Page 42 of After the Red Carpet
“Yes, please,” Ella replied.
“Congratulations, Mom and Dad!” Dr. King said. “It’s a girl!”
“Betty!” Finn and Ella both exclaimed as tears slid down their cheeks.
FIVE WEEKS LATER, ELLA WASworking in her office when Finn knocked on the door and let himself in. “I’m sorry to interrupt. How are my girls?”
“Happy to see you. Isn’t that right, Betty?” she said, patting her stomach. “How did filming go today?”
“Fine. They took forever setting up the shot, so I spent most of the day hanging out in my trailer and reading baby books. We’re still on schedule to wrap in four weeks.”
“Good. Then we’ll work on the nursery. Lorraine and I have so many ideas, and we can enjoy some time alone before our little one arrives.”
“I just wanted to let you know that dinner is ready. Joyce said she can keep things warm if you like. There’s no rush.”
“Heavens, I completely lost track of time,” Ella said, noticing it had gotten dark out.
“Making progress on your book?” he asked.
She nodded. “Still just notes, but I’ve been writing about the triad of love between partners and their children. It’s so abstract, yet material in ways I’d never understood before. Every idea leads to a new question. For instance, when we love so deeply, where do we end and where does the other begin? That’s going to be the centerpiece of the book.”
“And what do you think the answer is?”
She shrugged. “Stay tuned.”
He laughed and said, “Well, let me know when you figure it out.”
“You’ll be the first to know. I should warn you, I have a new section called ‘Erotic Motherhood.’ It may be a bit risqué. You know how I can be, pushing the bounds and all. Let’s just say, you inspired me.”
Finn’s cheeks turned pink as he crossed the room to her, leaning down to give her a passionate kiss. “I don’t want to disturb you. Find me when you’re ready for dinner.”
“I’m ready now. I always want to be where you are. Besides, Betty is ravenous,” she said, patting her tummy. She closed her laptop and rose. “Oh, Betty,” she said with a suddenness.
“Ella, what is it?”
“Our sweet girl is kicking furiously. Feels like acrobatics. Here, feel,” she said, placing his hand on her belly.
A huge grin spread across Finn’s face. “I can feel her. I . . . I . . .”
She ran her fingers through his hair. “Amazing, isn’t she?”
“Yes, she is.” He crouched down and spoke to the baby bump. “Your mama and I love you so much, Betty. We’ve loved you since you were just a dream.”
“Oh, did you feel that?” Ella asked. “She’s doing cartwheels now.”
He smiled and kissed her belly.
“WHAT DO YOU FEEL LIKE THIS MORNING?”Joyce asked.
“Avocado toast with poached eggs, please. Ooh, and I think I’ll snack on this while you’re making it,” Ella replied, retrieving an apple from the fruit bowl. She sat on a barstool, patted her belly, and said, “I’m so hungry in the mornings. Betty just can’t wait until breakfast.”
“Has she been kicking a lot?” Joyce asked.
Ella nodded. “Ever since she started last week, it’s like she can’t stop.”
Joyce smiled and went to the refrigerator to fetch the eggs and bread.
“I’ll grab an avocado,” Ella said, rising. “Oh, jeez.”
