Chapter 7
Ronnie felt a sudden moment of clarity inside her mind, as she clearly remembered that exact conversation between her parents… She must have been a triplet or something….. She had just assumed at the time, that her mother had meant, children before her, that may have come along…. She had always known that her mother had had a still born child a few years after Roxy…. The words, "But Veronica survived…" rang through her brain, "Her two siblings," not 'Our other children…..'
"What's the matter?" asked Danielle, noticing her mother's anxious expression.
as they sat side by side in the waiting room,
"Nothing…" replied Ronnie, looking absentmindedly at her daughter's hands, and kissing her fingers, "Just thinking… that's all…"
"Danielle Jone's…" came a voice, which pulled Ronnie back to reality, "We're ready to see you now…" a middle aged woman with short black hair, smiled and gestured for them to follow….
Danielle felt very uncomfortable as lay on the small bed…. She didn't like the cold jell, and Ronnie, seemed to be in a world of her own, as she held her daughter's hand.
"There's your baby.." said the doctor in an upbeat tonne, Danielle and Ronnie both leaned towards the sonogram, "Oh… wait… let me just check something…" she moved the scanner around a bit…. Danielle froze… She knew it! there was something wrong with the baby…. She could hear the pounding of own heart as though it would burst….
"Babies…" said the doctor, a worried expression on her face.
"What do you mean!" demanded Ronnie, anxiously staring at the screen. To be honest, she herself wasn't sure what she was looking at… It was very blurry….
"Danielle.." said the doctor gently, looking intently at the scared looking girl, "There are three, very small babies… I'd say you're about eight or nine weeks into your pregnancy…"
"Three?" exclaimed Danielle in shock, her heart pounding harder than ever, "Three! three babies!" the word three, didn't even sound like a word anymore, "Is this a joke right…. Very funny… ha ha… Did Ronnie get you to say this…… Triplets…. Really?"
"Yes… can I ask…" said the doctor calmly, "Have you been taking any fertility treatment… Any hormones… Anything like that.."
Ronnie's face turned frosty, "What kind of a question is that!" she snapped, glaring at the doctor, "Of course she flaming hasn't…. She's, she's just a kid! Are you trying to be clever!"
Danielle began to shake her head in confusion, "No, no, no…. This, this can't be happening….." she uttered, "But…. I mean are they ok, there's nothing wrong with them right?" Danielle wasn't sure what to do or say, she couldn't believe what she was hearing….
"They are all fine…" replied the doctor, adjusting the screen slightly, "Good sizes, for triplets, and they are not identical….…"
"This is all like some horrible dream…" murmured Danielle in a monotone, practically crushing Ronnie's hand, "So… it's not, just a question of Bethany or Andrew anymore…" she stuttered, gazing at the screen, "I'm going to get so fat! Look at me already!" she babbled at no one in particular, "I'm the size of a house…. What I'm I going to do! I look more like six months pregnant! And no one bloody noticed! Cause no one notices poor pathetic Danielle, do they! Not even her own family!"
"Hey… hey…" soothed Ronnie gently, "Calm it down sweetie… I know it's a shock, but it'll be ok… It will…"
"You're dam right it's a shock!" yelled Danielle, trying to get herself under control, but she was breathing erratically.
"Maybe we should go…" offered Ronnie to the doctor hurriedly, "Just give us another appointment yeh…"
"We have a specialist… That you can talk to, she deals with multiple births, and can give you advice… I'm going to refer you to her Danielle love is that ok…" asked the doctor sympathetically…
Danielle nodded, blankly.
"Would you like a picture of the scan love?" asked the doctor in a kind voice… She could Danielle was having trouble getting her head around the whole idea. It didn't seem like the young woman in front of her had planned this baby, rather babies. And she doubted strongly that there was a father on the scene.
Ronnie waited anxiously for the reply, she couldn't deal with Danielle feeling so bad about everything… It wasn't ideal, but they were her babies, and if this was going to work, her daughter would have to be ready…. Just a few days ago, Ronnie had no children…. Now she had a daughter and three grandchildren on the way, she wasn't sure how to feel herself, only that she hurt when Danielle hurt.
"Yes…. Of course I….… Yes…." said Danielle simply, taking a deep breath…..
Flashback………………..
"She's gone Veronica…." said Archie softly, as he sat at his daughter's bedside. He had had a think, and concluded that it was best not let Veronica dwell on the pregnancy and let the family get back to normal, "To her new parents… They are very nice people…. They have been waiting for a baby for a long time…" actually, he hadn't a clue who they were, and in actual fact baby had been taken by a social worker, and would be adopted in a few months once the paperwork was finalised, "We can get back to normal now….. Hey guess what… I bought you a new walkman… Top of the range… The one you wanted for your birthday…." he handed her a wrapped present…
Ronnie shrugged and didn't even bother to look at it….. "Go on… take it love…" he insisted…. Trying to pretend that everything was great between them.
She gave him a hollow gaze and said in an empty hardened voice, "I don't want it… Just go away…" she turned on her side and stared at the wall, "Leave me alone…"
"Come on V…" insisted her father, smiling hopefully at her, "It's all over now… Why don't you listen to some tapes aye…. I brought all your favourites…Now you can listen to music as loud as you want…."
"I don't want it!" she cried out, shuffling slightly on the bed, "If you want to help me! Then bring Amy back!"
"No…. We already talked about this.." reasoned Archie, almost feeling pity for his foolish daughter, "You're too young, and me and your mother are not prepared to take on another baby at this stage….. You are a child.. Do you understand! Being a parent is more than just hugs and fairytales! It's very hard work…" Archie sighed, "I know what is best… trust me….. It's done… there is no going back…"
A few days after this conversation, Ronnie was back at home, if you could call it that, for it didn't feel the same anymore….. Her father had gone out and her mother was at her stupid social club. Ronnie lay on her bed and held on tightly to her locket, she couldn't even bare to look at the photo inside.
Her father's words of warning, before he had left the house ran through her mind, as she lay there, staring one of her posters, "Don't you dare start talking to Roxy about what has happened… Or you'll regret it…. She's confused enough as it is and she's been acting up….. Now stop moping around the place and clean the house, your mother and I are fed up with your laziness! And you're going back to school next week… No more excuses!" Ronnie hadn't replied to him, but had nodded her head, she was too tired to argue with him anymore.
"Ronnie…" a knock could be heard on her bedroom door, "Can I come in?"
Roxy's voice was unusually soft, she normally screamed and demanded, the noisier of the two and the bane of their parents' lives at times, of course that was Ronnie's role now.
Ronnie wasn't sure what to say, her sister had never asked permission in life before barging into her room, "Yeh…. Ok…" she replied in an equally soft voice…. Wanting to connect to someone even if her little sister couldn't possibly understand…..
Roxy opened the door and ran over to her, "Hey… I well miss you… Why have you been up here all day?" she said, jumping on Ronnie, "Mum's been a right cow to me…. I'm grounded… just for asking why the baby aint coming home…."
"Yeh… well…" said Ronnie in an emotionless voice, "The baby isn't coming home… She's gone to live with a really rich couple in France, and she's going to be a princess…. That's what I wanted…"
"That aint true.." reasoned the girl, reaching her arms out to Ronnie, "You don't have to make up stories to me. I'm not thick, you know…. Dad gave her away didn't he… I hoped he changed his mind, I even said she could share my room…"
"Oh…" sobbed Ronnie, clinging to her younger sister, "That was sweet of you…" It felt weird poring all the love that she felt into Roxy, who she usually tried to ignore, but on occasion would take on the role of mother, when their parents were having a particularly nasty row. But she had never dreamed of crying in front of her sister in the past.
"What does she look like?" asked Roxy curiously, lying next to Ronnie.
"Like.." began Ronnie, crying freely, her voice choked, "Not just a baby, but something so perfect…. I don't know why I feel so ridiculous Rox….. It's just a baby right, they all look the same…. But this one…" she said hauntingly, "She looks like mine…. The nurse said it was natural to feel close her, that it was just hormones, and soon I'd feel better… But I don't…. and I never will, I miss her…."
"I'm sorry Ron.." sighed Roxy, not having a clue what to do or say, "Wanna go and get some chips…. Kim says she'll nick me some fags and all…"
"No.." replied Ronnie, kissing her sister's hair, "And don't let me catch you smoking either… It's a disgusting habit… And you should stay away from that Kim and all, she's bad news…. But go out if you want, I'm not bothered…"
Roxy looked as though she was going to stick out her tongue, but instead she said, "Nah…" and hugged Ronnie tightly, "I'll stay here, I'm meant to be grounded and mum will be back with tea soon…. I hope it aint fish fingers again…"
Present day
Danielle said nothing in the car ride back to the square, and Ronnie wasn't sure how to talk to her or how to comfort her… So instead she leaned against her daughter's shoulder in order to offer support. But Danielle didn't respond at all, she just sat there, a grave expression on her face. They returned to the Vic, through the main door, as Ronnie had forgotten her key.
"Oh… hi there love…" said Peggy in a kind voice to Danielle, "Everything allright with the baby darlin…. I'm sorry… I couldn't help but over hear…"
Danielle remained silent and followed her mother through into the back… She could hear whispering already in the background. She heard, Ian Beale's voice, saying something like, "Well there's a surprise…."
"Sorry…" said Ronnie apologetically to Peggy, "She's just a bit upset…."
Peggy closed her eyes, and shrugged, and returned to serving the drinks.
As soon as they got upstairs, Danielle ran into the bathroom and slammed the door. The whole pub now knew that she was up the duff thanks to Peggy's big mouth… She locked the door and sank to the ground, leaning against the bath. She could hear her aunt and mother talking outside, it was strange to think of them by those titles, but she did, and had so for a long time.
"What's wrong.." questioned Roxy, as she heard the noise and came through into the hall, "Has something happened!"
"Let's just leave her…" sighed Ronnie turning to her sister, "She just needs time to calm down… that's all… We'll talk in there.." she gestured towards Roxy's room.
Part 2
Archie stood at the front door to Joel's home. The boy, now a man who had single handily ruined his little girl's life.
A man answered, he looked awful, he was unshaven, he had baby sick, or something all over him, and his hair was greasy and matted, "Yeh… Can I help you?" he asked, obviously tired and irritated.
"Don't you recognise me lad…. It's me Archie Mitchell, you remember…" replied Archie, the hint of a smirk on his lips.
Joel nodded blankly, but in his eyes he looked almost terrified at the site of his first girlfriend and childhood friend's father, "Yeh… and what do you want…" he said, raising his eye brows in suspicion, "I've got three kids to make dinner for and a six month old baby, so if you don't mind…"
"What…" began Archie, moving forward, his thoughts on how to get the man to listen to him, "No wife, on the scene, works nights does she…"
Joel paused and almost spat out the next few words.
"My wife died two months ago….. now you can see how upsetting a time this is for me and my family, just leave… right now.." Archie could see that Joel didn't trust him… But couldn't help but feel slightly pleased that he was suffering already in life, after what he had done.
"How would you like.." began Archie cautiously, "To be reunited with your daughter….yours and Veronica's, she's back with her now… And your kids could get to know their half sister…"
Joel sighed, and allowed Archie to follow him through into the living room…. He wasn't sure how to reply to this… His life was an utter mess, since his wife had died, and the thought of bringing up this other daughter to his children, was more than he could get his head around.
Archie frowned, the room was a mess. Two girls were fighting over the computer and an older boy of about eleven was watching TV, his eyes glued to the screen, a six month old girl in his arms.
"Turn that racket down, and get Michaela up to bed.." ordered Joel in a tired voice… The boy grunted and flicked the remote, heading out of the room…
"Sophie, Debbie, go and get some frozen chips from the shop…" he rummaged in his pocket and handed the older girl a few coins, "Go on, get going…"
The girls went, staring at Archie, suspiciously and began arguing to each other, out in the hall.
"So…" began Archie, taking his seat on the sofa, which was covered in crumbs, "Finding it hard to cope, I remember how hard it was after Glenda left…. Not easy, bringing them up on your own is it…"
Joel grimaced slightly, "Don't bother mate… Just tell me right…. How's my daughter doing, I mean, what's her name for starters……… And.. And does your daughter even know you're here…"
"Her name's Danielle…. And don't start with me Joel, I'm doing you a favour here… Veronica, doesn't want you any where near your daughter… But I don't think that's fare… I think you should be given the choice…"
"What.. She said that did she?" asked Joel, taking out a fag and lighting it. He had started smoking again after his wife had died.
"Yes she did… She found out you had more kids of your own, and was sickened… She's a very jealous and bitter woman Joel.." Archie, shook his head in fake sympathy, "Boy, has she been saying rotten things about you to that girl…. That you never wanted her…." Archie tutted.
"Let me get this straight… she's been lying to make herself feel better, to justify her actions… I always wanted that kid… But my parents, they wouldn't let me anywhere near her…. And then she gave the baby away, and, and she's blaming me for it!" Joel, almost roared, he couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had moved away, shortly after it had all come out about Ronnie, giving her child away.
"What's going on dad?" asked the boy who had just appeared at the door, "Why are you yelling? Did this man do something!" the boy glared at Archie…
"Reece…" barked Joel, in a fury, "Not now… go upstairs and get your home work done, we're having a private conversation…"
"It's alright…" smiled Archie, hoping to force Joel into making a decision, "We're all family here right…. Reece?" he asked, "Did you know that your dad, had a child with my daughter…. You have another sister, a big sister, how about that…."
"Is that true?" asked Reece, an expression of shock on his face, "Dad?" he quizzed his father.
"Yeh…" he muttered, giving Archie a look of distain… "She was adopted years ago….. It wasn't like I just abandoned her or anything… I'm not that kind of man…" Joel shook his head, trying to convince himself more than his son.
"Can we see her, she can come round for tea tomorrow…. has she got a car?" asked Reece hopefully, maybe if he had a big sister, he could stop having to be the one to do everything around the place, "Is she wanting a place to stay, cause I could have the attic…."
Archie smiled in satisfaction… Joel was a broken man… He might need his daughter to get him through the pain, to help with the children….. Taking Danielle away from Ronnie.
Please Review, I know the triplets idea, is a little weird. By the way, Joel doesn't know that it was Archie who insisted upon Ronnie giving the baby away…. Because by the time that decision was made, they were no longer allowed to see each other.