Hey Baby Mon Jan 20

Maddy was excited to get to Charlie’s and brushed her teeth a little too fast. Bobbie reminded her, “Don’t forget to put the toothbrush in your backpack so you and Suzi can brush your teeth together before bed.”

Maddy ran into her room and appeared with her backpack. Her favourite stuffed animal was sticking out. They packed her bag to sleep over because June said Suzy was upset when Maddy left and didn’t stay on Friday. When they got to Charlie’s. Bobbie saw that Charlie’s car was still in the driveway.

She went in and June and Charlie were standing by the door. “I think the baby is coming! We’re heading to the hospital now. Joanne will stay with the kids all day and usually leaves around 4:30, after Eddie or Jen pick up Lara, Walt and Clay. Can you be back here for 4 and stay the night? If it’s a problem, I can ask Joanne…”

“It’s no problem Charlie, I’ve had my overnight bag packed for a week. I have a big meeting this morning but I can be back here with my stuff at 4. I’ll bring something for supper and we can have a lady’s night. It’ll be great. I even found a kids book about welcoming home a new baby brother to read them.”

Charlie hugged Bobbie, “Thanks Mom, wish us luck!”

Bobbie hugged June and assured her she’d do great and wished her good luck. Charlie and June left, and Bobbie got Maddy squared away. She sat for a minute with Joanne and asked her if she needed anything.

She stood up. “So Joanne, I’m planning on bringing some pizzas from the motel for the kids’ supper. I’ll bring you one; you can take it to go.”

Bobbie said goodbye and got in the car to go to the Stargazer Condo building to attend a meeting in the big office. On the way she wondered if she should have invited Joanne to stay with them for dinner. She probably had a life of her own and had enough of other people’s kids by the end of the day.

She parked; someone had cleared the snow from the parking lot. She wondered who. She walked in and the room was quite full. There was Lorne and Rocky and Frank and someone from the city planning office and Trixie and Barb of course. “Hello everyone,” Bobbie shook the city planner’s hand and introduced herself. His name was Lamar Ogilvy.

Bobbie sat in an empty chair and took her laptop out. “Hi Lorne. Mom was saying how lucky it was you moved out before her fire. How long have you been gone? Are you living with Rocky?”

Yes, we got finished fixing up Rocky’s place and I moved in before Christmas. Your Mom must be devastated by the fire. After this meeting, we’re going to fly to Cap City to do some shopping. She’s convinced I’m her personal shopper.”

Trixie and Barb laughed. “Oh Dear,” said Bobbie, “That’s my fault, I told her you’d probably help her pick out some furniture for her condo.”

Lorne continued. “I’m not involved with all of the condo’s but I’m decorating your mother’s and Will’s. Rocco and I did make the kitchen and bathroom plans for all the other condos. I prioritized oven hood and bathroom air extraction like you wanted.”

“Thanks Lorne.”

Frank stood to get some coffee and said, “Florence told me that she wasn’t going to rebuild her home. She is staying in the motel until her condo is ready. She’s thinking of selling the land as is.”

Trixie said, “That property must be almost three city lots; On the corner of a busy street.”

The planner frowned. “That will be snapped up by a developer for sure. They’ll build expensive condos instead of reasonably priced rentals like we really need in that part of town.”

Frank sat back down. “Bobbie, you should buy the property from her before it goes on the market and build apartments there.”

Barb spoke up, “You could call it McNally Estates.”

Bobbie shook her head. “I don’t know. I really don’t want to be a property developer and here I am building another big Condo project and now I’m supposed to build an apartment complex?”

The planner said, “You can only make them 4 stories in that part of town.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to Mom about buying her land but I don’t have the energy to start anything else now.”

Frank leaned toward her, “You are still building that holiday home and working ranch near River City.”

Bobbie shook her head. “How did the permits go for the new condo complex Mr. Ogilvy?”

“Please, you can just call me Lamar. The project was passed by council on the first reading. You are a popular lady in this town and you seem to be an above the board developer. East Point Condos are approved. We would welcome an affordable apartment development too.”

Frank was frowning, “Bobbie, I think we might have to get Marshal in on this but what if we create a development company and actually hire people to manage contractors and everything, to answer phones and all that?”

“I’ll have to think about this Frank. I never really wanted all this. I don’t know. I think that’s what Townes wanted to do. I’m supposed to be retired and I have a granddaughter to raise. I’ll tell Mom I’ll buy her house just to keep it in our hands but I’m not interested in starting a company.”

Frank was nodding. “Fair enough Bobbie but how are you going to get the second condo built. Townes had quite a lot done before you took over. You Trixie and Barb have to start from square one with this new East Point project.”

Trixie shook her head, “I’m sorry Bobbie but after Stargazer is done so am I. I’m having fun doing my financial segment on TV and Greg has been bugging me to travel more. I really want to support you but the second condo is going to be a problem. I would help you hire some people to do that though.”

Bobbie closed her eyes. “All right. Frank, we’ll get Marshal on the horn tomorrow and I guess Orlov Property Developments is going to be a thing. I really don’t want to be too hands on though.”

Barb spoke. “We can be on your board of directors and make sure everyone is behaving.”

Bobbie perked up. “Oh. I almost forgot, Charlie and June went to the hospital this morning. I think I’m going to be a grandma again.”

Trixie got up to hug her. “Oh Bobbie, that’s so wonderful. Please let me know when you hear that the baby is born. Do they know if it’s a boy or girl?”

“Yes, Charlie knows the tech that did the ultrasound and she let it slip. It’s going to be a boy.”

Lorne came over to her. He had a suitcase. “Bobbie, can I get a drive over to the motel? I came with Rocco but he wants to stay.

“No problem Lorne. Of course I can run you over. I’ll stop in and see Mum too. I want to tell her about June and maybe charm her into giving me a deal on her land.”

Lorne took her arm. “Good luck with that; your mom thinks the land is worth a lot.”

They pulled into the parking lot and Bobbie stopped by her mother’s apartment. “I’ll let you out here Lorne, she’s on the first floor, in that suite. I’ll meet you there.

Bobbie parked and checked her phone for baby news. Nothing yet. She got out and went over to her mother’s. “Hi Mom, so you and Lorne are going to “shop til you drop?” I’m just stopping by to let you know Charlie and June are at the hospital. We should have news very soon.”

“Thanks Bobbie, I’m sure June will do well but I wouldn’t have planned this trip if I knew June’s baby was so close. It feels wrong not being at the hospital.

I love the clothes we got at the big box store but I don’t have anything to wear anywhere but home. I need a whole wardrobe and I’m going to need some designer input and some decent shoes. Also, it’s overwhelming to have to get everything new for my condo. I’m probably going to be a minimalist.”

Bobbie smiled. “It is definitely weird that you aren’t at the hospital.  You definitely have ‘maximalist’ taste. But I get your point. You’ve spent your life learning what you like and don’t like. You’ll do fine.”

Bobbie’s phone dinged. “Oh, Ansel Emmet Orlov was born at 14:37 at 9.5 pounds and 20 inches long.”

That’s wonderful! Is Emmet a name in June’s family? I know Ansel is an old name from our family. That’s lovely, tell them we can’t wait to meet Ansel.”

Bobbie drove her mom and Lorne off to the airport and stopped at the motel to gather pizzas for the girls and headed back to Charlie’s. Suzi and Laura had the news and were excited and not sure what to do. Bobbie pulled out the book she found called “Bringing Baby Home” and the girls listened carefully and by the end of it they seemed a little more sure of themselves. They found a cartoon movie they all liked and were watching when Charlie came in.

“I decided to come home for the night. Mom and baby Ansel are fine. We’ll go back in the morning and I think we can bring them home.”

Bobbie thought of the pale blue baby blanket that had taken her so long to knit that sat in her car. “I’m going to stay the night anyway Charlie, Maddy has been looking forward to the sleep over. We can follow you to the hospital in the morning. I have a little something for the baby. And then we can head home and let you guys get on with things. I’ll be dropping over some food in the afternoon. I’ll take one of everything from the motel take out freezer.”

They all finished watching the movie and the tired girls all went to bed.

Charlie was sitting in the living room. “Let’s have a drink mom.” He got up and went the counter and made them a couple of scotch on the rocks. “It’s weird, isn’t it? Everything is going to change now. Not at first but as our boy grows up, he’ll change the dynamic of the family.”

Bobbie took a sip of her drink. “Of course he will. Maybe he makes it better. He’ll have big sisters to show him what’s what and he’ll find his own way too. At first, they will want to look after him and eventually, he’s going to want to look after them.”

“And I just want to look after them all, the best way I can. I’m a little sad Dad and Grampa aren’t here to meet Ansel.”

“I know Charlie, it’s hard but you learned everything you need from your dad and Grampa anyway. You’ll be fine Charlie. You can call me anytime you need a break too.”

They sat in silence a little longer before they went to bed.