Ainsley still had school projects, for extra credit. She was rather good with her hands and tools. She still let Bob help. In fact, it was a good time for them to talk, because keeping the hands busy distracted them from being embarrassed about the whole 'talking' bit. Teenagers and men not being known for their open communication.
Bob put in a small vegetable garden. He built two small, raised boxes, popped in some seeds. Then he watered them and happily awaiting growing fresh greens.
Bob's peas, sage and peppers weren't the only things growing. Eliza noticed she was putting on weight. She was tired all the time and nauseous, especially in the mornings. When her cakes and cafes gig became a craving for a spicy burrito from the hole in the wall or extra hot nachos, she started to figure something was up.
Eliza explained her symptoms and suspicions to Bob. "I think I might be pregnant. Otherwise I'm not sure what's going on."
Bob waited patiently, absorbing this.
"I know it's a bit of a shock; we're not exactly young. I'd really like your support while I take a test. Would you wait with me?"
Silently, Bob agreed. He took Eliza's hand and they went upstairs to the bathroom.
Bob waited outside the door while Eliza did what needed to be done. Then they waited two minutes that seemed like an eternity.
Eliza went over to the clutter on the counter to read the test. She turned to Bob.
"It's positive" she reported with a beaming smile.
"What?!" Bob couldn't stop himself asking "We're having another kid?"
A bit of reflection and Bob decided that he was probably pretty happy with this development. After all, it wasn't like he had to go through the difficulties of carrying and birthing a second baby. He just had to be a father once the kid got here. He was already a Dad and it was a pretty cool gig.
Eliza on the other hand was ecstatic. She had been younger, with different priorities the first time around. As she'd got older, she'd realised that she hadn't really 'enjoyed' her baby. Now she looked forward to correcting those mistakes.
So while Bob was thinking of homework, trips to the park and family vacations; Eliza was thinking about that new baby smell and holding a little bundle of miracle that fit into your arms.
What neither of them considered in that moment was Ainsley reaction. Which in typical teenage egocentrism was first and foremost "Oh, Gross. How could you do this to me?!"
Eliza stifled a barely tolerant laugh at this statement. So what came out was a sort of snort that suggested the listener was sorely misinformed, but that the originator was keeping their opinions to themselves -for the sake of the relationship.
"We didn't do anything to you young lady" she explained "and we weren't expecting this; but it is happening so we're all going to have to get on board."
Ainsley eyed Eliza's stomach with distaste at that, as if Eliza had made a poor joke.
"And where is this baby going to sleep?" Ainsley asked suspiciously, clearly seeing the one major obstacle Eliza foresaw to acceptance of their growing family.
"In here with your father and I, at least at first. Same as you did." Eliza sighed and continued "I suppose you might have to share your room, eventually." After all, it was only a two bedroom house.
"Great." Ainsley muttered. Then she stood up and swept from the room in a huff. Eliza chose to let her go.
Poor Eliza suffered terrible morning sickness, same as last time. Only difference was a noticeable decrease in sympathy from Bob, who seemed to think this was all part and parcel and hadn't she been through this before?
Several weeks and not a few doctors visits later, Ainsley's attitude still hadn't changed. The Pancakes had to hope that when the baby actually got here, Ainsley would be won over by the reality (rather than concept) of a sibling.
In the meantime, Eliza had had an ultrasound. Bob hadn't been able to go to the appointment and was anxiously waiting results.
"Baby seems healthy." Eliza started. Bob smiled happily at this news. The other big thing was that she was far enough along now to be able to guess the baby's gender.
"So" Bob asked "Am I gonna have a boy?" He knew you weren't really supposed to care and he loved his daughter, but like most men he wanted to leave a son. He knew they wouldn't have another child after this.
"They're pretty sure it's a girl." Eliza told him, with a small hint of apology in her tone.
She held out her arms and Bob gave her a hug.
"Oh well." Bob said philosophically; trying to grieve the lost opportunities and getting ready to move on in the one moment.
As Eliza got further along, Bob started to cajole Ainsley into helping. This meant things like Ainsley sometimes doing homework in the master suite to keep an eye on Eliza while she napped and keep her company while she was awake but resting. Eliza was so tired, she would sometimes forget to take off her shoes before laying down.
It also meant Ainsley began to learn how to cook, which following in her father's footsteps was no real simple matter.
Eliza got huge this time around. By the time her thirty seventh week was passing, Eliza was so
"over this" and ready for the baby to be born.
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