Chapter Two- Four Weeks to go.
Four weeks past.
Four…
Long…
Weeks…
At 36 weeks pregnant, everything was harder. Walking, sleeping, moving etc. It had gotten to the point, where still stubborn and stupid enough to still be going to classes, my husband was having to drive me in because I couldn't do the walk anymore. I was sleeping a lot more when I came home and I could often be irritable. I hadn't had sex since the bathroom incident but by now it seemed impossible. But other than that I was in good health
Sally had suggested last week that I should have a baby shower. I wasn't overly keen on the idea but Sally said they were good fun and it would help get a lot of stuff in for the baby. So I agreed and the date was set for November 17 (which also happened to be Daniel's birthday).
The morning of the 17th came round quickly and I was tidying the house ready for my guests. Daniel was at his Dad's country estate and I would be joining him later. I had only invited the people closest to me; Molly and Hamish, Mary and Amber, Sally and Claire, Emily and Elijah, Samantha, Isabelle, Mrs H and some people who were on my course with me. All the guys were already at Mycroft's ready for Daniel's party that evening. I was just placing some nibbles on the table in the middle of the lounge when I heard the doorbell ring. I waddled over to the door and opened it. Samantha and her girlfriend Isabelle were stood on the doorstep.
"Hey guys," I smiled, "Thanks for coming!"
Samantha smiled back, "Thanks for inviting us. We haven't known you that long."
I laughed, "True, but you're such a good friend and it's been awesome getting to know you and Isabelle." I smiled over at her.
"Thanks," she said, "We got you a little something for the baby." She held up a present.
I smiled, "Thank you," I said, taking the present, "I really haven't got much in. We've not been living here that long."
"It's a beautiful house," Said Sam, "I love the fence!"
I laughed again, "That was my idea." I moved back so that they could enter, "Come on in. It's cold out." The two ladies filed into the house. I took their coats and showed them into the living room. Just then the doorbell rang again. This time it was Sally and her little daughter Claire.
"Hey Sal," I smiled. "Come on in. Isabelle and Sam are already here."
"Thanks." And she came on in, holding Claire's hand. I took their coats and Claire gave me their present. I thanked them and Sally took Claire into the sitting room.
After hanging up Sally and Claire's coats, I followed them in. "Claire, there's a box of toys in the corner by the chimney. You can get them out if you like." Claire smiled at me and looked at her mother. Sally smiled and Claire went and started playing with the toys.
"Would anyone like a drink?" I asked.
Sally was just about to open her mouth when the doorbell went again. I looked at Sally.
"I'll do drinks," Sally said getting up, "You answer the door."
"Sally Freeman, you are a life saver!" I said, moving as fast as I could towards the door.
On the doorstep was Mrs Hudson, Amber (who was now 11), Elijah, Mary, Molly, Hamish and Emily. It seemed like everyone from Baker Street had come at the same time. I let them in, taking coats and presents. Molly took them to the living room and I joined them a few moments later. But before I had a chance to sit, the doorbell went. I made my excuses and answered it. It was the trainee midwives from the University. I smiled widely and let them in.
Once everyone was settled with tea or pop or coffee, I finally sat down. I introduced the people who didn't know each other and we all got chatting.
"So have you decided on a name?" asked Mrs Hudson
"Anthony Daniel after my father and Daniel if it's a boy and Felicity Grace if it's a girl after Daniel's mother." I replied. Everyone seemed to like the names we had chosen. It didn't matter if they didn't, they were the names we had picked out.
"What do you want?" asked Molly, looking at me.
"A healthy baby." I replied honestly. Everyone laughed and I looked at Molly, "No honestly, I don't mind what it is, so long as it is healthy. Daniel wants it to be a boy but he's happy either way."
Molly smiled, "He's going to be a wonderful father."
I smiled back, "I know." And then I added, "I can't wait to be a mum!"
"It's hard work," Said Molly, "But you've never shied from hard work in your life."
"You'll be great, Abi!" said Sally encouragingly.
"We can't wait to meet baby!" added Emily, eagerly.
"Thanks guys!" I said smiling at them all.
We carried on chatting for a good hour, laughing and joking about being parents and what life was going to be like once I had a baby to look after. I showed them the climbing frame that Lestrade and John were building.
"Why are they building it now?" Asked Mary, "It's going to be a while before the baby can play on it."
"I think they just wanted to contribute something to the whole baby thing." I replied, "But it's a sweet gesture and I love it."
"I think Lestrade enjoys being able to see Daniel as well." Added Sally. "Ever since he married Dad, the two of them have been getting closer to Daniel again and it's really nice to see them all getting along."
I nodded. "I enjoy seeing Lestrade, he makes me laugh and he's great when Hamish is over. Hamish and Phoebe really get along and I'm sure when Rory is old enough, he'll be great to be with too."
We moved back into the living room and Sally suggested I should open the presents.
Sally and Sam had given us some really sweet baby grows with matching hats and mittens and a little mobile to go over the cot. John, Mary, Amber and Joseph had got us some books to read to the baby and also some really cute outfits. Molly, Sherlock and Hamish had given us some new toys for the baby to play with along with a changing bag that had a matching mat. They also had given us some bottles. Emily, Johnny and Elijah had given us some mats to go under the bed (I was having a home birth- I don't like hospitals) and had bought us a birthing pool. Mrs Hudson had bought a bouncy seat and baby carrier for us so that we could leave the baby when we were doing things in the house and so that we had some way of carrying the baby around if we couldn't use a buggy. Speaking of the buggy, my friends from uni left after I opened Mrs H's present and came back in with a massive present. I unwrapped it and it was a buggy, complete with a detachable car seat and it changed so that when the baby was big enough, they could face forwards and see the world.
"Oh, guys!" I said, holding back tears, "This is amazing!"
"We wanted to get you something that would last," Explained Nicole, who was the youngest in our class, "And now you have to come and visit us!"
I laughed, "Oh I will!"
"Cause we will miss you!" Said Beth
"Oh, I'll miss you too." I said, hugging her. "Thanks for the buggy!"
"Your welcome!" Added Libby, who had also come from university.
"Don't forget us." Said Issy, looking sad.
"How could I ever forget you? And I will see you guys every day, we study in the same building, work in the same hospital. I'll just be a year behind is all."
They seemed to understand. It was crazy, in one term I had made more friends than I ever had in a lifetime. I had friends who I would cherish and love forever, who would be in my life forever. We would be working in the same hospital- probably forever! Eleanor, Anya, Beth, Nicole, Molly, Vicki, Libby, Issy and Michaela were the best friends that I had ever made and I knew that I would be in touch with forever. Sally, Emily and I were no longer the terrible three, we were a bigger, better, stronger, more amazing group and I was so glad.
The party went on until three in the afternoon. By that point the sun was setting and the light was casting long shadows across the living room. Then everyone began to leave, saying that they had had a wonderful time and that they wished us well with everything and to let them know when the baby was born. The only people who didn't leave were Molly, Mary, Sally and Emily and the children. They stayed to help me clean up. Usually I would have left it but we were staying at the country estate for some time as my birthday was the day after and we would be celebrating it as well.
Once everything was packed away, I grabbed my suitcase for the time away and my birth bag- we didn't call it a 'hospital bag' as I wasn't going into hospital but it was pretty much the same thing. It contained the essentials like shampoo and conditioner, face wash, make-up and hair stuff- clips, brush, bobbles etc. For labour I had a baggy t-shirt, a bikini – for if we had the birthing pool out- the midwife's notes, flip flops, tens machine, mini fan and a few scented candles. Once the baby is born I had two sets of PJs, a fluffy dressing gown, medela nipple shields, Boots maternity pads, breast pads, 5 x knickers, a couple of nursing bra and a maternity bra. For going home Topshop shirt dress, maternity leggings, chunky cardigan, boots, 2x socks, two outfits for baby – two sleepsuits, two vests, two hats, one knitted cardigan, snowsuit, blanket,, 2 swaddles and three muslins. We then got ready to leave. I pulled the curtains shut, made sure electrics were unplugged and locked the door.
It took us an hour and a half to make the journey to Chichester. This wasn't too bad and the roads and motorways were clear and we only stopped once so that I could go to the toilet. We reached the estate at about half six in the evening. By now it was dark and cold so we hurried into the house.
Mycroft's estate in Chichester was huge. The front hall was the largest room the house. Gothic in design, stretched above our heads. The central staircase wound up to the first floor which overlooked the main hall. The main hall led to smaller rooms which included a dining room, ballroom, 2 libraries, a drawing room and a sitting room.
"Hello?" Molly called.
There were footsteps coming from down the hall. It was Sherlock.
"Hey!" he said, "you made it!"
"Of course we did!" Molly replied, kissing him.
"Sherlock?" Called someone, "Sherlock, is that them?"
"Yes!" he said back. More footsteps could be heard coming our way. It was Daniel, Greg, Hamish and Amber.
"Hey!" said Hamish when he saw us.
"Hey!" I said back. "How are you?" I asked, giving him a hug.
"Fine thanks!" he replied. Then he went to say hello to his mum and the others.
Daniel and I caught each other's eyes. I smiled at him and he walked over. "Hey." I said softly.
"Hey." He replied, brushing his fingers through my hair.
"Happy Birthday," I said softly, "Sorry I missed most of it."
Daniel kissed my forehead. "Don't worry about it." He said, "You're here now and just in time for dinner!"
"Good." I replied looking up at him, "I'm starving!"
He laughed and I laughed with him. We then followed everyone through into the dining room. They were sat round a large table. Mycroft and Greg were sat next to each other with Phoebe next to Lestrade, John was sat next to Lestrade with spaces for Mary, Toby and Amber. I was guessing that Sherlock would be sat next to them with Molly and Hamish. Daniel led me over to the opposite side of the table next to Sally, Claire, Emily, Johnny and Elijah. (Sam- Sally's husband- was late at work). Greg and Mycroft disappeared for a minute and Dan rolled his eyes.
"Always a flair for the dramatic," he whispered in my ear, "He wasn't like this when Mum was around. It's nice to see a change in him though."
I nodded in response. "Lestrade's always been there for me you know," I said, "Ever since Anthony and Karen died, he's always been there, answered every phone call, no matter what the time was."
"Seems we owe a lot to both of them."
"That we do." I replied and kissed him on the cheek.
Lestrade and Mycroft returned moments later with Daniel's cake. They had used number candles so there was a '20' at the top of the cake. The cake itself was rectangular and had a picture of Daniel and I on our wedding day. What's more, it was one of the ones that we had had taken in private with the bump. I was looking down at my stomach and Daniel had his hands on the bump, protectively. I gasped as it came in and I knew that Sherlock or Sally had got a hold of the photo and passed it on. I wasn't mad. It was special and made Daniel's day special.
"Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Daniel, happy birthday to you!" We all sang and Daniel blew out his candles.
"Make a wish!" Said Amber.
"But not for more chocolate." Said Hamish, "Dad says that's a waste of a wish and it won't come true." Everyone laughed.
Daniel cut his cake and we all had a bit. Then the children went off to bed and the adults went and sat in the sitting room in front of the fire. I retired shortly after the children and Daniel came with me. I gave him his present. It was a new watch that was engraved with "I will love you forever and always!"
"Thanks Abi!" He said, "I love you forever and always too!" and he kissed me and pulled me into him. That night, I fell asleep in his arms.
When I woke up, I discovered that Daniel had gone. I sighed. Today was my birthday and no doubt he was going to go overboard. I rolled onto my back and rubbed my belly. The baby kicked gently in response as if he was saying Happy Birthday himself. I smiled when I thought that on my 21st birthday, our child would be waking me up and celebrating this day with us.
At that moment, Daniel came back and saw that I was awake.
"Happy Birthday, Mrs Holmes!" he said, kissing me.
I sighed, "Thank you Mr Holmes." I replied smiling.
He handed me his present. There were 3 parts. The first present was a necklace and earring set- little hearts with diamonds in them. The second present was the boxset of 'Dark Eyes' which were the adventures of the eighth doctor. The third present was a heart shaped locket. I opened it. There were 4 segments to it; two big and two small. In the first big one was a picture of Daniel and I on our wedding day. In the small ones were a group photo of Molly, Sherlock, Mary, John, Mycroft and Greg and a group photo of Hamish, Amber, Toby and Rory. The last big one had been left empty. I looked at Daniel puzzled.
"That's to put a photo of the three of us in when the baby comes."
"Thank you Dan, I love it so much!" and I kissed him again.
"Come on!" he said, pulling me out of bed. "You need to get dressed and come downstairs. He spun me around and pulled me into his arms. "I love you so much Abigail." He said quietly, looking into my eyes.
"I love you so much too." I replied, and I kissed him quickly. "Now leave me to get dressed!" and I pushed him out the door laughing.
I quickly changed into a maternity dress that Sally had bought me a while ago. I put Daniel's new earrings and necklace on and put my hair up into a loose side-plait. I quickly put some mascara and lip gloss on and headed down to the sitting room.
When I walked in everyone yelled, "Happy Birthday Abigail!" and cheered.
I thanked them and sat down on the sofa where I was immediately ambushed by Hamish, Amber and little Rory, who crawled his way over. Amber climbed on to the sofa and sat on one side and Hamish climbed up on the other.
"Happy Birthday Abi!" she said, handing me a card and present. "I chose the card but mummy picked the present." She explained.
"I'm sure that I'll love it." I said looking up at Mary, who winked at me.
I opened her card first, it was a godmother one. I smiled as I read it. "Thank you Amber. That's beautiful." And I gave her a quick kiss.
"Open the present!" she said earnestly. I laughed and opened her present. It was a box. I looked at her puzzled. She just looked back keenly. So I opened the box. Inside were a whole loads of little 'Tsum Tsum's'. They are collectable Disney plush toys and are the cutest things ever. There was Dumbo, Winne-The-Pooh, Jiminy Cricket, The Genie and a whole load of others.
"Oh wow Amber!" I said, looking at her. "These are amazing! Thank you so much!" and I gave her a big hug.
"You're welcome Abi!" she replied.
From Hamish, I got a little charm bracelet and a plush Jiminy Cricket (I like Disney). Phoebe and Rory had given me a DVD of 'The Phantom of The Opera'- one of my favourite musicals. Sherlock and Molly had given me tickets to actually see 'The Phantom of The Opera' in London in the New Year with Daniel. Mary and John had bought me some flowers, some chocolates and a butterfly necklace. Mycroft and Lestrade bought me a book called 'Am I Normal Yet?' and a guitar. Our grandparents- Wanda and Timothy weren't down yet but they were coming for lunch. This would probably be the last time we would see them before the baby was born.
From Sally and Sam, I got a new bag and purse set and some new clothes for after the baby was born. "You might not be able to fit into your pre-pregnancy wardrobe so we thought you might appreciate some new clothes!"
"Thanks Sal!" I said and I gave her a hug.
Emily and Johnny got me a Welsh rugby Jersey and tickets to watch Wales v England in the Six Nations in February next year. "We're offering to have the baby that day!" Said Emily, "So you and Daniel can have a fun day out at the match!"
"That will be an interesting match!" said Johnny laughing.
"Why?" Asked Amber.
"Well because Abi supports Wales and Daniel backs England." Said Johnny.
"Oh." Said Amber. "Why does Abi support Wales if she lives in England?"
"Because I lived in Wales after my parents died." I explained.
"Oh."
From Samantha and Isabelle, (who had given us their presents at the baby shower yesterday) I got a £25 voucher for and Daniel got a £25 Next voucher. From the girls from Uni, I just got cards with money in. We then sat and chatted with tea and I played Cluedo with Amber, Hamish (helped by Molly), Lestrade and John. Mycroft and Sherlock were banned from playing the game as the game was usually over within 5 minutes if they played. Daniel and Mycroft disappeared at one point but that was normal. They were probably discussing work.
At around half eleven, Sam came home from work. We brought him in out of the cold and were having a nice cup of tea when Hamish called: "Look, its Granny and Grandpa!" All the kids rushed to the window to see them. Daniel and Mycroft came back and went with Sherlock to greet them. I went to stand up but Mary and John told me to sit.
"Hello everyone!" Called my Grandma Wanda as she came into the room. Timothy came in behind- he was usually the quiet one.
"Granny! Granny!" called Hamish, running over to her.
"Hello Hamish!" She replied, bending down to hug him.
"Guess what?"
"What?" She asked.
"It's our Abi's birthday!" he said excitedly.
"Is it really? And here was me thinking it was Daniel's birthday?"
"Don't be silly Grandma!" he said, shaking his head. "That was yesterday!"
Wanda laughed and Sherlock came and got Hamish saying, "Come on, Son, let someone else say hello." Hamish went with his father.
Wanda came over and sat by me whilst Timothy said hello to everyone else.
"Happy Birthday Abigail." She said, handing me a parcel.
"Thanks Grandma!" I said, giving her a kiss and a hug.
"How's the baby?" She asked looking at my stomach.
"Good I think." I replied, my hand rubbing it out of habit now, "Just finding it hard to get comfortable now."
She nodded. "Mycroft was the worse," she said, looking over at her eldest son, "The first one is always the worst one. Mycroft gave me wind, heartburn, cramps, the lot." She laughed. "Sherlock on the other hand was a walk in the park. He was also the quietest baby when he was born."
"Probably quieted into submission by his elder brother." I said looking at my dad.
Wanda laughed quietly. "That is probably true."
Daniel came and joined us. "What are you two lovely ladies talking about?" he asked, sitting next to me and putting his arm round my shoulder.
"What our fathers were like when they were younger." I replied.
"Probably a nightmare." Daniel said laughing.
"Yes they were!" concurred Wanda. She paused for a moment, clearly reminiscing on a fond memory of her boys growing up. I wondered if I would be like that, when I was Wanda's age and my children were all grown up and had children of their own. She shook her head and looked at Daniel.
"Happy Birthday, Daniel." She said, smiling and handing him a parcel.
"Thank you Grandma!" he said, getting up to kiss her and give her a hug.
"Now come on, I want to see you open them!"
I looked and Daniel and he smiled at me. Then, at the same time, we tore the wrapping paper off, smiling like 5 year olds. Daniel got there first. He held it up. It was a knitted jumper, sky blue that matched his eyes. Knitted in the centre was 'No.1 Dad!"
"Oh Grandma!" He said, his voice breaking with emotion. "I love it! Thank you so much!" he said, getting up to kiss her and give her a hug again.
"You are welcome Daniel. You're going to be an excellent father!"
I opened mine quickly and held it up. My jumper was red and in white in the centre was "No.1 Mum!"
"Thank you Granny!" I whispered, laying my head on her shoulder. She kissed my head and said,
"You're welcome as well because you are going to be a fantastic mother!"
Every came over to admire our jumpers. Then Timothy said, "I heard you had a baby shower yesterday, Abigail?"
"Yes I did." I replied.
"Well, we got something for the baby."
He handed Daniel a parcel, which he handed to me.
"You open it." I said, "I opened a lot yesterday."
Daniel perched on the edge of the sofa and opened it. He held it up for everyone to see. It was a little jumper like ours that said "Cutest Baby Ever!" Daniel didn't say anything, but got up and hugged his grandfather and kissed Wanda again and then me.
The rest of the day passed smoothly. We had fun catching up with Wanda and Timothy and laughing and playing games. In the afternoon, we went for a walk in the grounds and came back with rosy cheeks and runny noses. Mycroft and Greg made us all hot chocolate which made the baby kick and I let Wanda and Timothy feel as they hadn't yet. Dinner was lasagne with garlic bread and salad. It was amazing. Then Daniel and Sherlock left and I knew that they had gone to get my cake. Like yesterday, they used number candles which said '20'. The cake was again rectangular but the picture was different. Mine was one of the very first photos taken of me and Sherlock all those years ago. I caught his eye and he winked at me.
"Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Abigail, happy birthday to you!" They all sang and I blew out my candles.
"Make a wish!" Said Amber.
I closed my eyes and wished that I would have a happy healthy baby and that I would always be surrounded by my wonderful family and have Daniel by my side.
"What did you wish for?" asked Amber, eagerly.
"I can't tell you!" I said, smiling, "Otherwise it won't come true!"
I cut the cake and we all had a bit. Then the children went off to bed and the adults went and sat in the sitting room in front of the fire. I retired shortly after the children and Daniel came with me. Once in bed, I turned to face him.
"Thank you for an amazing day!" I said.
"You are welcome. Thanks for yesterday!" he said, kissing me.
I kissed him back and smiled. Then I snuggled into him and closed my eyes.
