Virestorm Chapter 7

Chapter 7

September 10, 2001 NYC

“Ok, everyone wake up” Alan looked at the two girls still sleeping. Alan had been up for two hours already, he had showered, dressed, read the first section of the Times, mapped out a strategy for the day, and now was waiting for his two lovely comrades to join him.

“Dad, come on, we’re on a vacation, give me five more minutes.”

“Yeah right, at this rate we’ll be eating breakfast at dinnertime. Kimberly, how about you take the shower and that will give Alex a couple more minutes of beauty sleep?”

Kimberly rolled over and looked at Alan through half closed eyes. She had been running a little slowly the last couple of months. She slowly raised herself out of bed and made a long stretch. She smiled and reached over to Alan and gave him a gentle morning kiss. She grabbed a few clothing items and headed to the bathroom.

Finally, at ten in the morning everyone was just about ready to go. There was a brief episode of tension when Kimberly and Alex faced off over the hair dryer. Alan scowled and Kimberly decided to save the day, “Oh Alex, you take it, it’s so warm outside today my hair will dry in five more minutes anyways.” With the tension defused, the outfits selected, and everyone finally dolled up to their satisfaction they headed out to conquer the city Part 2.

“Alright ladies, here is my suggestion. It’s still a bit early for the stores, I suggest we walk down to Battery Park, grab some coffees and pastries and sit out looking at the Ellis Island and the Statue. We can take a few photos and by the time we’re done we can head over to the taxi stand and head off to SoHo. I figure we can hit SoHo and Greenwich and grab a sandwich before the matinee at two o’clock. Deal?”

In unison both Kimberly and Alex high-fived Alan and shouted “Deal!”

Everyone was feeling good and Alex and Alan began to skip down the street, something they had been doing since she was probably three years old. Kimberly started to laugh and pulled out her camera to catch a few action shots. Under later review that day Kimberly could see the perplexed scowls on the faces of the native New Yorkers observing the silly display.

They shot around the corner and stopped. “Decisions, decisions,” said Alan. In front of them were two Starbuck’s across from each other. Randomly, one was picked and they got their morning stimulants. For Alan a “grande mocha non-fat no whip”, same for Kimberly, and Alex “white mocha with everything”. They also purchased a few scones and headed for the park. Who would believe that in September one could experience such a lovely day in New York. The sky was a perfect blue, faint clouds hovered in the distance, and they could see the Statue of Liberty overlooking the entry to America.  Pigeons pecked at the crumbs around them and Kimberly began taking pictures of the daddy-daughter duo. She convinced a young couple traveling from Iowa to swap cameras for pictures and so the three were able to get their first photo of the day together.

They finished up and headed over to the taxi stand. Alan waived down a taxi and they took off to SoHo. Once disembarking they began hiking the streets. Alan confirmed that everyone had their cell phone and so they were able to ramble into different shops.

“If we lose each other we need to rendezvous in an hour.”

“Dad, that’s not enough time to buy anything.”

“I know Alex, today just look around, I figured that you and Kimberly will pick your favorite spots and come back tomorrow for a more ‘intense’ experience.” Alex pouted a little and flashed Alan a pathetic little girl look. The same look she had been using since before she could walk or even talk. Promptly she looked down at her cell phone and began stamping in a text. A few moments later Alex read the reply and smiled.

“Ok Dad, I got confirmation of where to go. See ya later alligator!” And off she took went to her left. Alan and Kimberly joined hands and began in the opposite direction. They walked along the cobblestones and looked into the floor windows of the dozens of cast iron buildings. Kimberly pulled out her camera and snapped a few shots looking down the narrow streets and Alan caught one of her posing in an alley that could have been 1951 as easily as 2001. Alan pulled out his notes and aimed them in the direction of a row of art galleries he had his eyes on since before they left on the trip.

After an hour of wandering into small galleries and a rapid race through one of the museums of contemporary art it was time to rendezvous and head off to Greenwich Village. Alan sent Alex a text to meet at their starting point. As Alan and Kimberly turned the corner they caught site of Alex galloping at them with a big smile on her face.

“Oh my god dad you will not believe what I found.” Her eyes were wide like saucers and beaming. “There is a whole street of designer outlets carrying things right out of Vogue and I’m not talking TJ Maxx, these places are completely awesome. Dad,” she looked straight into Alan’s eyes with the most serious expression, “I have to move here! This place is amazing.” Alan and Kimberly started laughing. One thing about Alex is that when she found something she liked her enthusiasm was overwhelming and contagious.

“Okay Alex, sounds like you found teenage Nirvana, now let’s investigate our next destination. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.” And with that Alan waived down a taxi and they took off.

They exited at Washington Square and began their tour. Instantly Alex was roped into an impromptu act as an extra for two mimes both of which were one upping each other in marriage proposals. Everyone began to laugh as Alex’s cheeks turned a deep crimson and she kept on trying to escape but every time she took a step back one of the two mimes would be there waiting on bended knee with imaginary flowers and rings and a most expressive face of pleading. Kimberly took a slew of photos and Alan was laughing so hard the tears were running down his face. Eventually a young red headed girl of three was noticed by the two performers and they began to fight over the young child’s heart. Alex noticed an opportunity for escape and grabbed Alan and Kimberly by the arms.

“I am so embarrassed, oh my god, get me out of here,” Alex was also laughing as she said this and her blue-green eyes were wet with laughter as well. They crossed the square and Alex headed over to the plaque for the entry to New York University. “Dad, what do you think? I know that Michigan is your Alma Mater and all, but how about here? Don’t you think NYU would be perfect for me?”

“Now Alex, I agree that the academics of NYU are on par with U of M, but I fear that not even Bill Gates would be able to afford your first semester’s shopping ventures.” Alex made a pout as Alan chuckled and they headed towards the brownstones and twisting streets of the West Village.

As they walked the twisted streets and poked their noses in the various cheese and wine specialty shops they all became hungry. All of the sudden all three of them heard a rumble from Alex that started a frenzy of laughter.

“Well Alex, I couldn’t have said it better myself. Time for lunch!” They headed over to an Italian restaurant that was recommended by a good friend of Alan and Kimberly. They took seats outside and ordered a carafe of white wine and iced teas. Moments after the drinks arrived Kimberly excused herself to use the restroom.

“Dad, is something wrong with Kimberly? This whole weekend it seems like she is going to the bathroom every two minutes. I hope everything is alright.”

Alan pondered the comment for a moment before replying. “Well Alex, there is something that we have been wanting to tell you this weekend but we were waiting for the appropriate moment.” Alex started to look nervous, her lips compressed into a thin line and she began to look downward.

“Is it bad?” Just as she said this Kimberly stepped out of the doorway and pulled up her chair. She could see the sudden change on Alex’s face.

“Is there something wrong, I just stepped away for a minute and you two look all serious.”

“Kimberly, Alex was just asking me why you keep on going to the restroom every two minutes. I think now is as good a time as any.” Kimberly nodded and Alan went on. “Alex, we have some very exciting news to share with you this weekend. We were going to wait until after the show when we were eating dinner at Tavern on the Green but now seems the right time.” Alan was smiling, and all of the sudden Alex’s eyes opened widely.

“No way! Kimberly, you aren’t…?”

Kimberly nodded her head as her eyes pooled with happy tears and she nodded. Alex jumped out of her chair and wrapped her arms around Kimberly.

“Yes Alex, I’m pregnant. Can you believe it?”

Alex hugged hard, “No, I can’t believe it, I am so excited. This is amazing. I told you guys for like, forever, how much I’ve wanted a little brother or sister. So, how long, or soon, or whatever it is before we have a baby?”

Kimberly pulled out a tissue and wiped her eyes, at this point though everyone was teary eyed. “We’re about thirteen weeks and everything is going perfectly. I just got back the news from all of my tests and she is perfect. No health or genetic problems. She’s doing great.”

Alex’s eyes got even wider if it could be possible, “Did you say she? Do you know for sure I’m going to have a baby sister?”

“Yep” Alan chimed in, “the genetic testing doesn’t lie. And now that we’ve told you we can tell everyone else. We’ve been waiting to be with you to share the news. So, now we can send out emails to all!”

They all smiled, Alan poured Alex a small glass of wine and an even smaller portion for Kimberly, and they all toasted the news.