7. Chapter 6 (1/2)

--chapter six--

a/n—the next day. mike takes carol shopping. the shop and restaurant names are fictional (well, i have no idea if there are actually stores by these names. i suppose there could be, however i don't know of them), to my knowledge.

carol is lying in bed, still asleep mike sneaks in carrying a

eakfast tray, complete with french toast, sausage, orange juice, and a red rose in a vase. he places the tray on the night stand and kisses his sleeping beauty on the cheek. her eyes flutter open.

mike: morning sweetheart.

carol: smiling. morning.

mike: ready for

eakfast?

carol: aww! how nice!

mike:

eakfast in bed for my best girl. he places the tray in her lap.

he joins her and they eat

eakfast together.

carol: this is so nice! what's the occasion?

mike: do i have to have a special occasion to make

eakfast for my wife? he

ings her in for a kiss. i thought i'd take you shopping today.

carol: but mike, the station wagon's still at the shop.

mike: don't worry about that. mr. turner gave us a loaner.

carol: raises an eye

ow out of skepticism. uh, huh.

mike: don't worry. it's fine. trust me.

carol: still skeptical. o-kay.

mike: i'll clean up while you get dressed.

they finish

eakfast. mike cleans up the dishes while carol gets dressed. after she's dressed, she goes downstairs to the kitchen. mike is standing in the kitchen, holding a bouquet of wild flowers behind his back.

carol: curious. what's behind your back?

mike: oh let's see, my right hand! he shows his right hand. she looks to his left. and my left hand! he switches the flowers and shows his left hand.

carol: mike. i'm serious. she's smiling and enjoying his little joke. what's behind your back? she's laughing.

mike: grins mischievously. oh, nothing but… (shows her the bouquet) …these!

carol: gasps with delight. oh mike! they're beautiful! she takes a big sniff and smiles. they're lovely. thank you. can you get the vase on the dining room table? i want to put them in some water.

he gets the vase and she puts them in water.

mike: you ready?

she gets her purse and they go out to the driveway. sitting there is a candy apple red convertible. carol's jaw drops.

carol: that's our loaner?

mike: well, actually it's our new convertible. the station wagon's gonna be ready monday.

carol: confused. then, what's this all about?

mike: since marcia's going to be a senior this fall and go away to college next year, and mr. phillips and mr. matthews gave me a promotion….

carol: interrupts. a promotion! oh, mike that's wonderful! she nearly jumps into an em

ace. when? why didn't you tell me?

mike: i found out thursday. i've just been trying to find the right moment to tell you.

carol: gives him another hug. oh, you're too much!

mike: i thought i'd give marcia my old convertible.

carol: and that's why you wanted her to take the car for the weekend? mike's smile widens. oh, you're such a sweetie. that's why i married you.

mike: i thought it was because of my good looks and charm.

carol: that too. she gives him a quick peck on the cheek. let's try this car on for size.

mike: chuckles. okay. they walk to the car. top down?

carol: of course!

mike and carol pull out of their driveway and go to the first shop. it's a baby furniture shop. carol just about squeals with delight.

carol: oh mike, babyland! i've wanted to shop here!

mike: i thought we could get things for the baby's room.

carol: there's a crib in there that i've had my eye on!

mike: well, let's go in, so you can show it to me.

carol is grinning from ear to ear. they walk in the store and she makes a beeline to the crib. it's made from cherry wood, with rolled edges, almost as if it were a sleigh bed. carol longingly runs her hand across the side of the crib.

carol: well, what do you think?

mike: it is nice. are you sure this is the one?

carol: yes! can't you see our little boy sleeping in this one? getting sentimental.

mike: looking into the crib, studying it. the construction's good. it looks sturdy. looks at the price tag. the price seems right. he smiles and looks into her eyes. okay.

carol: oh mike! she kisses him on the cheek. can we get the matching changing table and dresser? she looks at him, hopeful.

mike: i don't see why not. the baby will need a table and dresser. flags down a saleslady.

saleslady: you two see something you like?

mike: yes. we like the cherry wood set.

saleslady: ah, yes. it's one of our best sellers. shows the crib's features off. this one has some unique features. the bed frame expands to make a twin bed. all you'll need will be a box spring and mattress when your little one grows out of the crib. also, the side rails can come off and the bed lowered to make a toddler bed.

carol: wow!

mike: we'll take the set.

saleslady: do you need bedding?

carol: looks at mike, who nods. yes. we need something that could go for either.

saleslady: we've got a wide selection of coordinates. she shows them some selections.

carol: i'm not sure which ones i like best. what about you, mike?

mike: which ones were you thinking about?

carol: i like the pastel gingham, the baby animals, and the baby mickey mouse. you?

mike: i like the white islet.

carol: chuckles. that'll look funny in a boy's room.

mike: who said it's gonna be a boy? it could be a girl.

carol: i still think it's a boy. i was right each time with my girls. besides, white stains.

mike: i'm not keen on the gingham, but i like the baby animals. that one will fit a boy or a girl.

carol: true. then it's settled. the baby animals. that's gonna look so good with the furniture we picked out!

mike: gets the saleslady's attention. we'll take the baby animals.

saleslady: aww! a great choice! do you need anything else?

mike: i think that's it for now.

saleslady: okay. would you like the furniture delivered today?

mike: sure, that'll be fine.

saleslady: it won't arrive until after four. is that okay?

mike: that's fine. thanks.

they finish up the transaction and leave the store. mike opens the car door for his wife, puts the bedding in the trunk, and gets in. carol plants a kiss on mike's right cheek.

mike: i wanna buy you a dress. where to next?

carol: mommy and me has a good selection. i also need some nursing

as. mine are getting a bit too tight.

mike: smiles. okay. to mommy and me we go.

they get to the store and head to the maternity section. carol picks out a few tops and slacks and tries them on. mike finds a few dresses. she tries them on too.

carol: walks out of the dressing room wearing the first dress. what do you think?

she's wearing a straight navy blue dress, which came to her mid-thigh, with tank sleeves and collared v-neckline with three buttons down the bust. a red, white and blue plaid bow graces the bottom of the v. she models it, so that mike could get a good look. she's having fun.

mike: very nice! do you like it?

carol: it's nice and it's comfortable.

mike: okay, we'll get it. try on the next one.

she changes into the next one and models it for her husband. it's also a navy blue dress. this one's a sailor dress, which extends past her knees.

carol: i'm not thrilled with this one.