The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 31
A/N-Yes, this chapter is a bit short, but I hope you enjoy it.
It's the day after the Art Show. Mike is preparing to put up baby gates at the head and foot of the staircase. He enlists Peter and Jan's help.
Jan: What do you need us to do?
Mike: I need you to write down some numbers for me, and Peter, I need you to hold the end of the tape measure. I'll need to measure the landing and both sides of the staircase.
Peter: How are you going to put up the gates?
Mike: I'm going to put a clear barrier on the landing and both sides of the staircase.
Peter: Confused. How's that gonna help?
Mike: Not only will it help anchor the gates and make the landing safer for the twins, when they learn how to go up and down the stairs, it'll decrease the chances of them falling through the sides of the stairs.
Peter: Still confused. Oh, okay.
Mike: Let's get this done, so I can order the barrier.
Mike and Peter measure the dimensions and Jan writes down the numbers. He has her read them back to him, so he can measure a second time.
Mike: Thanks. I'm going to go to the hardware store and get this ordered.
Carol with the twins in tow, descends the stairs.
Carol: Can you pick up some burgers for lunch?
Ryan leans over and reaches for his father to take him.
Mike: To Ryan. C'mere, son. To Carol. Sure. From Burger Barn?
Carol: Yeah.
Mike: For the four of us? What about Bobby and Cindy?
Carol: Bobby wants a burger, but Cindy just wants an order of fries.
Ryan: Grins at his father. Dada! Dada!
Mike: Grins. Yes, I'm Dada!
Ryan: Impressed with himself. Dada!
Mike: Anything for these two?
Carol: I'll just give them some of mine.
Mike: All right.
He tries to pass Ryan back to Carol, but he protests.
Ryan: Holding onto his father tightly. Dada!
Carol: You mind taking him?
Mike: Not at all. Cheeky. Especially since "Dada" is his first word.
Mike and Carol exchange a quick peck.
Carol: Cheeky. That's okay. Carolyn's first word's gonna be "Mama." To Carolyn. Isn't that right? Tickles her.
Carolyn giggles.
Mike: Well, c'mon Ryan. Let's get some barrier ordered. Peter or Jan, can one of you come with us?
Jan: Sure, dad.
Mike carries Ryan and buckles him into the car seat in the station wagon, as Jan gets into the front passenger seat.
At the Hardware Store
Mike carries Ryan as he and Jan enter the store.
Mike: Jan, can you go get some screws? Here's the type I need. He hands her a piece of paper. Get two packages... Wait, no, three.
Jan: 'Kay. Anything else?
Mike: Some putty too. I think it's on the list.
Jan: Looks over the paper. Yes. One jar?
Mike: Yes.
Ryan: Pats his father. Dada! Dada! Dada!
Mike: Chuckles. You're quite proud of yourself, son. Let's go get that barrier ordered.
As Jan goes to get the items on her list, Mike, with Ryan in tow, get in line to order the barrier. A woman smiles and waves at Ryan. The baby giggles back.
Woman: You are such a cutie pie! Who's got you? Grandpa?
Mike: Barely turns around. He's my son.
Woman: Knows she erred. Oh! I'm sorry! He is a honey.
Mike: Thanks.
It's Mike's turn and he orders the necessary materials. The employee at the counter retrieves the material and cuts it to Mike's specifications. The materials are loaded into a cart. Mike meets Jan at the front.
Mike: Got everything?
Jan: Right here.
Mike: All right. I'll check out. Can you hold him?
Mike tries to pass Ryan over, but he grabs on tighter.
Jan: If you're using cash, I can check out.
Mike: Thanks. He hands her his wallet.
Jan checks out. The store employee walks with Mike, Jan and Ryan to the car, and loads the materials in the back of the station wagon. Then, they pick up burgers at Burger Barn. Mike and Jan approach the counter.
Girl at the counter: May I help you?
Mike: I'd like two Classic Burgers with lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard, onions and pickles; one Classic with ketchup only, two Classic with cheese, and everything except mayo; and four orders of fries.
The girl at the counter keys the order in, gives him the price, and Mike pays. As she gets the order together, she smiles at Ryan. The baby smiles and giggles.
Girl at the counter: We've got two Classic Burgers with lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard, onions and pickles; one Classic with ketchup only, two Classic with cheese, and everything except mayo; and four orders of fries. She pauses. Aren't you a sweet boy!
Ryan: Waves. Hi!
Girl at the counter: Hi! She pulls a stuffed Holstein cow from behind the counter. Can I give him this?
Ryan squeals with delight.
Mike: Sure. To Ryan. Say thank you!
Ryan: Ooooh!
Girl at the counter: Here you go, sweetheart!
Ryan reaches his hand out and she gives him the cow.
Mike: Thank you.
Girl at the counter: You're welcome. We had these from a promotion we had last month.
Jan: Do you have another one? He's got a twin sister at home.
Girl at the counter: Sure. Pulls out a stuffed Longhorn cow, and hands it to Jan.
Jan: How cute! Thanks.
Mike: Thanks.
Girl at the counter: You're welcome. Have a great day! She waves at Ryan.
Ryan leans over and pats the Longhorn cow, while clutching the Holstein cow. Jan chuckles, as they leave the store.
At the Brady house
Mike, Jan and Ryan come back home. Jan tries to get Ryan out of the car, but he protests, reaching out to his father.
Jan: I can get the burgers if you want to get him.
Mike: Sure. He's probably getting tired.
He picks his son up and Jan gets the food. Ryan, still clutching the Holstein cow, wraps his arms around his daddy's neck and lays his head on his shoulder. His eyes close and he becomes very still. Jan opens the kitchen sliding glass door. Carol is washing dishes.
Jan: Hi, mom! We've got lunch.
Carol: Thanks! Sees Mike carrying a sleeping Ryan. When did he fall asleep?
Mike: I think he fell asleep on the ride home.
Carol: Sees the cow in Ryan's hands. When did he get this?
Mike: The girl at the Burger Barn, who waited on us, gave it to him. We've got one for Carolyn too.
Jan: Chuckling. Ryan was a little flirt.
Carol: Amused. Oh, really?
Jan: Yes. She waved at him; he waved back and said hi.
Mike: Proud. That's my boy! Starting early.
Carol, rolls her eyes, takes the burgers and fries out of the bags and finds the Longhorn cow.
Carol: Grins. How cute!
Mike: Carolyn down for her nap?
Carol: Yes. She went down about 20 minutes ago.
Mike: I'm going to put him down.
Jan: I'll get the bag from the hardware store.
Mike: Put it in my den.
Mike carries Ryan up the stairs and into the nursery. He starts to lay him in his crib, but the baby starts to whimper. Mike sits in the rocking chair and rocks him, rubbing his back.
Mike: S'okay, Ry. Shhhh.
Carol carries Bobby's and Cindy's trays to their rooms, stopping in Bobby's first.
Carol: Got your lunch.
Bobby: Lays his magazine aside. Thanks.
Carol: Sets up his tray. How are you feeling?
Bobby: Awful. Coughs.
Carol feels his forehead.
Carol: Still got a fever.
Bobby: 101. Took it a few minutes ago.
Carol: Feel like lunch?
Bobby: Yeah.
Carol: Here you go.
Bobby: Thanks.
Carol takes Cindy's tray into her room. She hears her daughter wheezing.
Carol: Oh, Cindy! Lemme get the nebulizer set up.
She sets the tray on Cindy's desk, sets up the nebulizer and helps her put the mask on.
Carol: Relax and breathe, sweetheart.
As Carol rubs her daughter's back, Cindy begins to relax.
Carol: That's it. That's my girl.
Cindy coughs and starts to cry.
Cindy: I (cough) hate this! She begins wheezing again.
Carol: I know. She dries her tears. Relax, hun.
Cindy: I've had it. Been dealing with this all week. I'm so tired of this.
Carol: I know, but the more you get upset, the more you'll cough and wheeze. So, relax and let the medicine help.
Cindy nods. The treatment ends and Cindy takes the mask off.
Carol: You ready for your lunch?
Cindy nods.
Cindy: Thanks.
Carol: You're welcome.
Carol leaves Cindy's room and sees Mike rocking Ryan. She smiles at the sight. Ryan's asleep, so Mike stands and carries him to the crib.
Mike: Kisses his son on the top of his head. I love you. Sleep well.
He walks out of the room, sees his wife standing and smiling, and envelops her in an embrace.
Mike: How long have you been standing out there?
Carol: Gives him a peck. Long enough.
Mike wraps his arm around her back and they descend the stairs and walk into the kitchen together.
Mike: How are Bobby and Cindy?
Carol: About the same. She sighs. Cindy's so tired.
Mike: I know she is.
Carol: I hate this for her.
Mike: Kisses the top of her head. I do too.
Carol: When are you going to put the gates up?
Mike:This afternoon, after the twins are up from their naps. I'll get Peter and Jan to help me.
Carol: Sounds good. I'll keep the twins in the family room.
Later that afternoon
The twins are awake from their naps. Carol enlists Jan's help in placing the babies in their high chairs for lunch. Carol warms up their lunch, cuts the burger into bite sized pieces, adds a few fries onto their plates and serves the babies. Carolyn eagerly eats her fries, humming while she eats.
Carol: Speaks and Signs: Is that good? Huh?
Ryan disassembles his burger and eats each part by itself. Mike enters the kitchen and greets his kids.
Mike: Jan, would you be able to help me get the barrier up? I'm going to get Peter to help too.
Jan: Sure. I think he's in his room.
Mike: Thanks. He knocks on Peter's door. Hey, Pete?
Peter: Opens the door. Yeah?
Mike: Will you and Jan help me get the barrier up?
Peter: Okay. I gotta get ready for work in a couple hours, but I can help right now.
Mike: Thanks. Help me get the barrier out of the car. The twins are in the kitchen, so we'll take it through the living room sliding door. Jan, get the bag out of my den and my tools from the garage.
Mike and Peter carry in the barrier and lay it out on the living room floor.
Mike: That's the last of it.
Jan: Got the tools.
Mike: Great! Let's get to work.
Carol: From the kitchen. Before you get started, can one of you get Carolyn for me?
Jan: I'll get her. She goes to the kitchen and lifts Carolyn out of the high chair. C'mon, little sis.
Carol: Thanks.
Carol carries Ryan, and Jan, Carolyn to the family room.
Jan: Anything else?
Carol: No. We'll be fine.
Jan gives Carolyn a toy, as she sets her down on the floor. She leaves before Carolyn is able to look back. Carol gets Ryan interested in his dump truck.
Jan: Back in the living room. I'm back.
Mike: Great! Let's get going.
Mike, Peter and Jan install the barriers. Mike tests each piece to make sure they're sound. Next, they install the gates.
Mike: Peter, go ahead and hook the bottom gate, Jan, get the top one. We'll see how they work. Peter, get your mom and have her bring the twins in, so we can see if the gates are going to work.
Peter fetches his mother and the twins.
Carol: Holding Ryan. Wow! It looks good!
Ryan leans toward his father, reaching his arms out.
Ryan: Dada! Dada!
Mike: Carol, see if you can unlatch and latch the gate, while holding one of the twins.
Carol unlatches the bottom gate and starts up the stairs, unlatching the top gate. Ryan leans toward his father.
Ryan: Dada!
Carol: Smiles. It's a boy!
Mike: C'mere, Ryan. Let's check out the gate.
Mike latches and then unlatches the top gate, descends the stairs, and does the same with the bottom gate.
Mike: Peter, try it out and then Jan, you try it.
The kids try it, carrying Carolyn.
Peter: It works fine.
Jan: It's okay.
Mike: Good.
Peter: I need to get ready for work.
Mike: All right. Thanks for your help.
That evening
The twins have been put to bed. Peter's finishing up a late shift at work. Jan's in her room, reading a book. Mike and Carol check on Bobby and Cindy and see that they're asleep. They get ready for bed.
Mike: Changing into his pajamas. What a day!
Carol: Brushing her hair at her vanity. The highlight of my day was hearing Ryan's first word. Beams. I'm so proud of him.
Mike: Cheeky. Even if I'm his first word.
Carol: Of course. She stands and kisses him on the cheek. And I know Carolyn's first sign and word are going to be "Mama."
Mike: We'll see. Grins. Before we know it, they'll be talking and signing up a storm.
Carol: Giggles. And we'll wonder why we were so eager for them to talk.
Mike: Plays along. Or walk.
Carol: And I'm looking forward to every minute of it.
Mike: Arms around her waist, settling at the small of her back. Me too.
Mike tries to stifle a cough and Carol raises an eyebrow in concern.
-End of Chapter 31-