Thanks everyone for reading & reviewing so far! Not sure what else I have in store for this family now but hope to keep writing. Might not be as frequent as before but I'll try my best!
The next day we are discharged from the hospital and allowed to go home. Franky has just left me in the foyer while she brings the car around the front of the hospital. Our little girl is all snug in her car seat, wearing a cute white outfit we picked special for her coming home today. She looks so tiny in the car seat, I know Franky hasn't said anything, but I can sense that she is very nervous about driving home with our precious new cargo on-board. I soon see the Mercedes stop in front of me and Franky hop out of the driver's seat.
"So, are my two girls ready to go home then?" She asks whilst shifting around nervously on her feet.
"Yes we are, don't look so worried honey – everything will be fine okay? She's sleeping right now so hopefully we get home before she starts to get fussy."
"Right, umm okay, I'll put the car seat in then, you sit in the back with her so she's not alone."
"Of course, you okay putting her in Franky?"
"Yeah, I've got it, you just get yourself settled next to her." Well, I guess this will show if Franky paid any attention to Greg's hour long car seat installation tutorial two weeks ago.
"Franky, I think that bit needs to slide in first, did you hear the click? I don't think there was a click, Greg definitely mentioned that." I'm feeling anxious in case the car seat isn't fitted properly and moves when Franky starts to drive.
"I think I've got it, I slid it in like Greg showed us and when I try to move it around, it won't budge so yeah I think we're good to go. You know I wouldn't have said that unless I'd triple checked it and was sure about it all babe."
"I know, okay I trust you with this, get in the driver's seat then so we can take our baby girl home."
"Yes ma'am! We'll be home before you know it!"
'Home before you know it' hmm not so much, I don't think my wife has ever driven a car slower and with more care, what would normally be a half hour journey has turned in to 50 minutes, thankfully we finally pull into our driveway. I get out of the car and walk around the other side to get the car seat.
"You okay carrying her Gidge? Is that not a bit heavy right now?"
"It's fine darling, I've got her, you get the bags and we'll meet you inside." With that, I take the car seat and head into our home.
"Oh wow Franky, did you do all of this?" I walk in to the Livingroom where there are banners, balloons, cards, flowers and teddy bears everywhere.
"What are you talking about Gidge I've been with you-oh! Umm nope, wasn't me, I'm thinking maybe your parents put that spare key we gave them to good use?" We both laugh as we look around taking everything in.
"They really have out-done themselves with all of this – you think this is their way of saying they want a 'Welcome home baby' party?" Franky asks.
"I'm beginning to think that could be the motive actually, maybe we should though, invite everyone to officially meet her."
"I think that would be nice, as long as you're feeling up for it."
"I am; I really want to show off our gorgeous daughter to everyone we know!" Franky nods enthusiastically in agreement, then reaches down into the carrier to pick up our baby.
"Hi little girl, what do you say huh? Want to meet your grandparents and all your aunts and uncles?" The baby makes a gurgling noise and grabs one of Franky's fingers.
"I think that's a yes Franky, why don't we phone and text everyone in a little while and ask if they can manage tomorrow night? I know they all can't wait to meet her so we might as well do it soon."
"Okay that's fine, here you take our daughter for a bit okay? I'm going to unpack all our stuff from the hospital and do some laundry." I take the baby into my arms and sit down on the couch while Franky sorts all of our things out.
The following evening arrives quickly, everyone we have invited is coming along, my parents, everyone who was at our dinner party when we announced I was pregnant, Marcus and his wife, a few more colleagues of mine from work who I've become more friendly with the last few months, and also that old friend of Franky's from Wentworth we bumped into a few weeks ago – by coincidence she called us last night asking how we were and if we fancied meeting up soon, Franky explained that I'd just had the baby on Friday so we could get coffee in a week or two once I was up for it. She then told her about the gathering tonight and said she was welcome to come along, explaining Vera and Will would be attending – she accepted. I have no issues with Erica anyway, anything Franky and her shared is all far in the past now and like I said to Franky before she seems very nice and I think we could all be friends.
"Franky, can you get the door please, I'm just changing her then I'll be right out."
"Sure babe, I've got it." I want to make sure our daughter is as happy as possible while meeting everyone, so I have fed and changed her, hoping that will keep her nice and content for a few hours. By the time I do actually get her all sorted and dressed, everyone has arrived, the house seems very full – I never realised we had so many friends!
"Is that my granddaughter? Ooh let me see!" And so it begins…
"Yes mum, meet our baby girl – who is currently still nameless, but we are working on that." I gently place my daughter in to my mothers' awaiting arms, she has tears in her eyes as she gazes at the little girl.
"Oh my, she is absolutely adorable, look at her William, isn't she the cutest?" My dad is stroking the baby's cheek, also looking at her intently.
"She really is, congratulations to the both of you, now Martha let me have a cuddle with my granddaughter please." I go to stand next to Franky as we both watch the scene before us.
"Well I think it's safe to say my parents are already smitten with her." I say as I lean my head against Franky's shoulder.
"I think they are Gidge, can't say I blame them though, I mean who could resist that beautiful little face?" I smile at Franky before we decide to start mingling, and after much reluctance from my parents, the baby finally gets passed around so everyone can have a hold and be introduced.
"Hey Vera, Will – glad you could both make it, have you actually seen the baby yet?" Franky asks as we walk over to them.
"Hi guys, huge congrats, we seen a quick glimpse then she was gone – I don't think your father wants to let her go Bridget." Will says with a laugh.
"Yes, I think he's showing his protective side already, let me go and get her so you can be introduced properly." I leave my wife and two guests and go to get our daughter. As I return with the baby I can hear Vera ask what Erica is doing here.
"Well, Bridget and I bumped into her a few weeks ago, we gave her our number and she phoned yesterday asking if we wanted to get coffee, I said that would need to wait a week or two because the baby had just arrived, then I asked if she wanted to come tonight to meet her since we were having a get together. That's it really." I nod my head in agreement to what Franky has just said.
"She seems to be hitting it off with that red head over there anyway, who is she?" I turn to see who Will be talking about, oh well I can't say I'm surprised by who I see.
"That's my friend and colleague Maura, hmm they do seem to be getting on rather well, how interesting. Anyway, who wants a hold of her first?" Vera reaches her arms out so I place the baby in them, watching as her and Will coo and make a fuss over her. After five minutes or so they swap and Will is now holding her, she looks even more tiny in his well-muscled arms.
"Hey everyone, wow I feel like I'm at some sort of Wentworth reunion stepping over here." Erica states as she walks over to stand between Franky and Vera.
"Ha, you're right it is like that, how have you been Erica?" Will asks as my daughter starts to get fussy in his arms, without prompting, Franky reaches out and takes her, placing her on her own shoulder and rubbing soothing circles on her back. Erica is now just staring at Franky and the baby – having completely ignored Will's question.
"Wow, she looks just like you Franky." Erica seems mesmerised by Franky holding the baby, she reaches out and brushes a finger over the top of her head.
"She is so beautiful; I couldn't be happier for the both of you." Erica says to us with a genuine smile.
"Would you like to hold her Erica? She seems to have settled down a bit now." Erica's eyes go wide at this; it appears she isn't used to be around or holding babies.
"Umm, sure yeah why not." Franky carefully passes our daughter over to Erica.
"There you go, just make sure you support her head, okay? That's it, see you're a natural!" Franky announces and smiles at Erica – who is far too busy staring down at the small bundle in her arms to notice.
"I can't believe I'm stood here holding Franky Doyle's daughter, I can honestly say I never expected this." Erica says, looking up to meet Franky's eyes.
"You and me both, never thought I'd be a mummy but here we are, how things change."
"Indeed, you're very lucky Franky – beautiful wife, the most adorable little girl, loads of friends, great job and lovely home. I just have to say, I am very proud of how far you've come."
"Thank you, that really does mean a lot – I'm the luckiest woman in the world, and so very happy." A few minutes pass with small talk and everyone having a general catch-up.
"I see you hit it off with Maura then?" I ask Erica, who is still holding a now sleeping baby in her arms, subconsciously swaying from side to side.
"Yes, she is very nice actually, we exchanged numbers and we're going to get together for a drink soon." 'I knew it!' I think to myself, she is so Maura's type.
"That's nice, Maura is a lovely woman."
"She is; I look forward to seeing her again – guess we'll just see how it goes."
Erica keeps a hold of the sleeping baby girl for quite some time, until she announces she has to leave. We make arrangements to meet in two weeks for a coffee so her and Franky can catch up some more.
An hour later, at 9pm, all of our guests have now left and it is once again just the three of us.
"Well tonight was nice, our daughter was very well behaved the whole time, I think everyone loves her."
"I think so too Franky, and she really did do so well, especially with all that passing around."
"Yeah, I think she likes her Moses basket Gidge, she was fast asleep again as soon as I put her down."
"Maybe she can sense we are both exhausted, I've heard that's possible."
"Let's hope so! It would be great if she always went to sleep that easily."
"I doubt she will Franky, but anything is possible. Anyway let's get some sleep before she wakes up. Also, I want to revisit names in the next few days – she really needs one. I love you, goodnight."
"We'll make sure we have one before she turns a week old then Gidge, I love you too, sleep well."