Chapter 73

They arrived at the surgery together with their wonderful secret. Tim took one look at them and said, "No mushy stuff… You're here to work sister… in law."

"When have I not worked?" Sara quipped back.

Still Ted pulled her into his office, and said, "I don't care what my brother says you're my wife. I wish you'd worn the skirt."

"Oh no, it's retired," she laughed glancing at his desk. "I've got to get settled. Patients will be here soon." She kissed him on the cheek and then turned on her heels to leave.

She had a busy day. It felt much the same as when she worked as a student, but different. The openness of her relationship with Ted made everything a bit strange. Then of course she was greeting her patients as Sara Turner. Mr. Shaw came in for a blood pressure and other routine checks and he smiled at Sara.

"I told you I'd be back," she said smiling.

"You're really married to the doc now? Of course you are... you look happy," he answered himself and continued, "I hope he knows he's a lucky man."

"He certainly does, but I'm the lucky one," she smiled and continued by explaining that he had checked out just fine. She realized when he came back in six months, he'd have another surprise. She couldn't believe all her dreams were coming true and she was going to have a baby.

She joined the others for lunch and Tim said, "I thought you two would want to be alone,"

"Maybe tomorrow," Teddy winked.

"Could you be a bit less happy…?" Angela said.

"Ange, you act like we're the only ones in love, but Michael would disagree," Ted said.

"The Yank still goes all mushy whenever she walks in the room. How he puts up with her bossing him around. I'll never understand," Tim commented.

"I don't boss… Tim, you're the one getting bossed around," Angela argued.

Sara laughed and asked, "Is this what always goes on during your lunches, doctors?"

"Oh ignore us. I'm feeling sorry for myself, because Michael is on a book tour in the States for a fortnight," Angela admitted.

"You know Jules will help with the boys," Tim said.

"The boys and I will be fine. Now that Sara's here, I can leave a bit earlier and Teddy's owes me years of being on call, so he's covering."

"Yes, we quite enjoy having you on call during the week now little brother," Tim added.

Sara was aware that her marriage benefited Ted's brother and sister when it came to coverage for the surgery. Ted could start taking on his share of the load. She also knew that the two siblings spent a lot of time worrying about their brother and they certainly had eliminated any cause for worry. Ted was happy… She certainly hoped that he was. He had told her that she would need to decide when she was ready for a baby, so she never told him when she stopped taking the pill. She really wanted to surprise him. She never expected that she would conceive so quickly. Ted did remind her that he was not as young as her and that was the main reason she chose to have a baby so soon, after finally being certified as a Physician's Associate.

Later that evening after they had left the surgery together as Tim was shouting after them, "Oh look, they're the first ones out the door now!"... after the children were tucked up, Ted said, "I've thought about nothing but your news all day."

"I know I took you by surprise and should have told you when I stopped using birth control, but before we married you…" Sara said nervously.

"Sara, darling, I couldn't be happier. I thought I had shared that with you this morning…"

"You did. I'm a bit nervous. I never thought it would work so soon…"

"We gave it plenty of chances and I certainly have never had any problems in the past," Ted said as he held her hand and rubbed her knuckles with his thumb. He added, "We're very lucky, my love."

"I love you," she said.

"It's okay to be nervous. What's going on inside here..." he said placing his hand approximately over her uterus and continued, "... is the most amazing, complex and scary thing, but it's our thing and we'll experience it all together. I know a lot about this… I am a doctor after all."

Sara thought he was going to say he'd been through it twice before. She didn't really wish it was new for him, because she loved Bernadette and Patrick too much. She leaned over and kissed him. "You are the most wonderful husband ever."

Michael managed to call Angela that night. "So how was Sara's first day, love?" Michael asked.

"It was good. She's really is wonderful. Of course, Tim kept teasing them. I'd like to keep my husband around so we could snog during the day," she commented.

"Your husband is busy with the release of his new book and is on a ridiculous ten city US tour which is keeping him away from his wife and sons for a fortnight…"

"A fortnight… You're sounding very British. When do you see your family?" she asked.

"I have an afternoon free right before I leave and I've got tickets to a game too," he said.

Angela smiled she knew her husband gave up a lot for her when he moved to London, but he refused to give up his sport, especially baseball. Tim did his nut anytime one of the boys wore a Red Sox shirt and they liked to wear their shirts purposely when they knew Uncle Tim would see them. Michael had redeemed himself, because he was also a Liverpool fan. Andrew and Alex loved going to games with their Dad and Uncles. She knew her dad would be proud.

"My mother can't understand why I'm not staying for Easter. She got into the whole thing about religion. I wish she'd realize that I haven't strayed that far from her Church."

"You'll be back a week before Easter. You need to spend Easter with me and the boys… and my family," Angela said.

"I prefer your family. I've got to go. I love you," he said.

She looked at her phone and decided to go to bed, which she found to be empty and cold.

Tim came home in a good mood. This wasn't unusual, when was he not? She greeted him at the door and dinner was ready. At the table, he told her and mum about Sara's first day. "They're not hiding now… They're so mushy."

"Timothy, I can't imagine that both Ted and Sara would behave in anyway other, than professionally," Shelagh said.

"Well it's nice having another set of hands we're always so busy…"

"Tim dear, both the girls are going to be around this weekend. It's a lovely surprise. We always seem to see one not both," Julie said excited. She was already mentally planning Sunday. She'd have everyone over of course. Angela would enjoy the diversion since Michael would be away.

At lunch, Tim asked Sara, "Are you all set for Saturday night?"

Sara assured him that plans for Julie's party were set. Teddy added, "I've even offered to entertain the four kids that afternoon."

Sara said, "I need to call and ask her to watch the kids on Saturday night."

"She's excited that the girls are coming home. She may not want to," Tim said.

Angela laughed and said, "Julie say no to spending time with children! You've told her that you're on call…"

"The girls were supposed to mention seeing friends at the pub," Sara added.

Ted said, "Do you really think we can pull one over on Julie? She was the only one who figured out about me and Sara."

Everyone laughed and Sara said, "It's worth a try."

That evening Sara called Julie whilst Ted was at his lecture. "Oh Sara! How's work?"

"It's wonderful. I was wondering if you would want to watch Bernadette and Patrick Saturday night. Ted wants to celebrate my return to the surgery with dinner out."

"Of course, you're still newlyweds. You deserve a night out. Besides the girls are coming home, but will be off seeing friends at the pub."

"Oh will we see them on Sunday?" Sara asked trying to sound surprised.

"I would think so," Julie said happily.

The week flew by and Saturday Sara was busy all day. Angela arrived with Mum. Julie thought Mum was spending the day with Angela seeing as Michael was away. Marianne and Evangelina came over as well. There was food to prepare and streamers to hang. Sara was glad that Ted insisted on continuing the housekeeper. She would never have had time to clean their home.

Marianne said, "I haven't been here in forever. I see you have some new photographs."

"Mostly just from the wedding. This one of the four of us is my favorite," Sara said.

"It's lovely. They're lucky to have you," Marianne smiled.

Ted came in, looked at Angela and said, "Wish me luck. At least their age difference isn't like ours with Tim."

Sara thought it will be close as Andrew will be fifteen when her baby's born.

"I'd go help if I wasn't needed here," Marianne said.

Sara said, "If you'd rather help Ted with the children, we can make do."

Angela agreed, "Go!"

The only thing that concerned Sara was whether Tim could keep Julie occupied because she did like to pop over. He would be called just minutes before Julie was due to leave to mind the children.

They were all in the kitchen setting food out on trays whilst Evangelina was telling of her recent audition for a band.

"A band?" Shelagh asked.

"It's a bit of a jazz band and big band, Grandma. It plays classic songs... some from your era."

"Like Jim Reeves and Doris Day?" she asked.

"I'm not sure, but Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole…" she said, "This would be a side gig. I have a few of those, but I am supporting myself with music."

Angela said, "Evie, I'm not sure anyone doubts you and your music."

"I'm just not like the rest of the family…"

"You have four cousins that are too young to show their interests. Andrew doesn't seem to have medicine as a calling, but then again video games is not a calling," Angela teased and added, "What we want to know about are the boys!"

"Oh they're out there. I've been seeing a nice fella for a few weeks. It's not that serious," she said.

Ted was glad to have his niece with him. He would have prefered Sara, but she was busy. He'd be glad when this party was over. He would need to make sure she got plenty of rest. She said her only symptoms were tender breasts, which he found out about the hard way. She was also tired, but it had been a busy week with returning to work and planning a party.

They went out to lunch or in Turner family tradition an all day breakfast and took their time, because they had plenty of it. The boys talked about sport and video games.

"What about school who likes maths?" Ted asked. Bernadette and Alex put their hands up. "History?" Andrew raised his. "I know, biology?" Marianne raised her hand of course. "Literature and writing?" Andrew half raised his. "So you've got your Dad in you, then Andrew," Ted commented.

"I guess so, but I wouldn't want to have to go off to America. I hate when we have to go there," Andrew said.

"Really," said Marianne, "I thought you saw fun things. You're the only ones who have been to Disney World!"

"Well yes, but the family there are strangers and they treat us like foreigners. I miss my Dad, but I'm glad he went without us."

"Me too," Alex added.

"Okay, so let's hear from Marianne what's new with Doctor Turner here. Any young doctors chasing after my smart, beautiful niece?"

"Oh Uncle Teddy! I'm not beautiful. The boys chase Evie, not me. I'm looking forward to finishing next year," she said.

Ted didn't agree with her assessment that her sister offered more than her. They were both beautiful, he thought. He remembered them when they were little, barely fifteen months apart. They were almost like twins. Still they were cute as a button, but they did have different personalities. Marianne was the observer, whilst Evie was the performer. Even at two, she performed and won extra attention for it. Marianne performed in her own way with her studies. She had always been wonderful with her cousins. He knew she would be excited about his secret news, but he couldn't share it this soon.

They spent the afternoon at the Science Museum, which was a hit even though none of the younger ones claimed to like science. He was thankful for Marianne because they divided up. He enjoyed going off with the older boys for a change. They were both smart and very polite. He thought they were definitely British through and through despite being raised by a Yank.

When they arrived back home, he greeted his wife like a sailor coming home from sea. Tim wasn't there, but the well trained boys protested. Sara had already changed and looked amazing… glowing, he thought. She swatted him and said, "Go clean up. I'll take care of the children."

"I'll help," Evie said. Angela's boys and Marianne also needed to get themselves ready. Everyone was dressed by the time the guests began to arrive.

Tim arrived and said, "She'll be right on my heels."

Julie knocked and let herself into Ted's house as usual. She stepped through the door and suddenly heard, "SURPRISE!"

She was certainly surprised, but baffled as no one had ever bothered to surprise her before. She prided herself on her powers of observation. By the end of a lovely evening, she had redeemed herself. She was certain that she was the only one who noticed, the wine glass that Sara held, only contained water.