Chapter 10
Danny awoke one day to a scream being yelled.
The people next door banged on the wall. Danny shook his head. He and Mandy never complained when the people next door were loud during sex.
He tossed back the sheets, stepped out of bed, and walked to the bathroom. There he found Mandy looking at herself in the mirror, a frantic look on her face.
"What's wrong?" Danny asked, looking at her. He realized he forgot to put on his glasses, but didn't feel like crossing back over to the bed yet.
"I'm showing!" Mandy said running hand over her exposed belly.
Danny crossed back over to his nightstand, picked up his glasses, set them on his face and then returned to his spot against the doorframe.
Indeed, Mandy now had a bump for a tummy. It was getting obvious that she was pregnant.
"You're five months along, what can you expect?" Danny asked.
"Stay thin through the entire pregnancy." Mandy replied, running another hand over her tummy.
"You know what this means now." Danny asked.
"Do I have to?" Mandy asked.
"She'd find out somehow. If not from us, then probably from one of her fancy smancy friends." Danny said.
"But then she may want to move in." Mandy added. "I don't want my mom to move in!"
"So we'll make it obvious we don't have the room." Danny said.
"She scares me." Mandy said.
Danny did have to chuckle at that. Mandy would be the only girl who could look killers and lunatics in the face, but be scared of her own mother.
"I'll call her and maybe we can meet her for lunch." Danny said, walking towards the living room.
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Mandy was seriously scared at the prospect of meeting her mom for lunch. She had offered to come in and help on the case that she had been working with Aiden and Mira. She kept thinking of stuff she needed to go get for what she wanted to make for the lunch. She even changed her mind a few times on what she wanted to make.
Added to the fact she had found out she had gained more weight, Danny was surprised they made it out of the apartment.
And now, standing in front of the two floor penthouse apartment that belonged to Mandy's parents, she was incredibly nervous. She kept reaching up to mess with the bun on her head. She kept smoothing a hand over the white bohemian top she wore and the khakis she had stolen from Danny (since hers no longer fit).
"You look fine baby." Danny said.
"Easy for you to say." She replied. "You aren't lugging around another human being." She said, as Danny smiled.
"Good, cause I'd have no one's clothes to steal." He said, placing a soft kiss on her cheek.
As he pulled away, the front door opened. "God, it's you Amanda." Mr. Williams said, pulling his pipe out of his mouth.
"Hi Daddy." She said, stepping into the apartment and Danny followed.
"Just be warned, your mother is on the rampage. She got some interesting news." Mr. Williams said, as Mrs. Williams came into the entryway from the library.
"There she is!" She screeched, as Mandy shrunk back a little.
"Mommy?" Mandy asked.
"When were you planning on telling me?" Mrs. Williams said.
"Tell you what?" Mandy asked.
"Goodness Ronald, put that pipe out! You'll kill someone." Mrs. Williams said. "I go to do my daily work out. And, that's when I hear nosy Jenean Griper and that no good Erica Grumholtz talking about babies and grandchildren. And then, they turn to me and ask if I knew what mine was." She kept going, watching her husband defiantly pull out his pipe, but then walk off to the library to smoke his pipe in silence.
"Oh." Mandy said.
"At first, I figured it was probably Monica. She's been a lot freeier with herself since the divorce. But they said no, so I tried to think is Moira was pregnant, or if Adam finally got that wife of his pregnant, when Jenean tells me to stop being silly, and that it was Amanda who was pregnant." Mrs. Williams kept going, making Danny almost wish he could join Mr. Williams in the library.
"Yeah, that's kinda why we're here." Mandy said.
"But, I knew you were saving yourself for marriage, which I told them. And then, Erica informs me that you were married. None of this news reached me!" Mrs. Williams said, throwing her hands up in exasperation.
"Momma, we didn't exactly leave on the best of terms." Mandy said, feeling a hand of Danny's come to rest on her back, reassuring her.
"Yes, because of your choices. Eric was a good man. Instead, you go for the first gangbanger that moves." Mrs. Williams said.
"Danny is not a gangbanger." Mandy said.
"I could have said that." Danny softly said.
"Eric would have given you the life you were raised for. You wouldn't have to run around with this silly CSI dream of yours. You could stay home." Mrs. Williams said.
"Trapped in a penthouse?" Danny asked. "That doesn't sound like Mandy."
"Hush." Mrs. Williams said.
"Don't talk to my husband like that. Don't speak at me wrong just because I don't want to live your life!" Mandy yelled.
A hand flew across Mandy's cheek. Mrs. Williams stood in shock of what she had done to her daughter. Danny stood in shock at Mandy, who had tears in her eyes.
And, instead of retaliating, Mandy went running off to her one safe place in the apartment-her room.
Danny looked at his mother-in-law and then went jogging after her.
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Seems like just yesterday
You were a part of me
I used to stand so tall
I used to be so strong
Your arms around me tight
Everything, it felt so right
Unbreakable, like nothin' could go wrong
Now I can't breathe
No, I can't sleep
I'm barely hanging on
Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
I told you everything
Opened up and let you in
You made me feel alright
For once in my life
Now all that's left of me
Is what I pretend to be
So together, but so broken up inside
'Cause I can't breathe
No, I can't sleep
I'm barely hangin' on
Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
Swallow me then spit me out
For hating you, I blame myself
Seeing you it kills me now
No, I don't cry on the outside
Anymore...
Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
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Danny knocked softly on the bedroom door. When he didn't receive a reply, he walked in.
Mandy sat on the four poster bed, her legs as close to her as she could get. "She never sees how amazing a person can be." Mandy said, not looking away from the window.
"She just wants what's best for you." Danny said, walking over to lean on one of the bed posts.
Mandy had tear stains on her cheek, and a red bump from where her mom had smacked her. She stared longingly out the window, still not turning to face Danny.
So, he sat down next to her on the bed, and pulled her into his arms. She curled up in him, feeling so secure. "We used to fight when I was younger, because I always wanted to have a job, but she didn't want me to. Monica had one, and she quit it to raise her kids, Moira never had one, Adam did but that was because he was a boy. My place was supposedly in the house, but I didn't want to stay there. Have bridge parties, gossip over every piece of shit news that came up." Mandy said, as there was a knock at the door.
"Amanda?" Her father's calming voice came in.
"Come on in Daddy." She said. Even in childhood, her father could calm her down. Danny reminded her so much of her father. Maybe that was part of why she loved him.
Mr. Williams took a seat in front of the two on the bed. "Guess I should say hello to my new son-in-law first." He said, as Danny smiled.
"That's okay sir. I think I've been welcomed into the family." Danny said, as Mr. Williams stuck out his hand. Danny took it and they shook.
"Please, call me Ron." Mr. Williams said. "And, if Mandy loves you, then don't worry about Lynn. She's always caught up in this one-upping contest with the women around here. It gets quite interesting at times." He said, chuckling.
"Take it you don't mind that?" Danny asked.
"Sometimes, Lynn does get on my nerves. But, I've lived to understand that she wants to feel loved by other people too. So, she does what she can. She's never had so much money before, she was poor growing up, so she had to work, and she just wants the girls to have what she couldn't have. She wants them to be happy in life." Mr. Williams explained.
"She just sometimes goes out of her way to do it." Mandy said, laying her head on Danny's shoulder.
"I remember when Lynn and I were first married, she was in awe of the estate my parents had, she was in awe of the business I was taking over, she was in awe of everything. She wants everyone to have a moment to feel that awe." Mr. Williams said.
"Can't she trust that I felt that with Danny?" Mandy said.
"I'll talk to her baby doll. She'll come to accept Danny, don't worry." He said, hugging his daughter. "Danny, do you like baseball?" He asked.
Danny's mouth dropped open. "I love baseball! If I didn't become a CSI, I would have debated trying to go pro with it." Danny said, wondering where this was going.
"Well, since Lynn knows it's true that we're about to be grandparents again, she'll want a baby shower. So, maybe that day, you and I go watch the Yankees." Mr. Williams said, as both Danny and Mandy smiled.
"I'd love to!" Danny said.
"For some reason, my two oldest daughters hate anything sports related. Adam was a Mets fan, and for some strange reason, Mandy turned out to be a Red Sox fan." Mr. Williams said, as the three laughed.
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"God damn it! If I keep gaining weight, I'm not going to have anything to wear!" Mandy said, walking out to the living room of her apartment.
Stella stood in the kitchen, mixing up some food. Aiden and Mira were attempting to hang crepe paper. "No maternity clothes yet?" Stella asked, surprised that she hadn't gotten any yet.
"Can't bring myself to wear them yet. I keep refusing to admit I'm gaining weight." Mandy said, pulling her shirt up to show off the roundness to her tummy.
"Six months down. Just wait till you get to eight." Mira said.
"So not looking forward to waddling." Mandy said.
"So, any news on what you're having? You kept telling us when it got to be about five months you should be able to tell. You're six months now, so have you found out?" Aiden asked.
"I just found out the other day, but refuse to tell Danny because he doesn't want to know." Mandy said.
"And?" Stella asked, stepping away from the food.
"Mother intuition was right." Mandy said.
"Ah, a baby girl." Mira said.
"Danny says he'd love either or, but I think he kinda wants a boy." Mandy said, as the door opened and Danny walked in.
"Damn straight I want a boy." Danny said. "I suck at softball." He added, walking back to the bedroom.
"You ready for the baseball game?" Mandy asked, as Danny placed a kiss on her cheek as he walked by.
"Almost." Danny said, as there was a shuffling heard the bedroom.
"So, how's he going to feel when he finds out it's a girl." Aiden asked.
"Learn how to play softball, or ways to teach baseball to a girl." Mandy said. "He makes a big fuss about wanting a boy, but he could really care less."
"I hear you!" Danny said. "And I already knew it was a girl!" He added.
"How?" Mira called.
"Doctor let it slip when I went with you yesterday. On my way out, he said, "she'll be a big girl." And I confronted him a little on calling my wife big, but then he said it was the baby." Danny said, walking back out.
"Darn, and I thought I actually had a secret there for a second." Mandy said.
"I'll be back after the game." Danny said, placing another kiss on her cheek. Mandy returned one to him. "Don't trash this place, or destroy anything, or make it too girlie. I still have to live here!" He called.
"Later honey!" Mandy called, as he waved back to her.
"Poor Danny, he'll be overrun by girls." Mira said.
There was a knock at the door, as Mandy waddled a little over to get it. On the other side was the hostess of the event, Mrs. Williams. "So, when are the rest of the guests coming?" Mrs. Williams asked, looking at the three girls who were with her daughter.
"Uhm, Momma, you told me to invite my closest friends. That's these girls." Mandy said.
"Well that's okay. I invited some of my friends." Mrs. Williams said, as Stella raised an eyebrow.
"Momma!" Mandy said.
"Don't worry, it's ones you like!" Mrs. Williams said, coming in and setting her presents on one of the chairs.
"Like who?" Mandy asked.
"Mrs. Timmons, Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Tyler, Mrs. Hollo, Mrs. Graves." Mrs. Williams said.
"People in your bridge group?" Mandy asked, chuckling a little. "The women you swear perverted me?"
"They happened to be ecstatic that you're expecting." Mrs. Williams said.
"Remind me to tell my mom to not invite her bridge group to mine. I swear they did pervert me." Stella said, stepping away from the kitchen.
"Now, Mandy, who are your friends?" Mrs. Williams asked.
"You know Mira, with her is Aiden Burns and Stella Bonasero is the one who was in the kitchen." Mandy said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mandy has said so much about you." Stella said.
"Wonderful woman." Mrs. Williams said, smiling at Stella. "So, how do you all know Mandy?" Mrs. Williams said.
"We all work together, and hang out when we can." Aiden said.
"Are any of you married?" Mrs. Williams said.
"Not really." Mira said.
"Too wrapped up in work?" Mrs. Williams asked.
"Well, it's hard to have a relationship when you decide to dedicate yourself to your work." Aiden said.
"Well, that is quite interesting." Mrs. Williams said, as there was a knock on the door. "That must be the rest of the guests." She said, rushing off to the door.
"Oh joy." Mandy said, sitting down on the couch, looking at her friends. This was going to be quite interesting.
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"You guys did not have to spoil me like this!" Mandy said, as she kicked another soft baby toy away from her. She had been swimming in gifts all afternoon.
"Well, we have one more." Mrs. Williams said, coming in with a small pastel pink bag.
She handed it to Mandy, who carefully took it and opened it up.
Inside the bag was a slip of paper. Mandy pulled it out and looked at it. "Day care?" Mandy asked.
"With you and Danny working, you'll need someone to watch over the baby. I've heard great things about that place. And I won't trust my grandchild to just anyone." Mrs. Williams said.
"Mom, did you ever think that I don't want to put the baby in day care?" Mandy said.
"And why not?" Mrs. Williams asked.
"Cause I'm not you!" Mandy said, getting up and storming off.
"You have quite the nerve." Mira said.
"What?" Mrs. Williams asked.
"You have to have it all your way, don't you?" Mira said.
"I beg your pardon?" Mrs. Williams asked.
"You had to invite your friends, we had to eat your food, we had to play your games, Mandy had open stuff in the order you wanted. Everything has always been done your way." Mira said.
"She is my daughter." Mrs. Williams said.
"She's almost thirty. She's grown up, she's starting her own family, and she wants to make her own mistakes." Aiden chimed in.
"Let her go, let her be who she is. Don't force her to have to do what you want her to do." Stella said.
Then, Stella, Aiden, and Mira took the hallway back to the bedroom, leaving the older women in the living room.
They were met in the bedroom with Mandy's butt. "I never knew that grew with pregnancy." Aiden said.
"I have peanut butter cups around here somewhere." Mandy's muffled voice said.
"Do you want us to grab some food?" Mira asked, laughter in her voice.
"They're here somewhere." Mandy said, as she shut one drawer on Danny's dresser and then opened another.
"Yeah, but we're seeing a lot more on Danny that we want to see." Stella said, as Mandy pulled a bag of peanut butter cups and a bag of assorted candy out.
"Jackpot!" She said, as she closed the drawer.
"So, who'll be the first to tell Danny we saw his boxers?" Mira asked.
"Just come finish this baby shower with me." Mandy said, smiling. "Annie and I are hungry and I want to get pudgy."
So, the four sat down. "And, no offense, but you are already well on your way to being pudgy." Aiden said.
"None taken." Mandy said. "But, I still blame Danny when I can."
"What use is he if you can't blame him?" Stella asked.
"And, I know you may have not talked about it with him." Mira started, looking at the bedsheet. "But, I'm willing to watch Annalee when you guys need some time." She said.
"I know I'd love to watch her." Stella said.
"And so will Auntie Aiden." Aiden said.
"You guys are great." Mandy said.
"Hey, anyone have any clue why your mom's still sitting on the couch?" Danny said, walking in.
"Everyone else must have left after the fight." Stella said.
"Fight?" Danny asked.
"She bought us a slot in a daycare." Mandy said.
"I thought we were going to hire someone possibly." Danny said.
"I know. We don't have to take it." Mandy said.
"I think that's our cue to go." Stella said.
The three girls hugged their friend bye and then left. "If she asks, I don't want to talk to her." Mandy said, as Mira nodded.
Danny took a seat next to Mandy on the bed. "You okay?" He asked.
"I don't want Mom to help. I don't want her to be there for anything with Annie." Mandy said. "But I feel so heartless saying that."
Tears started falling from her eyes. Danny wrapped his arms around her, and ran a reassuring hand up and down her back.
"If you don't want her to, then she won't." Danny said.
It was going to be hard for Mandy to keep up with that decision, but he was willing to help.
Danny pulled away, carefully wiping away her tears, then leaned in to kiss her.
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Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes