20. Chapter 15 (1/2)

--chapter fifteen--

a/n—thanks for your kind reviews and well-wishes before and after my surgery. it's the beginning of november. carol is eight months (32 weeks) along.

it's the day of the baby shower. alice and the kids have been working with their grandmothers to get everything just right. mike is in charge of getting carol out of the house. alice and mike are in the kitchen. she serves him a plate of bacon, eggs and toast with a glass of orange juice and a cup of coffee.

alice: so, got any plans on how you're gonna get mrs.

ady out of the house?

mike: yep. he takes out a tri-fold

ochure and hands it to alice. i'm taking her to the spa.

alice: the "healing hands day spa?" wow!

mike: it was a choice between that one and "still waters."

alice: she's gonna love ya for it.

mike: yeah. grinning. i'm giving her the whole works.

alice: works?

mike: yeah, i've got a great package which includes a facial, manicure and pedicure and this new thing called a pregnancy massage.

alice: it sounds nice. she's wanted to try out that spa since it opened.

mike: really? i didn't know that.

alice: yeah, when it opened, she was telling me all about it, dreaming about getting a massage there.

mike: sounds like i scored well then. lunch is also included. i didn't know spas served lunch.

alice: some of them do.

mike: so, you and the kids got everything planned out here?

alice: yes. your mother and mrs. tyler will be here around noon to help us set up.

mike: i need to get carol back here at one or two?

alice: two.

they hear someone coming into the kitchen. alice discreetly hands the

ochure back to mike as carol enters the kitchen.

mike: hi sweetheart. he places a kiss on her lips. how are you feeling?

carol: good. she places a kiss on his lips. i slept just like a log.

alice serves her

eakfast too, but without the coffee.

mike: i've got a surprise for you.

carol: her eyes sparkle. what?

mike: you know how you'd been wanting to try out that new spa?

carol: you mean, healing hands?

mike: yes.

carol: gets excited. i've always wanted to go there. her eyes fall. but it's too expensive.

mike: grins. well, you're going.

carol: surprised; she can't believe it. really?

mike: yes, really. he hands her the

ochure. i've got it all taken care of. you'll start out with a massage and facial, and then end with a manicure and pedicure. it also includes lunch for two.

carol: oh mike! she just about leaps into an em

ace, then stops short. are you sure it's okay?

mike: yes. i talked to your doctor and he said there are many massage therapists that perform pregnancy massages, and he said it's perfectly fine with him. he places a light peck on her cheek. you're in good health (and the other cheek) and the baby's fine. he plants a passionate kiss on her lips.

they

eak out of their em

ace and carol giggles.

mike: as soon as you get dressed, we'll be on our way.

carol gets dressed and the couple leaves for the spa. as soon as the coast is clear, alice rallys the kids, including greg.

alice: okay troops, let's get this place spic and span. bobby, we need the lawn mowed, greg, peter, we need the decorations put up.

greg: i'll call nora. she told me she wanted to help out.

alice: who's got cake duty?

marcia: that would be me. i could make my lemon chiffon cake.

alice: actually, i was thinking more like either a vanilla or chocolate cake with buttercream icing. right now, your mom's stomach doesn't settle too well when she eats anything with lemon in it.

marcia: i could make a vanilla/chocolate cake and ice it with white icing with roses on the corners and pink or blue lettering in the center. no wait, green lettering.

alice: sounds lovely, marcia. the living room needs cleaning and then decorations need to be put up. your grandmothers should be here around noon to help out, so let's get started.

the kids begin tidying up the place. nora comes over and helps the kids decorate.

meanwhile, mike and carol are at the healing hands spa.

receptionist: may i help you?

mike: my name's mike

ady and i've got a reservation for my wife, carol, for the deluxe package with the luncheon.

receptionist: yes. i see her name right here. ingrid will see her. i'll let her know you're here. she walks into the back and notifies ingrid.

carol: oh mike, this is so lovely. she can hardly contain her excitement.

shortly thereafter, ingrid comes out to greet them.

ingrid: mrs.

ady?

mike helps carol up.

carol: yes, i'm mrs.

ady.

ingrid: hi, i'm ingrid. they shake hands. i'll be giving you your massage, facial, manicure and pedicure today. let's step into room 3 so we can talk about what you'd like for today.

carol: okay.

mike: i'll meet you back here for lunch at noon. kisses her on the cheek.

carol: all right.

mike: have fun.

they engage in a long em

ace. then mike leaves.

ingrid: shall we?

she leads carol to room 3. there, she sees a water table, which is set at a semi-reclining position, a terry cloth robe, a candela

a, and an eight-track tape player. the women sit down.

ingrid: have you ever had a massage before?

carol: yes. a couple times.

ingrid: are there any scents that you like, or those that bother you?

carol: i love a warm vanilla or lavender. citrus and apple seem to bother me.

ingrid: okay. you're nine months along?

carol: no, i'm eight.

ingrid: okay. there's a very slight chance of starting labour due to the massage, but it's only very slight. are you having any contractions yet?

carol: no. gets a bit concerned and nervous. what do you mean a "slight chance of starting labour?"

ingrid: there are certain points along the body if massaged can start labour. i will do my best to avoid those areas. also, stress hormones can prevent labour from starting, so when those are cleared and the body is relaxed, labour can start. massage is a partnership between the therapist and the client. if there's something you don't want or doesn't feel good, please let me know. i'll step out of the room, and you can get undressed and slip under the sheet. leave your undergarment on, but you can either keep your

a on or take it off, whatever's more comfortable.

ingrid leaves the room and carol undresses and slips under the sheet. immediately, she relaxes, feeling the warmth of the water table and basking in the glow of the low light and the scent of warm vanilla with lavender. ingrid knocks on the door.

carol: come in.

ingrid: ready?

carol closes her eyes and nods. ingrid begins to massage. carol relaxes, feeling the tension leave her body.

meanwhile back at the

ady house. the kids report their progress to alice.

bobby: lawn's all mowed. peter's almost finished trimming the bushes.

cindy: bathrooms are cleaned.

jan: floors vacuumed.

alice: checking her list. good. we've still got a few hours left. wash up so we can get the gifts wrapped. your grandmothers will be here in about an hour to help finish up. has the punch been made?

jan: it's in the refrigerator. the ice ring's still in the freezer.

peter walks in with cuts on his hands and arms.

marcia: what happened to you?

peter:the bushes bit me.

alice: well, clean yourself up and help us with the decorations and gifts.