Chapter 9
As the months went by Carol and David grew stronger and stronger and the family seemed one of the happiest on the square. Pat and Roy continued to be supportive despite the disapproval of Carol's family over their relationship. It had been 10 months since David and Carol had brought Charlotte home and she had grown up so quickly. She had been the making of David as a father and it proved to everyone that he wasn't all bad. David was very proud to walk Bianca up the aisle when she married Ricky a few months back. He finally felt like he was an active part of all his kid's lives and just hoped his daughter Karen would be a proud of the way he had changed. One evening David was playing with Charlotte in the living room with Sonia as Billie had gone to Alan's and Bianca and Robbie were out. Charlotte was crawling around and giggling at David who was pulling faces. At that moment she crawled away from David and Sonia who watched as she turned around and began to walk towards David who had his arms open for her which she tottled into.
"Oh my god, MUM CHARLOTTE'SWALKING" Shouted Sonia
"Where?" Said Carol as she rushed in to the living room
"Go on darling come to daddy" Said David as he watched her crawl off again and then walk back towards him
"Aww she's growing up so quickly" Said Carol
"Sonia go and get the baby book and we'll right it down" Said David
David was happy that he had seen Charlotte's first step but he still couldn't help but imagine it being Bianca taking her first steps which gave him such pride,
"Here you are David" Said Sonia as she came down and handed David the baby book and a pen. David then wrote in Charlotte's first steps and a little description of how it happened
Later that evening Bianca and Ricky came home and Sonia stayed up and told her all about Charlotte's first steps. Bianca was gutted that she missed it but knew she would see her sister walk eventually.
"Mum, dad I've got some news" Said Bianca
"Oh yeah what's that darling" Said David
"I'm pregnant" Said Bianca joyfully
"Oh darling congratulations" Said Carol hugging Bianca and then Ricky
"Dad are you not pleased?" Said Bianca questioning David's silence
"Of course darling, I'm sorry I'm just a bit surprised that's all. Its great news sweetheart congratulations" Said David as he hugged Bianca and shook Ricky's hand
Carol, David, Ricky, Bianca and the kids who had now all been told Bianca and Ricky's news toasted their new baby which everyone seemed to be really excited about. Later that night David and Carol were chatting in bed about becoming grandparents.
"So what do you think about being a granddad?" Said Carol
"Don't know" Said David sharply
"David what's wrong? You've been acting funny ever since Bianca told you" Said Carol questioning David's strop
"Nothing it's just well Charlotte's not long been born and Bianca's still young. She doesn't want to be tied down with a kid. Also I'm way too young to be a granddad" Said David
"Well I see where your priorities are; with yourself as usual" Said Carol annoyed
"Oh thanks Carol good to see you believe the best in me. I'm only thinking about Bianca. One of the reasons we went wrong was having a kid too young. It took away our youth. You never get that back" Said David
"You mean it took away my youth. I remember you were always an irresponsible tearaway" Said Carol
"Oh shut up Carol" Said David as he got up
"Where are going? Running away?" Said Carol
"I'm going to get a drink Carol I told you I'm not running I love you and I love the kids" Said David which put a smile on Carol's face
"What? Why are you smiling Carol? We're having an argument" Said David confused
"Yeah and you're not running away. You really are my changed David Wicks aren't you?" Said Carol as she moved towards David and passionately kissed him. As they broke apart they embraced and then Charlotte giggled which got both their attention and they realised she was standing up in her cot
"Is she ever going to stop walking now?" Said David chuckling
"She's showing off her talents" Said Carol happily
"She definitely takes after me" Said David with a wink making Carol laugh
They both then looked at Charlotte and watched her walk around her cot for several moments. She then looked up at both of them and pointed at David and said
"Daddy"
"Oh my god did she just say daddy?" Said David believing he was dreaming
"Yeah, aww she's adorable. She's daddy's little girl" Said Carol pleased for David and ever so slightly jealous
"First words and first steps in one day. She's a clever little girl" Said David
Charlotte then pointed at Carol and said "Mummy"
"Aww my gorgeous little girl" Said Carol as she picked her up and cuddled her. David then wrapped his arms around both of them.
Charlotte then pushed against both the faces and again pointed at David, then Carol and said "Daddy and mummy" David and Carol just chuckled to themselves which seemed to bewilder Charlotte. Carol laid her back down in her cot and they both sang her a lullaby
"Twinkle, twinkle little star; how I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky. Twinkle, twinkle little star; how I wonder what you are" as she quickly fell sleep.
"Aww she's perfect. Maybe being a grandparent won't be so bad. I'm sorry Carol it just threw me a bit" Said David honestly
"It's fine I found it a bit surreal as well but then we don't do normal do we David?" Said Carol stroking his cheek
"Nah" Said David with a giggle as he cuddled Carol and kissed her neck
"David Wicks you are a naughty boy" Said Carol giggling at David's lips on her neck
"Yeah and that's why you love me" Said David with a wink as he picked Carol up and took her bed. They had passionate sex despite the presence of Charlotte in the room. Even though they didn't like arguing they loved making up as it made their love making even more enjoyable. Charlotte always seemed to be the peace maker between them just as Bianca was for the short time they spent as a family when she was a baby.
A few weeks later Bianca and Ricky went for their baby's first scan and were told their daughter had spina bifida and hydrocephalus which would mean she would be severely disabled both mentally and physically. Worried that they would be unable to cope the doctor suggested that maybe they should consider a termination of the pregnancy. Bianca was adamant she couldn't kill her baby and immediately left. She went straight home and fell into David's arms
"Oh dad" Said Bianca crying
"Darling what's wrong? What's Ricky done now?" Said David
"It's not Ricky dad; it's the baby" Said Bianca
"Is everything ok? You haven't had a miscarriage" Said a concerned David
"No" Said Bianca and she went on to explain what the doctor had said and asked David's advice of what she should do. Carol then came in with Charlotte and Bianca then explained to Carol who was devastated for her.
"Darling I think you should take the doctor's advice. You'll get another chance to have a baby sweetheart. It will be a lot to cope with" Said David
"Your dad's right sweetheart, I mean what kind of life will she have" Said Carol
"I know mum but I don't want to let her go" Said Bianca bursting into tears again
"It's not like that darling" Said Carol
"So why couldn't you get rid of me" Said Bianca
"Because you were our baby; mine and David's. If it had been just anyone's I think I would have had a termination" Said Carol honestly
"What about Sonia and Robbie?" Said Bianca
"I was older and I'd already had you so I knew I could cope but I would've thought twice if they had been severely disabled sweetheart. It's a lot to take on and you're so young" Said Carol
"I've got to have a termination haven't I" Said Bianca as David and Carol comforted her
"What does Ricky say?" Said David
"He thinks we should let her go" Said Bianca
"Well there you go, Ricky will be there for you then sweetheart and so will me, Your mum, your nan and the rest of the family" Said David impressing Carol with his fatherly care over Bianca
The next day David and Carol drove Bianca and Ricky to the hospital for Bianca to have an emergency termination. After it had been done they asked Bianca if she wanted to see their baby who she named Natasha and she said yes but Ricky was less keen and left Bianca alone to see the baby. Ricky joined David and Carol who were annoyed
"What are you doing Ricky? Why aren't you with her?" said David furiously
"I couldn't face it, I'm sorry" Said Ricky
"Oh for god sakes Ricky she needs you. You're just like your dad; a selfish coward" Said David who rushed in the room to support Bianca. As Bianca looked in the basket and saw Natasha she became tearful and David held her in his arms comforting her. Natasha was so small yet so beautiful and Bianca was so glad she had seen her
"She's beautiful sweetheart, just like her mum" Said David as he kissed Bianca's head
"Yeah, what have you named her?" Said Carol who had rushed in behind David
"Natasha" Said Bianca
"What a lovely name?" Said Carol
"I don't want to let her go" said Bianca tearfully
"I know darling but we'll never forget her and we'll give her a lovely send-off yeah" Said David
"Yeah, Thanks dad" Said Bianca as she gave the nurse the signal to take Natasha away and cuddled into a waiting David who then signalled Carol to join them to show Bianca she had her parents love and support
Bianca didn't blame Ricky for finding it difficult to see Natasha and shared her grief with him over the loss of their daughter. Natasha's funeral was beautiful and peaceful with the whole family showing Bianca and Ricky that she would always be loved and never forgotten. David was particularly supportive as he knew what it felt like to lose a child and he wanted to show Bianca that he loved her and that she could depend on him as her dad. Pat was so proud of David's efforts with the family but couldn't help but fear it would all fall apart particularly as he had never managed to commit before. However he had shown his mum and Carol that he could be a loving family man which everyone craved him to be.
Sorry if the spina bifida story included upsets you. I only included it as it was part of the eastenders story and I saw an opportunity to show David's fatherly side,