A Picture's Worth Ch. 16
Keywords: 16, Worth, Ch., Picture's, A,
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*Chapter Sixteen: The Wolfe Pup*
"This is really pretty."
Bea reached out and took the conk shell back from Sada. Three o' clock in the morning and she, Alanna, Bailey, Xandri, and Sydney were keeping the mother-to-be company. Alastair had traveled out of town for a few days, to speak with a potential backer for his dance troupe. He was not in the least bit happy about it, but it was the only opportunity he was going to get. As a whole the girls had pledged to watch over Sada, which was why Bea was on her couch at this ungodly hour.
"Ethan bought it for me," Bea explained, cradling the conk shell in her hands. "I was admiring it but I didn't want to buy something so frivolous, so he did instead."
Sada smiled. "That's nice," she said. Then she frowned. "But it makes me miss Alastair!"
"He'll be back tomorrow," Xandri reminded her, taking a seat across from them. "I still can't believe Quinn offered to go with him."
I can, Bea thought, but I guess he does make it hard to see. Quinn was worried about his brother. Sada was having contractions—although much too far apart to have her in the hospital just yet—and Alastair was almost crazy with worry. The doctor was a little less concerned. Amazingly enough, he was the same doctor that had delivered Alanna and the twins; albeit a good deal older, now. Apparently the twins had been rather stubborn about being delivered. Also, with the history of miscarriage in Alanna's side of the family, the doctor had wanted to avoid undue stress as much as possible.
"All right, Syn, why don't you break out those pictures?" Bailey suggested. "Took the damn things long enough to get here."
"Pictures?" Bea asked, curious.
"Prom," Sydney explained. Her voice was quiet and shy, which surprised Bea.
A few minutes later she understood. Sydney didn't really have the time for a boyfriend this year, between school and dancing. She hadn't made a lot of friends, either, so she'd had no one to go to prom with. However, she wasn't alone in these pictures; Connor was with her. Cute, Bea thought, studying a picture of both of the twins with their dates. She hoped the petite blonde that clung to Elijah's arm was a smart as she was pretty. He didn't seem the sort to date anyone simply for their looks.
"That's so sweet," Alanna cooed, grinning at Sydney. "See, didn't we tell you he likes you?"
"I didn't want a pity date," Sydney grumbled. She sat with her legs pulled up to her chest, staring at her toes.
"It was not a pity date," Bailey said firmly.
"And besides," Bea added, "you should be grateful. I never even got to go to my prom..."
Why do I say things like that? she wondered, as they all looked at her. I know it's just going to make me the center of attention. Actually, Alanna knew that, since neither of them had gone. They'd consider, half-heartedly, going together, but had opted out. I can't think of anything less appealing than spending the night around a bunch of teenagers who can't dance, listening to bad pop music, Bea thought, wrinkling her nose. She would have said as much, too, but she got the feeling they would all see through that, anyway.
"You know, I didn't either," Sada put in.
"Me either," Xandri said, frowning. "Well, looks like Syn and Bailey are the only ones among us to have that pleasure."
"Oh, not me," Bailey said, shaking her head. "You see, my date and I thought it would be amusing to trade places. I wore the tux, he wore the dress. The school was not at all amused, though. They kicked us out."
Bea's eyebrows rose. "Really? Are they allowed to do that?"
"It was a short dress," Bailey explained, grinning.
Bea laughed with the rest of them, but inside she didn't feel so amused. Did Ethan go to the prom? she wondered. He must have, if he was with the same person for so long. It sent a longing through her that surprised her. It would have been nice to go, if she'd had someone like Ethan. Don't you dare start feeling sorry for yourself, Bea thought, frowning. You're supposed to have gotten over that. Still, she couldn't help wondering about it. What had Ethan even looked like, at eighteen? Maybe, she thought, when this night is over, I'll ask Bailey to show me some pictures...
*****
Ethan watched Bea drop down onto the couch with an exhausted sigh. Bailey dropped down next to her and Sydney fell unceremoniously into the armchair. He took a stand behind Bea and began rubbing her shoulders. Tired as she was, she tilted her head back to look at him, and gave him a smile that filled him with warmth. Ethan knew she'd stayed up with Sada all night. They had only just gotten back from the hospital, leaving Xandri and Alanna behind with Sada.
"She is going to have that baby very soon," Bailey said, slumping down on the couch. "Where the hell are Alastair and Quinn?"
Gabriel, who was standing near the entry to the kitchen, holding a phone, cleared his throat. "Stuck," he said. "There's a huge traffic jam on the highway and they have no clue how long before it clears up."
"I would not want to be in that car right now," Bea said, raising her eyebrows. "How's Alastair taking it?"
"Quinn is ready to kill him," Gabriel said, smiling wryly.
I'd be upset, too, Ethan thought, if I was stuck on the highway and couldn't get to my wife when she was giving birth. He continued rubbing Bea's shoulders and her neck; there was really nothing he could do here, anyway. This is kind of jumping the gun, he thought, but it would be fascinating to see what our children would look like. Ethan actually liked the idea quite a bit, but maybe it was something he should keep to himself for now.
The phone rang again. Gabriel picked it up and took it into the kitchen, leaving the rest of them to wonder. I'm feeling anxious, Ethan thought, I can't imagine how Alastair must be feeling. That's who he thought was on the phone, but a moment later Gabriel came back out of the kitchen, making a beeline for the front door. Aislinn appeared in the entryway to the kitchen, clutching the phone, looking a little dazed and very excited.
"Where are you going?" Bea asked, lifting her head. "Is it Sada?"
Gabriel nodded. "She's having her baby," he replied. "I know Alastair would want me there. Follow as soon as you can!"
A good man, Ethan thought, watching his cousin race out the door. Bea was right...I could only hope to be half as good as he is. For a moment they all sat in silence and none of them seemed to have any idea what to do. Then Bea sprang to her feet. Startled, Ethan stepped back from her. He wouldn't have expected her to have that much energy left.
"Car keys," Bea said, holding out at her hand.
Baffled, Ethan pointed to the hook by the door where all the Wolfes left their keys. Without explanation, Bea grab them from the hook and raced outside. Everyone, including Bailey and Sydney—despite being tired—followed him to the door to see what she was doing. Her camera, Ethan realized almost immediately. She'd left it in his backseat the night before. Bea grabbed the camcorder and ran over to Gabriel, who had also seen what she was doing and sat on his bike, waiting for her.
He couldn't help the foolish jealousy that arose in him when he saw Bea wrap her arms around Gabriel. Of course she had to hold on, but it made him jealous, nonetheless. Ethan turned away from the door and headed back into the living room. Bailey caught his eye as he walked past her and smiled. Right, he thought, I'm being silly. Right now what was important was Sada.
"So, are we all going?" Aislinn asked, planting her hands on her hips and looking around the room. "The hospital found us annoying enough before we added six more to our number."
Bailey laughed. "And now we're going to add another," she said, grinning. "Why don't you and Ethan go? The rest of us we'll wait here for Quinn to call again, so we can let him know what's going on."
"All right," Aislinn agreed. "We'll call you as soon as we know something. Come on, Ethan."
This time it seems to be the Wolfe women taking charge, Ethan thought, hiding a grin as he followed Aislinn out to the minivan. They were much more level-headed, the women of this family. Hopefully they'd be able to calm Alastair down before he got to the hospital. There never seems to be a moment of peace and quiet, when it comes to this family, Ethan thought. At least I know I'll never be bored.
*****
For all she was dead on her feet and her ears were still ringing, Bea felt good. She held her camcorder in her lap and fiddled with the lens cap, feeling a little dazed. Alastair and Quinn should get here any minute, she thought, biting her lip. Oh god, this is so exciting... It amazed her that the family had managed to (mostly) keep itself seated and calm. Gabriel was pacing, which seemed to have the staff a little nervous. Xandri had gone outside, to call Bailey on her cell phone and to wait for Quinn and Alastair.
Across from where she sat, the doctor was having a quick, quiet chat with Aislinn. He had to be getting into his late sixties, although it showed mostly in his face; his hands looked strong and steady. Bea watched curiously as the doctor rose. He paused long enough to say something to Gabriel, too quiet to hear, and to shake his hand, then he left the waiting room. How does he feel, now that he's a grandfather? she wondered, watching Gabriel try to settle in the chair next to Aislinn.
Voices down the hall alerted them all to Alastair and Quinn's arrival. The two of them approached, walking side by side. If they could see themselves, Bea thought, fighting a grin, they'd probably be irritated. They looked so much alike, despite Alastair being a bit more muscular and his hair being longer and messier. It was the expression on their faces, completely identical. Quinn looked as if he was just as nervous. He's concerned, Bea thought, for Alastair's sake.
"How is she?" Alastair asked, as soon as he reached them. Gabriel and Aislinn both stood.
"Calm down," Gabriel said, smiling gently.
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Keywords: 16, Worth, Ch., Picture's, A,