Chapter 64

In the 'proper' morning the new parents were woken by John's cries for food and he was duly feed and changed all under the watchful eyes of the now nicknamed Penny Hawk. The main hawks well they produced breakfast for everyone and once eaten cleared it away, took Shep for a walk and generally flitted around.

Meg was resting in bed as any new mum should … had no choice really … and Ben sent out messages and photos on the main computer to friends near and far.

Of course, neither were surprised that the adopted grandparents and grandparents were the first on the scene … having rung each other and decided joint visit was the only way … so during the visit the new born was duly picked up, cuddled then lovingly passed round and when they found out he had a good pair of lungs and voice. And because Ben was the closest when it happened and was sitting down … baby John was duly handed over, with a grin ... after all that is what you do, when they cry and they not your own.

Both lots of grandparents and Mum watched as Ben looked at his son and gently soothed the crying babe. Yes the cries soon gave way to quietness as those big dark eyes of the baby looking up at Dad and sensing he was safe even if he could not see or know anything properly snuggled down to sleep.

Of course Jack being Jack could not resist the gentle teasing comment of 'human dummy' remembering how Sara's twins use Ben as 'quiet space' and everyone lets them. As soon as Jack said it he knew he'd be in trouble from Ben's wicked grin. He smiled and sighed guessing it would be diaper changing but that would be good he would be close to his so called grandson. Seeing all was safe they made their escape and warned the happy couple sister and brother in law, minus twins would be round.

When they'd all left Meg turned her attention to the emails on the laptop and then looked across at Ben and gently asked. "Shall I read Robert's out."

Ben nodded guessing Meg's voice would not disturb the sleeping baby in his arms, and he couldn't get over there, not till someone took his son off him, and he didn't want that yet.

Meg read it out with a smile.

"Hi Proud parents and baby John

Congratulations.

Trust you two to pip everyone to the post. Should have known it would happen now of all times!

YES Boston Dammit!

Called to an emergency meeting – so in the air - just arriving!!!

As soon as I've finished this, will try and get new pilot as this one has done his flight time and come over.

Colleagues will find a note telling them I've gone – well they got themselves into this dam mess they can get out of it and if it goes bust … too bad.

So see you as soon as I can.

Will bring sleepy pilot with me otherwise I will never hear the end of it, so warn Mandy!

Sue and family bless them will fly in from Seattle as soon as possible. Yes told them as soon as I read it.

Thank Simon for sending photos will send them round the other computers I know you will not mind. Goodness knows how he did them so quickly. If I see Mat will bring him if not no doubt he will come later.

Oh if only I could have been there or have a video of it!!! Was going to call in on the way back just to say hi….

Hope you Meg are feeling okay, I can see and tell by mail and pictures how very proud you both are.

I know all about Ben's understatements so I guess Bob must have been very cross about the wing and car bits … tell him I'll see what we can do through our firm to get some replacements … I know how much he was looking forward to getting messy! Tell him to thank the stars the main bit of the car was in the garage and the boys didn't clear that out.

At least he was in the right place at the right time and so was Penny.

Oh I am sooo cross at being here!!!

Hope Andrea is okay LOL She has Sue's sympathy her first gave several false alarms and she was so embarrassed by them.

As I said as soon as I can fly I will be with you so take care and love all three of you. Oh that sounds odd but nice.

Robert.

Both Meg and Ben laughed in sympathy, almost seeing Robert jumping up and down as he wrote it.

Meg pressed reply and typed.

Hi Robert

Sorry to hear you are such a long way away, what happened to delegation.

I'm sure you are by now in the air and flying back to us. We could almost see you jumping up and down in frustration. LOL

As you can see it is now proper morning here and Sue has rung so Jack will collect her and daughters, rooms will be ready for you and sleepy pilot. Though I guess he'll sleep on the plane.

I like your idea and will pass it on to Bob and I know he'll say thank you and yes he was really really cross.

I hate doing this to you but at the moment I have a wonderful sight and one I know you will like when you see it in real time as you stay with us … and yes you will see it at sometime as it's not a one off.

Ben is sitting on the sofa with a sleeping baby John cuddled to him and when he looks at John he has this look of deep love and satisfaction ... yep one very very proud Dad … and yes it's been aimed at me so I know I'm included and love it. I can tell you where I've seen that look before, you've seen it as well, but that one was directed at Samantha and not by him.

In that respect he and Derek were identical and the look and awe around him is stunning, no wonder Sara was affected when she saw them together. Strange what thoughts come at times like this.

I suspect I show a similar expression and feeling being a very very proud Mum and to be honest I still can not believe he's arrived.

Don't tell Ben I said this but when grandparents were here Jack commented on him (Ben) being a 'human dummy'. The twins are more active now but when they want peace they find Ben and snuggle up to him and are out like a light. Leaving Ben wondering when he's going to be able to move again!

Both sets of proud grandparents came by and cuddled John who then decided to prove to them he has a voice. You know they should have known better really, but I guess we all know John is going to be the most spoiled and handed round baby so it might just as well start now. Anyway like 'good' grandparents they gave him back to Ben as he was nearest and sitting down, I'm resting in bed but will get up soon regardless.

It was lovely and natural that he cradled John in his arms and with soft words and looking at him John clamed down and is asleep. Though I know John cannot focus properly I'm sure there was something there that tells him he is totally safe … could it have been in that first look and cuddle. Hence Jack's comment.

Penny is on the phone at the moment but I don't think Ben's going to draw attention to the fact John should be back in his cot. Of course there's Jackie, who is silently watching from the kitchen area but I think she's enjoying the picture too much to do anything at the moment.

Should I be jealous of his knack I wonder … no not really as I know I will cuddle John when I feed him.

As for Jack well he's doing the main running around and will collect you if you tell us when, I think he's trying to get out of diaper duty. Fat chance of that! You should have seen the wicked gleam in Ben's eyes as he heard Jack's comment. LOL

For me … Yes I'm proud and fairly sore and still amazed that I'm a Mum, John seems so small compared to us and yet too big to have actually been inside of me and a good pair of lungs and not afraid to use them. Of course having so many doctors in the family means both of us have been checked over and been given the okay, though the main doctor will call in to give the usual okay. Oh yes both grandfathers are doing the registering of the birth. And yes I'm being watched and waited on for the moment, talk about fluttering of wings around me … I know how Ben used to feel and it's nice … for a short while.

Names are funny things sometimes I have to think of him as 'baby' John otherwise I think of Ben 'John'. Guess I'll get used to it.

Talking about hawks, Jackie is just going over to Ben to take baby John back to his cot. Ah well.

You know I'm amazed at how things happened this morning, trust fidget to do it to us, I truly did not feel too bad yesterday evening and during the night just could not get comfortable and had a slight niggle in the back.

Of course poor Penny is not going to live this down, she checked me over and said I would be fine for a day or two first timers often have the odd twinge which it was earlier in the evening. Bye the way Penny is the most experienced midwife on the team and Andrea … well she's still waiting poor thing.

Yes I did keep waking Ben and was only half awake myself I can never explain how much comfort he was and I'm sorry I bit him but that was only when the contractions really got bad and I knew John was coming and there was nothing I could do. I was so scared when the waters broke and Ben was so calm and loving.

Funnily enough as Ben cradled me and talked to me I knew deep down everything was going to be all right. Though Penny admitted after the birth that had she been any later John would have had that headache Ben mentioned and we would have been in trouble.

But that did not happen and now I have this lovely son, with a mop of black hair just like his Dad's and big black eyes, which have yet to focus on us properly, but he knows us. It was truly amazing to feel him nuzzle me for his feed and to know I can feed him like that. Mind you come 3 am tomorrow morning or any morning I expect it will be a different story. Yes I reckon that 3 am will be a regular time just because he is who he is.

Of course Shep was brilliant at running and getting the others, I hate to say this but I keep wondering if Shep might think he is permitted to puddle now. So far he seems to have accepted the baby, guarded him through the rest of night and is now watching from his favourite place on the rug. You can almost see proud 'dad' written in his expression, talk about tail being wagged off!

Bit of news, which I find very exciting though Ben says not to go over the top about it, and must be kept quiet, as many things have to be sorted out.

Ben mailed Ricardo with the news and pictures and got a phone call five minutes later, as you know Benjy and Ben have been in contact via letters and email but not actually spoke yet. They as in Ricardo and Ben thought it would be best face to face and passage of time. Providing there are no children illnesses in the family they are coming as soon as possible and stay till after the christening. With a possibility of them living across the valley, it will depend on how everyone gets on so Benjy does not know that bit yet. Ricardo has found out through the police network that there is likely to be a detective job becoming available in November. If things go well he will apply but has said he does not want any strings pulled he needs to get it on his own, so no help from Jack or family situation being known and we understand that. He is good so I think he will get it.

The reason Maria has been causing more trouble and each time Ricardo goes to court to stop her she finds something else … the latest is presents for the children via mail order. He thinks they need to sort of disappear and perhaps she will realise he is serious when he like the judge says no contact at all ever.

The strange thing is that just after Derek's death Ben gave me an alternative ending to their story and that was he and Derek had families either side of the valley and we visited each other. I know nothing can bring Derek back but with his children that close and being a whole family we will be able to face what ever happens in the future.

Can you imaging the sight of Ben cuddling John with Samantha and Benjy either side of him … I know I can and I'm not building up my hopes I know it will happen … Just as I know I will be riding Snow White as soon as possible. LOL

As far as I'm concerned though, the most wonderful thing is to hold my son in my arms and have my soulmate beside me, or he holds his son and I'm snuggled up beside him, whichever is good.

Guess what Val and Paul have booked the lunch time slot to see us!!!!

See you soon take care.

With love Meg, Ben and John

Meg pressed the send button and felt a hand gently rest on her shoulder, she looked up and smiled, she had been so taken with her mail she had not realised Ben had moved.

She responded to his gentle kiss on her lips and when they broke apart waited while he sat on the edge of the bed. Watching his slow dark smile, which reached deep into his eyes and his loving soft voice sent waves of warm love through her as he said. "Sara and Casey are on their way over your parents are looking after the twins, Penny and Jackie say its okay for you to sit out on the sofa for a while though after lunch you should get some sleep."

She smiled at his gentleness and understanding, he knew what is it was like to be stuck in bed and wanted to be up and around even if sitting on the sofa was it while people were around and said lovingly. "I'll be up in a moment if you can find me something to put on and you'll rest with me after lunch." She ended hopefully now she was not carrying she'd hope he would rest beside her.

Ben looked at her laughed gently then admitted. "Yes, Jackie is insisting I do the same so I will be with you. How about the blue dress it buttons up in front easier for John to get his lunch."

Meg chuckled and watched as he found the dress and then helped her change ready for her sister's visit.

It was not long before Sara and Casey came through the doors from the garden area, the sparkle in her sister's eyes and huge smile told Meg that she was forgiven her the easy and early birth.

Especially as they hugged Sara laughingly and lovingly said "Typical, show me up every time. Come on show him off to us."

They went over to the cot while Casey hugged and congratulated Ben before following them over to watch the sleeping baby.

Sara said softly almost wistfully, "You know they are at their best like that … quiet and in one place." Which made them all laugh … quietly … hoping not to disturb him and knowing it was more than likely he would grow up to be like the twins, into everything at the earliest opportunity. After all his birth had proved he was an early bird and having those two nearby was just asking for trouble in the nicest possibly way.

The End

Well that's it I had to leave them somewhere.

Hope if you got this far you've enjoyed my ramblings.

I would really love to know what you thought of the story but most of all thanks for reading.

Thought I should add the songs 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight.' from Loin King (noting Jack's coming retirement as Police Chief) and 'My Heart Will Go On' from Titanic (Ben's love for Meg) were versions sung by Michael Ball.