Chapter 26 The Nanny

After her lessons and lunch they all walked to the settlement. He put Alice down and kissed Rose goodbye. "I'm expected at the planning commission meeting. I'll see you later." He went down the road a bit and turned left into a tent. "Come on Alice let's go visit the school and see if the children are out yet."

When they got there the playground was empty. She asked a passerby when the children were out of school. It would be another hour. She didn't want to join his meeting, and didn't want to wait in an empty playground.

"Well Alice, looks like we have a little time on our hands until the others come. What do you think we should do?" Alice looked around the little community and said, "Can we go back and see the babies?" Rose smiled to hear her daughter had such an interest. "That's a great idea."

She took Alice's hand and went to a side street. The women there greeted her and Alice warmly. While talking to one of the mothers Rose mentioned that they had a little time on their hands and would love to help out. A statement met with much enthusiasm. "You need to talk to the matron. She will know right where they need help the most."

Matron Jones was, on the outside, a hardened professional who knew her own mind and stood for no nonsense. Inside she was as generous, patient, and caring a person as you'd ever want to meet. She also had a reputation for a wicked sense of humor. 57 years old, About 5'3" with salt and pepper hair she kept tied back and braided. Steel blue eyes that saw through deception easily as she was herself a very honest person.

As Rose and Alice approached her, she smiled in recognition. "Mrs. Smith I believe." Rose was a little caught off guard. "Yes I am. This is my daughter Alice."

Matron Jones lowered herself to the child who shyly clung to her mother's leg. Speaking very gently, "Hello Alice. That's a beautiful name. You are very welcome here. Have you come to help us with the children?" Alice smiled and nodded her head. "I'm so pleased. You're just old enough to be a great little helper."

The woman stood and addressed Rose and smiled seeing the puzzled look on her face. "Don't be so surprised. Your little family is the talk of the camp. To find someone here, so far out, and a doctor to boot. The gossip is running rampant." Rose grew concerned. "What are they saying?"

"Oh, nothing to worry about. We're all just curious about who you are, where you're from and why you would want to live all alone on an empty planet. The good money is on your husband being some kind of fugitive."

Her eyes were shining with humor, but Rose didn't quite know how to take it. She decided to nip that one in the bud. Grinning she replied, "Let me set the record straight on that at least. He's not a fugitive from the law if that's what they mean. Just from humanity. We needed some time alone and space to breath. We were just married and found this perfect planet with no one on it, and just stayed. We have been very happy here and are delighted that you have accepted us so warmly."

Matron Jones looked at Rose knowing there was more but didn't pry further. "Well that should stop a few tongues wagging. What can I do for you Mrs. Smith?" Rose was glad she hadn't asked any questions. She liked this woman, practical and reminded her a little bit of her mum.

"Please call me Rose. I was just about to ask you that question. You see Alice is home schooled by her father but is delighted to have children to play with. I've brought her to have a few hours with the other children, but they are still in school for another hour. I thought we could come here and volunteer for a bit."

The matron looked down at Alice wondering how well behaved she was. This facility was her responsibility and she took that very seriously. Rose bent down to tie Alice's shoe and speak to her very quietly. Whatever was said, the little girl was very attentive. As she watched them interact she knew they could be trusted with light duties.

"Mrs. Smith. I mean, Rose, we can always use an extra hand or two." She smiled and winked at Alice. "It will be simple work. Feeding and changing and maybe reading a story. How does that sound?" Alice's eyes grew wide and she tugged on Roses sleeve nodding happily. "Sounds like you have two volunteers. Where do we start?"

"Follow me." The matron led them to a room with several babies. A woman there was in a chair with a bottle feeding one. Alice ran up to her and stared at the infant fascinated.

The woman looked up. "And who might you be?" "My name is Alice. What's the baby's name?" "His name is James. Do you like babies?" "I think they're fascinating." Alice said with wide eyes.

"Alice." Her mother said sternly, "What have I said about asking for permission first." "I'm sorry momma." Alice went back to standing at her mother's side. Rose looked down and winked at her. "Momma can I go and look at the baby?" "Let me ask."

The woman in the chair was impressed. "It's quite alright. She may come and watch." "Go ahead Alice. Slowly, be careful." She walked slowly over to the woman. Her eyes wide with excitement. "Can I touch him?" The woman was unsure at first, "Yes, but gently." Alice smiled at the woman and very carefully touched the hand of the child. "He's so soft."

James reacted to Alice's presence and grabbed a finger. Alice stood frozen with eyes as big as saucers, between panic and delight. She whispered, "What do I do?" The woman was amused. "He won't hurt you. He just wants to say hello." Alice looked at her mother and whispered, "Momma, this is James, he wants to say hello."

Rose and the matron were grinning from ear to ear at the scene. "Rose, This is Mrs. Karen Calvin. You'll be helping her feed the infants."

"Please call me Karen. Your daughter is adorable." Rose smiled, "At times."

"Ladies I have other duties, I'll leave you in Karen's hands." "Of course Matron, thank you." The baby had let Alice's finger go and she went back to Rose. "Can I help you feed a baby momma?" "Yes, But you must be very gentle." Alice's face became very serious as if making an oath, "I will, I promise."

Rose sat in a chair and Karen handed her a little girl and a bottle. She showed Alice how you hold the baby's back and head and place the bottle in her mouth. The baby was not happy about being awakened from her warm bed and began to cry. Alice thought it was something she had done. She backed away and looked at her mother terrified.

"It's alright Alice, watch." Rose shushed and rocked the child and put the bottle in her mouth. When the baby figured out it was food she stopped crying and began to drink. Karen said, "I'm going to take a break for a few minutes. Will you be ok?" Rose nodded, "Yes, Go on, we'll be fine."

"It's just her and the girl on the right that needs feeding." "Thanks Karen."

Alice was concentrating on Rose and the baby. "Here Alice, Do you want to hold the bottle?" "Oh, yes momma!" "Ok, hold it like this. Be careful not to hold it too tightly to her lips. You must support it upright so she gets the milk easily." Alice did exactly as she was told and was delighted when the baby finished the whole thing.

"Now we have to help the baby burp. As she drank she also took in small amounts of air. If not removed it will give her a stomachache." Rose put the baby on her shoulder and gently patted her back creating the desired effect. Alice laughed and said "Excuse you." Rose put the baby back in the crib and chose the last one to repeat the process.

After they had all been fed, a few began to cry. "Why are they crying momma? They've all eaten." "Next they will need changing. Babies have no control over their bodily functions and the diaper is wet and uncomfortable, so they cry. Watch me." Rose picked up one of the crying infants and took it to the changing table.

She removed the diaper, washed the baby, and put a fresh one on. Rose couldn't resist and blew a raspberry on the giggling infant who laughed all the more. Alice watched it all as if she were studying. She had learned so much and Rose knew she would remember it all perfectly. Karen had come back and let her know the children were out in the yard.

They said goodbye and went to see if Mary was there. She was back in the sand pile and waved to Alice to come. "Can I go and play momma?" "Yes dear, have fun." As Rose stood and watched her daughter she could hear his words in her mind. "She will watch you to know how..."

"I hear Alice is a perfect little nanny." Rose was startled by the voice and turned around. "You seem to be able to always catch me off guard Captain MacAbee. The gossip must run really fast around here. We've only just left the preschool."

"I had to coordinate with Matron Jones about the move to her new facility. It's almost ready. The weather will turn cold soon and we need to get these folks out of the tents and into real homes asap. She told me about Alice and the babies."

Rose mused out loud, "That child grows more incredible every day." She was a bit embarrassed by the statement "I sound like every parent don't I? Just a little too overly proud of their offspring." Quinn smiled in understanding, "Well, it comes with the territory. Besides I don't think it's unjustified. Alice is quite remarkable. Just how old is she?" Rose was unsure how to answer. She didn't want to lie, but couldn't tell the truth. "Captain, you wouldn't believe me if I told you."

Another little girl came up to Alice and Mary and started to talk. What she said clearly upset her daughter and Rose was about to go out and help when someone restrained her arm. It was the Time Lord. "Wait, I want to see what she does," he said grimly. The voices of the girls were raised and angry and they could hear the conversation. A small crowd of children had gathered to watch.

Chapter 27 Lambs