This is excerpted from my Fanfiction The Daughter I Never Had which highlight the mother/daugher relationship of Mrs. Pugh and Grace from Annie. I own no rights to characters from Annie. The full story can be found on my profile on fanfiction.net. This goes with prompt # 366.
Grandmother-To Be
The Daughter I Never Had Chapter 7
Note: This is the epilogue of my story Forever Changed from Mrs. Pugh’s perspective
Oliver told the girls at dinner tonight that Grace is pregnant with twins. I couldn’t be more excited for this family! Annie and Molly are going to be such wonderful big sisters. I can’t wait to spoil those babies rotten!!
Grace had not been feeling well earlier today so I brought her some juice and a ham and cheese sandwich. Once the kitchen was all cleaned up I went up to Oliver and Grace’s room to go check on Grace. When I entered the room I smiled when I noticed the food tray was empty. Grace looked a little bit better than she did earlier in the day. I sat in the chair by the edge of her bed.
“Hi baby, how are you feeling?”
Grace was positively glowing. She beamed up at me.
“I’m feeling a lot better Mama. Did Oliver tell you and the girls the wonderful news?”
I grinned. “He certainly did! I am so excited for you Gracie Liz.”
“I’m so excited but nervous too. What happens if something goes wrong with the pregnancy?”
“I’m sure everything will be fine darling.”
I stroked her back from her forehead and kissed it gently.
“I love you Grace.”
Grace’s hand reached out from underneath the covers and squeezed mine.
“I love you too Mama,”
I decided to let Grace rest and take Annie and Molly shopping for materials to decorate the nursery with. They had no idea what to get at first but finally decided on a zoo animal theme,
“ I think the babies will really love the way the way their room will be decorated. “ Annie said
I squeezed her shoulder. “I’m sure they will sweetheart.”
As always Annie was bubbling over with excitement. Molly on the other hand barely said anything the whole shopping trip.
“Molly, darling what’s on your mind?” I asked on the way home.
She shrugged. “ Nothing.”
I could tell she wasn’t willing to tell me something. I would get it out of her sooner or later.
Later that evening after dinner Grace came into my room looking concerned.
“Mama, Annie said that Molly was unusually quiet during your shopping trip today. Did you ask her what was wrong?””
I nodded. “I did. She said nothing was bothering her but I could tell she had something on her mind.”
“Do you think it could have something to do with the pregnancy?”
I shrugged.. “I don’t know. Maybe we should try to talk to her together.”
Grace nodded. “Okay.”
And try we did… we were very unsuccessful in getting any information out of Molly however.
At the beginning of August I had some welcome time off because Oliver and Grace took the girls on vacation. After they got home Grace came into my room looking sad.
“Come here sweetheart.” I said patting the bed next to me.
Grace sat down and I pulled her in to a warm embrace.
“Why so glum? Didn’t you all have a nice vacation?”
Grace nodded. A tear escaped from her eye and made its way down her cheek.
“Did you find out what was bothering Molly while you were away?”
Grace nodded again. She remained silent. Tears began to flow freely down her cheeks.
“Gracie Liz darling, please don’t cry.”
I rubbed her back and pulled a handkerchief from my apron pocket dabbing at her eyes.
Grace took a few moments to compose herself then she spoke.
“Yes Mama, I did find out what has been bothering Molly. My heart is just torn up about it.”
“What’s been on her mind?”
“I think she’s a bit jealous of the babies.”
“Jealousy is normal for any child who is expecting a new sibling.”
Grace nodded. “I know, I remember feeling the same way. I was about Molly’s age before my sister Melissa was born.”
“What’s the problem then?”
Grace looked down at the bedspread. “Molly is worried that Oliver and I won’t love her and Annie the same way once the babies are born.”
My jaw dropped.
“That’s ridiculous.”
Grace nodded. “Oliver feels the same way. He doesn’t quite understand why she think we’d love her and Anne any differently than we would our own children.”
I titled Grace’s chin up so she was looking directly into my eyes.
“You mustn’t worry about this too much sweetheart. Every child deals with this. You and Oliver just need to prove to her that you love her.”
Grace looked frustrated. “That’s the problem. I feel like Molly should know that we love her and Annie just as much as we would love the babies when they are born. The fact that they are adopted shouldn’t affect anything. Why should we have to prove anything to her?”
“As I said you mustn’t worry.. This will pass.”
Grace nuzzled into my chest. “I love you Mama.”
I stroked her bangs back and kissed her forehead. “I love you too baby girl.”
The next day after school I knocked on Molly’s door.
“Come in.” she called
I opened the door.
“Hi Grandma Helen!”
“Hi Sweetheart, can we talk?”
Molly nodded. I patted a spot on her bed and she sat down
“Am I in trouble?”
I shook my head. “No darling. Your mother is a little worried about you though.”
“Why?”
“She told me that you’re a little bit anxious about being forgotten about when the babies are born.”
Molly nodded. She looked down at her bedspread glumly.
“I don’t mean to make Mommy sad. I love her a lot.”
I squeezed her tightly. “Oh darling, I have no doubt in my mind that you do. She loves you and Annie very much.”
“Why do you think that she’ll forget about you once the babies are born?”
“Well because we’re adopted and the babies will be their own children.”
As I had down with Grace the day before I took Molly’s chin and titled it upward so she was looking directly in my eyes.
“Molly., your birth parents gave your mother and father a wonderful gift. You and your sister. Both of you brighten up this household and we all love you so dearly. Just because your mom is having a baby does not mean that you and Annie will be loved any less.”
Molly still looked uncertain. “Are you sure Grandma Helen?”
I rubbed her back. “Of course sweetie pie,”
“I love you Grandma Helen.”
I kissed her on the head. “I love you too Molly.”
On a late September morning I woke up around 7:00. I saw a note on the kitchen table from Oliver and smiled when I saw. It said that Grace had gone into labor and the babies were about to make their entrance into the world.
Annie came into the kitchen “Grandma Helen, why aren’t Mom and Daddy up yet?”
I squeezed her tightly. “Annie, your mother is in labor. Your brother and sister will be coming shortly.”
“Oh boy oh boy! How soon?”
“This note says that we have to wait for their phone call. After that we’ll head to the hospital.”
The three of us ate breakfast, At around 9:20 the phone rang. Oliver was on the other end of the line.
“Come on down. Grace had the babies about five minutes ago.”
“Is she up for vistiors that soon?”
“Yes. Grace can’t wait for Annie and Molly to meet their siblings.”
“We’re on our way.”
I hung up the phone. Annie grinned at me
“Was that Daddy?”
“Yes, your brother and sister are here. Let’s go to the hospital,”
“Oh boy o h boy!!”
Annie bounced out of her chair and brought her dirty dishes to the sink then she headed up to her room. Molly and I were left alone. She was quietly finishing her pancakes.
“Sweetheart, aren’t you excited?”
Molly shrugged.
I could sense she was a little bit worried about being forgotten about.
“Sweetheart, remember what we talked about? Your mother and father love you very much.”
“Okay Grandma Helen. I’ll go get ready to go to the hospital now to see Mommy.”
I was sad that Molly was still feeling slighted by the birth of the babies. I had no clue how to make her feel better.
When we got to the hospital and asked the receptionist where Grace’s room Annie bolted down the hall to her mother’s room. Molly and I went to the gift shop to buy some presents.
“Molly did you want to buy something for your brother and sister?”
Molly nodded. “I have no clue what though.”
“Take a look around.”
“Okay.”
It took her about 10 minutes but she met me at the cash register armed with two teddy bears.
I paid for everything and we headed for Grace’s room
Annie met us at the door.
“Molly the babies are so cute. They’re really tiny though.”
Molly and I entered Grace’s room.
Oliver took the flowers from me and put them on Grace’s bedside table and then took the teddy bears from Molly and put them in the bassinets. He then went over to Molly and took her hand.
“Sweetheart, come meet your brother and sister.”
“What names did you decide on?”
“Your brother’s name is Frederick Oliver and your sister’s name is Joanne Rachel.”
I choked up at Joanne’s middle name.. Grace must have made the decision to name her after her mother.
Molly leaned over and kissed Frederick’s head gently. “Welcome to the family .” she whispered.
Oliver took one of the babies from Grace and I took her free hand in mine,
“They’re so precious Grace. I’m so happy for all of you.” I leaned down and kissed her forehead.
“Thanks Mama. I love you.”
“ I love you too my beautiful precious girl.”
Grace patted an empty spot on the bed., gesturing toward Molly.
“Come here sweetie pie.”
Molly scrambled up on the bed and curled into her mother’s side.
“Never forget how much I love you and your sister.” She whispered.
Molly kissed Joanne’s head and then Grace’s cheek.
“I won’t Mommy. I love you.”
We all stood in content silence. I could tell Grace was grateful to have such a wonderful family. I couldn’t be more happy. She may not be my birth daughter but she’s just as special to me as my own daughter. I am so happy she came into my life.
NHTA 11 Predictions vs Actuality
Community
Oklahoma was nominated for 8 awards. It was nominated in the top 3 for Best Lighting Design. Nick Hammes won for Best Supporting Actor.
Annie was nominated for 7 awards. Julia Yameen made it to top 3 for best actress. Kerry Schnieder won for best supporting actress.
Ragtime from New London Barn Playhouse in the Professional division did really well taking honors in categories such as Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Choreography. I really wish I had seen this!! 😦 I could not really make decent predictions in the professional category because I did not see any of the shows but I gave it my best shot.
Best Musical
Top 3 Preditced
Annie Actorsingers
Oklahoma Amherst PTA
Pirates of Penzance
Actual Top 3
(Winners in Italics)
Titanic Stagecoach Productions
Gifts of The Magi Majestic Theatre
Next To Normanl Acting Loft
For best Actress in A Musical I predicted a tie between Jen Erdody and Sophie Linkroum. Sophie won. YAY!!
For Best Actor in Musical I predicted a tie between Steve Hammes and Mark Murai. Johm Marshall won for his portrayal of Harold Hil in The Music Man with North Country Community Theatre Players.
Best Choreography
Predicted Top 3
Martha Holland Pirates of Penzance Stagecoach Productions (Top 3 YAY!)
Vouli Anthimadou Oklahoma Amherst PTA 😦 Was really hoping she’d get top 3.
Kellie Haigh Chicago Actorsingers
Winner: Allyson Weiner-Saywer The Music Man North Country Community Theatre
Best Music Director
Predicted Top 3:Judy Hayward Titanic Stagecoach Donna Tounge Annie Actorsingers Michele Henderson Pirates of Penzance Stagecoach Productions
Actual Top 3 Judy Hayward Chicago Actorsingers & Titanic Stagercoach Productions Donna Tounge Annie Actorsingers
Judy & Donna tied which I did not expect at all.
Best Costume Desigenr
Predicted Top 3
Cherie Prior Annie Actorsingers (Top 3 YAY!)
Susan Cassidy Titanic Stage Coach Productions (Top 3 YAY!)
Val Verge Same Time Next Year M&M Productions
Winner: Susan Cassidy Titanic Stagecoach Productions
Best Supporting Actress
Predicted top 3
Arielle Kaplan Hodel Fiddler on The Roof 😦 Was really hoping she’d get top 3.
Annie Orio Ruth Pirates of Penzance Stagecoach Productions
Kerry Schnieder Ms Hannigan Annie Actorsingers (TOP 3 Winner!!)
The other top 2 finalists were Rigel Harris Beggar Woman Sweeney Todd RB Productions and Caity Glover Kate Mgowan Titanic The Musical Stagecoach Productions
Best Supporting Actor
Predicted Top 3
Nick Hammes Will Parker Amherst PTA (Top 3 WINNER YAY!!)
Marc Murai Amos Hart Chicago Actorsingers (Top 3 YAY!)
Michael Coppolla Billy Flynn Chicago Actorsingers
The other top 3 finalist was Garrett Inman Tobias Sweeney Todd RB Productions
In the Drama/Comedy Category I could not make very good predictions because nominated I only saw two. Same Time Next Year and Moon Over Buffalo. Mari Keegan was nominated in the top 3 for Best Actresss in Same Time Next Year, Niel Blaialock and Dan Merriman were nominated for best actor and best supporting for their roles in Moon Over Buffalo. I feel Jenna Fraser was shafted for her performance in Shakespeare in Hollywood. Then again I didn’t see the other two shows that were nominated so I can’t make good comparisons but Jenna was great! 🙂
For the youth category I could also not make very good predictions because I did not see hte particular show which was nominated when I made my predictions I based then on prior performances I have seen them in. As I noted in my entry from this morning Kat Feraco got top 3 for her role as Nancy in Oliver with Riverbend Youth Company and Jon Edelbluet won for best actor for his performance of Fagin. Danny Shea and Becky Klien took home best supporting actor and actress honors for their roles as Thenardier and Epionine in Les Miserables with Peacock Players. Noises Off won Best Youth Production.
Congrats to all nominees, top 3 finalists and winners and also to Keith Wierich and Rob Dionne for thier special awards. You guys deserve them for alll you do for the theatre community. 🙂