Baby trouble
17.5 Mae Schnautz
Autumn 1997, Schnautz house
It was late at night, and Mae and Herbert watched the rerun of the newest "Full House" episode after Mae had come back from work.
The show's first season just recently had started, and both loved it.
"This is really funny!", Herbert said, after it was over.
"Yeah", Mae confirmed. "And that little Michelle is soooo cute!"
"Hmm..." Herbert stayed quiet for a moment.
Was this another one of his courageous ones? Mae wondered.
"Mae?", he said finally.
"Yes?"
She mentally prepared for some dirty talk.
"Uhm... how about we try for a baby ourselves?", he asked.
"What?!"
Oh god, no.
That was the last thing she had expected.
It seems her outcry was a bit louder than she expected, because Herbert flinched.
"Uhm...", she tried to calm down, but couldn't find any more words.
At least, no friendly ones.
"...You don't want to?", he asked her after a few seconds.
"It's not that... it's just so sudden...", she finally managed to squeeze out.
"I mean... we have Mariella...", she tried to explain herself.
"...Okay", he resigned. Herbert looked crushed.
In Mae's mind a turmoil started. She couldn't stand seeing him like that. But she didn't feel ready.
On the other hand, she had wanted this "Bewitched"-like romantic comedy life for herself, and that also included a little Tabitha, no?
Mae never did things halfway. So why not jump into the full package?
"Maybe we could start trying...", she said then.
She knew it could take a while.
Actually she secretly was hoping it would take a bit more than a while.
She knew it could take a while.
Actually she secretly was hoping it would take a bit more than a while.
She's clearly overjoyed.
ReplyDeleteWell - she's only 22 after all. Biologically a good age to have children, but mentally? That's another thing xD
DeleteFirst I don't understand why they didn't talk about having children before they were married. Obviously if one of them wants children and the other doesn't this is going to present a very big problem which should be dealt with before the I Dos are said.
ReplyDelete2nd having a child just because he wants one is not a very good idea. It sounds like she was agreeing with him just to make him happy. If having a child is not what she wants she needs to let him know now.
Most people just assume that everyone wants to have kids sooner or later, including themselves. Mae is no exception. She also has her dreams of a happy little family.
ReplyDeleteI think to discuss the question if anyone actually wants children, is relatively new, especially for women. Still there are people that judge you or tell you just to wait if you don't want.
2nd, of course it is not. It is not that she doesn't want any in general (as far as she is concious of), but she just doesn't feel ready, that's why she "compromises".
First let me say you are doing a great job with this story as you are giving me a lot to think about.
DeleteThis is a little complicated here because if I look at this couple I would expect it to be the other way around on the children issue. Mae is young and hasn't had a child yet but Herbert already has. When discussing their future together during the engagement I would have thought that Mae would want to find out if he wanted more children. For all she knew he could have had a vasectomy after Mariella was born and she wouldn't have found out until after they were married. That would have been trouble and that is why those discussions must happen during the planning stages. No surprised after the ceremony
In this case it was the other way around and Herbert wanted to have the child. Maybe he wants to have another child before he gets too old? Whatever his reasons she should have known this before time as she is clearly not ready to have a child yet.
Thank you for the compliment! I'm glad you appreciate that I try to involve controversial themes into my story.
ReplyDeleteNormally yes. But he is shy and quiet, and Mae is too carefree to think about these things. Bad combination.
He is clearly a family man. And maybe a bit lonely, he only had his daughter for a long time before meeting Mae.
Noooooooo!
ReplyDeleteDon't do it unless you want a nuboo tho Mae!
Eeeee
Not good
She's forcing herself a little too much, maybe.
DeleteSHe has to practice, maybe while brushing teeth in the morning - Mae yu want dis!
Is she secretly hoping for a baby? Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteno. secretly hoping it will take a while.
Delete/fixed it.
another gorgeous and homey set. I'm worried about Mae and Herbert. They probably should've discussed something as serious as having kids before getting married. Mae probably isn't ready to be a mom but I can understand Herbert wanting another child. However, it's not a good idea to try having a kid just to make him happy. That won't backfire at all! *face palm* Accommodating all the time isn't healthy.
ReplyDeleteMae might have always had the idea that "someday, kids would be great. Not now. She's a little overwhelmed here.
DeleteShe's as old as me and I wouldn't want any children rn either. On the other hand, I'm also not married *thinks harder about it*
ReplyDeletemarried or not, she's not much different from other 22 year old girls.
DeleteAnd then she turns out to be the most fertile woman in history, having quadruplets. >:)
ReplyDeleteI'd kinda love to see that. 😈
DeleteLOL omg yes that'd be hilarious xD
DeleteAw Mae shouldn't push herself. She's young and its okay to be not ready. He should see that too. It's okay to wait a bit and let her have her share of experiencing life and wanting to settle down only after.
ReplyDeleteWell, while she is quite young, he is already close to 40. Also like Linda, she tries her best to please, and it's not as if she never had the idea of a happy family.
DeleteBut for her, her family is complete with Mariella.
Sigh. It's not like he'll dry out anytime soon. I think the record is 93 y.o. for a man to have a son.
ReplyDeleteNot saying Herbert should wait til he's 90. Bahaha!
LOL OMG! 😂😂 okay that's not what I meant. but when you have kids very late, you may not have the stamina anymore to keep up with them and help them out when they need it, and it's unlikely you'll see your grandchildren grow up (not that 40 is very late, but at 60 I would probably not try anymore! xD )
Delete*facepalm*
ReplyDeleteI bet she gets pregnant right away as well.
😏😏
Delete