The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out

A Welcome Aboard Sequel

Chapter 29

A/N—This chapter's going to be rather long. Enjoy!


It's day of the twins' first birthday party. After the Bradys return home from church, Mike and Carol put a sleeping Ryan and Carolyn in their cribs. They kiss their babies and quietly exit the nursery and descend the stairs.

Mike: What do you need us to do?

Carol: I'll need to get the cake baked. I'm going to fix a sheet cake for us, and a cupcake for each of the twins.

Mike: Why make two cupcakes instead of just slicing a piece for each of them?

Carol: It's easier this way. Besides, the girls had their own one-year birthday cupcake.

Mike: Smiles. I see. So, what would you like us to do?

Carol: Their gifts need to be wrapped, and the living room needs to be cleaned.

Mike: I'll have the troops help.

Carol: Kisses him on the cheek. Thanks. This is so exciting!

Carol goes to the kitchen and gets out the ingredients for the cakes. Mike asks the kids to help get the house ready for the party. He knocks on each of the kids' bedroom doors, beginning with Bobby's. Bobby is lying on his bed, reading a book.

Bobby: Come in!

Mike: Your mother and I need you kids' help with getting ready for the party.

Bobby: What do you want us to do?

Mike: I need you and Peter to get the living room cleaned.

Bobby: Closes his book. 'Kay.

He gets up and begins cleaning the living room. Mike knocks on Cindy's door.

Cindy: Yes?

Mike opens the door and finds Cindy's lights off and she's in bed with her eyes closed.

Mike: Concerned. Are you okay?

Cindy: Groggy. Got a headache.

Mike: Feels her forehead. You don't have a fever.

Cindy: My head's pounding. My head's been hurting since Sunday School.

Mike: Why didn't you say something?

Cindy: It wasn't that bad until near the end of church.

Mike: Do you need some Tylenol?

Cindy: Uh huh.

Mike: I'll be back.

Cindy snuggles back in her covers and closes her eyes. Mike enters the kitchen and fixes her a glass of Coke and a handful of crackers, and grabs the Tylenol. Carol's mixing the cake batter and is about to pour the batter into the cake pan and cupcake tin.

Carol: Curious. Who's that for?

Mike: Cindy.

Carol: Concerned. Oh?

Mike: She said she's got a bad headache, and that she's had it all day.

Carol: Does she have a fever?

Mike: She doesn't feel like she does. Pauses. Let me get this up to her and I'll get Jan and Peter to help out.

Peter: From the family room. I'm cleaning the family room.

Mike: Thanks!

He kisses his wife on the cheek and brings the tray to Cindy, placing the tray on her bedside table.

Mike: I've got your Tylenol, some crackers and a Coke.

Cindy: Carefully sits up. Thanks.

She takes the medication and sips some Coke. Then, she lays back down.

Mike: Get some rest and hope your headache goes away soon.

Cindy: When's the birthday party?

Mike: It's this evening, around dinner time. Do you want me or your mom to wake you up in time for the party?

Cindy: Yeah.

Mike: All right. He starts to leave. I'll put the do not disturb sign on your door.

Cindy: Thanks.

Mike leaves, puts the sign on her door knob, and knocks on Jan's door. Cindy snuggles into her covers and quickly drifts to sleep. Jan's on her bed reading a book.

Jan: Come in!

Mike: Your mom would like your help in getting things ready for the party.

Jan: What do I need to do?

Mike: Bobby's cleaning the living room and Peter's got the family room. Ask your mom what she needs you to do.

Jan: Okay. Puts her book away.

Mike: Oh, and keep the noise to a low rumble. Cindy's got a severe headache.

Jan: Ugh! I didn't think she looked so good in church.

Jan goes to the kitchen and sees her mom putting the cake and cupcakes into the oven. Mike goes to the master bedroom and wraps the babies' gifts.

Carol: Sees her daughter. Hey Jan.

Jan: What would you like me to do?

Carol: Go ahead and fix a salad and the garlic bread. We're having lasagna for dinner.

Jan: When is everyone coming?

Carol: The party is at four, and then we'll have dinner at six.

Jan: Who's coming?

Carol: Your brother and sister, your grandparents, Aunt Jenny. She thinks. I think Nora may be back in town and coming, and... She pauses. Peter?

Peter: Enters the kitchen. Yeah?

Carol: Is Julie coming over?

Peter: Yes. I'll be picking her up at three.

Carol: Okay, so with the ten of us, your grandparents and Aunt Jenny, and then Nora and Julie, that's seventeen.


Later that afternoon

Peter goes to Julie's house to pick her up for the party. He walks up to the door and rings the bell. Julie answers the door.

Julie: Leaps into Peter's arms. Peter! I missed you!

Peter: Hi. Gives her a quick peck on the lips. How was your Thanksgiving?

Julie: It was good. I enjoyed seeing my grandparents over the weekend.

Peter: I'm glad. So, you're not sore about the "absence makes the heart grow fonder" line I used at the pizza place?

Julie: Kisses him. No. You're right. It does make the heart grow fonder.

Peter: Good. Because I love you.

Julie: I love you too. Let me go get the present I got the babies.

Peter: You didn't have to get them anything.

Julie: I wanted to. It's not much, but I wanted to get them a little something. I'll be right back.

She goes back into her house, retrieves the gift, and joins Peter on the front porch.

Peter: Ready?

Peter opens the passenger door. She gets in and he shuts her door before getting in and driving them to the Brady house.


At the Brady house

The twins are awake and playing in their play pen in the living room. Bobby is watching the kids as Carol and Jan put the final touches on the cake and dinner. Greg, Nora and Marcia have not arrived yet. Mike knocks on Cindy's door.

Mike: Cindy?

Cindy: Awakens, still groggy. What?

Mike: It's three. The party starts in an hour. How are you feeling?

Cindy: Sits up and tries to blink the sleep out of her eyes. My head still hurts a bit.

Mike: Do you feel like coming down for the party?

Cindy: Maybe in a little while. I wanna watch them open their presents and eat their cake, but I may not stay for the rest.

Mike: All right. Do you want me to get you closer to four, or would you like me to send Marcia or Jan up when it's time for them to open their gifts?

Cindy: When they open their gifts. Pauses. That will be before the cake, right?

Mike: I imagine so. Chuckles. If they're anything like their brothers, they may get pretty messy eating their cake.

Cindy: Thanks, Dad.

Mike: You're welcome. Get to feeling better.

Cindy nods and snuggles into the covers. Mike shuts her door and goes downstairs.

Carol: Sees her husband enter the kitchen. Cindy still feeling poorly?

Mike: Yes. She asked me to send Marcia or Jan to wake her up when the twins are going to open their presents.

The family begins arriving at the Brady house. Carol's parents and Aunt Jenny arrive first. Mike's parents arrive during the conversation. The seven adults converse in the living room.

Martha: Reminiscing. I remember your first birthday.

Mike: Grinning, curious. Oh?

Martha: She was dressed in a pretty pink dress with lace trim on the sleeves and skirt. Jenny, you gave her that dress.

Jenny: Oh yeah! I got it the first time I went to Mexico City.

Carol: I remember that dress! I had each of the girls' one year old portraits done wearing that dress. I'm going to have Carolyn's next week.

Mike looks confused.

Carol: I showed you that dress. It's pale pink with white lace. Jan was so tiny that it just about swallowed her up.

Agnes: You showed it to me. It's gorgeous. Carolyn's going to look lovely in it.

Martha: Chuckling. You smashed your fist into the cake and then smeared it all over your hair.

Aunt Jenny: If I remember right, it was a strawberry cake with pink icing.

Carol: I thought it was chocolate.

Martha: Your sister's cake was chocolate with white icing. Jack's was vanilla with blue icing.

Agnes: Who's Jack?

Carol: Jack's my younger brother. He and his wife, Pauline, were killed in a car accident a year after they were married.

Agnes: Goodness!

Henry: It was a drunk driver.

Thomas: Oh?

Henry: A drunk driver ran a stop sign and hit them broadside. Pauline was killed instantly and Jack died a week later.

Martha: Mary's son was born a year later. His middle name is Jack. Changes the subject. Agnes, how was Mike's first birthday party?

Agnes: Mike pinched his cake and dropped pieces of cake on his tray. He didn't like the icing, and just ate the cake. Patricia was a little mommy and would wipe his hands when they'd get "dirty."

Mike blushes while Carol sniggers.

Aunt Jenny: Amused. Oh really?

Agnes: Yes, and Rick was so jealous because he wanted it to be his birthday.

Martha: Chuckling. How old was he?

Agnes: Patricia and Rick are two years older than Mike.

Martha: Smiles. So, they're twins.

Agnes: Yes. Rick is ten minutes older than Patricia.

Peter, Julie, Greg, Nora and Marcia walk through the kitchen to the living room. Carol embraces Julie and Nora.

Carol: So glad you could come.

Julie: Grinning. I'm happy to be here.

Peter blushes.

Nora: I was afraid we wouldn't get back in time.

Carol: Oh?

Nora: My plane was two hours late.

Greg: I almost sent Marcia ahead.

Marcia: Speaking of ahead, mom, where do you want us to put the gifts?

Carol: On the table, over there.

Marcia: Okay. Looks around. Where's Ryan and Carolyn?

Carol: Jan and Bobby have them in the family room.

Marcia: Confused. Where's Cindy?

Carol: She's sleeping right now. She's got a severe headache.

Marcia: I thought she looked like she didn't feel well this morning.

Carol: She'll be down when it's time for the twins to open their gifts.

Marcia: I'm going to go to the family room and say hi. She places the gifts on the table and goes to the family room.

Carol: To Aunt Jenny. Aunt Jenny, come over and meet Nora and Julie.

Greg: His arm around Nora. Aunt Jenny, you remember Nora?

Nora: It's nice to see you again.

Aunt Jenny: Envelops her in an embrace. Hello, Nora! Yes, I remember! How ya doin'? She spies Julie with Peter. And this lovely lady must be Julie.

Julie: Blushes. Hi.

Peter: Aunt Jenny, this is Julie.

Aunt Jenny: Embraces Julie. It's so nice to meet you! Peter's told me a lot about you.

Julie: Good things, I hope.

Aunt Jenny: Absolutely!

The doorbell rings. Mike opens it to reveal Ken and Kathy Kelly and their children.

Mike: Hi! Come in!

Ken: Carrying Kara. Good to see you!

Kathy: Carrying Karen. Hi! Sorry we're late!

Ken: This one decided to have an atomic diaper at the last minute.

Mike: I understand.

Matt: Where's Bobby?

Mike: The kids are in the family room.

Steve: Can we go play?

Ken: Sure! Can you boys take the girls?

Dwayne: 'Kay. Receives Kara.

Steve: Okay. Receives Karen.

Matt: Hey Bobby!

The boys run to the family room, while Ken and Kathy chuckle.

Carol: Hi! Glad you could make it!

Kathy: We would've been here sooner, but you know how it is juggling twins.

Carol introduces Ken and Kathy to Mr. and Mrs. Brady, Mr. and Mrs. Tyler and Aunt Jenny.


It's time for the twins to open their gifts. Marcia, Jan and Bobby bring the twins into the living room. Marcia's carrying Ryan and Jan has Carolyn. They pass the babies to their parents. Matt, Dwayne and Steve bring in their sisters and pass them to their parents.

Carol: Jan, can you go knock on Cindy's door?

Jan: All right. She goes to Cindy's room and knocks on the door. Cindy?

Cindy: Groggy. What?

Jan: Mom and dad are ready for the twins to open their gifts. How's your head? You think you'll feel like coming down?

Cindy: Pushes the covers back and slowly sits up. Ugh!

Jan: Concerned. What's wrong?

Cindy: Holds her head. Head still hurts.

Jan: You think you can make it to the party?

Cindy: Inhales and then exhales. I think so. I'll take some more Tylenol and come down for a little while.

Jan and Cindy descend the stairs and see the family gathered. Mike and Carol are on the floor, with Carolyn in Carol's lap and Ryan in Mike's.

Carol: Sees Cindy. How are you feeling?

Cindy: Weakly. My head still hurts, but it's down to a low rumble.

Martha: Glad you're feeling better.

Cindy: Thanks.

Jan and Cindy join their brothers and sisters. Marcia hands her parents the gifts and Agnes writes down who gave them the gitts.

Marcia: This one's for Carolyn from Aunt Mary and Uncle Roger.

Carol: Helps Carolyn open the gift. Look, Carolyn! It's a Rock a Stack!

Marcia: This one's for Ryan from Aunt Mary and Uncle Roger.

Mike: Helps Ryan open the gift. Three Men in a Tub. He chuckles.

Marcia continues to hand her parents the gifts. Rick and Sharon gave the twins a Fisher Price Record Player. Patricia and Gordon, a Dapper Dan for Ryan and Dressy Bessy for Carolyn. Alice and Sam gave Ryan a Fisher Price Clock and Carolyn a Fisher Price popping "vacuum cleaner."

Greg: Hands a package each to his parents. This is from me and Nora.

Ryan tears into the package. Carolyn takes her time, tearing off strips of paper.

Mike: Chuckles. It's a Fisher Price doctor's kit! You wanting another doctor in the house?

Greg: Couldn't hurt!

Nora: We saw it and thought we had to get it.

Mike: Takes out the stethoscope, puts it on Ryan's ears and puts the other end over Ryan's heart. Hear your heart beat, son?

Ryan giggles. Carol eyes her youngest son with pride. Carolyn finishes unwrapping her gift and reveals a Fisher Price Little Snoopy pull toy. She rolls it back and forth and giggles.

Peter: Hands them two boxes. This is from me and Julie.

Ryan opens a Fisher Price Shake -N- Roll Rattle. He looks at himself in the mirrored end and squeals with delight. Carolyn cradles her baby doll.

Peter: Julie picked Carolyn's out.

Carol: Smiles. Thank you, Julie. Looks like she likes it.

Julie: I got Katie one and she likes it, so I thought Carolyn might.

Marcia bought a couple rompers for each of the twins. Jan gives the twins a few Little Golden Books. Bobby gives them two Walt Disney books each. Kara crawls over and grabs the Dressy Bessy doll. Kathy tries to stop her.

Carol: It's okay if she plays with it. She reaches for the Dapper Dan doll and hands it to Karen. Would you like to play with it?

Kathy: Thank you, Carol. She hands Mike and Carol a gift each. These are from us.

Mike and Carol open the gifts to reveal a Fisher Price "pocket radio" that plays "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" for Ryan and "Gus and the Baby Ghost" book for Carolyn.

Mike: To Ryan. Say, "thank you!"

Ryan: Oooooooh!

Ken: Chuckles. You're welcome.

Carol: Signs and speaks: Thank you!i

Carolyn smiles and waves her hands.

Kathy: Grins. You're welcome.

Cindy: This is from me.

Ryan giggles when he sees the dump truck from Cindy.

Ryan: Eeeeeeee!

Carol helps Carolyn unwrap her present.

Carol: Eyes widen. Oh, Cindy! Is it? Tears stream down her face.

Cindy: No, but I found it at Driscoll's.

Carolyn hugs her Kitty Karry-All doll. Carol embraces Cindy. Greg takes a picture.

Cindy: I thought she needed one of them too.

Agnes hands Mike and Carol the gifts from her and Thomas. Ryan opens his, but Carolyn will not let go of her Kitty Karry-All doll.

Marcia: Chuckles. She is a little 'you,' Cindy.

Carol opens the gift and reveals a Mattel Shopping Cart with plastic food. Ryan receives a tool set. Martha and Henry give the kids a Fisher Price telephone and a set of blocks. Aunt Jenny gives the babies a sock kitten for Carolyn and frog for Ryan from Peru. Carolyn still has her Kitty Karry-All doll, and Ryan plays with his dump truck. Mike and Carol give the twins a little red wagon, a stuffed teddy bear for Carolyn, and a Fisher Price "radio" that played "Happy Birthday" for Ryan.

Carol: Thank you, all.

Next, Mike and Carol carry the twins and set them in their high chairs. The cake is a vanilla cake shaped like a teddy bear. The bear is brown with a green bow around its neck. The cupcakes are in the shape of a paw. Carolyn's has a pink 1 and Ryan, blue. Marcia lights the candles and brings in the cake as the family sings "Happy Birthday." Mike and Carol help the children blow out their candles. Carol places the cupcakes on the twins' high chair trays. Immediately, Ryan sticks his fist into the center of the cake and begins licking the icing off his knuckles. Carolyn hesitantly touches the cake with her index finger. As Ryan plants his face into the cake, Carolyn pinches icing off the cake and tastes it.

Agnes: Chuckles. Carolyn's pinching her cake just like you did, Mike.

Henry: And Ryan's taking after you, Kitten.

Carol: Giggles. I don't think I face planted like that.

Mike: Bobby did that. Cracks up. He got it all in his hair.

Greg: I remember that. Mom and Alice had a time getting it out of his hair.

The doorbell rings. Peter answers it to reveal Sam and Alice.

Carol: Smiles. Alice! So glad you could make it.

Alice: I couldn't miss their first birthday party.

Mike: It wouldn't be the same without you.

Sam: We were able to take an earlier flight, so here we are.

Carolyn sees Sam and squeals and waves her hands.

Sam: Hiya cutie!

Carolyn: Aaaaaaa! She lifts her hands up.

Sam: Speaks and signs: You want up?

Carol: Lemme get her hands cleaned first.

Carol cleans her hands and Sam lifts the baby into his arms. Carolyn pats his cheeks and grins.

Sam: You like your Uncle Sam? Huh?

He bounces her up and down and she giggles. Marcia and Jan serve cake to the family.

Sam: Hey Alice, we should get us one of these.

Soon, the party winds down. Cindy goes back to bed. Greg, Marcia, Nora, and the rest of the guests leave. Peter takes Julie home.

Julie: I had a good time.

Peter: I'm glad you got to come.

Julie: Kisses him on the cheek. It was fun.

Peter: It was.

Julie: And I like your Aunt Jenny. She's a gas!

Peter: When I first met her, I didn't know what to make of her, but she's grown on me.

Julie: I should go. I've got some homework to finish up before tomorrow.

Peter: See you tomorrow.

They exchange a quick peck and he leaves.


Later that evening.

Mike and Carol lay their sleeping babies in their cribs and kiss them on the cheeks.

Carol: I'm going to check on Cindy.

Mike: All right.

Carol quietly opens Cindy's door. Cindy's awake.

Carol: How are you feeling?

Cindy: Still have a headache, and I ache all over. She coughs.

She takes her daughter's temperature and it shows she has a fever.

Carol: You've got a fever and the flu is going around. I'll call the school tomorrow before Carolyn's doctor's appointment. Bobby can pick up your homework.

Cindy: Uh huh. She snuggles into the covers.

Carol: Do you need any more Tylenol?

Cindy: I've got the bottle here.

Carol: Go ahead and take a couple more and get some rest. Goodnight.

Cindy's asleep. Carol goes back to the master bedroom.

Mike: Dressing for bed. How's Cindy?

Carol: She's got a fever and sounds congested. I think she may have the flu.

Mike: Do we need to take her to the doctor?

Carol: If it's the flu, that won't help. If she's no better by Wednesday or Thursday, I'll call Doctor Porter.


The next day

Mike and Carol awaken and hear two babies babbling in the nursery.

Mike: Morning.

Carol: Morning.

They exchange a quick peck and get their babies.

Carol: Picks up Ryan. Happy birthday, baby boy!

Mike: Picks up Carolyn. Signs and speaks: Happy birthday, kitten.

Carol: Can you believe they're a year old?

Mike: We've had an incredible year.

Carol: We have. She kisses her husband on the cheek. Sometimes when they're asleep, I look at them and think, "I can't believe they're mine."

Mike and Carol feed the twins breakfast and get the three older children off to school. Alice arrives at the house and keeps Ryan while Mike and Carol take Carolyn to the audiologist. Carol updates Alice on Cindy's headache. Then, they leave for the audiologist's office. Once again, Carol paces in the room, waiting for the doctor to arrive. The audiologist arrives and examines Carolyn.

Audiologist: We can schedule the surgery for Monday, February 2. Her pre-op appointment will be Friday, January 30 at ten.

Carol nods, somberly.

Mike: When do we need to check into the hospital?

Audiologist: We'll schedule the surgery for around eight, so you can check in by seven.

Mike: Thank you.

Audiologist: I'll write everything down for you. Notices Carol's affect. I know this is hard on you guys, but this will give her a shot at having some significant residual hearing. If she were my daughter, I would have the surgery. She'll be in the hospital a few days, and I don't foresee any problems. Do you have any questions?

Carol shakes her head no.

Mike: No.

They leave the office and return home. Alice is finishing a load of laundry.

Carol: How's Ryan and Cindy?

Mike: Holds a sleeping Carolyn. I'm going to put her down. He kisses Carol on the cheek. Be back in a sec.

Carol: Okay.

Alice: Ryan just went down for his nap about twenty minutes ago. I called Dr. Porter because Cindy said she was feeling worse.

Carol: Concerned. Oh?

Mike comes back into the kitchen.

Mike: Did you know Dr. Porter is here?

Alice: She was feeling worse, so I called her.

Dr. Porter descends the stairs as Mike and Carol enter the living room.

Carol: How's Cindy?

Dr. Porter: She's got the flu.

Carol: Sighs. That's what I thought.

Dr. Porter: You know the drill. Lots of rest, fluids, and Tylenol. She should be back to normal by the last week of the semester.

Mike: Thanks, Dr. Porter.

Carol: What about Ryan and Carolyn?

Dr. Porter: About?

Carol: How do I keep them from getting the flu? They're so young.

Dr. Porter: You're still breast feeding them?

Carol: Yes. I'm weaning Ryan tomorrow, but I still want to feed him breast milk with a bottle.

Dr. Porter: Good. Keep it up. Pauses. Well, I'm going to go. Keep me posted, and let me know if any of the others come down with it.

Mike: Will do. Thanks again.

Dr. Porter takes her leave, and Carol checks on Cindy.

Cindy: Weakly. Hi, mom.

Carol: Brushes her hair back. How are you feeling?

Cindy: Coughs. I feel awful.

Carol: I know you do. She tucks Cindy's covers. Just get some rest.

Cindy: Can you get me some more water?

Carol: Sure.

Carol fixes Cindy a glass of water, and brings it back to her. Cindy is fast asleep, so she sets it on her night stand and quietly closes the door behind her.


That evening

The Bradys, except Cindy, are in the family room watching TV. Carolyn is snuggled in her father's arms, and Ryan is sitting in Carol's lap, in the rocking chair. Bobby is sprawled out on the floor and Peter and Jan are sitting on the other couch. Ryan looks intently at his mother's chest and unbuttons a couple buttons on her blouse.

Carol: Ryan, no!

Mike: Looks at his wife. Again?

Bobby: Looks at his parents. What?

Mike: Never mind, Bobby.

Ryan pats her left breast.

Carol: Stands up with Ryan in her arms. I'm going up to the nursery to feed him.

Mike: Do you want me to fix a bottle?

Carol: No, we'll start the bottles tomorrow.

Jan: Mom, I can get you a blanket if you want to finish the program with us.

Carol: Thanks.

Jan fetches a blanket from the living room and hands it to her mom. Carol adjusts herself. A big grin spreads across Ryan's face before he latches on. Mike notices.

Mike: Tomorrow gonna be tough?

Carol: Sighs. Yes.

Mike: You know, you don't have to wean him right now.

The program ends. The kids tell their parents goodnight, and go to their rooms.

Carol: Still feeding Ryan. I dunno. Since he's able to undress me when he wants to nurse, I'm still leaning toward weaning him.

Mike: You could always let him wean himself.

Carolyn stirs and awakens.

Carol: No, with Carolyn's surgery coming up, I would rather do it now. I'll wean her after her surgery.

Ryan detaches, looks at his mother and smiles.

Carol: Smiles. You are a cutie pie.

Mike: Ready for Carolyn?

Carol: Yes. You get him and I'll get her.

He places Carolyn in her lap and picks Ryan up. Carolyn latches on immediately.

Carol: Can you believe these two are a year old?

Mike: It is hard to believe sometimes.

Carol: Chuckles. It still astounds me that she was a surprise, but I suppose I knew on some level that they were twins.

Mike: You freaked out every time someone brought up the possibility of twins.

They remember the birth of the twins.


-Flashback Sequence begins-

Carol is prepped and is ready to push. Mike is by 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.

-Flashback Sequence Ends-


Back to the present

Carolyn finishes up. Ryan is asleep in his father's arms.

Mike: I think it's time to put these little ones to bed.

Carol: Yawns. I'm beat.

They carry the babies and place them in their cribs. Mike leans Ryan over so Carol can give him a kiss, and she does the same with Carolyn. They quietly leave the room.

Carol: I'm going to peek in on Cindy one more time.

Mike: All right.

They exchange a quick peck. Carol sees that Cindy's sleeping soundly. She closes her door and goes to the master bedroom. Mike is already in bed.

Mike: How is she?

Carol: She's asleep.

Mike: Poor kid.

Carol: Yeah. I know she feels awful. Sighs. I hope the rest of the kids don't get it. Pauses.

Mike: What?

Carol: I'm considering waiting until after Christmas to wean Ryan. It's only another few weeks, and if the other kids get the flu, the twins are just about destined to get it.

Mike: As I said all along, you don't have to do it right away.

Carol: We'll see. She sighs.

Mike: What's wrong?

Carol: I feel like we're saying goodbye to one chapter.

Mike: Oh?

Carol: They're not little babies anymore.

Mike: No, they're not, but they're far from grown.

Carol: Musing. I miss being pregnant and having little ones.

Mike: Disbelieving. You're not wanting to have another baby, are you?

Carol: No. Our family's complete.

Mike sighs with relief.

Carol: It's just we're saying goodbye to having infants...

Mike: ...and hello to having toddlers soon. They'll be walking and talking before we know it.

Carol: Smiles. It's going to be great. I can't wait to hear what their first words will be. Marcia's was 'mama.'

Mike: So was Peter's. Greg's was 'daddy.'

Carol: So was Cindy's. Jan's was Marcia.

Mike: Surprised. That's a hard one for kids.

Carol: Chuckles. She said it more like 'cha,' but she'd pat or point to her sister, so Roy and I knew she was calling for her sister.

Mike: Sweet.

Carol: What was Bobby's?

Mike: Alice. He'd say 'iss,' and point to Alice. It broke Sue's heart.

Carol: I bet it did.

Mike: Yes. It really did. She didn't get to do as much hands-on care with him as she was with Greg and Peter. We couldn't ever get her into remission.

Carol kisses her beloved on the cheek and holds him for a few moments.

Carol: I love you. She strokes the side of his face.

Mike: I love you too. Seeing how similar and different the twins are from the older boys brings up memories of Sue and me when the boys were little.

Carol: Yes. Same with the girls and Roy and me.

Mike: It's hard to believe it's been a little over eleven years ago.

Carol: And it's hard to believe it's been nearly ten since Roy died.

Mike: Where does the time go?

Carol: You know, Roy and Sue would be so proud at how his girls and her boys have grown.

Mike: Smiles. They would be.

Carol: Roy and Sue will always be a part of our lives

Mike: Sue told me to find someone who would love our boys as if they were her own. I didn't want to and had no intentions of finding someone... He smiles. ...until I saw you and Cindy at Woodland Park.

Carol: I didn't have any intentions of finding anyone either. A wry grin spreads across her face. Until I met you. I was disappointed when you said Alice would be waiting for you.

Mike: Cheeky. Oh really?

Carol: Yes. I thought she was your wife, and when you said she was your housekeeper, I was so relieved. Blushing. It feels so silly.

Mike: It's not silly. He brushes a soft kiss onto her lips. I love you, you know.

Carol: Kisses him back. I love you too.

They snuggle into the covers and sleep quickly overtakes them.


-End of Chapter 29-