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Post by Michelle Denouement on Nov 2, 2013 9:28:32 GMT -5
Ch. 4 At 12 weeks, I started wearing maternity jeans, because my regular jeans were too tight. It was also when Vince and I started addressing the pregnancy rumors at school. Geneva said, "So, is it true that you're pregnant?" I replied, "Yes, I'm pregnant. I'm 12 weeks along. And Vince Astor is the father." After I confirmed it with the queen bee, everyone in the school knew I was pregnant. My teachers even asked me about it. At lunch, I was sitting at a table with Vince, Rachel, Charlie, Zane, Quinn, Mark, and Perry. Vince was rubbing my belly. Perry said, "Wow, the salutatorian is pregnant? Will the school strip your title now that they know you're pregnant?" I replied, "Legally, they cannot do that. As long as I keep my grades up, I can graduate as salutatorian." Quinn asked, "When are you going to find out what you're having?" I said, "After we get back from Winter break." Rachel asked, "Do you have a preference?" I replied, "I don't. But Vince does." Vince said, "I want a baby girl to spoil and protect." Zane asked, "Are you still going to college next year?" I replied, "Both of us. We both got accepted at the University of Maryland at College Park, and we're both commuting, while being parents. I'm going into Music Education, while Vince is going into Nursing." Mark said, "Oh wow. Do you plan on taking summer classes?" I replied, "Yes, so I don't have to take such a heavy course load during the year." Vince replied, "Me too." Perry said, "Off topic, and it may be too personal, but how did you get pregnant and when did you realize you were?" I replied, "We don't think it's too personal. It was caused by a broken condom. I was around 6 weeks pregnant when I realized that I was." Vince said, "The condom that broke was washed with my jeans. So, it was my fault. And I'm manning up and being there for you and our baby. I kissed Vince on the cheek and said, "Yes, you are." ******* On Saturday, mom and I went shopping to buy some gender neutral cloth diapers, gender neutral baby clothes, and some more maternity clothes for myself. Since I'm 12 weeks pregnant, my risk of a miscarriage or stillbirth had gone down significantly. So, we started buying gender neutral things for the baby. Even after we find out the sex of our baby, we'll still be buying gender neutral clothing. The only "maternity" clothes I had were two pairs of jeans and a couple of bras. I bought another pair of jeans and a few more bras. My boobs have been spilling out of my regular bras. I was a 32DD before I got pregnant. Now, I'm a 32F. I hate the style of most maternity clothes, just like my mom did. I'm only 17. I feel like most maternity clothes are too old/too stylish for me. So, that's why I'm investing in a few pairs of maternity jeans. I have leggings and yoga pants and t-shirts that will stretch. For underwear, when my hips get bigger, I'm buying them in a bigger size. I have a wedding to go to in California in March. I'll be a bridesmaid for my cousin Beatrice, so I will need to figure out a dress that will accommodate my belly. Vince won't be coming to California with me, though, since he'll be going to Myrtle Beach with his family.
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Post by Invisible on Nov 2, 2013 18:33:52 GMT -5
Vince. I love him. Is he for sale?
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Nov 3, 2013 16:10:48 GMT -5
I second Beth's question. Great chapter, btw. It's nice that Willow and Vince have a large group of friends who are also supportive. Vince's wonderfulness and decision to go into nursing makes me wonder if he's related to Jerome. ^^ It's too bad that most of the maternity clothes don't appeal to Willow. Companies really ought to make clothing aimed at both teenagers and young women. Is Willow's cousin related to the Baudelaires or Snickets, by any chance?
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Post by Seymour Glass on Nov 3, 2013 17:50:19 GMT -5
So Michelle is the Denouement brothers' sister? Does she work in a less prestigious hotel? She is their half sister (same dad), 12 years their junior. She works as a musician/singer/songwriter and is co-president of her record label. But during her summers off of university, she went back to San Francisco to work at the hotel and at their dad's law firm, as well as working on her music. Dewey died while she was finishing up her final exams of her last year of university and she couldn't fly back from Ohio to go the funeral, something she still feels regretful many years later. So the triplets inherited the hotel instead of their dad from their grandfather?
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Post by Michelle Denouement on Nov 3, 2013 18:24:02 GMT -5
She is their half sister (same dad), 12 years their junior. She works as a musician/singer/songwriter and is co-president of her record label. But during her summers off of university, she went back to San Francisco to work at the hotel and at their dad's law firm, as well as working on her music. Dewey died while she was finishing up her final exams of her last year of university and she couldn't fly back from Ohio to go the funeral, something she still feels regretful many years later. So the triplets inherited the hotel instead of their dad from their grandfather? Yep. Their grandpa lived in Texas, but owned the hotel in California. When he died, he gave the hotel to the triplets, since nobody else in the family wanted it. I second Beth's question. Great chapter, btw. It's nice that Willow and Vince have a large group of friends who are also supportive. Vince's wonderfulness and decision to go into nursing makes me wonder if he's related to Jerome. ^^ It's too bad that most of the maternity clothes don't appeal to Willow. Companies really ought to make clothing aimed at both teenagers and young women. Is Willow's cousin related to the Baudelaires or Snickets, by any chance? Michelle had the same issues with maternity clothes during all 4 of her pregnancies, when she was 26 and pregnant with Jordan; 31/32 when she was pregnant with Willow; 36 (almost 37. Due date was Michelle's birthday) when she was pregnant with Aiden; and 41/42 when she was pregnant with Regina. Beatrice is Kit and Dewey's daughter.
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Nov 3, 2013 19:21:42 GMT -5
You would think that because the majority of pregnant women are in their twenties and thirties, that the maternity clothing companies would do a better job with their designs.
I remember that in your ficverse, Kit is alive, so I had a feeling Beatrice was either named for one of the two Beatrices, or she was Kit's daughter. So glad Dewey is Beatrice's father and not Olaf, even though I follow that idea in my ficverse.
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Post by Charlie on Nov 4, 2013 5:16:29 GMT -5
I'm glad to see that this is still comning along nicely!
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Post by Michelle Denouement on Nov 7, 2013 9:22:37 GMT -5
Ch. 5
On Christmas Day, at just over 15 weeks, I felt my baby kick for the first time. My older brother and his fiancee also came home from Wisconsin. He has known that I was pregnant since soon after I found out. My little sister Regina woke me up after I felt my baby kicking. I said to her, rolling up my shirt, "Regina, you niece or nephew is kicking."
Regina replied, with her hand on my belly, "Wow. I can't believe there's a baby in there."
I said, "In two weeks, we're going to find out if it's a boy or a girl."
Vince and I have decided to find out the sex of our baby. We felt that we would be able to bond more, knowing the sex of our baby.
For Christmas dinner, we had a smorgasbord of Italian food, since Mom is 1/4 Italian. I especially love her baked ziti with Italian sausage. My appetite finally came back after being sick as a dog until I was 13 weeks. I started putting on weight, instead of losing it. Mom said that she was the same way during all of her pregnancies.
At dinner Jordan's fiancee, Imogen, said to me, "So when are you due?"
I replied, "June 15th. So I'm graduating at 36 weeks 6 days."
Jordan asked, "Are you going to walk at graduation?"
I said, "I kinda have to. I am salutatorian, after all."
Imogen replied, "Your mom told me that you're salutatorian."
I said, "I worked hard for that. Mom was salutatorian of her graduating class, and I want to continue that."
Jordan replied, " I was third in my class. Just because I got a 33 on my ACT and the salutatorian got a 34."
I said, "I got a 34. The Valedictorian got a 35."
Imogen changed the subject, "Are you going to find out the sex?"
I replied, "After much thinking over, we decided to find out before birth. We'll be finding out in two weeks."
Imogen said, "I see."
My mom said, "We have some gender neutral baby clothes and cloth diapers. Even after we find out the sex, we're still getting mostly gender-neutral clothes."
I replied, "If Vince and I are having a girl, we would hate to dress her in pink. I hate the color."
Jordan asked, "Do you and Vince have a preference for the sex of the baby?"
I replied, "He wants a girl. I honestly don't care, as long as they're healthy."
After dinner and opening presents, Vince called me. He said, "Well, we're finding out in two weeks. I only have a girl name."
I replied, "Confession: I only have a boy name. What is the name you want to name our child if it's a girl?"
Vince said, "Reverie Katherine."
I replied, "Oh my god! I really like that name! I've never heard of the name Reverie, but it's such a beautiful name."
Vince asked me, "What is the boy name that you like?"
I replied, "Julian Gregory."
Vince said, "I think that's a good name."
I replied, "Me too," I then changed the subject, "I got some stuff for the baby. for Christmas."
Vince said, "As did I."
I said, "I got four cloth diapers, because everybody knows we want to cloth diaper. And I got some gender neutral clothes."
Vince replied, "I got clothes, cloth diapers, and some baby washcloths. By the way, when are your dad, me, and your brother painting the nursery?"
I answered, "The 28th, so in 3 days."
December 28th came. Mom, Imogen, and I went to Towson to go shopping for after Christmas sales. I went to H&M to find some maternity clothes that I liked, which I had good luck with. I found some tops I liked, which I could wear when my belly is bigger. I also found some cute baby clothes there. We went to Babies R Us, to set up a registry. I picked out items that we will need for the baby, from a big ticket item like a breast pump, to small items like shampoo. I am having a baby shower the weekend before I graduate. Just because I'm a teen doesn't mean I'm any less deserving of a baby shower.
When mom, Imogen, and I came home, the room was painted. Wet, of course, and a little stinky, but painted. My walls were painted Carolina blue with cream trim. I like Carolina blue. I don't think it's too babyish or too gendered.
Vince stayed the night here, snuggling me and our unborn baby in our sleep. I have a feeling that Vince will make a great father, and one day, husband.
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Post by Invisible on Nov 7, 2013 11:34:49 GMT -5
I love that Willow and Vince are buying gender-neutral clothes, and Regina is an adorable little girl! I would love to see more scenes with her.
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Post by Seymour Glass on Nov 7, 2013 17:15:42 GMT -5
Great story! I look forward to reading more.
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Nov 7, 2013 19:40:25 GMT -5
That was a really sweet chapter, Michelle. I especially liked the last paragraph, with Vince cuddling Willow and their unborn baby. You've really got to admire those two for being so mature and responsible.
*laughs*
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Post by Michelle Denouement on Nov 10, 2013 18:57:09 GMT -5
Ch. 6 The day is finally here. We're finding out if the baby is a boy or a girl. I'm just over 17 weeks pregnant. I also have a little bump, one that you can actually see if I'm wearing a normal-fitting top. Vince and I have decided that it will be just the two of us at the scan, and reveal it to our families in a fun way. We will each be buying an outfit and presenting it to our parents. At school tomorrow, I will be wearing a pink top for a girl and a blue one for a boy. Just like my mom, I hate the color pink, but I will wear it for special occasions. The ultrasound technician, Cecily, led us into a room with a ultrasound machine and other things that looked like a room to do ultrasounds. Cecily said to me, "You're Willow. And this is..." Vince replied, "Vince. I'm her boyfriend." Cecily said, "I'm going to need you to lay down on the table, Willow. Vince, on the left side of the table." I laid on the table and I rolled up my top and rolled down my waistband. Cecily squeezed some gel on to my belly and put the ultrasound wand over it. She said, "This is the baby's heart, which looks good. And I'm going to take the heartbeat. There's a strong heartbeat. It's 149 beats per minute. There's the head, which looks good. and the arms and legs look perfect. Do you want to find out the sex of the baby?" Vince replied, "Of course." I replied, "Yes." Cecily said, "It looks like it's a girl. Yes, it's a girl!" I replied, tearing up, "Oh my god. I'm so happy." Vince replied, crying, "That's my daughter. Reverie Katherine Astor." Cecily asked, "Reverie? I've never heard of that name before. It's a beautiful name." After the appointment, Vince and I stopped at a boutique. I got a purple and white striped dress with white bloomers and a matching headband. Vince got a blue and white lacy dress with a matching headband. We got our outfits gift wrapped, with a card that say, "Reverie Katherine Astor", and a sonogram picture in each one. ******* After we revealed the sex and the name of our child to Vince's dad and stepmom, we went back to my parents' house. I said, "Mom, Dad, Vince and I are home!" My dad said, hugging me, "Hi, baby." He reached down to touch my belly, "And grandbaby." My mom asked, "So how did the ultrasound go?" I replied, "It went well. It was so cool seeing our baby. We have something for you." I handed mom the box. My mom continued, "So, did you find out the sex?" Vince said, "Open the box." Mom opened the box and said, "Oh my god! Hugo, we're getting a granddaughter!" I replied, "There's a card with her name on it, and a picture of her, too." My dad said, "Reverie Katherine Astor. What a beautiful name." I replied, "Vince and I decided to give her his last name." Mom said, "That's okay with us. Reverie is a beautiful name." ******* The day afterwards, I wore a pink fitted top, that showed off the shape of my growing belly, to school. Vince wore a pink polo shirt. Mrs. Collins, my English teacher said to me, "I never see you wear pink, Willow." I replied, "That's because yesterday, Vince and I found out we're having a baby girl." Mrs. Collins said, "Aww, congrats! I had a feeling it's a girl." At lunch, we announced the news to our friends, while Vince was rubbing my belly. Zane said, "You really like rubbing Willow's belly, huh?" Vince replied, "Yes. That's my little girl inside." Quinn said, "Oh my god, you're having a girl?! I knew it!" Vince replied, "I was so happy when the tech said that it's a girl." It seems that everybody I announced the sex of our baby to had a feeling that we were having a girl. Hell, even I had a feeling it's a girl. And mother's and other people's intuitions were correct. I was potato ing sick as a dog during my first trimester. And an old wive's tale says that if mama has bad morning sickness during pregnancy, then she's having a girl. I really didn't care what the sex of my baby was before I found out, but now I am so happy to be having a baby girl.
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Post by Invisible on Nov 10, 2013 19:01:50 GMT -5
Epic squee!!
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Nov 11, 2013 16:00:58 GMT -5
That was such a cheerful, fun chapter, Michelle. ^^ I was a bit worried for a second that the tech was going to say something rude about the name 'Reverie', but I'm glad it was just the opposite. The gifts Willow and Vince chose, and the the way they revealed the name and gender of their baby to their parents, was very thoughtful and sweet. And Vince's obsession with Willow's stomach is positively adorable.
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Post by Seymour Glass on Nov 11, 2013 23:34:31 GMT -5
What year does this story take place?
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