The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 27
It's the week of Thanksgiving. The twins are nearly a year old (birthday is the Monday after Thanksgiving). The kids are out of school the day before Thanksgiving through the weekend.
Tuesday
Jan comes home from school and checks the mail. As she's thumbing through the mail, she finds a letter from Aunt Jenny. She tears open the envelope immediately and reads the letter.
Dear Soul Sister,
It was so good to get your letter! I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to write back. I've been in Peru, swimming in Lake Titicaca. I'll have to tell you all about it when I come for Thanksgiving.
I bet the twins are growing like crazy. Are they walking yet? I can't believe they're about to turn a year old. Soon, your folks will be chasing after them. Has Ryan started talking yet? When is Carolyn's surgery?
How's your mom? The accident sounds scary. Glad she wasn't hurt worse.
I suppose school's back in full swing. How does Marcia like college? Are Greg and Peter still dating their steadies? Guess Cindy's enjoying being cheerleading captain. What's Bobby into? Are you still on the debate team?
I'll be coming into town the night before Thanksgiving and staying with your grandparents. So, I'll see you at Thanksgiving dinner.
Until then, love and hugs from me!
Aunt Jenny
Jan races into the house and sees her mother playing with the twins in the living room.
Jan: Guess who's coming to Thanksgiving dinner?
Carol: Pretends to guess. Uhhh, Aunt Jenny!
Jan: Teasing. How did you know?
Carol: The last time you dashed into the house excited over a guest, Aunt Jenny was coming over the next day.
Jan: Giggles. You're right.
Carol: To the twins. You're going to get to meet your Aunt Jenny!
Jan: They met her last year.
Carol: Tickling Ryan. Well, you and your sister were newborns the last time you saw her.
Jan: She said she's staying over at Grandma and Grandpa Tyler's.
Carol: We still need to get the house cleaned and I'll need some help with Thanksgiving dinner.
Jan: Are Alice and Sam coming over?
Carol: Not this time. They're going to visit his family in Wisconsin.
Jan: Will they be here in time for the twins' birthday party?
Carol: They're coming back Saturday and we're having the party Sunday afternoon.
Jan: Is there anything I can start on?
Carol: How 'bout doing a few loads of laundry?
Jan: Sure. Is there anything that needs to be fixed beforehand?
Carol: Thinks. Not that I can think of. Your grandparents are bringing over the turkey and dressing. Marcia's bringing a couple pies. And, we're having green beans, sweet potato casserole, rolls, fruit salad and cranberry sauce.
Jan: Are you sure two pies will be enough? I can make a chocolate cake.
Carol: If you want, you can make that tomorrow.
Jan: Okay. I think I will. German or regular?
Carol: Regular. We do have the cake mix and icing.
Carolyn crawls over to her twin, smiles and pats him on the face.
Carolyn: Ba ba ba baaaaaa!
Ryan: Smiles. Geeee dee deeee!
Carolyn: Looks intently at her brother. Ba ba ba ba ba baaaaaaa!
Ryan: Pats her on the face. Beebeebeeebeee geeeee!
Carolyn: Bounces up and down on her knees. Aaaaaaaaaahh!
Jan: Observes the twins. Mom? Are they "talking" to each other?
Carol: Excited. They are! Calls out. Mike! Come in here, quick!
Mike: Races out of the den. What's wrong?
Carol: Tears of joy stream down her face. Nothing's wrong! Look at the kids.
The twins are still babbling back and forth. Carolyn pats her brother on the cheek, neck and voice box. Then she waves her hands and fingers. Ryan squeals, giggles and waves his hands. Jan watches the scene before her and smiles.
Mike: Amazed. Would you look at that?
Carol: Angie said she'd eventually learn how to babble and interact with Ryan, but I wasn't so sure.
Mike: And it looks like Ryan is imitating Carolyn with signing.
Jan sneaks upstairs to put her books away, without disturbing the scene before her.
Carol: Dreamy. After seeing Kathy's twins babble and interact with each other, I wondered if ours ever would. I figured they would, but I... She pauses and sighs. I'm not making a bit of sense, am I?
Mike chuckles, puts a loving arm around her waist, and kisses her on her temple.
Mike: I understand.
Carol wipes the tears from her eyes. The twins crawl to their parents and pull themselves up to a standing position. Mike and Carol bend down, so the twins can grasp their index fingers.
Mike: Addresses Ryan. Do you want to walk around?
Ryan squeals and bounces up and down.
Mike: Chuckles. I take that as a yes.
Ryan: Eeeeeeee!
Carol: Signs: You walk, Carolyn? Speaks: You too, Carolyn?
Carolyn: Aaaaaaah!
Carol: All right. Signs and speaks: Let's go.
Mike and Carol walk the twins around the living room, the twins holding on to their parents' index fingers. After a few laps around the living room, Ryan raises his hands for Mike to pick him up.
Mike: Lifts his son into his arms. And, up we go!
Carol lifts Carolyn into her arms.
Mike: Let's give mommy a big kiss.
He leans the baby forward. Carol turns her head so he can "kiss" her. Instead, she gets a cheek full of drool. Ryan squeals with delight.
Carol: Playful. Thank you!
Mike: Pained. Oh, I'm sorry! He mops up the drool from her cheek and Ryan's face. Let's try that again, son. Give mommy a kiss.
He leans Ryan forward again. This time, the baby presses his now drool-less face against his mother's cheek. He giggles as Mike tickles his ribs.
Carol: Thank you, Ryan! Speaks and signs: Kiss daddy?
Mike: Speaks and signs: Give daddy a kiss?
Carol leans Carolyn forward. She presses her face against her father's cheek.
Mike: Speaks and signs: Thank you!
Mike and Carol's eyes lock. He leans over and places a soft kiss on her lips. Ryan and Carolyn giggle and pat their hands on their parents' faces, breaking them out of their lip-lock, causing Mike and Carol to laugh. They give each other a quick peck on the lips.
Meanwhile, at Westdale
Peter and Julie are walking, arm in arm, from the Westdale archery field. Peter is stoked because Westdale not only won, but Peter had the best score of the tournament.
Julie: Peter, you did great! Kisses him on the cheek.
Peter: Blushes. Thanks! I was sweating bullets on that last target. I can't believe I got that arrow dead center on the bull's eye.
Julie: You were amazing. That arrow just sailed into the target.
Peter: Wanna go out for pizza?
Julie: Sure. Can we go to the Leaning Tower of Pizza?
Peter: Yeah! I wanna get the barbeque pizza.
Julie: Me too! I love that one!
They arrive at the restaurant and seat themselves. The waiter comes over to take their drink orders.
Waiter: Welcome to the Leaning Tower of Pizza. What would you like to drink?
Peter: I'll have a Coke.
Julie: I'll have a Tab.
Peter: We already know what we want.
Waiter: Okay? What can I get you?
Peter: We'll have a small deep dish barbeque pizza.
Waiter: All right! I'll get that out to you in a few minutes.
The waiter leaves and the couple talks.
Julie: I'm going to miss you this weekend.
Peter: I'll miss you, but we'll get to see each other on Monday.
Julie: Pouts. I know, but Monday seems so far away.
Peter: It'll be good for us to spend some time apart.
Julie: Irked. What do you mean "spend some time apart"? Are you breaking up with me?
Peter: No. Not at all. Sometimes it's good for couples to spend a little time apart. Flirts. You know the old adage, "absence makes the heart grow fonder."
Julie: Raising an eyebrow. Uh huh.
Peter: Reaches across the table and clasps her hand. I'm serious. I love you, Julie.
The waiter returns with their pizza and drinks.
Waiter: Here you go! I hope you enjoy.
Peter: Thanks. We will.
He places a plate and napkins for each of them on the table and leaves. Julie takes a slice and bites into it.
Julie: Mmm! This is good!
Peter: Takes a slice and bites into it. Really is.
They eat their pizza and gaze into each other's eyes.
Julie: I don't want this afternoon to end yet.
Peter: What would you like to do?
Julie: I want to go to Lookout point and watch the sunset.
Peter: Grins. I think that could be arranged. Let me call the house and let mom and dad know I won't be home until later.
Julie: Okay.
Peter: Still grinning. I'll be right back.
Peter finds the payphone next to the juke box, deposits a nickel and calls his house.
Carol: Answering. Hello? Brady residence.
Peter: Mom, it's Peter.
Carol: Oh! How did your tournament go?
Peter: We won and I got the best score overall.
Carol: Wonderful! Congratulations!
Peter: Thanks. I'm going to be home late. Julie and I grabbed a pizza and we may go to a movie or something.
Carol: All right. Have fun!
They hang up and Peter goes back to the table.
Julie: Well?
Peter: We can go. I told mom I'd be late.
Julie: I'll call my folks when we go up to pay.
They pay for their dinner, Julie calls her parents, and they head for Lookout Point.
At the Bradys
Bobby and Cindy return home from school. They see their parents walking the twins around the living room. Carol looks up and sees her youngest school aged children.
Carol: How was your day?
Cindy: Good, but glad school's out until Monday. Finally get to sleep in.
Mike: Tomorrow, we'll be working on cleaning the house and getting everything ready for Thanksgiving Dinner.
Bobby: Can we at least sleep in a little?
Carol: Smiles. Sure, but we're not sleeping 'till noon. So, how was school?
Bobby and Cindy smile.
Bobby: There's going to be another Brady vs Brady showdown.
Carol: Excited. What?
Cindy: I won the school spelling bee!
Bobby: And I came in second!
Mike: How 'bout that?! Congratulations!
Cindy: Cassie got third.
Carol: So, did Fillmore get the wild card spot again?
Bobby: No. The state decided to take all first and second place winners at the school level to compete in each regional competition. They're still doing the wildcard spot, but we had that spot last year.
Cindy: Cassie's disappointed, but she didn't try or say anything.
Mike: That's good.
Ryan lifts his hands up, for Mike to pick him up.
Ryan: Uuh! Uuh!
Mike: Chuckles and lifts him into his arms. You want up, baby boy?
Cindy: She's seemed to have mellowed out. I still don't trust her, but at least she's behaving herself and being an asset to the squad.
Mike: When is the regional bee?
Bobby: January. So, we'll have to do a lot of studying until then. I want to go back to State.
Cindy: And I want to GO to State.
Carol: Well, however far you two get, we're very proud of you.
Cindy: Thanks.
Carol: If you have any homework, go ahead and get it done. Aunt Jenny is going to be in town tomorrow night.
Bobby: Excited. Really?
Cindy: Great! I wonder what new adventure she's been on?
Mike: There's no telling.
Wednesday
The Bradys get the house straightened up and food prepared to host Thanksgiving Dinner. Peter and Bobby are doing yardwork outside. Mike straightens his den and the family room. Jan and Cindy clean the upstairs as Carol cleans the living room. The twins are playing in their playpen. Carolyn protests as she sees her mother.
Carol: I know, sweetheart. Signs and speaks: I can't pick you up right now.
Carolyn: Extends her arms. Uuh! Uuh!
Carol: Signs and speaks: I'm sorry. I can't pick you up right now.
Ryan joins in the protest and bawls. Carol continues dusting the furniture. Mike walks out of his den, and inquires about the kids.
Mike: Twins okay?
The babies take their protest to their father.
Carol: Yes. They're mad because I won't pick them up.
Mike: Chuckles. Oh, they are. Aren't they? Signs and speaks: Sorry kids, I can't pick you up right now.
Ryan: Holds his hands out to his father. Da da da da!
Carol: It's amazing how fast kids pick up things like...
Mike: Protesting?
Carol: Yes.
Ryan and Carolyn realize they've been defeated, so they sit and pout. Mike and Carol try their best not to crack up. Cindy descends the stairs.
Cindy: My room and the bathroom's done. Jan's done her room and the nursery. She's about to vacuum. Anything else?
Carol: Go ahead and start on the green bean casserole.
Cindy: Okay. What goes in it?
Carol: Two cans of green beans. Drain them first. A can of cream of mushroom soup, and fried onions. Three-fifty for thirty minutes.
Cindy: Do the fried onions go on before or after it cooks?
Carol: Cook it halfway without, and then the rest of the way with them on.
Cindy: All right.
Cindy starts the casserole. Carol finishes dusting and picks up Ryan.
Carol: Mike, can you call in some pizza from the Leaning Tower of Pizza?
Mike: Sure. What do we want?
Carol: Make one supreme, one veggie and one cheese.
Mike: Okay.
Carolyn reaches her arms for her father to pick her up.
Mike: Picks her up. C'mere, sweetheart. Let's go order a couple pizzas for lunch.
Jan's vacuuming the upstairs and comes near the stairs. Ryan holds his hands over his ears and cries. Carol holds him close.
Carol: Do you want to go to the family room? It's about time for your lunch.
Ryan smiles and pats Carol's left breast, as she walks into the family room.
Carol: Excuse me, little mister!
She sits on the couch and Ryan tries to unbutton her blouse. She shifts Ryan over and unbuttons her blouse.
Carol: Mock exasperation. Eager little guy.
Mike brings Carolyn in as Ryan latches on to one breast.
Mike: Ready for Carolyn?
Carol: Sure. Bring her on over.
He places the baby in her free arm and Carolyn immediately latches on.
Mike: Chuckles. Ryan a little eager?
Carol: Slightly. He patted my breast and tried to unbutton my blouse. Is that a boy thing? The girls never did that.
Mike: I don't know. Sue said Peter did that, but I don't remember the other two boys doing that. It may be.
Carol: I'm thinking it may be time to wean Ryan.
Mike: You don't want to do both?
Carol: No, I want to wait until after her surgery to wean her. I'll need to wean him beforehand.
Mike: When do you want to start?
Carol: Tuesday. Since their birthday is Monday. I wanted to let them nurse for at least a year before they were weaned. Plus, we're having company all weekend, and I don't want to start that while everyone's here. We've still got bottles stored, so I can start pumping Tuesday.
Mike: Confused. Why?
Carol: I'd rather start with giving him breast milk, so he'll get used to having only bottle feeds.
Mike: That makes sense.
Carol: And I'll need you or someone else to give him his bottle while I nurse Carolyn.
Mike: You're not going to go gradually?
Carol: No. I did it this way with the girls and it worked out okay... well, except Roy didn't do a lot of feedings during the day. He helped out more at night, especially with Cindy.
Mike nods in understanding. He looks at his watch.
Mike: I'd better go get the pizza.
As he starts to leave, they hear a car pull up in the driveway. He looks out the sliding glass door to see who it is.
Carol: Who is it?
Mike: It's your Aunt Jenny.
Carol: Chuckles. She's going to find me in the exact same position she found me last year.
Mike: Do you want me to take him?
Carol: He's not quite finished up yet.
As Mike exits the house, Jan and Cindy race out the door behind him. Carol leans back and cracks up.
Outside the house
Aunt Jenny's car pulls up into the driveway. Peter and Bobby stop their yard work and greet their Aunt.
Aunt Jenny: Hiya Peter! Hiya Bobby!
Peter: Hi, Aunt Jenny!
Aunt Jenny: Enveloping them into a hug. How are you guys?
Bobby: We're fine.
Aunt Jenny: How's that girlfriend of yours, Peter? I hope I get to meet this girl who has captured your heart.
Peter: Julie's great. She's at her grandparents this weekend, but if she's back Sunday, she'll be at the birthday party.
Aunt Jenny: Good! And any girlfriends for you, Bobby?
Bobby: Dismissive. Nah.
Mike, Jan and Cindy walk out of the house.
Aunt Jenny: Hiya Mike! Hiya Cindy! And How's my Soul Sister and Homecoming Princess?
Jan: Embraces her aunt and giggles. I'm fine.
Aunt Jenny: Anything interesting coming up?
Jan: I entered another painting in the citywide Art Show for next weekend.
Aunt Jenny: Congratulations! I bet it'll win.
Jan: Hope so.
Aunt Jenny: What is it?
Jan: I'll tell you later. I want it to be a surprise for the family.
Aunt Jenny: Fair enough. Embraces Cindy. How's the youngest cheerleading captain at Fillmore?
Cindy: Fine. Glad I'm on break though.
Aunt Jenny: Well, besides being glad you're on break, how are things?
Cindy: I like being captain. I've got a good squad and Bobby and I are going back to the regional spelling bee.
Aunt Jenny: Great! Bobby, you didn't tell me that.
Bobby: Blushes. Awww! Cindy won and I took second in the school spelling bee.
Cindy: This year, the first and second place finishers get to go to regional.
Aunt Jenny: Congratulations! That's wonderful! Hugs Mike. Heya, Mike! How's the proud papa?
Mike: I'm fine.
Aunt Jenny: How's Carol and the twins?
Mike: They're right inside.
Aunt Jenny: Bet those babies are growing like weeds.
Mike: They are growing fast.
Mike and Aunt Jenny enter the family room, where Carol and the twins are finishing up.
Mike: Look who's here!
Carol: Face lights up. Aunt Jenny!
Aunt Jenny: How's my niece doing? Kisses her on the cheek.
Carol: I'm fine.
Aunt Jenny: How are these little ones?
Mike: I'm going to go get the pizzas. Anything else I need to get?
Carol: I don't think so.
Mike: All right. I'll see you in a few. He leans over and kisses her on the lips.
Carol: To Aunt Jenny. They're just about ready to walk and Ryan's probably going to start talking soon.
Aunt Jenny: Uncertain. And how's Carolyn?
Ryan finishes and detaches.
Carol: Can you take him?
Aunt Jenny: Sure. C'mere, little man! She lifts him up and begins burping him. You're a handsome little guy!
Carol: Carolyn's doing great. The speech therapist is pleased with how she's doing. She babbles some, and she moves her hand like she's signing. So, if you see her moving her hands when she "talks," that's what she's doing.
Aunt Jenny: All right. When's her surgery?
Carol: We're scheduling it for either the end of January or the beginning of February.
Carolyn detaches and Carol burps her.
Aunt Jenny: Smiles. Aren't you a beauty! Just like your mama!
Carol beams. Peter and Bobby finish their yard work and enter the house.
Bobby: Lawn's mowed and bushes trimmed.
Peter: I'm going to take a shower before lunch.
Bobby: Me too.
Carol: Okay.
Peter and Bobby leave. Jan and Cindy go into the family room.
Carol: Mmm! The green bean casserole smells good!
Cindy: Thanks! I hope it's good.
Jan: It will be. Green bean casserole is hard to ruin. Mom, I can make the chocolate cake after lunch.
Aunt Jenny: Is there anything I can do or make?
Carol: You don't have to.
Aunt Jenny: I don't mind at all.
Ryan bounces up and down on Aunt Jenny's lap.
Carol: The only other things we need to go ahead and fix are the sweet potato casserole and rolls. The fruit salad won't need to be done until tomorrow morning.
Aunt Jenny: I've got a great recipe for rolls. There's nothing better than rolls from scratch.
Carol: Excited. That recipe you've made since I was little?
Aunt Jenny: That's the one!
Carol: I love that one!
Cindy: I don't know how to make the sweet potato casserole.
Jan: I do. If you want, I can do the casserole if you do the cake.
Cindy: Deal.
Mike returns with the pizzas and the Bradys have lunch. After lunch, Mike and Carol put the twins to bed. Carol, Aunt Jenny, Jan and Cindy cook the casserole, cake and rolls. As the rolls bake, the aroma fills the house.
Cindy: Those smell so good! I can't wait to try them.
Carol: You won't be disappointed. I've tried to make them, but I couldn't get it to taste like yours. You've just got the magic touch.
Jan: I can't wait until dinner tomorrow then.
-End of Chapter 27-
A/N—Thanksgiving Dinner next chapter!