Baby Girl / J.M.

Chapter Three

A shrill sound pulled Delilah from her dreams. She groaned as she rolled over trying to look for the source. It took her a second to understand where she was and where the noise was coming from. Charlotte was awake. So the tired young mother pulled herself on her feet and bend over the little girl's crib. 

"What's all the fuss about?" She cooed as she placed the baby in her arms. Rocking the small body gently as she sat back down on the bed. She pulled her shirt up with one hand and held the baby on her breast. The crying immediately stopped as the baby latched onto her nipple. The woman sighed, enjoying the silence. She glanced at the clock on the bedside table. "Happy Birthday to me." She mumbled.

The next time she woke up, her phone was ringing. 

"Yes?" She mumbled into the phone, her eyes still closed.

"Did I wake you?" Her brothers cheery voice called through her speaker. She opened her eyes and glanced at the alarm clock on her bedside table. It was even 9 in the morning. 

"Maybe, but I should be getting up anyway." She spoke, not wanting her brother to feel guilty.

"I just wanted to call you to wish you a happy birthday." And just like that, Delilah was awake. It was her birthday. She was finally 21 years old. And she had a lot to do, before her parents arrived.

"Oh, thanks, Paul." She smiled as she crawled out of the comfort of her bed. "Are you coming over this afternoon?" 

"Definitely, I'm still at work right now, but we'll be there by 3." He explained. 

"Of course, my big brother, the busy actor." She grinned as she teased him. She had missed the relationship with her brother, while he lived so far away. She enjoyed having her big brother close by again. "Mom and Dad will probably get here between 1 and 2. Oh, Mom will be so excited to see you again."

"I bet there is one person she is more excited to see." Paul laughed and Delilah grinned at the calm baby in her crib. Her big blue eyes were open and watching her surroundings curiously.

"You're probably right." She smiled, carefully caressing her daughter's cheek. "Alright, then I'll see you this afternoon."

The young mother ended the call and picked Charlotte up, laying her on the soft playpen mat in the living room. From there, the little girl could watch her mother as she prepared everything for the arrival of her grandparents.

Delilah headed to the kitchen to start with her breakfast. As she flipped her omelet, she was making mental points of what needed to get done today, and what she could take care of tomorrow. She grabbed the necessary ingredients out of the cabinets for the cake she planned to bake. She ate her omelet as she mixed the flour, sugar, butter and milk in a big bowl. It was already past 10 AM when she finally pushed the cake into the oven. She quickly started to clean up the mess she had made while baking. Then Charlotte started fussing, quickly she picked up the baby trying to find out what she needed. 

Her morning and noon were quite busy. There were still boxes that needed to be unpacked, but she wouldn't have time for that today. Instead she pushed them aside and vacuumed the apartment. The coffee machine beeped, signalling that the coffee was ready, when the door bell rang. Delilah checked her watch, she should have known that her parents would be early. 

When she opened the door, she was immediately pulled into a tight embrace. She smiled, when she smelled the familiar scent of her mothers perfume. Then she felt her father's strong arms squeeze her tight. 

"Happy Birthday, my darling." Her mother cheered as she walked past her daughter and towards her granddaughter. "Oh, I missed you, my little princess."

"Happy Birthday." Her father smiled at her, "Can't believe you're 21 already. I still remember, when you were too scared to ride your bike without training wheels." Delilah rolled her eyes and laughed. 

"Come in, Paul should be here soon as well. And he his bringing his girlfriend." Delilah grinned when she saw the shock in her mothers face.

"Paul has a girlfriend?" She called out, for a moment her attention wasn't on the baby in her arms. "Oh my, the boy really has to call his poor mother more often."

"Is that coffee I smell?" Her father eyed the coffee machine. 

"Yes, of course. Do you want a cup? Mom, what about you?" Delilah already hurried off into the kitchen, grabbing 3 cups and filling them. 

"Delilah, you're drinking coffee? The caffeine is be bad for the baby." Delilah rolled her eyes at her mother's lecture.

"It's her 21 birthday, Angela. Give the girl a break." Her father chimed in, "She's working so hard, she deserves a cup of coffee." 

"Mom, I know. But I am not breastfeeding her today. It's my 21 birthday and I want to drink. I have pumped milk in the fridge and emergency formula just in case." 

"Oh I see. Well, then we better hope that Paul brings some champagne. Because my baby is 21 years old." Her mother smiled as she looked at her suddenly so grown up daughter and then at the infant in her arms.

The doorbell rang again and you could practically see the excitement jolt through her mothers body. Before Delilah even had the chance her mother bolted to the door. Delilah watched amused as her mother inspected Phoebe, before pulling her into a hug. 

Delilah fished Charlotte out of her mothers arms and headed to the bedroom, while Paul introduced Phoebe. She set the baby in her crib, her eyelids already heavy from all the excitement. She put on some soothing music and headed back.

Her mother was bringing out the cake, Delilah had baked this morning. 

"Happy Birthday, Deli." Paul pulled his sister into a hug. She smiled up to her brother once he let her go. 

"Happy Birthday," Phoebe gave her a warm smile. 

"So do you want to open your presents now?"

Delilah was always grateful for her family, but on days like this one especially. Ever since Paul started getting bigger roles and moved away, it was rare for her family to all be in one place. She enjoyed every minute of it, even if it often led to bickering. Even Phoebe fit into her family perfectly. 

"I have another surprise for you." Paul spoke up, after they each had their piece of cake.

"Another one? Paul, you already splurged on the perfume." Delilah gestured towards the box of expensive perfume. 

"Believe me, this one is going to be great." Phoebe chimed in, smiling at the birthday girl.

"We're taking you out tonight." Paul announced. "A proper 21 birthday needs to be celebrated in a club. And I've taken the liberty to reserve a table at the most exclusive club in the city." 

"Paul, that sounds great, but I don't even have a babysitter." Delilah ran her hand through her hair. A night out sounded exactly like what she needed, but she needed to be practical. 

"That's what we are here for." Her mother spoke up. "We'll stay here and take care of the little sunshine. You deserve a night out, sweetie."

"I mean, that does sound fun. But I don't even have anything to wear, my pre Charlotte clothes don't really fit anymore and maternity wear isn't very stylish." Delilah bit her lip, going through possible outfit choices in her head. 

"That's where I come in," Phoebe pulled out a box wrapped in light purple paper and handed it to Delilah, "I hope you like it."

She opened the box glancing at the silver shimmering dress and the matching shoes, grinning at the thought of the night ahead. She smiled to the young couple in front of her, "You really thought of everything, didn't you? Thank you so much." 

"It's suppose to be fun turning 21."