LADY MADONNA CHAPTER EXPECTING

Lucy came out of the Greenpeace office carrying literature for her article on pollution in New York. There was one particular paper by a Stanford professor on the danger to the planet if people didn't become more aware of environmental damage which she was looking forward to reading. There was no doubt that the future could see polluted air, animal species dying out and a new phenomenon called global warming. She shivered in the November wind and began to walk quickly to keep away the cold.

She had only gone a few yards down the road when she felt the urge to go to the bathroom. Yet she had only been 15 minutes earlier. She wondered if it was a sign that her period was due as she went back into the building and asked to use the restroom. And then it occurred to her – her period had been due more than two weeks ago. Which could well mean – that she was pregnant.

Lucy didn't quite know how to react to this possibility. It would be nice for Julie, her and Jude's daughter, to have a brother or sister. Certainly they were now more financially secure. She regularly sold her articles and Jude had had considerable success with his art as well as being the resident graphic artist for Strawberry Jams, Sadie and Jojo's record label. They rented their own modest two bedroomed apartment although they would obviously need a bigger place if Lucy were pregnant. Still as she did most of her work from home having another baby shouldn't interfere too much with her career.

She hoped Jude would be pleased as she walked to the gallery where Jude was exhibiting some paintings . He had been ecstatic when Julie had been born and he absolutely doted on his daughter. They hadn't really discussed having any more children as they had wanted to wait until they were better established in their work. But now might be the right time.

Lucy bought a pregnancy test at the drug store before making her way to the gallery. He was hanging some up and had his back to her as she came in. As he heard the door open he turned around and his face broke into a smile when he saw his wife. He ran across and the two met in an embrace and a warm kiss.

"Good to see you, love," he said. "Did you get what you wanted?"

"Sure," said Lucy. "I can't wait to start writing." Then her eye caught a painting on the wall that looked like dying plants and animals bleeding into the sea. "That's a good one," she commented. "I didn't see you working on it."

"You're not the only one who cares about the environment," grinned Jude.

"I thought we'd pick Julie up from the day care centre," said Lucy. "If you're finished."

"Yeah, I will be in a few minutes," said Jude.

"I sometimes wonder if it's good for Julie to grow up an only child." Lucy decided that now was the time to break the news of her possible pregnancy. "I know you were – but you did have cousins. Don't you think it would be good for her to have a brother or sister?"

"Well, I wouldn't say no to another kid," said Jude. "I think we could afford it now. But is this a hint that you want us to try?"

"I think I might already be pregnant. I'm – late. Of course that doesn't mean that I am – but do you really want another baby?"

Jude's expression registered disbelief then surprise before breaking into a wide smile.

"How could you think I wouldn't? If you are pregnant then that's fantastic. It'd be great for Julie to have a brother or sister. And if you're not – I've no problem with us trying."

"I've got a pregnancy test – so I'll run it when we get home."

About half an hour later Jude and Lucy went to pick Julie up from the day care centre. As soon as she saw her parents she ran towards them, her cheeks turned red from the cold and matching her new red coat. With her blonde hair hanging in tow braids Lucy felt she was looking at herself at the same age. Then she smiled. At the age of 18 she had been firmly against having children because it was equal to "people putting out carbon copies of themselves," but now she was looking for her likeness in her own daughter as she crouched down and folded her in her arms.

"Well, honey. Did you enjoy yourself?"

"Yes, Mommy. And I painted this picture for you and Daddy." She held up a piece of paper which showed an abstract collection of non-descript shapes. Jude thought it wasn't 100 miles from his own abstract pictures. Perhaps, like him, she would have a talent for art.

"It's lovely, sweetheart," he said, picking her up and swinging her round. "We'll hang it up when we get home."

That evening, Lucy ran the pregnancy test. She and Jude watched in awe as the stick slowly turned blue. Then they looked into each other, their faces breaking out into smiles.

Jude had only had a couple of hours to get used to the prospect of becoming a Father again – but already he was looking forward to seeing his child come into the world, of counting their fingers and toes, of holding them for the first time and watching them grow. He caught Lucy in a bear hug and swung her around.

"Oh, God, Lucy, that's fantastic news. I can't wait." Then abruptly he let her go. "Sorry, I'll have to be careful with you from now on."

"We don't have to be that careful, Jude," laughed Lucy. "I can't be much more than a few weeks gone. I don't want to go the next eight or nine months without a hug from you."

She put her arms around his neck and their mouths met in a passionate kiss. As Jude held Lucy to him he almost fancied that he could feel the baby beginning to grow in her stomach that was pressed against his. He wondered if it would be a boy or girl. He could dote on a girl the way he did Julie but it would also be nice to have a son he could play football with and talk about cars. Still, the most important thing was that the child was healthy.