Chapter 29
M was in her office when Bill Tanner came in with a tea for her around 11am. She looked up and saw it was him and smiled.
"Morning Bill."
"Ma'am, thought you could use a tea."
"Ginger tea."
"Ofcourse." He said placing it down in front of her.
"You are good to me Bill."
"I do my best M. How are you feeling anyway." He asked, taking a seat opposite her.
"Alright, a little tired perhaps but other than that I feel fine."
"Mary and Ethan must be tiring you out."
"They've not been too bad actually. It's good to have James take some of the strain off."
"How's he handling you being pregnant."
"He's been wonderful actually. He's great with Mary and Ethan as you know and he takes such good care of me."
"I am happy for you both, just incase I hadn't said it already."
"James said you had a word with him the other week. Something about hurting me and you'd kill him."
"Sorry about that. I just didn't want you to get hurt."
"I know you don't and thank you for looking out for me."
"You know if you need anything, you just need to ask. Don't you?"
"I know I do. I'm not used to asking for help but James had ordered me to do so."
"Good."
Bill was about to speak again when Eve appeared in the doorway.
"Ma'am, your Daughter's on the phone."
"Wonderful. Bill would you mind."
"Not at all. I'll leave you to it. Drink your tea." He ordered.
"I will." She smiled.
She waited until both Eve and Bill left and picked up the phone.
"Joanna."
"Mum, hi."
"Darling, how are you. How's New York."
"Mum it's been amazing. I can't begin to tell you."
"Are you okay. How's James, the kids."
"James is fine love. Mary and Ethan have been no trouble at all."
"And you, how are you."
"I'm good. I do want to tell you something but it can wait until you're back."
"Well actually Mum, that's why I'm calling. We'll be home later today. The plane's due in about 8pm."
"Oh, I see."
"Simon and I were going to pop in on the way home."
"Right I see, well that's fine but it's a little late to be taking Mary and Ethan home. They'll be getting ready for bed."
"Well they can stay over and we'll come back and collect them and take them to School in the morning to save you and James doing it."
"Right, well okay."
"You okay Mum."
"Yes love, ofcourse. We've just gotten so used to having them around."
"Well Simon has a business trip in a months time if you want them again. It's up in Scotland and he asked if I wanted to go with him, so if you want them again, you can. I can always get Simon's Mum to watch them if you can't."
"No, don't be silly, ofcourse we'll have them. So you'll be by about 9pm then."
"Is that okay."
"Fine, I'll ask Paul to come around for 9pm too."
"Paul, why."
"I told you. James and I have something to tell you and I want you all together."
"You're okay, aren't you."
"I'm fine love, never better."
"Good. I'll see you tonight then. Bye Mum."
"Bye darling."
M arrived home about 7:30pm to find James and the kids sitting on the sofa watching the tv.
"Granny you're home." Mary said, rushing to greet her.
"Hello my love, how are you. Did you have a good day at school." M asked, picking her up.
"I got the part Granny. I'm the princess."
"You are. Well good for you. You'll make a fine princess."
"I will won't I. Are you going to sit down with us."
"Oh I think so. Hello Ethan, did you have a good day at school."
"I did Granny. We played football and I was the goaly."
"Did you keep the ball out."
"Everytime Granny."
"Good boy." She smiled.
M walked over to the sofa and took a seat beside James. He leaned in and gave her a kiss and put his arm around her as Mary and Ethan went back to the tv.
"You're late."
"Sorry. Paperwork in my job is never ending. The only thing I'm glad off is that because you haven't been out in the field lately, I've saved a packet."
"Oh, haha very funny. You need to stop working so late."
"I know, I know. Well I do have some news."
"Oh yeah, what's that."
"Joanna called earlier. They're coming home tonight."
"Oh."
"They'll be by around 9pm."
"They're not taking the kids home at that time. They're in their pj's."
"Don't worry. They're leaving them here tonight and picking them up and taking them to School for us tomorrow."
"Why are they coming tonight then."
"Because we're going to tell them about the baby and the wedding."
"It could have waited."
"James I want it all out in the open. Joanna, Paul and Simon are all that's left to tell. I want it over with."
"Alright, I guess you know best."
"Ofcourse I do. Go make me a tea would you."
"Yes Ma'am."
"Oi, no Ma'am in the house."
"Sorry, love you."
9pm came around and there was aknock at the door.
"Granny, the door."
"Why don't you go and answer it Mary."
Mary did as she was told and ran to the door. All M heard was an almighty squeal.
"Graaaaaaaaaanny, Mummy and Daddy are here."
"Well let them in love."
Joanna and Simon came walking through and Mary was in Joanna's arms.
"Hello Mum."
"Hello love, good trip."
"Amazing. Hello Ethan, how's my boy."
"Mummy, missed you." He said.
"Oh darling, I've missed you too." She said, picking him up.
"Did you bring us presents Daddy." Mary asked.
"We did but you'll get them tomorrow after School okay."
"Aww Daddy."
"Tomorrow Mary."
"Okay Daddy."
"Why don't I take them through and tuck them in." Simon said.
"Thank you Simon."
Simon picked up Mary and Ethan followed them through to the bedroom. Joanna took a seat opposite James and M.
"So how were things here." Joanna asked.
"Oh you know, quiet." M said.
"And James, how are you."
"Yeah I'm good thanks."
"Back to work then."
"Yeah, fully recovered."
"I'm glad and I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for the way I reacted when you guys told me about your relationship."
"It's already forgotten Joanna." James smiled.
"So what was it you wanted to tell us."
"I'd rather wait for Paul to arrive first. How about I make some tea while we wait."
"I'll do it." James said.
"James I can manage."
"I said I'll do it. You relax."
Joanna looked between them and noticed how protective James appeared to be of her Mother. It was another 10 minutes before Paul finally arrived. James let him in and he followed him into the sittingroom.
"Paul."
"Hello Mum, how are you."
"I'm great love. Thank you for coming."
"Well it sounded important over the phone. Hey Sis, Simon."
"Hi Paul." They said, in union.
They all sat around the coffee table drinking their tea before Joanna finally couldn't stand the silence any longer.
"Okay you two, what gives."
"Sorry darling."
"Mum, come on. You asked us here to tell us something. One would assume it's of some importance and judging by the way James is with you, it's something big."
"What do mean." James asked.
"Ever since we arrive, you've been hovering around her, very protectively. What's going on."
"Very well. I did ask you here to tell you something, well two things actually. The first being that James and I are engaged."
"Oh Mum that's wonderful news." Joanna said, getting up to hug her Mother.
"Thank you darling."
"Congratulations James." Paul and Simon said, shaking his hand.
"Thanks guys."
They all sat back down and Joanna noticed the look of worry M was giving James.
"You said two things." Joanna said.
"Sorry love."
"You said there was two things. You're engaged. What's the other thing."
"Right, yes. Well love you see, the thing is, we're pregnant."
Simon's tea nearly shot out his nose as the announcement and Paul sat with his mouth open.
"Mum did you just say what I think you said." Paul asked.
"Yes love, you heard me correctly."
"I knew you two were considering the idea but I never thought you'd actually go ahead with it." Joanna said.
"Listen you three, I know my having a baby is a massive decision but it's what James and I both want. Now I've been checked over very thoughly by my Doctor and I'm in perfect health. As long as I take things easy then me and the baby will be fine."
"Take things easy, my god and I dumped our kids on you."
"Joanna they've been no trouble, really." James said.
"Are you sure."
"Ofcourse we're sure darling." M said.
"What I said before I went on holiday with Simon, about being there for you. Even though I thought it was just a maybe not a definate, we are here for you."
"I know you are love. Paul, you haven't said much." M said.
"To be honest Mum, I'm in shock. Don't get me wrong,if you and James are happy then fine. Just so long as you do follow the Doctor's orders. We all know what you're like."
"It's okay Paul. She's already been given all her orders, more than once." James said.
"So, can I take it that we have your blessings." M asked.
"Oh Mum, ofcourse you do." Joanna said. Getting up to hug her Mother again.
To Be Continued…
