The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 32
Monday
Carol hears Ryan talking in the nursery, and awakens from her sleep. She yawns and stretches and notices Mike's still asleep.
Ryan: Heard from the monitor. Dada dada dada dada! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi!
Carol: Sing-songs. Miiiike! He's asking for you.
Mike grunts as he awakens.
Mike: Wha?
Carol: Your youngest son is calling for you.
Ryan: Through the monitor. Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Dada dada dada dada!
Mike rolls out of bed, and stands up. His feet feel like they've got lead weights attached to them. He stifles a cough as he staggers to the nursery. Ryan is standing in his crib and smiles when he sees his father.
Ryan: Eeeeeee! Dada dada dada dada!
Mike: Coughs and clears his throat. Sounding very bass. Good morning, Ry.
He picks his son up and checks his diaper. He's wet, so Mike lays him on the changing table and changes him into a clean diaper, putting the wet one in the diaper pail. He looks over and sees that Carolyn is beginning to awaken.
Ryan: Dada dada! He giggles and pats his father's face.
Mike: Let's get your breakfast.
As he exits the nursery, Carol walks toward the room.
Carol: Carolyn awake?
Mike: Swallows. Yes.
Carol: Thanks.
Mike carries Ryan to the kitchen and fixes cereal for both babies. He picks up Ryan's bowl, sets it on the kitchen table, and sets Ryan into the high chair.
Mike: Breakfast time. Coughs.
Carol: Walks into the kitchen, carrying Carolyn. Morning.
She gets the bowl of cereal off the counter, sets it on the table as she sets Carolyn in her high chair.
Carol: Speaks and Signs. Breakfast time!
Mike coughs.
Carol: Concerned. Mike?
Mike: Coughing. I'm going to take the day from work.
Carol: You getting sick?
Mike: I don't know, but I feel like I've been run over by a train.
Jan enters the kitchen and fixes her breakfast.
Jan: Morning!
Carol: How are you feeling?
Jan: Fine.
Carol: How 'bout Bobby and Cindy?
Jan: Bobby's asleep and Cindy said she's not quite ready to go back to school.
Peter, still in his pajamas, comes out of his suite.
Carol: Concerned. Peter, you sick?
Peter: Coughs. I feel like I got hit in the head with an anvil.
Carol: Go back to bed. I'll call the school.
Jan: I'll get your homework and tell Julie.
Peter: Thanks.
Jan finishes getting ready for school and leaves. Carol and Mike finish feeding the twins, and lift them out of their high chairs. They carry them into the family room. Mike calls his boss and lets him know he's going to be taking the day off.
Carol: Why don't you go ahead and go to bed?
Mike: Coughs. I think I will.
Mike goes to bed and Cindy opens the family room door. The twins are playing with toys on the floor.
Cindy: Mom?
Carol: Yes, Cindy?
Cindy: Can I come in and watch TV? Coughs. I'm bored. Pauses. I don't want to expose the twins though.
Carol: Come in. Your dad has the flu too, so they're already exposed to it.
Cindy opens the gate on the kitchen side of the family room door, and enters the room. She closes the gate behind her.
Cindy: Thanks.
Carol: Let me feel your forehead. Puts her hand on her daughter's forehead. You still feel a bit warm. How are you feeling?
Cindy: Lies on the other couch. Better than I did Saturday. When will I be able to go to school again?
Carol: Wednesday, at the earliest. You've got to be fever free for at least 24 hours before you can go back to school.
Cindy: When are we going to decorate for Christmas?
Carol: Sighs. This weekend. We probably won't put as many decorations out this year.
Cindy: Because the babies might get into them?
Carol: That, and you, Bobby, Peter and your dad have the flu.
Cindy: Peter too?
Carol: Yes.
Cindy: What about Greg and Marcia? They were around me at the twins' birthday party.
Carol: They're fine.
Ryan cruises the couches and smiles at his mother.
Ryan: Hi!
Carol: Smiles. Hi!
Ryan: Hi! Laughing. Hi!
Carol: Hi, Ryan.
Cindy: When did he start talking?
Carol: Saturday.
Carolyn also cruises the couches. She cruises over to Cindy.
Carolyn: Waves. Aaaaaah! Giggles.
Cindy: Smiles, speaks and signs. Hi, Carolyn.
Carolyn: Eeeee! Moves her hands.
Cindy smiles as her younger sister laughs and makes faces.
Later that morning
Mike, Peter, Bobby, Cindy and the twins are all napping in their respective bedrooms. Carol is downstairs, folding a load of towels and washcloths. The phone rings. Carol answers it, revealing Mrs. Tyler on the line.
Carol: Hi mom.
Martha: How are you?
Carol: Sighs. Exhausted.
Martha: Maternal. What's wrong?
Carol: Mike and Peter now have the flu.
Martha: Oh no! Do you need any help? Do you need me to come over?
Carol: I don't want to expose you and dad, but I do need some groceries. I was thinking about sending Jan after school.
Martha: I can get them. Make out a list and I'll be over in half an hour.
Carol: Tears streaming down her face. Thanks, mom.
Martha: Oh Carol.
Carol: Sniffs. I'm sorry.
Martha: No. You don't have to apologize. I know you're being pulled in many different directions right now.
Carol lets the tears flow.
Martha: And let me pick you up something for dinner. No arguments.
Carol: Okay.
Martha: And I'll call Agnes, Alice, Martha, Ellie, and Kathy and have them take a meal each this week. You don't need to do anything extra this week.
Carol: Relieved. Thanks.
Martha: How's Jan?
Carol: So far, so good. I've told Greg and Marcia to stay away for awhile. They're fine.
Martha: And the twins?
Carol: They're fine too. Smiles. Ryan said his first two words Saturday.
Martha: Excited. He did?
Carol: Yes.
She tells her mother about Saturday.
Martha: What great news! And Carolyn will be talking and signing before we know it.
Carol: She's trying.
Martha: I'll hang up and I'll be over in half an hour. I love you, Kitten.
Carol: I love you, too.
They hang up. Thirty minutes later, Martha rings the doorbell. Carol answers the door.
Martha: Hi, Kitten. You do look tired.
Carol: I am, but as a wife and a mother, I've got to do what I've got to do.
Martha: True.
Carol: Retrieves an envelope. I've got the list and money right here.
Martha: I'll be back in a little over an hour.
Carol: Thanks mom, I really appreciate it.
Martha: Just get some rest.
After lunch
Carol is putting the groceries away when Jan walks into the kitchen. She turns around and sees her second oldest daughter coughing.
Carol: Jan! You too?
Jan: I started feeling bad during third period, so I went to the nurse during lunch. Pauses. I did get mine and Peter's homework. I had it sent to the office before I left.
Carol: Go ahead and get in bed, and I'll come up and give you some Tylenol.
Jan: Coughs. No argument there. Where are the twins?
Carol: In the family room with Cindy.
Jan: I'm beat. Puts Peter's books on the kitchen table.
Jan drags herself up the stairs, down the hallway, to her attic bedroom. She places her books on her desk, changes her clothes, and slips under the covers, falling asleep immediately. Carol retrieves a couple quart bottles of soda out of the refrigerator and begins her rounds. First, she checks on Cindy and the twins. Cindy's asleep on the couch, and the twins are on the floor, playing with their dump truck and doll. Next, she checks on Peter, who is reading a magazine.
Carol: How are you feeling?
Peter: Coughs. Terrible. I feel like my head's going to fall off my neck.
Carol: Takes his temperature. 102. Pours soda into his glass. Here's some Tylenol.
Peter: Thanks.
Next, she goes to Bobby's room. She opens the door to see him asleep. She shuts the door and goes to Jan's room.
Jan: Come in.
Carol: How are you feeling?
Jan: Like I got smushed by a steamroller.
Carol: That good, huh?
Jan: Yeah. Sighs. Oh, tell Peter I let Julie know he's down for the count.
Carol: I will. Lemme take your temperature. Takes her temperature. 101. I've got soda and Tylenol for you. Breathing okay?
Jan: Coughs. I feel congested.
Carol: I'll set up a vaporizer. She sets it up and turns it on. How's that?
Jan: Fine.
Carol: Good. Get some rest.
Jan: I will.
She snuggles into her covers as Carol checks on Mike. He's sitting up in bed, coughing up a storm.
Carol: How are you feeling?
Mike: Weakly. Tired. Gets in a coughing fit. How are the others?
Carol: Cindy's feeling better, but now Jan has it too.
Mike: Jan?
Carol: She came home early from school.
Mike: So we're all down for the count... except you and the twins.
Carol: Sighs. I hope they don't come down with it. Mom offered to take them this week. I told her no because they've already been exposed and I don't want to expose anyone else.
Mike: Coughs. Are you sure?
Carol: I'm still nursing them. The other day, Dr. Porter said that's the best defense against them getting the flu.
Mike: And if you get it?
Carol: She said it's still okay to nurse. In fact, the immunities I'd develop trying to fight off the flu will pass to them too. So, they may be fine.
Mike: That's a relief.
Carol: Fluffs his pillow. Get some rest, dear.
She leans down to kiss him and thinks better of it.
Saturday before Christmas
By the time the weekend arrives, Bobby and Cindy are over the flu and went back to school Thursday. Peter and Jan's fevers broke Thursday, as they had mild cases. They have one more week of school before the semester ends. Mike is still down for the count. Greg and Marcia stayed away, and remained free of the flu. Carol is in the kitchen, feeding the twins breakfast. Bobby and Cindy enter the kitchen.
Bobby: Mom, when are we decorating for Christmas?
Carol: Greg and Marcia are coming over in half an hour. You and Greg can go get a tree.
Cindy: Can I go with them?
Carol: Sure. In the meantime, go ahead and get the boxes that are labeled stockings and ornaments. Marcia and I will get things cleaned up in the living room.
Cindy: Will Peter and Jan get to decorate?
Carol: If they want to.
After they finish breakfast, Bobby and Cindy clean their dishes. Carol lifts Carolyn out of her high chair.
Carol: Can one of you get Ryan for me?
Cindy: Sure. Lifting Ryan. C'mere, little brother.
They carry the babies into the family room and set them on the floor on a blanket. Carol rubs her sore arms. Cindy and Bobby get the boxes out of storage and carry them into the living room. Greg and Marcia arrive at the house and knock on the family room sliding door. Carol gets up to answer the door.
Carol: Hi guys!
Marcia: Hi mom. How's everyone?
Carol: The kids are on the mend, but your dad still has a fever, so he's staying upstairs.
Greg: Who's going with me to get the tree?
Carol: Bobby and Cindy are.
Greg: They're not contagious anymore, are they?
Carol: No. Neither are Peter and Jan, but they're going to stay here.
Bobby and Cindy enter the family room.
Bobby: The boxes are down.
Carol: Thanks!
Marcia: Do you want me to help you get everything out?
Carol: Sure.
Greg: Bobby, Cindy, you ready?
Bobby: Yeah.
Greg: Well, let's go!
Greg, Bobby and Cindy leave for Bob's Tree Nursery to get a tree. Carol and Marcia carry the twins into the living room. Peter and Jan meet them in the living room.
Marcia: Holding Carolyn. Can you believe it, mom? Last year when we were decorating for Christmas, you went into labour with these two.
Carol: Holding Ryan. Even though it disrupted decorating a bit, I was more than ready to have the babies. When you become a mother, you'll understand.
Peter: What do we need to get out first?
Carol: Setting Ryan on the floor. Get out the stockings and the holders. You can each hang your stocking when Greg, Bobby and Cindy get back. Jan, get out the ornaments. Marcia, can you go back into the family room and get Ryan's dump truck and Carolyn's Kitty Karry-All?
Marcia: Sure.
With Carolyn in tow, Marcia retrieves the toys and returns to the living room. Jan gets out the ornament boxes and smiles.
Jan: Here are, I guess, the twins' ornaments from last year. I suppose they'll each have two of them.
Carol: I guess so.
Mike rings a bell. Carol gets up.
Carol: Can you watch them? I'm going to go check on your father.
She goes upstairs, yawning before she gets to the master bedroom, and checks on her husband. He's sitting up in bed, coughing.
Carol: Concerned. Mike?
Mike: Begins wheezing. Hard to breathe.
Carol: Let me get the nebulizer.
She locates it, sets up the medicine, suppresses a cough, and brings it to her husband.
Carol: Here you go.
She helps Mike with the mask and turns it on. Mike holds her hand as he breathes in the medication.
Carol: Greg, Bobby and Cindy went to get a tree. Marcia, Peter and Jan are helping me get out the decorations.
Mike: Weakly. Good. Coughs.
Carol: Breathe. Don't talk.
Mike nods, continuing to hold her hand. Carol clears her throat and swallows, in order to suppress another cough.
Mike: Concerned. You getting sick?
Carol: No.
Mike: Doesn't believe her. Carol.
Carol: Tired. I feel fine. When the twins go down for a nap, I'll take a nap too. I'm just tired.
The nebulizer treatment ends, and Carol helps Mike remove his mask. He sinks down into his pillows.
Carol: Anything else you need?
Mike: Coughing. I'm okay.
Carol: Rises. All right.
She leaves and goes back downstairs. Greg, Bobby and Cindy are back with the tree and have it set up by the stairs. Carol smiles.
Carol: It's lovely!
Bobby: Thanks! I picked it out.
Carol and the kids decorate the tree, Greg holds Ryan and Carol holds Carolyn, and help the twins place their ornaments on the tree. Bobby takes pictures. Ryan and Carolyn giggle with glee. Mike makes his way to the landing and watches his family decorating the tree and living room from the upstairs.
Carol: Admires the tree. It looks wonderful!
Jan hands out the stockings, and each Brady kid hangs their stockings. Carol helps Carolyn hang hers, and then Ryan leans over so his mother can hold him. Greg passes Ryan to Carol. Marcia lifts Carolyn from their mother's arms.
Marcia: Here, let me take her.
Carol: Thanks. Let's hang your stocking. She feels a sharp pain in her back. Oh child, you're getting heavy!
Carol helps her youngest son hang his stocking. Mike smiles at the sight. He's beginning to tire, so he quietly gets up and makes his way back to the master bedroom. By the time his head hits the pillow, he's asleep.
Lunchtime
Kathy Kelly brings a lasagna, salad and bread for lunch. Cindy answers the door, updates Kathy on the family, and Kathy leaves.
Cindy: Lunch is ready!
Carol: Guys, set the table. Jan, Cindy, get the meal set up. Thanks. Marcia, go ahead and put him in his high chair and his bib on him.
Marcia: C'mon, little brother. Lunch is ready.
Carol: Speaks and signs: Lunchtime!
Carol cuts up Carolyn's meal and Marcia, does Ryan's. Despite wearing a bib, Carolyn manages to get lasagna all over her face and hands, and down her shirt. Ryan, too, manages to get a little messy.
Carol: Chuckles as she speaks and signs: Messy girl! You'll need a bath!
Marcia: Laughs. I think you'll need one too, little man!
Carol lifts Carolyn out of the high chair and Marcia gets Ryan. They carry the babies up to the kids' bathroom. Carol runs the bath water.
Marcia: Still holding Ryan. We forgot their towels. I'll go get them.
She returns and the women lower the twins into the water. The babies splash around, giggling and kicking their legs. Marcia retrieves a few bath toys.
Marcia: Hey Ryan! Rub a dub dub! Three men in a tub! And who do you think they be? The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker. Turn them out, knaves of three! She tips the toy over.
Ryan: Squeals. Eeeeee!
Marcia: Picks up the baker. Patty-cake! Patty-cake, Baker's man! Bake me a cake as fast as you can! Roll 'em up! Roll 'em up! Throw 'em in the pan!
Ryan does the motions.
Ryan: Bay! Bay!
Carolyn giggles as she plays with a wind up plastic fish. Carol winds it up, places it in the water, and the fish "swims" around in the tub.
Carol: Washing her daughter's hair. See the fishy?
That evening
Greg and Marcia leave for their respective homes after Marcia bathes Ryan. Peter spends the evening with Julie, the first since before he came down with the flu. Jan, Bobby and Cindy spend a quiet evening watching TV. Carol nurses the twins in the nursery. The children drift off to sleep while nursing.
Carol: Looks like you two are done. Time for bed.
Quietly, she removes the babies from her breasts and buttons her blouse. She stands up, and carries them to Ryan's bed.
Carol: You first, Ry. She kisses him on the head. I love you. Sleep well, son.
Ryan immediately settles in his crib. Carol lowers Carolyn into her crib.
Carol: Goodnight! Sweet dreams, kitten.
She yawns and stretches. The walk from the nursery to the master bedroom feels about three times as long as it normally is. Mike is in bed.
Mike: Coughs. Are you okay? You look exhausted.
Carol: Dresses for bed. I am tired.
Mike: Are you coming down with the flu?
Carol: Sighs. I hope not. I can't afford to get the flu. Coughs. Great. She slumps in defeat.
She brushes her teeth and washes her face.
Mike: Come here.
Carol: Gets in bed. Oh Mike. Coughs. I don't want the twins to get it.
Mike: Hugs his wife. It'll be okay. You said nursing them is their best defense against it.
Carol: You're right. Changes the subject a bit. And now Greg and Marcia are also exposed to it. I was hoping they wouldn't be.
Mike: Maybe they won't get it. He kisses her on the temple. Besides, you didn't realize.
Carol: I know. I thought my being tired was just because I've had to juggle sick kids, a sick husband and two one-year-olds.
Mike: Speaking of rest, we both need to get some sleep.
They give each other a quick peck on the lips and snuggle into the covers.
-End of Chapter 32-
A/N-This is semi-autobiographical in that one Christmas, I had to play nurse for my whole family, which included my older brother and sister-in-law, parents, a special needs toddler and a baby. Guess who got sick Christmas day. You guessed it.