Grandparents

After finding the solution to their problem turned to blessing, Elizabeth was forced in bed by Nick, who returned on his own to the dining hall to pick up breakfast for the both of them. Not wanting to risk her being overwhelmed and attacked by all the scents in there, he thought it was best that they had some light foods in their room before going out and enjoying the activities for the day. Though some of them would now be considered unsuitable with today's information in mind but with some minor adjustments, they should still be able to enjoy their trip.

With things all figured out, Elizabeth was ready to share their unplanned good news. While she was waiting for Nick to return, she took a picture of the two sticks bearing the pregnancy test results with her smiling in the background. She used the picture to send a message to their close friends and her parents as well as her parents-in-law that they should prepare for the arrival of another little bundle of joy. Though she knew that everyone would be excited for them, the two people who would be overjoyed would be her parents. Where Nick's parents had already become grandparents through Nick's older brother, she as a single child, would be giving her parents their first grandchild.

As expected, just seconds after Elizabeth had sent the picture messages started pouring in congratulating her. Nick had just walked through the door with her breakfast when Elizabeth's mother called after receiving the good news. "Oh Lizzy, is it really true? Am I going to be a grandmother?" Nick could hear his mother-in-law's excited, loud voice without the need to put the call on speakerphone and couldn't help but chuckle at the sound. "I see you have shared the good news." Elizabeth nodded as she answered her mother's questions. When Violet heard the voice of her son-in-law, she asked Elizabeth "Is that Nick I hear in the background? Let me talk to him too. He has made me a very happy woman today."

Elizabeth took the phone away from her ear and placed on speaker and turned it into a video call. This way her mother could talk to Nick as well and see the both of them at the same time. "Congratulations to both of you two and thank you for this wonderful message on such a festive day. You have given me the best gift a mother can wish for. Once you see your children grow up, you prepare for the next role in your life, the role of a grandparent. Today you have allowed me to fulfil that role." Both Nick and Elizabeth stepped on the brakes when they heard this as they said, "Calm down." "Hold on." Almost simultaneously. Elizabeth then added, "You are moving way too fast mom. At the most I have been pregnant for a month. You still have a solid eight months of waiting to do before you officially become a grandmother." "Oh, I know. I know. Just leave me be. I am just so excited. I can hardly wait. How will I survive those eight months? I must start shopping right away. I can never be too prepared."

"How will you start shopping? We don't even know the sex yet?" Elizabeth said with a slight chuckle in her voice. "Who needs the sex of the baby to start shopping? Haven't you heard? Gender neutral is all the rage at the moment. Plus, I can start with the big things like a crib and a stroller. Oh, such marvellous news. Well, you go ahead and have your breakfast that my dear son-in-law has been holding in his hands for much too long because of my rambling and I will go and share the good news with your father. I am sure he will want to call you in a bit too. So, make sure to eat something until then."

With a hopeless smile on her face and while shaking her head, the two of them waved Violet goodbye to start eating. But the moment she hung up, Nick's phone started to ring. Another call and this time it was from Nick's parents, who appeared just as excited as her mother had been. Something that both she and Nick hadn't expected. This proved that each child has a place of their own and so do their children. "Nick my boy, you couldn't wait for her to finish school before starting a family of your own hmm?" His father asked teasingly. Earning him a playful slap on the shoulder from Nick's mom and the words "Oh, stop it!" "Ignore your father dear Nicky. I am so happy for you and Lizzy. I am sure you will be wonderful parents and of course we demand to be regular babysitters once the baby is born. Give Lizzy a big kiss from us and we will come visit you two once you return from your trip."

With that, their second call of that morning had come and gone. However, the call ending did not mean that it had become quiet in their room as both of their phones were still blowing up with messages from those that they had yet to talk to.

"This year is proving to be a merry Christmas indeed! Congrats you guys ❤"

"Welcome to the mom-and-dad club. Membership fee: all good nights of sleep for the foreseeable future."

"Congrats!! Put me on the babysitters list. I am definitely coming to kidnap him or her once it's born."

While trying to eat their long awaited breakfast, they took turns to read their friend's messages out loud for each other. That way they could eat and catch up on the kind words and well wishes at the same time. Enjoying a morning that had been anything but peaceful but was becoming more joyful with each minute that passed by.