"Look at you!" Shelagh exclaimed.

"I look like a whale," Julie groaned.

"You certainly do not." Mum sounded adamant, but Julie didn't believe her. She was convinced that the baby stuck out more, because she was so short.

"She looks beautiful," Tim chimed in as he took Julie's foot and started massaging it.

Luckily they hadn't had to walk, because Tim had bought a 1969 Ford Escort. It wasn't new or pretty, but it ran and it took him to hospital when he was needed. Julie was thrilled because Tim promised to take her to visit Kate after the baby.

They'd already gone to visit Paula and David. Oliver was no longer a baby, but a little boy. Paula said, "You'll be the one with the baby soon."

Julie still had two months to go. Tim liked to count weeks, but she preferred months. Julie move her hand over her belly as her little one kicked. Tim noticed and put his hand on to feel.

Before Julie knew it, Angela had a turn and then Mum. Dad sat back and smiled, but assured her that he'd wait for the baby to be born.

Tim said, "Dad loves babies. He'll steal my son."

"Tim, you know there's an equal chance that baby's a girl," Patrick said.

Julie said, "He knows… Don't you?"

Tim rolled his eyes at her. She smiled.

Mum saw it and said, "Tim!"

"What? She was teasing me."

"He's going to be a father, but he hasn't grown up."

"Why did I come visiting?" Tim asked.

"Because I've made cake."

Julie saw her husband's face light up and laughed.

####

Tim was rubbing Julie's feet and she seemed content as he discussed some recent articles about the monitoring of blood glucose. They were in the midst, when they were interrupted by the slam of the door.

"Angela!" Shelagh called.

"Sorry Mum."

"Where is your brother?"

Angela announced in an irritated voice, "He's not coming because he is too busy snogging!"

"Who's he snogging?" Tim asked surprised. He tried, but never managed to snag a girl willing to snog him at fifteen.

"Tracey Hindmarsh."

Tim asked Dad, "Is she pretty?"

"I can only think of plaits and dimples. I think she grown since I last saw her. Looks like I'll have to have a talk with Ted. I feel as if I just finished with you."

"Sorry Dad, it didn't help. Look," Tim teased pointing to Julie's belly.

"Timothy! That is quite enough cheek from you!" Shelagh reprimanded.

Tim just laughed although he knew to straighten up or she wouldn't serve the cake.

When Teddy walked in the whole family was staring at him.

"What?" he asked.

"Tracey Hindmarsh? Teddy, I'm jealous," Julie spoke first.

"You chose him." Under his breath Ted said, "Look at you…"

Tim was glad neither Mum or Dad heard him, although he found Ted's remark quite amusing. Perhaps because he was the lucky one responsible for Julie's condition.

"Ted, we'll have a talk later," Patrick said as he stood and walked into the kitchen to join his wife.

Ted rolled his eyes and said, "She likes my footy skills."

"That's not all she likes," Angela said.

"Who do you think you are George Best*?" Tim teased.

"You know I'm King Kenny** tried and true," Teddy replied.

Tim said, "Teddy watch yourself and listen to what Dad says about respect. Remember you're only a year younger than Angela's mother. That's one way to ruin your football career… you're medical career too."

"Come off it Tim. I'd never get a girl up the duff. That's you!" Teddy teased.

Tim hoped that Teddy listened, because the girls certainly flocked around the lad.

####

Julie thought the situation with Teddy was funny. She was thinking about it as she was singing to her favorite record.

When Tim came home, she sidled up to him as best as she could given her size. She sang,

"Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best, baby can't you see
Gotta put me to the test, take a chance on me."

He laughed and said, "Coming home to you, is better than I dreamed it would be."

He had a way of saying the sweetest things.

She went to put out their dinner and he said, "Sit. Let me."

Once he joined her at the table, he spoke about his day.

She asked, "When are you off long enough to take me to the shops?"

"What do you need?" he asked.

"Well it's about time that we buy nappies and vests and bottles and…"

"Bottles! Whatever for?" Tim asked.

Julie laughed, because she thought he was being funny. "So our baby won't starve," she quipped back jokingly.

"How can a baby starve with breastmilk?" Tim asked seriously.

"Breastmilk? No one does that anymore. Sure your poorer patients who can't afford…"

"But Jules, breast milk is full of of antibodies. Our baby would have significantly fewer bacterial colonizations of the alimentary tract."

"I have no idea what you are saying?"

"I'm saying breastfeeding would make our baby healthier."

"I don't believe that. It's dirty."

"It's not dirty. It's not dirty, when I…"

"That's my point! It's… It's sexual. It's not for a baby!"

"I believe God would disagree."

Julie was angry and irritable and she snapped, "God? What does God have to do with my blasted breasts?"

"Because that's why they're filled with milk ducts for the purpose of feeding!"

"For the colonies perhaps, but this is London. Women don't expose themselves every time their baby is hungry!"

"Julie, I'm a doctor. I know what is best."

Julie was so frustrated and both their voices were raised now.

"Arthur let Kate use bottles. Why won't you?"

"Arthur couldn't even use a rubber properly! Don't compare me to Arthur."

"I thought you liked Arthur!"

"I do like Arthur, but…"

"What about Paula? You can't argue with David!"

"Do you know how Oliver was fed when he was a newborn? He was three months before you moved in." Tim lowered his voice and calmly said, "Jules, I'm not saying forever, but at first. Please think about it. I'll bring you some leaflets to read. Promise you'll look at them."

"I'll consider it, but for now you're not going near my boobs. They're mine!"

Tim stood and did the washing up. Julie hadn't eaten much, because the conversation upset her stomach. They spent the rest of the evening in unusual silence. Julie was busy thinking, she was right and she was sure that Tim felt the same.

The next afternoon, she decided to seek advice. She was unsure if she was after marital advice or feeding advice, but was certain she'd get both.

"Julie dear, this is a surprise," Shelagh said quite pleased. Julie responded with a weak smile. "Whatever is the matter? Are you not well?"

"It's Tim…"

"Oh what's he done this time?"

"We had a row. I feel awful, but we can both be stubborn."

"Did you work it out?" Julie shook her head no. "Did you come for advice or sympathy?"

"Both, I think."

"Do you want to tell me what you're disagreeing about?"

"Feeding."

"Feeding?" Shelagh looked pensive for a moment. "Oh feeding. Well I know what Tim wants. He's been speaking of the benefits of the breast since he was probably twelve. In fact, he and I had quite a discussion."

"Twelve!" Julie said in disbelief.

"He read about the antibodies in the mother's milk that help baby on his way."

"I don't even know what those are," she sighed.

"They help the baby fight off illness. Breast babies are known to be healthier. The Nonnatuns always advocated the breast. Environment was a large reason. Aside from the milk being free, the risks of unsterile bottles are great. The breast eliminates those concerns."

"It seems primitive and unclean. I keep thinking of pictures from Africa."

"I nursed Teddy until I returned to work." Shelagh had a far away look and smiled. "It was a special time for me. The closeness shared is truly unique." As if she was reading Julie's mind, she said, "You can be very discreet."

"What if I don't want to?"

"You'll have to explain why you don't to Tim. I find only one in three or four of my patients choosing the breast, but there is a natural movement starting."

"I don't know."

"The most important thing is that you listen to each other. You can disagree, but don't make it personal. I'm not taking Tim's side, but keep in mind he has been certain of his opinion more than half his life."

Julie wasn't certain if she felt better or worse. Most of her arguments against had been proven wrong.

####

When Tim arrived home, Julie wasn't singing and he felt guilty for making her unhappy.

"Hi," he said.

She walked to him and embraced him. He held her wishing just for a moment she could tuck up into him, but their baby was in the way.

She said, "I'll read what you want with an open mind."

"Thank you."

Once they sat down, Julie asked about his day.

"Fine. Angela dropped in the surgery. It seems that Teddy was out snogging with Sharon Metcalfe."

"Tracey, Sharon… Who is he going to be snogging next week?" Julie commented.

"I know who I'm going to be snogging tonight."

"Are you sure?"

Tim saw she was smiling and nodded his head.

*George Best was known as a great player and played for Manchester United. He became known for his long hair, good looks and extravagant celebrity lifestyle and later in life struggled with alcoholism.

**King Kenny played for Liverpool and brought home championships. He was well loved by his fans who named him King. He had a long career as both a player and a coach.