by Karen Clow
Tony made them a coffee while she nursed the baby on her lap. He felt nervous as he heard the front door open and the sound of his sons talking. Throwing their bags down on the hall floor, the boys made their way to the kitchen. “Where’s your sister,” asked Belle. Anthony replied, “Outside, talking to Trudy on her mobile. Who’s baby is that mum?” “We’ll explain everything once Sophia is here, can you go and ask her to come in please?”
Minutes later Anthony returned with his sister. Typically of most teenage girls she went over to her mum holding the baby and said, “Who’s baby is that mum?” Tactfully her mum replied, “She’s lovely isn’t she Sophia, would you like to hold her.” “Yeah, ok.” Smiling Belle stood up and passed the baby to her.” Sophia played with the baby’s hands and talked to her before she said, “What’s her name mum, and how long is she here for?” Smiling she replied, “Her name is Antonia and how long she stays depends on you three.” Confused with her mums reply she said, “What you mean we could keep her what about her mum?” “Her mum died Sophia, she had cancer.” “That’s sad can we keep her then?” Hoping that Tony would say something, but he didn’t so she replied, “Your dad needs to talk to all of you, but I’m really glad you would like her to stay because that’s what me and your dad want.” Then she smiled at the boys and said, “What about you two, how would you feel about us keeping her?” Typically of young boys they both shrugged their shoulders. Then Anthony said, “Yeah I suppose it would be cool.” Tony looked at Vito and said, “How do you feel about it son?” Being older than the others and noticing his parents had both been crying, he knew there was more to this baby than either had said. Without replying to his dad he looked over at his mum and said, “Who is she mum?” Belle reached over and squeezed Tony’s hand before replying, “She’s your sister.”
Instantly the atmosphere in the room changed, as Sophia said, “She’s not our sister mum, you haven’t had her.” In a gentle voice she replied, “No, she belongs to your dad and the lady he was seeing called Lydia.” Immediately Sophia burst into tears and roughly placed the baby back on her mum’s lap. Then she screamed at her dad, “How could you dad, I hate you!” Before he could reply she ran out of the room and up the stairs to her bedroom. Belle could see that Tony was devastated, reassuringly she said, “Go and talk to her, she’s hurting.”
The boys stayed downstairs with their mum, she asked them to sit with her so she could explain things to them. Twenty five minutes later Vito had Antonia on his lap. As he played with her, they could hear Sophia shouting at their dad. Having heard enough, Belle asked the boys to watch the baby, so she could go upstairs, picking the photo album up as she left.
Knocking on her door she waited to be invited in. Sophia was sitting on her bed sobbing; her dad was sitting on her computer chair, also crying. Within a few minutes of Belle being there, things were calmer. Sophia was clearly devastated. Looking at her mum she asked, “How can you do this mum, why don’t you leave him?” Holding Tony’s hand she replied, “Because I love him Sophia, and no matter what you think of your dad, rest assured he loves you too. I know this is hard for you sweetheart, but life isn’t always perfect and people makes mistakes. Children like Antonia often pay for those mistakes, despite being innocent.” Then she showed her the photos of her as a baby with Tony and how much Antonia looked like her. Tony just sat quietly as they talked, asking himself how he got into this situation and again thanking God for Belle. When Sophia began seeing things differently Belle said, “I know you will love Antonia and you’ll be a wonderful big sister. You can start today by coming shopping with us to buy her the things she needs. Then I think dad should either take us all out for dinner, or if you prefer send for take away, what do you say?” Ignoring her dad she replied, “Ok, but I’m not talking to him!” Belle joked and said, “Absolutely, I can understand that, I’ve felt that way many times. I’m just grateful you didn’t throw things at him. At the very least I expected to hear him begging for mercy from the wrath of Sophia!” Even Sophia had to smile at her mum’s reply.
The three of them headed back downstairs. The boys were still watching Antonia, it was clear that they would soon accept her as part of the family. Belle had hoped that they would all want to go shopping, but the look on both boys faces told her that it wasn’t going to happen. Not because of Antonia, but because they wanted to watch American football on telly. The last thing Belle wanted to do was force them, so she agreed to go without them.
Tony spent a fortune on baby things, most of which would be delivered the following day. The only things they brought home with them were cloths, milk, nappies, bottles and new bedding. Belle had kept Sophia’s crib, which she wanted to use until Antonia needed a larger cot.
Later that evening Belle called Carlo and told him about Antonia. Just like his sister he asked her why she was staying with him, but he already knew the answer. After almost an hour on the phone he ended the call by telling his mum that he was looking forward to meeting his new sister. Quite what he would say to Tony was another matter, but Belle decided that was Tony’s problem and not hers.
Sophia helped her mum bath Antonia and she fed her a bottle. Despite still not speaking to her dad, her parents knew she would eventually come round to accepting the new addition to their family.
That night Tony made love to Belle, with the baby’s crib next to the bed. He was loving, caring and passionate. Belle knew their problems were far from over and that his affair with Lydia had almost destroyed them, yet in a strange way she felt at peace. Despite all that had happened, she felt they could be happy as a family again. Tony slept that night with his arms wrapped around her, just like he used to.
This tiny baby had given Belle her husband back, the husband she would always love, her life felt full again. Through this strange twist of fate, she felt positive about their future, which was not something she’d experienced for a long time.
TO BE CONTINUED
