The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 42
A/N1—I am including a couple things I didn't write about. It doesn't change the story. This week was Greg and Marcia's Spring Break.
The night of the Art Show. Peter and Bobby have endured a week of chores together without incident. The family gathers in the hotel lobby so they can attend the show.
Mike: Corrals the family. Okay, we all here?
Peter: Think so.
Bobby: Who's riding with whom?
Greg: Nora and I can take the guys. Eyes Bobby. As long as the two of them will declare a truce.
Mike: Eyes them. They will.
Marcia: I'll take the girls.
Mike: All right. Let's get going.
At the Art Show
Jan's nerves are getting to her. She's so anxious to see how she placed, she nearly leaps out of the car before Marcia turns the engine off.
Marcia: Laughs in disbelief. Jan! Hang on. Lemme turn off the car before you dash out of the car.
Jan: I'm just so nervous. I want to make Nationals so bad!
Marcia: I know. Now, let me shut off the car and then we can go in.
Without even waiting on the rest of the family, Jan darts into the building, finds her painting and looks at her result. Her family catches up to her and sees the big grin on Jan's face.
Carol: Pushing the stroller. Well?
Jan: Grinning from ear to ear. I got second! I'm going to Nationals!
Carol: Embracing her daughter. Oh, Jan! I'm so proud of you!
Jan: Laughs. I can't believe it!
Mike: You deserve it.
Bobby: That's great!
Jan: Thanks!
The head of the contest committee congratulates her and lets her know she's won full textbook expenses in the college of her choice, making her college tuition, a complete full-ride (full tuition, room and board, and now books).
Nora: Jan, that's awesome! Where will you go?
Jan: I don't know! I suppose I should figure it out soon.
Nora: Do you know if you want to stay local or go off?
Jan: Not sure. I'm leaning toward going off.
Carol hears and is pained. Mike gives her a small smile.
Bobby: Well, I'm not going to college.
Cindy: Quips. Better not let mom and dad hear you say that.
Marcia: Cool it.
Bobby and Cindy go off and explore the other paintings.
Peter: I sure am happy for you, sis. I think I blew my chance of college.
Jan: You never know. You may still get to go.
As Bobby and Cindy stroll around the exhibit, Cindy decides to have a heart to hear talk with her brother.
Cindy: I wanted to talk to you.
Bobby: Curious. 'bout what?
Cindy: Your attitude.
Bobby: Oh?
Cindy: You're my brother and I love you, and you gave me good advice when mom and dad called me down on my attitude.
Bobby: How can I forget? You were a lot like Cassie back then.
Cindy: Well, you're kinda like her now.
Bobby: Scoffs. I can't be like her. She's a girl.
Cindy: Rolls her eyes. You know what I mean.
Bobby: No, I don't know what you mean.
Cindy: You've been on Peter's case since... She throws her arms in the air for effect. ...since forever. In the past, you and Peter's arguments were just annoying. Now, you're being mean.
Bobby looks at her, stone-faced.
Cindy: You dogged him about having sex with Julie.
Bobby: So did everyone else.
Cindy: Maybe a little, but you've gone too far.
Bobby: Concedes her point. You may be right.
Cindy: May be?
Bobby: Sighs. I know.
Cindy: Mom and dad, Peter and even Jan have told you to lay off. You and Peter even got into a brawl last week. What is it going to take to get you to lay off of him?
Cindy sees Greg from the corner of her eye. She waves him off, and Greg retreats.
Bobby: Dunno.
Cindy: Why do you do it? Do you think you're being cute?
Bobby: I don't know.
Cindy: Crossing her arms. I don't believe you.
Bobby: Well... Reluctant to continue. I just feel a bit left out.
Cindy looks around and finds a private alcove with a bench. She motions him to follow her and they sit.
Cindy: What do you mean?
Bobby: Greg's off doing neat things in college, Peter's in high school and has a great girlfriend, and Ryan's a cute baby. Where does that leave me?
Cindy: Frowns. I'm in the same boat. Marcia's in college, Jan's in high school, and Carolyn's a baby. So, what's your point?
Bobby: I just don't feel very special.
Cindy: Not buying it. What a cop out!
Bobby: What?
Cindy: I'm not buying that line of bull. Yeah, we're not the youngest anymore, but we've got a lot going for us. We both just made Nationals in the Spelling Bee, I've got cheerleading and you've got baseball.
Bobby stares at her.
Cindy: So, don't give me that "I don't feel very special." What's your real reason?
Bobby: Quips. It's fun.
Cindy: Angry. What?
Bobby: It's fun.
Cindy: Bobby Brady. That's a rotten thing to say!
Bobby: You asked for the truth. Pausing. Why did you become at tattle tale and blabbermouth? It was because it was fun, wasn't it?
Cindy: Give me a break! I was little! You're not six. You're fourteen.
Bobby: And?
Cindy: Exasperated. You're impossible.
Cindy walks off and runs into a questioning Greg.
Cindy: You talk to him. It's gone in one ear and out the other.
Greg: Maybe later. We're going out for ice cream. Sees Bobby. C'mon, Bobby.
Bobby and Cindy follow Greg and rejoin the family.
At the Ice Cream Parlor
The Bradys are seated at the parlor and a waitress takes their order.
Mike: We'd like to order your Celebration Sundae.
Waitress: How many would you need?
Mike: How many do they feed?
Waitress: Three.
Mike: Okay, we'll take three.
Waitress: All right. Three Celebration Sundaes coming right up.
The waitress leaves and Mike makes a toast.
Mike: Stands up. I want to make a toast to Jan, Bobby, and Cindy. The three of them have made it to Nationals in their competitions and I want to say congratulations. I'm very proud of all three of you.
The Bradys: To Jan, Bobby and Cindy!
Jan: Blushing. Thanks.
Marcia: Me too, Jan. The painting is exquisite.
Jan: Shocked. I still can't believe I took second. The one that placed third was super. The pointillism was perfect.
Marcia: Maybe a little too perfect. Sometimes the little flaws in paintings bring out character in the work.
Cindy: I thought yours was the best. I wasn't impressed with the one that won.
Jan: Smiles. Not a fan of abstract?
Cindy: No. It looked like something Ryan and Carolyn could do.
Jan: Chuckles. Not many people appreciate abstract art. I'm not a fan of it either.
Nora: Your painting draws people in. From far away, it looks like a tree and branches, but when you get up close, you can see the names.
Jan: Thanks. It was hard, and it took me awhile to get it right.
Nora: Changing the subject. Is Billy taking you to the prom?
Jan: Yeah. He asked me the other day.
Marcia: Do you know what you're going to wear?
Jan: I thought about wearing the dress I wore to homecoming. It's my favourite.
Nora: It's beautiful.
Cindy: I like it too.
Jan: Dreamy. What a year! I make Junior Princess at football and basketball homecoming, I'm going to the National Art Show and I have my Junior Prom.
Marcia: You have had a great year!
Jan: I have. I can't wait until next year.
Cindy: Grinning. I bet you'll make homecoming queen, and maybe Nationals again, and then there's Senior Prom.
Jan: Hold on. You're getting ahead of yourself.
Cindy: Maybe so, but I'm proud of you.
Jan: Thanks.
Later that evening.
Greg and Nora take a drive to the local park. The sky is crystal clear and thousands of stars twinkle brightly in the sky.
Nora: Thanks for bringing me along. I enjoyed going to Jan's art show. I'm so proud of her.
Greg: Me too. She really worked hard at it, and it's paid off.
Nora: Yeah. Gives him a peck on the cheek. I'm sorry we missed the Spelling Bee. I can't believe Cindy won and Bobby took fourth.
Greg: It's been a banner week, I suppose. Kisses her back. I still can't believe you came back home from Spring Break early.
Nora: I told you. Jan invited me. Besides, I didn't want to stay away from you that long.
Greg: Grins. I missed you too.
Nora: Changing the subject. Now, what's going on with Peter and especially Bobby?
Greg: Bobby's been on Peter's case every since he started dating Julie. I don't know what's up with that, but I have a feeling he's cruisin' for a bruisin'.
Nora: So, what's going on with Peter? He seems a bit off.
Greg: He and Julie are pregnant.
Nora: Shocked. WHAT?!
Greg: Yeah. He told us last week. I didn't tell you earlier because he didn't want us to tell anyone yet.
Nora: Still can't believe her ears. Wow! Gulps. This is huge!
Greg: I warned him that if he wasn't careful, he'd wind up in that predicament.
Nora: How'd your folks take it? I bet they flipped.
Greg: They did, but they seem to be doing okay.
Nora: Wow. I can't wrap my head around it. Peter, a father?
Greg: I know.
Nora: Kinda makes me think we should cool our jets too.
Greg: Curious. What do you mean?
Nora: I mean, sometimes we get a bit hot and heavy too.
Greg: You're not saying you want to break up, are you?
Nora: Tries to assure him. No. Not at all.
Greg: Then, what are you trying to say?
Nora: I'm just saying we need to be a bit more careful. You know it could easily have been us in that predicament too. Besides, you keep telling your folks you're not ready for children.
Greg: I'm not.
Nora: Me either. I want us to go with our original plan: me to finish my BSN, and you to get your MD or DO.
Greg: Me too.
Nora: So naturally, we need to be a little more careful.
Greg: Smiles. Okay.
Greg moves in for the kiss, snaking his arm around his beloved. She pulls him in closer and deepens the kiss, running her hands through his hair. He moves and plants kisses down her neck. She groans in response.
Nora: Panting. Greg!
Greg: Between kisses. Nora.
Greg's hands snake up inside her blouse and hover over her breasts, eliciting another moan from Nora. She runs her hands inside his shirt, and then stops short.
Nora: Pulling back. Greg, we can't.
Greg: Sighs. I know. I'm sorry. I got carried away.
Nora: WE got carried away.
Greg: You're right. I guess we'd better get back to the hotel.
Nora: Breathless. That's probably best.
Greg and Nora sneak in one more kiss. Then, he starts the car and they go back to the hotel. He walks her back to the girls' room.
Nora: I had a good time.
Greg: Me too.
Nora: Kissing him on the cheek. I'd better go.
Greg: All right.
They close in for another short kiss.
Nora: Smiles. Good night.
Greg goes into his hotel room, which he's sharing with Peter and Bobby, who are lying on their beds, watching TV.
Peter: How was your date?
Greg: Good.
Bobby starts to say something, but the look Greg shoots him makes him think better of it.
Peter: Did you tell Nora?
Greg: Yeah. Pauses. Is that okay?
Peter: That's fine. I just wanted you to wait until mom and dad told the grandparents.
Greg: Pete, let's go outside to talk. The walls seem to have ears here.
Peter: All right.
They leave the room and go into an empty conference room.
Greg: How are things?
Peter: What do you mean?
Greg: I mean, we haven't had a chance to talk since you told me and Marcia.
Peter: Well, of course mom and dad went ballistic.
Greg: And what about her parents?
Peter: They were steamed. They want us to give the baby up for adoption.
Greg: And you and Julie want to keep it.
Peter: Yeah. We can't just give our baby away. We want to raise it.
Greg: Have you thought about logistics and stuff?
Peter: Actually, we have.
Greg: Good. That's good. Pauses. What's up with Bobby?
Peter: Wish I knew. He has it in for me for some reason, and it's getting old. I decked him last week, and that seems to have cooled his jets a bit, but I don't know.
Greg: He's definitely got a mouth on him.
Peter: I hope he quits, or he's going to get into some real trouble.
Greg: Concerned. You're not going to...
Peter: No. I'm gonna take the high road. After all, I am going to be a father in October.
Greg: Shakes his head in disbelief. I still can't believe it.
Peter: You? I can't believe it. Sighs. Guess when I go with Julie next Wednesday to her first appointment, it'll be real. We're going to hear the baby's heartbeat.
Greg: Wow. That'll definitely make it real.
Peter: Yeah. Has a little smirk. My baby. I get to hear my baby's heartbeat.
Greg: Smiles. That'll be something.
Back at the Brady House
It's Sunday night and the Bradys have returned from the Art Show. Peter calls Julie.
Julie: Hoarse. Hello?
Peter: Concerned. Julie? You don't sound too good. What's wrong?
Julie: Mom thinks I'm coming down with the flu.
Peter: Panics. I... Is the baby okay?
Julie: Mom thinks so. The doctor came over this morning and took some blood. He said my hormone levels are good.
Peter: So, that means the baby's okay?
Julie: Yeah. Sighs. So... Coughs. Sorry. Coughs again. So, mom had to cancel the doctor's appointment Wednesday.
Peter: When is it going to be?
Julie: Coughs again. In a couple weeks. We're going out of town for Spring Break next week, so it'll be the Wednesday after Spring Break. Coughs.
Peter: Oh, okay. Do you want me to get your homework?
Julie: Go ahead and gather it and leave it at the office. Mom will pick it up.
Peter: Well, I'll let you go. You need your rest. I love you.
Julie: I love you too.
They hang up and Peter goes into the kitchen to get a glass of milk and a slice of pie. Carol walks into the kitchen.
Carol: Everything all right with Julie?
Peter: Worried. No.
Carol: Curious. Oh?
Peter: She's got the flu.
Carol: Oh no!
They sit at the dining room table, and eat a slice of pie each.
Peter: Yeah. She said she started feeling bad last night.
Carol: Did her mother call her doctor?
Peter: One came over and said the baby's okay.
Carol: That's good.
Peter: They had to postpone the appointment to hear the heartbeat.
Carol: Did they reschedule?
Peter: Yeah. For the Wednesday after Spring Break. They're going out of town next week so they can tell her family.
Carol: That's going to be a hard trip.
Peter: Sighs, as he takes another bite. Yeah. So, do all the aunts, uncles and cousins know?
Carol: I suppose they do. Looks him in the eye. Is that okay?
Peter: It's got to be. I can't hide it forever.
Jan comes down to the kitchen and grabs a snack.
Peter: Jan, I know you write Aunt Jenny a lot.
Jan: Yeah. I'm going to write her and tell her about the Spelling Bee.
Peter: It's okay if you tell her about the baby.
Jan: Are you sure?
Peter: Yeah. Julie's family's gonna know next week and since most of our family knows, you might as well include it in your letter to her.
Jan: Okay. Cheeky. Besides, it'll give her plenty of time to shop wherever she is, for baby gifts. Maybe you'll get onesies from Tahiti and baby toys from Sri Lanka or something.
Peter: Grins. Yeah. That would be neat.
Jan: Well, I'm going up to my room. Good night!
Peter: Clears the table. I'm beat.
Carol: Good night. She kisses him on the temple. Sleep well, and don't worry about Julie. She's in good hands with her mom.
Peter: Yeah. Julie said her hormone levels are still good... Whatever that means.
Carol: That's a good thing. That means the baby's okay.
Peter: Breathes a sigh of relief. Good.
Carol: Embraces her son. Although the flu's nothing to sneeze at... She groans at her unintentional pun. ...pregnant women do fine with the flu. I had it with both Marcia and Cindy and they were just fine. The human body does wonders with protecting the baby inside. And since Carla's had two children, she'll know how to help Julie through this.
Peter: Thanks. That really helps.
Carol: You're welcome. Good night.
In Jan's room
Jan sits at her desk and begins to write:
Dear Aunt Jenny,
Hope things are going well. So, how was Turkey? I guess Sri Lanka is next on your list. You'll have to tell me all about it.
Things are really hopping here. I took second place at the State Art Show and I'm going to Nationals in May! I couldn't believe it! First and third place were spectacular. I mean, I know my painting is good, but I didn't realize it was at the same level as theirs. I'll now have all my books in college paid for, so now I've got a complete full-ride to school: tuition, room and board, and now books! I still don't know where I want to go, but at least mom and dad won't have to foot any bill for me.
Bobby and Cindy are going to the National Spelling Bee in May too! Bobby took fourth and Cindy won! She was so surprised! Last year, she didn't make it to State and now she won! I hope they do well at Nationals.
Carolyn had her surgery last month. She went through it just fine, but it didn't help her a whole lot. Mom and dad tried hearing aids, but they didn't help either. So, she's going to have to rely on sign language and reading lips. But, she's a trooper! She's signing and talking up a storm! Last week, she said my name! Well, she said "than," but it was close enough. Ryan's also talking a lot and picking up signs too. He said Peter last week. It was "Peet," but close enough.
Speaking of Peter, he dropped a bombshell on us last week. He and Julie are pregnant and the baby's supposed to arrive in October. Mom and dad were shocked and heartbroken, but they're really doing okay about it. He and Julie want to keep the baby. So, I suppose you'll have some baby shopping to do on your travels. Peter's scared, of course, but he's also getting excited about the baby. I'm kind of excited about becoming an aunt.
Greg and Marcia are doing well. They and Nora told me to tell you hello!
Anyway, I think that's about it. Yes, it's a lot. Can't wait to see you again!
Until then,
Jan
Your Soul Sister
-End of Chapter 42-
A/N2—Yeah, I've been a lean, mean, writing machine, but when you've been sick, sometimes it gives you time and creativity to write a lot. Oh, and
BradyBunchFan517, the next chapter will have some parts for you. Thank you for your suggestion. I love it!