Claire was now showing. It was strange Tess not being there, but living
with Nick. The past few years a lot had happened. Claire was married to
Alex with a one-year-old child and their second on the way and Tess had
married Nick. Alex was spending so much more time at home. He didn't have
to go to Willgal very often or Killarney. Claire tried to do as much work
as possible, as usual.
"Claire, can I speak to you a minute please?" Tess had come over to find her sister. Claire was now eight months pregnant. She was also worried about Tess from the look she had on her face. She followed Tess inside "What's wrong?" Claire asked sitting down. "I'm late" "Late? For what?" "No, I'm late!" "Oh. Oh my god! Have you taken a test?" "No" "Are you ok? I thought you and Nick wanted to have kids?" "We do, I'm just a little nervous. will you come with me?" She asked showing Claire a pregnancy test she'd brought with her. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather Nick be with you?" "No. I don't want to get his hopes up and you've been through this before" Claire and Tess actually laughed as they both looked at Claire's already enormous belly. Tess went into the bathroom and then joined Claire in the nursery as they waited. Tess held Jack. She was really nervous. "Have you two been trying?" "Not really, but we haven't exactly been careful" "Do you want it to be positive?" "Yes, I guess I do. It would just be a bit of a shock so soon after getting married that's all. Not that there's anything wrong with that you know" "It's ok, I know what you mean" "You and Alex look really happy" "We weren't for a while" "what do you mean?" "After your wedding, I went to tell him that I was pregnant, but I couldn't. He was never around. Then I got ill and the tablets the doctor gave me weren't working. I think I nearly gave Harry a heart attack when I collapsed and he had to catch me" "Oh my God, what did you do?" "Ran. I told him I hadn't eaten anything all day and then drove off" "What did Alex say?" "I didn't give him much of a chance and he was too busy working. I was so angry. I thought we'd sorted it out one night, but when I woke up the next, he'd gone again. I didn't know that he had been finishing off this cabin. I was so angry with him. Then I collapsed in the hallway where he found me. We finally sorted it out. He'd finished the cabin and you two came back, so we got to spend more time with each other. I don't think it would have been so bad if I hadn't have been so pregnant. I felt abandoned and I really needed him. Pregnancy sends your hormones all over the place" "I had noticed" "And you've got it all to look forward to, as well as the baby kicking, look" Tess put Jack down and put her hand on Claire's stomach and felt the baby. It was magical. It wasn't the first time, but everyone loved to feel it, except Claire when she was trying to get some sleep. "Is this a private party or can anyone join?" Alex said walking into the room. He put his hand on her stomach too. He moved his other hand to rub Claire's back. He knew it was aching and he also knew just the thing to make it better. Claire's face showed how good it felt. Alex's eyes wondered to a test on the side. "Hey, whose positive pregnancy test? I think we can already tell Claire?" "It's positive?" Tess asked with an excited voice "Yes, what else would it be?" He then clicked that it was Tess' as she started to scream and hug Claire. Nick walked in then "What's all the fuss about?" "Nice one little bro" Alex said, but Claire elbowed Alex in the side. He tried to pretend it didn't hurt and Claire laughed "What?" Nick said confused "nothing, the baby's kicking, that's all" Nick looked a little confused but ignored it as he cuddled his wife "What are you doing here?" "Thought I'd come and see my nephew, that's all. What about you?" "I wanted to talk to Alex about something" "Can we talk first?" Tess asked him "I kind of need to speak to Alex, can't it wait?" Claire squeezed Alex's hand. He thought he was indicating for them to leave, but the grip got tighter "Ahh" he said as Nick and Tess turned to Alex. He looked at Claire and then saw the slightly pained look on her face. "Claire?" He said, "I think I just had a contraction" "but you're not due for another four weeks" "I know" "I'll go and get Meg" Tess said leaving the room. Meg came and Claire hadn't had another contraction. "False alarm" Meg told them all. "Give me heart attack why don't you" Nick smirked "I don't want your laughing at, you'll have to go through all this you know" opps, he thought. Luckily Tess hadn't heard. He tried to save himself by saying 'one day' but luckily Claire cut in saying, "Well I think this baby's trying to keep us on out toes." "Doing a bloody good job I can tell you" "Alex," Nick said nodding his head to the door, which they both walked out "what's up?" "It's Tess. She's acting strangely" "All women do" "No, I mean really strange. She's not been well and keeps on getting really moody" Alex tried not to laugh. He knew it all to well with Claire "talk to her, ask her about it. and whatever you do, tiptoe around her with everything you say and do, trust me" they wandered back in to Claire and Alex's bedroom where Claire now was. Alex sat down on the bed next to her and gave her a kiss. Nick put his arms around Tess "Are you all right?" she asked him. "Fine, we need to talk though" they were whispering "What about?" "You" "Me?" "Are you ok because you haven't been well lately and." "I'm fine, it's just morning sickness" Nick wasn't sure he'd heard her properly. He looked at her "I'm pregnant" she said. He stood there for a moment and then picked her up and cuddled and kissed her. Meg and the other two girls that had now joined looked at them wondering what was going on. Claire and Alex looked at each other and smiled as he put his hand on her belly with hers. He lent over and kissed her "I love you" he whispered. "I love you too" she whispered back. "What's going on?" Jodi asked. Tess looked to Claire and smiled as Claire smiled back. She was so happy for her little sister. Nick looked to Alex "You knew?" "Have a habit of walking in at the wrong moment" "What?" Jodi said impatiently. "I'm having a baby," Tess said excitedly. Everyone was thrilled. "Why doesn't anyone take the piss out of Nick, he's a Ryan too" "yes, but he got the decent jeans." Claire said teasingly. "You never complained" "I needed a challenge!" "Well I certainly got one living with you" Claire was fine so they all left except Alex, who laid next to her.
Claire became really cranky. Even more than usual. Liz was over the moon about Tess. The prospect of three grandchildren was fantastic. Tess was glad that she had Claire who had been and was going through it all before her. Claire's baby was due any day now and she just wanted it to be over and done with. Alex hardly left her side and he had to be so patient with her. They did have a laugh though. Tess was around most days to see how Claire was coping. She felt as if the baby would never come. Tess offered to take Jack for the day. Meg had gone with Becky and Jodi to Gungellan. "Tess said she'd come and get him" "No it's ok. I'll be fine. You take him. I'm sure you'd love to get away from me. This baby's not coming anytime soon" "Must be stubborn like it's mother" "Or a pain like it's father" "Are you sure you're gonna be all right on your own?" "Yes. If there's any problem, I'll call Tess, now go" Alex kissed her on the cheek and left. Alex had only been gone a few minutes, when she started to feel very uncomfortable. She started to move around but it didn't get any better. It did go after a while though. She went into the study. Paper work was the only thing that she was capable of doing now. She sat there looking through the books, when the pain that she felt was unmistakable. It was a contraction and she started to breathe through it. She started to walk around, it helped slightly. She was in the kitchen when her water broke. She couldn't believe it. Of all the moments, it would be then when absolutely nobody was about. She picked up the phone and dialled Willgal. There was no answer. She waited five minutes, through another contraction before dialling again. Still no answer so she called Killarney. Luckily there was an answer "Liz, it's me, Claire" "Claire, how lovely, how are you?" "My water's just broke and I cant get hold of Alex, he's taken Jack to Willgal" "Where's everyone else?" "They've all gone to town" "What are you doing by yourself?" "I didn't exactly plan to go into labour when I was on my own" "I'll be over as soon as I can, just keep breathing and calling Willgal" Claire couldn't believe how quickly the contractions were coming. This was going to be a quick birth and she wanted Alex there. She tried Willgal again but still no answer. She didn't understand where they could be.
Liz arrived with Harry. She was so relieved to have somebody there. Liz got Claire upstairs to her bed while Harry tried to get hold of Alex. Alex was at Willgal. They were outside and couldn't hear the phone. Tess was showing Alex a picture of her first scan. She was so happy and excited but apprehensive as well. She saw what Claire was like and wasn't looking forward to it "How is Claire?" She asked. Alex rolled his eyes "Great if you catch her in a good mood, but it's really getting her down. I hope this baby comes soon, for my sanity" "have you thought of names yet?" "No, not yet, she keeps on changing her mind, is that the phone ringing?" "It's probably just your mother" "Thanks for looking after him" "No problem, we love having him. You know his looking more and more like you" "Lucky fella" "You want a beer?" "Just a quick one, Claire said she'd be fine, but I don't want to be gone too long" They walked inside "Someone's desperate to get hold of you" Alex said. The phone was ringing again. Tess went and answered it "Hello?" "Hi Tess, is Alex there?" "Yes, why, is everything ok?" "Me and Liz are at Drovers, Claire's gone into labour" "Is she ok?" "I think this baby's waited long enough. Makes sure he gets here as soon as he can" "Ok, well be there soon" Alex looked worried. Tess turned to him "No time for that beer, Claire's gone into labour and it sounds like it's not going to be long" "Is she all right?" "Yes, your parents are with her" They all got in the Ute and headed for Drovers. Alex was impatient and was glad that Nick was driving and Tess had hold of Jack. When they got there Meg and the girls had got back from town. Alex jumped out of the Ute and ran into the house and straight to Claire's side. She was so relieved to see him. He took her hand and kissed her head, as he pulled back the hair from her face "It's ok, I'm here now, you're doing great" With in the hour everyone outside was told that Claire had given birth to a beautiful baby boy. She was exhausted and after everyone had come in and left, she fell asleep in Alex's arms as she watched her son in the cot next to her bed
"So, have we decided on a name yet?" Alex asked Claire when she woke up. A cheeky grin appeared on her face and Alex raised his eyebrow "Worst comes to worst, we could always name him Marion after his father" "You do that and I'll divorce you" "What about Ben?" "Ben, I like that. How you feeling?" "Great. He's perfect isn't he?" "Yes, perfect, just like you"
"Claire, can I speak to you a minute please?" Tess had come over to find her sister. Claire was now eight months pregnant. She was also worried about Tess from the look she had on her face. She followed Tess inside "What's wrong?" Claire asked sitting down. "I'm late" "Late? For what?" "No, I'm late!" "Oh. Oh my god! Have you taken a test?" "No" "Are you ok? I thought you and Nick wanted to have kids?" "We do, I'm just a little nervous. will you come with me?" She asked showing Claire a pregnancy test she'd brought with her. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather Nick be with you?" "No. I don't want to get his hopes up and you've been through this before" Claire and Tess actually laughed as they both looked at Claire's already enormous belly. Tess went into the bathroom and then joined Claire in the nursery as they waited. Tess held Jack. She was really nervous. "Have you two been trying?" "Not really, but we haven't exactly been careful" "Do you want it to be positive?" "Yes, I guess I do. It would just be a bit of a shock so soon after getting married that's all. Not that there's anything wrong with that you know" "It's ok, I know what you mean" "You and Alex look really happy" "We weren't for a while" "what do you mean?" "After your wedding, I went to tell him that I was pregnant, but I couldn't. He was never around. Then I got ill and the tablets the doctor gave me weren't working. I think I nearly gave Harry a heart attack when I collapsed and he had to catch me" "Oh my God, what did you do?" "Ran. I told him I hadn't eaten anything all day and then drove off" "What did Alex say?" "I didn't give him much of a chance and he was too busy working. I was so angry. I thought we'd sorted it out one night, but when I woke up the next, he'd gone again. I didn't know that he had been finishing off this cabin. I was so angry with him. Then I collapsed in the hallway where he found me. We finally sorted it out. He'd finished the cabin and you two came back, so we got to spend more time with each other. I don't think it would have been so bad if I hadn't have been so pregnant. I felt abandoned and I really needed him. Pregnancy sends your hormones all over the place" "I had noticed" "And you've got it all to look forward to, as well as the baby kicking, look" Tess put Jack down and put her hand on Claire's stomach and felt the baby. It was magical. It wasn't the first time, but everyone loved to feel it, except Claire when she was trying to get some sleep. "Is this a private party or can anyone join?" Alex said walking into the room. He put his hand on her stomach too. He moved his other hand to rub Claire's back. He knew it was aching and he also knew just the thing to make it better. Claire's face showed how good it felt. Alex's eyes wondered to a test on the side. "Hey, whose positive pregnancy test? I think we can already tell Claire?" "It's positive?" Tess asked with an excited voice "Yes, what else would it be?" He then clicked that it was Tess' as she started to scream and hug Claire. Nick walked in then "What's all the fuss about?" "Nice one little bro" Alex said, but Claire elbowed Alex in the side. He tried to pretend it didn't hurt and Claire laughed "What?" Nick said confused "nothing, the baby's kicking, that's all" Nick looked a little confused but ignored it as he cuddled his wife "What are you doing here?" "Thought I'd come and see my nephew, that's all. What about you?" "I wanted to talk to Alex about something" "Can we talk first?" Tess asked him "I kind of need to speak to Alex, can't it wait?" Claire squeezed Alex's hand. He thought he was indicating for them to leave, but the grip got tighter "Ahh" he said as Nick and Tess turned to Alex. He looked at Claire and then saw the slightly pained look on her face. "Claire?" He said, "I think I just had a contraction" "but you're not due for another four weeks" "I know" "I'll go and get Meg" Tess said leaving the room. Meg came and Claire hadn't had another contraction. "False alarm" Meg told them all. "Give me heart attack why don't you" Nick smirked "I don't want your laughing at, you'll have to go through all this you know" opps, he thought. Luckily Tess hadn't heard. He tried to save himself by saying 'one day' but luckily Claire cut in saying, "Well I think this baby's trying to keep us on out toes." "Doing a bloody good job I can tell you" "Alex," Nick said nodding his head to the door, which they both walked out "what's up?" "It's Tess. She's acting strangely" "All women do" "No, I mean really strange. She's not been well and keeps on getting really moody" Alex tried not to laugh. He knew it all to well with Claire "talk to her, ask her about it. and whatever you do, tiptoe around her with everything you say and do, trust me" they wandered back in to Claire and Alex's bedroom where Claire now was. Alex sat down on the bed next to her and gave her a kiss. Nick put his arms around Tess "Are you all right?" she asked him. "Fine, we need to talk though" they were whispering "What about?" "You" "Me?" "Are you ok because you haven't been well lately and." "I'm fine, it's just morning sickness" Nick wasn't sure he'd heard her properly. He looked at her "I'm pregnant" she said. He stood there for a moment and then picked her up and cuddled and kissed her. Meg and the other two girls that had now joined looked at them wondering what was going on. Claire and Alex looked at each other and smiled as he put his hand on her belly with hers. He lent over and kissed her "I love you" he whispered. "I love you too" she whispered back. "What's going on?" Jodi asked. Tess looked to Claire and smiled as Claire smiled back. She was so happy for her little sister. Nick looked to Alex "You knew?" "Have a habit of walking in at the wrong moment" "What?" Jodi said impatiently. "I'm having a baby," Tess said excitedly. Everyone was thrilled. "Why doesn't anyone take the piss out of Nick, he's a Ryan too" "yes, but he got the decent jeans." Claire said teasingly. "You never complained" "I needed a challenge!" "Well I certainly got one living with you" Claire was fine so they all left except Alex, who laid next to her.
Claire became really cranky. Even more than usual. Liz was over the moon about Tess. The prospect of three grandchildren was fantastic. Tess was glad that she had Claire who had been and was going through it all before her. Claire's baby was due any day now and she just wanted it to be over and done with. Alex hardly left her side and he had to be so patient with her. They did have a laugh though. Tess was around most days to see how Claire was coping. She felt as if the baby would never come. Tess offered to take Jack for the day. Meg had gone with Becky and Jodi to Gungellan. "Tess said she'd come and get him" "No it's ok. I'll be fine. You take him. I'm sure you'd love to get away from me. This baby's not coming anytime soon" "Must be stubborn like it's mother" "Or a pain like it's father" "Are you sure you're gonna be all right on your own?" "Yes. If there's any problem, I'll call Tess, now go" Alex kissed her on the cheek and left. Alex had only been gone a few minutes, when she started to feel very uncomfortable. She started to move around but it didn't get any better. It did go after a while though. She went into the study. Paper work was the only thing that she was capable of doing now. She sat there looking through the books, when the pain that she felt was unmistakable. It was a contraction and she started to breathe through it. She started to walk around, it helped slightly. She was in the kitchen when her water broke. She couldn't believe it. Of all the moments, it would be then when absolutely nobody was about. She picked up the phone and dialled Willgal. There was no answer. She waited five minutes, through another contraction before dialling again. Still no answer so she called Killarney. Luckily there was an answer "Liz, it's me, Claire" "Claire, how lovely, how are you?" "My water's just broke and I cant get hold of Alex, he's taken Jack to Willgal" "Where's everyone else?" "They've all gone to town" "What are you doing by yourself?" "I didn't exactly plan to go into labour when I was on my own" "I'll be over as soon as I can, just keep breathing and calling Willgal" Claire couldn't believe how quickly the contractions were coming. This was going to be a quick birth and she wanted Alex there. She tried Willgal again but still no answer. She didn't understand where they could be.
Liz arrived with Harry. She was so relieved to have somebody there. Liz got Claire upstairs to her bed while Harry tried to get hold of Alex. Alex was at Willgal. They were outside and couldn't hear the phone. Tess was showing Alex a picture of her first scan. She was so happy and excited but apprehensive as well. She saw what Claire was like and wasn't looking forward to it "How is Claire?" She asked. Alex rolled his eyes "Great if you catch her in a good mood, but it's really getting her down. I hope this baby comes soon, for my sanity" "have you thought of names yet?" "No, not yet, she keeps on changing her mind, is that the phone ringing?" "It's probably just your mother" "Thanks for looking after him" "No problem, we love having him. You know his looking more and more like you" "Lucky fella" "You want a beer?" "Just a quick one, Claire said she'd be fine, but I don't want to be gone too long" They walked inside "Someone's desperate to get hold of you" Alex said. The phone was ringing again. Tess went and answered it "Hello?" "Hi Tess, is Alex there?" "Yes, why, is everything ok?" "Me and Liz are at Drovers, Claire's gone into labour" "Is she ok?" "I think this baby's waited long enough. Makes sure he gets here as soon as he can" "Ok, well be there soon" Alex looked worried. Tess turned to him "No time for that beer, Claire's gone into labour and it sounds like it's not going to be long" "Is she all right?" "Yes, your parents are with her" They all got in the Ute and headed for Drovers. Alex was impatient and was glad that Nick was driving and Tess had hold of Jack. When they got there Meg and the girls had got back from town. Alex jumped out of the Ute and ran into the house and straight to Claire's side. She was so relieved to see him. He took her hand and kissed her head, as he pulled back the hair from her face "It's ok, I'm here now, you're doing great" With in the hour everyone outside was told that Claire had given birth to a beautiful baby boy. She was exhausted and after everyone had come in and left, she fell asleep in Alex's arms as she watched her son in the cot next to her bed
"So, have we decided on a name yet?" Alex asked Claire when she woke up. A cheeky grin appeared on her face and Alex raised his eyebrow "Worst comes to worst, we could always name him Marion after his father" "You do that and I'll divorce you" "What about Ben?" "Ben, I like that. How you feeling?" "Great. He's perfect isn't he?" "Yes, perfect, just like you"