Getting Ready

    “You two go have fun,” said Amelia, almost pushing Candice out the door. Candice thanked them before shutting the door. She looked at Marie and smiled softly.
    “Candice, I...”
    Candice stopped her with a soft kiss. She took Marie's hand and squeezed it. Marie smiled, tears welling up in her eyes again. She pushed herself against Candice, taking her arm. They walked home like that, as the dew soaked ground glimmered.

    “Amelia, you are going to look amazing in that!”
    “Really? What do you think, Baldr?”
    Balder laughed and smiled at her. He had started talking a few weeks ago, and everyone was working to encourage it. Candice even did flash cards with him. Winona had her research department adapt some of the old styles of male clothing to the modern era to help Baldr have something to wear.
    “Melie!”
    “Yes, Baldr?”
    He threw his hands up, begging to be picked up. She bent down and picked him up. The wedding was a month away, and Amelia was extremely nervous. She knew what to expect, but it was still extremely nerve wracking.
    “Marie?”
    “What?”
    “What was it like? Your mother's second wedding?”
    “I don't really remember. It happened.”
    “Oh.”
    This did little to help Amelia's nerves, and she looked horrible. Marie suggested they get something to eat. Amelia nodded, and went to the front of the store to pick up her wedding set.
    Once outside, Amelia put the wedding set in Marie's car. Marie suggested a nearby restaurant, and they headed towards it. It was a beautiful day, and being outside helped clear Amelia's head.
    Baldr started struggling out of Amelia's hand and tried running ahead of them. Marie clapped, and he stopped, looking at her sheepishly. Marie held out her hand and he took it. Amelia thought Marie was strong because she kept her child under control. She started thinking about what it would be like to have a kid of her own.
    The breeze felt good, and the air was crisp. Amelia felt worlds better, and was happy to be with Marie and Baldr. The news was now public that Baldr was being raised by someone in town, but it didn't cause much of a stir. It wouldn't make a big difference until he was old enough to go to school.
    Amelia liked Baldr. He was a rambunctious rascal, and he always made her laugh. She decided to talk to Veronica that night about children. She felt nervous, but knew she wanted one.

    Meanwhile, Candice and Veronica were preparing for the wedding as well. Veronica had called the place they had reserved three times to make sure everything was set. Candice told her to calm down. She checked on the bakery to make sure they had ordered the cake.
    “So how is he doing?”
    “He's doing well. He calls both of us mom now.”
    “Well then, you'll definitely have to get married.”
    Candice choked and started laughing. Veronica started laughing as well. Candice talked about how much her life had changed since Baldr came into it, but she couldn't complain. Veronica wasn't sure if she ever wanted children.

Tea and Tears

“Candice, sweetie, you're doing fine.”
    Amelia put her hand over Candice's, trying to comfort her. Veronica took a drink of her tea and sighed. She twirled her hair around her finger, not knowing what to make of it. They knew Marie had been busy lately,and respected her privacy, but didn't know how to approach this situation.
    Candice had appeared on their porch, soaked in sweat from running. When they invited her in, she immediately broke down, and was unable to move. Veronica went to put on a pot of tea while Amelia escorted Candice to the couch.
    Once Candice calmed down enough, she started talking about all that had been going on at their apartment. She told them about how Marie brought Baldr home without consulting her, about how little attention Marie had been paying her recently, and about the fight this morning. She said when she left the apartment, she just ran, not knowing where to go. When she saw Veronica's house, she stopped and stood there for a good ten minutes before knocking on the door.
    “So, you two are taking care of the first male?”
    “No, she is. I'm just wallpaper.”
    Candice fought back tears again. Amelia looked at Veronica, then stood up. Excusing herself, she went to another room. Veronica sat there, unable to figure out what to say, while Candice clenched her cup of tea. Amelia returned a few minutes later with a towel and washing cloth.
    “Come with me, hun.”
    Amelia helped Candice to her feet, and showed her to the shower. She helped her undress and turned on the water. Candice just stood there like a defeated puppy, and Amelia sighed. She undressed and helped Candice into the shower as well.
    “You're only making this difficult. A shower always helps me relax and clear my thoughts.”
    Candice just shook her head. Amelia started washing Candice's hair, lathering in the shampoo. Candice started humming softly, almost sounding like she was whimpering.
  
    Veronica turned on the radio, and let the soft music fill the room. Amelia was in the kitchen cooking dinner, while Candice sat on the couch, looking better than before. She was wearing a set of Veronica's clothes while her own were in the wash.
    As the jazz music permeated through the room, Veronica sat in a chair and looked at Candice. She hadn't moved since she dressed after the shower, and looked frail as a sickly child. This worried Veronica, as there had been no calls for Candice either.
    “Sweetie, you know that sulking won't help. Listen to me. You can stay here tonight, but tomorrow you should go home and talk to her.”
    Candice didn't respond, instead just sat there looking at her feet. All she could think about was the way Baldr didn't seem to accept her. She didn't like hearing the tone Marie took. Candice quickly wiped tears from her eyes.
  

    Knock, knock, knock, knock. Candice woke with a start at the sound. She went over to the door and opened it. On the other side was Marie, her hand still in the air from knocking. Candice immediately grabbed her, and held her tight. Marie had been crying, and her tears soaked through Candice's shirt.    They stood their in each others arms, neither wanting to break the hold.
    “Glad you came to pick her up.”
    Marie and Candice both jumped and looked at Amelia, their faces turning red. Amelia smiled, adjusting her nightgown so it wouldn't fall down. Veronica came out of the bedroom yawning, and waved at Marie.
    “What took ya?”
    Marie looked down at the ground, and Candice glared at Veronica. Amelia laughed, and invited Marie inside. Marie shook her head, pulling on Candice's sleeve.

Trouble at Home

    Marie's mother smiled at her and said thank you before returning to her meal. Candice pat Marie on her shoulder. Marie stared at her food before deciding she wasn't hungry anymore. She stood up, washed her plate and Baldr's, apologized and took him to his crib before laying down for a nap.

    Marie woke with a start. Baldr was being quiet. He hadn't made a single sound all night, and Marie rushed to his crib to make sure he was alright. She found him calmly sleeping, and breathed a sigh of relief. She stood there watching him sleep, and smiled.
    Marie walked out to the living room and turned on a light. She picked up a book she was slowly reading and sat down on the couch to resume it. She flipped through the pages looking for her bookmark, when it fell out. This caused Marie to swear quietly, but it was still too loud. Baldr started crying and she put her book back down to go take care of him.
    Feeling a strangely inspired, she started singing softly to him.
    “Hush now little one,
    The day has not yet begun.
    Dream of happy sights to see,
    Like mighty knights and majestic kings.
    Or perhaps of racing cars,
    Driving fast and driving far.
    Hush now little one,
    It's too early for the sun,
    Dream of great adventures to have,
    Fighting monsters dark and bad.
    Maybe exploring new lands,
    Seeing new sights would be grand.
    So, hush now little one,
    The day has not yet begun.”
    By the time she finished, Baldr was already deep asleep. Marie smiled and went back to her book. She found a passage that looked familiar and began reading.

    “I hear humming,” thought Marie. She looked up from her book and saw Candice walking out of the bedroom. Candice was buttoning up her blouse as she hummed the same song Marie had been singing. Marie turned red and hid behind her book.
    Candice looked over at her and asked how long she'd been awake. Marie said she didn't know and went back to her book. Candice started heating formula for Baldr, letting Marie have a break. She pulled the formula when she thought it was ready, and Marie took it from her. She immediately put it down and told Candice it was too hot.
    “I let it come to a boil first.”
    “You don't do that. You heat it OVER hot water.”
    “I'm sorry okay?”
    “I'm just glad I noticed.”
    “I was just trying to be helpfu--”
    Candice got cut short by Baldr crying. She didn't realize she had been shouting, and went to the room. She picked him up and tried comforting him. Baldr kept crying and Marie came in the room.
    Marie tried handing a bottle of properly heated formula to Candice. Candice reached for it, but instead Baldr started reaching for Marie. Candice sighed, and held him at arms length. She then handed him over, apologized again, and ran out of the apartment.

Happy Mother's Day!

    “Shhh...”
    Marie tried comforting Baldr as she fed him. Baldr had been gaining weight, and was getting hard for her to hold. Marie wished Candice would help her more with him, but she knew it was hard on Candice to put up with Baldr out of the blue.
    After feeding Baldr, Marie washed his bottle and the pan she heated the formula in. She then called work to do her daily report on Baldr's growth.
    “Well this fits the projected growth rate. We can have him just come in once a month now instead of having you call daily.”
    “Alright. When can I resume my previous position?”
    “You'll have to wait 'til he's in school.”
   
    It was lunch time when Candice came in. She walked over and kissed Marie on the cheek. Baldr laughed and waved at Candice.
    “We have a visitor.”
    Marie dropped her fork and looked at Candice, horrified. Candice put her hand over Marie's and smiled, trying to reassure her. A voice was heard from the door.
`    “Is it okay for me to come in?”
    Marie immediately brightened at the sound of her mother's voice. She jumped up and ran over to her hugging her. Her mother smiled and hugged her close.
    “How's my little pumpkin?”
    “I'm doing fine, Mom.”
    Baldr started making loud noises, and Marie's mother looked at her. Marie frowned, looked away, and walked back to where they were eating. Baldr was bashing his fork on the high chair table.
    “Marie Daisy Burgess! When did you have a child?”
    “MOTHER! I DIDN'T! I'm only doing my job!”
    “You're a babysitter now?”
    “Not with my salary,” Marie thought. She replied, “Sort of… I can't really tell you anything yet, but I promise I will tell you it all soon.”
    “Would you like anything to eat Missus Burgess?”
    “Thank you, Candice.”
    Candice made a plate of food for her, and looked at Marie. Arie just looked at her, then back at her food. Candice took a seat and sat there quietly. Marie took a bite of her food.
    “So is this the infamous Baldr?”
    Marie choked and forced her food down her throat before getting a drink. While drinking, she flashed a dirty look at Candice.
    “She didn't tell me.”
    “What?”
 “Marie, while many people most likely can't tell the difference at this age, this child came from nowhere, and is larger than most females.”
    Marie just stared at her mother.
    “You're still forgetting something, pumpkin.”
    Candice nudged Marie, mouthing something at her. Marie stared at her blankly, not registering. Marie's mother sat there eating her food, waiting. Marie just looked at Baldr, and wiped his face off.
    “Well, I miss my mother.”
    “That's right… it's been a few years now hasn't it?”
    Candice nodded,and Marie's mother pat her on the shoulder. Candice looked at Marie, who was busy feeding Baldr. She coughed, and Marie looked up. Candice gestured her head at Marie's mother. It suddenly dawned on Marie.
    “OH MY GOODNESS! MOM, I'M SORRY! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!”

A New Life

    Marie sat on the bus, uncomfortable at the stares she was getting. It was uncommon to see a Mother outside with a child so young. She shifted nervously in her seat, and looked down at Baldr. He looked at her and cooed. Marie smiled before turning her attention out the window.
    She didn't know why she accepted this task. She didn't know what to do. Then, there was no one more qualified or less qualified than her to raise a male child in this society.
    “What's her name?”
    Someone addressed Marie. Marie made up a female name on the spot, not wanting too much unwarranted attention. The bus stopped a block from Marie's apartment. She quickly exited and went to her building.
    Once she entered her apartment, Marie put Baldr down, with some blocks the lab had given her for him to play with. She hurried to the phone to tell Candice the news. Candice freaked out on the phone, but kept from getting too loud and letting those around her know of the child.
    “How long?”
    “Until he's of age, or a little older.”
    There was a knock on the door. Marie apologized then told Candice goodbye and that she loved her before hanging up. She hurried to the door and opened it to find some women outside. One announced that they had a delivery, and Marie nodded showing them where to place everything.

    “WuaaaAAAAaahhhh!!!”
    Baldr was crying again. Marie got out of bed to check on him. She walked over to his crib, and started humming a song to help calm him. She checked to see if he needed changed, but he was clean.
    Baldr stopped crying and stared at her. He smiled weakly, and kicked his feet. Marie then noticed his blanket had tangled around his legs, and helped readjust it. She kept humming to him as she pet his head.
    Marie turned to go back to bed, only to see it empty. She looked around, and saw a light coming from the kitchen. She stepped out to see Candice brewing some coffee.
    “You know what time it is?”
    She sounded upset. She had the right to be anyway. Marie shook her head, and Candice pointed at the clock. It was six in the morning. It was time to get up anyway.
    “Is everything okay?”
    Marie looked at Candice. “Yes, he's back to sleep for the moment.”
    Candice nodded. She poured her coffee, and took a drink. It had been two weeks since Marie had brought Baldr home. Marie hasn't left the apartment in that time except to go for small walks, and Candice didn't know what to tell Amelia and Veronica. It wasn't uncommon for a Mother to be out of wedlock anymore, but this was different.
    Marie started heating some formula for Baldr. She felt tired, but she hadn't been getting a full nights sleep recently. She napped when Baldr would, but she wasn't feeling satisfied. As she started pouring the formula into a bottle, Baldr started crying, as though on cue.