Part Four – Welcome to our world

Tess and I were in town. I had a cold and Mum insisted I go to the doctor's for it. Really I think she just wanted Tess and I out of the way. Both of us had been badgering her about Alex, and she was clearly getting sick of it.

'How long til the baby's due, Tess?' I asked her.

'Minus two weeks.' She gritted her teeth as she struggled her way along the street. I took her arm and helped her along, and she smiled gratefully at me.

'You know, I remember when it was your mum going through this. She went completely hormonal and we all thought she was crazy. Now I know what she meant.' Tess groaned and tried to keep walking.

'You okay?'

She whimpered, and I started to get scared. 'Tess, you can't have the baby now, if that's what you're thinking. No way! Oh please don't…'

'Too late.' Tess hissed. 'It's coming, it's coming. She's trying to crawl out, RIGHT NOW!' She screamed and I'm guessing that was when the first contraction hit her.

'Oh my god…okay, I'll go and get help.'

'NO! No, no, stay here, please!' Tess managed to hobble over to the car, and threw the keys at me. I stared at them in horror.

'Tess…I don't have my licence. I've never driven a car before.'

'Please Charlotte.' Tess's face was twisted with pain. I shrugged, open the door, got in, and tried to work out which one was the accelerator.

As we jerked up the street to the hospital, Tess started hurling insults at Nick down the phone. I tell you, that woman could win a major award for yelling. It was insane.

I got her out of the car and into the hospital, and because I was the only one with her I was allowed to accompany her to the waiting room. Tess was gripping my hand so tightly I wasn't sure which one of us was in more pain.

'Uh…is Nick coming?' I asked her, trying to take my mind off it.

'He's stuck in traffic in the city.' She hissed dangerously. 'When I get my hands on him I'm going to…oh!' Tess groaned and I thought I might just pass out at the sight of her.

'Nurse, Nurse, can you please check her again, I know you said it wouldn't happen for a few hours but she's in so much pain!'

The Nurse looked at Tess and smiled. 'You can have your epidural now.'

'Yes! Now! Go get it! Run!' Tess screamed at the poor nurse. I choked back a smile, and Tess glared at me.

'Charlotte! Stop it! Is this funny to you? Does this look funny?' Tess shouted, waving her arms at me. Yes, Aunty Tess, it truly does. But I'm not going to say that because I'm quite fond of my hand.

'Arghhhh…' Tess yelled. All of the other expecting mothers were crowding together in a wide eyed fright, obviously dreading what was to come.

'Charlotte! Tess!' Mum and Alex ran into the delivery room. I looked up in surprise. Even Tess stopped screaming for a second to do a double take at the sight of both of them together.

'Tess!' Nick rushed into the room and straight to his wife's side. 'Oh, honey, I'm so sorry!' He wiped her forehead.

'You!' Tess pointed a finger at him accusingly. 'This…is all YOUR fault!' As another contraction rolled though her, she grabbed his hand and started crying and apologizing at the same time. It was then that Alex, Mum and I tactfully snuck out of the room.

'So, I'm going to get some coffee. Anyone want some?' I asked. Mum shook her head, and Alex gave me a couple of coins. I went over to the cafeteria and made my purchase, and I could hear my parents talking together so I took a detour by the delivery room to see how Tess was doing.

I was shocked to see a little bundle settled firmly in the couple's arms. 'Oh,' was all I could say.

'Charlotte, come and say hello to your cousin.' Tess said proudly, moving the blanket so I could see the child's face.

'It's a girl.' Nick said softly. 'A little girl, Tess.' He beamed at her, and carefully took the bundle in his arms.

'What's her name?' I asked quietly.

'Her name is Bianca. Bianca Isabel Ryan.' By this stage Mum and Alex had found us, and were cooing over the little girl. Gently I took her for a hold and we walked around the delivery room. I told her all about the fun we'd have when we were older, just like I did when Marion was born.

'Look, Claire.' I heard Alex say. 'She looks just like Marion. Do you remember?'

'What sort of question is that?' Mum laughed. 'Of course I remember. I'd been in labour for nearly a whole day, I did actually stop once or twice to admire my handiwork.'

'Our handiwork.' Alex said. Mum snorted. 'I believe I did most of the work.' Alex looked at her, a sad little smile on his face.

'Can't we even get along for a minute? Our younger siblings have just had their first child, and we're arguing in the middle of the delivery room.' He said. Mum caught herself.

'Yeah, sorry.' She looked embarrassed. She opened her mouth to say something, but changed her mind at the last minute. I wondered what she had been going to say.

'Truce?' Alex offered a hand. He always was the more forgiving one of the pair.

'Okay.' Mum swallowed and even managed a small smile back.