Waiting for Baby
In the morning, the elated newly expectant parents woke still basking in their happiness. Charlie reached for Emily and pulled her close for a soft kiss. Their faces were still close when Emily opened her eyes.
"I see you still have your extra broad smile."
"I can't help it."
"I think even bachelor Bus and the admiral will notice."
"I suppose. I want to tell the whole wide world. After I accept their congratulations, I'll tell them about mom and dad."
"And ask directions to those apartments."
"That's my plan."
Charlie kissed Emily once more before getting out of bed. After dressing, they went all the way down to the kitchen. Elizabeth had also awakened early; breakfast was almost ready.
"Emily, I made that breakfast cake you like so much. It's our celebration cake. I'm sure people at the Embassy will ask why I'm happier than usual."
"Charlie woke up with his broad smile; you match."
"I see we do."
After washing their dishes, they left the house with happier smiles than usual. The other ladies at the embassy did notice Elizabeth's smile. She politely accepted their congratulations of becoming a grandmother.
The only person at the hospital who noticed Emily's smile was another female volunteer.
"Emily, you seem mighty happy this morning."
"I am, Margaret. I'm expecting."
"Is your husband as happy as you are?"
"He is. He left the house today with an extra broad smile. I think even the admiral and his bachelor friend will notice. I was assigned a new patient. I need to go find his room."
"And I'm learning to play Bridge with my new patient from last week. I'm really enjoying learning; I was always told it was a difficult game but I don't think it is."
"That's how I met Charlie. He needed a partner for an army general. I was able to win the game for us despite the fact he overbid. I'll meet you for lunch."
The two volunteers separated; each found their patient eagerly waiting for their visit. And as Emily had suspected her patient didn't notice her constant smile.
As Emily had told Charlie, both Bus and the admiral had noticed his broader than normal smile. Charlie had received a manly slap on the back from Bus and words of wisdom from the admiral.
"The joy of fatherhood, Charlie, is like none other. There's an awe when you hold this baby the first time; but also a heavy weight of responsibility. I'm sure you and Emily are going to be great parents."
"Thank you, sir. We spoke to my parents; they're both elated. My dad told me they're moving east. They will be living in Arlington Virginia. I need directions to get over there."
"Admiral, I can write out directions for him. Is your dad going to have anything to do with the new military housing there?"
"Yes, he will be the property's maintenance supervisor."
"Hopefully our men and their families will be occupying them soon. I read Eisenhower's communique already. The allies are making slow but steady progress in Belgium even in spite of Hitler sending all the men he had available to fight there. Charlie, you can read about the war in the Pacific later. I want you with me at the Senate hearing."
Charlie would later learn the navy took control of Saipan Island. Japanese soldiers and civilians committed suicide rather than being captured. Future reports on the war in Pacific would include other times when the Japanese would rather die by their own means rather than being killed by the allies. No one understood this way of thinking. And Charlie shared little of this news with Emily or Elizabeth.
Charlie sat beside the admiral at the Senate hearing. The senators seemed to be in agreement in accepting Admiral's Jessup's request for additional funding but neither was absolutely sure.
Admiral Jessup told Charlie. "Remember, senators don't act quickly. Your baby may be born before we know their decision."
And Bus had his instructions to the apartments waiting for him. "I suppose you're going there this Saturday."
"That's the plan."
And that's what happened. After breakfast on Saturday, they left the house on "E" street. Charlie's directions had them going west on "M" street towards the Potomac River. He turned north on Riverfront Street to the entrance of the fourteenth street bridge over the Potomac River. Cars shared this bridge with trollies which used the tracks in the center.
Once across the bridge Charlie continued on the connecting street in the State of Virginia, Washington Boulevard. It turned north before arriving at the large complex of military apartments. Charlie found a place to park. He hurried to open the car doors for the ladies.
Emily looked around the area. "Charlie, did you know this complex was so large?"
"I had no idea. My dad is going need to hire men with a variety of skills to keep them in good shape."
"Charlie, maybe some of the men who built them will want to be hired to keep them looking good."
"You may be right, Emily. Hopefully, the country will get back to normal once theses wars are over."
"Is there really hope it will be soon?"
"There is. The allies are making slow but steady progress. Did you notice the hospital we passed before leaving DC?"
"I did. It's probably where I will have this baby. I called the doctor Sarah suggested. His receptionist told me I don't need to see him until next month. I hope you can come with me."
"I'm sure I can."
The threesome traveled home talking about all that had taken place recently. They hoped that by staying busy these next seven and a half months would pass quickly.
In a couple of days the calendar changed to the month of August. And the couple was eagerly waiting the day of Emily's doctor's appointment on the twenty-third.
She had told the hospital person responsible for the volunteers she had an appointment that day. She wasn't questioned. Her friend Margaret did. Emily happily told her the reason. She was pleased for her friend.
Charlie didn't report for duty that morning. But Elizabeth went on to the embassy. And Charlie and Emily drove to the office of Doctor Grant not very far from "E" street. Sarah had told Emily he was an older doctor who at one time delivered babies in peoples' homes.
Charlie found a place to park the car; it was a block from the office. They leisurely walked it. Charlie held the door open for his wife. She was immediately greeted.
"You must be Mrs. Madison."
"Yes, I'm Emily Madison. My husband Charlie is with me."
"Doctor Grant will be pleased he came with you. I need you to complete some paperwork before the doctor sees you. Don't worry if you don't know exact dates of the usual childhood illnesses."
They sat on chairs which were close to each other. Emily whispered. "If my mother was here she would know all these dates."
"Mine would too and you'll remember the dates for this child and others we may have."
Emily completed the paperwork and was told. "The doctor will see you in a few minutes."
Those minutes went by quickly. A nurse came to the waiting room to escort them to his office. The doctor immediately stood when he saw them.
"I thought I recognized your name on my appointment list. Commander, are you fully recovered?"
"Yes, I have a large scar; hopefully it will fade over time."
"It probably will. I'm Earnest Grant."
"And we're the Madison's, Charlie and Emily."
"Please sit. I need a minute to look over your paper."
He didn't take long. "Emily, your paperwork tells me you had a normal childhood. I expect this pregnancy to be normal as well. I do need to examine you. My nurse will take you the exam room. Charlie, you can wait here; the exam doesn't take long."
By the time Dr. Grant entered the exam room, Emily was in a hospital gown and lying flat on the exam table; her hands covered her belly protrusion. It was now a good size.
Dr. Grant felt it also; he concluded. "According to the size of your baby sac and the first day of your last of your last cycle this baby may be born around the first of April."
"That was my guess too."
"Emily, this contraption I'm holding is called a fetal stethoscope. This metal band goes over my head; it helps transmit the baby's heartbeat to my ears. It doesn't hurt. I do need to press on your baby sac. Try and relax and breathe normally."
Dr. Grant moved the bell-shaped end of the device several times before he stayed in one place. Emily could tell he was counting and looking at his watch.
"Fifteen seconds is usually all the time I get before the baby moves. My count was thirty-three. If I multiple that by four you get 132."
"Isn't that fast doctor?"
"Not for a baby, Emily. Even 150, isn't considered too fast. You can get dressed. I'll go tell Charlie."
"Charlie, Emily should have no trouble giving birth to this baby. She may have a tiny frame but her pelvic bones are normal. The baby's rapid heartbeat alarmed her.
Emily had hurriedly dressed and joined them. "It most certainly did."
"How fast was it doctor?"
"Faster than our hearts are beating now. Your child will have a heartrate of 100 to 150 beats per minute for several years. Unless Emily has questions or concerns, I don't need to see her again for six weeks."
Charlie and Emily both shook his hand before leaving his office. They stopped and Emily made an appointment for six weeks from today. That date was October fourth.
Once they had left, Dr. Grant told his receptionist. "I'd love to know why he was really on Omaha Beach."
"It does seem really odd. I'm just glad he recovered from his injury. They're one of those couples of whom you have no doubt of how much in love they are. I believe they are going to be great parents."
Now they both had large smiles as they thought about them.
By the time the calendar changed to September, Charlie's dad had called with the date of their arrival in Virginia. They were taking the train again. There were a few things from their home in LA which were being trucked across the country.
They arrived on the second Saturday of the month. Charlie and Emily met them at the train station. Maryann spoke the moment she saw Emily.
"You have the baby glow; you look radiant."
"So that's why I have so many ladies looking at me."
"She is more beautiful than ever, Mom. Dad, when are you expected to begin your position?"
"Not until Monday."
"Our spare bedroom is ready for you."
Earl and Maryann spent two wonderful days with them. They were excited to hear about Emily's time at the hospital and were intrigued by all the people Elizabeth had met at the embassy. They tried not to discuss the wars; no amount of talk would make them conclude any faster.
On Monday, after Emily and Elizabeth left the house, Charlie drove his parents to Arlington. The property owner was waiting for them. Charlie met him but then left for the navy building.
In days it was October and it arrived with much cooler temperatures. Emily's appointment on the fourth told her the baby was growing. The nurse reminded her to buy a few maternity dresses before she discovered nothing she had would fit her anymore.
Maryann and Elizabeth both went with her to make her purchases. Charlie and his dad enjoyed the time to talk about sports. The professional baseball and football teams continued to play after America entered the war in December 1941. President Roosevelt thought the people needed some diversion. Charlie and Earl would attend one of the football games before the end of the year.
Emily continued to have a normal pregnancy. She was very glad she had bought maternity dresses; they were very much needed when the calendar now read, November.
Maryann went with Emily to her doctor's appointment on the fifteenth. Charlie was needed to attend another Senate hearing on appropriations for the Navy.
After Emily introduced Maryann to Dr. Grant, he had this comment. "Your smile is just like Charlie's."
"Because this is my first grandchild."
"A good reason to be extra happy. This baby is right on schedule. Tell Charlie all is well."
"We both will tell him."
"And Emily, I'll see you in four weeks."
Charlie was elated to hear the news.
The last Thursday of November was an American holiday. Emily and Elizabeth learned about how Native American Indians helped the first settlers survive. The holiday reminded them of the meal they shared after a successful harvest.
Even though the foods usually eaten by families on this day weren't available, the Madison's home was filled with people. Raymond, Sarah and Mathew along with Maryann and Earl crowded around the dining room table to eat a simple meal and enjoy each other's company.
In a few days the calendar page was turned again. It now showed the month of December; the last month of 1944.
Charlie once again went with Emily to her appointment with Dr. Grant on the thirteenth of the month. Emily now had a protrusion which even maternity dresses didn't hide very well. He was concerned.
Charlie wasn't allowed in the examination room so he paced around the doctor's small office. He spoke as soon as the door opened.
"Are Emily and the baby alright?"
"They're both fine, Charlie. Emily looks so much bigger because she's carrying this baby high in her pelvis. Her stomach muscles aren't strong enough to support the weight; so the now large baby sac protrudes more. In a few more weeks she may find she has a backache.
"I told her she should refrain from long walks and to sit as much as she can at the hospital. She told me she already was; she's teaching everyone how to play Bridge."
"She plays Bridge like an assassin. I'm sure she teaches them to play that way."
Emily had come into the office. She placed her hands on Charlie's arm; she gave him a squeeze.
"So you heard my instructions. I doubt I'll work much past the New Year. Mum, Maryann and I have a nursery to decorate. I want it ready before the end of February."
"And I need to see you in two weeks."
Charlie and Emily departed the office after making an appointment for the twenty-seventh of December.
In the car on the way home Emily began to sing a song about rocking the Baby Jesus.
"I've never heard that song."
"It's an old English Carol which is similar to Away in the Manger. Mum and I have always begun to sing Christmas carols weeks before Christmas Day. She believed it helped me and Charlie learn about the true meaning of the holiday."
"And you wish to do the same with our children."
"I do, Charlie. I won't ignore the belief in the person who brings their gifts. In England he's called Father Christmas."
"Here in America he's Santa Claus; the man in the red suit. My mom probably brought along our copy of the book, The Night Before Christmas."
"I hope so. It will be fun hearing you read it to our children. This year we will enjoy the holiday with our new friends. And we don't need to exchange gifts; our gift in right here in my baby sac."
"I couldn't agree more."
And as Emily had told Charlie, she and her mom filled the house with the singing of Christmas carols. They did attend a Christmas concert at Georgetown University. And on another occasion they visited the National Christmas Tree.
It didn't have Christmas lights this year but it was covered in handmade ornaments. They were made by school children. Small chimes rang as the wind blew on them. And several choral groups entertained them with an assortment of Christmas music.
Emily had an excellent report from Dr. Grant after her appointment in the twenty-ninth. And at midnight on the thirty-first of December they could see and hear fireworks while sitting on their porch.
The news that the German army was in a state of confusion had been printed in the paper. The Soviet Union's Army was about to enter Germany. The fireworks not only welcomed in a New Year; the nation anticipated an end to both wars.
The calendar was now turned to January 1945.
Two weeks into January, Emily had another doctor's appointment. He reminded her to let Charlie and Earl hang the curtains in the nursery and all the cute pictures a baby's room always needs.
Her next appointment came with an order to sit with her feet up on a stool. Dr. Grant had noticed both of her ankles were a tiny bit swollen. And Charlie always reminded her when she forgot.
After Emily told Charlie Doctor Grant wanted to see her every week, he told her. "I'm coming with you."
"Charlie, he didn't seem worried about me. I'm sure this is standard practice."
"It may be but I want to hear it with my own ears."
"And I love you even more for your concern."
Kissing, hugs and sleeping close were all the couple could do now.