--Chapter Eleven--
A/N--This chapter's LONG due to some long flashbacks. Enjoy!
The family gathers in the family room to hear the doctor's report regarding the flow tests. Carol has not let go of Alice's hand. Alice wraps Carol in a motherly embrace. Greg, Nora and Kevin hold hands. Jessica's snuggled up next to Marcia, and Mickey is next to Wally. Jan is cradling Grace and Patty is sitting in Philip's lap. Carlee and Jake are sitting with Ryan and Carolyn. Peter and Christine are holding hands. Bobby is holding Robbie and Traci leans her head on her husband's shoulder. Gary and Cindy are sitting on the couch. Cindy is hiding the fact that her back really hurts. The doctor knocks on the door.
Carol: Come in.
Doctor: Mrs. Brady. He shakes her hand.
Carol: Doctor, how is he?
Greg signs for Carolyn.
Doctor: This morning we performed two tests on Mike, an EEG to measure brain activity and a CT scan to measure the blood flow in Mike's brain.
Carol: Well?
Doctor: I've got good news and bad news.
The family stiffens up. Jan reaches for Philip's hand, squeezing it tightly.
Ryan: Tell us already!
Kevin: What's wrong with Grandpa?
Doctor: The EEG came back showing there is still some brain activity and the CT scan shows brain flow, which is good.
The family sighs in relief.
Ryan: Now what's the bad news?
Carol: Ryan. Shh!
Doctor: Although the tests show Mike does not meet the criteria for brain death, he is still not out of the woods.
Carol: Wh, What do you mean?
Patty: Looks up at her dad. Daddy?
Doctor: The pressure in his brain is still very high, which is very dangerous. I want to be very up front with you. He could take a turn for the worse, or the better at any moment.
Carol: At this point, what are his chances?
Doctor: I don't like to place odds on survival, but until we can get the pressure in his brain lowered to normal levels, then his chances of survival are very slim.
Carol tries to fight back tears. Alice rubs her friend's back.
Ryan: Getting very angry. So what do we do now, just sit around and wait for dad to die?
Carol: Ryan Andrew Brady! Mind your manners! To the doctor. I'm sorry.
Doctor: I'm sorry there's nothing else we can do at this point besides just monitoring the pressure. We're pumping as much medicine in him that we're able. Other than that, all I'd suggest is keep telling him how much you love him. I wish I had better news to tell you.
Carol: Thank you. What's the next steps?
Doctor: We'll monitor the pressure and we may repeat these tests in another week.
Carol: Thank you.
Doctor: Do you have any questions?
Nobody speaks.
Carol: Not at this time.
Doctor: If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.
The doctor leaves the family to soak in what he said.
Jessica: Uncle Greg, what does that mean, about the pressure in his brain?
Greg: He's got what's called intracranial pressure, which is pressure in the brain. Often after a severe trauma, injury like your Grandpa had in the helicopter accident, the brain swells or too much fluid collects inside the skull.
Jessica and the other kids still look confused.
Wally: When Mickey hit you with the football, your nose began swelling and turned blue. That's what's going on in Grandpa's brain.
Greg: That's right. And the skull is hard like a bike helmet. It protects the brain in case of head injury. Unlike your nose, which has room to swell and swell, inside Grandpa's skull doesn't have that kind of room because the skull doesn't expand like your nose did.
Jessica: Okay?
Greg: In Grandpa's case, he's got too much fluid in his head and there's nowhere for it to go. Left unchecked, it can crush the brain.
Mickey: Is that what that thing on top of his head is for?
Greg: Yes it is. It shows what the pressure is in his head and also helps relieve some of the pressure.
Kevin: What is the fluid?
Greg: It's called cerebrospinal fluid.
Patty: Cerebospi what?
Greg: Cerebrospinal. It's like water but it's basically used like a cushion for the brain and spinal cord so like if you walk or run or bend or twist, the brain stays cushioned and safe. Does that make sense?
Kevin: I guess so.
Greg: So too much fluid isn't good for the brain. The doctor said he has too much fluid. They want the fluid levels to go down to normal. If they don't, Grandpa may not make it.
Kevin: Oh.
Peter: Stands up. I'm gonna go see dad for a few.
Cindy: Begins to stand up. I'll go with you. She stands up and doubles over. Gary!
Gary stands up and Cindy leans on him as the contraction builds and passes.
Philip: Lemme go get a wheelchair. He goes to the nurse's station and retrieves one.
Cindy: Oh, not now!
Gary: Cindy, I guess it's time.
Cindy: But I'm not ready!
Carol: Walks over to her daughter. I don't think you've got much of a choice.
Nora, Jan, Marcia and Traci escort the kids out of the family room to give the new parents some privacy. Carlee, Jake, Ryan and Carolyn leave as well. Bobby, Wally, Peter and Christine go to Mike's hospital room.
Philip: Enters with a chair. Here you are. Your chariot awaits.
Gary: Looks for his older kids. Were are Carlee and Jake?
Philip: They went out with the rest.
Gary: I suppose have them come over to the waiting room in Labour and Delivery.
Cindy: In a bit of a panic, she grabs her mother's hand as Philip and Gary help her into the wheelchair. Mom, come with us?
Carol: Sure baby.
Philip: I'll tell the crew.
Gary: Thanks. To Cindy. I guess we're having a couple babies today. Let's go.
Cindy doesn't reply. Gary wheels his wife to the Women's Centre and Carol follows.
Cindy is in a room getting examined by the nurse. Gary and Carol are outside the room waiting for the okay to enter.
Gary: This feels a lot like déjà vu for me.
Carol: Oh really?
Gary: Yeah. I remember pacing outside the room when my wife was having Carlee and also Jake. With Carlee, I thought I was gonna wear a permanent groove in the floor.
Carol: Laughs. I bet.
Gary: What was it like having twins?
Carol: We didn't know we were having twins. Carolyn was a surprise.
Gary: Really?
Carol: Yeah.
Back to 1974
Carol and the kids are decorating for Christmas. They're putting ornaments on the tree. Carol grabs a few more ornaments and starts placing them on the tree. She places one up high and stiffens up.
Marcia: Looking concerned. Mom?
Carol doesn't answer.
Marcia: Mom, are you okay?
Cindy: Mom?
Carol starts panting and cries out in pain.
Carol: Get your dad. Another wave hits. NOW!
Jan rushes into the den. Mike is on the phone.
Jan: Dad!
Mike: Not now. I'm on the phone.
Jan: Dad, it's mom.
Mike: Waves her off. Shh. It's an important client.
Jan: Firmly. Dad, it's time! Mom's in labour.
Mike: Realizes what his daughter said. I've gotta go. Family emergency. I'll talk with you later, bye. Gets up. Where is she?
Jan: She's in the living room.
He rushes past his daughter and goes to his wife. Greg and Peter are supporting their mother. She is still by the tree. Mike takes over.
Mike: Honey?
Carol: She hisses. It's time!
Mike: Cindy, can you get the suitcase? It's in the nursery by the door.
Cindy: Got it. She goes up and retrieves the suitcase.
Mike leads Carol away from the tree toward the dining room table. A sharp pain travels through her body, ending with a gush. She is bent over somewhat, clinging to her husband.
Carol: My water. It just broke.
Mike: Let's get you to the hospital. Can you walk?
Carol: Breathes through the contraction and finally answers. Yeah. I think so.
Mike: Greg, help me walk your mother to the car. Cindy, got the suitcase?
Greg: Sure, dad.
Cindy: Got it.
Mike supports his wife. The kids follow. Alice notices the scene.
Alice: It's time?
Peter: Looks like it.
Alice follows the kids out. Mike helps his wife into the car. The kids wave as their parents drive off.
Bobby: Bye, mom.
Jan: We love you.
Peter: Good luck.
Greg: Looks at Peter. Good luck?
Alice: Okay, let's get this house decorated and cleaned up.
The scene changes. Carol reflects back on the delivery of her twins.
Mike puts on his scrubs and John, one of the orderlies, escorts him into the delivery room. Carol is prepped and is ready to push. He makes his way to her side.
Doctor: Okay Mrs. Brady. I want you to push. Bear down.
Carol tries bearing down, but she's holding tension in her neck. She cries out.
Doctor: This time, relax. Don't hold the tension in your neck. Push again.
Mike: C'mon, honey.
Carol: Pushing. Don't "honey" me! She pushes through the contraction.
Doctor: Good. Again.
Thirty minutes pass. Carol is getting tired. Mike pats Carol's forehead with a damp cloth.
Doctor: The baby's crowning. Another push and the baby's head will be out.
Carol pushes.
Mike: Fighting back tears of joy. I can see the head!
Carol pushes the shoulders out. Mike is getting increasingly excited.
Doctor: One more push and your baby will be here.
Carol inhales for one last push. Suddenly they hear a baby's cry.
Doctor: It's a boy!
Mike: Grinning from ear to ear. A boy! Tears are flowing down his cheek.
The doctor puts the baby on Carol's abdomen.
Carol: Hi baby boy! She caresses her son.
Doctor: Mr. Brady, would you like to cut the cord?
Mike takes the scissors and cuts the cord.
Doctor: Let's see what this little guy weighs.
The nurse takes the baby and weighs and measures him.
Nurse: Five and a half pounds, nineteen inches. Do we have a name for this beautiful boy?
Carol and Mike look at each other.
Mike: Ryan Andrew Brady
The nurse hands Ryan to his father.
Mike: Hi little guy, it's your daddy. Welcome to the world.
He hands Ryan to his mother.
Carol: Hi, little boy! Mommy knew you were a boy.
They study their son.
Carol: You look just like daddy.
Mike: You've got mommy's hands.
Ryan opens his eyes.
Carol: He's got your nose, Mike.
Mike: He's got your eyes.
Carol: We made a beautiful boy.
Mike: We sure did. I love you.
Carol: I love you.
Mike places a gentle kiss on her lips. They admire their son. Suddenly Carol starts cramping.
Carol: Panicking. Something's wrong!
The nurse takes Ryan. Mike's trying to console his wife and fights panic.
Nurse: Doctor!
The doctor examines Carol.
Doctor: It looks like Ryan's gonna be an older brother.
Carol: Horrified. WHAT?!
Mike: Twins?
Doctor: Mrs. Brady, same as before. Bear down.
Carol does as instructed. Ten minutes pass and the baby starts to crown.
Mike: I see the head!
Doctor: Push. The head's almost out.
She pushes again.
Doctor: Stop. Don't push. The cord's wrapped around the neck. The cord is wrapped very loosely around the neck. The doctor frees the cord. Okay, now push.
Carol: Can't. Tired.
Mike: Yes, you can. C'mon Carol. The baby's almost out.
She pushes the shoulders out.
Doctor: One more push and you'll have your baby.
Carol pushes one more time. The baby cries and she relaxes.
Doctor: It's a girl!
He places the baby on Carol's abdomen.
Mike: My little girl!
Carol: Oh baby girl! You were a surprise.
Mike: It's a good thing we thought of a girl's name too.
Mike cuts the cord and the nurse examines the baby.
Nurse: She's also five and a half pounds and nineteen inches. So, what's this little girl's name?
Carol: Carolyn Michelle Brady.
Mike: You sure? We can still use Jennifer if you'd like.
Carol: No, you wanted to name her Carolyn, so her name is Carolyn.
Mike holds his daughter after the nurse finishes examining her.
Mike: It's daddy. I always wanted a little girl. You were worth the wait. You look just like your mommy.
He hands her to her mother and then picks up his son.
Carol: Hi sweetheart. It's mommy! You have your daddy's chin.
Mike: But your mommy's face and mouth.
Carolyn opens her eyes.
Mike: You've got your mommy's eyes too.
Carol: We made a beautiful girl too.
Mike: We sure did. He begins laughing.
Carol: What?
Mike: You know this means we have twins.
Carol: Looks at her babies. I know. I don't care. I just love them so much. Tears of joy well in her eyes.
Mike: I love them too and I love you.
They give each other a kiss and then admire the newest Bradys.
Back to the present.
Gary: Wow! That's amazing.
Carol: The funny thing is, is while I was pregnant with the twins people either heckled me about having twins or would think I was father along than I was.
Gary: Didn't you have any inclination that you might be having twins? Cindy says she can tell there's more than one.
Carol: I think part of me did. There were some times when I thought I felt one foot on one side of me and another foot on the other side. That's not humanly possible for one baby to do that.
Gary: Chuckles. Funny you would say that, a couple weeks ago, we were lying in bed and we saw one foot on her left side and another on her right. It was so amazing! I still can't believe I'm starting over again. Carlee's seventeen and nearly out of the house.
Carol: Oh Mike was shocked out of his skin when I told him we were expecting.
Back to 1974.
Mike walks into the kitchen and Carol walks in from the dining room. He can't help but think how beautiful she looks, dressed in a white blouse, pink vest, turquoise necklace and peppercorn slacks. Pink is a good colour on her. Her hair is no longer in the flip style she wore for two years, but is cut short.
Carol: Hi honey!
Mike: Mmmm! He embraces his wife and they kiss.
Carol: Did you have a good day?
Mike: Oh, about the same as usual. How 'bout you?
Carol: Well, not quite as usual as usual.
Mike: That's unusual. You gonna tell me what made it not so usual as usual?
Carol: Grinning from ear to ear. Well, I merely found out that we're gonna have an addition to the family.
Mike: Stunned! We're gonna have a what?
Carol: Well, six kids plus one kid, equals seven kids! Smiling.
Mike is flustered and tongue tied. His head feels like it's spinning. What did she just say? Did I hear her right? Seven kids? Boy, this tie is tight!
Carol: Looks at his quizzically. Well, aren't you gonna say something?
Mike: He stammers, trying to find words. My, my mind is willing, but the rest of me is too numb to cooperate. I mean, honey, are you sure? Are you really sure? He puts a hand on each of her shoulders.
Carol: Positive! Laughing. Are you sure that a man in your condition should be carrying that heavy briefcase?
Mike sighs. Still stunned, he allows Carol to take the briefcase and lead him into the living room. Carol leads Mike to the couch.
Carol: Kinda shocked, aren't you?
Mike: Yeah. I didn't even see a jar of pickles in the refrigerator. When are we expecting?
They sit on the couch.
Carol: December. I'm about six weeks' along. Her smile widens. Remember the long weekend we were supposed to take…
Mike: …but couldn't because of Jan's senior night? What about it?
Carol: Takes her husband's hand and puts it on her abdomen. We have a little souvenir of that weekend.
Mike laughs nervously and shakes his head as he is having difficulty finding words. Carol tries to make eye contact, but Mike is focused on her abdomen.
Carol: I know we hadn't planned on having more kids. She is getting a concerned look on her face. Mike?
Mike: Looks his wife in the eyes and grins. I think I'll get some cigars to pass out at the office!
Carol: Oh, Mike! She embraces her husband.
That evening, Mike and Carol are in bed. Mike is reading the newspaper and Carol is knitting.
Carol: Mike?
Mike: Hmmm? He continues to read.
Carol: Puts her knitting down and turns to look at her husband. Are you happy about the baby? She looks concerned.
Mike: Still has the paper in his hands. Sure. Why wouldn't I be?
Carol: Well, you seemed a bit preoccupied at dinner tonight. Is there something wrong?
Mike: No, nothing's wrong.
Carol: Lowers the paper so she can look at him. Mike. There IS something wrong.
Mike: Puts his paper aside. No, there's nothing wrong. It's just we weren't planning on having any more kids. Now that they're almost grown, we're starting over?
Carol: A couple tears roll down her face. You don't want the baby?
Mike: Looks at his wife and wipes her tears. No, I'm not saying that. It's just it's a lot to take in, okay? I was getting used to the fact that in a few years, all the kids would be out of the house and it would be just the two of us for the first time. I was kinda looking forward to it.
Carol: Are you sure that's all it is?
Mike: Kisses her nose. Positive. Just let me get used to the idea. He thinks to himself, "Oh boy. What an idea to get used to. Diapers, midnight feedings, I'm too old for this."
Carol: Really?
Mike: Yes, really. Inside, "She looks so happy, she's beaming. I can't disappoint her. Wow, she's gorgeous. What did I do to deserve her?"He begins placing light kisses on her face and along her neck and shoulders. We're gonna have a baby.
Carol: Giggles. I know.
Mike: It's gonna be a girl. She'll be as beautiful as her mother.
Carol: It could be a boy who is just as handsome as his father.
Mike: No, I know it's gonna be a girl. She'll have your eyes, your smile…
Carol: …your hands, your hair…. She runs a hand through his hair.
They turn off the lamps and settle in the covers in an embrace.
Mike: He whispers. A baby.
Carol: I know.
Mike: I love you.
Carol: I love you.
They fall asleep in each other's arms.
Back to the present.
The nurse comes out of the room.
Nurse: You two can go in now.
Cindy is resting in bed as Gary and Carol enter the room. Gary goes to her bedside and gives her a kiss on the lips.
Gary: How are you feeling?
Cindy: Oh, pretty good. The drugs are great. I should be getting my epidural soon, but I hardly feel my contractions as it is.
Gary: That's good.
Cindy: Mom, what's an epidural like?
Carol: Oh, they're great. I wish I'd had one with you, Jan and Marcia. The medications given then didn't work well. The epidural I had with the twins was heavenly.
Cindy: Smiling. Didn't you say dad nearly passed out when you were getting your epidural?
Carol: Yeah, he did and boy did that make me mad. Here I was, in massive pain, and he gets woozy from the sight of a needle. Never mind it's a pretty big one, but don't let that scare you, and Gary, don't let that make you woozy.
Gary: Point taken, mom.
Cindy: Yeah, don't let me down, dude.
Gary: Chuckles. I can see you making a great story out of this for your show.
Cindy: If you do pass out on me, I'll be sure to make it a great story.
The anaesthetist comes into the room.
Anaesthetist: Are you ready for your mickey?
Cindy: Yeah, I am.
Anaesthetist: Okay, I need you to sit up and lean over. Daddy, I need you to come over here and support your wife. Let her lean on you. Grandma, you might wanna come over here and hold your daughter's hand.
Gary helps his wife lean over on him and Cindy puts her arms around him. Carol stands beside Gary and Cindy moves one of her arms over so she could grab her mother's hand.
Anaesthetist: Are you ready?
Cindy: Yeah.
The anaesthetist deadens the space and puts the needle in. He threads the line in and pulls out the needle. Cindy feels nothing. He tests the epidural and is satisfied it's working properly.
Anaesthetist: Okay, I think you're all set.
Cindy: Thanks.
Anaesthetist: Go ahead and lie down and be comfortable.
Gary and Carol help her lie down.
Anaesthetist: If it slips out or quits working, let me know. Congratulations.
Cindy: I will and thanks.
He leaves the room.
Cindy: I think I'd like to take a nap. The doctor said I'm about a six and my water hasn't broken yet, so I've got awhile.
Gary: Okay. He gives her a kiss. I'm gonna go check on the kids. I'll see you in a few.
Cindy: Okay. She snuggles down. Mom, can you stay?
Carol: Sure.
Gary leaves and Carol strokes her daughter's hair until she falls asleep.
--End of Chapter Eleven--