Christine's belated Birthday, plus the origins of Fred joining the McCallisters.
Part 2
(Kate's PoV:)
"Christine, the events leading up to Fred joining the family, all started on one October morning, back in 1984, when I woke up with a painful headache,"
"How did you having a painful headache play a part in Fred joining the family?" Christine asks, confused.
I smile. "I promise you, everything will make sense, once you learn the whole story, okay? Just sit back, relax, and don't say a word, while I tell you this story…"
Flashback…
McCallister Residence
Thursday, October 25, 1984-7:20 A.M.
(Kate's PoV:)
"Someone, turn off that alarm! It's hurting my head!" I scream, as I smack the alarm off the nightstand, and hear it thud against the floor.
"You all right, Kate?" Peter asks, as he rushes out of the bathroom, looking worried.
"No, I feel really awful, like I've got the flu, or something," I groan. Why did I have to wake up sick?
Peter comes over to check to see if I have a fever. "You feel a little warm, honey. I think you need to stay in bed, while I make you an appointment with the doctor. I'm taking off work today, too," Peter explains to me, as he removes his hand from my forehead.
"I can't lay here, Peter," I tell him. "I have to make sure Buzz, Jeff, and the twins get ready for school, and make sure Kevin is fed and changed." I struggle to get out of bed, but the painful headache and the nausea in my stomach keep me pinned down.
"You stay in bed and rest, honey. I can take care of the kids today. I'll bring you some broth after the kids are taken care of. Just rest, okay?" He smiles, before leaving the room.
I just lay back against the pillow and close my eyes, hoping to dream that the police find Christine, and that she's back home, safe and sound. "I miss you, my sweet daughter. Please come home. A year away from home has been long enough," I cry myself to sleep…
(Peter's PoV:)
The first thing I do after leaving Kate and I's room, is check on our one-year-old son, Kevin, who will be turning two in a few weeks. I hear Kevin making gurgling noises, signaling that he's awake, as I enter the room. I notice Kevin's hand is reaching out through the bars of his crib for something or someone.
"Morning, sport," I greet my youngest child. I look over his crib and smile, grabbing his small hand.
"Dada," coos the happy, bright blue-eyed baby, with a full mess of bleach blond hair. "Want Mama."
"Sorry, sport, but Mama's sick. You have to deal with me today, if that's okay?"
Kevin just nods and reaches out for me. "Want out,"
"Okay," I smile. I pick up Kevin, out of his crib. I notice he needs changing, as I turn up my nose from the noxious odor being produced from his diaper. "Kevin, you a need change of diaper."
I carry him over to the changing table to change his diaper. I remove his green jumper pajamas and dirty diaper. "I want my potty! No diaper!" Kevin cries, kicking and screaming.
"Don't have time for potty, Kevin. I still have to get your siblings taken care of. I promise, we try potty later, okay?"
I finish changing his diaper and throw away the old one into the pail. I pick up my crying son from the table and place him over my shoulder, as I leave the room to go wake up his siblings.
I cross the hall from Kevin's room to wake up Megan and Linnie. I gently open the door and enter the twins' room, with a crying Kevin in tow. The twins' room is a mess. Dolls and stuffed animals are everywhere.
"Megan, Linnie, time to get up for school," I whisper to both of my little sleeping angels. I notice Linnie stirring around in her bed, while Megan is still asleep.
"Morning, Daddy," speaks Linnie, as she yawns and climbs out of bed. She smiles, when she sees me holding Kevin. "Morning, baby Kevi. Don't cry." she coos. She holds and kisses Kevin's little hand, causing me to smile, and her brother to giggle.
"Megan, wake up. We're tight on time today," I speak again, softly, while Linnie makes Kevin laugh, by making funny faces.
Megan finally stirs and yawns. "Morning, Daddy," She climbs out of bed and kisses her brother "good morning". "Morning, Kevin."
"Morning, Megan," Linnie quickly hugs her sister.
"Morning, Linnie," Megan replies back.
"Morning, sweetheart," I tell her, smiling at the affection Megan is showing Kevin. I give both my daughters one-armed hugs.
"Where's Mommy, Daddy?" both of my girls ask me. Normally, Kate is the one to wake up all the kids, since I would be getting ready for work around this time.
"Your Mother is in bed, sick, but, don't worry, she's going to be okay," I notice the frowns on their little faces. "Speaking of your Mother, I think she told the both of you to clean your room last night, before you went to bed. Judging by the looks of it, you didn't do a very good job."
"We know. We promise to clean our room after school," the girls reply, looking down, in shame
"It's okay," I smile. "Be sure to clean it after school, alright?"
"We will, Daddy," They both run out of the room, giggling.
"Your twin sisters are something else, aren't they, Kevin?" I poke the little guy in the tummy, to make him giggle like the Pillsbury Doughboy, before heading out into the hall.
"Dada, ookie," Kevin points.
"Who's that coming down the hall, son?" I smile.
"Uzz and Elf!" Kevin claps, laughing.
"That's right, Kevin," I rub the little tike's hair. "Morning, Buzz. Morning, Jeff." I greet my older sons.
"Morning, Dad. Morning, Kevin." The both of them yawn. Jeff makes Kevin giggle, by trying to grab his nose.
"We're in a rush today. So, we'd better get a move on," I explain to the both of them about their Mother being sick, and that she's going to be okay, to allay any worries they may have. I then head downstairs for the kitchen.
I notice the twins have already taken their seats at the kitchen table, while Jeff and Buzz do the same. My heart aches, upon seeing the empty chair next to Linnie. A painful reminder that Christine is no longer here, and hasn't been seen, nor heard from, in sixteen months.
"Dada k?" Kevin asks, while playing with my hair.
I smile. "I'm fine, sport; just thinking about an old friend,"
On the night after Christine left home, Kate and I, as well as the rest of the children, came to an agreement to not mention any word about Christine to Kevin, when he became older. Kevin most-likely wouldn't remember her, anyway, and it's best to spare him from any unnecessary pain, thinking about a sibling, who was gone forever.
I place Kevin in his high chair, and he begins messing around with the built-in toys, giggling. I tell the rest of my children, since we're on a tight schedule, "Toast and cereal are what's on the menu for breakfast today,"
I grab the bowls, glasses, spoons, milk, juice, and several different types of cereal, placing them on the table. The kids fix their breakfast, while I fix up Kevin some applesauce, mashed up with some cereal, and a sippy cup of milk.
I feed me!" Kevin cries, as he tries to grab for the spoon in my hand.
"No, Kevin. We don't have time. I promise, you can feed yourself at lunch, okay, sport?" I hold the spoon out of his reach.
Kevin looks mad, but cooperates, letting me feed him, nevertheless. I glance up at the clock on the wall, and it reads 7:25. "You kids better hurry up finishing breakfast, if you want to catch the St. Gerhard's bus. It will be coming by in thirty minutes,"
Buzz looks up from his cereal and asks, "You're not taking us to school today?"
I feed Kevin another bite of the applesauce, at the same time as I tell the kids, "Sorry, kids. Someone has to stay here with Kevin, since your Mom is sick," The kids understand and go back to eating.
That reminds me, I have to make Kate an appointment with Dr. Snyder, the family's physician. I pick up the phone from the hook and dial the number to Dr. Snyder's office. The phone only rings once, before someone picks up.
"Offices of Dr. Abraham Snyder and Dr. Marcus Early. How may I help you this morning?"speaks the receptionist.
"Good morning. This is Peter McCallister. I need to make an appointment for my wife, Katelyn Elyse McCallister, with Dr. Snyder,"
"Okay. So, what's wrong with Mrs. McCallister?" the receptionist asks.
"She has a headache, light fever, nausea, and weakness," I explain.
"I have 11:45 open. Would that be okay?"
"That would be perfect. Thank you," I reply.
"I want to clarify, 11:45 this morning with Dr. Snyder. Uh, Mr. McCallister, Dr. Snyder's nurse needs to speak with you. Hold on,"
The receptionist transfers the call over to the nurse, and she starts speaking, "Mr. McCallister, this is Joan, Dr. Snyder's nurse. Could you bring in Kevin, as well, for his booster shot, if it's not an issue?"
I smile, when I see Kevin pour the rest of the applesauce over his head, giggling. "No, that wouldn't be an issue, at all. I'll be sure to bring both Kate and Kevin to see Dr. Snyder at 11:45, Joan,"
"I'll let Dr. Snyder know, then. See you at 11:45,"Joan hangs up.
I put the phone back on the hook and turn around to tell a messy Kevin, "Looks like you have an appointment with the doctor, too, sport. And it looks like you need a bath, too,"
I pick up Kevin out of his high chair and tell the kids they'd better get upstairs to get ready for school, before the bus comes. I ask one of the kids to bring me a towel, washcloth, and Kevin's baby soap and shampoo from his room, as I carry Kevin to the sink to give him a bath.
"I'll do it, Daddy!" Linnie speaks up, as she quickly rushes upstairs. Her siblings, following behind her, for their own showers.
"That was quick, angel. Thank you," I reply, smiling. Linnie brings me Kevin's bath stuff, while I run his bath water.
"You're welcome, Daddy," Linnie smiles, as she rushes back upstairs to get in line to take a shower.
"Ready to take a bath, sport?" I ask the happy baby. I place him in the sink, to his giggling delight, and gently bathe him. He splashes around the water, hitting me a few times, to his glee.
After finishing giving Kevin his bath, I dry off the little munchkin, and carry him upstairs for a fresh diaper and a new change of clothes. I can hear the twins
giggling and splashing water against each other, as I'm walking by the bathroom door.
I knock on the door and yell, "You girls quit goofing off and get ready! The bus will be here at any moment!"
They both holler back, "Sorry, Daddy!"
I take Kevin to his room and dress him. I hear the twins run down the hall and slamming the door to their room. "I have a feeling your Mother is going to be mad, when she sees the mess in the bathroom and hallway that your siblings made," I tell Kevin, who's chilling out on his changing table, playing with one of his little toys. "Want to go downstairs and wait for the bus with me?"
"Uh-huh," the little tike replies. I scoop Kevin off the table and take him downstairs to the living room. That way, we can both look out the window and wait for the school bus. The wait isn't a long one, as the bus arrives earlier than usual, to Kevin's delight. "Look, Dada. Bus!" He claps, giggling.
"That's right, Kevin. The bus is here to pick up your siblings. One day, when you're older, and start school, you'll be riding that bus, too,"
I yell upstairs for the rest of the kids to get downstairs, while hoping I don't wake up Kate. The kids
soon come marching down the stairs, dressed in their St. Gerhard's uniforms, which is a red polo shirt and khaki pants. They have their book bags in tow.
"You kids have a good day at school now," I hand each of them some lunch money and hug them "goodbye".
"We will," they all say.
The twins say, "Bye, Daddy. Bye, Kevi. Tell Mommy we love her,"
As for the boys, they say, "Bye, Dad. Bye, Kevin. Tell Mom we love her," They wave, as they climb onto the bus.
"Buh-buh," Kevin giggles, waving.
I reply, "I will. Bye, kids. See you, when you get home at 3:30," I wave to them, as the bus drives off, heading for its next destination. Once the bus is out of sight, I turn my attention to Kevin, who's still waving at the now-disappeared school bus. "Looks like it's just you and me, sport. Want to spend some time in your playpen, watching some TV, while I fix your Mom some breakfast?"
Kevin just nods, as I take him to the den and place him in his playpen. Kevin claps with glee and turns his attention to the TV, after I turn it on to a rerun of The Price is Right game show.
"Kevin, I'm going to put your baby monitor on the table, next to the playpen. Just yell, if you want something, okay?" I tell the bouncing baby, who's occupied with the TV. I set one of the portable monitors on the table, while placing the other one in my pocket. I soon head for the kitchen to make Kate some broth and toast…
(Kate's PoV:)
"Christine, don't leave me, please! I'm sorry about everything! Come back! I beg you!"
The nightmare is soon over, when my eyes flip open. I try to sit up, but the headache and nausea I'm currently suffering from prevent me from doing so. I notice the clock on the table reads 7:50 A.M. I also notice on the baby monitor base station, that both downstairs monitors are active, as is the one in Kevin's room. I smile, when I hear Kevin, giggling and laughing.
I reach over and turn the knob that lets me speak to him. "Morning, Kevin, sweetheart. Momma's sorry she couldn't be there for you today,"
"Mama k?" he coos back.
My smile becomes much brighter. "I'm a little sick, but Mama's going to be okay. I love you, Kevin,"
"Wub you, too, Mama," he replies, as I turn the knob back to listen mode. I soon hear Kevin giggling and laughing again. I wonder what's amusing him so much, as I try to relax again. Peter should be bringing me some breakfast soon…
(Peter's PoV:)
I know Kate is awake now, because I heard the heartwarming conversation that she just had with Kevin over the baby monitor. I was preparing Kate's breakfast tray, when the conversation took place. I place the finishing touches on her tray and carry it upstairs. The baby monitors will let Kate and I know if Kevin needs us.
"Did someone call for room service?" I joke, as I carry the tray into the bedroom. Kate just stares at me.
"Your humor needs work, honey," Kate smiles, as I set the tray in front of her. "This looks nice, sweetheart. Thanks."
"There's some broth, toast, juice, water, and a Tylenol. I know you're sick at your stomach, but you need to eat a little something," Kate takes the medication first.
"So, did the kids get off to school okay? Did Kevin get changed and fed?" Kate asks, as she takes a small bite of toast.
"Yes, they took the bus. And, yes, Kevin has been changed, fed, and bathed," I nod. "I was able to get you an appointment with Dr. Snyder at 11:45."
"That's great, honey," Kate smiles. " I just hope it's not anything serious."
"It's most-likely the flu," I reassure her. "Kevin has to see the doctor, too."
"Why? He's not sick, too, is he?" Kate worries, dropping her spoon.
"No, it's just the nurse told me his booster shot is due,"
"Oh, Peter, I don't think I can eat any more," Kate gets out of bed and quickly rushes toward the bathroom, holding her mouth. The gagging sounds she's making tell me everything I need know.
"You okay, sweetheart?" I ask, looking worried, as Kate comes out of the bathroom, looking pale.
"No," Kate replies, as she lays back down. I get her a wet washcloth for her head.
"I wish 11:45 would hurry up…" I mutter to myself, while I place the wet cloth on Kate's forehead…
Timeskip…
Outside of Dr. Snyder's Office
11:40 A.M.
(Kate's PoV:)
I push Kevin's stroller up the pathway that leads to the entrance of Dr. Snyder's office. Kevin is pointing at everything and giggling. Peter is standing at my side and keeping a close eye on me.
Dr. Snyder's office is just a small red brick building, surrounded by grass, trees, and a parking lot in the back. Several other medical buildings in the surrounding area can be seen, as well.
"I'll get the door, Kate," Peter says, as he pulls it open. I push Kevin's stroller through the door and walk inside, with Peter, following behind.
The sterile smell of the office quickly turns my stomach, but I'm able to restrain myself from throwing up. Peter gives me a knowing glance and speaks, "Why don't you take Kevin, and find somewhere to sit? I'll join, after getting you guys checked in, okay?" He smiles.
I smile back and nod. "Thanks, sweetheart. I'll do just that,"
It isn't hard to find somewhere to sit, as the small waiting room is near empty, save for an elderly couple, that are setting on the far side. I take a seat, unbuckle Kevin from his stroller, and place him on my lap. Peter soon joins us, and he takes the chance to fold up Kevin's stroller.
The waiting room is all white, with chairs, two magazine racks, several fake plants, paintings, a sliding window where the nurse sits, a door that leads to the examination area, another door that leads to the restroom, and a water fountain.
"Want to play toys, Mama," Kevin points at the little play area in the corner.
"Sorry, baby, but not today," I gently tell him, because I don't want Kevin to get sick from any germs those toys may have. "Mama can tell you a story, instead?"
"K, Mama," he coos, as he lays back into me to listen.
I smile, as I tell him the story, about how one brave little girl stood up against the whole school, in defense of a lonely person, who was being picked on. I leave out the fact that the girl is Kevin's older sister, Christine, and the story really did happen.
The wait isn't a long one, as I see the door that leads to the patients' room swing open. There, stands Joan, Dr. Snyder's nurse. She's has dark blonde hair, is short, average built, and around her mid-thirties.
"Kate and Kevin McCallister!" she announces, loudly, holding two folders.
"Well, that's us, Kevin,"
I smile, as I get up from where I'm sitting and carry Kevin towards where Joan is standing. Peter mentions that he'll wait for us out here, in the waiting room, as he grabs a fishing magazine from off the rack and starts reading it.
"Good morning, Kate and Kevin. We're going to be in Room 5 today," Joan smiles, as she leads the way toward the exam room.
Kevin lays his head against my shoulder, scared. He shakes, as the both of us enter the exam room. The room is all blue, with a metal, red-cushioned exam table, a desk, exam lamp, drawers, and cabinets.
Joan follows in from behind and closes the door. She places the folders on the little desk and takes a seat. I take a seat, as well. Joan focuses on me first. Both of us know Kevin hates shots. Joan asks me what's wrong.
I explain to Joan what my symptoms are, and that they started this morning, when I woke up. Joan writes down everything in my medical file. Joan then explains silently, so Kevin can't hear, that his booster shot is due, and makes a note of it in his medical file.
Kevin puts up a fight, crying, "No, Mama!"
I place him in the chair next to mine, so that Joan can take my vitals and blood pressure. I mention I'm too
dizzy to get my weight checked. Kevin's vitals are also checked and noted.
Kevin really puts up a fight, when I place him on the baby scale, so that Joan can weigh him. "Kevin, you behave now!" I snap, because I'm too sick to deal with his temper. Kevin gives me a mean look, when I pick him up from the scale, after being weighed.
"The doctor will see you shortly," Joan tells me, before leaving the room and closing the door behind her.
A few minutes pass, when a knock is heard, and the door opens. It's Dr. Snyder, a tall, burly, bald-headed, and bespectacled man in his early sixties, who's nearing retirement. He wears a white lab coat and an older style stethoscope around his neck. He has been the McCallister family doctor, since we first moved to Chicago, back in early 1975.
"Hello, Kate. Hiya, Kevin," Dr. Snyder smiles, as he walks into the room. He takes a seat at the little desk, and begins overlooking Kevin and I's medical files. "Looking at your file here, it seems like you've had a rough morning, so far, Kate. And, judging from Kevin's file, he's due for his booster today," Dr. Snyder speaks. "I know Kevin is not fond of getting poked in the arm. So, how about I start with you first, okay?"
"Okay," I reply.
I get up from where I'm sitting, and make my way to the exam table, with Kevin in tow. I hop up on the table and place Kevin safely beside me, where he can't fall and hurt himself. Kevin is looking fearful.
Dr. Snyder does a complete examination of my heart, lungs, ears, nose, throat, arms, and legs, with his instruments. He also feels my abdomen. Once he's finished with the examination, Dr. Snyder speaks to me, explaining, "There are two tests I'd like to run to help me make my diagnosis: A blood test and a flu test. If that's okay with you, Kate?"
"Absolutely. If it means getting better," I reply, smiling.
Dr. Snyder nods. "Alright. Let me go outside and fetch Joan real quick, so she can perform the tests, and run them down to the lab, while I'm performing Kevin's examination,"
It doesn't take long for the doctor to return with Nurse Joan. I wince a little, when Joan sticks a needle in my vein, after making sure it's free of germs. She draws enough blood to place in the small glass vials, which are labeled.
The flu test is much simpler, as it only requires Joan to swab a sample of mucus from inside my nose. It tickles a little. She speaks with the doctor a bit, before running all the samples to the lab for analysis. I hope it's nothing serious.
While Joan is doing that, Dr. Snyder performs Kevin's examination. It's going smoothly, until Dr. Snyder brings out the needle and injects it into Kevin's arm. Kevin lets out the loudest cry I've ever heard for an almost two-year-old baby. Other than that, Kevin is a healthy baby.
"It's going to be okay, sweetheart," I try to calm Kevin, who's still crying. The doctor has already left the room, mentioning he will return, once my labs come back. "Want Mama to rock you, while we wait for the doctor to come back?" Kevin nods. I place him on my shoulder and gently rock him, while patting his back.
About fifteen minutes later, the doctor finally returns with the lab results. "So, what's the verdict, Dr. Snyder?" I ask, feeling somewhat scared it's something serious.
Dr. Snyder hesitates for a bit, before saying, "Well, Kate… It's not the flu. That test came back negative. All of your labs came back okay… Save for one,"
I'm soon overcome with a feeling of dread. "It's not anything life threatening, is it?"
No, no, no. It's nothing like that, I assure you," he replies. "It's just that one lab test came back, saying you're pregnant with kid number seven."
The feeling of dread soon turns into a feeling of shock and disbelief. "Are you sure about this, Dr. Snyder? I thought I was too old to have any more kids. I was expecting Kevin to be the last one,"
"I'm very positive, Kate. Your symptoms match those, when you first became pregnant with Megan and Linnie. It's known that females around your age can still have kids. It's just not very common. There's a greater chance for complications to occur with this one, but nothing to worry about," he reassures. The rest of the conversation with the doctor goes by in a blur. I only remember him telling me that I'm just a few weeks along, and the due date should be in July.
"You're going to be a big brother, Kevin," I whisper to the now-calm baby, feeling very blissful that I'm going to be a Mother again. I can't wait to see Peter's reaction, when I tell him the news. The only part missing is not being able to share the news with Christine.
I see Peter look up at me, as I exit the hallway, back into the waiting room. He drops the fishing magazine he's reading and asks, looking concerned, "So, what did Dr. Snyder say, Kate?"
A huge smile creeps onto my face. "You're going to be a Daddy again, Peter,"
Peter just looks at me, stunned. "Kate, don't tell me you're… That we're going to have…" He chokes on his words.
I happily cry, "Yes, honey. We're having another baby!" I buckle Kevin into his stroller.
Peter just smiles, as he hugs me. "Oh, sweetheart. That's wonderful," I explain to Peter what the doctor told me and what to expect again. "The kids are going to be happy, when we tell them the news." Peter mentions.
"Yeah," I sigh, thinking about Christine. I push Kevin's stroller, as Peter and I walk away from the doctor's office, heading for the car…
To be Continued…