The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 28
A/N—This chapter's going to be long, as I want to put all of Thanksgiving in one chapter.
Thanksgiving Day
The Bradys, Tylers and Aunt Jenny spend the day at the Bradys. Aunt Jenny arrives before the other guests. She rings the doorbell. Carol walks through the living room, carrying Ryan and answers the door.
Carol: Hi! Come in!
Aunt Jenny: Hugs her niece. How's my favourite niece?
Carol: I'm doing well.
Aunt Jenny: Hiya, Ryan! How are you?
Carol: Say hello to your Aunt Jenny!
Ryan: Reaches out for her to hold him. Geeeeeeeeeeeee!
Aunt Jenny: Chuckles, as Ryan climbs into her arms. Well hello, Ryan.
Carol: Eyes widen. He doesn't do that very often.
They sit on the couch.
Aunt Jenny: I suppose I've made a good impression on him.
Carol: Chuckling. I guess you have!
Ryan: Screeching. Ba ba ba ba baaaaaa!
Aunt Jenny: You want some attention too? Where's Carolyn?
Carol: Marcia and Jan are taking her on a walk. They were going to take Ryan, but he was a bit fussy this morning.
Aunt Jenny: Curious. Oh?
Carol: Yes. He woke up in a grumpy mood. The girls tried to get him into the stroller, but he was having none of that.
Ryan's snuggled against his aunt.
Aunt Jenny: He seems to be in a better mood now.
Carol: Smiles. You've got that effect on people.
Aunt Jenny: Jan told me about your accident. How are you feeling?
Carol: I'm basically back to normal. I still don't remember the accident, and I don't think I ever will. I know what I've been told, but my memory's fuzzy around then.
Aunt Jenny: Horrified. Goodness!
Marcia and Jan return with Carolyn, from their walk. Mr. and Mrs. Tyler accompany them into the living room.
Marcia: Guess who we ran into.
Carol: Smiles. Hi, mom!
Martha: Hi, sweetheart! She hugs her daughter.
Henry: Lifts Carolyn out of the stroller and kisses her on the cheek. C'mere, kitten. How's my youngest granddaughter?
Carolyn looks at her grandfather intently. She places her hands on either side of his throat. Aunt Jenny looks at the exchange quizzically. Ryan is sound asleep in Aunt Jenny's embrace.
Carol: Explaining. She is fascinated by speech and how it makes the voicebox vibrate.
Henry: Greeting his daughter. Hi, kitten. How are you.
Carol: I"m fine.
Martha: And, how is Ryan?
Aunt Jenny: Looks like I've made a good impression on him. He's out like a light.
Henry: Playing. How are you? You are such a beauty!
Marcia: Mom, do you want Jan and me to heat up the casseroles?
Carol: Sure. Thanks. Where's your sister?
Jan: She's playing basketball with the guys.
Carol: Can one of you get her so she can help too?
Martha: I can help. Let her play.
Marcia and Jan go to the kitchen and begin warming up the dishes for dinner. As Mike comes out of his study, the doorbell rings again. Ryan startles awake and bawls. Aunt Jenny rocks the baby.
Aunt Jenny: It's all right, little guy. Aunt Jenny's got you.
Mike: I'll get the door.
Carol: Aunt Jenny, let me take him.
Aunt Jenny: He's fine.
Ryan settles down and drifts back to sleep. Mike answers the door, revealing his parents.
Mike: Mom, dad!
Agnes: Hi, son! She embraces her son.
Thomas: I've got the dressing here and the turkey's in the car. Where do you guys want 'em?
Mike: On the kitchen table right now. Carol?
Carol: Yes.
Henry: Thomas, hi! Need any help?
Thomas: Sure. Then, we should see if we can get in the next basketball game.
Agnes: Playing. Thomas. Is that all you think about?
Henry: Basketball is serious business.
Mike: Joining in. Indeed it is.
The men place the dressing on the kitchen table and get the turkey out of Thomas Brady's car. Then, they join Peter, Bobby and Cindy outside.
Mike: Guess Greg hasn't gotten here yet.
Bobby: You guys wanna join us?
Thomas: Absolutely!
Peter: Grandpa Brady and Grandpa Tyler can be the captains.
Henry: Sounds good. How 'bout me, Mike and Cindy against Thomas, Peter and Bobby.
Thomas: You're on!
Cindy: Prepare to be taken down!
Bobby: Not a chance!
Mike: Don't be so sure about that.
They finish the game, with Henry's team besting Thomas's team 21-14. Greg pulls up in the driveway.
Greg: Got room for one more?
Henry: Sure! Thomas's team needs a little help.
Cindy: Prepare for another beatdown.
Bobby: Not this time, sis!
Meanwhile, in the house
Ryan is still sleeping on Aunt Jenny's shoulder. Carolyn cruises around the fronts of the couch and easy chairs as the women talk. Marcia and Jan go outside and lounge on the deck.
Martha: Studies her granddaughter. Looks like Carolyn's going to be walking soon.
Agnes: Has she taken any steps on her own yet?
Carol: Beams. Not yet. Right now, she and Ryan seem content to cruise along the furniture or walk, holding onto our fingers.
Aunt Jenny: They'll be running around before you know it.
Carolyn cruises over and pats her brother on the foot.
Carolyn: Aaaaaaaah! Aaaaaaaaah!
Ryan awakens, looks at his twin and giggles.
Ryan: Bee bee bee bee bee beeeeee!
Carolyn: Studies her brother's face and tries to imitate. Eeeeeeeeee!
Ryan twists, wanting down.
Aunt Jenny: Setting Ryan down. You want down?
Ryan: Waves his hand. Ba ba ba ba bllllll! Spits a raspberry.
Carolyn: Waves her hand Aaaaaaaah!
Agnes: Surprised. When did they start "talking" to each other?
Carol: Beams. Yesterday. They were playing with a couple toys and he started babbling and the she started. Soon, they were babbling and "signing" back and forth.
Martha: What a year! Last Thanksgiving, we thought these two...or one of them were going to join us for dinner.
Aunt Jenny looks at Martha questioningly.
Carol: Pained. I was afraid I'd have the babies, well baby, in Mike's den.
Aunt Jenny: Oh?
Carol: I was having back pain and mild contractions all day...
-Flashback Sequence Begins-
Mrs. Tyler: I know you've got the nursery set up.
Carol: Would you like to see it? I know you're dying to.
Mrs. Brady: I know I am.
The women go upstairs to see the nursery. Carol holds her back as a faint contraction hits. Her mother notices.
Mrs. Tyler: Sweetheart, are you okay?
Carol: Tries to breathe through the pain. Yeah. My back's been hurting for awhile.
Mrs. Tyler: You sure that's all it is?
Carol: Yeah. Changes the subject a bit. Yeah, you'll love the mural the girls painted.
Mrs. Tyler: Didn't Jan design it?
Carol: She did.
Mrs. Brady: I can't wait to see it.
Carol shows her mother and mother-in-law the nursery. Carol follows them in. Another contraction hits, but she's able to hide it from them.
Mrs. Tyler: The mural's beautiful.
Carol: Thanks. Mike and I decided on a baby animals theme. Jan also put in the sea creatures since the kids went to the beach and Sea World this summer.
Mrs. Brady: It is lovely. And I love this furniture.
Carol: The bed converts into both a toddler and a twin bed.
Mrs. Tyler: What a clever design. I love the cherry wood. It's gorgeous.
Carol: That's one thing that I like about it. I love cherry wood. A bigger contraction hits. She tries to hide it.
Mrs. Brady: And the sleigh bed design is so pretty.
Mrs. Tyler: The animal print is so sweet.
Carol: We thought so too.
Mrs. Brady: And it goes with either a girl or a boy.
Carol: That's what we thought. Mike still thinks it's a girl.
Mrs. Brady: Do the two of you have names picked out?
Carol: We do, but we're keeping them a secret. A huge contraction hits.
Mrs. Tyler and Mrs. Brady notice.
Mrs. Tyler: You've been having contractions, haven't you?
Carol: The contraction releases. Here and there, but nothing real strong.
Mrs. Brady: Until now?
Carol: No, these are about the same. She straightens back up. They're not very regular. I think I can make it through dinner.
-Scene Progresses a Little-
Dinner is about ready. Alice calls the family to the table. She starts in the back yard and gets the kids to wash up. Then, she goes in the den and calls the men. Last, she calls up the stairs for the women.
Alice: Dinner's ready.
Mrs. Tyler: Quietly to her daughter. Are you okay or do you need us to get Mike?
Carol: I'm fine.
The family gathers around the table. Mike and Sam bring the turkey and ham to the table. Carol, Mrs. Brady and Mrs. Tyler descend the stairs. A huge contraction hits as she descends the last stair. She holds on to the banister for support.
Mrs. Brady: Mike!
Mike sets the turkey down, looks over and sees his wife doubled over in pain. He rushes to her side. She's got a death grip on the banister.
Mike: Honey? Is it time?
She doesn't answer. The kids are watching the scene with a mix of concern and excitement. As soon as the contraction passes, Mike touches her shoulder.
Mike: Carol, let's get you to the den.
Carol nods. Mrs. Tyler helps Mike walk her daughter into the den. Mrs. Brady joins the family. In the den. Mike and Mrs. Tyler try to help her on to the couch.
Carol: No.
Mike: What would you prefer?
Carol: Hold me.
Mike: Okay.
Mike helps his wife position herself to where he is sitting on a tall chair and she is bent over with her head on his shoulder. Her hands are on his sides.
Mike: Turns to Mrs. Tyler. The stopwatch is on the desk over there. Can you keep time?
Mrs. Tyler: Sure. She grabs the stopwatch as Carol has another contraction.
Carol cries out in pain. She digs her nails into Mike's back. He suppresses a grimace.
Mike: Coaches her through it. Breathe. The contraction climaxes and settles. That's it, honey. He rubs her back.
Carol: A couple tears stream down her face. I didn't want to mess up dinner.
Mike: You're not messing up dinner.
Carol: Yes, I am.
Mrs. Tyler: The baby may have just decided today was the day to make his appearance.
Mike: You can't control that.
Carol: I know.
Mrs. Brady peeks her head in.
Mike: Go ahead with dinner. We may be making a trip to the hospital.
-Scene Changes-
Forty-five minutes pass. The family had decided to delay dinner on the hopes their parents will either get to join them or go on to the hospital. Back in the den. Carol has another contraction.
Mike: What's the time?
Mrs. Tyler: It's been ten minutes.
Mike: They're farther apart now?
Mrs. Tyler: Yes.
Carol looks exhausted. Mike gently rubs her back.
Mike: Carol, they're getting more faint?
Carol quickly nods, trying to hold back tears.
Mrs. Tyler: Let's get you to the couch. You look tired.
Carol: Meekly. Okay.
She lets Mike and her mother help her on to the couch.
Mrs. Tyler: I'll go update everyone.
Back in the dining room. The family sees Mrs. Tyler come out.
Jan: Are they going to the hospital?
Mrs. Tyler: No.
Marcia: No?
Mrs. Tyler: Her contractions are getting farther apart and lessening in frequency.
Alice: A bit sorrowful. Another false alarm.
Mrs. Tyler: Afraid so.
Mrs. Brady: We've decided to delay the big dinner until tonight. Right now, we're having sandwiches or whatever we can get from the refrigerator.
Back in the den. Carol's lying on the couch with her feet propped up on pillows. She's upset and very tired.
Carol: Oh Mike, not again.
Mike: Honey, I know.
Carol: I feel like I'll never have this baby. She's crying. I'll be pregnant forever.
Mike: No you won't.
Carol: Between sobs. I'm just so tired of false alarms. I wish the doctor would just induce labour. Then I wouldn't have to deal with false alarms.
Mike: If that's what you want, we can talk to the doctor next Friday at your appointment.
Carol: That's what I want.
Mike: Okay. You look like you could fall asleep. Take a little nap, honey.
Carol nods and closes her eyes. She quickly falls asleep.
-Scene Changes Again-
Six o'clock in the evening. Mike is still asleep in the bedroom and Carol's in the den. After his mother wakes him up, he goes to the den and wakes his wife.
Mike: Carol?
Carol: Hmm? She barely opens her eyes.
Mike: Do you want dinner?
Carol: I guess so.
Mike: You don't have to if you don't feel like it.
Carol: I think I can eat a little bit.
Mike helps her up and escorts her to the dining room. The family stands and applauds. Mike helps his wife into her chair. The family sits down. They notice that Mike and Carol are very tired. Mike sits down.
Mike: Carol and I want to thank you for hanging in there with us. We thought the baby might make her appearance today, but I guess she has other plans.
-Flashback Sequence Ends-
Back to the Present
Aunt Jenny: Goodness!
Martha: We all thought Carol was going to be on her way to the hospital.
Carol: Instead, they waited two more days to make their appearance.
Ryan cruises over to his mother and pats her on the knee.
Ryan: Ma ma ma ma ma! Shrieks and smiles. Ma ma ma ma!
Carol: Smiles. Yes, I'm mama.
Carolyn cruises over to Aunt Jenny. She smiles, waves her hands, and babbles.
Carolyn: Eeeeeee!
Aunt Jenny: Smiles. Hello! To Carol. How do I sign hello?
Carol: Like this. Signs: Hello, Carolyn!
Aunt Jenny: Signs and speaks: Hello, Carolyn!
Cindy, her brothers, and the men enter the house. Mike, Henry and Thomas finish preparing the turkey.
Mike: Bobby, Peter, Greg, go ahead and set up the table. Also, get the twins' high chairs too. Cindy, ask your mother if there's anything that needs to get done.
Cindy: Okay. She goes into the living room. Mom, dad was wanting to know if there was anything we needed to do for dinner.
Carol: Your dad and grandfathers fixing the turkey?
Cindy: Yes. And the guys are getting the table set up.
Carol: Get your sisters and set the food on the table.
Cindy finds Marcia and Jan in Jan's bedroom. The three girls set the casseroles, salads and other food dishes on the table. The family gathers around and sits. Carol sets Ryan in the high chair next to her and Aunt Jenny sets Carolyn into the high chair by Mike. Mike brings out the turkey and sets it on the table.
Mike: Carol and I are so thankful that we can gather around as a family. It's a delight to have Aunt Jenny here and also that we're celebrating Ryan and Carolyn's first Thanksgiving.
Carol suppresses a chuckle, but Mike catches her eye. He gives her a knowing nod.
Mike: Let's give thanks. He prays:
Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us faithful stewards of thy great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
As the family shares their meal, the family Aunt Jenny about her excursion to Lake Titicaca.
Agnes: I heard you just got back from Lake Titicaca.
Aunt Jenny: I did. It was wonderful! I stayed in Puno, on the Peruvian side of the lake for the first half of my stay there, and then I stayed in Challapampa, on the Bolivian side for the last half of my stay.
Cindy: What did you do there?
Aunt Jenny: Oh, there's plenty to do! Puno has the most gorgeous cathedral, and of course, I took a trek to Macchu Picchu and the town of Cusco. When I was staying in Challapampa, I toured the biggest island of the lake, Isla del Sol, which means "Islandof the Sun." And, there's a beautiful labyrinth in Challapampa.
Marcia: Tell us about the lake.
Aunt Jenny: Lake Titicaca is a sacred place for the Inca civilization, as the Incan mythology says that the first Inca king, Manco Capac, was born here. According to the Incan mythology, this is the place where the world was created from, when the god Viracocha came out of the lake and created the sun, the stars and the first people.
Bobby: That sounds neat!
Aunt Jenny: The water is so blue! It's been a long time since I've seen water that blue.
Peter: How'd you get there?
Aunt Jenny: I flew into Juliaca, which is a town close to Lake Titicaca. Then, I took a bus to Puno. I took a boat to get to Challapampa from Puno.
Martha: It sounds like an adventure.
Aunt Jenny: It was! I think it's one of my top ten places.
Jan: What are your other ones?
Aunt Jenny: Lessee. She mentally counts as she lists her favourites. The Ginza Strip in Tokyo was a blast. The Serengeti was amazing. Nepal and Mount Everest was where I met the friendliest people ever. I had my best religious experience with the monks in Tibet. I loved Budapest and Prague. I loved romping with the kangaroos in the Australian Outback. New Zealand was also fun. Of course, Lake Titicaca, and I believe the best place yet is a tie between Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon.
Greg: The Grand Canyon is spectacular.
Jan: I hope someday I'll be able to go on an adventure.
Aunt Jenny: Maybe one day I can take you on one.
Jan: Amazed. Really?
Mike and Carol look at Aunt Jenny with a bit of disbelief.
Aunt Jenny: Why not? You'll be a senior in high school next year, right?
Jan: Yes.
Aunt Jenny: Well, I know graduation's a year and a half away, but maybe I can take you on an adventure for your graduation gift from me. Name the place and we'll go. She eyes Mike and Carol. As long as your folks approve.
Mike: We'll talk about it.
Cindy: Excited. That would be amazing!
Jan: I've always wanted to go to the Orient, the Carribean, and Africa.
Aunt Jenny: We'll see. We'll keep in touch and by this time next year, we can narrow down a couple choices.
Carol: We'll see when the time comes.
Aunt Jenny: Changes the subject. Greg, how's school going and how's Nora? Are you still a pre-med major?
Greg: I am. Nora's still in the nursing program. She and her parents went to Banff for the long weekend.
Aunt Jenny: Grinning. Do I hear any wedding bells yet?
Greg: No, not yet. Although we've talked about it some, we want to wait to tie the knot until after I finish residency, or at least wait until I get to residency. That way, she'll already have her BSN and her RN, and will be established. She's also thinking about becoming a nurse midwife, which will take more schooling.
Aunt Jenny: Smart thinking.
Mike: That's what we thought.
Aunt Jenny: How's your first semester of college going, Marcia?
Marcia: I'm really liking it. I think fashion merchandizing is definitely the right field for me.
Henry: Good!
Marcia: I'm in the photography and ceramics clubs. I didn't think I'd enjoy photography, but I really do.
Thomas: That's a good thing to learn if you want to go into fashion.
Marcia: That's what I thought.
Aunt Jenny: So Peter, I know you said Julie's out of town this weekend, but how are things going for you?
Peter: Well, I'm not into a whole lot besides work, archery, and Julie. I'm enjoying my ASL class. Jan's in the class too, so we pair up a lot for projects.
Martha: Good thinking. Jan, how's the debate team?
Jan: I'm team captain and I love it!
Agnes: Great! And are you going back to the art show this year?
Jan: I am. I'm keeping the painting a surprise, so I can't say anything about it.
Aunt Jenny: Bobby, how's things going with you?
Bobby: Cindy and I are going to the regional spelling bee next month, and I'm going out for baseball. Tryouts are after Christmas.
Thomas: Wanna be the next Don Drysdale?
Bobby: Snickering. No, that would be Greg. I want to be a white Reggie Jackson.
Martha: And Cindy, how's cheerleading shaping up?
Cindy: I love being captain! The squad's great.
Aunt Jenny: I heard you've been doing some pretty hefty routines.
Cindy: I have. They've really stepped up to the challenge, and Cassie hasn't been giving me any problems.
Agnes: That's great!
Cindy: And as Bobby said, we're going to the regional spelling bee next month. Pauses. It won't conflict with Carolyn's surgery, will it?
Mike: We'll make sure it won't.
Martha: Do you have it scheduled yet?
Carol: We go Monday to get it scheduled, but we're looking at the end of January or the beginning of February.
Aunt Jenny: Please keep me posted.
The family continues to visit during dinner, giving thanks for their many blessings.
-End of Chapter 28-