Baby Shower 1

Baby Shower 1

"Can you hold still please?" My stylist asks for the hundredth time and I turn my face back to her as I keep on pestering Kathy and Grandma.

My room is a mess, it is far from the clean room it used to be. A box of makeup lies open on my bed and clothes and accessories are on my bed. My dress for the night is in front of my closet and Grandma Marcella is running her hands through the shimmering fabric.

"I hope you guys didn't forget to set up the baby registry?" I ask again.

"We did!" Kerry raises up her IPad that shows a website with my name on it.

"The events planner suggested we did and Kerry managed to send a reminder to the guests with the link of the registry. At least this way you won't get over twenty blankets!" Kathy replies as she stares at her phone screen.

"Ah Thank God!" I comment as I smudge my eyeliner in an attempt to rub my eye and the makeup stylist groans in frustration.

"Sorry! I keep forgetting that I'm having my makeup done"

"Hey! How's Ross doing downstairs?" I ask no one in particular.

Kerry, Grandma and Kathy are all in my room walking around like headless chickens.

"He's doing great! He and his grandparents are welcoming the guests"

"Ohh! Oh! The cake is here!!!" Kerry shouts and everyone of us immediately starts cheering, even my snobby and demanding stylist that I have been frustrating for the past half hour.

The baker called earlier claiming she won't be able to make it since her delivery van broke down on the highway and she wasn't sure if she would have gotten the cake here in time.

It put everyone in a gloomy mood for a while, even Kerry who has taken so much time and effort to plan the perfect baby shower. The events planner and I had deliberated on whether we should order a store bought cake to make up for the one missing but luckily for us the baker manages to arrive on time.

"I'm going to go check out the cake. And the cupcakes. I'll see you all later" Kerry says with a wave as she leaves the room.

Kathy looks at her phone and also makes a move to leave.

"Where are you going?" Grandma asks.

"Carly is here already so I think that I'll just leave. I'll see you guys later."

She hurriedly leaves the room before Grandma Marcella can stop her.

It took a lot of begging from Kathy for us to have invited Carly over. Since we feel that it would have been weird since Ross and I didn't plan on inviting the Coxs but she persuaded us to invite her.

Kathy comes back in a minute later.

"Another huge gift just came in again, it's larger than me! I wonder what it is"

"Ugh!" I heave a sigh.

"I wonder what it is" I murmur.

For the past few days, large presents have been delivered to our house, the first of the first being William and Lydia's, Ross's grandparents.

I don't know what it is but I'm suspecting that it's a twin pram judging by the size, weight and height.

All the large gifts have been tucked away somewhere since we can't open them yet.

"Done!" My stylist chimes as I finally look at the mirror.

"Wow!" I exclaim as I touch my glamorous face. Due to the fact that I'm pregnant and so far along, my face has remained puffy which doubles the size of my nose and lips.

At least my not so heavy and subtle makeup has managed to hide most of that.

My hair is cascading down my back with half of it done up in a elegant updo with gold shining jewels in it. The rest of it falls like a red liquid waterfall. My red gold hair is accentuated with golden highlights that catches the light and it looks beautiful.

"I look amazing! You did a really good job!" I say to the stylist.

She spent hours making it look like I just rolled out of bed and applied lip gloss and eyeliner because my makeup is so subtle that its barely noticeable.

And the waviness of my hair and the highlights just catches the light in a beautiful way.

"Okay darling, time to put on your dress!"
Grandma Marcella says as she brings out the magnificent dress.

I originally opted for comfort over style and Kerry had been worried that I wouldn't have been able to balance the two perfectly since the whole purpose of the baby shower is to impress and show off.

So I settle for an eye-catching shimmering rose gold dress that is simply marvellous. I shrug off my dressing gown as my stylist helps me into the shimmering gown. Every little twist and turn makes the dress catch the light in a beautiful way.

There's a small knock on my door while I'm busy checking myself out.

Ross peeks in.

"Can I come in?"

"Yes! Come in! I'm trying on my dress" I reply excitedly as I usher him in.

He looks relieved as he comes in wearing a a deep wine tuxedo.

"Oh Thank God! You look breathtaking baby!" He says as he plants a small kiss next to my lips carefully so he won't ruin my lipstick.

"Thank you! You don't look so bad yourself. How's everything downstairs?"

"Well, it's good. There's a steady stream of guests. Mrs Marcella, I believe there's a young dashing man named Pablo waiting for you"

He turns to my Grandma whose eyes widen quickly.

"Oh! Really! Well Elenora! I have to go"

My Grandma hurriedly leaves the room after she quickly checks herself in the mirror.

The Stylist also excuses us too.

"The Dunhams are also coming. They're five minutes away from here. That's why I think it's time we go out now" Ross holds my hands as he looks into my eyes.

Anxiety hits me unexpectedly as I fan myself.

"How many people are there?" I ask as I sit down to slip in some jewelled sandals. I thought about wearing heels but the strain of it will be too much for my swollen ankles to bear.

"Well, I'll say a little over thirty people and we're expecting a lot more. Half of the board isn't here yet" Ross grunts.

"They'll be here. It's kind of still early." I comment as I look at the clock.

We make sure the baby shower is an evening event because of the theme and also because we feel the atmosphere will be a lot more better if it feels like a dinner since a lot of members of the Board of Milton Corps will be attending.

"Are you ready?" He asks as he helps me get up.

"I am so nervous. I think I have to pee" I gasp as I feel a huge strain on my bladder again.

One of the miseries of being in the third trimester is practically living in the toilet every minute of your life.

It's like my little dots are sitting directly on my bladder. And I have to be in the bathroom every now and then.

"Really? How will you even do that in this dress?!" Ross asks as he looks around the back of the dress for a zip.

"Calm down. I'll just lift it up. Will you follow me to the bathroom? I'm afraid I'll end up peeing on this dress and I didn't buy a spare"

After a few minutes of trying to use the bathroom and making sure my dress stays out of the way, Ross and I make our way downstairs when I'm ready.

I can hear already hear the soft background music and the light chatter of people in our grandiose living room as Ross and I both make our way down the stairs hand in hand.

It looks so beautiful! I think as I take in the beautiful sight.

We chose a vintage Paris and balloon  baby shower theme.

And it is simply amazing.

From the white coloured balloons to the gold shimmering balloons and the mini sculpture of the Eiffel tower that is the main sculpture in the centre table.

The lighting is low so as to give everything a chance to shine as the balloons seem to shine as if they have been filled with lightbulbs.

There are handmade garlands which spell out the words "We're having twins!" in an area covered entirely by balloons and hanging mini Eiffel towers.

As we slowly come down from the stairs, I'm handed a sash by the events planner which says Mom to be in shining gold letters.

"This is amazing!" I exclaim as I take another look around.

I can spot the cake on the far end of the snack table.

It's huge! A large seven tier cake in swirls of white and gold with a mini ballerina flats and tap dancing shoes on it.

There are sparks coming out from the sides of the cake and it looks amazing.  I walk closer to have a closer look at the snack table, there's everything from pastel pink macarons, to tiny oh so cute finger foods like fresh fruit, quiche, sliders to cupcakes decorated to perfection with baby items toppings and candy bars in tiny little cute mason jars that look like they're glowing.

"Oh My God! These are perfect!" I show Ross some of the cupcakes that are so cute and bite sized I can eat them all in one bite.

"I know! Stacey really did a great job!" he commends and the events planner Stacy bows a little.

I've done little to remember her name but I thank her too.

While going around the room and greeting some of our guests with a beaming Ross next to me who can't keep his hands off me, I'm struck by how the littlest of details is managed to be incorporated into the room.

Like the first ultrasound to the most recent ultrasound of the babies displayed proudly on the centre table with the Eiffel tower and vases of white roses.
There's the onesie decorations at the end of the hall which looks super cute and chic.

I spot Sophia in a far away corner studying the baby ultrasounds and I can't help but going to talk to her.

"Hey!" I greet as she slowly turns to look at me.

She's wearing a white bandage dress that's short and extremely revealing but I'm not bothered because that's how she's normally dressed.

"All this... It's pretty." She comments as she looks haughtily around the room.

"Thanks. I have a pretty amazing team"

We both look around in silent appreciation of the decor before I break the silence.

"Thank you for helping us out with the Dunham issue. That was really nice of you. Although I don't understand why you did it..."

"Why is it so hard to believe that I can change?" Sophia asks as she cocks her head to the side studying me.

I open my mouth but the words fail to come out.

"You look nice. Fat but at least you clean up nice." She comments and I glare at her.

I know I'm about triple my previous weight but so far, Sophia has been the only human being to point out that I'm overweight.

"Thanks for being honest." I crisply reply.

I'm about to turn back to leave before she holds me back.

"I really wish you the best with Ross. He truly loves you. But I think you both should take more precautions with Carter, he's a slippery snake"

"Did he tell you something?" I ask as I lean closer.

Sophia's eyes dart back and forth as if she's being watched.

"I don't know, I just feel like he's going to do anything to destroy Ross. Even using you and you have to be very careful"

I'm about to pester Sophia for more questions when Ross comes quickly.

"Well, I'm heading to the bar" Sophia says as she turns and leaves us alone with a slight nod to Ross.

"Elenora! Mr and Mrs Dunham are here! Want to say hi?" He whispers as he drags me away from Sophia.

"Oh Sure! Yes"

Mr Dunham is a short man, I stand a few inches taller than him but what he lacks in height he makes up in other areas. He is short with a sturdy build and little beady eyes on his round and pudgy face.

His wife on the other hand is the complete opposite. She is tall and slim with a head of raven black hair and a striking face. She looks Asian and she has a quiet smile but she says little leaving her husband to do all the talking.

"I finally meet the beautiful Mrs Hamilton! Ross talks about you all the time!"

He gives me a mild hug.

"Oh! It's lovely to meet you too Mr Dunham, I've only heard wonderful things. This must be your lovely wife Dani"

I turn to the woman and slightly lower my head on greeting. Ross has warned me earlier that she is more traditional than western.

Her face instantly breaks into a wide smile.

We all chat a while about trivial things and then I leave Ross to introduce Mr Dunham to the members of the Board that just arrive.

"No sign of Ross's Dad" I murmur to Mrs Lydia Whitby as she drags me to one of the little games that they have planned for the baby shower.

"Oh he's coming alright! He won't miss it for anything. He just probably wants to make a grand entrance."

While being led to the centre of the living room to partake in the games, Kerry hurries towards me.

She brings her head closer to my ear in a way that appears as a hug.

"Carter, his mother and Mr Charles are here!"

My heart immediately leaps out of my chest as I look around frantically.

"Carter? I told you not to send him an invite!"

I spot a smirking Carter coming in behind Mr Charles and Chloe Cox.

I look for Ross and see that he is so deep in a conversation with Mr Dunham that he hasn't noticed them coming in.

"I didn't! I sent one to Mr Charles!"

"Should I call security?" She asks nervously as she looks around for the security guards in the room.

Ross and I have taken extra precaution with the security and even went as far as screening the caterers.

"No. Don't. It'll cause a scene. That's exactly what Carter wants. But, alert security, tell them to keep an eye on he and his mother. I don't want them snooping around."

Kerry nods as she hurries away, leaving me and Mrs Lydia who is glaring at Charles Hamilton, Ross's father.

"The nerve of him to show up here with that woman and her son!"

I don't even know that I'm breathing heavily till the sound of my breathing is audible in my ears.

Breathe Elenora! Breathe!

I tell myself as I look directly at Carter Cox. He's staring right back at me.

His smile is so smug that I feel sick to my stomach.