The time had come for his new baby brother to be born. Scott didn't remember a time without John, so he was eager to be involved this time. Mommy was really big. She kept complaining that she looked like a whale. Scott and John didn't know what to make of this as they had watched a program about blue whales, and they were huge! Daddy told them, when Mommy wasn't listening, that the whale was a baby one and that's how come it fit inside Mommy. Jeff was horrified when Scott and John both burst into tears, claiming to their horrified mom, and embarrassed dad, that they didn't want a whale for a brother. Jeff was in the doghouse over that one!
But the time when Mommy had marked off on the calendar as when their new brother, who was to be called Virgil, was to arrive had gone. Scott climbed up the chair onto the table every day and counted the squares after the big red circle. It was now 10 days. Mommy was unhappy, she said it was uncomfortable. Daddy was running around trying to fix everything so Mommy could be happy. Today, though, today something was different.
John was still in bed. He had not slept well last night. Daddy came into their room and started packing some of their clothes into a backpack each. 'Scott, can you please get John up and the two of you need to get dressed quickly please,' Jeff said as he packed enough clothes for a couple of days stay with his parents. They were admitting Lucy today and had plans to induce her. There was some concern that the baby was going to be too large for Lucy, so the surgeon was on standby in case a caesarean was needed.
Scott woke John up and helped his sleepy brother get dressed. Coming downstairs they were greeted with some toast for breakfast while Jeff packed the boys' bags and Lucy's baby go-bag; and settled Lucy in the front. As soon as the boys had finished eating, they were installed into their individual car seats. Lucy had thought ahead and placed books and colouring pads ready for them.
Scott was curious. No-one had yet explained what was going on. The decision to bring Lucy in had only been made that morning, and Jeff had busted a gut to get everyone ready in less than an hour. A miracle in his household! Looking in the mirror, he noticed that John had fallen asleep again, cuddling his bright purple star. Scott seemed to be reading, but Jeff noticed he wasn't turning any pages. He had been surprised that his eldest had not questioned what was going on – Scott was insatiably curious and needed to know everything. John looked like he was going to follow his big brother in this area.
Half an hour into the drive, and John was woken up by Scott suddenly exclaiming 'we're going to see Grandad and Grandma!' He woke Lucy up too, and she turned as best as she could to smile at the two. 'That's right, Scott. Mommy's going into the hospital for a couple of days, then Grandad will bring you both over to meet Virgil.' Scott frowned at this. He didn't quite understand, but it seemed that he and John were being left. He scowled. He had been promised to see Virgil! Jeff caught the thunderous face Scott was pulling and tried to head off the tantrum that promised to follow.
'Scott, John, there will not be room for you at the hospital as Mommy has to have special care. That means you get to stay with Grandpa so that I can take care of Mommy. Ok?' It was not ok, but Scott understood his dad was asking him not to make a scene. John just nodded, he seemed happy enough, but then maybe that was because he was still half asleep.
The handover of the two boys went smoothly enough, although Grant mentioned that Scott seemed quieter than normal. Jeff explained how he had nearly had a tantrum at being left, but the four adults thought no more about the situation. Jeff and Lucy drove off and the boys came into the kitchen for second breakfast. Scrambled egg and bagels – John's favourite!
The day passed peacefully enough for the two boys and their grandma, with Grant working. If Scott was a little quiet, and seemed a bit preoccupied, neither adult mentioned it. John was oblivious. He happily spent the morning colouring in the pictures in the book of planets his grandma had given him. A short nap in the afternoon and a couple of hours of TV and John was perfectly happy. Grandad came in for dinner at six, then they spent an hour reading before putting the boys to bed. At least, that was the plan.
As the evening wore on it became obvious that Scott was getting upset. He kept asking for his mom and Virgil. Three times already Ruth had sat him down and explained that Mommy was staying in the hospital until Virgil was born, but the answer didn't seem to soothe him as much as they thought it would. Putting him to bed was awful. John had quite happily gone down half an hour earlier, but Scott was refusing to go to bed, even though it was obvious he was tired.
Eventually the tearful toddler cried himself to sleep in Grant's arms. Both grandparents were at a loss as to what was the issue. Although Scott hated going to bed, it had never been this difficult. Putting him into bed, Ruth decided she would call the hospital and find out how things were going.
Jeff answered on the third ring. Lucy had been induced in the late afternoon, but there had not been much progress until late evening. The doctors had decided that Virgil was getting a little distressed and were prepping Lucy for a possible emergency caesarean. He looked a mess of worry, but Ruth was able to comfort him with the knowledge that this was a standard and well-practiced procedure, and nothing would go wrong. Jeff appreciated his Mom's comfort. He asked after the boys and Ruth told him they were both sleeping. She didn't want to worry him with Scott's behaviour – he had enough going on. Promising to call either when the baby was born or before breakfast, whichever came first, Jeff hung up.
Something woke Grant up. Working on the farm for all his life, he had learnt long ago to trust his instincts when they flared into life before the usual rising time of 5am. Slipping from the bed and dressing quickly in the dark, he peered at the clock. 1.40am. What on earth had disturbed him? Ruth was still asleep, gently snoring as usual. He headed towards the boys' room. Pushing the door open slowly to minimise any noise, he could see John's outline in his bed, but Scott's bedcovers were thrown back and the youngster was nowhere to be seen. Grant pulled the door to and headed downstairs. A quick search revealed that Scott wasn't anywhere in the house.
Ruth was woken up by a gentle shaking of her shoulder. Thinking that Jeff had been on the phone, she shot up and out, almost banging heads with her husband. 'What is it?' she whispered, catching hold of Grant's arm. 'It's Scott. He's gone.' Ruth just stared at her husband. How could Scott be gone? He wasn't even three-and-a-half yet was the irrelevant thought that entered her mind. She jumped up and dressed quickly. 'Have you checked the house?' she asked. Grant nodded. 'Everywhere indoors I could think of. His outdoor shoes are missing.' Ruth paled at that. Both boys knew to leave their outdoor shoes in the utility room so they didn't bring mud into the kitchen.
Checking that John was soundly asleep, they made their way to the kitchen. The kitchen had two back doors, one led to the utility room and the other led directly outside. Ruth pointed to the door leading outside. There was a scrap of fabric on the dog door. 'I can't believe he crawled through that!' Ruth said as she bent down and retrieved the fabric. It was torn from Scott's pyjamas.
'Lord, I wonder what has got that boy so wound up?' Ruth went upstairs and collected John, putting the sleeping child into his coat, while Grant checked around the garden. The front gate was open. Grant got the car ready while Ruth place John in his seat. Having not fully woken up, John was soon fast asleep again. Joining her husband in the front, Ruth whispered 'where do you think he's gone?' Grant pondered.
'I reckon he's heading for either home or the hospital. He was crying for his mom earlier, so I would think he'd head for the main road. It's the only way he knows.' Ruth was appalled. A toddler on the main street at this time of night! Scott didn't stand a chance of being seen. She wondered how fast the boy could walk – he'd been missing now a minimum of 30 minutes. Grant starting the car broke her train of thought. 'We best be quick,' he said, voicing her concerns. 'He could well have reached it by now.'
Grant drove slowly, high beams sweeping the road and trees around them. They'd been driving for 10 minutes when the lights threw a small figure into relief against the road. There was his eldest grandson in his blue aeroplane pyjamas and green wellies. Scott carried on walking, heedless of the car coming up behind him. He was needed. Something was wrong, not that he could have voiced this conviction if asked.
Ruth and Grant exchanged glances as the car pulled up behind Scott. Leaving the engine running, Grant slipped out and caught up with his grandson. Scott carried on, almost as if he was unaware his grandfather was walking beside him. They carried on this way for almost another five minutes; Grant was loath to stop him in case he was sleepwalking. Eventually, the tired little boy tripped over something on the road and fell. Grant immediately picked Scott up and held him tightly.
Walking back to the car, Grant was concerned that Scott didn't seem to be here at all. He had expected the child to protest, but there was nothing. Reaching the car, Ruth stepped out so they didn't disturb John. She ran her hand through Scott's hair and shared a worried look with her husband.
Scott was exhausted. With all the emotions he'd displayed over the last few hours, the lack of sleep and the long walk, the fall had taken his last reserves. Safe in his grandfather's arms, he simply stared ahead, tears falling silently. His grandmother's approach, and her running her hand through his hair, startled him back to the here and now. Grant passed him over to Ruth.
'Scotty, baby, what's wrong?' Ruth asked. His stillness was unnerving her, as was his silent crying. Scott turned in her arms to hug around her neck. It took several attempts until he could actually speak. And it broke her heart to hear him sobbing for his mom and his brother again. Grant opened the back door, removed Scott's booster seat and helped Ruth climb in, assisting with the seatbelt. Climbing in the front, he swivelled round and simply said: 'might as well head to the hospital. This little one is not going to be happy until we do.' Ruth nodded her agreement, shifting Scott slightly so that they were both more comfortable. She felt John's hand latch on to Scott's ankle, yet he seemed still asleep.
Jeff had not managed any sleep. The doctor had decided against the caesarean, Virgil's head was too engaged, and it would cause more damage to both mother and child. Lucy had been screaming for what seemed like hours. Finally, at 2.15am Virgil was delivered. He was a hefty baby, and he was immediately whisked away for observation. The doctors were taking no chances since he had been distressed for quite a while. Jeff waited while the nurses helped Lucy clean up and gather herself together.
Finally, he could sit next to his wife, his exhausted and drawn Lucy. She gave him a watery smile. He kissed the top of her head. It was over. Virgil had taken his own sweet time to enter the world, 10 days late and a difficult ten-and-a-half-hour labour. The midwife was fussing over them both, it was the same one who had helped with Scott and John. Jeff knew she was talking – he could see her mouth moving – but he couldn't hear a word. He was happily exhausted too, although wise enough not to say this to his wife, after all, she had done the hard work.
After another half an hour the midwife, damn if he could remember her name, brought Virgil into them, already bathed and swaddled. She settled him in Lucy's arms, and the happy couple gazed on their third son for the first time. He was almost twice the size of John and, although both John and Scott had been long, Virgil was compact. He had almost a full head of hair, as Scott had, and it seemed almost black. Opening his eyes, his doting parents looked into blue eyes that were already showing deep hints of brown. Maybe this child would have Lucy's eyes.
Kissing Lucy again and leaving her to feed their hungry new-born, Jeff left to call his parents as promised. He knew they wouldn't mind being woken this early. He was, however, very disturbed when the phone just rang and rang. Where were they? He tried his mom's mobile, but it went straight to answerphone. Jeff spent 15 minutes retrying before giving up and returning to Lucy. He wasn't going to upset her with this news, but she could see something was wrong. 'What's the matter, Jeff?' she asked, immediately concerned for both her boys and her in-laws, who she loved as if they were her own parents.
'There's no answer. Not on the landline or Mom's mobile,' Jeff replied, sitting down heavily. Lucy grasped his hand with her free one, hugging Virgil close while he fed. Lucy tried to comfort him. 'They'll be asleep. It is the early hours, try again at 5am, Dad'll be up then.' Jeff nodded. Settling down to watch as Lucy put Virgil up on her shoulder to expel any wind, he grinned. Probably Scott had given his grandparents the run-around, if his almost-temper tantrum when he was dropped off was anything to go on.
Half an hour later Virgil was back in his crib, Lucy was just drifting off and Jeff was on the verge of doing so himself when there was a knock at the door. An apologetic nurse popped her head around the door. 'I'm sorry to disturb you,' she started, 'but there are some people here to see you. It's highly irregular, but they are insistent that it's important.' Puzzled, Jeff looked at Lucy, who nodded. 'Ok, show them in,' he said, wondering who would be here at 3am in the morning. He was surprised when his parents came in carrying his two children.
Jeff shot out of his chair, rushing over to his mom to take Scott out of her arms. His eldest was awake, but very subdued, and there was evidence of tears. Grant held a still-asleep John. Scott cuddled into his dad. 'Hey, my little man, what's the matter?' he asked. Scott looked at his dad, then at his mom and baby brother. 'Mom and Virgie,' was Scott's only reply. Reaching over, Scott's gestures were asking for his mom, and Lucy took him from Jeff, tucking him into her side while Jeff brought Virgil over to meet his big brothers. John was still asleep, but Scott sat up straight as Lucy took Virgil in her other arm so Scott could see better. He grasped his baby brother's hand gently and was rewarded with Virgil opening his eyes and staring into Scott's. The two boys stared at each other for several moments before Virgil yawned and closed his eyes. Scott immediately yawned in return and snuggled into his mom, dropping off almost immediately.
Confused, Jeff turned to his parents. 'What's going on, why are you here now?' he asked. Ruth, now sitting in the chair Jeff had vacated, sighed heavily. 'Scott just wouldn't settle. He refused to go to bed at 7:30pm as usual, asking for Lucy all the time. Then he started crying; eventually he fell asleep in your dad's arms. Grant woke up at around half one and Scott had gone.' Jeff and Lucy both paled at that. It was Lucy who whispered, 'he ran away?' Grant and Ruth both shook their heads. 'No, Lucy,' Grant replied, 'he was heading here.' Both Jeff and Lucy's mouths hung open.
'When we found him, about half an hour later, he was walking along the road. I walked beside him for about five minutes until he fell,' Grant continued. 'He was crying all the time and just keep asking for you and Virgil, Lucy.' She pulled the now sleeping child closer, kissing his head. 'So, we thought it best to bring them straight here. Scott didn't stop crying until about 30 minutes ago.' Ruth noticed both Lucy and Jeff start at that. 'What is it, Jeff?' she asked. 'It was 30 minutes ago that the nurse finally brought Virgil in after he was checked over. It was a difficult birth and he had become distressed.' Lucy looked up to her husband. 'It must be a coincidence. How could he have known?' Jeff lent over and kissed first Lucy and then Scott. 'Well, we have a lifetime to find out,' he replied, 'we just have to teach Scott to stop running away first.'