The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 19
A/N—Happy New Year! This is a direct continuation of the last chapter. After this chapter, I'll be moving time forward a bit. :0)
Wednesday
Carol is asleep as Mike gets ready for his meeting. He hears the doorbell ring.
Female voice: I'll get it!
He walks to the landing and sees Jan open the door to reveal Mrs. Tyler.
Jan: Grandma! Come in!
Martha: Hugs her granddaughter. Jan! How are you?
Jan: I'm good. I can't wait until next week when I start my art class.
Martha: Oh?
Jan: It's one of the ones I won at the citywide art show.
Martha: That's great! What are you taking?
Jan: Drawing Foundations. It'll be nice to get back to the basics.
Martha: That's how we improve our technique. Changes the subject. How's your mom?
Jan: Doing better.
Mike: Descends the stairs. Hi mom!
Martha: Hi! How's Carol?
Mike: She's asleep right now, but she had a good couple nights.
Martha: Good!
Jan: Dad, Bobby, Cindy and I are gone. Okay?
Mike: Isn't Peter going?
Jan: He's at work.
Mike nods.
Jan: We're going to the water park. Church Junior and Senior High party.
Martha: Have a good time!
Jan: We will. Dad, we'll be back after dinner. We're going to Pizza Hut after the park.
Mike: Need any money?
Jan: No. We're good.
Mike: Have fun.
She grabs her purse and keys and leaves.
Martha: How are the twins?
Mike: They're napping right now, but they should wake up in about an hour. I've got their bottles made up and their baby food is set out on the counter. Pauses to think. Of course you know where everything is in the nursery, but I've also set out supplies on the table over there.
Martha: And Carol?
Mike: She's still weak, but doing better. She's still a little unsteady on her feet, but she can walk short distances on her own. It's okay if she wants to come down stairs. Just make sure she doesn't try to do it on her own.
Martha: And lifting the twins?
Mike: She'll try, but she's not allowed to lift anything over ten pounds yet.
Martha: And her meds?
Mike: She shouldn't need any, but if she does, they're in my night stand. She has one pain medicine that she takes twice a day, and she had that one at breakfast, and she's got another that she takes as needed. Only give her one of those. Pauses. I think that's everything. I should be home by four...four thirty at the latest. I'll call if that changes. He sighs. I wish I didn't have this meeting today.
Martha: She's in good hands, Mike.
Mike: I know and thanks for everything.
Martha: You're welcome.
Mike gathers his things into his briefcase and leaves for work. Carol rings her bell that's on her night stand. Martha ascends the stairs to attend to her daughter. She knocks on the master bedroom door.
Carol: Sits up. Come in.
Martha: Opens the door. Hello, Kitten.
Carol: Smiles. Hi mom!
Martha: How are you feeling?
Carol: Better, but I still don't feel like myself.
Martha: It'll take some time.
Carol: I know. Tears begin to flow. I'm sorry.
Martha: Sits by her daughter and strokes her hair. Sweetheart.
Carol: My emotions are all over the place! One minute I'm crying and the next...
Martha: This must be very hard on you.
Carol: It is. I know it's only been a few days, but I hate not being able to do anything. I can't breast feed the twins. I can't put them to bed or get them up. Jan's been great pitching in, but a mother should be the one taking care of her kids.
Martha: You will again. Your body just needs to rest and heal itself.
Carol: That's what Mike says.
Martha: Well, he's right.
Carol: I want to get out of this bed.
Martha: Do you want to go downstairs?
Carol: Yeah. I'm tired of staring at these walls.
Martha: All right.
The women walk down the hallway and hear one of the twins.
Carol: That's Ryan. Let me go check on him. She enters the room and peers into his crib. Hey, baby boy! Ryan reaches his arms toward her. I wish I could pick you up.
Martha: I'll get him. Sit in the rocking chair and I'll bring him to you.
Carol nods and sits in the chair.
Martha: Lifts the baby out of the crib. C'mon, Ry. Let's go see your mama.
Carol: Receives her son. Hi sweetheart. You're up early from your nap. The baby's eyelids droop. You're still sleepy.
She sings a lullaby, stumbling over a few words here and there. She chokes back a sob that is forming in her throat. Ryan quickly falls asleep. Carol starts to stand, but Martha stops her.
Martha: I'll get him.
Carol: Protests. No. I want to put him to bed.
Martha: Carol.
Carol: Mom, I'm his mother. Just help me put him down.
Martha: You're not supposed to be lifting the twins just yet. I don't want to put you or my grandson at risk. So, let me get him.
Carol sighs and allows her to lift him from her arms. She kisses her son.
Carol: Sleep well, sweetheart.
Martha: Lays Ryan down. Sleep well, child.
Carol rises from the rocker, peers into her son's crib, and smiles. Then, she checks on her still sleeping daughter.
Carol: Okay. Let's go downstairs.
Martha helps her daughter down the stairs. Carol stumbles on the last step onto the landing, but doesn't fall.
Martha: You okay?
Carol: Regains her balance. Yeah.
Martha: Let's get you to the couch.
Carol nods as her mother assists her down the couple steps from the landing to the living room floor.
Carol: I'll take it from here.
Martha nods and backs off. Carol walks, unassisted, to the couch.
Martha: You look a little flushed. Are you okay?
Carol: Just a little thirsty. She starts to rise.
Martha: I can get it for you.
Carol: Mom, I can do it.
Martha chuckles.
Carol: Curious. What?
Martha: You sound like you did when you were three.
Carol: Confused. Okay?
Martha: Every time I tried to help you do something, you'd say, "Mommy, I can do it!"
Carol: Chuckles. That sounds like Cindy.
Martha: Cindy often reminded me of you when you were little.
Carol: Glances up the stairs. I wonder how those two will be when they turn two?
Martha: Both of them will probably be as independent as their mother.
Carol: Sighs. I hope Carolyn will be independent.
Martha: Child, she will be. You, Mike, and her brothers and sisters will make sure of it.
Carol: Rises. I'm going to go get a glass of water.
Nearly an hour later, the twins awaken from their nap. Carol instinctively rises to get her babies. Martha stops her.
Martha: I'll get them.
Carol reluctantly sits back down and allows her mother to see about the twins. It feels like an eternity until she descends the stairs with Ryan.
Martha: Here's Ryan. I'm going to get Carolyn then heat up their bottles.
Carol: Sits back and cradles her son. Hi, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?
Ryan: Fist in his mouth, drooling. Ahhhh! Num num num!
Carol: Smiles. Is your fist good? Huh? She feels his gums. I feel a couple teeth coming in. Ryan giggles. Yes, you do! I think you're getting a front tooth there!
As Martha goes down the stairs with Carolyn, she smiles as her daughter and grandson interact.
Martha: Here's Carolyn. I'm going to heat up their bottles and get their baby food together.
Carol: Receives her daughter. I think Mike has everything made up and set out.
Martha: That's what he said. I'll be right back.
Carol: Thanks, mom.
Martha goes to the kitchen and prepares the twin's lunches. She retrieves a couple bibs, spoons and burp cloths.
Carol: Addressing Carolyn. Hi, Kitten! Did you sleep well? Carolyn pats her mother on the cheek with her right hand and smiles. You did?
Ryan: AAAAHHHH! He smiles and pats his sister.
Carolyn smiles and pats him back.
Carol: Giggles. You two are the cutest!
Martha: Returns with the twins' lunch and sets the bottles, food, and linens on the table. Here we go. Lunch is ready.
Ryan: Reaches up. AAAHHHHH! Ba! Ba! Ba!
Martha: Grinning and lifting the baby. Okay, little guy. Want your bottle?
Ryan eagerly drinks his bottle as Martha sits in one of the easy chairs. Carol offers Carolyn her bottle, but she resists.
Carol: C'mon, sweetheart.
Carolyn refuses her bottle and begins wailing.
Carol: Let's try some blueberries and sweet potatoes.
She opens the jars and tries to feed her both, but the baby refuses.
Martha: Let me try.
Carol nods as Martha places Ryan in her arms and picks Carolyn up. Carol situates Ryan in her arms and resumes feeding him his bottle.
Martha: You hungry, girl?
Carolyn still refuses her bottle and after a few tries, Martha offers her a spoonful of blueberries, which she spits out. Meanwhile, Ryan has finished his bottle and Carol is burping him.
Carol: You finished, little man?
Martha: Let's walk around a bit.
Martha locates a pacifier and walks around with the baby. Ryan, sitting in his mother's lap, lets out a big burp.
Carol: Want some sweet potatoes?
Ryan eagerly eats the potatoes and blueberries. Carolyn continues to cry.
Carol: Mom, let me try. Before you say anything, no, I won't get up and walk around. I'm going to try and rock her.
Martha picks Ryan up, so Carol can move to the rocking chair. Then, Martha places Carolyn in her arms, and continues to sob.
Carol: What's the matter, sweetheart? Feels a couple wet spots forming at her bust and sighs. I can't nurse you.
Tears flow down Carol's face as Carolyn cries. Ryan finishes, so Martha sets up the blanket, gets out a few toys, and sits the baby on the blanket. Then, she attends to her daughter, enveloping her in an embrace.
Martha: Sweetheart.
Carol: Oh mom!
Martha: I know this is hard on you.
Carol: I want to nurse both of them so badly. Mom, can you call the pharmacy and ask if it's safe for me to nurse her?
Martha: Okay.
Martha goes to the master bedroom and finds Carol's medicines. She calls the pharmacist and inquires about the safety of breastfeeding while on the medication. After she finishes talking with the pharmacist, she reports her findings to her daughter.
Carol: Well?
Martha: He said the one you take twice a day is safe, but not the one you take as needed.
Carol: I haven't taken that one since Monday night.
Martha: Then, it should be okay.
Carol: Adjusts herself and nurses her daughter. Carolyn immediately latches on and begins nursing. There, sweetheart. She smiles as a tear rolls down her cheek. This is what you wanted all along. I don't know if your father will be too happy though.
Martha: I'll tell him I called the pharmacist. I spoke with Phil, if he wants to call himself. It'll be all right.
Carol: Looks at Carolyn and smiles. Everything will be all right.
Mike comes home at four. The twins are napping in the nursery and Carol is asleep in the master bedroom. Martha is reading the latest issue of Good Housekeeping.
Mike: Entering the living room. Hi!
Martha: Hi! How was your meeting?
Mike: Very successful. I landed the account.
Martha: Congratulations.
Mike: Thanks. How are Carol and the twins?
Martha: They're taking a nap. Ryan took his bottle and ate all his lunch. Carolyn would not take her bottle, so I called the pharmacy to inquire about the safety of nursing while Carol's on her medications.
Mike: Concerned. Oh?
Martha: Yes. Carol and I tried multiple times to get her to take the bottle, but she wouldn't.
Mike: I don't think they like formula. We don't have any bottles of breast milk left, so I bought formula yesterday. What did the pharmacist say?
Martha: The one she takes twice a day is safe, but the one that's as needed isn't. Carolyn settled down once Carol began nursing her.
Mike: Poor kid! How's Carol?
Martha: She never complained of any pain, and she lost her balance a bit when I was helping her down the stairs. She didn't fall though. Naturally, Carolyn's difficulty at lunch upset her.
Mike: Sad. She's such a trooper, but I know she's having a hard time.
Martha: But being allowed to feed Carolyn really lifted her spirits. Why did the doctor not want her to breastfeed? The pharmacist did say some doctors and pharmacists don't advise breastfeeding if on any medication.
Mike: I think he wanted to err on the side of caution. Thanks for calling. I probably should've done that yesterday.
Martha: You've been incredibly busy. Speaking of busy, when does Alice and Sam get back?
Mike: They'll be back late Sunday night and Alice returns to work Monday.
Martha: Do they know about Carol?
Mike: No. They've not called since they left for their cruise.
Carol: Hi honey!
They look up to see Carol at the head of the stairs.
Mike: Trying to keep the worry from his voice. How are you feeling?
Carol: Better.
Martha: I'm going to see myself out.
Mike: Thanks.
Carol: Smiles. Thanks mom, for everything.
Martha: You're welcome.
As Martha shows herself out, Carol starts to descend the stairs. Mike dashes to the staircase and stops her at the third stair from the top.
Mike: Carol, no!
Carol: Exasperated. Mike, I'm fine.
Mike: It's too dangerous for you to walk down without help. We don't want you to fall.
Carol: Sighs. How's this? Walk with me, and if I start to lose my balance, then you can help me. I need to try to do it myself. Chuckles.
Mike: Curious. What?
Carol: I told her the same thing earlier today when I was going to get a glass of water. Mom said I sounded like I did when I was three years old.
Mike: Chuckles. Well, I guess I ought to let you "do it yourself." Just take it slowly.
Carol successfully descends the stairs and walks to the couch without losing her balance. She beams with pride.
Mike: You did it. Smiles and kisses her on the lips. Now, when you go back upstairs, let me help you.
Carol glares at him.
Mike: Backs down. Okay. At least let either me or one of the kids be beside you.
Carol: Gives in. All right.
Monday
Monday rolls around. Carol is feeling just a little bit stronger each day. Greg flew back home the day before and enjoyed his trip to Nora's. Jan left for her class the day before. Alice is due to start back today as well. Mike is about to leave for work.
Mike: Tying his tie. Do you want to go downstairs or stay up here?
Carol: Downstairs may be easier.
They hear a knock on the door.
Mike: Come in.
Bobby: Opens the door. Dad, mom? Sam called and asked me to go over to the butcher shop at ten.
Carol: For the delivery job?
Bobby: Yes.
Mike: Now, use your best manners. This is a job, so take it seriously.
Bobby: I will.
He leaves the room and Cindy knocks on the opened door. Ryan is in her arms.
Cindy: Alice is here. She's downstairs. And, I've changed Ryan. Think he's hungry.
Mike: Receiving his son. Thanks, Cindy.
Cindy: Can I go to the park? Millicent, Jennifer, and Lori and I are going to work on new cheers for this fall.
Carol: Sure.
Cindy: Thanks.
She leaves. Carol gets out of bed and dresses for the day.
Mike: So, Peter's at work, Bobby's at Sam's, and Cindy's out.
Carol: Right.
As they exit the master bedroom, they hear Carolyn waking up.
Carol: Almost pleading. Mike, please?
Mike: Carol, no.
Carol: Mike.
Mike: No heavy lifting for another week. Let's get you and Ryan downstairs and I'll come back for Carolyn.
Carol: Rolls her eyes. Fine. Sighs. This is getting so old.
Mike: I know. Let's go greet Alice.
Carol nods as they round the corner to the head of the staircase. Alice stands and smiles.
Carol: Alice! Welcome back!
Alice: It's good to be back, Mrs. Brady.
With Mike, carrying Ryan, by her side, Carol descends the stairs and embraces her friend.
Carol: How was the Carribean, Mrs. Franklin?
Alice: It was wonderful!
Mike: Embraces Alice. Welcome back!
He gives his wife a nod. She sits in the rocking chair and Mike places Ryan in her arms.
Mike: I'll go get Carolyn.
Carol: Thanks, Mike.
As Mike sees after Carolyn, Alice looks at Carol quizzically. Carol adjusts Ryan and begins nursing him. Alice sits on the couch.
Carol: Becoming serious. There's something I need to tell you.
Alice: Worried. Oh?
Carol: Last Sunday, I was in an accident at the campground.
Alice: Shocked. What?!
Carol: We were all swinging on the rope swing, and on my last turn on the swing, I hit my foot on a rock, lost my balance, and fell from the rope.
Alice: Horrified. Oh Mrs. Brady!
Carol: Swallows, and then continues. I hit my head on a rock and was knocked out. I spent a night in the hospital.
Alice: Are you okay?
Mike brings Carolyn down the stairs and helps Carol get her situated as well. He gives her a quick kiss on the lips and sits in the easy chair beside her.
Carol: I'm doing well and the doctor believes I'll make a full recovery, but I can't do heavy lifting just yet. I still have some balance problems, like going up and down stairs.
Mike: Right now, she's not allowed to carry the twins. She can hold and feed them, and change their diapers, but she's not allowed to lift them or carry them from one place to another.
Alice: So, you'll need me to carry the twins for their naps, lunch, diaper changes?
Carol: Yes, at least for this week.
Mike: The doctor "grounded" her last week and this week. We go back next Monday for a follow up visit.
Carol: I am able to nurse, and I do have bottles made up to help.
Alice: Anything else I need to know?
Carol: I can go up and down the stairs fine, but I still need someone there to be with me just in case I lose my balance. And I'm doing okay with my speech, but I still have some memory problems. I don't remember the accident.
Alice: Is there anything I need to do?
Mike: Not really. She may be a little forgetful, but it's not that bad.
Carol: I'm feeling better, but I still don't feel like myself yet.
Alice is feeling unsure.
Carol: I'm sorry Jan's not here to help out, because she's been a great help.
Mike: If you need anything, you can always call one of our moms. I wish I could work from home today, but I'm needed in the office today.
Carol: Mike, we'll be fine.
Mike: Well, I'm off. I'll be home around six.
He and Carol exchange a peck on the lips. Then, he kisses each of the babies. He exits the house through the family room.
Alice: Can you catch me up on what needs to be done?
Carol: Jan's caught us up on the laundry and a lot of the cleaning. She's really taken up the slack while I've been laid up. She pauses to think. Probably the rooms that need the most attention are the family room, kitchen and in here. The laundry's all caught up.
Alice: What about meals?
Carol: Mike won't let me cook yet.
Alice: What did you guys want for dinner?
Carol: I've got fixings for a roast in the refrigerator, so I was thinking the roast, carrots, potatoes and rolls.
Alice: Any dessert?
Carol: We've got a chocolate cake mix and icing.
Alice: Smiles. Okay. It's good to be back.
Carol: We've missed you. We're glad you're back.
The women embrace.
-End of Chapter 19-