Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 81 - Waiting for Things

Reuben went home early the day after Christmas. Stephen, Jenny, and their family left soon after breakfast the same day. Rosemary left for her next prenatal appointment about the same time they did. And since Matt and Zack were both working, they left too. Everyone else simply stayed home on Boxing Day.

Greg and Susan spent the day taking down the Christmas tree. They'd almost finished the job when, just about noon, they saw Neil's car turn in at their gate, driving around to the parking pad closest to the guestrooms. Susan looked out the living room window after they parked and saw that the back of Neil's car was full of groceries.

"Shall we help them?" Susan suggested.

"We could. Are you anxious to hear what Rosemary's doctor had to say?" Greg wondered.

"Yes. Today is her due date. Besides, I never got around to asking Matt about New Year's Eve last night. I need to decide if I should be asking him about it tonight ... in addition to caring about how Rosemary is too," Susan said.

"Let's go find out," Greg agreed.

He set the last ornament from the tree back in its box and closed the lid. Then, leaving the rest of the chore to be completed later, Greg and Susan went down to the pool deck where they assisted Neil in carrying things from the car to the apartment. Rosemary followed them back and forth, but Neil absolutely forbid her from carrying anything besides her purse.

"Thanks for helping," Rosemary told her hosts. "I think we bought enough to last us the rest of the week."

"I should hope so," Neil told her. "Personally, I think she went overboard, but the nurse at the doctor's office insists she's nesting so I should just accept it."

"Probably good advice," Greg told him. "In my experience, it's rarely wise to argue with a woman who is nine months pregnant."

"I'm getting that impression," Neil said, setting his load down on the table beside the kitchenette in the little apartment.

"So, what did the doctor say?" Susan asked curiously.

"Well, there is no sign I may have the baby today," Rosemary told her. "She also said it's too soon to say about tomorrow."

"Probably true," Susan told her. "Have you had many practice contractions?"

"Like none ... which is one of the reasons she's saying that. She said feeling those more regularly is one sign that true labor may be getting closer," Rosemary said.

"Isn't that what happened with Karen, Susan?" Greg asked.

"Yes. She had them daily during her last week before Peter arrived," Susan recalled.

Neil cocked his head. "That's right ... you're a midwife. I sort of forgot about that."

"I did deliver Peter, but it's been years since I worked as a midwife professionally," Susan cautioned.

"But you would still know something about it," Neil said.

"Some," Susan agreed.

"Is there anything else we should be watching for?" Neil asked.

"Didn't the doctor tell you?" Susan asked.

"Not really. She just said to make another appointment for next week and to call if we need her in between," Neil explained.

"Then that's what you should do," Susan told him.

"Do you think I should be working?" Neil asked.