The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 33
A/N—I'm accelerating time just a bit, as I need to get this story moving. I thought about doing a chapter about Carol and the flu, but I've already done a few chapters with the family taking care of her after her accident. So, I'm moving the story up to Christmastime.
Christmas Eve
It's Christmas Eve. Carol's recovering from the flu, and fortunately Greg and Marcia didn't catch it. So far, the twins are healthy and flu-free. It is late and the older Brady kids and their parents are sitting around the Christmas tree, sharing memories of Christmases with Alice.
Bobby: I miss Alice being here. This is the first Christmas where Alice isn't here.
Peter: Thinks and realizes. Hey! You're right!
Bobby: I'm happy and all that she and Sam got married, but I wish they would be here at least part of tomorrow.
Cindy: Yeah. It won't be the same without her. Where did she and Sam go?
Carol: They went to Seattle to visit her family.
Bobby: She's been at every one of my Christmases, I think.
Mike: No, you were three when she spent her first Christmas with us.
Bobby: Okay. Chuckles and saves face. I should say every Christmas that I remember.
Greg: I remember the first Christmas Alice joined our family. Mom was really sick that Christmas.
Carol takes Mike's hand.
-Flashback Sequence Begins-
Christmas, 1964
Mike and Sue are in the master bedroom, wrapping presents for the kids. Although the couple tries to keep a light mood, a shadow falls over the holiday, as they know this will most likely be their last Christmas with Sue.
Sue: Weak. Hand me that oblong box. The one with the gold top.
Mike: Retrieves the box. This one?
Sue: Yes. That one. Thanks. Begins wrapping the package and smiles, sadly. I'm going to miss this.
Mike: Not wanting to discuss it. Everything's going to be fine. We'll beat this. You'll see.
Sue: Annoyed. Mike. We've got to face this.
Mike: Face what?
Sue: Mike. Sighs. This is going to be my last Christmas, and I want us to enjoy it together. Whimsical. Besides, Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy, and we've got three beautiful boys who will be disappointed if Santa doesn't get these presents under the tree.
Mike: Chokes back tears and gives her a quick peck on the lips. You're right.
Sue: Come on, Santa.
The next morning, three little boys arise from their beds and make their way to the living room. There, they see the Christmas tree all lit up, with their stockings all filled and presents overflowing underneath.
Bobby: In awe. Thanta came! Mommy! Daddy! Awice! Thanta Kwaz came!
Greg, ever the adult, rolls his eyes in disgust. Mike, Sue, and Alice awaken and join the boys.
Peter: Excited. Look Mom! A bike! And it's blue! My favourite colour!
Sue: It's beautiful.
Peter: Mom! Bikes aren't beautiful! They're neato.
Sue: Chuckles. Okay Peter, it's neato.
Peter: Alice, maybe after breakfast, you and Dad can help me ride?
Alice: Sure!
Bobby: Oh boy! A Hippity Hop! He climbs aboard and hops. Wook, Awice! Boing! Boing! Boing!
Alice: Laughs. Well, look at you!
Sue: What did you get, Greg?
Greg: Tries unsuccessfully not to be enthusiastic. Operation! I love that game!
Mike and Sue sit on the couch and watch the boys open their presents. Mike swallows a lump forming in his throat and places a soft kiss on Sue's temple.
-Scene Changes-
After all the presents are opened and breakfast is consumed, Mike and Alice take the boys outside so they can play. Greg rides his bike, as Mike teaches Peter how to ride his bike without training wheels, and Bobby races Alice on Hippity Hops. Sue lounges on the outdoor chaise and watches.
Bobby: Awice! Let's wace!
Alice: All right! Gets on Peter's Hippity Hop.
Bobby: Now, when I say "Go," we go. Not before though.
Alice: Gotcha!
Bobby: Mommy! You cheer, okay?
Sue: Would love to!
Bobby: On your mark! Get set! Go!
Sue cheers them on, and giggles seeing Alice on the Hippity Hop. Bobby wins the race.
Sue: Good job, Bobby!
Bobby: Jumping up and down. I did it, Awice!
Alice: Hugs him. You sure did! She spies Sue. Go tell your mama about it.
Bobby: Runs. Mommy! Mommy! I won!
Sue embraces her child as she mouths a silent "thank you." At the same time, Mike is teaching Peter to ride his new bike. A bit unsteady at first, Peter manages to gain enough speed to balance, and soon he's riding on his own.
Peter: Mom! Alice! Look at me! I'm doing it!
Sue: Yes! Go Peter, go!
Peter: Alice! Ride with me?
Alice finds Greg's old bike and pedals unsteady on it. Peter rides circles around her.
Peter: C'mon, Alice. You can do it! See? It's easy!
Alice: Maybe for you.
Alice, still unsteady, manages to ride up and down the length of the driveway, to the excitement of Peter. Greg brings his new game outside.
Greg: Mom, will you play?
Sue: Smiles. Sure!
Greg sets it up and explains how it's played. Carefully, with a surgeon's hand, Greg is able to get most of the pieces out. Sue tries her hand, and hits metal. The "patient's" nose lights up.
Sue: Surprised. Oh!
Greg: That gets me every time too.
Peter and Alice tire of riding bikes and join Greg and Sue.
Peter: Can we play too?
Greg: I suppose so.
Mike watches as Sue and Alice play with the two oldest boys. Sue is giggling and laughing as each of the four try not to hit metal. Sometimes Peter deliberately hits metal, annoying his older brother. He feels a tear roll down his cheek, as he imagines what next Christmas will be like. He hears Bobby call him, shaking him out of his thought.
Mike: Yes, Bob?
Bobby: Will you play with me?
Mike: I'd love to. What do you want to play?
-Scene Changes-
Mike and Sue are getting ready for bed. They've already tucked their sons in bed and kissed their cheeks.
Sue: Yawns and stretches. Today was wonderful!
Mike: It was.
They turn down the covers and slide into bed.
Sue: I think the highlight of my day was seeing Alice on the Hippity Hop.
Mike: That was fun, but my favourite parts of the day were seeing you cheer Bobby on when he was racing Alice, and when you, Alice and the older boys were playing Operation.
Sue: It was such a nice day. Becomes somber. I wish I could see next Christmas.
Mike: Kisses a tear away. You may.
Sue: I don't think so. I feel so weak, and I don't think the treatments are working.
Mike: The doctor thinks they are.
Sue: It's just a feeling I have. Sighs. I'm not winning this fight.
Mike: Teary. Then, we've got to fight harder.
Sue: I'm doing my best.
Mike: I don't want to lose you.
Sue: Strokes his hair. I'll stay as long as I'm able. Inhales. But whatever happens, today was one of the best days I've had.
Mike: Gives her a peck on the lips. Me too.
-Flashback Sequence Ends-
Back to the present
The kids sit in silence for a few minutes, then Bobby breaks the silence.
Bobby: It was fun racing Alice on the Hippity Hops. Alice always took the time to play with us kids.
Cindy: Giggles. I can't imagine seeing Alice on a Hippity Hop.
Peter: I miss her Christmas Dinners.
Marcia: She is a good cook.
Greg: Remember the first Christmas after mom died? She tried to make Christmas dinner extra special for us.
Bobby: She made our favourite dinner.
Peter: Salivating. Homemade cheese ravioli!
Bobby: We had Christmas dinner for breakfast.
Jan: Confused. Huh?
Greg: He means brunch.
Peter: We had cheese ravioli, scrambled eggs, and pancakes.
Cindy: Grossed out. Ew.
Jan: It's probably a guy thing.
Bobby: We also had chocolate cake for dessert.
Cindy: Rolls her eyes in mock annoyance. That makes it better.
-Flashback Sequence Begins-
Christmas, 1965
1965 was a difficult year for the Bradys. By the time Christmas rolled around, it had been four months since Sue died. Opening gifts Christmas morning was a somber affair.
Bobby: Excited, but muted. I got Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots!
Peter: Ooh! That's neato! My fried, Geordi has it. I played it at his house. I'd asked mom for it for my birthday... He trails off.
Bobby: Face falls. Oh.
Mike: Tries to be enthusiastic. What did Santa bring you?
Peter: Pleased. I got a slot car track and six cars. Oh! One's a Mustang!
Greg: Checks out Peter's present. Ooh! And a Camaro, Corvette, Cougar, Barracuda, and (in surprise) a VW Beetle?
Peter: Studies the Beetle. It's Herbie! How did Santa know I liked Herbie?
Mike: Santa just knows.
Greg is about to speak, but Mike gives him a look. Greg backs down.
Greg: Wears a half-smile. I got a bunch of Hardy Boys Mystery books. Smiles as he remembers. Mom got me into the Hardy Boys. She got me my first Hardy Boys book.
After the boys open their gifts, Alice has brunch ready.
Alice: Brunch is served!
Peter: Oh boy! What are we having?
Alice: Pancakes, scrambled eggs, and for the "piece de resistance," Cheese Ravioli.
Bobby: Hurries to the table. All right! Ravioli!
Mike: Pained. Pancakes and ravioli?
Alice: I know it's a weird combination, but they're the boys' favourite foods.
Mike: Understanding and grateful. Thanks, Alice. Curious. So, do you have chocolate cake for dessert?
Alice: Smiles. Indeed I do.
Mike returns a silent smile.
Bobby: Dad! Alice made ravioli!
Mike: She did?
Peter: And pancakes!
Greg: And scrambled eggs.
Mike: Grateful for her extra bit of care. Alice, will you join us?
Alice: Joins the Bradys at the table. I'd love to.
Mike prays and the Bradys and Alice dine on their unusual, but tasty Christmas Dinner.
-Flashback Sequence Ends-
Back to the present
Jan: Remember our first Christmas together when mom lost her voice?
Mike looks at his wife and smiles.
Greg: And we wanted to cancel Christmas?
Marcia: Alice sure made us think about it.
Peter: Chuckles. When you threaten to throw away the turkey and dressing, that's when it really hits home.
Jan: Alice has a way with words.
-Flashback Sequence Begins-
Christmas, 1969. This is the first Christmas that Mike and the boys and Carol and the girls have as a family. Carol has lost her voice, and her singing at church on Christmas is in jeopardy. Greg rifles through the presents under the Christmas tree, then sits on the brick stairs, looking glum.
Marcia: Descends the stairs. Find one of yours?
Greg nods.
Marcia: What did it sound like?
Greg: Who cares? I started thinking about mom losing her voice on Christmas.
Marcia: Sighs. Yeah. Just when she was supposed to sing her solo.
Greg: It's a bum deal. I thought for sure she'd have her voice back by now.
Peter: From the top of the stairs. Me too!
Greg: Annoyed. Keep it down, would ya? You'll wake everybody up.
Peter and Jan join their older brother and sister on the steps.
Jan: Who can sleep? Some Christmas! It's no fun this year!
Alice hears the oldest four and investigates.
Alice: Flips on the light from the kitchen. Ah ha! I caught ya in the act. Sneaking down trying to guess the presents, huh?
Greg: Nobody feels like guessing the presents here.
Marcia: You know what I think? I think we oughta postpone Christmas until mom can talk again.
Greg: I'm for that!
Peter: Me too!
Jan: Decisive. Let's skip Christmas this year.
Alice: Parental. Okay, it's unanimous. We'll cancel Christmas. We'll take the tree down; take the presents back to the store, and throw the turkey away. Sighs. Of course, it might disappoint your mother a little.
Mike hears Alice talking to the kids and starts down the stairs. He stops, as she continues to talk to the kids, who are beginning to feel a bit guilty over their selfishness.
Alice: She's had one tough break already. She and your dad were looking forward to us all having a wonderful first Christmas together. Sighs. Well, why worry about how they feel?
Marcia: We don't wanna disappoint them.
Greg: Agreeing. Of course not!
Alice: Well, that's exactly what you'd be doing.
Greg: Accusing, and pointing a finger. It was your idea, Marcia.
Marcia: I only meant it because mom can't sing tomorrow!
Peter: You can't throw the turkey away, Alice! It's got my favourite dressing!
Alice: Don't worry honey, I won't.
Mike gets tickled, but tries to remain quiet.
Alice: Driving home a point. I just wanted you all to realize you didn't really mean what you were saying.
Peter: You sure scared me.
Alice: Okay, everybody up to bed now. Shooing them back upstairs. C'mon, back you go now! Off you go! Off Dasher, off Dancer, off Prancer!
Mike: On Vixen, on Comet, on Cupid, on Donder and Blitzen.
Greg: We were just goin' back to bed.
Mike: Good night, kids.
The kids go back to their beds.
Alice: Mr. Brady, I didn't know you were there.
Mike: Alice, I heard part of what you said to the kids. Smiles and gives her the "okay" sign.
Alice smiles as Mike goes back to bed. She turns out the lights and goes back to her bedroom.
-Flashback Sequence Ends-
Back to the Present
Mike gives his wife a peck on her temples.
Cindy: Mom, would you sing?
Carol: Coughs. I'd love to, but I can't.
Peter: This will be the first Christmas you won't be singing at church.
Carol: But I'll enjoy hearing Greg and Marcia this year.
Jan: What are you singing?
Marcia: I'm finally doing "Coventry Carol."
Greg: And I'm doing "Do You Hear What I Hear?"
Carol yawns and gets into a coughing fit.
Mike: It's getting late. I think your mother and I are gonna turn in. Don't stay up too late.
The kids tell their parents "goodnight," as they ascend the stairs. Mike and Carol check on the twins, who are fast asleep.
In the master bedroom
As Mike dresses for bed, Carol continues to cough, and begins to wheeze.
Mike: Let me get the nebulizer.
Carol nods and sighs as he sets up the machine. She begins to breathe easier.
Mike: Better?
Carol: Yeah.
She gets a catch in her throat, which sets up another coughing cycle.
Carol: Catches her breath. How are you?
Mike: Unsure. What do you mean?
Carol: Muffled. I was wondering how it was hearing the kids reminisce.
Mike: It's bittersweet. I miss Sue, of course, but I love my life with you.
Carol smiles.
Mike: I'm grateful for my life with her, and I'll always love her.
Carol clasps her beloved's hand.
Mike: It was awful and sad that she got sick and died. It's sad that she didn't get to watch the boys grow up, and they're growing up without her.
The nebulizer finishes and Carol takes her mask off.
Mike: Inhales. It's been said that good can and does come out of everything that's bad. Sue wanted me to find someone else to love, who would love me, and who would love our boys.
He places a soft kiss on her cheek and pulls her into an embrace. They settle into bed.
Mike: I'm thankful to God... and to Sue for sending you and the girls to us.
Carol blushes and smiles.
Mike: I'm thankful for our twins too... and Paige.
Carol: I, too, am thankful to God for sending you and the boys to the girls and me, and also for Paige and the twins. Coughs. I love you.
Mike: I love you too.
Carol smiles and gets into another coughing fit. She sits up.
Mike: Massages her back. You okay?
Carol: Yeah. Takes slow breaths. Ugh! One thing I can't stand about the flu is the lingering cough it leaves.
Mike: Agreed.
Carol: Christmas isn't going to be the same without Alice. I know we have to get used to Alice not being in our lives as much.
Mike: It is different. She was with us for ten Christmases.
Carol: I hope she and Sam will be here for some of the twins' Christmases. I would love for them to have memories of sharing Christmas with them too.
Mike: They will.
Carol begins to relax.
Mike: Better?
Carol: Yes. She relaxes into her husband's embrace.
Mike: Let's get some sleep. We've got two little ones who will be up bright and early.
Carol: Merry Christmas, Darling. She strokes the side of his face.
Mike: Merry Christmas.
They snuggle into the covers and quickly fall asleep.
-End of Chapter 33-