A big thank you to Mills for helping with the visual side of this chapter
Chapter two
Gail went and sat on the chair opposite him; silence hung in the air and neither one knew how to break it. Paul looked at her trying to read what was going on in her mind but he couldn't, seeing one of the bears lying on the floor he picked it up and held it close, feeling some comfort from its softness. Gail watched him; she felt a kick inside her and grimaced. Paul looked at her
"Are you okay?"
She closed her eyes "Yes…I don't know why but the babies seem to be restless today"
He wanted to go over to her, wrap her up in his arms and feel his babies moving; but he felt unsure of the situation; unsure of whether she was here to stay or whether this was the end of the line for them; for now he needed to keep his distance.
"What are you thinking?" she asked
"I don't know…I'm sorry about this afternoon…I just thought you'd prefer me out of the way so I didn't cancel the business meeting"
"So once again you put the Robinson Corporation before me"
"These past few days you haven't wanted me near you…every time I tried to get close to you…be there for you…you shut me out…I thought you didn't want me around, so yes I thought I might as well be at work beside there were plenty of other people around…you didn't need me"
Gail stood up and walked to the kitchen counter looking at the dining table where she could see the opened letter she had left for Paul earlier that day
"I'm sorry, maybe I was just a little upset after my father's death…I didn't realise I had to tell you that I needed you on the day of his funeral"
"I'm not a mind reader!"
She looked at him and shook her head, wondering why she had come back. Turning her back on him and looking down she said,
"Maybe I should just leave….then you can give the company your undivided attention without me or the children in your way"
Paul stood up and took a step towards her, trying to close the gap between them
"Gail…look at me"
She didn't want to look at him, not trusting her own feelings yet
He turned her around to face him.
She still couldn't look at him; looking down at the floor she could feel his gaze upon her. Finally she looked up at him.
"Gail, I love you nothing has changed; the company is for us and if you leave then there's not much point is there?"
"The company has taken over your life; how much time have we spent together these past few months; you're always so busy, at the office or out at meetings, you forgot my birthday how many birthday parties are you going to miss because you're too busy; will our children ever see you while they're growing up…I doubt it very much"
"I promise I will never be too busy for our children or YOU!"
Gail rolled her eyes "I've heard it all before, it will be o.k. for a couple of months and then we'll be here again but with three babies and . . . . . . "
"Just don't leave me…please don't give up on everything we have together; look what we . . . . you most of all, have been through to have a baby, don't deprive them of two loving parents"
She knew in her heart that she couldn't walk out again but she was scared; she hated the thought of their marriage once again becoming a business arrangement or even worse, a marriage that was only held together because of the children.
"Paul I want things back to the way they were; I'm scared that if we carry on the way we have we'll end up with a business arrangement for a marriage or a marriage only held together because of the children"
Paul walked up to her and put his arms on her shoulders "I love you too much for that to ever happen; we can get through this"
"You're obsessed with work and you know it"
"Once upon a time it didn't bother you"
"I know and I guess that's because we were a partnership but now with the babies on the way my priorities have changed"
"We're still a partnership…you think I don't miss having you around the office, sharing everything with you"
"We seem to have drifted apart…I always thought that having children would give us a stronger bond but it hasn't"
Paul looked at her "We can still make this work…there's noone I want by my side more than you, do you really want to leave and bring up these children on your own"
"Of course not but neither do I want my children to be second best to a company with unhappy parents…I'm not asking you to give up the Robinson Corporation just consider your options"
"Gail…"
"Paul listen…you could take on an Assistant Manager and maybe an office junior…also you could ask Rosemary for help; see if she would be willing to come back and run the company for you for a few months…unfortunately we could do with her help immediately"
"I've already spoken to Rosemary"
"When?"
"Ages ago…after you told me you were expecting triplets I knew there would come a point when I needed help and Rosemary seemed to be the obvious person. I phoned her and asked her if she'd consider coming back here to run things, she told me to let her know when we needed her"
A look of surprise crossed her face, for the first time as she looked at Paul tenderly he could see the tears form in her eyes, as she realised how she had misjudged Paul. In an instant he pulled her towards him, gently stroking her back as she cried. After a few minutes she pulled away from the embrace and looked at him and for the first time in what felt like a long time he saw the love shining in her eyes. His hands moved up and gently cupped her cheeks to wipe her tears away.
"I wish you had told me"
"I meant to but I've been trying to get things sorted so that I can just hand things over to Rosemary and don't have to worry about the office"
"I think it's time to make that phone call Paul"
"I already have…I phoned her last week and told her I needed to step away from Lassiters and stay home with you. You always thought that I was obsessed with the business but the truth is that I was working hard so that I could take time out to be with you when you needed me the most; I know I screwed up this week but believe me the only thing that matters to me is you. I phoned Rosemary again this afternoon and she's going to be here on Sunday; I'm going to have to go into the office for a couple of hours on Monday but after that I'm all yours. Just hope you don't get fed up with me!"
Gail smiled and hugged him tightly "Never…but will you consider getting someone in to help run the office"
"I always thought you wanted to… that you would come back to work"
Gail laughed "I'm going to be a bit busy…but we can job share, in fact that would be an idea that way we both take turns in looking after the babies and working"
"That might work…but look around you Gail, this is Ramsay Street, how many people here will offer to help look after the triplets if we need them. You love this street; that is why I brought this house"
"I know"
"Paul we have ten days before we have three screaming babies on our hands"
"Ten days..you're joking"
"No…I'm being induced 24 November"
"November 24th ………."
Gail looked at him; she could see his mind working and wondered what he was thinking "Why what's wrong with that date…don't you dare tell me you have a business meeting you can't get out of"
Paul looked at her "No…I just thought we had more time; you're not due for another 2 months"
"I know but my blood pressure is up and with three babies I can't go to full term,. but they're thriving so should be okay"
"What about you?"
"At the moment I just need to rest and try and get this blood pressure down but apart from that everything is fine"
"Stay with me…please don't go"
Gail sighed she looked into his eyes "I don't think I could leave even if I wanted to, I love you so much"
Paul pulled her into an embrace, hugging her closely and felt the tiny kick of life inside her. He softly laughed "Well we have at least one boy in there" feeling another kick with his hand.
Gail allowed herself to finally relax and laughed "Maybe…Paul I've got a scan on Monday why don't you come with me"
"Sure…I've missed so much of this pregnancy"
Gail looked down sadly "I know I guess it hasn't been brilliant timing"
Paul looked at her and placed his finger under her chin lifting it so that he could look into her eyes "Hey..you're so wrong, this is what we have both wanted for a long time and the timing couldn't be better. We're young enough to enjoy these children and perhaps in another few years time try again (WINKING AT GAIL). These children are so precious because they're part of us, they are the future and there is only one thing more important to me than them and that is you. I'm sorry I haven't always been there for you during this pregnancy, that this pregnancy turned out the way it did but I promise these next 10 days I will be at your side and next time I promise you will have a perfect pregnancy"
"Paul I love you and I need YOU"
Paul pulled her closer "Our downfall is lack of communication; it almost destroyed us once before but let's not let it do it again to us…we need to tell each other exactly what we're thinking"
"Can you get my cases from the car?"
"Sure. By the way have you eaten today?"
"A little but I haven't really been hungry"
"How about a takeaway"
"No….Helen should be bringing a casserole around shortly"
"What…when did you speak to Gran…have you been to Dad's, does he know you're back"
"No…I spent a couple of hours driving around trying to get away from Erinsborough but didn't get very far and ended up at Lassisters; I called Helen from there because I needed someone to talk to"
"Dad and I have been driving around trying to find you; we went as far as Gloria's and dad suggested Lassiters but I told him that's the last place you'd go"
"You're wrong Paul…the bridge" she looked at him to see if he knew what she meant "You don't remember do you?"
"How could I forget; it took me ages to work up the courage to tell you that I loved you, seeing you on the bridge crying I knew I had to act or I'd lose you forever"
"That's all I wanted from you…three little words but I had given up any hope that I'd hear them"
"It's funny but the day you returned from the States..I was going to tell you that I loved you but you completely burst my bubble by wanting a divorce"
"I just felt the situation was unbearable; I went to New York to try and escape and get my head together but it made things worse; I missed you terribly and realised that I couldn't stay in our Marriage of Convenience"
Paul pulled her closer to him "Thank god we sorted things out before you got on that plane..."
"New beginnings…let's enjoy our last days together before our lives are changed forever"
"We will still have time for us…we're going to share the responsibility of these children…I'll find a way of making sure that the Robinson Corporation doesn't take me away from what's important. I feel so guilty that I left you today"
"It doesn't matter now..we have to look forward" Gail said as she kissed him "Go and get my suitcases before I change my mind!"
Paul walked out to Gail's car; on opening the boot he rolled his eyes and shook his head when he saw the amount of things piled into it. He picked up two of the cases and walked back inside.
"Gail you shouldn't have been carrying this"
"I know but I couldn't exactly ask anyone for help could I?"
Paul sighed "I'm just glad you turned around, I'll take these upstairs and we can unpack them later"
Gail sat on the sofa and closed her eyes while Paul took the rest of the cases upstairs. The events of the day overwhelmed her and the tears started to flow again, she wiped her eyes and looked around her; once again she felt a kick, placing her hand on her stomach she gently rubbed it; silently willing the life inside her to settle down; she knew she'd been so stressed out today that the babies must have picked it up. She needed to calm down for her sake as well as the babies. Her thoughts returned to Paul, she truly loved him despite what they had been through these past months; a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, as Helen called out as she entered the open door, she smiled when she saw Helen.
"Hi" she said
"I brought some casserole for you…how are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling better now"
"I take it you're staying"
"Yes…Paul's just taken my cases upstairs"
"I've just spoken to Rosemary…she phoned to let me know that she's coming over on Sunday; she presumed I knew"
"I know apparently Paul spoke to her months ago and again last week to ask her to come over, just wished he had told me earlier. I really thought the only thing that mattered was the Robinson Corporation when all along he was thinking about me and the children"
"So what about getting someone into help in the office?"
"I spoke to him about that and I think he can be talked into it. We'll have to see how healthy the financial situation is but hopefully it's something he can consider; he needs to get into a routine where he's not spending all day at the office."
"Why don't you come around for dinner tomorrow night? Jim and Beverley are going out so I'll be left alone with the kids"
"Okay, what time?"
"Around 6.30pm"
Helen looked at her "You need to get an early night, you look worn out"
Gail sighed "These babies have been using my insides as a playground today…I guess they've picked up on my mood"
Helen laughed "Funny thing is I remember Anne telling me the same thing when she was carrying Paul; and he didn't really differentiate night from day; she spent a lot of the last few weeks of her pregnancy not be able to sleep. I don't know who was more grouchy Anne or Jim as she was keeping him awake as well!"
Gail smiled "Sounds about right…have you got any baby photos?"
"Sure I'll dig some out for you to see tomorrow; maybe we can get Paul to take the kids out and round up some of the neighbours for a game of cricket while we go through them"
"That sounds like a plan"
"Everything is okay between you two?" Helen asked "I hate to think of you two splitting with everything you've been through"
"Helen…I think if I had been really going to leave I would have done so this afternoon but at the end of the day I couldn't. We need to work at things but I think..I know we're going to make it"
"Well I best be getting back..before everyone complains about being hungry"
Gail stood and hugged Helen "Thanks"
"It's okay….just take care of yourself or better still let Paul take care of you"
"I will"
Gail closed the door as Paul came down the stairs.
"Right dinner is taken care of..Helen just brought the casserole and she got a phonecall from Rosemary"
"I'm hoping I can persuade her to stay here for a couple of months, it would be nice to have a complete break and spend some time with you and the babies"
"Can Paul the workaholic survive without Lassiters?"
"Of course I can…you're right I've been working too hard and neglecting you..which I never meant to do, I was devastated when I realised that you had walked out"
Gail took a step closer to Paul from where they were standing and held his hand.
"Let's put these last few months behind us and start over; just think we're so close to having the family we want"
Paul put his arm around Gail's back and pulled her towards him and kissed her gently.
"Come on let's eat I'm starving, then while I wash up you can unpack those suitcase, then we can cuddle up on the sofa and watch a film or just talk"
"I'm not in the mood for a film but talking would be good"
As Paul heated the casserole through Gail got the plates out, much to Paul's protests for her to rest, as he dished it up she walked over to the dining table and picked up her letter to Paul which he had screwed up. She unfolded it, and feeling Paul glance at her she looked up, smiled at him and tore it up. The meaning was understood and unspoken.
Later that night Paul and Gail cuddled up on the sofa with the stereo turned low. Paul had made sure Gail was comfortable with a cushion supporting her feet on the coffee table which he had noticed were slightly swollen. As he sat down beside her Gail leaned towards Paul and lent her head on his shoulder.
"So Mrs Robinson have you got all the suitcases unpacked?"
"It didn't take as long to unpack them as to pack them"
Paul. laughed "We need to get the nursery sorted out; it's still not finished"
"We have 10 days…we haven't really discussed names either"
Paul was lost in thought "November 24th"
Gail looked at him trying to work out what he was thinking "You have got a business meeting arranged for that day haven't you? Paul tell me…"
"No I haven't; even if I had I'd cancel it"
"But there's something about that date, you've been strange ever since I've told you…what is it?"
"Nothing it's just something silly"
"No tell me, What?"
"Okay…November 24th is…I mean was my mum's birthday…I guess it feels a bit strange having my children born on that day"
Gail turns and looks up at Paul, a little taken back at the look of concern on his face.
"I'm sorry…I can change it"
"No don't be silly…she'd have loved it"
Thinking then that she had never really asked Paul about Anne and he had never spoken about her Gail thought this might be the time to ask.
"What was she like?"
Paul laughed "Just like Gran, kind, gentle, loving…she's been on my mind a lot lately…seeing you like this just brought back memories of when she was pregnant with Lucy…(and lowering his voice further) and what happened when Lucy was born….part of me is scared for you, I don't want the same thing to happen to you"
Gail suddenly realised that she hadn't even given Paul's thoughts a consideration. She hadn't given it a second thought of his Mum and what he must have gone through when she died. She paused, not sure what to say at first and taking in Paul's comment further. How could she have not realised sooner. She knew then that she had also not been there for him or been the only one in pain.
Gail sat up and turned looking at Paul "Paul…it won't I promise; I'm fine the babies are fine"
"So was she"
Gail saw the tears in his eyes, she wanted to reassure him "Paul…we're fourteen years down the line from when Lucy was born; women have been having babies since time began, sometimes things can go wrong but most of the time both mother and baby are fine, look at Daphne…she had high blood pressure during her pregnancy but both her and Jamie came through the birth. Darling what happened to your mum was terrible but please don't put yourself through the agony of thinking it's going to happen to me….we're going to be fine and you can be with me every step of the way"
"I didn't think seeing you pregnant would affect me like this…I am fine with it but the closer we get to the birth the more I think about mum"
"Paul I love you…I wished you had told me how you were feeling sooner but trust me you have nothing to worry about; I'm not going anywhere…ever!"
Gail had her hand on his shoulder facing him.
Paul tenderly kissed her "I'm sorry about everything especially what happened with your dad"
Gail sighed "I know…you were probably right about the stolen parts, but part of me wished you had let me handle it"
"I shouldn't have argued with him like I did; he'd still be alive if I had taken things more gently with him…I was just so angry that he let us down again!"
"I shouldn't have blamed you like I did or pushed you away but I guess I needed someone to blame"
"After everything that has happened these past few months I guess I deserve it but I'm planning on making it up to you"
Gail smiled as she turned and snuggled back in to Paul's shoulder "Yeah you can have the night time feeds and the nappy changing"
"Thanks…are you sure you're okay"
"Part of me feels numb…I miss dad, when mum died I still had him but now I feel…I don't know…alone I guess"
"I felt like that when mum died; I still had dad but every now and again something would happen, like when I did well at school or won a football match and I go to tell mum then realise she wasn't there. We were lucky we had gran but it took a long time for me to get used to the fact that mum was gone, Gail you're not alone…you have me…you have the rest of my family and we love you"
Gail smiled "I know…Paul it's been an emotional day and I'm tired. Let's go to bed"
"Fine by me..tomorrow we can have a nice relaxing day, just the two of us"