You're still keeping all of us going.
Chapter: 6. Getting all our Ducks in a row.
39 Weeks.
After the never-ending need to pee in the middle of the night and a different kind of exhaustion that had overwhelmed her body in the past few days, Molly and Charles were simply chatting about the preparations for the arrival of their 'bun'.
They were having yet another lazy lie-in going through what she needed to pack in her hospital bag when she suddenly turned to him 'Charles, she muttered softly how does a man feel when his wife or girlfriend says she's pregnant?' looking down to her he smiled 'you really want to know?' snuggling into his chest she answered 'Yeah, I do! But you know, the feelings bit, like how does it actually feel for a man?' settling her in between his long legs; so she could rest against him, he wrapped his arms around her and rested his hands on their 'bun'.
Speaking in a low and measured voice directly into her ear he began, 'well! I can explain from my perspective for you!' Nodding and enjoying their closeness, 'Go on then!' She encouraged! 'There's obviously the elation the excitement and the happiness you're having a baby with someone you love! Knowing Molly wanted to understand his point of view he really started sharing his feelings with her, but there's also a manly thing; where you know everything downstairs is working, as it should! He chuckled, it's like, as you're wife begins to show it sort of confirms you've had sex. Like you can announce 'look at what I did! I'm such a stud!' he laughed, then getting more serious he said, then you worry; about your wife, about the future, about if you'll be a good Dad. Then the emotions play out in your head! Kissing her cheek,he softly said, you feel fear Molls; fear that the one you love could be in potential danger, fear that the baby will be healthy and fear that you can't actually do anything to take the pain of labor away, as much as you would want to! Holding her close he confessed I've cried Molls! On my own I've cried, happy tears, worried tears and I'll probably cry when our 'bun' makes its appearance. But through it all, I absolutely know! Without a shadow of a doubt how very proud of you I am. you've been amazing, are amazing! And that! He admitted after all these years, still makes me feel so in awe! In awe of you and indeed all women that have the ability to create a new life! Resting his chin on top of her head he asked, how was that? My sermon for most new Dad's out there!' With a slight niggle in her mind She asked him, 'did you feel all that with Rebecca?' He sighed, 'I know I'm Sam's Dad, and I love him to bits! But it was all so different to now, with you! I was 22; I got married to do the right thing, because she deliberately got pregnant to try to keep me away from the Army! It wasn't what I wanted; although I wouldn't change being Sam's Dad for the world, it's like I said to you not long ago, I wish Sam were ours! Now I know what truly being in love is, this almost feels like the first time for me! I want this with you; this just feels so right! Feeling slightly taken aback at his confessions she simply said 'wow! That was deep! But at least now I know!' She said! 'Know what? He asked, before they both chuckled remembering the time when they'd spoken those same words, 'I know how it feels for you now! She said as she intertwined her fingers with his, both rubbing 'their bun' together.
Molly was supposed to be having a nap as the exhaustion had hit her again, feeling as if all her motivation to get up and tackle housework; or even go for a walk, had left the building she reached for her laptop to begin try to get her baby brain to kick into gear. Charles was preparing a late lunch, which he'd said he would bring up to her. She needed to actually write the list of things Charles had offered to go and get for her; she needed things for her own bag and one for the baby. They already had the car seat for bringing their baby home, vests and baby grows, a shawl, a little stretchy hat, scratch mittens and tiny little socks but she still needed newborn nappies, cotton wool, barrier creams and a couple of sleep suits. Trusting his choice for the classic over anything trashy she was more than happy to let him do the choosing of the sleep suits. Just as she was nearing the end of the list, her mobile sprang into life! Feeling too tired to answer she let it go to voicemail; she heard the ping indicating a message had been sent, reading the message it was from Georgie: Molls its me! Instead of inducing me this morning they did it at 5pm yesterday. It's 3:30 and the contractions have started. Shit they hurt! I could be busy for the next 24 to 48 hours so won't be able to chat! I'll get my Mum to let you and Charlie know when the baby is here! Byee. God, why didn't I answer she thought. Oh well, not a lot we can do other than wait out now! Molly stood at the top of the stairs and called Charles; popping his head over the banister and drying his hands on a tea-towel he looked up and shouted 'Lunch is coming woman! Hold your horses' He smiled 'No Charles, Message from Georgie, the contractions have started!' With a look of surprise he uttered 'Already?' Nodding she continued, 'Yeah! They induced her yesterday afternoon instead of this morning! It's taken 27 hours for labor to start though!' She winced 'Now she's got anything between 24 to 48 hours of pain, and she said it hurts like hell!' Pulling a face he announced 'I'll be up in a bit!' Shortly afterwards he entered the bedroom with a tray containing their lunch, as they began to eat he could see she was only picking at her food. 'You need to eat more than that Molls! Think of the 'bun' he or she must be starving! He laughed at his own joke 'I'm just thinking about Georgie!' she answered 'I know, but there's not anything we can do but wait for news now, is there? And you've been told to eat little and often, so eat! 'Boss" she smirked.
Charles took the list she'd written and set off with an aim of getting everything on it; he arrived at the new Mama and baby shop and immediately went to the customer service desk. 'My wife and I are having our first baby! He explained and I'm gonna need all the help I can get!' He charmed. Within 25 minutes he had everything on Molly's list for the baby and a few surprises, just because she's amazing he told the assistant. He ran up the stairs to the nursery and carefully placed all the items in the crib; he stashed Molly's surprises in Sam's room wanting to share a special moment with her before all their focus was on their new baby. Gingerly opening their bedroom door he peaked inside to see if she was awake, 'hey you!' She said sleepily, walking towards her, he replied 'hey yourself!' he smiled 'did you get some rest?' 'Mm mm! She breathed with a sleepy smile 'how was the shopping trip?' 'The boy did good! He announced softly as he leant over to stroke her hair and face 'Fancy taking a look?' he questioned. Moving her tired limbs she nodded 'why not! As he pulled her to her feet he knelt down to rub her bump and speak to the baby, 'hey little one, Daddy's been shopping for you! He said tenderly and he's just about to show Mummy what he's bought!' Touched by his show of affection towards their baby, she laughed quietly 'Charles, you're so sentimental!' She said, looking down at him 'Daddy's privilege!' He stated wrapping an arm around her shoulders 'come on! Lets see what the best dressed baby is wearing these days!' They walked into the nursery; Molly picked up the two sleep suits, one white and one lemon and fingered the embroidered ducks on both. Her eyes moist with emotion; she just nodded and smiled, then she picked up the white whicker basket that contained nappies, cotton wool, nipple cream, nipple shields, muslin squares and a whole host of things she'd asked for and some she didn't realise she would need. She turned to him, went to open her mouth to speak but overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness simply dissolved into tears. Holding her tight, he too feeling pretty emotional he tearfully said 'you and our baby will want for nothing Molls!' Holding onto each other for a few moments until they gained back some control Charles led her to Sam's room, opening the door he whispered 'these are for you! On the bed she found two beautiful cotton jump suits with mandarin collars that buttoned on the slant from the neck to the waist 'for breast feeding!' He said, pointing to the other purchases 'ballet pump slippers with rubber soles for non-slip, a memory book because you liked the one we bought for Georgie! And this!' He held out a small box that had been gift wrapped, 'Charles? What's this?' She swallowed hard! 'Open it!' he said, 'it's for the baby's room!' Opening the box she found 3 crystal ducks 'they'll need to go on a shelf! But it's to show that we my darling have got things so right we now have all our ducks in a row!'