“And that,” Celia Hayden said with a smile, “Is your baby’s heartbeat!”
Marah squeezed Elijah’s hand, both of them grinning like fools.
“Can you believe it?” Marah whispered. “That, is our baby!” Elijah shook his head, as if to try to clear his thoughts.
'No, I can’t. It’s amazing!”
“The heart rate is 150. Which, according to old wives tales, means you’re having a girl. But don’t quote me on that!” Celia chuckled. “But, let me just add, that my girls heart rates were always between 145 and 160. My sons was always around 135 and 140.”
“A girl would be nice.” Marah smiled. “But we really don’t care either way. We just want a healthy baby.”
“That’s what we all want!” Celia said softly. “Now, you’re sure of your last menstrual period?” Marah nodded. “Well, according to that you are due on October 31st, making you ten weeks tomorrow. A Halloween baby, wouldn’t that be nice?” she said. “I’m going to schedule you for an ultrasound next week. What day is good for the two of you?”
“Any day really, we’re open.” Elijah said.
“Well then, how about Tuesday we see your baby?”
“That sounds wonderful!” Marah said giddily. “I can’t wait!”
~*~
They were driving back to their home when Elijah asked her, "Hey, how do you feel up to seeing a movie Friday night?"
"What movie?" she asked.
"Well, it's the premiere of The Matrix Reloaded." (author's note: I just picked a movie. hush! lol)
"The premiere?" she asked and he noted the alarm in her voice. He knew she was a very private person and they'd stayed out of the spotlight so far, but it was bound to be noticed sooner or later that he was walking around with an unknown woman who happened to be wearing a ring on her left hand. The hand he was holding. And, in his opinion, they should just get it over with.
"Marah, I understand how you feel about being in the spotlight, but we are occasionally going to have to be in the spotlight. I promise to keep us out of it as much as possible, but it's something you're going to have to grow accostemed to."
Marah sighed and agreed. "I know. I know. I just wish things could keep going the way they have been."
"I know, me too. But, they can't. I love my job and there will be another movie again someday you know?"
"I know. Your job is important to you and as such, it's important to me. I just don't like certain things about it."
"I know, but even if I were to quit -"
"I would never expect that of you." Marah interjected.
"I know you wouldn't. But, as I was saying, even if I were to quit I would most likely still have a small fan base that would be in our faces."
"Those hussies!" Marah laughed, making him grin.
"So are we going Friday?"
"Sure. But what on earth am I going to wear?" she cried as he laughed.
They sat in the limo waiting for their turn on the red carpet. Marah sat beside Elijah wearing a simple baby blue dress that hinted at curves in all the right places Elijah was wearing a light blue dress shirt and a black jacket with jeans. She clutched his hand, looking pale and scared. He leaned over, kissed her softly on the lips and whispered, "Everything is going to be fine. You look beautiful."
She blushed a little and replied, "You look handsome yourself." she figited a little and added, "What if I trip and fall?"
Elijah laughed. "Well, if you trip and fall then I'll trip and fall, too." He got the reaction he wanted out of her, she smiled. "That's my girl." he said softly and kissed her lips again. Why is it he thought that everytime I intend to just kiss her quickly, that everytime I intend for it to just be a peck.. I can't stop there. I can't get enough of her. The door to the limo opened and someone cleared their throat. Elijah pulled away and moved to get out of the limo. People cheered and lights flahed as pictures were taken. He leaned down to help Marah out, smiled at her and tucked her arm in his, pulling her close. He knew she was terrified of embarrasing him, of embarrasing herself. He smiled at the cameras, it was second nature for him. She smiled shyly, not sure what to expect. Not liking the way the flashing lights blinded her. Not liking the way reporters were yelling.
"Over here! Look over here!"
"Elijah - HEY! Elijah! Who are you with?"
"Elijah, over here please! Could you answer a few questions for E!TV?" Marah looked over at a petite brunette, who shoved a microphone at Elijah.
"Sure." Elijah smiled.
"First, the question that is on everyone's mind I'm sure, who is your lovely guest?"
Elijah looked at Marah, smiled tenderly and replied, "Well, this lovely woman is my fiance."
"You just broke the hearts of millions of women, Elijah." the reporter laughed.
Elijah grinned and said, "Sorry, gals." and grabbed Marah's face between his hands and kissed her hard. Marah blushed.
"Lij!" she whispered.
"Can we get her name?" the reporter asked.
"Marah Taylor." Marah's soft voice said.
"Soon to be Wood." Elijah added.
"When's the big day?" the reporter questioned.
"We haven't set a date." Elijah said. "But, hopefully very soon! Well, we're going to start working our way to the theatre." Elijah smiled. "It was nice talking to you."
"Thank you, Elijah and Marah." the reporter smiled, then seeing another actor yelled, "Olrando! Olrando Bloom!"
Marah turned, grateful to see another face that she knew. He walked up, greeted Elijah with a smile and a wave then hugged Marah.
"Crazy, eh?" he whispered in her ear as he hugged her.
"Very." she turned back to Elijah who held out a hand and together they walked towards the theatre. Occasionally Elijah would stop to answer a couple questions, mostly about the woman beside him. He waved to fans, posed for pictures, but always kept Marah at his side.
Marah and Elijah sat in the theatre sharing popcorn and a coke watching The Matrix. Going to a premiere was an event that Marah never dreamed of going to. It was just weird for her to sit in that theatre and know that Keanu Reeves was in the same room as her. She kinda laughed to herself thinking but he has nuttin' on my Lij.
He looked over at her, wondering what she was laughing at. It was a quiet, intimate laugh. The kind where you know something that everyone else doesn't. He slipped his arm around her shoulders and drew her closer. Wishing that the theatre companies would go to hell, with their stupid theatre chairs. She settled her head on his shoulder and together they watched the movie.
~*~
After the movie ended they were leaving when Sean Astin and his wife approached them.
"Hi Elijah!" Sean smiled warmly.
"Sean!" Elijah grinned and hugged him. "Hi Christine." he smiled at Sean's wife, who smiled and echoed his hello. "I'd like you guys to meet Marah, my fiancé." They looked a little shocked, but smiled and hugged her.
"Congratulations!" Christine said. "When's the big day?"
"Well, we haven't exactly set the date just yet." Marah said. "I think we're going to talk about that tonight. Or tomorrow."
"It's going to be sometime in the very near future though." Elijah smiled. "How are your girls?" he asked.
"They're doing just great. Our pride and joy. Just wait until you guys have your babies." Sean grinned.
Elijah and Marah exchanged a look and Elijah said "We're looking forward to the day."
Christine caught the look between them, but didn't say anything. There was a glow around Marah, the kind that you see around a woman that is pregnant.
"You will have to come over some night, and have dinner with us." Christine s miled.
"That sounds great." Elijah and Marah said in unison.
"I'll give you a call later this week." Elijah said to them. They said their goodbyes and walked towards the limo waiting to take them home.
Once inside the limo Elijah pulled Marah into his lap and held her. "I wanted to do this the whole time we were in that theatre." he laughed. She snuggled up and laid her head on his shoulder.
"Me, too. So, big or small wedding?"
"How about in between. Not big, not small. Just friends and family."
"That sounds wonderfully intimate. I like that."
"Now, a date. How soon do you want to get married?" he asked.
"Do you think we could pull it together in two weeks?" she asked.
"Two weeks? So, May 3rd?" he said, smiling.
"May 3rd it is." she said and kissed him.
Before - After
