So the months progressed as did Ferns pregnancy. She started feelimg grumpy and tired. She fainted at Francines house going to the bathroom and George flipped out and they headed to the doctor who said she had low blood pressure. She was not allowed to exercise but she worried about putting on weight yet both LaDonna and Francine told her to not even think that way.
Francine had a lovely winter birthday with Arthur and the kids who put on a surprise birthday party for her. She had grown quite popular since she took to the stage and started singing at the Church. A few members had suggested she record some music. This excited her very much but she felt uneasy within her spirit too. Was it the right thing to do?
As she drank wine and shared food and opened her presents, Mrs Frensky Read thought oin this idea. Fern had only just aquired a tiny bump and was sipping on grape juice while George tended to her every need.
"You can stop now honey I'm fine really" she sighed. George had placed his wife on the couch with two pillows for her feet to lay on while he propped her back up with a large pillow for her head. She found herself sweating alot despite the cold westher outside.
"Stop?" George grunted. He placed a cold cloth on her head. "You're in your second trimester and sicker than you were before, thats not a good sign" "I have to keep an eye on you"
Fern wept and held out her arms. "Can you give me a kiss please?" Naturally George did so with the greatest of ease.
Francine bit into her birthday cake and sat beside Arthur who had brought her a silver pendant and ceramic love heart with the words carved in :
Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
"Im sorry you feel so rough Fern" she said, sympathetically. "I wasn't sick at your stage into my pregnancy but I know what it feels like when the baby starts growing" "the pain comes on but it wont be long before you feel him or her kicking".
Arthur wrapped his arm around Francines waist.
"Yes that's the most amazing part" "oh and when you see your baby on the screen..." He grinned. "Well babies in our case", " both viable and healthy".
"Well we have our twenty week one in four weeks time" George replied. "Whatever we have I'll be happy as long as the baby is healthy"
"True for sure" Ladonna chimed in. "Its a gift from God" "I dont regret my lil Donna for one second but I wish Buster would visit" "aww well atleast he got himself to rehab"
They all nodded and agreed it was the best place fir Buster to be. He would eventually visit his daughter after finally stoppimg the sauce as he called it.
Once the party had ended Arthur said he wanted Francine to do something for him. For his upcoming birthday aswell as her own that night.
"One thing you do need to do." He began, as they headed to bed.
"Id like you very much to STOP asking for validation and my approval." He knelt beside her
"Sweet heart, you used to be so aware heck extremely aware of how much of a talented and strong young woman you were" he wiped her tears falling from her misty eyes.
"I love you and everything you do for this family but you need to tell me, when you're tired or feel sick" he said. "How can I look after you or pitch in if I dont know? Im not a mind reader"
she looked directly at him.
"I only want to be a good kind Christian wife" "I love you and the children so much" "Its ..just I feel I need you and my family to notice it all the time" she replied. "I know God notices I do know that"
"Yes he does" Arthur replied. "We already notice" He lifted her back up on the bed. "Remember that quote we used to have in our room?" "Il have to find it again" Arthur grinned.
"Don't let the past dictate your future". He cuddled her. "You're my Francine and you always will be but you need to stop trying to pay for your past mistakes" it's NOT your fault" "No more than its Ladonnas for Busters choices"
"You dont owe your family or me penance and certianly not Jesus" he rubbed her back as she sobbed. "I love being in this house with you and the children" "My Dads opening up more and more about Jesus" "its all good things..." She smiled, clutching onto him.
"Exactly,look at how much you've acheived?" "Then theres your voice which IS a God given talent"
She nodded in agreement. Smiling she pressed her lips against his. "It is good and I am good"
"Good?" Arthur raisee a brow. "You're fantastic" "use this talent to be the strong confident woman I know you are inside"
She agreed. "Thankyou" she sweetly smiled. "I will"
"So I think prayer is good for us with a counsellor"" someone on the pastoral team perhaps?"
Arthurs suggestion was a good one that she felt would help her alot. "Yes I think so too"
"You find out what day works best, we have our dance class on tuesday and I'll take charge in the kitchen on Friday evenings" he winked. "We share the cooking on weekends and you have your singing practice Saturday evenings" he added all the positive things and some new plans in place for them.
"George and Ladonna want to take over the outreach with Binky" he said. "Its already been discussed, we're just too busy right now unless off course you feel like going down for a kick on the feild sometime" he grinned stroking her tear stained face.
She felt over the moon with releif and happiness .
Francine pulled his arms around her neck and he fell gently on top of her.
"You need validation too" she cooed. "I declare you're the best Husband, Father and most patient brother and friend in the world" she kissed him. "You're also extremely gorgeous too"
He grinned and pressed himself inside her. "Well my lovely Francine he whispered, " it takes a beautiful creature to recignize one" "like you"...
So she started singing regularly at Church. Her voice was powerful and she held her rhythm and poise. After Church one Sunday in the spring when Arthurs birthday was approaching she too was approached by an executive producer within the congregation. He very much liked the sound of her voice as it was powerful with a lot of soul behind it.
Arthur was prompting her to go for it. Leap at the chance to succeed on the very dream she had put on hold. So thats what she did.
As Francine started regular recording sessions, starting with Christian music, past and present Arthur celebrated his birthday with a special night out with his wife and closest friends.
"We're having a little girl" George gleefully announced. Fern was so excited and showed everyone the picture of their little dogmoose daughter captured on sonogram.
"She was one feisty kicker" Fern giggled. "I wanted a girl if the truth be told"
"Im so happy for you" Francine wrapped her arms around them both.
Arthur raised his glass to Fern, George and his wife and companion...
They ate, laughed and Fern felt the baby kick for the first time that night. "Aww shes wishing you a happy birthday" she cooed. George felt her stomach with much elation.
Arthur asked if he could feel the baby. Fern agreed and the baby moved. It brought back memories of the babies in Francines belly kicking almost six years ago now.
"Wow" he grinned. Francine felt a kick. "I swear girls kick harder, Naomi did, this one sure is" she smiled. "Its a good sign."
"Yeah Naomi was a wee wriggler" Arthur added.
Francine handed Arthur her gift. A photobook she had spent every afternoon with kids for the past few weeks making. There was glitter on the front page with a glossy photo of their wedding. Inside was a picture of Arthur as a toddler then a message from a handful of his friends including Buster, Binky and even Muffy thanking him for his kindness to them growing up. As each page was turned, his photographs progressed into his elementary school days with Francine and Buster, a couple of him holding hands with Francine and a few high school pictures with George, Sue Ellen, Fern and Alan. Then there were a couple of the wedding pictures, the baby photos with him and Francine cradling Jacob and Naomi in hospital and a few more of him with the children. The last one was of him and his wife sharing a winter kiss outside, taken by George last Christmas.
Arthur was touched.
"This is..Im uh" he was fascinated and wide eyed.
"Thank you " he said softly. "You're more than welcome" she replied, kissing his lips
David and Jane had given him a hefty sum of money while Fern and George brought him some vouchers to spend at his favorite book store and paid for the meal. Oliver and Laverne had pyrchased him a nine carot Star of David necklace which he adored.
Francine then pulled out a swipe card for a hotel room.
"Mom and Dad have the kids" she winked, "plus, I brought that red corset with me that I know you like" she whispered.
A seductive grin broke across his face. "Well happy birthday to me" he replied.
That night in their secluded hotel room. Francine asked, "I hope I was able to make your day special"
Arthur grinned and held her tight. "Yes you did" he pressed his body against hers. "You always do"
TBC
Exciting times ahead for GeorgeXFern and Francine.
Should LaDonna get with Binky?
I added the Star of David since I got my Father one from the UK when I was there. Its quite stunning.
Anyway enough already with the immature reviews, come on stop acting like ten year olds and go back to your bridge under the lake