Chapter 10 – Parents

I looked across the table and asked Morwenna, "Morwenna, when are we gonna tell my Dad?" We were polishing off our Saturday lunch, so now was a good time to talk. She'd put in morning hours at the Doc's and I'd been cleaning up the pub.

"Soon, I suppose," she answered.

"And your folks as well."

"Yeah," she sighed. "I been thinkin' about that, uh, them."

"The wedding, at least."

"And not about the uhm…"

I watched her hand drop to her waistline, which still existed; at least for a while. "It's gonna be obvious ain't it? You'll be getting…"

She tossed her napkin across the table at me. "Al Large! Were you were going to say fat?"

I help up my hands. "No, I wasn't. But, bigger was the word I was gonna use. And you're not showin' yet."

She hung her head. "I know. I sort of wish I was, I mean, throwin' up and all that seems, like a waste of effort, unless… oh, my belly starts growin'."

I reached across the table and took her hand. "What say we tell Dad?" I took out my mobile.

"No Al. In person. We have to do this properly."

"Okay, sure."

Dad was sitting outside the co-op market in the sun when we found him. Morwenna took my hand as we stopped in front of him.

"Why, hello my lovers," he said to us. "You are a sight for sore eyes. I been hauling boxes out to the tip this morning so right now I'd much rather be lookin' at you two lovelies then a pile of trash." His eyes fell. "Not that I'm sayin' that you're not that much better than trash. I mean…"

"Dad, it's okay," I told him. I looked around and no one was near. "We, Mor' and I want to uhm, tell… well, tell you the good news."

"Oh?" he said. "And what might that be?"

Morwenna sat next to him and took his hand. "Bert, you know that Al and me been… together for some time now."

Dad smiled. "And it makes my heart glad to see you two." He looked from me to her and back again. "What's goin' on?"

I took a deep breath. "Dad, Morwenna and me… we're getting married."

Dad's face broke into a smile. "Ah, now that is GOOD news." He looked up at the sky. "Hallelujah! Fantastic! You set a date?" he reached out to hug Morwenna and we winked at me.

Morwenna was biting her lips. "Yeah, in a few weeks."

"Why the rush? Oh I know you too want to start as soon as you can. Good! Good idea! In this life you never can tell what and when things can happen. But in all good time when the little –'uns come."

I rubbed the back of my neck. "About that… we, we… well you see… it's like this…" I said in a stutter.

Morwenna took over. "Bert?" she looked around to make sure no one was close but she spoke quietly. "Now don't get excited. Right? It's like this… we're gonna have a baby."

"Well of course you are!" Dad laughed. "All in good time. Oh you two lovebirds are gonna make a lovely couple. Have you thought about caterin' the event? I could whip up a cake. That is Al, if you'll let me into the pub kitchen. I could make some jam tarts, and finger samwiches…"

I interrupted him. "No Dad! Soon."

"What soon?" he asked.

"No, we're gonna have a BABY in about seven months," I told him thru gritted teeth.

He recoiled. "You mean? That Morwenna is?" he said and then inspected Morwenna closely. "Ah."

She smiled at him. "Yes Bert. Ah. Bit of a surprise, I know, but we were going to get married anyway, right Al?"

"Right," I coughed.

Dad's eyes got misty. "And to think that your mum, Mary, didn't get to see you grow up, and then get married, and be a dad?" He started to blubber.

Morwenna rubbed his back. "Bert, don't cry, it's going to fine. Really."

Dad pulled out a kerchief, blew his nose loudly, and then wiped his eyes. 'Oh I know, I'm just so happy for you two." He looked up at me. "You'll be a great father my boy, and you?" He hugged Morwenna tightly and kissed her forehead. "You'll be a wonderful mum!"

He stood up, pulled Morwenna to her feet and hugged us both. "Proper job, boy," he whispered to me. "Proper job."

000

"Well that went well," I said to Al when we got back to the house. I readjusted my dress which Bert had mussed with all his hugging.

Al nodded. "Yeah. One down."

I sighed, took out my mobile and turned it on. "Now for my parents."

Al checked his watch. "Two hours ahead aren't they?"

"Yeah," I sighed but pressed the button to call mum. The phone rang and rang and then it was picked up.

"Hullo?" said my Dad's voice.

"Hi Dad! It's Morwenna."

"Well, hullo sweetheart. You'll want to talk to your mum. She's in the other room."

"I… I'd like to talk to both of you and Al Large is here with me. I'm going to speaker." I swiped the speaker icon so Al and I could share the phone.

"Right," Dad said. "Al, sure. I'll just get mum."

I heard him put the phone down.

"Now," I whispered to Al, "just be cool, right?"

"Right. Cool," Al said. "Like ice."

"Why hello Morwenna!" Mum's voice exploded from the mobile. "Daddy and I are so surprised by your call."

"I'm glad that you… answered… that I can talk to you both," I said as my knees and voice shook.

"Is everything alright dear? Nothing's wrong is it?" she asked.

I took a deep breath. "No, not at all, not really… uhm, but here's the good news. Al has asked me to marry and I said yes!"

"Oh my goodness," Dad said, while mum shouted with pleasure. "So congrats then. When, when will all this be happening?"

"In a few weeks," I said and gave them the date. "Bit soon, not much notice, I know, but I hope… well, you'll probably be busy with your work, but if you are able to come for a visit… I would like you to come. To our wedding."

Mum started laughing. "Oh sweetheart, of course we'll be there! We're so happy for you!"

I could hear Dad sniffling. "My little girl, all grown, and now going to be married. Amazingly good news. No great news! We're very happy, aren't we Tara?"

"Oh my gosh, Jack we are, we really are – truly are," Mum added. "Oh Jack, we'll have to get on to the airlines and reserve tickets straight away."

"Yes dear, as soon as we're done talking to our daughter. Fantastic news. And we're sure that you must be very happy as well, Al."

"Oh, yes, ecstatic," Al mumbled so I gave him an elbow. He spoke up, "Yes, yes sir, very, very happy here as well." He tipped his head at me. "Go on," he whispered to me.

"Right, and there's more," I told them. "Better, maybe."

"More? What news could better than the news that you're getting married," Dad asked.

I had to take a deep breath, Al put a hand on my shoulder to steady me. "Right, so, here's the other bit; you are going to grandparents."

All I heard was static from them my tiny mobile speaker.

"Mum, Dad? You still there?" I asked.

"Mr. and Mrs. Newcross?" Al added. "Hello?"

"Uhm, yes. Still here," Mum replied. "My, that is… amazing news. This will…"

"Yes, goodness," Dad said. "Wow. Quite a shock, isn't it? But, no, right, well… it'll be fine."

"Right, Dad," I said as my throat felt tight and it got hard to say more. "It will all be just fine."

Mum said, "Yes, well, if that's… the case. But preggers? Morwenna! Are you sure? Sure about all this?" and then the line dropped.

I blew air from my nose and switched off the mobile. "Yes, Mum, I am sure," I mumbled and then I burst into tears.