The 22-Year Friendship

Ch. 24: Expecting x 3

1964 came along, and me and my family celebrated my 22nd birthday in Los Angeles. The celebration lasted six days because we also celebrated Joshua's 1st birthday. Elvis and Priscilla flew to California to celebrate with us. It was also Elvis's 29th birthday, which made the celebration even better. Priscilla bought Joshua cute clothing and toys that were just wonderful! She had great taste.

In March, I recieved a letter from Cassie. It had been a long time since I heard from her, and I was wondering what she was up to.

Dear Lillian,

Congratulations on getting married to James and having two handsome boys together. This may seem late, but it's better than not congratulating you at all! I just wanted to write and update you on how I've been doing well, and my husband and I now live in England. Yes, I am married now to the G.I I wrote about in my last letter. His name is Lance Arthur, and I hope you get to meet him soon. We've been married for 7 months now, and it's been the greatest time of my life. I don't speak to my familiy anymore, but I'm hoping to speak once again beacause I'm expecting a baby due in September. Hope all is well back in the states.

Cassie

Cassie was expecting her first child! I was excited for her, and hoped to see her soon. However, I was busy wrapping up my latest film, The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Elvis was in Los Angeles filming his latest film, Roustabout. He would often stop by the house. At times, he would bring some of the Memphis Mafia, but that was rare. I didn't like most of the guys around Elvis. I felt like they were using Elvis. Everyone except Jerry Schilling and Joe Esposito.

Throughout April, I spent most of my time modeling and choreographing dance numbers in Los Angeles. When I wasn't busy, I spent time with my sons and husband. James would play football with William, while Joshua would watch and cheer on his older brother. I would take many pictures and videos of them playing in the yard.

Priscilla and I talked on the phone at least twice a week. She was very excited to celebrate her 19th birthday with Elvis in Memphis.

"19 is just a year closer to becoming a legal adult. Can you imagine that Lilly? Elvis will also be finished filming Roustabout in May."

"Yes, I can imagine that. When I turned 19 years old, I had just got married a couple months before, and was already 6-months pregnant with William. Time flies fast, Cilla. I remember when I was little, and now I'm 22, happily married with two handsome and extraordinary sons, Elvis and I are still close, and I'm happy with my career."

"William and Joshua are so cute. They will be very handsome when they're older. They have good-looking parents! William's birthday is in May as well... Elvis wanted you, James, and the boys to come to Memphis in May."

"I will have to speak with James about this, then I will call Elvis."

On May 20, me and my family were on our way to Memphis. We had a party for William on his birthday in California, but he was excited to go to Graceland again. He loved Elvis's house because it was stylish, big, and of course.. Elvis was there!

We all had a fun time at Graceland on Priscilla's birthday. Priscilla loved the dress, shoes, and purse I gave her. Elvis had a fun time playing the piano and singing most of the time. Joshua decided to sit on his lap and play with him too! It was one of the highlights of that day. Elvis was like William's second father, and sometimes, James would get sort of jealous!

We spent two weeks in Memphis, which consisted of fun activites and events with Elvis, Priscilla, old friends, and family members. James, the boys, and I visited my Aunt Audrey, who I hadn't seen in a couple years. She met William and Joshua for the first time, and she loved them! She couldn't believe that I was married with two children at the age of 22-years old. My cousin Richard was all grown up now, and he liked playing with my sons. We rode horses at our Memphis Ranch the rest of the day.

I had an unexpected encounter with Sloan. After I moved back to California, I didn't keep in contact with her. She was now a brunette, which complimented her green eyes. She actually saw me at the grocery store with William and Joshua, and decided to get my attention by yelling my name.

"Lillian! It's me, Sloan!"

"Sloan, is that you? Oh, hello."

"My, it's been years since I've seen you. Are you babysitting these two cute boys?"

Sloan never payed attention to the news, and didn't care to read the newspaper. She simply cared about herself.

"No, these are my two sons. This is William, who just turned 3-years old, and the baby is Joshua."

"They're cute! I should of known. My mother told me you got married four years ago, but I didn't believe her. You still talk to James? Madison? Elvis?"

"Really, Sloan? James is my husband, and Madison married my stepbrother Jack last year. I still keep in touch with Elvis, and we're still very close. A matter of fact, we're here in Memphis visiting him. He always visits me and my family when he's filming in Los Angeles."

"Sorry! You know me, I only care about me and people who could possibly ruin me! You're getting famous in the modeling and dance world! You should tell the directors you know that I want a part in a movie, and that I'm really talented as well!"

"I have to go Sloan. I have a meeting to go to. Good-bye."

That was the last time I planned to talk to Sloan. A lot had happened since our high school, and I decided just to focus on my family and career. After I told James and Elvis my encounter with Sloan, they laughed at the whole conversation.

July came along, and I went to the doctor's office to get a check-up. I was expecting a normal appointment where the doctor told me I was healthy and everything was fine, but I wasn't expecting the extra news added to the check-up. The doctor told me I was expecting another baby! The baby is due around late-January. As soon as I got home, I told James the news, and he was excited. James and I had two boys who we envisioned as future actors or football players, but we both wanted a little girl. Elvis and Priscilla were very excited!

Elvis said, "You have two sons already, and you don't have a little gal. I'm hoping for a girl!"

Priscilla chimed in. "If me and Elvis marry and have a son, he would have William and Joshua to play with. But if we have a daughter, she would need a playmate, or Elvis would keep her inside and away from the boys!"

It was funny, but I knew everyone wanted us to have a girl.

On September 2, 1964, Cassie welcomed a daughter named Alice Elizabeth Arthur. She sent me pictures, which arrived two weeks after the birth. Alice was an adorable baby, and I could see a stricking resemblence of her mother.

In November, Madison and Molly told us they were expecting their first child with their spouses. Everyone was excited, especially because it was their first child.

1964 was the year when everyone started expecting babies. It showed how everyone in our lives matured and simply grew up.