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Post by sophie on Mar 29, 2010 16:42:49 GMT
Thanks!
Rachel came over the next day at five o’clock and Bridget was alone in the house.
“Hey,” she said and gave Bridget a hug. “Are Declan and India here?”
“They should be back any minute,” said Bridget leading her in. “Indy was a little overexcited so Dec took her to the park to burn off some energy.”
Rachel laughed. “I won’t give her the sweets from London right away then.”
“Oh, Rach you got her a present?”
“I got her this as well,” said Rachel and pulled out a little teddy bear in a suit with a union jack pattern on the sleeves.
“She’ll love it,” said Bridget gratefully. “Thanks Rach.”
India did love it. She shrieked happily and remembered to say thank you and then kept the teddy at her side for the rest of the night.
“He can be friends with Teddy,” she said happily.
“What are you going to call him?”
“London.”
They laughed.
“I like it,” said India, pouting.
“You can call him whatever you want,” said Bridget. “He’s your teddy.”
“I think it’s a great name,” Rachel added.
“Mummy, if the baby’s a boy can we call him London?”
“It’s not really a baby name. Maybe keep it a teddy name, hey?”
“Okay.”
Bridget felt pleased she was suggesting a name, even if it was just a silly one. Maybe she was coming round.
“I missed you Auntie Rachel!”
“I’ve missed you too India.”
“Auntie Rachel,” said India, frowning, “your voice is funny!”
“India!” hissed Bridget. “You can’t say that!”
“Why not? It is!”
“It’s okay,” reassured Rachel. “It’s just my accent Indy.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a way of talking. People in England sound a bit different and because I live there I sound a bit like them. They’d probably think you sound different.”
“I don’t sound different!”
“Not to me. It’s not a bad thing anyway.” Rachel gave her a kiss.
“Zeke wanted to come,” Rachel told Bridget and Declan at dinner. “But it’s Jessica’s mum’s birthday so they’ve gone to her house.”
“Isn’t it crazy,” said Bridget, “that he’s married and expecting a baby?”
Zeke had got married straight after university, after falling completely in love with a girl from his science course.
“He was always so awkward with girls.”
“I reckon his kid will be a science whiz,” said Declan.
“I’ll laugh so much if it’s a girl,” said Rachel. “I’d love to see him with a daughter.”
“I’d feel bad for the guy,” said Declan honestly and after everyone glared at him he said hastily, “not that there’s anything wrong with girls, it’s just Zeke’d probably more have more of an idea with a boy...”
“I like to think we’ve educated him,” said Rachel. “Me and Katya. But I still think it would be interesting to see!”
“He’s so going to spoil the kid,” said Bridget. “He’s going to be the goofy dad who films everything and makes the same joke over and over.”
“Like our dad,” said Rachel and she smiled fondly. “I still miss him, even though all that drove me mad.”
“It’s a parent’s job to embarrass their kid!”
“I think that until Mum embarrasses me,” said Declan and they laughed.
“Do you embarrass me?” asked India, not sure what it meant.
“We might when you’re older,” Bridget told her. “But we’ll try not to be too bad.”
“Have you met the queen yet?” India asked Rachel. “Why’s everyone laughing?” she asked sulkily as her parents and Rachel started giggling. “She should meet Auntie Rachel, she’s fun.”
“It’s not very easy to see the queen,” Rachel told her. “But if I do I’ll say hello from you.”
India was satisfied and pretended to give London some water.
“How is London?” asked Declan. “Made any new friends?”
Rachel blushed suddenly.
“Come on Kinski,” said Bridget, grinning. “It’s my turn to ask what that look’s for.”
“I’ve started seeing someone.”
Rachel and Ty had broken up a few years ago and Rachel had been single for a while.
“Tell all!”
“He works behind a bar,” said Rachel, going more scarlet. “He’s just moved into the flat below me.”
“Rachel,” said Bridget, grinning. “Quite a catch. How long have you been seeing him?”
“Only a week or so,” she confessed. “But it’s fun.”
“Any photos?”
“Not on me, but I’ll send you one when I get back.”
“You’d better do. I’ll nag you until you do.”
After dinner they sat around for a while swapping old memories whilst India played with London and Teddy.
“Do you remember that school camp? In Year 11?”
“And Zeke was going out with Taylah,” said Rachel, laughing a little. “I wonder whatever happened to her.”
“Didn’t I tell you? Donna saw her a few weeks ago. She stayed in Sydney and went to uni to do maths. She’s going into teaching now.”
“No way,” said Rachel, her mouth open. “She always said she hated school.”
“She was always clever though. I just think she didn’t like showing it.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Rachel reflected. “She was nice. I’m glad she’s doing okay anyway.”
“I think I should get this one to bed,” said Declan, looking at the clock and then to his daughter.
“I don’t want to go to bed!”
“But it’s late now.”
“I don’t want Auntie Rachel to go!”
“I’m not going yet Indy,” Rachel told her. “I’m not going until next week – you can see me heaps more times before I go. Go and have a nice sleep.”
India looked a little unsure.
“Go on sweetheart,” said Bridget. “I expect London wants to see his new bedroom.”
India brightened up.
“Can he share the bath?”
“No, it’ll ruin his fur. You don’t want that.”
“Okay.” India ran up and gave Rachel a hug and kiss. “Bye Auntie Rachel. Thanks for London!”
“See you soon. Look after him for me.” Rachel gave her a cuddle.
“I can’t believe how warm it is,” Rachel said, fanning herself a little. “I always forget how hot Australian summers are.”
“Are you too hot?”
“No, I’m okay. When I’m in England I always think it’s too cold and in Australia I think it’s too hot but I always get used to it really quickly. I miss our nights – they always stay warm.”
“Do you want to sit outside for a bit?”
“Okay.”
They took some chairs and drinks and sat out on the porch.
“Declan’s so good with India,” said Rachel. “And it’s funny – I never would have picked him married first with children too – I thought that was more unlikely than Zeke. Because he was just so moody and silent.”
“He was just trying to be tough,” said Bridget. “He’s always been soft underneath.”
“I didn’t expect you to be married first either,” Rachel admitted. “Out of you, me and Donna.”
“Neither did I.”
“You and Declan always knew each other so well. I knew when we first met you were into each other.”
“Excuse me,” said Bridget. “I remember Year 11 camp and I remember someone being interested in my husband whose name begins with R!”
“Well, I thought you didn’t want to be together. And anyway...I remember someone else liking someone whose name also began with R and that wasn’t me!”
“It was a long time ago,” Bridget said defensively. “God, isn’t it crazy to think of? I liked Ringo and you liked Declan.”
“And we had that huge fight.”
“And I rescued you when you fell off the bike.”
“I’m sorry I was such a snot.”
“You such a snot? I was a snot! I called you some horrible names!”
“I hit a raw nerve,” said Rachel. “You wanted to be with him and then you thought we were together.”
“It doesn’t excuse it.”
“I’m glad we only had the odd fight. I hate it when girls are constantly arguing – well, anyone really.”
“That wasn’t us.”
“No. It never was.”
They looked out at the stars.
“I know I keep saying this,” said Rachel, looking at Bridget, “and it’s probably getting old now, but I can’t believe that Mr I Don’t Care and Ms I Hate Soppy Romance got married first.”
Bridget laughed.
“It’s not getting old. Sometimes I wake up and I can’t believe it.”
“I can’t believe Zeke got married before me too – that sounds terrible, but you know what I mean. I’m happy for him though. I wonder if I’ll ever get married and have children.”
“I’m sure you will one day. When the time’s ready.”
“I don’t want to now,” Rachel clarified quickly. “The time’s wrong and I’m too young - oh,” she caught herself. “I didn’t mean – sorry Didge, that came out really wrong.”
“No, it’s okay.” Bridget thought for a moment and then said, “if I tell you something, do you promise not to think I’m horribly selfish?”
“Sure.” Rachel look concerned.
“Sometimes I wish it was all different. Sometimes I wish I wasn’t married and wasn’t a mum. That sounds terrible, doesn’t it?”
“No, it doesn’t.”
“It does.” Bridget looked down. “I love Declan and India,” she said eventually. “I love them so much it hurts and I wouldn’t change things, it’s just sometimes, I see other women my age and they haven’t started any of that yet. They’re still just having fun. Like Donna could just hop on a plane and see you. I really wish I could do that.”
“You can still do that. You can still visit me.”
“But it’s not the same. It’s just...when I was younger and pictured my life it wasn’t like this – married so young with a child. What were you doing at twenty?”
“I was mucking about,” Rachel admitted. “Going out a lot. Not taking things too seriously.”
“Well, when I was twenty I was worried sick about paying the rent. I had a screaming two-year-old and was thinking about how to feed ourselves and finding work and trying to make sure I was doing it all right. I know I chose to go through with the pregnancy and things worked out better than I could have imagined, but I just wish I could have had that carefree time. Am I a bad person for that?”
“No.” Rachel took her hand. “You had a hard time of it, you and Declan, you both did. It’s not bad of you to feel miserable now and then, everyone does, even me, and doesn’t that sound more selfish? Me, with the perfect life off in England seeing the lovely new guy downstairs and you have your little girl to look after.”
“She’s amazing,” said Bridget with a sob. “I feel so terrible when I wish her away sometimes, if she’s driving me mad. I love her. I would never change things back. I mean, just when she shows me something she's drawn or a new footy move or just when she's asleep, I think, how I could ever get annoyed with you? She's my greatest gift.”
“But it’s a lot of responsibility. And it's not as if children are always being sweet and well-behaved and quiet, they can be very hard to look after. And you were only seventeen when you had her. Some people can’t do it at all – not that I think they’re weak at all, but Bridget, you’re such a wonderful mother. It’s not wrong to feel lonely sometimes or miserable. It’s not selfish.”
“I don’t feel like it much,” said Bridget. “It’s been more like it lately though – maybe because I’m pregnant again?”
“Have you talked to Declan?”
“If I say all that to him,” said Bridget worriedly, “it’ll sound like I wished I hadn’t married him, that I hate our life together. I don’t, I love it. I love him.”
“And he knows you love him. He knows you don’t mean it like that.”
Bridget was quiet for a moment.
“I wish you could come back more Rachel,” she said quietly. “I needed to tell you that. You’re amazing too.”
“Even if I’ve driven you crazy all these years? Sometimes I’m surprised everyone doesn’t hate me after the way I treated them with Angus.”
“You were only young. You were in love.”
“It doesn’t make it right just to say I was young and in love.”
“We all make mistakes, Rachel. Even when you were being such a princess, I knew you were still Rachel underneath.”
“Thanks Didge. Thanks for putting up with me back then.”
“I did my best,” said Bridget with a smile. “And the next time you come back you have to bring your new boyfriend.”
“I don’t know if he’s my boyfriend.”
“Well, whatever he is. I have to see if he’s good enough for you!”
“And that’s a reason for you to visit!” said Rachel laughing. “You have to pass judgement on him!”
“He has to be good enough for you Kinski. I want him to be a perfect English gentleman!”
Rachel gave a shy smile.
“He’s not so bad.”
Suddenly India came running out in her pyjamas.
“You’re still here!”
“I thought you’d gone to bed,” said Bridget, kissing her daughter.
“Daddy said I could see if you were still here and say goodnight.”
“Well, I am,” said Rachel, giving her another kiss and cuddle. “Goodnight little girl.”
“Goodnight.” India danced around them. “Am I a fairy Mummy?”
“Yes,” said Bridget, filled with love for her daughter. “You are.”
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Post by sophie on Mar 30, 2010 18:55:31 GMT
On a bit if a writing roll!
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Bridget asked Riley. They were walking to Joanna's house and just turned onto her road.
"Yes," he said shortly and stared up.
"Because we don't have to. She'll understand."
"Didge," he said nervously, "I've already gone through this about a billion times in my head, don't make me change my mind again!"
"Okay," she said and took his hand.
When they reached her house Riley took his hand from hers and rang the bell, looking firm and determined.
Joanna opened the door and stared.
"Oh," she said and her voice stopped for a moment. "Riley."
He just looked at her.
Joanna still stared until Bridget nervously said,
"Should we come in?"
"Sure," Joanna said, shaking herself, and stood aside. They went through to the kitchen and to Bridget's surprise there were all the photos laid out.
"That's Riley," she said, picking one up. She couldn't remember him looking like that but it was obvious it was him.
"He's six there," Joanna said and Riley joined his sister.
"I remember those pyjamas."
"You loved them."
Riley picked up another of him holding Bridget.
"I can remember that too," he said shortly. "She's not very old there."
"Just a few days."
It made Bridget feel strange to see themselves so young. Riley looked confused but quite happy and he looked confused now, but not pleased about anything. He sat down still holding the photo.
"You must have a load of questions," Joanna said. It seemed such an ordinary thing to say for this – but then what did you say? What could you say?
"Why?" asked Riley shortly. "Why did you?"
"I was very young when I got pregnant," Joanna told him, as she had Bridget. "Fifteen and sixteen when I had you."
"But if you knew you couldn't do it..."
"I thought I could. I had your dad then. We were young but we loved each other, we wanted to try, but it all got too much –"
"But we were your children!" Riley shouted suddenly.
"Riley!" said Bridget, putting her hand on his arm, but he just shook it off.
"I was your son and Bridget was your daughter. We were just babies."
"I know," sobbed Joanna, "and you deserved a better mum than I was to you. You deserved a decent childhood."
"I waited for you at the home," said Riley, crying. "I waited every day. I wouldn't go and play with the other children, I wouldn't go in my room, I'd just sit by the window and wait. And you never came. You never came."
Bridget felt herself crying too and Joanna was in floods. She stumbled up to get some tissues and when she turned round she saw Josie and Clara frozen in the doorway.
"Girls!" said Joanna, making herself speak. "I thought you were at your dad's all day."
"He had to go into the office," said Josie in a small voice. "He drove us back and Clara had her key."
"Oh..."
"Come on," said Bridget, discarding the tissues. "Let's go for a walk and leave your mum and Riley alone. They need to some time for themselves. If that's okay?" she asked Joanna who wordlessly nodded. Riley was still glaring at her.
"Have you still got your key?" she asked Clara and she held it up. "Let's go then."
They walked miserably down the street and Bridget wondered where to take them. The sun was very bright and she suddenly heard the tune of an icecream van.
"Let's go to the park," she said suddenly.
"We're a bit old for playgrounds," said Clara snottily.
"You don't have to go in there; we can just sit on the grass. What do you think?"
Clara shrugged and Josie said, "Okay," in a small voice.
So they walked to the park. Everything still felt incredibly tense and Bridget just didn't know what to say.
"Do you want an icecream?" she asked, noticing that the van had stopped.
Josie brightened up.
"Yeah!"
"How about you Clara?"
She looked pleased but was trying not to be childish about it.
"I have enough for three icecreams," said Bridget checking her purse, "but small ones, okay girls? I don't have that much on me."
Josie chose a cone and so did Bridget but Clara chose an icy pole. They sat down on the grass and started eating them. Everything felt slightly calmer.
"That was pretty horrible back there," said Bridget. "I'm sorry you had to see it."
"Does he always shout?" asked Josie nervously. "I don't want a shouty brother."
"He might not even be your brother," Clara told her. "He doesn't want Mum to be his mum, why would he want us for sisters?"
"Clara!" said Bridget. "He's upset. He probably won't ever see your mum as his mum – we have our own mum who adopted us – but he does want to get to know you guys. He does. He doesn't shout very much actually. The only thing that would annoy him about you is getting two extra little sisters to wind him up."
Josie managed a smile and so did Clara, surprisingly enough.
"It's so weird," said Clara honestly, "knowing Mum had a life before us. A whole life."
"I know."
"But you don't know."
"I know it must be strange."
"Are they your husband and daughter?" asked Josie, who had seen the picture in Bridget's wallet lying next to her.
"Yes," said Bridget giving it to her so she could get a better view. "That's Declan and India – Indy. My little girl. She's a baby there but she's six now. Here." Bridget pulled out her phone and showed them a picture she had taken of India painting the other day.
"She's cute. She looks like you. And me when I was little."
"Well she's your niece technically."
"Half-niece if you want to get really technical," said Clara.
"When is your baby coming?" asked Josie. "You don't look pregnant."
"I feel it. I'll start showing soon, but I'm not due until July."
"Does it feel weird?"
"A bit."
"I think it looks horrible," said Clara honestly. "I wouldn't like it."
"I think I'd like it," said Josie. "Having a baby."
"Stick to a doll!" Bridget advised her. "You shouldn't even be thinking about that yet."
"She does stick to dolls," Clara told her with a smirk. "She's always playing with her dollies!"
"I don't!"
"There's nothing wrong with it," Bridget assured her but Josie got up, red in the face and shouted, "You're horrible Clara!"
"Hey!" said Bridget, not sure what to do.
"You're horrible!" shouted Josie again and she gave her sister a shove and ran into the playground.
"You shouldn't have teased her," said Bridget sternly.
"She just cries about everything! It was only about dollies!"
Bridget sighed and followed Josie into the playground, where she was swinging moodily on a swing.
"She didn't mean to be horrible."
"Yes she did. I don't care." Josie swung harder.
Bridget wondered why girls always had to say they didn't care. She and Riley always shouted everything at each other, had a fight and got over it.
"She didn't."
"I want to swing," said Josie. "I'll come back in a bit."
"We'll just be over there," Bridget reminded her and went back to where Clara was sitting. She was about to reprimand her when Clara said out of the blue,
"How do you know when someone likes you?"
Bridget looked over at her and saw that she had a small, dreamy smile on her face and was twiddling a bit of grass.
"Do you like someone?"
"How do you know if they like you?" Clara asked again.
"They take an interest in you. They get shy round you sometimes. Sometimes they tease you a bit."
"Why do they do that?"
"I don't know."
"He sits by me in Maths class," said Clara dreamily again. "But he pulled my hair twice."
Bridget tried not to laugh and just smiled.
"What's his name?"
"Andrew!" said Josie, who had rejoined them. "She writes his name all over her notebooks!"
"I don't!"
"You do!" said Josie, pleased to have something she could use against her sister. "I've seen it! Clara loves Andrew, Clara 4 Andrew forever, Clara hearts Andrew!"
"SHUT UP!"
"That's enough, both of you," said Bridget firmly. Imagine having two daughters, she thought desperately.
"Josie, go and wait by the gate," she said. "Go on. I have something to say to your sister."
Josie stuck her tongue out at Clara.
"Josie!" snapped Bridget. "Go to the gate now!"
Josie ran ahead.
"Clara, don't worry about it. Just have fun."
"She's such a pest!"
"She's ten, she'll know what it's like soon enough. With this boy...he does like you a little I think and I think you do too."
Clara's silly grin affirmed it and Bridget laughed but not unkindly.
"Just have fun and don't worry about it. Don't take it too seriously and don't be too mean to your sister either."
"But she's so annoying!"
"She looks up to you. Cut her some slack. Anyway, we should go."
When they got back Bridget looked round the door. Riley and Joanna weren't shouting at each other and instead they were both crying together and Joanna held his head in her hands and was stroking his features.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so sorry."
Josie and Clara stood at the foot of the stairs nervously.
"It's okay," Bridget said kindly. "We'll probably go soon but we'll come back."
"I hate seeing Mum cry," sniffled Josie.
"It's okay," said Clara comfortingly to her. "Do you want to play with your dollies?"
"Really?" said Josie, not daring to believe it.
"Come on," said Clara, and she smiled resignedly to Bridget and gently took Josie upstairs and maybe, Bridget thought as she waited for Riley, two daughters wouldn't be too terrible after all. This post has been edited by sophie123: Today, 07:53 PM
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Post by sophie on Apr 2, 2010 11:15:15 GMT
"Hello!" called Bridget as she opened the front door. "I'm back!"
"Mummy!" India ran up to her and Bridget gave her a grateful cuddle.
"Hello sweetheart."
"Where were you all day?" She looked at her with her head on one side.
"I was with Uncle Riley, you know that. We were seeing Joanna."
"Why isn't he here?"
"He wanted to go home. He's a bit unhappy."
"Why's he a bit unhappy?"
"Er..."
"India, isn't it time for your tv show?" Declan came up from behind her.
"Is Uncle Riley okay?"
"He'll be fine. You'll see him soon."
India was satisfied and went to turn the television on.
"Just for an hour, Indy!" Bridget reminded her.
"How was it?"
Bridget sighed.
"Sad. Riley was so upset. He shouted all these things he's been bottling up for years at Joanna and then Josie and Clara heard all of it – they'd got back early from their dad's."
"Oh no."
"I took them to the park and they seemed okay. Well, Josie and Clara had a bit of a squabble but nothing major."
"That's good."
"I guess. Then we went back and Riley didn't seem so angry but he was so upset, Joanna too. We went home then."
"Didn't you go in to see Miranda and Steve?"
"I was going to, but Riley asked me not to. He said he just wanted to be alone and to think."
"Poor Riley."
"Yeah. I'm going over there on Sunday anyway. I'm going to talk things out with Mum as well, she's so hurt by it all, even though she didn't say anything."
"Is she?"
"I know Mum. She's feeling like she's not enough or something – I think Dad's okay, but I really need to talk to her about it and Riley as well."
"You're a good daughter and sister."
"I don't know. I try."
"You are."
"I should get dinner on," said Bridget, looking at the clock.
"I'll do it."
"It's my turn."
"I really don't mind."
"No, I want something to do and it's not fair anyway. I want to do it. You go and make sure India turns off that television."
"Okay." He gave her a small kiss and she went to the kitchen.
"Did you have a nice day Indy?" asked Bridget when they were eating dinner. "What did you get up to?"
"I played with London and Teddy and we pretended my bedroom was London."
"And what did you do?"
"Meet the queen."
Bridget laughed.
"Who was the queen?"
"Barbie."
Miranda would be thrilled she hadn't been chosen as a victim in a game that time, Bridget thought.
"And I suppose you were the princess?"
"I was a special lady who showed them round."
"You're my princess Indy," Declan told her and she smiled.
"What did you do with Uncle Riley?" India asked Bridget again.
"Well, he wanted a talk with Joanna by himself so I took Josie and Clara to the park. You remember who they are, don't you?"
"Her girls."
"That's right."
"Does that mean they're your sort-of sisters? Because Joanna was your first sort-of mummy?"
"In a way."
"Would you like a sister Indy?" Declan asked her and she wrinkled her nose.
"Dunno."
"Would you rather have a brother?"
"I don't want either."
"Well, you're going to have one sweetheart."
"I still don't want one."
"You must want one or the other," said Bridget excitedly. "You can show them Teddy and London!"
"They can't have them!"
"India, we won't give them to your little brother or sister, but they can play with them. You have to share."
She pouted.
"Don't look like that!"
"What names do you like?" Bridget asked her later. "Do you like any special names?"
"Not really."
"You must like some names."
"Nobody asked me if I wanted a baby brother or sister!" India shouted, jumping up. "It's not fair!"
"India!"
She started crying and ran into her bedroom. Bridget sighed and followed her in and she lay on the bed with Teddy.
"We're not going to forget about you. You know that."
"Teddy's my only friend," said India pitifully.
"Oh, come on. Stop being so silly."
"Leave me alone," she said and rolled over. Bridget sat by her for a while but she wouldn't talk to her so eventually she let her be.
"Well, that was fun," Bridget sighed as she and Declan finally went to bed. "You know, they talk about the terrible twos and the terrible teens but never about the inbetween stages. The silly sixes."
Declan laughed.
"She just doesn't understand. I can't seem to get through to her that she won't be left out."
"She's surprised."
"But she's known for ages now. I thought she might have come round."
"She'll be okay when the baby's born. When she's got a baby brother or sister."
"I hope," Bridget sighed. "What do you think it will be anyway, a boy or a girl?"
"I don't know. A boy maybe, like I said before."
"Because of your boy-girl theory. You know that doesn't work. I spent the whole day with Josie and Clara, they're sisters."
"I know it doesn't have any bearing. But I thought I was right before, maybe I'll be right this time."
"Well, would you rather have a boy?"
"I'm happy either way. A boy would be nice because we already have a girl but I wouldn't be disappointed at all, you know that. And girls are calmer."
"Are you serious?!" Bridget sat up in bed and stared at him. "India's only calm if she's been racing round all day and is dropping tired!"
"I know, but maybe when they're older...they're not into all that fighting stuff..."
"Declan, you're crazy." Bridget sat back down. "I spent the whole day with Josie and Clara, you know that, and they managed to have two arguments. And you don't really think growing up as a girl is easier because we don't worry about fighting do you? And macho stuff?"
"No...I don't know..."
"Well, I do. Girls are under pressure too, it's just a different sort."
"I suppose. But Didge, when I was a teenager I was awful, I was into stealing and I could be terrible to Mum. You weren't like that."
"Declan, honestly I think it depends on the kid. I was quite young for my age but I had my moments. I could be pretty horrible too. Either way, I think girls are definitely not easier than boys – but I don't think that makes boys easier than they are."
"Maybe. I know I'm dreading India hitting the teens."
"You're not alone in that. Think of the mood swings!"
"What was it like with Josie and Clara?"
"Not too bad. A bit hectic. Josie and Clara argued a bit, I get the sense they do it a lot. Josie does look up to Clara but she tags along and winds her up, so Clara yells at her and Josie gets angry back and annoys her even more. Imagine that. That's stressful! I hope we don't have to deal with that."
"So you don't want another girl?"
"They weren't always arguing. Clara was quite protective of Josie when she was upset; I think she's a good sister. When she wants to be anyway. They're quite sweet together. I really don't mind what we have, though if it's a girl I can tease you about being wrong."
"You can't be right all the time."
"Oh can't I?" said Bridget and she stuck her tongue out at him. Declan laughed at her.
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Post by jess on Apr 2, 2010 12:03:46 GMT
great update sophie i needed a Decget fix tonight keep up the good work
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Post by Bee on Apr 3, 2010 5:19:55 GMT
These were great updates Sophie..i just caught up then!
cannot wait for more!!
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Post by sophie on Apr 3, 2010 10:53:41 GMT
“Can’t I go to Nan’s house too?” asked India.
“No, sweetheart. Not tonight. I’m going by myself this time but you’ll get to spend a whole day with her next week!”
“Why are you going by yourself?”
“I just am. But you’ll get to spend this evening with Daddy.”
“And we’re going to Grandma’s in a couple of days,” Declan reminded her. “That’ll be fun!”
India brightened up and ran off to play.
“I’m nervous,” Bridget confessed. “And it’s only Mum and Dad.”
“You’ll be fine.”
“Hi Mum,” said Bridget trying to smile when she opened the door.
“Hello darling.” Miranda gave a smile as well yet she looked unhappy. “Come in, don’t stand there on the step!”
Bridget walked in and saw Steve and Riley sitting on the sofa.
“Hey guys,” she said and they quietly replied,
“Hey Didge,” back.
The atmosphere felt very tense and Bridget wasn’t sure what to say. She was considering talking about the other day when Miranda suddenly said,
“So you’ve both seen her now. You and Riley.”
“Yeah.”
“How is she?”
“Okay.”
“I see.” Miranda pursed her lips.
“Mum, come on.”
“I need to get some milk,” said Steve hastily.
“I might join you,” said Riley. “I could use the walk.”
They hurried out of the house as quickly as they could.
“Mum, come on. I know this is upsetting you.”
“It’s not.”
“Mum.” Bridget stared at her in concern. “I know when you’re lying.”
“Am I that transparent?” joked Miranda but it sort of turned into a sob at the same time.
“Oh, Mum.” Bridget gave her a hug and sat down with her on the sofa.
“I’m being stupid,” Miranda said and sniffled.
“Mum, you know she’s not my mum.”
“But you have a connection.”
“Only genetically You’re my mum-mum. My proper mum.”
“My head knows that,” Miranda said honestly. “But my heart isn’t listening.”
“You’re the only mother I’ve ever known!” Bridget exclaimed. “Who did I run to if I fell over and hurt myself? Who did I want if I had a bad day at school? Who dragged me on shopping trips?”
“Should I be flattered by the last one?” said Miranda but she laughed.
“Yes, you should! You were the one who made sure I did my homework, you were the one who nagged me to do my best and you were the one I was scared of if I did something wrong! Not in a bad way of course, but you know what I mean. And if I was upset I just wanted a hug from you.”
Miranda started crying.
“That’s so much more than a blood connection,” said Bridget. “You know it is. You were the one who supported me through everything – you and Dad. You were the one who looked after me all through being pregnant, you were amazing and I was so scared. You will never, ever stop being my mother or India’s grandmother. You’re her nan. We both love you more than anything and so does Riley.”
“Darling,” said Miranda and she hugged Bridget again. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I’ve been weird about all of this.”
“It’s okay.”
“Is it hard seeing her?” asked Miranda. “If you don’t mind me asking.”
“It was a little,” said Bridget after thinking. “It was emotional. It’s less hard now.”
“I thought you didn’t like her.”
“I understand why now,” said Bridget. “I empathise with her. I know why she worried so when I was pregnant. She had a very hard time.”
“I’m glad,” said Miranda, “that you’ve made peace with her. I was so stupid – I was so scared she’d take you away from me. I was selfish.”
“You’re my mum. You’re my only mum.”
“What about her daughters? Could they ever be your sisters?”
“Maybe. I want to stay in touch with them anyway, I want to get to know them.”
Miranda was quiet for a moment and then she said,
“I’m sorry,” again. “I was being stupid.”
“No, you were being motherly,” Bridget told her and gave her a hug. “And speaking of being motherly...I do need some motherly advice.”
“All right.”
“India is still unhappy about getting a new sibling,” Bridget told her. “And I told her ages ago, included her in it, tried to make her excited and she still gets angry about it and think we’ll forget about her. She cried last night.”
“Well, I’m not sure. I never went through it with you two.”
“But if you had...?”
“Maybe talk about when you were pregnant with her,” Miranda suggested. “And what that was like and when she was born. Remind her of how she can be a special big sister and help out and how important she’ll be.”
“She’s definitely got a case of Only Child syndrome, if that’s what it’s called. She wants us all to herself.”
“She’ll have to get used to it. She will. All children do, it just takes some longer than others.”
“What if she never does?” asked Bridget, worried.
“Don’t panic about things that haven’t happened. And ask her how she’s feeling about it all and try and clear up any doubts she has. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy Bridget, or sorted out instantly, but it should help. I hope it does anyway. And I’ll have a word with her when she comes over next week.”
“Thanks Mum,” said Bridget gratefully and then she groaned. “I really don’t want to go back to work.”
Steve and Riley came back.
“We’re not interrupting Girl Talk are we? Because if we are I’m sure there’s something else we can find at the shop.”
“Hardly,” scoffed Bridget. “We do have non-girly conversations you know!”
“Is this Marie?” asked Miranda, picking up a photo that had fallen out of Riley’s pocket and he went red.
“Oh Riley,” teased Bridget. “Carrying her photo around!”
“Shut up,” he mumbled.
“She’s pretty,” Bridget said. Marie had black curly hair and was half-smiling at the camera. “When do we get to meet her?”
“Never at this rate!”
“Oh ignore them,” Miranda said as Bridget and Steve laughed at him. “They don’t understand.”
“We understand all too well,” said Steve with a wink and he and Bridget laughed again.
Riley walked Bridget to her car.
“Are you going to see Joanna again?”
“Maybe,” he said quietly. “It was hard though, but I feel like I got answers. I feel a lot better. I feel a lot less angry than I did.”
Bridget gave him a hug.
“I’d like Josie and Clara to see me when I’m not shouting. I hope I didn’t frighten them too much.”
“They’re okay. Riley,” said Bridget, changing the subject, “were you jealous of me when I was born?”
“Not really,” he said with a frown. “It was all so long ago. I was more protective of you I think – I didn’t get jealous until you were a bit older and got away with absolutely everything by being cute. If only they knew.”
Bridget laughed.
“Goodnight, Riley.”
“Goodnight Didge.”
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Post by Bee on Apr 3, 2010 11:00:45 GMT
That was great Sophie!! as always!!
I can't wait til the girls meet India (:
Can't wait for more too (:
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Post by sophie on Apr 3, 2010 21:06:05 GMT
Thanks guys! That night Bridget had a dream. She was back at Erinsborough High, back in her dress but as she walked through the corridors people whispered and they laughed. Bridget felt confused and wondered why but then maybe it was just a silly school thing. She was in the classroom, she slid into her seat and everyone looked away but she heard their whispers: "Knocked up!" "Bridget Parker's pregnant!" "But no," she said in confusion. "Not now. I'm too old for school." "We're in Year 11," Donna told her and then suddenly Fitzy walked in. Everyone looked to the board and Bridget looked for her books but there were none in her bag and she had no pen. He frowned at her. "What are you doing here?" he asked. "You shouldn't be here. You can't learn now." "No," Bridget said in confusion and then someone was saying, "Wake up Didge...wake up..." Her eyes fluttered open and she was lying in bed with the sun streaming through the curtains. It was early on Monday morning and Declan was looking at her. "You were dreaming." "Yes," she said, sitting up, still feeling rather fuzzy. "It was a dumb dream." "What was it?" "I dreamt I was back at school and everyone was laughing at me for being pregnant." "You've never dreamt that before." He frowned. "I have," she contradicted. "Years ago, when I found out I was pregnant with India. I've never dreamt it since. It was so funny, it was like warning me about school that day." "Well, we're not in school now." He gave her a kiss. "Thank God." "You never liked it, did you?" "What was there to like?" "Learning." "You're still such a super-geek!" He laughed and gave her a peck on the cheek. "But I hope India is too." "She's a good reader. She should do well when she goes into Grade One. Oh my baby, in Grade One!" Bridget felt her eyes mist over. "Don't be silly," said Declan, but Bridget saw him rub his eyes when she thought she wasn't looking. "She's still tiny. Years of school left." "I still don't think she's old enough to be there," said Bridget, sighing. "I know. She's not there today though, not for another few weeks. I wish I didn't have to be anywhere either!" He sighed and pulled himself out of bed. "Oh, you've got work today!" remembered Bridget, pulling herself up too and he grimaced. "Let me make you breakfast or something," Bridget offered. "You can stay in bed if you want." "I'll keep you company." Bridget got herself up and they went into the kitchen. As they drank some coffee Bridget thought over her dream and of school and she said, "Hey, Dec?" "Yeah?" "Do you know where our photos of school are? Like, of Year 12?" "Why?" "I thought I'd show some to Indy. That'd be a nice thing to do today. I can tell her about when I was pregnant with her – minus all the bad bits of course." Declan thought. "They're in that cupboard," he said finally. "In that big cardboard box. Amongst a jumble of other ones." "Dec," Bridget groaned. "Did we never get round to sorting them out?" "Afraid not. I remember when we moved out of your parents' house we just threw them all together, it was easier." "And we never sorted them since?" "We always meant to and never did." "Oh, well, I guess that's my project of the day. Do you know where in the box they are?" "No idea. They're old, so probably near the bottom." She groaned again. "I've got to rush," said Declan, and he gave her a quick kiss. "Say good morning to Indy from me!" Then he was gone. Bridget got showered and dressed and she noticed for the first time that her waistline had the hint of feeling tighter and she knew it wasn't due to the chocolatey pudding she had given into the other night. She looked in the mirror and there was no real visible change but she knew it had begun. India still wasn't up and it was still quite early so Bridget heaved the box out of the cupboard. Nothing was labelled so she took out the packets and flicked through and jumble certainly was the word. There were ones from a few months ago where she, Declan and India had gone for a weekend to the coast, just before she had got pregnant she realised, and very, very old ones Steve and Miranda had given her of when she and Riley were children and were messing about by a river somewhere. Fondly she took the packet out. She could remember that weekend; Riley had been fourteen and for once had played with her properly and not acted like he had been too cool for a little sister. Then there were ones of Year 11 camp and she laughed at her hair and clothes she had worn and how young they had looked, and how daring they all seemed, or thought they had been. Bridget took that out as well and decided to show it to Zeke and Rachel. How funny, she realised – they hadn't even met Donna then. And she had been pregnant by the end of that year- how young she had looked. She had looked so innocent. Bridget had never thought it would happen to her. Then right at the bottom were the ones she wanted; end of Year 11 and Year 12. Masses of photos. Bridget scooped them up, pleased to have found them, and went to get her daughter up. "India," said Bridget when she was dressed, "I've got something to show you. Some pictures." India, curious, followed her mother into the sitting room, carrying Teddy and saw all the photos ready. She leant over her mother's shoulder and saw a seventeen-year-old Bridget with a tiny bump in a school dress smiling with Rachel. "It's you!" she exclaimed. "You and Auntie Rachel, ages ago!" "Look, India, you're in my tummy. Do you see that bump? That's you!" "That's me?" she asked curiously. "Yes, that's you. A few months before you were born. I'd had my scan of you a little while before that so I knew you were okay." "Did you know my name?" "You know how we found your name - it's where we're going to go one day to help children who aren't as lucky as you. I was telling you a story about when we'll go to India and when I said your name you stopped crying." "Didn't you think of my name before?" "Well, we didn't know if you were going to be a boy or a girl." "But I'm a girl, Mummy!" said India, affronted. "I'm definitely a girl!" "Yes, I know now – and I had a feeling you would be – but we didn't know for sure until you were born. Daddy thought you'd be a boy." "Me, a boy?" said India and she giggled. "No, I can't imagine you as a boy either." Bridget looked through some more of the photos and found some older ones and then laughed. She had found some of her, Rachel and Donna in face masks and suddenly she realised something. "You were in my tummy there as well," she said thoughtfully. "And I didn't even know it." "Why didn't you know?" India asked curiously. "Well, there are signs that let a woman know she's pregnant – having a baby – and I hadn't had them yet." "What kind of signs?" "Feeling sick and not liking your food, that kind of thing." "How did you find out?" "I did a special test." "Were you happy when you knew I was in your tummy?" "Well – I was very, very happy when you were born. Never so happy in my life." "What about when you found out?" "I was surprised," Bridget admitted. "But happy in the end." "Why were you surprised? The book says –" "There you are again," said Bridget hurriedly. "A bit bigger there." It was during the play rehearsals. "Why do you look smaller then bigger?" "Because you were growing into a baby and we couldn't see you straightaway. You can't see your baby brother or sister in my tummy yet but you will soon. You'll be able to see him or her." "I'll look in your tummy?" "No, you'll know I'll be having a baby because my tummy will get big." "Oh. Did you like having me in your tummy?" "Yes." Bridget pulled her onto her lap. "I felt you kick me and it felt very funny, it was you saying hello." "Is the baby kicking now?" "No, not yet, but I'll let you know when it does. And when your little brother or sister is born you can tell them all about when they were in my tummy. You can tell them lots of things." India looked thoughtful. "Oh look," said Bridget, "there's me and Daddy when we got married." It was one of the more casual shots from Donna's phone, not like the framed ones they had in the house. "You look pretty Mummy," said India. "But big," she added honestly. "You were just about ready to be born. You kicked a lot, I think you were happy and saying congratulations. And then we went to a music festival a little while later and that's where you were born." "What's a music festival?" "It's where people go to listen to lots of music and have a bit of a party." "Is that where people go to have babies?" Bridget laughed. "No, not usually. You were special." "Are you having the next baby at a music festival?" "No," said Bridget firmly. "Definitely not." "Where's that?" India picked up a picture of her being held by Bridget in her nursery. "Why's it all pink?" "You know where that is. That was at Nan and Grandpa Steve's house where we used to live. We lived there for a year after you were born, and when you were born, Grandpa Steve went and made you a special bedroom. It was lovely. It was pink because you were a girl." "But I don't like pink." "We didn't know that yet." "Is the baby's bedroom going to be pink?" "We don't know if it'll be a girl." "I'm not a baby now, am I?" India asked. "I'm going into Grade One, I'm a big girl!" "Oh, I still think you're my baby sometimes," said Bridget and she tickled her and India wriggled and shrieked happily, hoping that her mother would still play with her the same way after the baby came. A little while later Bridget decided to try and sort the box of photos out. She had a pen and decided to sort them into sections after writing down the dates, feeling very organised, but the next pack of photos were just after Indy was born; her first week. Bridget dropped the pen and looked at them all, her heart swelling and she wondered where her little baby had gone. Bridget ended up spending most of the day looking and laughing at the photos and, after noticing the time, she hurriedly threw them all back in the box in no order whatsoever and that, she remembered, was why they were never properly sorted. Besides the ones of camp she kept out the rediscovered ones of India and looked over them fondly again several times that day.
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Post by jess on Apr 4, 2010 0:39:08 GMT
awww that was sweet
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Post by Bee on Apr 4, 2010 0:49:11 GMT
That was brilliant Sophie
I'd always wondered what the photos decget and India would have been if they'd still been together...
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Post by suse on Apr 4, 2010 7:48:12 GMT
Just caught up on all of the updates Sophie. I love the conversations Indy has with her parents. They make me all melancholy. Fantastic stuff as always .
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Post by sophie on Apr 5, 2010 10:33:38 GMT
Thanks guys!
Rachel came over for lunch the next day and India started hugging her before she could properly get through the door.
“Let me go sweetie,” she said, laughing. “I have to get inside. Where’s your mummy?”
As if on cue Bridget appeared, smiling.
“Let Auntie Rachel go Indy.”
Reluctantly she did so but she clung onto her hand.
“Mummy found some photos.”
“Did she?”
“Just wait till you see them Rach,” said Bridget. “Talk about blast from the past.”
“Oh my God!” said Rachel, laughing, when Bridget showed them to her. “Look at how young we are! Look at our hair!”
“Look at my hair more like. You looked nice.”
“You didn’t look too awful.”
“My hair’s so short there,” wondered Bridget. Her hair now came to her shoulders, though it was still incredibly curly. India’s was going the same way and Bridget tried to keep it fairly short as it was such a nightmare to comb and wash.
“Look at Zeke!” laughed Rachel. “Look at how young he looks! And he and Taylah have that goofy smile!”
“We probably asked for a picture of the happy couple or something corny like that.”
“Probably,” echoed Rachel. “Don’t we look funny?” They were all sat in a row in the tent.
“There’s one of Fitzy and Libby,” said Bridget in surprise. “I wonder why we took that.”
“Maybe because Libby’s my stepsister? I don’t remember.”
“We’ll have to show these to Zeke later,” said Bridget gathering the photos up. “We’ll have to make sure Jessica sees them so he can be embarrassed.”
“You are evil.”
“They’re married! It’s not like I’m showing them to her on their first date!”
“You’re still evil,” said Rachel, but she laughed. “Oh look, what’s this? Is this our little Didge?”
“Put it down!” Bridget exclaimed. Rachel had found a photo of her aged eight with her hair exploding, it looked like, out from her head and she wore a bright orange t-shirt and pink shorts.
“The height of nineties fashion!”
“You can blame Mum for that, not me. What was she thinking?”
“I’m thanking her,” said Rachel, tucking it away before Bridget could stop her. “Someone else is getting embarrassed later.”
“Rachel, you’re the more evil one! At least Zeke is wearing normal clothes and doesn’t have hair defying gravity!”
“As if I’m leaving a gem like that behind,” Rachel said with a wicked smile.
“No!"
“I’m not taking my eyes off that bag,” Rachel warned her. “You’re not sneaking that back out!”
“Fine,” Bridget sighed. “I’ll get it back some other way!”
“No you won’t.”
“Honestly though, what were people thinking in the nineties? Who thought bright clashing colours were a good idea?”
“I don’t know, but I’m still very grateful to your mum.”
“Aren’t you lucky?” Bridget asked, turning to her daughter. “That I don’t dress you like that?”
“I don’t like my school dress.”
“Well, you have to wear that.”
Bridget made some sandwiches and they sat down to lunch but Rachel took a long time to eat hers.
“Is it okay?” Bridget asked, concerned. “I can make you a different one if you don’t like it. I thought it was your favourite.”
“No, it’s not that,” said Rachel, putting it down. “Sorry Didge. I’m just feeling a bit queasy today, a bit sick. I think I’m getting a bug.”
India stared at her. She dropped her sandwich and stared at her.
“What is it Indy?” asked Rachel. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Auntie Rachel,” said India breathlessly, “you’re going to have a baby!”
Rachel and Bridget stared at her in confusion and then started laughing.
“I’m not having a baby,” Rachel said.
“Indy, why would you think that?” Bridget asked.
“Because she has the signs!”
Rachel still felt confused but the penny dropped for Bridget.
“Oh!”
“I’m still in the dark here!”
“Sorry Rach,” said Bridget, turning to her best friend. “I told India that you know you’re pregnant if you feel sick and don’t want your food. It’s my fault.”
“Are you sure?” demanded India. “Have you taken the test? I hope it’s not too hard, I don’t know what kind of stuff you have to know. Or maybe it’s a running test. Stop laughing!” she shouted, as Bridget and Rachel burst into helpless peals of laughter. “Why’s it so funny?” she demanded angrily. “Stop laughing!”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” said Bridget, wiping her eyes and trying to control her giggles. “But that’s not what you do for a pregnancy test.”
She couldn’t help it and started laughing again.
“What do you do?”
“Well...you use a stick.”
“What kind of stick?”
“A special stick that tells you. You can buy one in a chemist.”
“Oh.”
“I’m sorry for laughing,” said Rachel. “Forgive me?”
“Okay.”
“I promise I’m not having a baby. I just know I’m not. If you’re feeling a bit ill it doesn’t always mean that.”
“Okay.”
“Finish your sandwich,” Bridget told her, “and we’ll do something fun after lunch.”
“What are your plans for the rest of the week?” Rachel asked her.
“Well, we’re all going out tonight to see Zeke and Jessica and Donna. And then India’s going to Mum’s all day tomorrow. I’ve got to start back at work.” Bridget wrinkled her nose. “But I guess it’s money. And then you’re looking after India on Thursday and then on Friday I’m going to Joanna’s with Riley to see Clara and Josie again.”
“Does it feel weird, being back in contact?”
“I guess it always will a little,” Bridget said truthfully. “But it feels better than before. Less weird. I’m glad Riley wants to know them all as well.”
“What’s it like getting two instant sisters?”
“Great,” Bridget said and she smiled. “They’re a handful but they’re brilliant kids, even if Clara’s going through a phase. But it’s hard on her so you’ve got to understand why she’s lashing out now and then.”
“Yeah.”
“Do I lash out?” asked India.
“Only when you’re being naughty,” Bridget told her, “and feeing grumpy.”
“How does London like his new home?” Rachel asked her and India beamed.
“He’s very happy!”
“Finish your sandwich and we’ll take you to the park,” Bridget told her and India, thrilled, finished it as quickly as she could and raced into her room to fetch London and Teddy.
“What are you doing?” Bridget laughed as she saw Rachel clutching her bag very tightly.
“I don’t trust you to not get that photo back and it has to be shared!”
Bridget groaned.
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Post by Bee on Apr 5, 2010 14:56:18 GMT
haha this is great Sophie..i laughed all the way through it!
cant wait for more!
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Post by sophie on Apr 6, 2010 20:34:17 GMT
Thanks!
"I want to come!"
"Indy, sweetie, we're going to be out late."
"I can stay up late!"
"No, you're too little. You need to go to bed earlier and children can't go to bars anyway."
"I still want to come." India pouted.
"India, you're going to hurt Grandma's feelings. She's going to look after you tonight and you'll have fun."
"But I'm just going to have a bath and go to bed," India whined. "I hate baths and I hate going to bed."
"We'll still have fun Indy," Rebecca said brightly. "You don't have to go to bed straight away and I'll read you a story."
"I guess," India said but she still didn't sound that happy.
"You'll have a lovely time with Grandma." Bridget gave her a kiss. "I'll see you in the morning and you won't think we've been gone long at all."
"She'll be fine," Rebecca said.
"And you've definitely got our mobile numbers?" Declan checked. "Call us straightaway if you're worried. We'll be back by twelve."
"We'll be fine. You two have a great evening and say hello to everyone from me." Rebecca waved at them as they finally left the house and India waved sadly as well.
"She's just sulky about not coming," Declan said to Bridget who looked a little upset. "She'll have stopped thinking about it in no time."
"I know," Bridget sighed. "I need to stop feeling bad whenever I leave her – she is six now!"
They reached the bar a little while later.
"Oh, there's Zeke! And Jessica!" said Bridget, peering across the people's heads. "And there's – no!"
Ringo was sitting with them and grinned at their surprised faces.
"What are you doing here?!" cried Bridget and Declan gave him a light punch. "You never told us you were coming!"
"I wanted to see the look on your faces. I'm only here for a couple of days, it's just a quick visit and Zeke said you were meeting up tonight so I decided to surprise you."
"Well, you certainly did." Bridget pulled up a chair. "How's Sydney going?"
"Great, it's brilliant. I love it out there..." Ringo started telling them all about his work as a paramedic but suddenly stopped halfway through his spiel when Donna came in and she smiled nervously at him.
Donna and Ringo had split up several years ago but it was still slightly awkward whenever they met up.
"Just friends!" they'd exclaim firmly and they both stayed in touch and swapped e-mails but Bridget had to wonder if they'd ever truly got over each other. But, they said, it had been the for the best that they'd split up and maybe it was, Bridget didn't know but she did know there'd always be something between them.
"Hey," said Ringo nervously and got up and offered Donna his chair.
"You didn't have to get up," Donna replied equally nervously but she took his chair anyway and thanked him.
"So how're you guys?" Zeke asked Declan and Bridget before things could get too awkward. "I haven't spoken to you both for a while."
"We're having another baby," said Bridget and they smiled at his surprised face. "Rachel didn't tell you?"
"No, she didn't!" said Zeke, glaring at his sister.
"Oh, I thought you should tell him yourself," said Rachel with a grin.
"How far along are you?"
"I'm not due till July. It feels forever away."
"I'm not due until next month," said Jessica suddenly, "and it feels like it will never end!"
Jessica was a sweet woman with curly, nearly auburn curls. She was almost exactly the same age as Zeke and they both had the same geeky sense of humour and laughed at things no one else seemed to find that funny.
"I wish I could stay for longer," said Rachel wistfully. "I can't wait to meet him or her."
"What do you think it is?" Bridget asked.
"Not sure," Zeke said. "But it's not too long to wait now!"
"Thank God," commented Jessica. "It really feels like I've been pregnant forever!"
She did look very tired but she smiled.
"What do you think you guys are having?"
"Boy," said Declan at the same time Bridget said,
"Girl!"
Everyone laughed.
"Well, we're not sure," Bridget admitted. "It's just a silly competition between Dec and I – if that's the right word. We're thrilled with either."
"Congratulations," Ringo said.
"I think it's a girl," said Rachel and Donna agreed.
"You're just siding with Didge," said Zeke. "I reckon it's a boy. India was a girl."
"That's what I said!" exclaimed Declan, pleased to have an ally.
"Oh, you know that has no biological backup," said Bridget and he stuck his tongue out at her childishly.
"I can't believe this has ended up boys versus girls on the gender, it's just like being back at school!" laughed Zeke.
"Yeah but it's fun," said his sister. "And I have a feeling."
"You and your feelings," scoffed Zeke. "All of your previous feelings have ended up being wrong. Like you're always been wrong about what the weather will be like. You say it won't rain and then it does or you say that it will and it doesn't. And anyway, you're just saying it's going to be a girl to side with Didge."
"I'm not. And my feelings aren't always wrong!"
Zeke sniggered.
"If I have a little girl one day," cut in Donna before an argument broke out between them, "I'm still calling her Tiffannii Jane, with two I's at the end of Tiffannii ."
Everyone groaned.
"It's a cute name! I've always thought it was cute name!"
"Only since that baby project."
"No, I liked it before that. And it suited her!"
"It suited a plastic doll, Donna?"
"Yes!"
"Well, at least it's better than Starlene," commented Bridget. "Or Crystal or Madonna."
"They're cute names!"
"You're definitely not getting a say in the name of the baby," Declan told her. "Boy or girl!"
"At least not crazy ones like that," added Bridget.
"Tiffannii's not a crazy name!"
"You can call your daughter that, just not ours!" laughed Bridget but not unkindly.
"If it's a girl," reminded Declan and she stuck her tongue out at him this time.
"I hated that baby project," said Rachel with feeling. "I thought that thing would never shut up."
"I know," said Donna and everyone agreed fervently. Bridget felt a little funny - that was when she had found out she would be having a baby for real and a quick look at Declan showed that he seemed to be feeling the same. They looked down and felt strange for a moment as everyone discussed how terrible it had been, oblivious to how they were feeling.
"So what has everyone been up to anyway?" Rachel asked and the conversation dissolved to comparisons of their last few days and away from arguments over baby names.
"Is it really okay being back in contact with Joanna?" Zeke asked anxiously.
"It's fine actually. And I'm happy I'm getting to know Josie and Clara."
"I guss I'm happy for you then," Zeke said, sounding a little unsure. "But you can call me if you want to talk about it."
"I know." Bridget smiled. Zeke was one of the best friends you could ask for.
"I heard India had some confusion over the meaning of a pregnancy test," Zeke said and Bridget and Rachel launched into an explanation.
"And then India said," finished Didge, "what do you have to know for a pregnancy test? And then she asked if it was a like a fitness test!"
Everyone laughed.
"Poor Indy. She must have been so confused."
"Look what I found," Didge said with a grin and she whipped out the camp photos and everyone crowded round and groaned.
"Look at us!"
Zeke tried to cover up a photo of him but Jessica grabbed it out of his hand.
"Oh, look at you!" she laughed. "Don't you look cute?"
"I look dumb."
"No you don't. You should have seen my photos from back then."
"Look at Declan's necklace!" laughed Donna and he went red.
"I totally forgot you wore that!" exclaimed Rachel. "Very sexy!"
"Ah, well, it worked for Didge anyway," teased Zeke and Declan and Bridget blushed.
"It was cool, okay?" mumbled Declan. "Or I thought it was at the time anyway."
"Where is it now?"
"I don't know. In a drawer somewhere. Hopefully I've thrown it away."
"Oh, you should keep it," said Donna. "To remind you of when you first fell for Didge!"
"Shut up Donna," mumbled the embarrassed pair but they had to smile.
"I've got an interesting photo of someone," announced Rachel and she whipped out the incriminating photo before Bridget could stop her.
Everyone fell into hysterical laughter.
"Nice t-shirt," commented Ringo.
"I like your fluorescent necklace," remarked Donna and Bridget couldn't even tell if she was being serious or not. Knowing Donna, she probably actually meant it.
"Why have I never seen this before?" asked Declan, who was holding his sides, he was laughing so hard.
"Because I did a good job of hiding it," Bridget mumbled, feeling her face going a deep hue of scarlet. "Until this one found it!" She jerked her head at Rachel who was laughing as hard as her husband. "Some friend you are!"
"Oh, it had to be done Didge," Rachel said, gasping for air. "It was too good not to!"
"If it makes you feel any better," Zeke told Bridget, "Rachel had a Spice Girls t-shirt she insisted on wearing every day."
"I did not! I didn't....oh fine. We all loved the Spice Girls anyway. Including Zeke."
They all laughed at her.
"I wish I could have gone on that camp," Donna said, peering over the photos. "It looked fun."
"I only managed to fall off a bike," Rachel said. "And Dec nearly wet himself after seeing a snake."
"I did not nearly wet myself!" shouted Declan as everyone burst into laughter and other customers turned to look at him. "It was surprising, okay? You'd have screamed too!"
"I think you had a special pitch down! You sounded just like a little girl with that scream!"
"I did not...oh shut up," he said sulkily and they laughed again.
"It really is the old gang again," Bridget said, sighing happily when Jessica had gone to the toilet. Donna looked a little left out as she wasn't in the camp photos and Bridget saw and pulled out some more from Year 11.
"Look – there's some more school ones."
She, Rachel and Donna were sitting on a wall sticking their tongues out.
"Oh look at us!" laughed Donna happily. "You guys made school bearable!"
"You made school entertaining! Crazy Donna Freedman – crazy in a good way," Bridget added hurriedly as Donna looked slightly hurt. "Crazy in the best way."
"Yeah," Donna said and she smiled. "You guys were great. You were my first friends."
Jessica came back and they stayed for another couple of hours and then headed back.
"Wasn't it great catching up?" sighed Bridget happily, putting her arm round Declan. "I never realise how much I miss everyone until we're all together."
"I know what you mean."
"It's just not the same when we're all spread out."
"Yeah, Rachel and Ringo are so far away."
"I guess it makes it more special when we all meet up. But it is a shame."
"Yeah, it is."
"How exciting for Zeke and Jessica! He or she's going to be born so soon. Jessica looked so sick of being pregnant."
"I bet she was glad someone else couldn't drink either."
"Yeah. It's not too long for her now."
They carried on walking.
"Declan," said Bridget hesitantly, "did it make you feel weird when they went on about the baby project?"
He paused.
"Yeah. That was when we found out, wasn't it?"
"Yep. I had no clue."
Bridget looked up at the sky for a moment. "That was the worst week ever," she said finally. "But we were lucky really, weren't we?"
"We were." He gave her a kiss.
Bridget took out her key and quietly they went in. Rebecca was watching some silly show but she turned it off and came out to greet them.
"She's out like a light."
"Was she well-behaved?"
"A little sulky at first but not naughty. She was fine and went to bed without a fuss. Did you two have a good night?"
"It was great. I wish we could do it more."
"Thanks for looking after her Mum," Declan said and Bridget added,
"Yeah, thanks. You know how much we appreciate it."
"I'm happy for any excuse to look after my gorgeous granddaughter!"
Rebecca stayed a little longer and then went home.
Bridget and Declan quickly checked their daughter's room, smiled to see that she was soundly asleep and then went to bed. It had been a fantastic night.
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Post by Bee on Apr 7, 2010 7:02:30 GMT
that was great Sophie!! as always!!
cant wait for more!
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