Derek must have left for work early the next morning because when the phone rang, there was no-one to pick it up.
"Hello?"
The next thing I heard was Cristina.
"Are you aware that I am on your front porch, or can you not hear?"
I groaned.
"One second," I hung up the phone and rolled over to see Charlotte lying next to me.
"What are you doing in my bed?" I asked her.
"I couldn't sleep…" she smiled.
I leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Let's go let Aunty Cristina inside," I carried her downstairs. "My, you're getting heavy," I said.
"That's coz I am almost five!" Charlotte answered.
"You certainly are!" I smiled at her and opened the door to see Cristina waiting impatiently. "Hey! I don't remember organising something today…"
Cristina frowned.
"That's because we never," she told me.
I put Charlotte down.
"Go watch some television honey," I directed.
She nodded and bounced off into the lounge room.
"Have you told her?" Cristina asked.
I shook my head.
"Nope, I'm still trying to work out how…" I sighed.
"Well once you start getting a fat ass and a bulging belly, I think she'll ask some questions!" Cristina said.
I rolled my eyes.
"I will tell her…when the time is right," I replied. "Coffee?"
"Not if you made it," Cristina said.
My eyes widened.
"I can make coffee, it's not that hard!" I told her indignantly.
"So why does it seem so difficult for you and taste so gross?" Cristina asked pulling the coffee pot from my hand. "Let me do it, you just sit down and have a tea or whatever,"
I chuckled slightly and poured a cup of tea.
"Charlie!" I called. "Do you want some breakfast?"
Charlie raced in.
"Pancakes, pancakes, pancakes!" she exclaimed.
"No way," I told her. "It's muesli this morning,"
Charlotte frowned.
"Don't pout or no breakfast for you!" I warned.
"How about toast?" Charlotte pestered.
"Okay," I gave in to her.
Cristina shook her head.
"Soft," she told me.
I shrugged.
"She's a good girl," I smiled ruffling Charlotte's hair.
Charlotte looked up and puckered her lips for a kiss.
"Oh of course," I laughed giving her a kiss.
Charlotte gripped my face in her hands as I pulled her up into my arms.
"I love being your special girl mommy," she nuzzled my neck. "Will I be like that always?"
I took a deep breath and looked at Cristina.
"Yes sweetheart, you will be," I said.
Cristina almost choked on her coffee.
"I just remembered that I have things to do today," she said quickly. "I'll see you later!"
"Cristina!" I whispered furiously.
"Bye Charlie!" Cristina called over her shoulder.
Charlotte climbed up onto the barstool and leaned over the counter to pull the plate of toast to her.
"Mmm…" I tapped her hand. "Share with mommy!"
Charlotte handed me a piece of toast.
"Thank you," I smiled.
I knew that it had to come out sooner or later.
"Sweetie…" I started. "Mommy has something to tell you,"
Charlotte looked at me intently and I picked her up and carried her into the lounge room where I sat with her on the lounge. I took her hands and rested them on my stomach.
"How would you feel about being a big sister?" I asked her.
"That sounds fun!" Charlie said beaming.
"Well, you're going to be a big sister…" I told her.
Charlotte looked confused.
"But where is the baby?" she asked.
I pressed her hands gently to my stomach.
"Right in here," I whispered to her.
"There's a baby in there?" Charlotte asked.
I nodded.
Charlotte smiled distantly and rested her head on my chest.
"When is daddy coming home?" she asked.
"Later honey," I answered.
Charlotte climbed out of my lap and ran into the kitchen where I followed her. She grabbed one more bite of toast and made her way back upstairs where I heard the door closed.
"Charlie?" I called. "Charlie…" I raced upstairs and knocked on the door. "Can I come in honey?"
No answer.
As I opened the door she looked up from her tea party table.
"Are you having a tea party?" I asked her.
She nodded.
"Are you upset about the baby?" I pressed.
"No…" came a small voice.
I sat down next to her and ran my hand down her cheek.
"You're still my little girl…" I told her. "It won't change with the baby,"
"It won't?" Charlotte asked.
I shook my head.
"Never baby, never will there be another Charlie, and never will there be a little girl who made her mommy the happiest person in the world!" I promised.
Charlotte got up and wrapped her arms around me.
"I love you so much," I told her. "Always Charlie, I will always love you!"
Charlotte clung to me and for a minute let her hand rest on my stomach almost instinctively.
"I'll love the baby too mommy," she said. "If you want me to, I will love the baby,"
I smiled and squeezed her tightly.
"You are going to be the best big sister!" I told her.