Coming Home

Betty and Stephanie were able to leave the hospital after a few days. The doctors were pleased with Betty's breastfeeding capabilities and Stephanie

was healthy and alert. Stephen was a mess as he slowly drove his wife and daughter home, driving at least 10 mph under the speed limit. It seemed that

even pedestrians were passing him! He pulled up in front of the house, got out, and held the door open for Betty. He opened the back door, removed

Stephanie's baby carrier from the car, and carried her to the front door. Betty leaned against Stephen as they walked. He put the key in the door latch and

opened the front door.

"SURPRISE! WELCOME HOME!" yelled Miss Brahms, Mr. Lucas, Ethel, and Mr. Humphries as the trio entered. Ethel stood by; she winked at Stephen and

Betty knowingly.

The lounge was set up with a table of food, party streamers, balloons, and a large hand-written "WELCOME HOME" banner strung across the wall.

Betty's eyes widened and she hugged Miss Brahms tightly.

"Welcome home, Betty! I've missed you!" Miss Brahms cried.

Stephen brought Stephanie in and the three crowded round to have a look-see. He gently took her out of her carrier and handed her to Miss Brahms.

"Oh, she's so tiny and sweet! Congratulations!" she squealed.

"Are you sure this is your baby, Captain Peacock? She's awfully pretty!" Mr. Lucas chaffed.

"She gets her looks from her mother!" Stephen countered.

"Ere, if you're gonna be cheeky, Mr. Lucas, you can just go!" Miss Brahms scolded, nuzzling Stephanie.

"What? No pink hair on this baby?" Mr. Lucas snickered.

"Don't be facetious, Mr. Lucas," Stephen playfully reprimanded, just like old times.

"I'm sorry, Captain Peacock, I didn't know my joke was going to be taken so seriously!" Mr. Lucas mock-cowered. Stephen shook his head.

Miss Brahms handed Stephanie to Mr. Humphries. The baby cooed softly as she focused on his face.

"Well, done, Love!" Mr. Humphries said to Betty, "She's absolutely darling!"

"We brought you a few things!" Miss Brahms chirped.

They all settled in on the settee and a few kitchen chairs. Stephen served them some drinks and they nibbled on bacon-wrapped sausages. Miss Brahms

presented Betty with the first gift. Betty tore open the pink paper; it was a little dress and a pair of thick tights, "It still gets cold even though it's April!"

"Oh, it's lovely! Thank you, Miss Brahms. You are sweet!"

Mr. Humphries handed Betty a package wrapped in pastel color-block paper. She ripped the paper from the corners and inside was a pair of dainty curtains.

"I made them meself, Dear! Mother helped with the hemline but I did all the embroidery!" The curtains had delicate needlework patterns of Beatrix Potter

characters dappled all over the cream-colored panels. There were also a pair of balloon valances to match.

"They're wonderful; you do exquisite handiwork. They'll look pretty on Stephanie's window. Ah, you're too kind, Mr. Humphries!"

"I'm all kinds!" he quipped back. Stephen's eyebrows shot up. Stephanie fussed and then let out a loud squall, startling Mr. Humphries.

"She has her mother's voice, I see!" Mr. Lucas cracked.

"Belt up!" Miss Brahms shot back.

Stephen took Stephanie from Mr. Humphries, and cradling her, offered his little finger. She quieted down.

"Oooohh, Daddy's got the knack!" Mr. Humphries observed, winking.

Mr. Lucas gave Betty a gift wrapped in flowery paper, "From my mother and me," he said.

She unwrapped the gift and showed it around. It was a bear dressed in a pink tutu with little ballet slippers and a tiara.

"Awwww.." they all intoned.

"I do like this, Mr. Lucas. Thank you! Thank you all."

"This was all Mrs. Axelby's doin'!" Miss Brahms explained, "She rang us to tell us you was getting' outta that hospital and what time to show up! She made

the food; we helped with the decorating."

Ethel handed Betty a small parcel wrapped in Sunday funnies paper. Betty opened it and inside was a handmade baby quilt made from pink, yellow, blue and

orange blocks, "I made this in the hopes that one day I'd have a little one of me own," Ethel explained.

"Oh, Ethel! Thank You!" Betty hugged her.

"That's what 'Auntie Ethel' is here for!"

"And 'Auntie Shirley'!" Miss Brahms chimed.

"And 'Uncle Claybourne'!" Mr. Humphries stated.

"And 'Uncle Dickie', too!" Mr. Lucas added, not to be left out. They all laughed.

"You are all wonderful. We're lucky to have friends like you!" Betty gushed.

"What says we pop round to the Onion Crate pub and wet the baby's head?" Mr. Lucas suggested.

"Here, here!" piped up Mr. Humphries.

Stephen looked at Betty expectantly. She smiled winked at him, "Now Mr. Humphries and Mr. Lucas, I don't expect you to bring him back in that state he was

in on his birthday!"

"Oh, yes Ma'am!" Mr. Lucas responded with a mock salute.

Stephen jumped up and he, Mr. Humphries and Mr. Lucas headed out, tittering like schoolboys, leaving the women to their coffee and catching up.