Epilogue.
Six week old Sara Clarke lay giggling at her father`s peekaboo game. Two year old Damien bounced on his mother`s lap.
"Mara, did you know that I`ve invited all our friends round for tomorrow?"
"You did what, Jerome Clarke? Why didn`t you tell me? I`ll have to go shopping! How many are coming?"
"Um. Trudy, Jasper and the kids. Patricia, Eddie and their kids. Nina, Fabian and Lila. Amber and Alfie with Lilly and Violet. Joy and Mick with Tia and Rocky."
The phone rang and Mara got it.
"Hello?"
"Mara? Hi."
"Jasper? How is it going?"
"Trudy and I can`t make it over tomorrow."
"How come?"
"Well, the new baby`s just come and Trudy can`t get up and about. She`s not strong enough to lift a up an empty cup."
"That`s not true, I just can`t get up, you nugget. I can lift a cup. Don`t exaggerate. I`ve managed to pick up our three kiddies, haven`t I?"
"You dropped your mug earlier."
"Yeah, I just couldn`t be bothered putting it down properly. I just let go, it doesn`t mean I can`t lift it."
"Fact remains, you can`t get up and go to their house tomorrow."
"I bet I could, if I tried hard enough."
"You`d hurt yourself. And it`s a bit daft, because of the trouble you had after you had Rosa. Then the bleeding after Daniel. Now you can`t get off your bed, because you`ll end up causing yourself more problems. Sorry, Mara."
"It`s OK."
"Look, I don`t care if I have to go in a full body cast and on a trolley, I want to see them."
"Trudy, stop talking rubbish. We can see them at some other time. Just think of the problems you`ll have."
"Why don`t we invite everyone here? That sounds like fun, doesn`t it?"
Mara thought that Trudy was a bit lonely.
"I`ll have to check. I still think it`d be a stressful event for you."
"Don`t go being such a bore now. Come on, let`s have some fun!"
"You`re crazy. Mara, do you fancy coming here? My very stubborn wife can`t get up and she wants to see you."
"I guess, just one minute."
She looked at Jerome.
"They want to know if we`ll go there?"
"What`s wrong with them?"
"Their third baby`s just come and Trudy can`t get up and she wants to see us."
"Um, sure. I`ll text everyone to meet there?"
"Hang on."
She spoke into the phone.
"Will everyone be able to come or is it just us?"
"Um."
She heard indistinct chatter.
"Sure."
"Great, what time do you want us?"
"About 3 in the afternoon?"
"Sure, that works. See you then."
"See you. Trudy, what was-"
Mara hung up. Jerome was texting everyone to meet at their place.
Then Mara and Jerome tucked their kids in bed and snuggled on the sofa in the sitting room.
"So, we`re seeing our friends tomorrow. Who knows what could happen?"
They kissed and nestled together. They fell asleep and dreamed of their future, together."
Well, that`s it. Until next time, please R&R. Random Dizzy. :D