Chapter 44

Liz arrives at the company, and as soon as Penne sees her entering, she quickly goes to meet her.

Penne: When did you arrive?

Liz: I got here early this morning. I was missing you so much.

Penne: Me too. How are you?

Liz: I'm better now. But it's still very hard to believe that my father is no longer with us.

Penne: And your mother? Did she come too?

Liz: No. She's arriving next week.

Penne: Why didn't you tell me? I would have prepared the house to welcome you.

Liz: Henry asked me to stay at his house, and when my mother arrives, since my aunt and cousin are coming with her, we'll stay at his place, and he'll stay at his parents' house.

Penne: I thought it was better this way, so we don't invade your privacy with Nick.

Liz: No way. That house is still yours too.

Penne: But tell me everything, how's my godchild? Are you taking care of yourself? Taking the vitamins?

Liz: I'm doing everything the doctor asked, but I'm still very tired and sleepy.

Penne: That's why I'm going to reduce my working hours. I'll work more from home. Is that okay?

Liz: Of course! Especially now with the wedding preparations. Henry has already asked me to help you. We have a lot to sort out, starting with the wedding dress, the church, the reception. We have the trousseau to buy, and time is not on our side.

Liz: For my birthday, no surprise party. I'm going to prepare a dinner for the family and close friends. I'm still not in the mood for a big celebration. And for the wedding, I also want a simple and small ceremony with few guests. I've already discussed this with Henry. These were my conditions for getting married in such a short time. And I don't want to get married while I'm still chubby. What dress would I wear?

The two laugh and hug each other as they used to.

Penne: It's so good to have my friend and business partner back. We used to talk on the phone almost every day, but it wasn't the same.

Liz: I'm really happy to be back. I missed my sister-friend's comfort, our late-night conversations. I missed everything.

Penne: What matters is that now we're close to each other again. Have you seen where Henry bought the house? In the neighborhood where we lived, or where you live now.

Liz: Stop being silly, it will always be your home. Remember? We said that one would only leave when it was time to get married. And now you're almost married. I'm so happy to see my friend getting married to a long-time friend. I know he loves you very much and will do everything to make you happy.

Penne: You and Nick will be my godparents. You know that, right?

Liz: Of course! That was our deal, right? One would be the maid of honor for the other. And for the first child too?

Penne: Henry texted that he's already on his way to pick me up. He worries about me so much that he doesn't want to leave me alone for a minute. Even when he goes to work, he keeps thinking about what I'll be doing.

Liz: But tomorrow morning I'll be here working, and in the afternoon, we'll go shopping. I'll make a list, and we'll check off the items as they're done. But for most of the day, I'll work from home.

Penne: Come over with Nick tonight, so we can make this list together.

Liz: I'll check with him and call you to confirm.

The friends say goodbye as Henry is already waiting for Liz in the car.

When Henry sees Liz approaching, he gets out of the car to open the door. He gives her a kiss and says he missed her.

Liz: I missed you too.

They get in the car and head home.

Henry: You need to rest; you moved around a lot today.

Liz: I'm fine. Don't worry.

She holds his hand as he drives.

Liz: I told Penne to come over with Nick tonight. We're going to make a list of everything that needs to be done, and I asked my friend to come help us. After all, there's a lot to do.

Henry: Good idea. But no wine. Only natural juice.

Liz: One glass of wine won't hurt anyone.

Henry: We'll ask the doctor about that later. And speaking of doctors, we need to find another one for you. Add that to the list too.

Liz: There's no one like you.

She smiles at him, and he smiles back.

Henry: We're home. Now I just want to put my feet up and rest. Tomorrow is a new day, and we have a lot to do.

Liz: I still have to go back to the office. I just came to bring you home. Tomorrow morning, I start my routine at the company too.