"Here's the Story"
--Chapter 1--
A/N—Here's the prequel to my "Welcome Aboard" series. The first chapter is set toward the end of the 2nd season of the Brady Bunch. I'm going to use some flashbacks, and do both partial episode rewrites and episode allusions, and my goal is to go through the 5th season of the series. I'm using the layout of the house that finally evolved throughout each of the TV series. There were a few times when Tiger jumped from somewhere underneath the stairs and it was never explained what that somewhere was. However, in the Christmas movie, it was a bathroom. So, here's the story........
Carol is sitting at the kitchen table, with her hand on her head and a cup of seltzer water in front of her. A wave of nausea pours through her body and it takes every fiber of her being to keep from throwing up buckets. Beads of sweat pour from her brow, down her face. Alice is cleaning up the breakfast dishes. She sees that Carol is about to get sick and brings over a cool, damp washcloth.
Alice: Mrs. Brady, are you okay?
Carol: I...I think I'm gonna be sick. She jumps up, almost knocking the cup over, runs to the bathroom behind the stairs, and empties the contents of her stomach. She rinses her mouth out and goes back to the kitchen. Have the kids gone off to school?
Alice looks up and sees that she's pale as a sheet.
Alice: Why don't you go to bed? You don't look like you're feeling well.
Carol: Shoots her a look. I'm fine. The kids?
Alice: The troops shoved off about an hour ago. Mr. Brady said you were sleeping and didn't want to wake you. She studies the pale blonde woman before her. Are you sure you're feeling okay?
Carol: Hesitantly. I...I think I just need some dry toast or crackers.
Alice: Are you sure?
Carol: Nods and sits back at the table. Her seltzer water is still there. Yeah.
Alice: How 'bout some hot tea? That might help settle your stomach.
Carol nods and Alice gives her a cup of tea. She sips at it and in between, nibbles on a couple soda crackers. Mike walks through the kitchen, dressed in a suit, with briefcase in hand, on his way to work. He kisses his wife on the top of her head.
Mike: Hey, how are you feeling?
Carol: Ugh, like I've been run over by a Mac truck.
Mike: A concerned look spreads across his face. Honey, don't you think you should go to the doctor? You've been sick for over a week.
Carol: Brushes him off. I'll be okay.
Mike: Carol.
Carol: Irritated, but resigned. Oh, all right. I've got an appointment this afternoon.
Mike: Good girl. I can go with you, if you want. I can let Mr. Phillips know I'm going to work at home.
Carol: No, that's okay. I'll be fine.
Mike: Are you sure?
Carol: She sighs in irritation. Yes, now go.
Mike: Gives in. Okay, if you need me, please call. I can work from home, if you need me to.
Alice: Don't worry, Mr. Brady. I'll watch her like a hawk.
Mike: Thanks, Alice.
Mike gives his wife a kiss on the cheek and leaves for work. Alice raises an eyebrow and looks at Carol.
Alice: Do you really have an appointment, or were you just snowing Mr. Brady?
Carol: Sighs. I really do have an appointment. It's at ten. She begins to explain. I haven't been feeling myself for awhile, so I thought I'd go in for a checkup.
Alice: Are you sure you're gonna be okay?
Carol: Stretches. Yeah, I need to get ready to go.
Carol starts to get up and suddenly the room begins spinning. Alice dashes over and catches her as she falls. She gently lays her on the floor. Carol begins to arouse and moans.
Alice: Mrs. Brady? Are you okay?
Carol: Tries to sit up, but the room spins, so she lies back down. Yeah. I...I just got a little dizzy, that's all. Help me sit up?
Alice: Helps Carol sit up. Okay, nice and easy. That's it.
As soon as Carol regains her bearings, she gets up and gets ready for her appointment. She walks through the kitchen. Alice is cleaning the counter tops.
Carol: I'll be back around noon or so.
Alice: Are you sure you won't let me call Mr. Brady?
Carol: Exasperated. For the last time, I'm fine.
Alice: Gives in. All right. See you later.
Carol is sitting in the doctor's office, flipping through the latest issue of Good Housekeeping magazine. She's looking at an article about the latest celebrity, gracing the cover, but she's not really reading it. Every so often, she looks at the clock and then to various posters on the wall. One is about good hand washing. Another, about the latest birth control pill. The clock ticks and the noise is annoying. Suddenly, the door opens, causing Carol to startle.
Doctor: Mrs. Brady?
Carol: Yes?
Doctor: I've got your test results from Monday. They're positive.
Carol inhales with a bit of shock, surprise, and delight.
Doctor: Congratulations. Now, let's see when this baby is due.
Carol lies back and allows the doctor to examine her. He listens to the baby's heartbeat, and takes some measurements.
Carol: So, when's this little one due?
Doctor: It looks like he or she will make an appearance around the beginning of October.
Carol: A big grin spreads across her face. Thanks.
Doctor: I'm gonna recommend that you take some prenatal vitamins and remember, don't overdo it. You're not "eating for two," like the old wives' tale suggests. I wannna see you again in a month.
Carol: Okay, thank you doctor.
Doctor: Take care, and congratulations.
The doctor leaves and Carol goes to the front desk to pay her bill.
Receptionist: Cash or charge?
Carol: Charge.
Receptionist: Takes her card, swipes it, and hands it back. Okay, the doctor wants to see you in a month. How's the fourth at ten?
Carol: Looks at her calendar. That'll be fine.
Receptionist: See you then.
Carol leaves the office and goes to "Mommy and Me" to look at clothes. She fingers the baby clothes dreamily. "I can't believe I'm gonna have a baby. I'd like to have a little boy...for Mike. In about seven and a half months, we'll have a baby in the house." She looks down and rests her hand on her abdomen.
Carol: To her baby. Oh sweetheart, I thought you were around, but I wasn't quite sure. Now I know. I love you already. Wait 'till your father hears about you. He's gonna be surprised. I know he'll love you too. So will the kids. Your big sister, Cindy's just dying to be a big sister."
A sales associate approaches Carol, breaking her out of her thought.
Associate: May I help you?
Carol: No, I'm just looking.
Associate: Okay. Just let me know if I can help you with anything.
Carol: Stops her before she walks off. Ma'am, can you show me where the maternity dresses are?
Associate: Yes, they're over by the west wall by the fitting rooms.
Carol: Thanks.
Associate: Is there anything special I can help you with?
Carol: No, not really.
Associate: How far along are you?
Carol: About six weeks. I haven't even told my husband yet.
Associate: Ah! Just came from the doctor's office.
Carol: Smiling. Yeah, I just found out.
Associate: Returns the smile. You'll find some great outfits in the section to the left of the fitting rooms.
Carol: Thanks.
Carol heads toward the clothing section the associate showed her. She thumbs through a few tops and decides to try a few on. She thinks about a couple blouses, but decides against buying any. The associate sees her walk away.
Associate: See anything you like?
Carol: Yeah, a couple, but I'm not able to buy anything right now. Thank you.
Carol drives back home and walks into the house. She sees Alice folding the laundry in the family room. Alice looks up.
Alice: Hi. Did everything go all right at the doctor's office?
Carol: Yeah.
Alice: How are you feeling? You look like you're about to burst.
Carol: Smiling. I'm fine Alice, and I'd like to tell you, but I can't right now.
Alice: Fair enough.
Carol: Sits on the couch and helps Alice fold laundry. Did Mike call?
Alice: He did and he said he'd be here for lunch.
Carol smiles and gathers up the towels for the upstairs linen closets.
Carol: I'll put these away and I'm gonna take a hot bath before Mike gets here.
Carol puts the towels away and draws herself a bath. She soaks in the tub until she hears Mike come up the stairs. She slips out of the tub, dries herself off, and puts on a robe. Mike walks into the bedroom.
Mike: Honey?
Carol: Yes?
Mike: How are you feeling?
Carol: Steps out of the bathroom and smiles. Hi!
They give each other a kiss on the lips.
Mike: How are you feeling.
Carol: I'm feeling better.
Mike sits on the bed and takes his wife into his arms. Carol slips onto his lap.
Mike: How'd it go at the doctor's office?
Carol: A grin spreads across her face. She wraps her arms around her husband and snuggles in. Well....
Mike: Curious. Well? What did he say? Is there anything wrong?
Carol: Oh, nothing that another seven and a half months won't cure. She bites her bottom lip as her nerves are getting to her.
Mike: Not quite catching on. Oh?
Carol: We're gonna have a baby!
Mike: W...we're having a baby?
Carol: Yes, I'm due in October.
Mike: Gently brushes a lock of hair from his wife's eyes. I love you. He places a gentle kiss on her lips. October. So, that means you're, uhh?
Carol: I'm about six weeks along.
Mike: Do we want to tell the kids yet?
Carol: Not today. I wanna get used to it first. I remember when we first talked about whether or not we should have more kids.
1969. A couple months before the wedding.
Mike and Carol are sitting in the porch swing on the back porch of Mike's house. The kids are playing in the yard. Greg passes the football to Peter, who throws a spiral back. Bobby is begging and complaining that they won't let him get in the game. Tiger is running around, barking. Marcia is curled up in a chair, reading a book. Jan and Cindy are spinning hula hoops. Mike puts his arm around his fiancée, and she snuggles in.
Carol: Look at them. I can't wait until we're married and we can do this all the time.
Mike: Yeah, it's gonna be great. I can't wait until the preacher pronounces us man and wife.
Carol: Me too! She raises up and looks at her fiancé. Mike, can I ask you something?
Mike: Anything.
Carol: How do you feel about us having more kids?
Mike: I don't know. I haven't thought much about it. And you?
Carol: I've been thinking about it. I know when we get married, we'll have six kids between us and that's a lot of kids, but... She trails off.
Mike: But you'd like one or two more?
Carol: Yeah. I...I didn't know how you'd feel about us having more kids. You've got the boys, and when we're married, you'll have me and the girls, so that's four more mouths to feed.
Mike: I know, and I'm happy that you and your girls will be with me, and if you want more kids, that's fine with me.
Carol: Are you sure? You're the one who brings home the bacon.
Mike: I know, but you'll be the one who will carry and give birth to them.
Carol: I know. So, what would you say if I said I want to have one or two more?
Mike: I say let's do it.
Carol: Excited. Really?
Mike: Yes, really.
Carol: Hugs her fiancé. Oh Mike! I love you!
Mike: I love you, too.
Bobby runs up on the porch, startling Mike and Carol out of their embrace.
Bobby: Daaaad, Greg and Peter won't let me play.
Greg: Annoyed. Dad, he's in the way. Peter and I are practicing. We've got a game on Saturday, remember?
Peter: Yeah, and Bobby's a shrimpo.
Bobby: I am not!
Peter: Daaad, don't make us play with him. Why can't he play with Cindy?
Mike: Bob, why don't you show Jan and Cindy the tricks you showed Tiger how to do. I know Tiger's been begging you guys to play with him.
Bobby: Okay. Runs over to Jan and Cindy. Hey guys, watch what Tiger can do!
Jan and Cindy run over to watch Bobby and Tiger do tricks. Carol chuckles at the sight.
Greg: Thanks, dad.
Greg and Peter continue to toss the football around. Greg tosses the ball, Peter misses the catch, and the ball hits Marcia upside the head.
Marcia: Mom! Mike! Greg hit me with the football!
Greg: I didn't mean to! I threw it clean, but Peter missed it.
Peter: It's not my fault!
Marcia: I don't care!
The kids start bickering with each other. Mike and Carol try to separate the trio. They see Jan, Bobby and Cindy bickering about something too.
Mike: Snickers and whispers to Carol. Are you sure you want more kids?
Carol: Flippantly. Why not? The more, the merrier!
Mike: Let's go see what the other three are bickering about.
Mike and Carol walk over to the other three.
Carol: What's going on? I thought you three were playing nicely.
Cindy: Puts her hand on her hip. Mommy, Bobby won't let me play with Tiger.
Jan: I'm staying out of it. She walks off and joins Marcia.
Carol: Well Cindy, Tiger is Bobby's dog.
Cindy: Well, you and Mike said when we get married, Tiger will be all of our's dog.
Bobby: No way! Tiger's MY dog!
Mike: Cindy's right. Now when I sat you boys down and we talked about me marrying Carol and the girls, we talked about share and share alike. Tiger's gonna be the girls' dog too, just like Fluffy's gonna be your cat.
Cindy: That's not true, is it mommy?! Fluffy's our cat!
Carol: Now Cindy, we talked about this too.
Bobby: Makes a face. Who wants a stupid ole cat anyway? Dogs are better. You can teach a dog tricks.
Cindy: Well, cats play with yarn and I even taught Fluffy how to play fetch. Plus, they sit in your lap and snuggle.
Bobby: Awww, who cares about that.
Mike: Cats and dogs are nice pets to have. You boys love Tiger and the girls love Fluffy.
Carol: We all love Tiger and Fluffy.
Cindy: Yeah. She sticks her tongue out at Bobby.
Bobby: Reluctant. Oh, all right.
Mike: Now you two play nicely with each other.
Bobby: Yes, dad.
Cindy: Okay.
Mike and Carol walk, with their arms around each other's waist, back to the porch swing.
Back to the present.
Mike: What exactly did the doctor say?
Carol: He said I'm healthy and the baby's heart sounds strong. He also wants to see me in another month. Would you go with me?
Mike: I'd love to.
Carol: Snuggles into her husband. I can't wait to see what this baby's gonna be like. I hope it's a boy who looks just like his daddy.
Mike: Or a girl, who is as beautiful as her mother. He wraps his arms around his wife and places a gentle kiss on her cheek.
--End of Chapter One--