Part 4 – the surprise

Tess walked out of the bathroom, saw Nick standing there, his eyes glimmering with hope. Tess saw them, and knew she let him down again. Tess crumpled against the wall, tears streaming down her cheeks. Nick knew that it wouldn't be this month that he would get another chance of being a father. Nick walked over to Tess and wrapped his arms around her.

'I'm so sorry Nick'

'Don't be silly Tess. There's nothing you need to be sorry about'

'But I've let you down again'

'You could never let me down Tess'

'I just want someone to call me Mummy'

'It'll happen Tess. We've only been married a year, these things take time'

'But I've already lost two babies. How many more will I lose before I get to hold my baby in my arms?'

'I don't know Tess. But I do know something. I'll be here for you all the way, and one day, it'll happen'

'How can you be so sure?'

'Cos it's got to. And don't forget that we have Charlotte'

'I know and as much as I love her, it's just not the same. And I feel so bad saying that, but it's not'

'I know Tess, I know'

At Charlotte and Brianna's birthday lunch, Alex brought in the surprise that he had gotten for the girls.

'Bom, Bria, come outside for a sec' He called 'Liam, you wait with your mother' He said as the little boy got up to follow his Dad and cousins.

Brianna chased Charlotte outside and onto the grass where Alex was standing with his ute, a trailer behind it.

'Wow Uncle Alex, is that what I think it is?' Charlotte asked

'Yip girls – your very own bouncy castle'

Charlotte and Brianna jumped up and down with joy.

'Thanks Uncle Alex' Brianna said.

Later Tess came and managed to convince Charlotte to follow her inside.

'Now Bom, I'm going to show you something very special okay'

'Okay, Mummy. What is it?'

'Well, when a child is born, their parents have a naming ceremony for them. I've got a video tape of yours, and I thought you'd like to see it'

'Are the others watching it with us?'

'No, it's just you and me'

'Okay Mummy'

Tess put the video tape into the machine, turned on the t.v and pressed play. Am image of Meg holding baby Charlotte came onto the screen.

'See Bom – that's you there. You were Jack's age then'

'Charlotte Prudence. We're here to wish for you your mothers strength and courage, your auntie's creativity and spontaneity, and your godfather's care and loyalty'

'Look, there's my Mummy on the screen'

'Yes it is Bom'

'She's pretty'

'Yeah she is. You know Bom, you look like her in a lot of ways'

'Do I? But I've got blond hair'

'But you have her smile, a smile which could break you out of a bad mood, and you have her eyes. And best of all, you have her spirit'

'Is that you in the tape Mummy?'

'That's me Bom'

'You look different – you cut your hair'

'I cut it just before Bria was born'

'And there's Uncle Alex and Uncle Nick. They haven't changed at all'

'No not really Bom' Tess said, laughing 'Do you want to watch the tape again?'

'Of course – it has both my Mummy's on it'

Tess pressed play again as Charlotte snuggled up to her on the couch and sighed contentedly.

Halfway through their tea that night, there was a knock at the door.

'Charlotte, can you go and see who that is please?' Tess asked

'Sure mummy' Charlotte replied as she walked to the front door and opened it. Standing there was a tall man with dark hair

'Hi' Charlotte said

'What's your name?' the man asked Charlotte

'Which name do you want? The name Bria calls me, or the name that mummy calls me?'

'Who's Bria?'

'She's my sister. So what name do you want?'

'Just your name'

'Charlotte'

'Hi Charlotte. You have your mother's eyes'

'That's what my mum says. What's your name?'

'My name's Peter, I'm your dad'.