Who: Audrey and Elphaba What: Baby bonding time Where: Audrey’s place When: Early April Rating: Low/None Status: Complete
Elphaba pulled up to Audrey’s house and parked the car. “Hey baby Mae, we’re here,” she said, smiling at the baby in the rear view mirror. Mae was secured in her car seat on the back seat and grinned and kicked her feet when she heard Elphaba’s voice. Unbuckling her seat belt, she grabbed the baby bag from the passenger seat and slung it over her shoulder as she got out of the car. Opening the backdoor, she leaned in and detached Mae’s car seat, lifting her out and pushing the door shut with her hip while Mae shook one of her rattley toys at her. Locking the car, she walked up to the front door and rang the bell.
The place looked more and more like a Toys R Us threw up in it. Audrey didn’t really mind, though. They only had a few, short years to enjoy this phase of their children’s lives, so Audrey was living it up. They had bouncy toys and soft toys and tea sets and all this other stuff. Sometimes it was less of a mess, and others they just let Ben (and sometimes Bea, though she was still so little!) pull out whatever toys they wanted.
Audrey came to the door, excited, holding the baby girl in her arms. “Hey!” She said, grinning brightly. “Come in! Come in!”
“Hey,” Elphaba smiled, coming into the house at Audrey’s direction. “How’ve you been?” she asked. “And how is this little lady?” she grinned at Bea as she stood next to Audrey and chucked her finger on Bea’s cheek.
“Good!” Audrey grinned, stepping to the side and making way so her friend could come inside. “Really good, I think. Though, we might be getting a tooth. Or something. Come in! Come in! I’ve got the kettle on for some tea.”
“A tooth?” Elphaba asked with a big grin. “That’s exciting, isn’t it? Although difficult. Mae’s been starting to cry a lot without reason and we’re pretty sure she’s got some coming too,” she explained, putting the car seat down on a couch to remove Mae. “Tea sounds amazing, thank you very much.”
“It’s exciting, but it does make her a little cranky pants.” Audrey said, smirking. “Sure. There’s some toys on the floor right over there. I’ll be right back.” She set the baby down on the blanket near the toys, then headed into the kitchen to make the tea. “I’ve also got some lemon cookies,” she called back to her friend. “Would you like one?”
Elphaba smiled at Bea as she took baby Mae over to sit with her near the toys. “I wouldn’t say no to a lemon cookie if you’re offering,” she called back. “I’m sorry to be awkward, but do you have decaf tea?” she asked, sitting on one of the couches to watch the kids as they regarded each other.
“That’s not awkward at all!” Audrey cried out from the kitchen. She pulled out the decaf tea, and decided she’d just make one pot. They could both drink decaf. It didn’t taste any different, anyway. This brand was gold. “I’ll bring it out in a sec!” The water was boiling, so she filled the teapot and set it on the tray with the cookies and the teacups.
“Do you take cream and sugar?” Audrey asked, moving to put the tray on the coffee table.
“Thank you! And yes to cream, no to sugar, thanks,” Elphaba called back, smiling as the babies started exploring their surroundings a bit more. Mae reached out and grabbed a rattle from the play mat and giggled as she started to shake it vigorously. “How are things at the bakery and everything?” she asked when Audrey came back into the room.
“Things are pretty good,” Audrey sighed as she settled back down on the sofa. She wasn’t as young as she used to be. It kept running over and over through her head--she wasn’t 25 anymore. She wasn’t even 28 anymore. She was an old maid with kids and everything. And, honestly, she wouldn’t have it any other way… even considering all the aches and pains.
“We’re going to be hiring some new people for the summer.” Audrey said. “Izzy and I are working on our flyers to advertise for new people.”
“That’s great news, sounds like things are doing well at the bakery then,” Elphaba grinned. “I might know a girl who’d be interested in a part time position if you had any available?” she offered, thinking of the girl Wanda she’d met some time ago. “Is everything else ok?”
“We have many positions available.” Audrey said, nodding and smiling. “Part-time and full-time, with benefits.” Because Audrey wanted to treat all of her employees like human beings. “I think so. How are things on your end?”
“Great, I'll let her know to pop in and see you,” Elphaba smiled and settled back on the couch. “Oh I'm OK, just...busy with the little one. I just seem to be running from one mess to another these days,” she explained, smiling tiredly at her friend. “I'm not expecting to get much sleep in the next few years, am I,” she asked rhetorically.
“That sounds about right,” Audrey gave her friend a conspiratorial grin. “I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in years now. But it’s worth it. Every day of my life. The benefits far outweigh the difficulties. I love my life.” The smile was much more genuine now. “I have no complaints.”
“Hmm,” Elphaba replied as she watched the kids. “I have to admit I never pictured myself with kids. I never thought I’d be any good or that anyone would...y’know, want me enough to have them,” she shrugged as she admitted it. “I still find myself forgetting and feeling like it’s happening to someone else.”
Audrey nodded. “I know how that goes. But enough time has gone by now that I’m not really feeling all that as much anymore. There was a while at the beginning when I was still in awe of it all, but that part has faded. It’s more comfortable now. It’s become routine.”
Elphaba nodded in agreement. “Not too routine though, there’s always time to mix things up a bit with cake,” she winked at Audrey.