The TV show is done. It was nerve wracking doing it, knowing it was live. I was so happy I didn't mess up and neither did Jen. By 11:40pm I am in the air on the last flight home. It was a rush to get to the airport, but luckily traffic was light with people already at New Year's Eve celebrations.
I am a little bummed that I still haven't heard from Nicole. She must be having fun with Nick's family. I don't mean to, but I nod off in my seat. The jolt of the plane touching down wakes me up.
Anna & Larry are at the baggage carousel to pick me up. She insisted on picking me up. "No way you are taking an Uber that late." Anna said before I left. And she wouldn't let Auntie & Uncle do it either. I can still hear her argument to them. "Larry & I are young." As she looks at her Dad. "You aren't, and you get cranky when you don't get your sleep."
Auntie laughed. "She isn't wrong."
"Fine." Moaned Uncle.
They both have on New Year's hats, and Anna puts one on my head. "Happy New Year!" She says, giving me a hug. She steps back. "Of course it was hours ago, but who's counting?"
I wake up around noon on New Year's Day. To find Nicole texted me. "OH MY GOD!" I scream in bed.
Auntie bursts into my room. "What's wrong?" She asks worriedly with folded laundry in her arms.
"I'm sorry!" I say. "Nicole had her baby!"
I read the text to her.
NICOLE - Mary it's Nick. Nicole is finally asleep. She wanted me to let you know a few hours ago we welcomed our SON, Ronald into the world.
And there is a picture of the cutest newborn baby laying on Nicole's chest. She has her hand over his naked bum holding him to her, and Nick has his arm around her taking a selfie. Nicole looks Exhausted, but is smiling.
I keep reading the next text.
NICOLE - Nicole was in labor for over 24 hrs. Ronald was the first New Year's Baby at the hospital. I promise Nicole will call you soon. Please don't call or text. I don't want the phone to wake her.
Then another picture of the baby in his bassinet in the nursery asleep.
"Aahhh no fair. I want to call her." I sigh.
Auntie puts her arm around me. "Trust me Honey she needs her sleep. I was exhausted after 14 hours of labor with Anna." Auntie smiles as she is remembering when Anna was born. "I was so tired and sore. Uncle had been working all day the day before and then stayed up with me. He was exhausted. Your Mom & Dad came along. Your Dad took Uncle home to get some sleep after stopping to get him something to eat, and your Mom stayed with me. Your Mom pampered me. She helped me get washed up, she brushed my hair, and got me into a clean gown. She then put me to bed and stayed with me while I slept." Auntie smiles and looks down at me. I can see the emotions in her eyes. She just kisses the top of my head and hugs me.
Anna looks in my door. She is obviously just woken up. "What's all the screaming about?" She asks.
"Nicole had her baby." I say. Anna shakes her head and walks away. She is not a morning person.
A few hours later Nicole FaceTimes me. She looks much better. The baby is asleep on her chest. "He has been fed, burped, and changed. Now he is asleep again." She says softly.
"He is so cute." I say softly. "I don't want to go back to school. I want to fly back out and hold him."
"Oh Cutie there is no more room at Nick's parents house." She says with a smile. "Plus I am sure they don't want me flying too soon. I think we might be staying for a week or two more than planned." The nurse knocks to check on them both so we hang up.
It's towards the end of the spring semester. I am sitting in my room thinking about the courses I need to take to graduate. If I keep up the extra courses, with Ezzie's help I can graduate a year early. I get sad for a minute as I think about leaving the dorm, and the guys here. Leaving Jim & Anna, but it will give me a year to work as an agent with Tom. I know it's what I want to do. I mean acting has been fun, and it can pay well, but I can't imagine doing it long term. Actors and actresses come and go, but doing what Tom does. That's the real long term money. Ezzie & I could really shine doing that.
I wanted to fly out and finally meet and hold little Ronald over spring break, but Julie had me booked for a charity appearance, and Nicole had her Aunt that raised her coming to visit and meet Ronald. I have seen him a bunch over FaceTime but I want to hold the little stinker.
Nicole has already promised me I can stay with them, but she warns me Little Ronald is already running the house. Everything seems to revolve around him. I just laugh. I can't wait.
Over the next week or so Nicole and I have a chat going where she sends me different outfits she sees online. I had told her I needed some office clothes. I end up ordering a lot of stuff and I just have it sent to Nicole's house.
Julie and I have had a few different discussions about scheduling charity events. I have one a month for June, July & August. I will leave Friday night. Do an appearance on Saturday, and fly back on Sunday so I can be at work on Monday.
So school is out, and I head home with Anna and Larry. Jim and I said goodbye as he headed home and he promised to pick me up at the airport in a few days. I am stopping for just a couple of days at Jim's house, before I go to LA to work for Tom
I am packing to leave for Jim's house, and LA. It's been a busy few days, and Auntie comes into my room sad. She is upset that I am leaving for the summer. "You are growing up too quickly. I want my little girls back." She sighs giving me a big hug.
I hold her tight for a moment. "We have to grow up some time." I say.
"Nnoooo." She moans hugging me tighter. She steps back and looks at me. "You have to promise to call. A Lot. I want you to tell me all about your new job."
"I will Auntie. I promise." I say.
The scene is repeated 3 hours later at the airport only with more tears. Uncle gives me a big bear hug, and I can hear his voice crack as he tells me. "I Love You. Call if you need Anything."
"I Love You Too." I say hugging him tight.
A couple of hours later I am back on the ground and Jim is hugging me. "God, I missed you." He says holding me.
We just said goodbye about a week ago, but I know what he means. I feel the same way. I just sigh and enjoy the feeling of his arms around me. Then I am hit with a wave of pure lust. I kiss his neck and whisper. "Do you want to find a quiet hotel for a quickie, before we go to your house?" I ask.