The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 34
A/N—Except for Alice Cooper, these are some of my favourite bands and artists of the 1970s. All the albums topped the billboard charts of 1975. Alice Cooper isn't one of my faves. And, this is one mammoth chapter. I just got a little carried away. Enjoy!
Christmas Day
It's Christmas morning. Mike and Carol hear Ryan through the baby monitor.
Mike: Rolls over in bed. It's your turn. Chuckles.
Carol: Smiles and kisses him on the cheek. Okay. Only because it's Christmas.
Mike: I'll be right behind you. I know Carolyn will be up any minute now.
Carol puts on her robe and walks to the nursery. She sees Ryan standing up in the crib. He smiles when he sees his mother.
Carol: Smiles. Merry Christmas, Ryan!
Ryan: Mama!
Carol: Yes, mama's here.
She lifts him out of the crib. He giggles.
Ryan: Mama! Mama! Mama mama mama mama!
Carol: Realizes what he's saying. Ryan! You said "Mama!"
Ryan: Giggling. Mama!
Carol: Kisses him on the cheek. This is the best Christmas gift!
As Carol changes his diaper, Mike enters the nursery and greets Carolyn.
Mike: Speaks and signs: Merry Christmas, Kitten.
He lifts her out of her crib and she waves her hand and babbles.
Mike: Speaks and signs: You're a happy girl today. Let's get your diaper changed.
Carol: Our son just said "Mama!"
Ryan: Proud of himself. Mama!
Mike: And who am I, Ryan?
Ryan: Giggles and points to his father. Dada!
Carol: Who am I?
Ryan: Pats her face. Mama!
Mike lays Carolyn on the changing table and gets her changed.
Mike: Soon, little girl, you'll be signing and talking.
After the twins are dressed, Mike and Carol carry them downstairs to the living room. Mike, with Carolyn in his arms, plugs the tree in. Greg, Peter and Cindy are sitting on the couch, drinking hot chocolate.
Cindy: Merry Christmas!
Carol: Merry Christmas! She leans down and kisses her daughter on the cheek. Where's Bobby and your sisters?
Bobby: Descending the stairs. 'Morning.
Carol: Merry Christmas!
Bobby: Who made the hot chocolate?
Greg: I did.
Bobby: Any left?
Peter: Yeah. It's in the kitchen.
Jan: From the middle of the stairs. Did someone say hot chocolate?
Marcia: I'm in!
Bobby: I'll go get it.
Bobby goes into the kitchen, pours five mugs of hot chocolate, adds marshmallows and puts them on a tray. He carries the tray back to the living room.
Bobby: Hot chocolate here!
Jan: Thanks!
Bobby: Offers a mug each to his parents. Mom? Dad?
Mike and Carol are busy trying to keep the twins from crawling on the presents, and direct Bobby to put theirs on the dining room table.
Carol: Retrieves Ryan. Oh, no you don't, mister.
Mike: I think these little ones are ready to open their presents.
Jan: Gets up and retrieves a couple presents. Okay, I'll play Santa this year. She hands a package to Marcia and Peter.
Marcia: Excited. A sketch book and pencils! Thanks, Jan!
Jan: I thought you'd need something to sketch your designs in.
Marcia: I do! My adviser wants me to get my portfolio started.
Jan: It even has sleeves where you can add drawings you've done somewhere else.
Marcia: Perfect! I've got some sketches I've already done.
Jan: Retrieves a couple more packages. For Ryan and Carolyn.
Peter: Eight tracks for the car stereo! Queen's "A Night at the Opera," Alice Cooper's "Welcome to My Nightmare," and KISS's "Alive" and "Dressed to Kill"! Thanks, Greg!
Carolyn tears strips of the wrapping paper, taking her time unwrapping her gift.
Mike: Signs and speaks: Fisher Price Baby's First Blocks! He shows her how the blocks go into the cylinder. See? Do it like this.
Carolyn giggles and bangs a block on the cylinder.
Mike: Thanks, Marcia.
Marcia smiles.
Jan: These are for Greg and Cindy.
Ryan tears into his package, and squeals in delight when he sees the present.
Carol: Laughs. It's Oscar the Grouch pull toy! Teases. Bobby, do you think your younger brother is a grouch?
Bobby: Blushes. I thought it was funny. Plus, an older brother has to pick on a younger brother once in awhile.
Carol: Shakes her head, chuckling. His favourite Sesame Street character is Oscar.
Cindy: Judy Blume's "Forever" and "Salem's Lot!"
Carol: Shocked. "Salem's Lot?"
Cindy: Yes. I like Stephen King. Thanks, Peter!
Jan retrieves a package for Bobby and herself. Greg opens his package.
Greg: Grins. A blood pressure cuff and thermometer.
Bobby: I thought you needed something to go with your stethoscope you got last year.
Greg: Thanks.
Bobby: Opens his gift. A new catcher's mitt! Thanks, Marcia. And it's the right kind.
Marcia: You're welcome. I had Greg help me pick it out.
Jan: Opens hers. Eight tracks! Thanks, Greg! "Fly By Night" by Rush, "Chicago IX," "Horizon" by the Carpenters, and "Love Will Keep Us Together" by Captain and Tennille! I love these!
Greg: I asked Marcia.
Peter and Cindy disappear and reappear carrying a thin package. They hand it to Carol.
Peter: Mom, Dad, this is from us.
Ryan starts to rip open the package.
Peter: Lifts his brother. C'mere, little man.
Cindy extracts Carolyn from the rest of the gifts under the tree.
Cindy: Hang on, kiddo. You'll get to open more in a minute.
Carol grins while she and Mike open the package. They reveal a portrait of the kids. Greg, Peter and Bobby are standing on the back row. The older girls are seated in front of the older boys. Marcia holds Ryan, Cindy's in the middle, and Jan is on the right, holding Carolyn.
Carol: Surprised and awed. When did you get this done?
Mike: It's beautiful!
Cindy: We got them done early last week. We took the twins for a "walk" after school.
Bobby: You two were still down with the flu.
Carol: I love it! Thank you!
Jan: We figured you could put it in your den beside my painting entered in the art show this time around.
Carol: We could put them over the couch.
Mike: That would work.
Ryan decides he wants out of his brother's arms. He wiggles out and stands, arms stretched out to his mother.
Ryan: Mama! Mama!
He tries to walk, taking a couple steps, with one hand holding onto Peter's hand. As soon as Peter lets go, he takes two hesitant steps, loses his balance and sits down. Carol holds her hands out and he crawls into her lap.
Carol: Excited. You tried to walk! My baby boy! Says "mama" and tries to walk all in the same day! She kisses his cheek.
He squirms again, obviously wanting down. She lets go, and he crawls out of her lap. He stands up, holding onto his mother's right hand, and takes a couple steps.
Carol: You wanna walk?
She stands up and takes his other hand to help him balance. He takes a couple steps and squeals with delight. She lets go and he takes a few more steps. Greg takes movies with his Super 8 and Bobby takes a couple still pictures. Not wanting to be outdone by her twin brother, Carolyn grunts to Cindy, and stands up. Cindy begins walking her little sister, and then lets go. Carolyn walks unassisted.
Mike: Proud. Look at you two go!
After a few minutes of walking the twins around, the Bradys finish opening their presents. The twins enjoy the wrapping paper more than they did their gifts! A wrapping paper wad sails past Ryan and hits Carol upside the head.
Carol: Playing. Who threw that?
She wads up some paper and throws it, hitting Peter on the shoulder.
Peter: I didn't throw it. It was Bobby.
Bobby: Feigns innocence. Nu uh.
Bobby throws a wad and it hits Marcia.
Marcia: Hey!
She makes one and throws, hitting Mike.
Mike: Pretends to be annoyed. All right. This means war.
He throws one and the Bradys engage in an all out wrapping paper wad fight. Ryan and Carolyn manage to slip past the fight and play with the ornaments on the bottom of the tree. Carol notices the tree shaking and shouts in horror. Mike startles and looks over at the tree.
Carol: No!
With lightning fast reflexes, Carol and Mike grab the twins, and manage to keep the tree from tipping over. The twins, startled, begin to cry. Mike and Carol hug their babies, soothing them.
Mike: You're okay, Ryan.
Carol: We're gonna have to watch them closer, now that they're even more mobile.
Ryan calms down sufficiently for Mike to retrieve his gift for his wife.
Mike: Presents her with a small pearl box, with a blue ribbon wrapped around it. Merry Christmas.
Carol: Eagerly opens the box. Carolyn, let's see what Daddy got. She reveals two tickets. Gypsy! Oh Mike! She leaps into his arms and kisses him on the cheek. How in the world? She's speechless.
Mike: Grins. Oh, I have my ways!
Getting Ready for Church
Mike and Carol are in the nursery, dressing the twins. Mike dresses Ryan and Carol dresses Carolyn.
Carol: Coughing. Let's get your dress on. Arms up! She holds Carolyn's hands and lifts her arms.
Mike: Holding Ryan and looking through the dresser. What should you wear today? He chooses a couple outfits.
Ryan: Points to one. Dada dada!
Mike: Chuckles. This one? Okay.
Carol brushes her daughter's hair and tries to put a small bow barrette near her temple, but it keeps sliding out.
Carol: I suppose you don't have enough hair yet to wear the bow. Oh well. You still look pretty without it.
Mike: Snickers. Ryan, you'll learn really quickly that most mommies like putting bows in their girls' hair when they're little. Just go with the flow on this one.
Carol: Mock annoyed. Are you mocking me?
Mike: Not at all.
He gives his wife a quick peck and finishes dressing his son.
Mike: There! You're a handsome guy.
Carol: Grins. Carolyn, we've got two handsome guys in this room.
Mike: And we've got two beautiful ladies in here too.
Carol: Blushes. Awww! You're too much! Gets into a coughing fit.
Mike: Concerned. You okay?
Carol: Coughs. Yeah. A bit breathless. Just had a catch in my throat. Sighs. I hope I don't get into a coughing fit when the kids sing. I'm bringing some hard candy with me though.
As they walk out of the nursery, they hear Cindy knocking on Jan's door.
Cindy: Jan? Do you know where my short full slip and hose are?
Jan: Opens the door. They should be in the laundry room. I did delicates yesterday. They may still be hanging on the laundry rack.
Cindy: Thanks!
Bobby: Pops his head out of his bedroom. Jan, do you know where my blue dress shirt is?
Jan: Hanging up in your closet. Peter ironed you guys' dress clothes yesterday.
Bobby: Thanks!
Cindy and Bobby retrieve their laundry. Mike and Carol smile knowingly at each other.
Carol: I'm used to 'Mom! Where's this and where's that?' It's different hearing them ask someone else.
Mike: Well, they've been pitching in while you were sick with the flu.
Carol: We've got great kids.
At the church
The Bradys enter the church and see Mr. and Mrs. Tyler and Roger, Mary and their children, Christine and Jack. Greg and Marcia warm up with the accompanist in the choir room
Martha: Merry Christmas, Kitten! Merry Christmas, Miss Carolyn! She kisses her granddaughter on the cheek.
Carolyn giggles and waves her hands.
Carol: With Carolyn in her arms, she embraces her mother Merry Christmas, mom!
Henry: Heya, Kitten!
Carol: Merry Christmas, dad!
Mary: Merry Christmas, Sis!
Carol: Surprised. Mary! I didn't know you guys were coming for Christmas.
Mary: We wanted to surprise you.
Roger: So, where's Mike and Ryan?
Carol: Mike went to change Ryan.
As if on cue, Mike meets the family in the foyer.
Mike: Roger, Mary! What a surprise!
Roger: Hi! Tickles Ryan's chin. And who's this little guy?
Mike: Ryan, this is your Uncle Roger. Can you say hi?
Ryan: Hi!
Christine and Jack greet their cousins. Christine's hair is long and red, flowing down her back. She's wearing a peasant dress, with a hemp belt tied around her waist.
Christine: Excited. Jan! I've missed you!
Jan: Me too!
Jack: Heya, Bobby!
Bobby: Hi, Jack.
Cindy: Hey, kiddo!
Mike: It's time for us to go in and be seated. Church is about to start.
Carol: Coughing. I'll be there in a minute.
Martha: Do you want me to take Carolyn?
Carol: Passes her daughter. Thanks!Coughs again, and excuses herself for a few.
She takes a few drinks from the water fountain, and pops a piece of hard candy. Her cough subsides and she enters the auditorium, taking her place beside Mike.
Mike: Whispering. You okay?
Carol: Yeah.
Ryan: Holds his hands out and leans over. Mama!
Mike: Passes Ryan over. Okay, Ry. Go see your mama.
Carol: C'mere, baby boy!
Carolyn falls asleep on her grandmother's shoulder. As the church service starts, Mr. and Mrs. Brady slip into the auditorium behind the rest of the Bradys and Tylers, just in time for Greg's solo. Peter sees his grandparents, as they settle in.
Peter: Whispering. Hey Grandma, Grandpa!
Thomas: Hiya, Pete!
The congregation sings a few songs, and Peter gets up to read from Isaiah.
Peter: Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel... For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Then, Jan reads from Luke.
Jan: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Marcia sings "Coventry Carol." Ryan smiles and claps his hands.
Ryan: YAY!
Mike and Carol look at their youngest son with a bit of surprise.
Carol: Whispering. Shhh. She kisses him on the cheek.
After the minister delivers his sermon, he blesses the congregation.
Minister: At the close of this special service on this Christmas Day, let us conclude with "Joy to the World."
The congregation sings, the minister closes with a prayer and the congregation is dismissed. Carol embraces her two oldest.
Carol: Your solos were lovely!
Marcia: Thanks! I wasn't sure I'd get the middle section.
Carol: You did it beautifully, and Greg, your solo was spectacular.
Greg: Thanks. It's one of my favourite Christmas songs.
The rest of the family congratulates Greg and Marcia.
Mary: I thought you were going to sing, sis?
Carol: I wanted to, but I'm still trying to get over this cough from having the flu.
Mary: Ugh!
Martha: Would you guys like to come over for wassail and dessert?
Mary: I made my French Silk Pie.
Martha: You and Thomas are welcome to come too.
Agnes: We'd love to, but we're gonna go on home.
Martha: If you change your mind, you're welcome to come over.
Agnes: Thanks.
At the Tyler's house
Martha Tyler and Mary set the wassail and desserts on the dining room table. Marcia, Jan and Christine get their plates and drinks and sit in the sun room.
Christine: How's college life?
Marcia: It's good! It's so different from high school.
Christine: Oh? How so?
Marcia: You don't go to all your classes every day, and your schedule differs not only from day to day, but from semester to semester.
Christine: Mom and dad are pushing me to go to college.
Jan: Curious. You don't want to go?
Christine: No. My boyfriend and I are planning on joining the Peace Corps after we graduate next year.
Jan: Confused. Next year? You're in tenth grade. Aren't you a year off?
Christine: No. I went to summer school this past summer and will next summer, so I can skip my junior year. Jay and I wanted to graduate together, so that means I decided to skip a grade. I don't really like high school anyway, so I'm glad to get out early.
Marcia: What do Uncle Roger and Aunt Mary think about it?
Christine: They don't mind me graduating early, but they're not thrilled with me and Jay going to Madagascar.
Marcia: Impressed. Wow!
Jan: Kind of like Aunt Jenny, huh?
Christine: Exactly! Don't tell mom or dad or your folks, but she was the inspiration behind us wanting to go to Madagascar.
Jan: Aunt Jenny and I may take a trip somewhere after graduation.
Christine: Neat! Where do you want to go?
Jan: I'm thinking about Tokyo and Mt. Fuji.
Christine: I would love to go to Japan! Maybe one of these days I can.
Jan: So, what made you want to go into the Peace Corps?
Christine: I don't want to go to college, and I'd like to travel, so I thought this would be a good way to travel. We want to apply to teach English to the kids there.
Marcia: Skeptical. Good luck.
Meanwhile, the older Brady boys and Cindy are in the den, watching TV. Jack walks in with his plate.
Jack: Whacha doin'?
Bobby: We're watching TV.
Jack: Ha ha. What are you watching?
Cindy: "It's a Wonderful Life." It's my favourite Christmas movie.
Jack: Crestfallen. Oh. Does anybody wanna play checkers?
Bobby and Cindy: No thanks.
Peter: I'll play.
Jack: Excited. Thanks!
Greg: And I'll play the winner.
Jack: Great! I'm a whiz at checkers, so gear up, Greg.
Jack sets up the board.
Meanwhile, in the living room
The adults sit in the living room and converse. Carol feeds Carolyn some of her cake. Ryan eyes his father's dessert, so he feeds him some of the chocolate pie.
Carol: So, what's Christine into? Is she still doing Shakespeare in the Park?
Mary: Sighs. No. She met this guy...
Roger: Rolls his eyes. Jay.
Mary: Yeah, Jay. Anyway, he put it in her head that they should graduate together and go to Madagascar with the Peace Corps.
Carol: Oh?
Mary: Her grades are still good...
Roger: I just about had to threaten her to keep her grades up. It was either keep her grades up or be sent to boarding school.
Mary: Exasperated. Really, Roger.
Roger: She's decided to graduate a year early, which we don't mind, but it's just this boyfriend of hers. He's mouthy and I bet you he smokes.
Mary: He's not that bad.
Roger: Are you kidding me? Christine comes home from dates with him smelling like weed.
Mary: Embarrassed and changes the subject. So, how is it being new parents again?
Carolyn stills in her mother's arms.
Carol: Shifts Carolyn over. It's definitely a new experience, especially having twins.
Ryan: Dada Dada!
Mike: Want a little more?
Ryan: Mmmm!
Mike feeds his son another bite.
Carol: Mike you're spoiling him.
Henry: Ah! What's a little chocolate? It's Christmas.
Mike: It is an adventure with these two.
Roger: When's Carolyn's surgery?
Mike: February 2nd.
Roger: Coming up soon.
Mary: Who's going to keep Ryan?
Martha: We are.
Meanwhile, back in the sun room
Christine: So, what's it like having twin babies in the house?
Jan: It's different, but I love having them around.
Marcia: It weirded us out at first, but they're really fun.
Christine: I dunno if I could've handled having another sibling or two. Jack's bad enough.
Jan: Oh, he doesn't seem that bad.
Christine: Ugh! He's annoying! I can't wait to graduate and get out of the house.
Marcia: Disbelieving. I doubt that.
Christine: Rolls her eyes. You don't live with him. He's a mess. All he does is play chess and checkers. He's a nerd.
In the den. "It's a Wonderful Life" is still playing on TV. Jack has just bested Peter in checkers and is now going to take on Greg.
Jack: Makes his final move. And with that, I win!
Peter: Good job!
Jack: I guess you're next, Greg!
Greg: Takes his place at the board. Set 'em up.
Jack quickly beats Greg.
Jack: Who's next?
Peter: Amazed. He beat you in nothing flat!
Greg: Good game, kid.
Jack: Hey Bobby! Care to play?
Bobby: No thanks.
Jack: Aww, c'mon! Please?
Greg: What'dya say?
Bobby: Reluctant. Oh, all right. Set 'em up.
Jack quickly beats Bobby and then Cindy.
Cindy: Impressed. You are good.
Jack: Proud. Thanks! I'm in the checkers and chess club at school.
Back in the living room
Mary: How are the other kids?
Roger: I bet Marcia's liking college.
Mike and Carol fill her sister and brother-in-law in on the latest from their older kids. Ryan is fast asleep on Mike's shoulder. Carolyn's asleep in Carol's arms.
Carol: Looks over at Ryan. Mike, I think we need to get these two to bed.
Mary: Smiles. They're sacked out.
Martha: Are you sure? We could make a pallet for them.
Carol: Begins coughing. I need to hit the hay too.
The couples stand.
Henry: Embraces his daughter. Feel better soon, Kitten.
Mike: I'll go get the kids.
Mike gets the kids. Jack and Christine join them to see the Bradys off.
Christine: Mom, can I spend the night over with Jan?
Mary: Is that okay?
Marcia: Actually, Jan's spending the night at my place, but you're welcome to come with us.
Christine: Dad?
Roger: Sure. It's Christmas.
Christine: Excited. Thanks!
After many hugs are exchanged, Greg drives back to his apartment, Marcia drives Jan and Christine to her duplex, and the rest of the Bradys drive back home. Peter and Bobby quickly go to bed and Mike and Carol lay the sleeping twins in their cribs.
In the Master Bedroom
Mike and Carol get ready for bed.
Carol: Coughs. What a day! A tear rolls down her cheek. Ryan says mama and the twins are on their way to walking on their own.
Mike: They are! I'm glad we got those gates up.
Carol: Brushes her teeth, then climbs into bed. I'm so thankful our kids have good heads on their shoulders.
Mike: Mary and Roger have their work cut out for them with Christine.
Carol: I don't envy them. That's for sure. She was always such a compliant and bubbly child. But, she is a dreamer.
Mike: Climbs into bed. If I have my say, all our kids will go to college.
Carol: That would be my choice for them too, but we can't make all their choices for them.
She gives him a peck on the lips.
Mike: Good night.
Carol: I love you. Merry Christmas, Darling.
They fall asleep in each other's arms.
-End of Chapter 34-
A/N—Jack resembles Oliver from the TV show, but in my canon, Oliver doesn't exist. And, I had to make Christine different from the Brady girls. Think hippie flower child and you've got it.