditional work. But her persevered and eventually was doing remodels for the wealthiest families in town and being paid handsomely for his work. Which was a good thing because Melissa had her own big news to tell Milton.
At first Melissa thought she was just getting a little thick around the middle. She wasn't as young as she used to be and wasn't working out anymore. But she was also feeling under the weather generally upon waking up or sometime during the morning. She attributed it to being stressed at work or worried about her marriage and money. Things were tight currently and the house really needed an overhaul. Melissa assumed all these combined were making her nauseous and that was why she kept vomiting in the morning.
But it was the weight gain that made her stop and think one day. Morning sickness, weight gain...she didn't want to think of the possibility that she was pregnant. Melissa was glad she had this epiphany at work and was secretly glad she kept how she was feeling form Milton. She knew he would be happy if she were pregnant but she had to find out first. This was all so very complicated and the emotions washed over her in waves. She was happy but was also very nervous. A lot of things were changing in her life and everything seemed to be happening so quickly.
She went to the Gynecology department on he lunch break and spoke in whispered tones as if that would keep her notion from being actually true. She knew a few people who worked in this department and also in Neonatal. One nurse she was friendly with gave her a pregnancy test and waited patiently with her as they waited for the results. They chatted about nothing in particular and mid sentence Melissa stopped as she slowly watched the pregnancy test reveal her secrets. A blue plus sign. She was pregnant. "Congratulations Melissa," the nurse said, "It's a good thing you work here. You won't have to go far for your checkups!"
"Yeah, okay yeah. I have to go home and tell my husband when this day is over. He's going to be so happy!" The minutes felt like hours and Melissa worked feverishly throughout the rest of day. She couldn't imagine how excited Milton would be when she told him tonight.
But it was the weight gain that made her stop and think one day. Morning sickness, weight gain...she didn't want to think of the possibility that she was pregnant. Melissa was glad she had this epiphany at work and was secretly glad she kept how she was feeling form Milton. She knew he would be happy if she were pregnant but she had to find out first. This was all so very complicated and the emotions washed over her in waves. She was happy but was also very nervous. A lot of things were changing in her life and everything seemed to be happening so quickly.
She went to the Gynecology department on he lunch break and spoke in whispered tones as if that would keep her notion from being actually true. She knew a few people who worked in this department and also in Neonatal. One nurse she was friendly with gave her a pregnancy test and waited patiently with her as they waited for the results. They chatted about nothing in particular and mid sentence Melissa stopped as she slowly watched the pregnancy test reveal her secrets. A blue plus sign. She was pregnant. "Congratulations Melissa," the nurse said, "It's a good thing you work here. You won't have to go far for your checkups!"
"Yeah, okay yeah. I have to go home and tell my husband when this day is over. He's going to be so happy!" The minutes felt like hours and Melissa worked feverishly throughout the rest of day. She couldn't imagine how excited Milton would be when she told him tonight.
Melissa rushed home right after clocking out for the day, her heart racing in her chest as the anticipation mounted. She burst through the front door and was glad Milton was home already and not consulting with clients. She rushed over to him and embraced him hard. "I'm pregnant!" she nearly shouted, "I'm pregnant Milton!" Tears began streaming down her face. Milton quietly wiped them away with his thumb. "You're sure?" he asked. Melissa just nodded and hugged him tightly again.
"Wow," Milton said after the rush had escaped them both, as he settled into a new living chair they had purchased at the consignment store. He remembered how happy Melissa was finding this piece and he began to look around the house. Melissa knew that face all too well; she had gone with Milton on a few of his jobs and recognized it as the face he made when assessing what he was going to do in a house. She could watch it crawl along his face as he mentally placed furniture, decor, wallpaper, and everything else a house needed to be made into a comfortable home. He was planning the nursery. "This is amazing," he finally said, "I'm going to be a father!" The smile spread across his lips and became so wide Melissa noticed the slight crinkles at the corner of his eyes. She didn't know how long they had been there, but she had never noticed them before.
"I know. I kept thinking I was just gaining weight and needed to work out some. But the morning sickness finally gave it away a few days ago. It's a good thing I already work at the hospital; I can get my prenatal care quite easily," she mused with a slight smile.
"Well, okay then. I'll get in touch with some of my contractors and start planning the nursery. This is just simply amazing," Milton said more to himself than anyone else as he walked into the kitchen and picked up the phone. Melissa sat at their small breakfast nook table and took out her secret purchase she had mad eon her way home from work. Pregnancy 101 was the title. She sat and listened to Milton make his announcements to his contractors and every now and then would look up form the table where she was reading and smiled at the elation written all over his face. If he was having a midlife crisis no one would be able to tell it now.
"Wow," Milton said after the rush had escaped them both, as he settled into a new living chair they had purchased at the consignment store. He remembered how happy Melissa was finding this piece and he began to look around the house. Melissa knew that face all too well; she had gone with Milton on a few of his jobs and recognized it as the face he made when assessing what he was going to do in a house. She could watch it crawl along his face as he mentally placed furniture, decor, wallpaper, and everything else a house needed to be made into a comfortable home. He was planning the nursery. "This is amazing," he finally said, "I'm going to be a father!" The smile spread across his lips and became so wide Melissa noticed the slight crinkles at the corner of his eyes. She didn't know how long they had been there, but she had never noticed them before.
"I know. I kept thinking I was just gaining weight and needed to work out some. But the morning sickness finally gave it away a few days ago. It's a good thing I already work at the hospital; I can get my prenatal care quite easily," she mused with a slight smile.
"Well, okay then. I'll get in touch with some of my contractors and start planning the nursery. This is just simply amazing," Milton said more to himself than anyone else as he walked into the kitchen and picked up the phone. Melissa sat at their small breakfast nook table and took out her secret purchase she had mad eon her way home from work. Pregnancy 101 was the title. She sat and listened to Milton make his announcements to his contractors and every now and then would look up form the table where she was reading and smiled at the elation written all over his face. If he was having a midlife crisis no one would be able to tell it now.
The months went by and Melissa's belly grew more with each passing day. She was given time off work as her pregnancy progressed and she would often sit in the quiet of the house while Milton was out on jobs resting her hands on her belly, talking to the baby inside, and just trying to relax. She knew stress could be dangerous during pregnancy and she avoided it like the plague. Melissa also began to see the world differently. She would marvel at the beauty of nature even though she hated being outdoors. Often she would find herself standing at the window of the new nursery Milton had built looking outside and picturing herself playing with their child in the freshly cut grass.
One night Melissa woke up with a pain in her tummy. She panicked at first; being woken up from a dead sleep to a sharp pain had her disoriented. Her heart and mind both began to race but she eventually was able to calm herself. She turned to Milton who was slumbering peacefully and shook him lightly. "Milton, it's time." was all she had to say. her husband jumped out of the bed in a panic. "It's time? It's time. It's time!" he repeated over and over searching the house for what Melissa did not know. Melissa smiled and guided Milton to the overnight bag they had packed last week in preparation for this day.
"This is all we need dear," Melissa coaxed as she set her frantic husband to the task of calling the hospital for transportation. It was a wonderful feeling knowing that her coworkers were there to help them both through all this. Pregnancy was complicated but that they were in good hands was a comforting notion. Milton escorted his wife into the hospital when the medical transport dropped them off. He was quite impressed that is wife's coworkers, actually close friends most of them, had gone so far out of their way to assist them during this time.
One night Melissa woke up with a pain in her tummy. She panicked at first; being woken up from a dead sleep to a sharp pain had her disoriented. Her heart and mind both began to race but she eventually was able to calm herself. She turned to Milton who was slumbering peacefully and shook him lightly. "Milton, it's time." was all she had to say. her husband jumped out of the bed in a panic. "It's time? It's time. It's time!" he repeated over and over searching the house for what Melissa did not know. Melissa smiled and guided Milton to the overnight bag they had packed last week in preparation for this day.
"This is all we need dear," Melissa coaxed as she set her frantic husband to the task of calling the hospital for transportation. It was a wonderful feeling knowing that her coworkers were there to help them both through all this. Pregnancy was complicated but that they were in good hands was a comforting notion. Milton escorted his wife into the hospital when the medical transport dropped them off. He was quite impressed that is wife's coworkers, actually close friends most of them, had gone so far out of their way to assist them during this time.
Melissa's deliver went relatively smoothly which surprised her. Generally a woman's first pregnancy meant prolonged labor and a lot of work during the birthing process. After spending some time in the recovery room and getting her bearings again, the new family was allowed to go home. Melissa and Milton took turns holding their new son who looked so beautiful in his crib surrounded by the rich mahogany furniture Milton had reconstituted from the local consignment store and the blue wallpaper he had found at a discontinued and remnant sale. It wasn't much and the furniture was far from new, but it looked nice arranged by Milton's now expert eye. Melissa wondered how they were going to afford diapers and formula and new clothes as the baby grew. They would find a way for sure though. They were in this together after all; even if the stuff wasn't brand new and they would eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a while, Melissa knew everything would be okay financially.
It was everything else that worried Melissa more though. Were they ready to be parents? And to top it off Milton still seemed to be in the middle of of his personal crisis. Melissa could only watch from the sidelines as her husband continued to struggle with himself and hoped that wouldn't translate into his being an absent father. She would have to watch how things played out for a while and if she noticed a downhill slope begin to present itself she would have to talk to her husband about it sooner rather than later and hoped he would be responsive to her worry. But for now she wanted to bask in the elation she was feeling at having their new baby boy sleeping in his crib. This was the beginning of a new chapter in her and Milton's life and she wanted to cherish every wondrous moment of it.
It was everything else that worried Melissa more though. Were they ready to be parents? And to top it off Milton still seemed to be in the middle of of his personal crisis. Melissa could only watch from the sidelines as her husband continued to struggle with himself and hoped that wouldn't translate into his being an absent father. She would have to watch how things played out for a while and if she noticed a downhill slope begin to present itself she would have to talk to her husband about it sooner rather than later and hoped he would be responsive to her worry. But for now she wanted to bask in the elation she was feeling at having their new baby boy sleeping in his crib. This was the beginning of a new chapter in her and Milton's life and she wanted to cherish every wondrous moment of it.
A few days after coming home with their new baby the Melissa's cell phone rang. She put down the book she was reading (the house still didn't have a television. They couldn't afford one but Melissa would rather read anyway) and pressed the answer button. "Hello?"
"He Melissa! It's Patty, from Oncology. I heard you had a baby boy. Congratulations!" Melissa knew Patty only a little bit. She tried to avoid the Oncology wing. It just creeped her out. "Listen, I think every baby boy deserves a dog don't you? My dog just had puppies and my place isn't big enough to keep them all. What do you? Want to adopt one? They all got their shots and are chipped. I'm selling them to anyone else, but for you you can just have one."
"Patty, a dog is a big responsibility. And Chester is only a few days old. An infant can't play with a puppy."
"Oh I know. But imagine your little boy and his dog growing up together? Oh it's so precious. Listen, you'd be doing me a huge favor if you took one of these little guys. My husband and I are going crazy trying to keep on top of caring for a litter of puppies, our kids, and our jobs. It's like an insane asylum in here. Plus Milton is home now or at least flexible enough in his schedule to take care of the dog after you come back to work."
"Well I'm not sure how Milton will feel about this. I should really ask him before I say yes. He's out right now but I'll be sure to ask him when he comes home. I'll call you later, I promise." Melissa hung up the phone and checked in on the baby. It would be nice to have him grow up with a canine friend. Melissa always had pets growing up but she didn't know how Milton would feel about it. She hoped he'd say yes. It was an endearing thought.
When Milton came home that afternoon Melissa told him about the phone call she received that afternoon. "I think it's a great idea," he answered, "Our boy and his dog. There's something so right about that. Let's go over and check out these dogs and make sure they're what Patty says they are. if they're sickly or crazy we're going to have to pass though." The puppies were far from sickly and were rambunctious and friendly. Melissa immediately went to the small puppy who seemed shy and timid. "Oh Milton he's perfect! Look at how little he is!" she swooned as she nuzzled the dog's tiny, wet nose. Milton sidled up to her and spoke lowly, "Melissa, that's the runt. Why don't we look at the other puppies."
The change was almost instantaneous; Milton had never seen his wife turn so hard so soon. They had both experienced each other's stubbornness but it was nothing like this. "I want this one," the words came out like punches into the air, "I want this dog because no one else probably will." Milton didn't know how to respond. He just nodded as they walked over to Patty to let her know they would be taking Sabie home. He didn't know why Melissa had responded so aggressively but he figured it was just maternal instinct. They packed the dog into the car and stopped off at the pet store on the way home to grab some dog food, a food dish, and a few toys for Sabie to play with. It was another new addition to the family and Milton knew he would be spending a lot of time training both his son and this new puppy in how to survive in the world. Before being a parent Milton would most likely have dreaded this taking care of a new animal, but something about the whole situation was endearing to him. He smiled as he listened to Melissa talking to the puppy and watching the dog respond to her with licks to his wife's beautiful face.
"He Melissa! It's Patty, from Oncology. I heard you had a baby boy. Congratulations!" Melissa knew Patty only a little bit. She tried to avoid the Oncology wing. It just creeped her out. "Listen, I think every baby boy deserves a dog don't you? My dog just had puppies and my place isn't big enough to keep them all. What do you? Want to adopt one? They all got their shots and are chipped. I'm selling them to anyone else, but for you you can just have one."
"Patty, a dog is a big responsibility. And Chester is only a few days old. An infant can't play with a puppy."
"Oh I know. But imagine your little boy and his dog growing up together? Oh it's so precious. Listen, you'd be doing me a huge favor if you took one of these little guys. My husband and I are going crazy trying to keep on top of caring for a litter of puppies, our kids, and our jobs. It's like an insane asylum in here. Plus Milton is home now or at least flexible enough in his schedule to take care of the dog after you come back to work."
"Well I'm not sure how Milton will feel about this. I should really ask him before I say yes. He's out right now but I'll be sure to ask him when he comes home. I'll call you later, I promise." Melissa hung up the phone and checked in on the baby. It would be nice to have him grow up with a canine friend. Melissa always had pets growing up but she didn't know how Milton would feel about it. She hoped he'd say yes. It was an endearing thought.
When Milton came home that afternoon Melissa told him about the phone call she received that afternoon. "I think it's a great idea," he answered, "Our boy and his dog. There's something so right about that. Let's go over and check out these dogs and make sure they're what Patty says they are. if they're sickly or crazy we're going to have to pass though." The puppies were far from sickly and were rambunctious and friendly. Melissa immediately went to the small puppy who seemed shy and timid. "Oh Milton he's perfect! Look at how little he is!" she swooned as she nuzzled the dog's tiny, wet nose. Milton sidled up to her and spoke lowly, "Melissa, that's the runt. Why don't we look at the other puppies."
The change was almost instantaneous; Milton had never seen his wife turn so hard so soon. They had both experienced each other's stubbornness but it was nothing like this. "I want this one," the words came out like punches into the air, "I want this dog because no one else probably will." Milton didn't know how to respond. He just nodded as they walked over to Patty to let her know they would be taking Sabie home. He didn't know why Melissa had responded so aggressively but he figured it was just maternal instinct. They packed the dog into the car and stopped off at the pet store on the way home to grab some dog food, a food dish, and a few toys for Sabie to play with. It was another new addition to the family and Milton knew he would be spending a lot of time training both his son and this new puppy in how to survive in the world. Before being a parent Milton would most likely have dreaded this taking care of a new animal, but something about the whole situation was endearing to him. He smiled as he listened to Melissa talking to the puppy and watching the dog respond to her with licks to his wife's beautiful face.