Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
A fter nibbling on salty crackers leftover from the flight and freshening up in the bathroom, Lacie went back to her bed. She tilted her head in the direction of the door as little footsteps padded down the hallway. She quickly pulled the covers up to her chin and closed her eyes, holding back a giggle.
‘Shh, she might still be asleep!’ her niece whispered outside the door.
A soft click sounded as the door opened, but Lacie stayed completely still as though fast asleep.
Muffled giggles from her sister’s young kids made it hard for her not to laugh, but she kept her eyes tightly shut and waited.
The footsteps neared and when she sensed they were about to climb on her bed or tap her on the shoulder, she sat bolt upright.
‘Raaa!’ she roared, flicking the covers off and holding up her hands like claws.
‘Agh!’ The children jumped backwards in surprise, while Penny held a hand over her heart and laughed.
‘You scared me!’ seven-year-old Jessie exclaimed, before collapsing on the bed in a fit of giggles. Her younger brother Dane jumped on the bed with hands like claws, copying Lacie’s monster attempts.
Lacie growled further then pulled the boy into an embrace. ‘Come here, little monster, how old are you now?’
‘Five and a HALF.’ He loudly emphasised the important bit.
She ruffled his scruffy, sandy-coloured hair. ‘And what new skills do you have to tell me about, huh? Last time it was building a Lego mansion in under an hour.’
‘I can eat a WHOLE pizza in one go.’ He grinned and patted his belly.
‘Oh, is that right? Well, I challenge you, mister. By the time I go back overseas, I want you to learn how to MAKE a whole pizza. How ’bout that?’
His eyes and mouth opened wide and he glanced at his mother, who raised her eyebrows and tried to appear confident, though Lacie knew she was thinking, ‘yeah, nah, aint gonna happen’.
‘I’ll… THINK about it,’ he decided.
‘Do you have to go back overseas?’ Jessie snuggled into Lacie’s side. ‘Can’t you stay here all the time?’
‘Ohh, sweetie, I’d love to but my work is in America. And it makes it extra special when I do come to visit you guys. And,’ she clambered away from her niece’s clingy grasp and rummaged in her bag, ‘then I get to bring you… presents!’ She held up a couple of wrapped gifts.
Their faces brightened and they jumped up and down. ‘Yes!’ Jessie said, sitting cross-legged on the bed and holding out her hands in readiness to receive.
Penny mouthed ‘thank you’ as the kids ripped open their presents.
Moments later Jessie was oohing and ahhing at her crystal art kit and Dane was tipping out pieces from the box of his Lego pirate ship.
‘Hey, hey, not in here. Let’s take this to the lounge room, shall we?’ Penny directed, and after an enthusiastic ‘thanks, Aunty Lacie!’ he dashed out the door to begin construction.
‘Can you paint my nails again like last time too?’ Jessie asked, hugging her present to her chest.
‘I sure can.’ She smiled. ‘How about… rainbow colours this time?’
Jessie nodded rapidly.
‘But first, Lacie needs to settle in and get a handle on her jet lag. C’mon, let’s leave her to it and I’ll help you get breakfast.’ Penny smiled at her sister and left the room with her daughter.
Lacie shook her head in awe at how quickly the kids had grown.
Life moves so fast…
She lowered her gaze to her belly, and wondered how fast this life would grow. It wouldn’t be obvious for a while yet, but she felt bigger than usual. And her emotions swelled too. She tipped her head back and sent a sharp exhale to the ceiling. There were important decisions to be made, and she would have to make them soon.
Lacie picked up her phone, checked the time difference in Los Angeles, and a moment later was greeted by Xavier’s voicemail greeting. Her shoulders relaxed a little, relieved she didn’t have to talk directly to him, but knowing she’d have to eventually.
‘Hi, Xavier. It’s me, Lacie. I, um, need to have a chat sometime, please. Thanks. Sometime soon, if possible. Call me, um, when you’re free, thanks. Okay, thanks, bye. Oh wait, I’m in Australia by the way. Okay… thanks.’
Lacie rested her forehead on her palm and sighed. What was with all the pleasantries and excessive gratitude? She was always confident in dealing with people, but now she sounded like a nervous teenager calling her crush for the first time. And how was she going to tell him?
‘Hi, Xavier, remember our great night together a few weeks ago? Well, surprise! Guess what?’
Anyway, he was always busy. It could be days, or even weeks before he returned her call. She knew he was due to start working on a new film this month, may have already started. He’d be ‘in the zone’ no doubt which would make having a serious discussion difficult. Still, it had to be done.
And so did something else…
‘Hello, this is Lacie Appleby, Martha’s daughter,’ she said into the phone as she paced up and down the room. ‘I’m in town for two weeks and was wondering if there are any appointments available soon?’
‘Let me check for you. Who did you see last time you were here?’ the receptionist said.
‘Dr Greene. But it’s been a while.’
She heard tapping. ‘Dr Greene has a cancellation next Tuesday if you’d like to come at ten thirty?’
Lacie nibbled her lip. Hmm, five more days . But what if the morning sickness got worse? She wouldn’t be able to keep it secret and put it down to a twenty-four-hour bug when it could go on for weeks. She couldn’t tell anyone until she’d told the father and decided what to do. Besides, if her family knew, everyone would fuss over her and pester her with questions and she wouldn’t be able to have a proper holiday.
‘Okay, I’ll take it, unless I can find something sooner elsewhere, in which case I’ll call you back.’
‘No problem, Lacie, and I’ll let you know if there are any further cancellations.’
She ended the call and the bedroom door clicked open gently.
‘Lace? Sorry, sweetheart, I was about to check on you and couldn’t help but overhear. Are you okay?’
Lacie swiped a strand of hair from her temple. ‘Yep. All good. Just jet lag and some bad airplane food, I think. Might need some melatonin or something.’ She smiled. ‘Anyway, good morning, Mumma dear.’
‘Good morning.’ Her mum kissed her cheek and gave her a hug. ‘I have a doctor’s appointment booked for tomorrow morning actually, but it’s just a general check-up, no big deal. Would you like to take my slot and I’ll reschedule?’
‘Oh, are you sure? Unless you need it more than me.’
‘Nonsense, I’m fit as a fiddle. Just due for my mammogram and ultrasound and a few blood tests soon. I’ll change it to another time.’ She held out her hand for Lacie’s phone, and Lacie pressed the last number called.
A minute later Lacie was booked in to see Dr Greene at 9.45am tomorrow, her mother taking the Tuesday slot. Phew! She didn’t know if much could be done but it was better to get everything checked out so she could try to relax for the next couple of weeks.
‘Now, are you hungry? We’ve got some bacon and eggs cooking.’ Martha’s eyes widened and she ushered her daughter out the door. Lacie nodded but her stomach twinged, and her mouth salivated but not in the ‘eager for food’ way.
‘I’ll pop to the toilet and be out in a minute. Thanks, Mum!’ Lacie closed the bathroom door behind her and took a deep breath.
Oh boy, this was going to be a challenge.