Mail Order Bride Book 9
Neal gently set his glass down. He extended his arm towards the square shaped bottle of rum and poured himself a generous amount of it.
‘It’s only fair,’ He thought. ‘After today, I think I’m a saint if I don’t finish the whole bottle.’ His eyes flitted to the bottle, already half empty. He shrugged and reclined in his brown leather chair.
‘There was Miss Ashton, with the damn cat incident.’ Miss Ashton, one of his long time clients and a lonely spinster that specialized in giving all of the local cats a place to call home, had burst into Neal’s office that afternoon. She had moaned and wailed about how her neighbor, Murphy George, was feeding all of her cats fish bones.
“I only feed my cats the highest grade of food.” She had insisted. “Fish tails are terrible for them. It doesn’t offer any health benefits, it won’t make their coats shiny.” She sat across from him, an invitation he had not extended.
“We can not allow him to get away with this, Mr. Powell. Let’s bring him to justice.” She smacked her fist upon her palm, which she must have thought made her seem serious.
Stifling a laugh, Neal replied, “Why don’t you come back next week and we’ll see if you feel the same way?”
“But we must act while the fire burns!”
“And if your passion isn’t right where you left it next week, then we will know what to do next.”
Neal shook his head, extending his legs, not caring that he nudged the coffee table.
‘I don’t even know why I put it that close to this thing.’ He thought, but he knew that he did know. He knew the reason why it was so close to the chair was not only a stylistic choice but because women had shorter legs. He had set up his lounge or den, to appeal to a woman. He hadn’t managed to appeal to a woman himself, however. Women came in every day, and they oohed and ahhed at his swanky office, at the women bringing coffee, the pristine wooden floors and glass doors.
But none of them wanted to stay. It had seemed that time and time again, the man behind all of the impressive trappings and his clean, pressed suits was not as interesting. He had entertained a covenant’s worth of women, and the only person that seemed interested in a lasting relationship with Neal Powell was Stephen Mitchell.
Stephen Mitchell had been relentlessly pursuing Neal to help run his campaign. A campaign that Neal hadn’t even decided he wanted to go through with. He was liked in Nevada, that much was true. Democratic partners seemed to tolerate his conservative beliefs but also respect that they were different. There wasn’t a single person in Delamar that Neal could not do business with.
The papers, that Neal risked spilling rum on and having to sheepishly explain the stain to Stephen, sat on the coffee table as well. It was the official paperwork that required a few signatures and glances that would certify Neal as a candidate for governor. His head pounded at the work ahead, the advertising, the smarmy behavior he might have to engage in to secure a vote.
‘Not to mention, most of Nevada is a blue state.’ Neal considered. He could always ask Stephen over to his office tomorrow, figure out what Stephen’s stake in the race was. If there was even going to be a race.
Cecilia Vaughn used the palm of her hands to guide her sister around in a circle. Needles between her lips, and tears in her eyes that she would not pay any mind to, she lifted the train of the white dress.
“It’s gonna be so pretty, Cecilia!”
‘I’ve got an excuse not to talk.’ Cecilia thought, as she reached for her measuring tape. She put it snug around Alice’s waist and sneered at the perfect 22 inch measurement. The scene was so perfect, it made her want to spit. Or at least rip the dress up, spill some old fashioned tomato soup on it. Everything didn’t have to work out. Lacey had already been married and moved out last month. Now, Alice ran around the house with zeal, giggling about her wedding, making Cecilia taste samples of her wedding cake.
The cake samples tasted too sweet, almost as sweet as Alice and Cecilia had grown tired of sweet things. She was sick of sweet proposals that weren’t asking for her hand, she was tired of sweet smiles between lovers. Cecilia was especially nauseated by the idea of more sweet things, because she had yet to have a single response to the ad she put in the paper.
‘Isn’t it enough that I’m willing to put myself in the paper? Publicize to the country that I’m going to reach spinsterhood any day now unless some sweet man saves me?’
“Are you listening, Cecilia?”
“What?
Alice wheeled around and danced in the long, white gown. Cecilia scowled as a pin she was going put on the dress stabbed her in the pinky.
“Cecilia the band is going to play the best music, you know, some of those old, classic love songs?”
‘The same love songs that everyone has at their wedding.’ Cecilia thought, with an eye roll. She picked up the train of the dress and fiddled with it. The sun blinded her momentarily. The tailoring room had some of the best lighting in the whole house. It was going to be one of the rooms that Cecilia missed the most. They were fortunate enough to have a house that was large enough to have a separate room for tailoring. After the death of both of their parents, the house had been left to all of the Vaughn girls.
‘And now they want to abandon it and me for marriage, not that I wouldn’t do the same to them.’
“I hope Ernie gets promoted, we’re going to need more money if he wants to have a baby.”
‘I could never earn enough money to keep this house running properly, even if I do alterations out of this room to gals around town every day.’
Alice waltzed out of the room and the heavy and expensive gown that got her so wound up was collecting dust from the hard wood floors in the hall.
Cecilia let a heavy sigh fall from her lips. ‘Try to be happy for your baby sister.’ She thought, gathering her sewing equipment. She fell back on to the crimson sofa that her mother had insisted on having put in the tailoring room.
“I’ll be damned if I don’t get to rest my feet after hemming dresses on every woman in Georgia!”
And she had hemmed an outfit for just about every woman in Georgia. It was widely known that Nicole Vaughn was one of the best seamstresses the state had to offer, and people from clear across the state would travel to Augusta to get their garments mended when they had a special date coming up.
Shortly after the sofa argument, Cecilia’s father had two, huge, burly men shoving the crimson sofa in through the narrow doorway of the tailoring room.
‘He would bend over backwards to do anything she asked for, if she asked nice enough.’ Cecilia thought.
She took in the wood floors, the long crimson curtains, and the peach colored walls. She wanted to burn the vision of this room into her memory, the room that spoke the most about the story of her father and mother’s love.
‘I’ll get that kind of love… maybe not by sitting on the couch though.’
Sally that owned the diner on 24th street still needed to be asked to cater the event. Cecilia needed to hunt Lacey down and put her to work, maybe have her gather up all of the roses from the garden for Alice’s bouquet. Her sisters always relied on her to plan the weddings and big parties. They would throw compliments at her whenever an event was being discussed,
“Oh, ‘Ceilia, you throw the best parties. You have Mama’s brain!” Both of her younger sisters would insist until she agreed.
Good thing I got smart enough to make them do the grunt work.’ She smiled, and stood up. She pushed her fist into the small of her back. She smoothed the wrinkled of her dress, and fluffed her maroon colored hair.
“Alice! Alice, stop dancing in that dress and run down to Sally’s diner for me-stop dancing!”
Neal sat down in the chair opposite of Stephen. Stephen tittered and drank the rest of his coffee, wiping donut crumbs away from his beard.
“Mr. Mitchell?”
“Yes?”
“I’d like to know what your plans are.” Neal leant forward and wipes a few stray crumbs off of his desk.
“Yes, yes, um, I think you need to seriously consider running for governor.”
Neal rolled his eyes. “Mr. Mitchell, you do know that I’m a conservative, yes?”
Stephen nodded. “I do. That doesn’t mean that you won’t votes in Nevada. You’re a respected member of the community in Delamar.”
“People are sick of tradition, every time I turn around there’s a new liberal law introduced.”
“Society must evolve. And true progress is someone bringing what’s always worked to the future, and making sure that some things don’t change.”
“Fair enough. It would be a wonderful experience, even if I don’t win.”
“Well, you have very little opposition, one little dem on the other end of Delamar. I don’t even know his name.”
“Isaiah Jenkins. You knew his name, that’s your job as campaign manager, to know the opposition.”
“Spoken like a man trying to run for governor. Can I count on running your campaign?”
Neal ran a hand along his coffee mug. “I don’t have much time to think about it,” he muttered, “the election will be here before I know it.”
Stephen stood up and picked up the nearly empty coffee pot. He poured a bit into Neal’s mug, and then his own mug. “Well, you have a year and six months.”
“And I haven’t begun any promotion. Oh, this will be stressful. Maybe I’ll consider it next term?”
“You’re thinking about all of the stuff a campaign manager has to worry about.”
Stephen smoothed a hand over his balding scalp. “Let me lose my hair over the campaign, you just need to look good, trustworthy, and attractive to all kinds of people.”
“All kinds, huh?” Neal asked.
“Well, we can certainly try.”
Over the next several weeks, Neal and Stephen made campaign posters to offer in neighborhoods. They went door to door, informing the citizens of Delamar that Neal Powell had his eye on governing Nevada.
There were men that shook his head, and wished him luck. There were democrats that politely nodded and closed the door saying, “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Some people were indifferent. Sean Tucker pried open his door and let a big brown glob of tobacco fall out of his mouth before he slurred, “I aint voiting.” He fiddled with his shirt, looking around, anywhere but Neal’s eyes.
Neal said, “I hope that if you change your mind, you consider voting for-“
“I don’t like democrats.” Sean said.
“You’ll be happy to know that I’m from the conservative party.”
“I don’t want nothing to do with no conservationists!” Sean yelped, he gripped the edge of the door with dirty brown and black fingers.
Stephen grabbed Neal by the elbow. “I think we can wrap this one up.”
Neal nodded at Sean and offered, “Thank you for your time, sir. Enjoy your day.”
Sean growled and slammed the door. As they marched down the walk way, Stephen muttered, “I say we get some lunch and some alcohol and revise the angle we’re going at this campaign with.”
“I wish you had stopped at alcohol.”
Only half an hour later, Merla, a waitress at Joe’s Burgers led them to a secluded table and blew her hot bubblegum scented breath in Neal’s face as she said, “Today’s specials are corn beef sandwiches with sauerkraut on rye. We’re also serving some delicious white chicken and cream soup, extra helpings for governors.”
She winked, and swished her hips away from the table. Stephen watched her leave and grinned. “See, someone believes in you. Maybe all aspects of you.” Stephen took a turn at winking.
Neal scoffed and poured himself some water from the pitcher on the table and popped the lemon into his glass. “I can hardly focus on women when this campaign can’t get off of the ground.”
“I disagree. I think our campaign is falling short because you have no interest in women.”
“I’m doubtful.”
Merla came back and kept her eyes on Neal. “You ready to order, Mr. Governor?”
“Oh. I’m not governor yet. But thank you for your support. I’ll have a tuna sandwich with milk, and a beer if you have it.”
“We sure do.” She lazily drew on her order pad. She looked over her shoulder. “And what are you having, mister?”
“I’ll have the same but two sandwiches.” Stephen replied.
Merla left again and Stephen asked, “How do you expect to win over most of Nevada when you’re a man that’s unattached well past his 30s?”
“I would think that the two are not at all connected.”
Neal spread his napkin across his lap. Stephen was becoming impatient. “Put some faith in me. Traditionally, a man is married before his 30s. By your age, one is usually desperate for a wife.”
“I’m very good at taking care of myself. I make my own meals-“
“This isn’t about how well you can prepare a steak! To be frank, people enjoy what they see, much more than substance. You need to appeal to all kinds of people. You want to be like America’s father- warm, inviting, you can trust him because you always have. We can’t create an image of America’s father without America’s mother standing right beside him.”
Merla slid Neal’s tuna sandwich in front of him and mumbled something about milk and beer.
“I’m not running for president, just governor!” Neal exclaimed.
“How do you think presidents are made?” Stephen questioned.
Merla plopped Stephen’s sandwich down in front of him.
“Merla, dear?”
Merla turned a questioning gaze his way, one hand on her hip. “Yes?”
“I ordered two.”
She shrugged and walked back to the kitchen. Neal turned his gaze back to Stephen.
“So you’d like for me to begin courting a woman?”
Stephen took a big gulp of water and waved his hands about. “No, you’re a rational, smart, and calculating man. It would take you weeks to find the right woman, and six months to decide if you want to marry her.”
“Are you suggesting a quickie marriage?” Neal asked, as Merla put a beer in front of him and an additional sandwich in front of Stephen.
“Don’t say it like that! Mail order bride marriages are more successful than most marriages where the Mama and Daddy met each other through a trusted family friend.”
“So how does one pick a wife? I just pick a gal out of the paper and send for her things?”
Stephen cut his tuna sandwich in half. “There’s more of a romance to it than that. I will stop by tomorrow afternoon and we’ll get started.”
“I don’t know…”
“Don’t overthink it. Just trust me.”
“’Dear Cecilia, I had an aunt named Cecilia. She made the best cherry cobbler. That’s not why I’m contacting you, however. You sound like an absolute delight. I appreciate that you have your own trade. I’m a lawyer, I have my own office in Delamar. I’m well known here, most people will you tell you that I’m an upstanding and reserved gentleman. I try to be the best man possible- I think that you would greatly enjoy living with me. I have a nice home , I like it. There’s enough room if your family might want to visit. I think I’m much more interesting in person. I eagerly await your response.”
Alice and Lacey giggled and Cecilia’s cheeks began to flame.
“Oh, Cecilia, a lawyer is interested in you! Your first response and it’s a real classy gentleman.”
Cecilia sat down in the arm chair next to the sofa. “He does sound classy, like a gentleman. He doesn’t sounds thrown together by any means.”
Cecilia gripped her knees through her tangerine colored dress. Lacey grinned at her. “Oh, respond right away, no one if the family has ever been to Nevada before.”
Alice playfully slapped Lacey’s knee. “Mama went once, before she was married.”
“Anyhow, you’d be the first to marry a lawyer.”
“Oh my.” Cecilia touched a hand to her warm face. “I forgot that I’d marry him through this arrangement.”
“It will be wonderful! Then all three of us will be married.”
‘And I don’t have to worry about starving trying to keep this house up and running.’ Cecilia thought.
“How about a cake to celebrate?” Lacey offered. Lacey was the middle daughter and an even tempered, logic minded girl that offered solutions. She married her husband Evan based on the deduction that he was the only man in Georgia that would still be worth anything by the time he was 50. That, and she suspected that he would still have his looks by then.
“Cake sounds good. Maybe some wine?”
Alice and Lacey hooted. “That’s right! I’ll start on the cake!” Lacey said.
By the evening, Cecilia had enjoyed two large slices of German chocolate cake. Her sisters were giggling in the kitchen over champagne. She patted her fully belly and walked down the long hallways to the tailoring room.
Her hand rested on the door pane and she swiped a few stray tears away from the corner of her left eye.
‘This might be it. I don’t have long to memorize every nook and cranny of this room.’ Cecilia thought. She sat at the table that had a sewing machine on the other end of it and pulled open one of the drawers that hadn’t been opened in years
The drawers stuck at first, and she wrestled with it for a moment. The drawer came out with a rough yank and Cecilia snaked her and through the narrow opening. She pulled out paper with a flowery letterhead. She wrote in the top left corner:
Dear Neal,
She paused. ‘How do I sound as fancy as he does?’
She wrote:
Look, I’m not a debutante by any means. I did not get classes on how to be prim and proper. But I still think I’m pretty great. I can offer you a stable home life, someone to stand behind you as long as you’ll have me. Family means a lot to me, so I will be taking you up on that spare bedrooms offer. I’m very pleased at your interest. Please send me any and all information that I’ll need to move forward with our… marriage? It feels like I should be calling this more of an arrangement until I’ve met you. Whatever we’re calling it, I’m sure it will be wonderful.
Cecilia sat her pen down next to her. She could hear Lacey and Alice laughing from the parlor.
‘Nights like this are becoming numbered. I won’t have many more with them before I leave.’
“Who do you have there?” Stephen asked as he sat down across from Neal. Neal handed him a beer, and flashed the newspaper in front of him.
“I was interested in a gal from Virginia, but she already had a couple of children. I didn’t think it would be fair to these children to be dragged into the middle of an election.”
Stephen laughed and sipped on his beer. “Yes, you’re much more of a winner than any politician. You actually care. “
Neal shrugged. “That, and an interesting red head from Georgia finally responded. She has her own trade.”
“I think that’s something that could make you look great to women. Having a wife capable of earning her own income.“ Stephen said.
“Well I think she will be lovely. I’m going to send for her this afternoon. I’m hoping she’ll be here this Friday.”
“Really?”
Neal nodded. “I’m looking forward to meeting her, I hope that she won’t be unhappy here in Nevada.”
Stephen scoffed. “She’ll be the governor’s wife, I’m sure she won’t want much else.” Stephen looked around the den. “Do you have more beer?”
“It would have been nice to know that I was going to be a politician’s bride! That’s a whole other lifestyle!”
Stephen tried to soothe Cecilia. “How fantastic will it be? How lovely? You come from humble folks. You’re a shop owner’s daughter from Georgia, marrying Nevada’s first Republican governor.”
Cecilia shifted in her heavy white gown. “Isn’t a husband supposed to consult with his wife?”
Stephen chuckled. “He picked you out of the paper, dear. I don’t believe the man has to ask your permission for anything yet.”
“Why would you tell me at my wedding rehearsal? I’m just upset before my big day… Alice and Lacey are going to be here before I know it.”
“You had to know why a reporter or two may want to cover the event next week.”
Cecilia crossed her legs and frowned. “Why couldn’t he just tell me?” She turned to Stephen. “Mr. Mitchell, can you step out, please? I’d like to get out of my gown.”
Stephen nodded. “You can call me Stephen, it’s fine, we’ll be around one another often enough, with the campaign and everything.” He tipped his hat to her and left the room.
‘What a sneaky pig.’ Cecilia thought. She wrestled with the gown and finally pulled it down and around her pale, skinny knees. She stepped out of the gown and lifted it up, then set the expensive garment on the chaise in Neal’s lounge.
‘He’s a handsome man.’ Cecilia thought. She found her dress hanging on the wall and slipped into the yellow sun dress she had decided on wearing that morning. Alice and Lacey would be coming in a little over a week for the wedding. It was fortunate that Cecilia had enough time to finish planning Alice’s wedding and attend it.
There was a knock on the door, and Cecilia hollered, “Open it. Its your house, anyway.”
Neal stepped in and grinned at her. “My, you are beautiful.”
Her slender and long legs peeked out from underneath her dress and the curtain of Cecilia’s red hair formed little curls at the end.
Cecilia hid a small smile behind her hair. “Don’t try and sweeten me up, Mr. Lawyer. I’m upset with you. I’m telling you right now, I’m not one of those wives you can control into not being mad at you. My Mama wasn’t that kind of woman, and I’m not either.”
Neal chuckled and loosened his vest a little. He sat down next to her, and let his fingers trail along her bare shoulders. “I’m not the kind of man that can take any interest in a woman that won’t speak her mind.”
“Stop trying to butter me up.”
“I’m not, but if you’re starting to feel better, I can’t help that.”
Cecilia rolled her eyes but her smile grew. “You couldn’t tell me that you were running for governor?”
“Well, there’s much more to me than the election. If I lead with that, you wouldn’t have wanted to know much about me. Do you know the president’s favorite color?”
“No, but I bet it’s not purple.” She giggled.
“It’s the color of royalty. Also, you’ll be treated like nothing but royalty from now on. In my world, a queen does what she wants.”
“Oh, stop throwing your financial blessings around, Neal. If I had thought for a second you might mistreat me, I would have stayed in Georgia.” She reciprocated his touch and drew circles on the hand on her shoulder with her pinky.
“Are you excited to get married?”
“I’m excited to start a life with you, yes.”
“Is there a reason you phrased it that way, Cecilia?” Neal asked.
“Yes, because I wasn’t one of the little girls that grew up planning her wedding. I fixed dresses and I loved it. Alice and Lacey chased boys, maybe it’s because I’m the oldest. So, I’m excited to start my life with you, Neal. But the wedding is really for show, isn’t it?”
“I suppose so.” Neal leant in to her rosy cheek and asked, “May I?”
“It’s only fitting.”
He kissed her softly on the cheek, and she turned to him and allowed him to leave one on her lips.
“Don’t be so shy with me, Neal. I’m your wife.” Cecilia took a kiss, and Neal gave more.
“How familiar am I allowed to be?” Neal questioned.
Cecilia tossed her bouquet in the air and a few of her cousins and her sisters jumped in the air. Some held their dresses in their fingertips as they waved skinny arms about trying to catch the flowers.
‘Alice and Lacey just want the attention, they already have husbands.’ Cecilia smirked as she crossed her legs after the bouquet tossing. Her hands were linked with Neal’s at their table.
‘This is the closest I will ever get to feeling like royalty if he doesn’t win the election.’ She thought. It was a regal event. Neal had rented out a large hall for the reception; every table had a beautiful table topper placed on it. The food was better than Neal or Cecilia had eaten in years.
Cecilia’s cheeks were decorated with blush, her long, red hair had been piled on top of her head, and held together with a diamond studded hair piece. A few lose curls has escaped in the excitement of the wedding, and her lips matched the color of her hair.
Stephen clinked his butter knife against his wine glass. “I would like to propose a toast to the bride and groom!”
Everyone clapped in response and Cecilia could see the goofy grins on Alice and Lacey’s faces.
“To Neal and Cecilia, may you have a wonderful marriage, and may Neal have an even better term as governor of this great state of Nevada!”
Cecilia smiled at Neal, he squeezed her hand in response. He took a sip of the champagne, then offered his hand to Cecilia in a dance.
“It’s a shame you both have to leave soon.” Cecilia said, as she poured wine into three glasses.
Alice nodded. “Well, Earnie wants to start trying some more.” She grinned, “He’s always dreamed of having a son.”
Cecilia scoffed, and leant back in Neal’s lounge chair. “Then how about he adopts one of the orphans in the Georgia streets? Why is he trying to get my little sister barefoot and pregnant so soon?”
Lacey chuckled, and gulped her wine. “She won’t be barefoot, because she’ll be wearing maternity slippers. She’ll be a happy house wife. Not all of us have a political marriage, Cecilia.”
“My marriage is more than political. For a relationship that began over correspondence in the mail, it is a good one. I have many, though. Speaking of politics, Neal has fallen behind. Stephen said that it’s been rough to gather votes and get folks to listen.”
“Daddy would roll over in his grave if he knew you married a republican.” Alice remarked.
Cecilia sipped her wine and shrugged. “I’m the first in the family to marry a lawyer, then to marry a future governor, and to have a bipartisan marriage. I think he’d be impressed at what’s going on. Were you able to rent the house out, Lacey?”
Lacey nodded. “A husband and wife, with the son they adopted recently. I think they will treat the place well.”
“They better. I hope the tailoring room is put to use, as well.”
“Does Neal have any family left?” Alice asked.
“His father died in war when he was a boy, his mother is elderly and lives in Texas. She’s much too old to travel now, I’ll have to make it down there eventually to introduce myself.”
“That big man that’s always with Neal, that’s his campaign manager?”
“Yes, and he’s something else too. I don’t get how Neal can work with him, but I’m focusing on my own work. I need to introduce myself to the ladies at the church and let them know that I mend clothes.”
Alice and Lacey both laughed. “Cecilia, you can’t sit still. You don’t need to work anymore.”
Cecilia finished her glass and started pouring another one. “If I’m going to sit around and drink up most of his wine, I’m happy to bring in a little money too.”
“This is terrible, absolutely terrible.” Stephen muttered as he sorted papers in Neal’s law office.
Neal sat down in his chair, mumbling to himself as he decided to drink his coffee black.
“What is terrible, Stephen? Every time I turn around you’re upset about something else.”
Stephen glared at him. “You pay me to be upset, Neal. We do not have enough support in most of these counties I’m studying. We’re in danger of losing.”
“The election is in November, it’s August. We have time.”
“Don’t be foolish, people need to be educated about you. The democrats aren’t leading either, but Isaiah certainly is.”
Neal scoffed. “Because he’s a young man. What they don’t know is that they want a man of a certain age. Someone wise, who’s got hair on his face.”
Stephen chuckled. “Sir, you shave your beard. That’s not the point, though.”
“Well, am I doing better since I’ve married?”
“A little. Cecilia makes you look great, but there’s something missing.”
Neal took out a client’s portfolio, and began skimming through it. “Why do I feel like this is a plot to get me to collect as many people as possible, Stephen? I can’t get another wife, I’m afraid that’s illegal and I’m afraid of Cecilia.”
Stephen laughed. “You’re afraid of your beautiful red flower?”
“My beautiful red flower is no debutante. She thinks like a man sometimes, its lovely actually. She’s incredibly efficient.”
“Yes, Cecilia is wonderful. I imagine she’s performing all of her wifely duties?”
Neal scoffed. “I know what you’re getting at, and that is not demanded in my household.”
“Hm. Well, are the results of the duties you may or may not ask her to perform profitable?”
“Now what the hell does that mean?”
“It means… well, have you spoken about children yet?”
Neal shrugged and reclined in his leather chair. “Vaguely. She asked me last week if I thought a little girl of ours would inherit her crimson hair.”
“Splendid. She’s already interested then. I have an idea.”
“Oh no.”
“Oh, stop that-“
“No, you’re full of ideas, Stephen. What the hell is it this time?”
“Well, people like men with families. The younger the better.”
“You think I should bring an infant into this world to win an election?” Neal asked.
Stephen gathered his things. “Think about it, will you? Children are a blessing.” He called over hi shoulder as he left the office.
“ Then where are yours?!” Neal called after him.
“Oh, hell.” Cecilia muttered as she sprinted down the hall again. She made it just in time, and fell on her knees in front of the toilet. The fried eggs and bacon she had eaten for breakfast came up and spewed out of her mouth. She heaved, and coughed. She pulled the handle and all of it went down the drain.
‘I’ve got to find time to tell Neal. He needs to get me to a doctor.’ She thought. She pulled herself up off of the floor and shuffled down the hall.
She entered Neal’s study, and frowned at the swirling motion in her abdomen. “No, no more today, please.”
She sat at the desk and took out a pen and paper. She wrote:
Dear Alice and Lacey:
I’m doing well. I don’t think Neal’s campaign is doing very great. He and Stephen seem pretty stressed out. I’m a little sick, actually. Not sick enough to be concerned if it’s something pretty serious. But- I guess this is the most serious things have been for me since I got married. I think I may be pregnant. I know that it’s soon, but all of the symptoms are there. I’m acting just like Mama did when she got pregnant with Alice. Please send me a letter back, I want to know how you’re doing. How’s Earnest and Evan?
With love, Cecilia
She set the pen down and walked down the hall, she could see Neal entering their bedroom. She went in after him, and he turned around as he undid his cufflinks.
“Good afternoon, sweetheart. How’s your day?”
Cecilia sat on the bed and played with her braid. “Fine, nothing new. And yours?”
“Great, well we’re behind but I think traveling to a couple of cities might change some minds. Stephen is being ridiculous again.”
Cecilia chuckled. “Isn’t he always?”
“Yes, but now he’s being especially ridiculous, Cecilia. He wants me to have a stronger family image.”
“I suppose there’s nothing wrong with that.” Cecilia said, she began to fold the clothes he was removing.
“There certainly is when your campaign manager wants you to have a child to win the election.”
“How funny.”
Neal sat on the bed. “I’m glad one of us thinks so. I think it’s a bit stupid.”
“Children are a blessing.”
Yes, when you want them- we just got married.”
“Well, sometimes they like to pick when they want to make their entrance. You know?”
Neal studied her. “Why are you playing with your braid like that?”
“I had to tie it up this way.”
“So your hair wouldn’t get caught in the sewing machine, again?”
“No. “ She dropped the braid and planted her feet firmly on the floor. “I had to tie it up like this so that it didn’t get vomit in it.”
Neal’s brows furrowed. “Are you okay, dear? Are you sick, should I get you to a doctor?”
“I need to see a doctor, but I don’t think he can fix it. I’m pregnant, Neal.”
Neal sighed. “I guess Stephen gets to have his way again.” Cecilia chuckled.
“Well, Cecilia, I care deeply for you.” Neal opened the door leading to the hallway. “I would offer you some wine, but you’re carrying my child. I’m sorry, I just need to do some more campaign planning.”
Cecilia pulled the large comforter back on the bed and gave him a smile. “It’s fine, Neal. Are you sure that this wasn’t too much for you?”
“I’ll take it in stride, I really need to work on my campaign- I’ll get you to the doctor tomorrow.”
Cecilia had already crawled into bed and replied with, “No rush-please. Plan your campaign.”
Neal hesitated. “Cecilia, are you alright?”
“I’m just a little nauseous. Morning sickness is actually all damn day sickness. I’ll adjust.” She rolled over in the bed to face him. “This is why I didn’t tell you right away, I didn’t want to distract you from the campaign.”
Neal shut the door and squeezed in next to her on the bed. He kissed her neck. “Our baby is not a distraction. You are more important to me than being governor.” He whispered.
“You’ve practically just met me.”
Neal held her tighter. “I’ve had the pleasure of being married to you for the past three months. I’d like many, many more with our baby.”
The tension in Cecilia’s shoulders ebbed away. “Thank you, Neal.”
Four months flew by in a blur of summer and fall, and Cecilia’s belly swelled to three times it’s regular size. She had developed a waddle at five months, but at 6, her calves ached when she stood for too long. Neal had been away for a week to campaign in Yerrington. After several door to door stops had been performed he decided that he needed to reach the rest of Nevada.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay? I can arrange for you to have a midwife while I’m gone.”
Cecilia elevated her feet while she toyed with some embroidery stitching. “Neal, if you don’t get your ass to Yerrington to tie up this election, I will hold this baby in for six more months just to spite you.”
Neal kissed her on the cheek. “I better leave tonight then, huh?”
Neal and Stephen ended up leaving the next morning, and for the most part, Cecilia had done fine on her own. She did her embroidery and repairs on garments, she attended church where she maintained the friendships she had. Her friends were mostly middle aged women that she did tailoring work for.
On the Sunday after Neal left, Grace approached her. “Cecilia, your husband has gone out of town?”
Cecilia nodded, rubbing her belly. “He’s campaigning in Yerringotn. He should be back approaching the election.”
The election was only a few days out, most people waited until the month before or the month of to learn about the candidates. Neal took advantage of those lackadaisical attitudes. Only a little snow had fallen this year, which made Cecilia’s waddle to church a bit easier.
Cecilia pulled her coat tighter around her but the coat couldn’t cover her massive stomach.
“Well, that’s not right. As pregnant as you are, and he’s left you all alone in a new place?”
Cecilia frowned. “I’m fine, and I’ve been in Nevada for months.”
Grace told Sheila to come over and Sheila called over Mary, who then called over Theresa and Louise. They all gathered around Cecilia to share their opinion. Before she knew it, the sound of their collective chattering was buzzing on all sides of her.
“I’m fine, I promise.” She reassured the group.
“But you’ve had such a difficult pregnancy.” Theresa said. The resto f the women chattered in agreement.
Cecilia’s pregnancy had been tough, she had only recently stopped vomiting every day. Her ankles were incredibly swollen, one of her breasts had begun lactating in the middle of church only a month ago.
The women chattered and it was when Sheila muttered, “That Neal is despicable,” that Cecilia snapped, “You watch your mouth about my husband, Sheila.”
The women began to quiet down to watch the confrontation.
“My husband is a great man! Neal sees me as his equal, that is why I’m by myself and supporting him from here. I am his equal, that means that I can be myself, and I don’t need to be with Neal all of the time, even when I’m pregnant.”
There was a stubborn hush that fell over the group.
“Neal is great. He treats his wife as an equal and like royalty. That is why all of you should tell your husbands to vote for him.” Cecilia snarled as she waddled away from her church friends.
Cecilia had just finished waddling to the mailbox and back when she noticed a letter from Alice and Lacey. She sat on the sofa in the den. She exhaled a sigh of relief as she laid on her back.
She unfolded the letter that both of her younger sisters had written. She held the paper close to her chest and sighed.
‘I wonder how big Lacey is now.’ Cecilia thought. Lacey had conceived around the same time Cecilia did but according to letters from Alice, Lacey’s pregnancy had been a breeze.
She only gained a little bit of weight, she slept fine and wasn’t a friend to morning sickness at all. Alice had been unable to get pregnant, so far.
‘I wonder if Alice has stopped locking herself out of her house yet.’
The letter read:
Cecilia! It’s a shame that Neal is behind in the polls, we hope he pulls through in the end. However, we could care less about the election when our big sister is pregnant. Are you okay? Lacey has been making it fine, she still hasn’t had very much nausea, and she looks darling. How is your pregnancy? We would love to see you before the baby is born. Please write back soon.
With love,
Alice and Lacey
‘This election has consumed our lives. I wonder if Stephen is intercepting my letters to Neal. I haven’t heard a thing from him. ‘ Cecilia peered around the den. The ceilings were incredibly high. The room was large and spacious and it only highlighted how small she was.
‘I can barely get up by myself without five minutes of trying.’ She rubbed her belly. ‘I’ve never been more uncomfortable in my life.’
She began the arduous process of lifting herself off of the sofa, and after two minutes of trying to lift herself up without causing excruciating back pain, she decided that it was best to roll herself off of the sofa from her side.
Once she stood up, she waddled her way over to the door and strode down the hall to her and Neal’s bedroom. She bent over slightly to retrieve a small piece of luggage. She opened the luggage and put in a few pairs of panties, her newer maternity dresses, the black one and the red one. She packed her hair brush and called Sheila from the church.
“Hey, Sheila, do you think you and your boy could help me get to the train station? I’d like to see my sisters for a few days, I won’t be able to travel soon.”
Sheila chirped a positive response and said that they would be at Neal’s home shortly.
‘I don’t mind so much that he’s so dedicated to his campaign, but I cannot be expected to sit here.’
Soon, Sheila and her son arrived. Cecilia waddled out and Sheila smiled apologetically. “Cecilia, I do apologize about church this morning, and the remarks I made about your husband. Neal is a lovely man, he’s always been quiet and kept to himself but he was always helpful whenever you needed him. He will make a fine governor.”
Sheila’s son picked up Cecilia’s luggage. “I don’t know, Sheila. I feel so… uncertain in places where I should really feel certain. This election has been nothing but rough. My baby is either going to come soon or kill me at this rate.”
“Oh, stop that. Neal is going to pull through. I can’t say that I always felt that way, but he is a good man. You two are good people.”
“I just want this to be over. This pregnancy, this damned election- I know it means the world to Neal and Stephen- but I just don’t have the strength to care anymore.”
Sheila patted her on the shoulder. “You’ll make it through, dear. Just keep hoping and praying.”
The house smelled of baked bread and chocolate frosting. Cecilia grinned as she walked into Lacey’s home. “I can’t wait to start eating sweets again.” She yelled and sat down her luggage. She heard footsteps approaching her and Lacey howled in delight and wrapped her arms around Cecilia’s shoulders.
“Oh, my you’ve gotten so big. Are you sure there aren’t multiple children in there?”
Cecilia groaned. “If there is, I’m going to have to make more of me to deal with it because Neal won’t be around.”
Lacey frowned as they walked into the den. “What makes you say that?”
“Well, the election is our lives now. It has completely eaten up all of Neal’s free time. I was so nervous about telling him about the pregnancy because I didn’t think he could handle it.”
“Elections aren’t easy. I bet Neal can’t wait to be a father.”
“He got completely drunk after I told him. I can’t get him to talk to me about our marriage, the baby, even about the weather.”
“Daddy was the same way. Maybe that’s men are.” Lacey nodded to Evan walking by. He came in and gave Cecilia a kiss on the cheek.
“Evan, could you get Cecilia some of the pie?
“Of course.”
“I’m really not supposed to have snacks yet-“
“Oh, I’m sure it will be fine.”
“I’m worried that nothing will work out.”
Evan came back with a big slice of lemon meringue pie. Cecilia nibbled on the cake as her and Lacey caught up.
“When is Alice coming by?” Cecilia asked, shifting positions on the sofa. ‘These pillows are way better for my aching back. Truthfully, I really like Lacey and Evan’s place.’
It was a nice home. The curtains were a beautiful beige, the den was decorated with knick knacks along the walls.
“Your place looks like something that Mama would be proud of.”
Lacey eyed her for a moment and smirked. “You don’t need to patronize me, Cecilia. Evan does well at the bank but I’m not married to a future governor.”
Cecilia sighed. “I’m not sure he’s going to win, Lacey. And if he doesn’t that means that I’ve endured this horrible pregnancy all alone for nothing. It could mean that my marriage has been thrown to the side of a failed attempt at grasping a little bit of power.”
“You’re very good at distracting yourself form all of your blessings. You have a husband that takes care of you, you’re having a baby, and your husband might be governor.”
“Lacey, I-“
“Don’t fight with me. I couldn’t care less if you’re older.”
“Lacey!” Cecilia yelled, this time with a panicked tone to her voice.
Lacey held a hand up. “Why do you always have to get a word in? Why can’t you just be the one to listen sometimes-“
“I’m in labor!” Cecilia shrieked as she gripped the couch cushions until they threatened to burst and spray cotton confetti all over Lacey’s den.
“What?!” Lacey screeched. “Evan! Evan! Cecilia has gone into labor!”
“In my den?!” He retorted.
“Damn it, Evan- get the news to Neal and call my midwife.”
Tears streamed down Cecilia’s blood red cheeks as fluid began to trick down her left leg.
“I-I’m wetting myself!” She wailed as Evan could be heard darting around the house.
“It’s okay, I’m here with you. Evan, please get Alice!”
“I’m working on it!”
Cecilia’s lower body racked with pain and Lacey sat closer to her. “Take my hand, Cecilia. You’re in good hands. You’re fine.” Lacey pushed back Cecilia’s hair as sweat already gathered on her forehead.
“Lacey, I’m scared. I’m really scared.”
Cecilia’s scream tore throughout the whole house as the contractions happened closer and closer together.
Neal patted his brow with a handkerchief that Cecilia had made for him as he stepped off of the stage. There were over 300 male senior high school students in Yerrington’s gymnasium. Most of them were already 18 and would be ready to vote in a few days. Stephen patted him on the back as he made his way to the exit.
“Wonderful job, Neal. I’ve never seen so many young people that were so excited to vote.”
Neal smiled and rubbed Stephen’s shoulder. “Yes, I’m glad you think so. I’d like to get back to Delamar, so I can see my wife.”
Stephen tittered as they left the school and Neal eyed him suspiciously. “What is it? Did you book me at another high school without telling me? I think that we’ve covered most of Nevada by now.”
“No, it’s Cecilia. She’s not in Delamar. She’s in Georgia.”
Neal’s face carried a confused expression. “What’s she doing there? She didn’t mention wanting to visit to me.”
“It was a spur of the moment thing, really. But she’s in Georgia with Lacey, and she’s in labor.”
Neal stopped in his tracks. “What?! She’s only 7 months pregnant!”
Stephen shrugged. “It can happen. I got news of it about two hours ago before you went on- I’m sorry, would you like to got to Georgia?”
“Of course I would like to go to Georgia you idiot- I can’t believe that you kept that from me so I could speak to bunch of children!” Neal roared. “You’re fired!”
They had moved all of the furniture to the edges of the room and Cecilia had been on the floor, in the center of the den for almost fifteen hours.
The midwife, Diane, was between Cecilia’s legs. “Okay, Cecilia. I can see your baby’s head. Just push.”
Cecilia moaned, “I don’t want to!”
Lacey yelled, “You can do it, Cecilia!”
“Just push, Cecilia. One big one to meet your baby.”
Cecilia screamed as she pushed her baby out and Diane yelled, “Yes! Wonderful! Your baby is halfway through. One more, Cecilia!”
Cecilia’s ragged breathing continued as she gripped her knees and pushed as hard as she could.
Lacey said, “Oh my God, he’s gorgeous!” Cecilia looked around and tried to look over her belly in disbelief. “A boy? I have a son now?”
“Shit.” Diane muttered.
Lacey said, “Excuse me?! My nephew has just been brought into the world in my home and you’re swearing?”
Diane shot her a glance. “That’s not why.” She smacked the behind of the baby boy and he came to life, shrieking and crying. Diane made quick work of cutting his chord and wrapped him up. She handed him to Lacey.
“What’s wrong?!” Cecilia demanded.
“There’s another one in there.”
“No, no, I’m not pushing any more out.”
“Cecilia, I need you to push. One more time for this baby.”
“How many more are there?!’
“Come on, now. Push for me.”
Cecilia cried out as she pushed again, wanting to faint from the pain.
“Shit.” Diane whispered again.
“The baby is breech. I really need Cecilia to push.”
Cecilia screamed and the house seemed to tremble as Neal burst into the room.
“I caught the soonest train I could. Where’s my baby?!”
Lacey handed him his son and Neal stroked his face. His eyes darted nervously around the room.
“What’s going on?”
Lacey laid a hand on his arm. “There are two babies, and the second on is coming out feet first.”
“Neal, what are you doing here?” Cecilia asked in between pants.
“Focus, Cecilia!” Diane said.
“Just get our baby out, dear. It’s fine, everything is fine.”
“You won’t win governor if you’re not in Nevada!”
“Cecilia, push!”
In one big, long push, the baby came into Diane’s arms. Neal kissed Cecilia on the forehead as Diane cut the cord and cleaned her up as best she could. She handed him the baby. “There’s your baby, Neal.”
“Oh, my. Oh, my you’re gorgeous.” The girl was much quiet than her brother, she only cooed to let you know she was a healthy baby.
Cecilia squeaked, “Neal, we have twins. A boy and a girl.”
The days flew by and Cecilia’s recovery seemed to crawl to the finish line. At this rate, it would be weeks before they could return to Nevada, but Neal couldn’t have cared less. He was at her bedside from the moment she woke up, to when she collapsed on her pillow every night. He sang to his daughter and cradled his son.
Lacey and Evan had been wonderful hosts and in laws to Neal. The couple had made sure that both he and Cecilia were comfortable and offered them the guest room for as long as they needed to stay. He had a chance to bond with the other Vaughn girl, Alice had come by and sobbed all over her niece and nephew.
Neal was holding both of the twins while Cecilia slept. Evan strolled in and smiled. “How are you holding up?”
Neal shrugged as best he could with the twins in his arms. “Fine. I worry about Cecilia, but she’ll be fine. I didn’t know I needed children this badly.”
“Yeah. When Lacey delivers, I won’t know what to do with myself.”
Neal smiled and gazed at his children.
“I’m done with the paper.” Evan said. “You can enjoy a read of it. New fathers still have to keep up with the world.”
Evan sat the paper down and left their room, shutting the door behind him.
Neal glanced at the paper and sneered, snuggling his children closer to him. ‘I don’t want to return to reality for a very long time.’
‘The news is never anything good any way. Just a bunch of rumors about the bank failing. Good thing I keep all of my money underneath our mattress at home.’
“What the hell is it today, anyway?” Neal said, as his eyes rolled over the headline.
“Neal Powell elected governor in Nevada.”
His eyes darted to both of his babies and with the most calm he could muster he walked over to their bassinet and carefully put them in.
He strolled over to the paper and read the headline again, double checking.
“Neal Powell stole the governor seat in Nevada last night, with a devastating win. His opponent, Isaiah Jenkins won by over 2,000 votes.”
‘Not only am I the governor of Nevada, I stole it. I demolished Isaiah’s campaign.’ Neal thought.
He looked at Cecilia. ‘What do I do? What do I do?’
Cecilia slept like a rock, she was wrapped up in a dark red blanket, her hair offered the perfect camouflage for the bedding. Some color had returned to her cheeks, but she hadn’t walked on her own yet. She only stayed awake for a few minutes at a time, just like the twins.
He crept over to the bed and eased into the other side with her. He stroked her neck, her cheeks. He willed her eyes to open so he didn’t have to feel poorly for waking her up out what appeared to be a restful sleep.
She shifted and moaned as her eyes fluttered open. It took a few seconds, but they finally focused on him. “Neal, sweetheart?”
“Cecilia.” He kissed her on the lips, and then again.
“Careful, that’s how we got twins.”
His face erupted into a smile. “Cecilia, look at the paper.”
She took it out of his hands and kept her eyes on him. She slowly turned to face the paper, muscles tense.
NEAL POWELL HAS BEEN ELECTED GOVERNOR IN NEVADA.
Cecilia put a hand over her lips as tears of relief wracked her body. He held her close, kissing her temple.
“We did it, Cecilia. I didn’t think we could for a while, but we did it.”
Cecilia planted her hands on both sides of his face, and forced herself wide awake.
“Come here. I want to know what it’s like to be kissed by the governor.”
THE END