Before I post this chapter, I would like to say a big 'thank you' to all who have read and reviewed the story so far. It will end, eventually, but the finale won't be 'til Christmas! I'm glad Ch 7 was found to be amusing by some, I'm sorry but I laughed when writing it, poor Evelyn! Please continue to read, I appreciate all feedback.
PS: I have no idea how to adopt a child!
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Jean looked at the calendar, five weeks to her due date. She was ready now, ready to bring this new life into the world. Lucien was even more protective that ever, wouldn't let her lift Bobby, insisting she put her feet up at every opportunity; it was a bit stifling. She was grateful when a case took him out of the house, she could get on with things. Evelyn still came in to help, but now it was three times a week, the bedroom incident was never mentioned, but she waited after knocking if she was bringing a cup of tea to Jean when she had a lie in. It wasn't often.
Jean and Lucien had applied to the courts to adopt Bobby. Jack had no objection and had written a formal letter saying it was his wish that his son should be raised by his mother and her husband; when he sent the birth certificate.
Jean had cried herself to sleep the night the letter had arrived, Lucien had held her close and let her weep, he had no words to comfort her, hot tears soaked his pyjama top. She was angry with Jack, angry with herself, for raising a son so devoid of feeling. It hurt, like a knife cutting out her heart.
The courts had appointed a social worker to check they were suitable to be parents to a small child. Home life, backgrounds, ability to provide for Bobby and all the reports had come back favourable. And so Bobby would be their son, bear their name, Robert Thomas Blake. Jean had asked to include Thomas as his middle name, after Lucien's father, a connection. Now here she was, waiting for her own child to be born, a second chance at family life, a chance to get it right .
She took Bobby out into the garden, it was cool but pleasant and she had a little washing to hang on the line. It was Bobby's job to hand her the pegs, it made the process slow but Jean didn't mind, she wasn't up to rushing much.
'Last one, Bobby,' she held out her hand. She didn't hear the crunch of wheels on the drive so was startled when a voice rang out,
'Mum!'
She turned,
'Christopher, what are you doing here?' Surprises like this weren't a good idea at nearly eight months pregnant!
Christopher's eyes were wide with shock, his mother was pregnant, very pregnant!
'I'm on my way to Melbourne, thought I'd take the scenic route.' He couldn't take his eyes off her belly, 'Why didn't you tell me?'
'Well, you seemed to think I was too old to care for a youngster, so we thought we'd wait,' she smiled, innocently, 'tea?'
'Mama?' Bobby grasped her hand.
'It's alright, sweetheart, this is Un...Er Christopher.'
She suddenly remembered that although Christopher was Bobby's uncle he was also his adoptive brother. Put that on the family tree!
'Mum! I didn't mean it like that!' Christopher moved over to put his arm around her, 'I'm sorry.'
Jean reached up and kissed his cheek,
'Can we go in?' she needed to sit down.
He squatted down to Bobby, 'Hello Bobby, nice to meet you,' he help out his hand to the child, who shyly reached out to him.
'How long now?'
'About five weeks.'
'Are you happy?'
'Oh, Christopher, we both are. Lucien is very attentive and caring, I'm healthy and Bobby's an angel; life is wonderful.'
As he looked at her, he could well believe it. He couldn't remember when his mother last had that certain glow about her.
