The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 40
The next day
The twins are napping and Carol stares at the living room phone, dreading the phone call she must make to her parents. She lifts the receiver and then places it back in the cradle, repeating this motion two, three, four times. "Enough of this!" she sighs. She lifts the receiver and dials her parents' phone number. The phone rings, one time, two times, three times, hoping that it'll ring a fourth time, but her hopes are dashed as her mother answers.
Martha: Hello?
Carol: Inhales and composes herself. Mom, it's Carol.
Martha: Hears the hitch in her daughter's voice. What's wrong, Kitten?
Carol: Fights the tears welling. Can you and dad come over?
Martha: Sure. We can be over in about twenty minutes.
Carol: Good. I just put the twins down for their nap, so they should still be asleep.
Martha: Okay. We'll see you in a little while.
They hang up. Carol, full of nervous energy, begins cleaning the living room. Before she knows it, there's a knock at the door. She stops, puts her rag down, and takes a deep breath. Then, she opens the door to reveal her parents.
Carol: Mom, dad. Thanks for coming.
Henry: Of course, Kitten. He kisses her cheek.
Carol: Let's talk in the living room. The twins are still asleep.
Carol sits in one of the easy chairs and Martha and Henry sit on the couch.
Martha: Concerned. What's wrong, honey?
Carol: Sighs. Peter's going to be a father.
Martha: Shocked. What?
Carol: Julie's pregnant. She's due in October.
Henry: Oh boy. I didn't expect to hear this. I would've expected to hear this from Mary and Roger.
Martha: Scolds. Henry!
Henry: Well, I thought it would be Christine that would be expecting, not Peter. You know how that boyfriend of her is. He's bad news.
Martha: Ignoring her husband. How are you holding up?
Carol: Tears stream down her face. I'm trying to keep it together, but it's hard. I'm so disappointed. Cindy said it best when she said, "How can you not get excited about a baby?" but I'm just not there yet.
Martha: When did you find out?
Carol: Monday night.
Henry: No wonder you're not there yet. You just found out two nights ago.
Martha: Have you and Mike spoken with her parents?
Carol: We met with them last night. The kids are weighing either keeping the baby or putting the baby up for adoption.
Martha: They've got a heavy decision to make.
Henry: I don't envy them. That's for sure.
Carol: Peter has decided for himself that he's going to help pay Julie's expenses, and if they decide to keep the baby, to also help pay for the baby's expenses.
Henry: He's got a good head on his shoulders.
They hear Carolyn and Ryan talking.
Carolyn: Mah-ma! Mah-ma!
Ryan: Sing-song. Maaaa maaaa! Maaaa maaaa!
Martha and Henry look at their daughter with surprise. Carol listens to hear if they'll go back to sleep. They settle back down and Carol sighs with relief.
Martha: Is that Carolyn?
Carol: Smiles. Yes.
Henry: Amazed. Well, how 'bout that!
Carol: Proud. She started saying mama when we were at the audiologist's.
Martha: Encouraging. This is the first of many words for her.
Carol smiles.
Henry: How was her appointment?
Carol: She's had a little improvement.
Martha: Does he think she'll make more improvement?
Carol: No. He said the biggest improvements would be within the first six weeks. We tried out hearing aids, but they didn't help.
Martha: So, this is probably it.
Carol: Yes.
Henry: She'll be okay and Peter will be okay too.
Carol: I know. Takes a deep breath. I know we'll all be okay, but I don't feel "okay" right now.
Martha: It'll take time.
Carol sits and lets the tears flow.
Meanwhile, on Mike's lunch break
Mike called his parents and is going to their house. He dreads dropping this news on his parents. He pulls up to the house, turns off the car, gets out and walks up to the door. Inhaling, he rings the door bell. Agnes answers the door.
Agnes: Embraces her son. Hi! How are you? You look stressed.
Mike: Inhales and then exhales. I am.
Agnes: Well, come in. Let me get your father. Thomas, Mike's here!
Agnes gets her husband. Mike sits on an easy chair in the living room. Agnes and Thomas sit in the couch across from him.
Thomas: What's going on, son?
Agnes: Panics. You haven't lost your job, have you?
Mike: No, I haven't.
Agnes: Probing. Is Carol okay? The twins? The older kids?
Thomas: Chuckles. Give the man a chance to speak, Agnes.
Agnes: I'm sorry. Go ahead, son.
Mike: Takes a deep breath. Peter and Julie are expecting.
Agnes: Can't believe her ears. Come again?
Mike: Julie's pregnant. Peter's the father. The baby is due in October.
Agnes: Heartbroken. Oh Mike.
Thomas: Peter's life has just changed dramatically.
Mike: Yes. I thought Carol and I had taught the kids that marriage comes before children, and that it's better to wait until marriage.
Agnes: You and Carol have done a great job of raising your kids.
Thomas: Sometimes kids don't do everything we teach them to do.
Agnes: Smirking. You didn't do everything we taught you to do too.
Mike: True.
Agnes: Are they going to keep the baby?
Mike: They want to.
Thomas: You just make sure Peter graduates from high school.
Mike: Firm. He's not dropping out of school.
Agnes: I should hope not. Pauses. Changing the subject a bit. How's Carolyn?
Mike: She said her first word Monday.
Agnes: Surprised. Really!
Mike: Grins. Yes. She said "mama." Carol was over the moon.
Thomas: That's great news!
Mike: She's added a few more words with signs since then.
Agnes: I know you and Carol have been really concerned about that.
Mike: The Early Interventionist has really helped her.
Thomas: I think you and Carol have been the ones who have helped her.
They talk for a few more minutes and then Mike looks at his watch.
Mike: I need to get back to the office.
Agnes: Embracing her son. Thanks for coming over. I love you, son.
Mike: Love you too, mom.
Thomas: I love you too.
Mike leaves his parents' house and finishes his day at the office. Then, he goes home.
At the Brady house
Bobby and Cindy are in the family room quizzing each other on their spelling words.
Bobby: Spell incautious.
Cindy: Incautious. I-N-C-A-U-T-I-O-U-S. Incautious.
Bobby: Right.
Cindy: Your turn. Spell paideia.
Bobby: Paideia. P-A-D-E-I-A. Paideia.
Cindy: Nope.
Bobby: Confused. Huh?
Cindy: It's P-A-I-D-E-I-A.
Bobby: Spells it again in his head. That's right.
Mike: Walks inside. Hi kids! How's the spelling going?
Cindy: Stupendously!
Bobby: S-T-U-P-E-N-D-O-U-S-L-Y.
Mike: Chuckles. That is correct. Now, where's your mother?
Cindy: She's in the living room.
Mike: Thanks. Keep the studying up.
Bobby: We plan on it.
Mike traverses the kitchen and enters the living room. Carol is talking on the phone while the twins play with their toys. Mike notices Carol's been crying.
Carol: Sniffs. Thanks Kathy. That really means a lot.
Kathy: You're welcome.
Carol: Notices Mike's in the room. Mike's home. I'll talk to you later.
She hangs up and Mike wraps her in a gentle embrace.
Mike: D'you tell Kathy?
Carol: Tries to choke back her tears. Yes. She'd noticed, in her words, I was "a little off." So, I had no choice but to tell her.
Mike: Although I don't suggest we broadcast it, if it comes up, we might as well.
Carol: I talked with Peter when he came home from school and he gave me permission to say something.
Mike: Speaking of Peter, where is he?
Carol: He's pulling an extra shift at the pizza parlor.
Mike: Concerned. I hope he's not purposefully taking on extra shifts because of the baby.
Carol: No. One of his coworkers is sick and his boss asked him if he'd come in. I told him not to make a habit of it. School comes first.
Mike: And Jan?
Carol: She's over at Beth's tonight. They have a test tomorrow. And the rest of the kids have already eaten.
Mike: Pained. Was I that late? What time is it? He looks at his watch and sees it's 7:30. I'm sorry I didn't call.
Carol: That's okay. Let me heat up your dinner.
Mike: Thanks.
Carol goes to the kitchen and fixes a plate for him.
Ryan: Walks to his father and throws his arms around his knees. Daddy!
Mike: Picks his son up. Hiya Ry!
Ryan: Giggles. Daddy!
Carolyn looks around and spots her father. She, too, gets up and walks to her father.
Carolyn: Speaks and signs: Daddy! Daddy!
Carol walks into the dining room in time to see her youngest daughter say "Daddy!"
Carol: Grins, as she sets the plate on the table. Yes. That's Daddy.
She picks her daughter up. Carolyn kisses her daddy's cheek.
Mike: Speaks and signs: I love you, Carolyn!
Carolyn: Signs: Love you!
Carol: Speaks and signs: I love you!
Mike and Carol give each other a quick peck on the lips.
Mike: To Ryan. Can Daddy put you down and eat his dinner?
Ryan: Nooo.
Mike: Joking. You mean you won't let Daddy eat his dinner?
Ryan: Shaking his head. Noooo.
Carol, still holding Carolyn, tries to pick Ryan up and he protests.
Carol: C'mon, Ryan, let's let your daddy eat his dinner.
Ryan: Nooo.
Mike: Chuckles. Okay, Ry. You can sit with me.
Carol and Carolyn sit by Mike and Ryan.
Carol: How did your parents take the news?
Mike: Shocked, but supportive. Yours?
Carol: Same here. Smiles a bit. Dad said he figured Mary and Roger would be having this conversation with them about Christine.
Mike: Goes to show sometimes there's no predicting these things.
Mike finishes his dinner.
Carol: Mike, will you help me bathe these two? With going over to the Dunham's yesterday, we neglected to give these kids a bath.
Mike: To Ryan. All right. Let's get you a bath.
Ryan: Baff!
Carol: Speaks and signs to Carolyn: You need a bath too.
Ryan: Speaks and signs: Baff!
Carol: Kisses her husband on the cheek. Now, we've got two kids speaking and signing.
They carry the twins up to the master bathroom and get the bath ready.
Carol: Lowers Carolyn in. In you go!
Mike: Lowers Ryan in. And you too, Ry.
As the kids play, Mike and Carol talk.
Carol: I really need to get these kids weaned.
Mike: Well, Ryan's down to nursing only at night and Carolyn's down to twice a day. They're nearly there. Why don't you let them wean themselves?
Carol: I don't want to be a grandmother who's still nursing her own babies.
Mike: Looks his wife in the eye. Okay, Carol. What's really going on?
Carol doesn't say anything and tries to blink back the tears threatening to fall.
Mike: This is about Peter, Julie and the baby, isn't it?
Carol nods and lets the tears roll.
Mike: This is going to take time.
Carol: Sniffs, while she washes Carolyn's hair. I'm trying to be okay about this, but I feel like I'm failing miserably..
Mike: We just found out two days ago and it blindsided both of us. He washes Ryan's hair.
Carol: Yes, it has.
They finish bathing the twins. After they dry off and dress the babies for bed, Carol, carrying Ryan and Mike, carrying Carolyn, walk into the master bedroom.
Carol: I want to go ahead and nurse them tonight. I think I'll let them wean themselves. Takes a deep breath. I think I'd like to keep them young for as long as possible.
Mike: Chuckles. I understand.
Ryan: Pats his mother's breasts. Nite nite! He tries to unbutton her blouse.
Carol: Scolding. Ryan, no! Sighs. I think I may reconsider allowing them to wean themselves.
Mike chuckles, knowing better than to say anything. Carol situates Ryan and Mike passes Carolyn over. Carolyn latches on quickly. Carol leans back on the stack of pillows behind her.
Carol: Can you move the pillow at the small of my back.
Mike: Situates the pillow. Better?
Carol: Much.
Carol relaxes on the pillows and Mike lays beside her. He places a gentle kiss on her lips.
Mike: Feeling amorous. I will miss this phase when the twins wean themselves.
He plants kisses along her neck. Carolyn purrs. The twins shift and detach. Mike and Carol freeze, wondering whether the twins are asleep or awake. Carol breathes a sigh of relief when she notices they're asleep.
Carol: Mouths. Get Ryan.
Mike: Lifts Ryan into his arms and whispers. C'mon, Ry.
Carol buttons her blouse and lifts Carolyn into her arms. They carry the kids to the nursery. After kissing each baby on the top of their heads, they lay the babies in their cribs and quietly exit the room.
The next day
Peter and Julie drive to Lookout Point after school.
Peter: I haven't gotten to talk to you much today. How are you feeling?
Julie: Frowns. Ugh! This morning sickness is gonna be the death of me. I don't know why it's called morning sickness when it hits any time of the day.
Peter: Kisses her cheek. I'm sorry.
Julie: Changes the subject. Mom made me an appointment with the doctor so I can listen to the heartbeat.
Peter: Smiles. Heartbeat.
Julie: I want you to come with us.
Peter: Yeah. His grin fades into confusion. Didn't you hear the heartbeat when you first found out?
Julie: I went to the local family clinic and all I got was a pregnancy test done. Sighs. Seeing the positive result was enough for one day.
Peter: When is it?
Julie: He's out of town next week, so it'll be in two weeks.
Peter: Confused. Spring Break's not next week.
Julie: It is for Fairview's district. His kids go to Fairview.
Peter: Oh.
Julie leans in and plants a passionate kiss on Peter's lips. As heat rises through both of them, Peter's hands travel from her shoulders to her breasts.
Julie: Shocked. Oh!
Peter: Removes his hands as if he's been burned. I... I'm sorry!
Julie: Chuckles. It's okay. They're just a little sensitive.
They break apart.
Peter: Oh, I see.
Julie: Places his hand on her abdomen. Here, feel.
Peter: Intrigued. It's hard. Smiles. That's our baby in there.
Julie: Smiles. Yes. I want to go ahead and pick out names.
Peter: Unsure. Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, our parents are fairly set on us giving our baby up.
Julie: Firm. It's our baby, Peter. I wanna keep our baby. What about you?
Peter: Me too.
Julie: Well then, how 'bout names?
Peter: Uh, I dunno.
Julie: Let's start with a girl's name. I'd like to name her after our moms.
Peter: Carla Carol? Or Carol Carla? That sounds a bit strange.
Julie: Snickers. No. I was thinking that since they both have C-A-R in the first parts of their names, we could use that.
Peter: Carrie is out. I don't want Kerry Hathaway to think we've named the baby after her.
Julie: Frowns. No way! I was thinking of Cara, Carise, or Caryn.
Peter: I like Caryn. It's unique. Pauses. What's your middle name?
Julie: Anna.
Peter: Caryn Anna?
Julie: Doesn't quite work.
Peter: I like Faith.
Julie: Mulls it over. Caryn Faith. I like it!
Peter: Grins. Caryn Faith it is, if she's a girl.
Julie: I think she is. Pauses. Just in case, we need to pick out a boy's name.
Peter: I'm not thrilled about my name, Peter Thomas, so I'd rather not make him a junior.
Julie: Okay. What about your dad's name? Mine's John Mark.
Peter: Michael Paul. Thinks. Maybe we could use the "M" so it could be a nod to both of our dads. How 'bout Matthew?
Julie: I like it. What about Martin?
Peter: No. That was my mom's and older three sisters' last name before mom and dad got married and he adopted the girls.
Julie: Okay, Martin's out.
Peter: Maxwell?
Julie: Giggles. As in Maxwell Smart? How 'bout Milo?
Peter: Milo Brady? I don't think so.
Julie: Okay, I think Matthew may be the best.
Peter: Now, what to use for a middle name?
Julie: I'd really like to use Thomas for his middle name. I want to name him after his daddy.
Peter: Matthew Thomas Brady?
Julie: Excited. I like it!
Peter: Me too.
Julie: So, we have either Matthew Thomas Brady or Caryn Faith Brady.
Peter: Grins as he returns his hand to her abdomen. Hello, Matthew or Caryn. It's your Daddy. Your mommy and I've been trying to find the perfect name for you, and I think we decided on the perfect names for you.
Julie beams while a tear rolls down her cheek.
Peter: Continues to talk to the baby. I can't wait to meet you.
Julie: I can't wait to see you holding our baby.
Peter: "Our baby." I like the sound of that.
Julie: Me too.
Peter: Turns serious. What about custody?
Julie: Hmm?
Peter: How will we arrange custody? You know, who will get the baby when?
Julie: I wanna breastfeed. You can visit anytime you want.
Peter: Irked. I don't wanna be a "visitor." I'm her father.
Julie: Diffuses the situation. I suppose we've got time to work it out.
Peter: Gives her a gentle peck. We do.
Julie: Besides, maybe I can pump and that way, you'd have milk to feed Caryn while she's at your place.
Peter: And we can do every other week or something, and when she's over at my place, you can visit any time.
Julie: And when she's at my place, you can visit any time.
Peter: That sounds good. Now, to convince our parents.
Julie: Exhales. We've got time.
She leans in and plants a passionate kiss on his lips.
At the Brady home
Mike and Carol talk, heart-to-heart, in the den. They sit on the couch.
Carol: Mike, we've got to set some better ground rules when it comes to our kids and dating.
Mike: I agree.
Carol: We don't need our other kids being in the same boat as Peter.
Mike: And we don't want him to repeat this either.
Carol: Agreed.
Mike: First of all, other than brothers and sisters, no boys in the girls' rooms and no girls in the boys' rooms.
Carol: They can be in the kitchen, living room, family room, or outside. And no boyfriends or girlfriends over if no one else's home.
Mike: Right.
Carol: Sighs. What are we going to do about bedrooms?
Mike begins pacing, while Carol remains seated.
Mike: Peter and Bobby can change rooms.
Carol: That won't work.
Mike: Why not?
Carol: If Peter and Julie keep the baby, Peter will need Alice's suite for him and the baby.
Mike: Reluctant. Agreed.
Carol: And as much as we'd rather not have Bobby move into the suite after Peter moves out, the twins will need their own rooms soon.
Mike: We could keep Ryan in the nursery and move Carolyn into Cindy's room when Peter and Jan move out. Bobby could keep his room.
Carol: But Mike, that isn't fair to Bobby.
Mike: Sighs. Carol, we trusted Peter with the suite and now we're going to be grandparents. Obviously, the suite is too remote and private. Now, if Cindy wants it, then Bobby can take the attic room.
Carol: Frowns. I don't like it. That's punishing Bobby for what Peter and Julie did. Bobby's not Peter.
Mike: Stops pacing and sits back down. Then, what do you suggest?
Carol: Exasperated. I don't know. We don't even know if Peter will move out after he graduates from high school, especially if they keep the baby.
Mike: Takes a deep breath. What are you saying?
Carol: Suggests. Maybe if Peter decides not to move out, he'll stay in the suite, and then the issue of whether or not Bobby gets the suite will become moot. She places a hand on his thigh. Besides, that's not for another year.
Mike: I suppose we can table that until we know what Peter and Julie's plans are.
In the family room
Mike and Carol round up the older four kids for a family meeting. The twins play on the floor nearby.
Bobby: Curious. What's this all about?
Mike: Your mother and I have set some ground rules about dates.
Peter: Sighs. Let me guess. This is all because of me.
Mike: No. Not necessarily.
Peter: Not buying it. Unless nobody else is talking, I'm the only one here who's going to be a teenaged parent.
Jan: I'm not expecting.
Carol breathes a sigh of relief.
Cindy: I'm too young.
Bobby: I'm a committed bachelor.
Mike: I appreciate that, Bob. Takes a breath. Your mother and I are going to set some ground rules. We should've done this a long time ago, but from here on out, we're putting some rules into place.
Peter: Told you it was because of me.
Mike: Yes, your situation did factor into these rules, but...
Peter: Interrupting. Told you so.
Mike: Okay, that's enough. Would you want your son or daughter talking back to you?
Peter: No, sir.
Mike: Then, let us speak. Pauses. Like I was saying, here are the rules: First of all, other than brothers and sisters, no boys in the girls' rooms and no girls in the boys' rooms.
Carol: They can be in the kitchen, living room, family room, or outside. And no boyfriends or girlfriends over if no one else's home.
Mike: Curfew will be 10 pm on school nights and eleven on weekends.
Bobby: Protests. But Dad!
Mike: No buts.
Carol: We will make exceptions, but those will be few and far between.
Mike: And they have to be earned.
Peter: Sullen. There go my exceptions.
Mike: Not necessarily. And if you and Julie are keeping the baby, the six of us can sit down and talk logistics, which would include any exceptions to curfew.
Bobby: What about bedrooms? I want the suite after Peter moves out. You guys promised.
Mike: We can talk about that later, Bob.
Bobby: Indignant. That's not fair! Just because Peter and Julie got knocked up, you're punishing me.
Peter: Annoyed. You couldn't go one week!
Carol: Enough, Bobby!
Mike: I know when Peter and Jan move out, we'll have to look at room logistics for the two of you and the twins.
Bobby: Disbelieving. You're not giving the twins the suite!
Carol: No.
Cindy: Resigned. If it helps, I'll take the suite.
Peter: I may not move out after graduation, since Julie and I are keeping the baby.
Mike: We're going to table the discussion about the rooms until further notice.
Bobby: Sullen. That means I won't get the suite. Thanks a lot, Peter.
Peter: I've had it up to here with you. He measures up to his eyeballs. Yes, I messed up. I messed up royally. I know that. I know my life's changed forever. I hear about it from mom and dad, and I hear it from Julie's folks. Must I hear about it from you, Bobby? Just wait until you're in high school and dating. I hope you never mess up, Mister Perfect.
Peter storms off in a huff.
Mike: Bobby, you're grounded for two weeks. With the exception of the Spelling Bee this weekend, you won't leave this house. No dates, no TV, no phone calls, and you'll do extra chores as well.
Bobby: 'Kay. Sighs. I'm sorry.
Mike: You can start by apologizing to your brother tomorrow. Now, get to bed.
Bobby: Protests. But it's early.
Carol: I'd suggest you not push it.
Bobby leaves, defeated.
Jan: May we be excused?
Carol nods and the girls leave in silence. Mike and Carol talk alone.
Carol: Sighs. That went over like a lead balloon.
Mike: It's something we needed to do.
Carol: I know, but I hate it.
Mike: So do I.
Carol: Mike, we can't punish the kids for Peter's mistakes, and we can't keep talking about "what Peter did."
Mike: Leans back and sighs. I know. And I know it's not the end of the world.
Carol: I'm just as disappointed. Pauses. I agree that the rules are necessary and I know the rooms are not decided, but we can't make Peter out to be a pariah.
Mike: Sighs. We can't.
They hear the door to the den open to reveal Peter.
Peter: Mom, dad, I just want to say I'm sorry for what Julie and I did and that we've caused all this trouble.
Carol: There's no reason to apologize.
Mike: We owe you an apology.
Peter: Confused. For what?
Mike: For treating you like a pariah. Yes, you and Julie made mistakes, but we shouldn't treat you like it's the end of the world.
Peter: Thanks. Pauses. I understand why you set up those rules though.
Carol: We should've set those up a long time ago.
Peter: I want to apologize for betraying your trust.
Mike: Apology accepted.
Carol: And whatever you and Julie decide, we'll support your decision.
Peter: Thanks. That means a lot.
Mike: And we had a talk with Bobby.
Peter: Did you tell him to lay off?
Mike: Yes, we did.
Peter: Good.
Mike: So you and Julie have decided to keep the baby?
Peter: I know that's not what you want to hear, or what Julie's parents want to hear, but we want to raise our baby.
Mike: Sighs. I see. We can work everything out later.
Peter: Grins. I'm going with Julie to hear the heartbeat. We've got an appointment in a couple weeks. Well, goodnight.
He leaves.
Carol: Sighs. This is real, isn't it?
Mike: Sighs. Yes, it is. Welcome to 'Grandparenthood,' Mrs. Brady.
Carol: Smirks. And you too, Grandpa.
Carol rests her head on his shoulder, and they watch the twins as they rest on a blanket on the floor.
-End of Chapter 40-