“You mention it changes the finely tuned balance of the body in what way, if you don’t mind me asking?” “N ot at all, please feel free to ask any questions. People with Down's tend to look different – they typically have a flat facial profile and eyes that slant upwards. Other facial features include smaller ears, a flat back of the head and protruding tongue. Another characteristic of the syndrome is people tend to be shorter than average with perhaps poor muscle tone and have short broad hands with a single crease across the palm.”
“Is there any further physical problems Doctor?” “Yes I am afraid so half the people with the syndrome have heart defects, however some can be treated and some cannot, in Benjamin’s case there seems to be no heart defects. Many other physical problems include cataracts, sight and hearing problems; however I am pleased to inform you that Benjamin doesn’t appear to suffer from any of these. Benjamin does suffer with a large amount of constipation which can make eating sometimes difficult, we are currently running tests on his thyroid glands, these tests will determine if he suffers with an overactive or underactive gland, in both cases it can be treated with medication.”
At this point they all took a deep breath; relieved Benjamin could see and hear properly. Dr Roth informed them that type of Benjamin ’s syndrome was called Translocation - the extra chromosome 21 material is attached to another chromosome and one of the parents may carry the translocated chromosome without any signs of the condition themselves. He explained that this accounts for around four per cent of cases and is very rare, whereas the most common was regular trisomy 21 and ninety four percent of people have this type, the was a rarer form is was called mosaic whereas only two percent of people suffered with this. Judging by the expression on both Destiny’s and Chases faces, Ella could feel their concern, Chase asked, “You mention one of the parents may carry the translocated chromosome, is it possible our father carried this without him knowing?”
“Yes, Chase its possible, or the mother may have carried this, without any signs what so ever of the condition.” Ella sensed where Chase was going with this; he wanted to know why they weren’t affected with the syndrome if it had been their father who carried it, as he looked confused.
I am afraid in Benjamin’s case we will never know for certain however I may speculate on the fact that you three do not have the syndrome, so therefore I’d suggest in this case it could have been the mother that carried this.”
They all asked many more questions, Ella was amazed how much Destiny had already researched the syndrome and could see she was keen to talk with the doctor and get to know as much as she possibly could, as she seemed to absorb all this medical information like a sponge, however Chase and herself were struggling.
“ Listen guys before our time runs out Benjamin’s got a few hours spare from learning this afternoon as he’s done so well in his school tests, he’s currently in his quarters reading awaiting your visit, I may add he’s very excited on the prospect of meeting with you all today and I must warn you that Benjamin suffers with hyperactivity and hypertension so he may be up and down a little while you visit.”
They couldn’t wait any longer Dr Roth sensed this, he led them to the fourth floor by elevator, they came to their brothers door with his hand made name plaque hanging slanted on the door. Dr Roth knocked and within seconds Benjamin answered jumping up and down in excitement.
The first thing Ella noticed about Benjamin was his bright happy smile and masses of jet black hair; he was a lot shorter than Destiny Chase and herself.
“My names Benjamin and daddy told me one day you’d all come and visit me, I’ve been waiting for this day to come.” Benjamin began to hug each of them in excitement.
“I know who you all are, you’re Ella my oldest sister, you’re Destiny my second oldest sister and you’re Chase my brother.”
Ella, Destiny and Chase all returned Benjamin’s hug and they all embraced him with a warm smile and a further hug.
“Come inside, don’t just stand there, this is my room where I live, the nurses brought extra chairs for you.”
Dr Roth politely excused himself and mentioned he would drop back later. Benjamin sat opposite them on his neatly made bed with his legs crossed and his short broad hands at each side smiling while looking at each one of them with curiosity.
“You all look so much bigger in real life, daddy didn’t tell me this and you all look older than the picture I have.” Benjamin pointed to a picture of Destiny, Chase and Ella on his bed side table, it was taken over ten years ago when they had visited daddy in the states for Christmas, they were all smiling Chase and Ella at either side of Destiny making her look dwarf like.
Chase broke the silence. “Do you know Benjamin that picture was taken ten years ago and I dare say I do look a lot younger on it but I am better looking now don’t you think?”
With this they all started to giggle, thankful for the ice breaker. “Wait, I’ve got more!”
Benjamin jumped off his bed and crawled underneath it dragging a small shoe box.
Ella, Destiny, and Chase looked at one another for a few brief moments with tears in their eyes.
Benjamin opened the box and scattered all the photos over his bed.
“Come and have a look, don’t be shy.”
Chase picked up a photograph with Benjamin holding a giant fish.
Benjamin jumped up and down in excitement, “It was my first ever catch with daddy at the lakes.” “My god he’s a big fish for your first catch, I wish I’d have been as lucky as you, mine fish wasn’t half the size, I love fishing as well but I don’t think I’ll ever be as good as you, how about we go one weekend and you can teach me how to fish properly?”
“I named him wriggler as he wouldn’t stay still. Daddy took me fishing every weekend you know, I really miss him a lot, but I guess I could teach you, seem as you’re my brother, you even look like daddy a little bit.”
Chase placed his hands on each of Benjamin’s shoulders and whispered in a broken voice, “I miss him too little man, but if it’s any consolation you’ve got me now.”
“We went camping every weekend aswel, until daddy got sick, look this was our tent.”
“Wow, it’s massive. Where did daddy take you to camp?” “We went to the Lake District, somewhere near Cum bria where Uncle Anthony lived, it was awesome, we had a gas grill and daddy would cook the best bangers with beans ever.”
Ella put two and two together and realised that uncle Anthony was Wallace, daddy’s best friend and accountant.
Chased asked gently, “Would you like to go back there with me?” Benjamin once again jumped up and down in excitement and replied breathlessly, “I’d love to! When can we go? I have next weekend off from learning.”
“No problems how about I come over here pick you up and we go to your favourite spot in the lakes?”
“Awesome, I´ll count the days down on my calendar, like I used to do with daddy, here look!”
Chase glanced back to Ella and Destiny exchanging sad looks. Benjamin turned around to face his sisters and asked curiously, “Why do you both look so sad?” Ella and Destiny couldn’t find the words to answer. They couldn’t explain the pain they were both feeling for Benjamin who had nobody left in this world as daddy was dead and his mother didn’t want anything to do with him. Ella could feel the lump come up to her throat and found it really hard to hold the tears back; in fact they were all struggling. Destiny found the courage to say, “Hey little man, do you think you could teach me how to fish as well, I always wanted to learn?”
“ Yeah okay, why not, Daddy told me it’s not really for girls though, but seen as it’s you I’ll make the exception, coz you’re my sister.”
“My you’re so kind thanks Benjamin.” “But you’ll have to bring some warm clothes as its cold there and rains all the time, me and daddy used to sit under a tree, one time it rained for three hours. I really miss daddy, he was so kind to me, do you think he’s gone to heaven? What if you all get
sick like daddy and I never see you again?”
Benjamin started to sob and put his head down trying not to look at either one of them. Chase sat down on the bed next to Benjamin and put his arms around his shoulders, Ella and Destiny knelt in front of their brother. Destiny grabbed her handkerchief and started to dab Benjamin’s face lightly, in an attempt to erase the tears that were free falling down his incredibly cute cheeks.
“Hey little man, it’s okay to cry you know, I do all the time, we all miss daddy aswel, when we all cry we try and hug each other, sometimes it helps to share our emotions with each other. We are your family now Benjamin and we all have one another now to share our sadness and we will all pull through this together, stick together and always be there for each other. I promise we will all be here for you now whenever you need us, you’re our brother and until yesterday we didn’t even know we had a great brother like you, but now we do we will never let you go.”
Destiny spoke on behalf them all, Ella just didn’t have the guts to say in so many words without breaking up with emotion, and Destiny seemed to be holding it together much more than Chase and herself.
“Daddy promised he would tell you all about me one day, I wanted to meet you all so long ago, but daddy always said it wasn’t the time but when the right time came along he promised me he would tell you all, I have been waiting a long time for this and hoped you won’t be scared of me because I look a little different than you all.”
They all shed silent tears and started to rub their eyes and Destiny once again talked on their behalf. “We think daddy should of told us a long time ago as well and we really wished he had but he didn’t, I’m sure he had his reasons we just don’t understand them, all I know is now he has eventually told us we are over the moon to discover we have a new brother and nonsense about you looks you’re much better looking than Chase.”
Through the tears came laughter, happy laughter they hadn’t laughed like this for a long time and it felt good Benjamin was laughing with them, he had the cutest little laugh Ella had ever heard, he was simply amazing, she really hoped he could come and meet the boys soon, she would have to clear this with the clinic, but it would be strange explaining to Broody, Carter and Anna that Benjamin was their uncle.
Benjamin brought out one last photo which was of his mother, Felicity.
“This is my mummy, I don’t ever remember seeing her, daddy told me she works away a lot that’s why she doesn’t come and visit me, he told me that her work is very important, I think she is the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen don’t you think?”
They were once again flawed so their father hadn’t told Benjamin the truth about Felicity? Then that would have been wicked if he had, how he could have explained to Benjamin that his mother was too embarrassed of the way he looked and simply disowned him and didn’t want any association with him. Chases turned to answer, taking a deep breath, “She’s very beautiful. Hey how about we kick a ball outside for a bit I hear you’re quite a good player, maybe you can teach me a few of your tricks what do you say?”
“Okay I’ll be David Beckham and you can be Wayne Rooney, let me grab my boots.”
It was great to witness Chase bonding with Benjamin both Ella and Destiny played their part in opposite goals, it was good fun. Benjamin ended up scoring three goals and Chase scored only one. When they were done on the pitch Dr Roth joined them and asked how they all were, pointing out gently it was time for Benjamin’s Dinner.
Ella looked at her watch and couldn’t believe how time had flown. They’d all been there for over four hours and it felt like ten minutes.
The hardest part for all of them was saying goodbye, Benjamin wouldn’t let go of Chase’s legs, “I don’t want you to leave yet, please stay a little longer?”
Dr Roth knelt down and explained gently to Benjamin that it was time for dinner and choc chip ice cream was for dessert. Benjamin slowly let go of Chase’s leg and asked, “Do you promise we can go fishing next week?” Chase placed his hand to his chest and replied, “I promise, I swear on my heart I’ll come over next weekend to pick you up. I can’t wait to go fishing with you.”
Benjamin gave Ella and Destiny a huge hug and asked, “Can you both come fishing aswel?” Chase turned away wondering why he was finding it so hard to say goodbye, his heart was silently breaking and all he wanted to do was just pick Benjamin up and take him home.
Benjamin walked slowly off hand in hand with Doctor Roth looking back smiling and waving.
Ella and Destiny waved back through their tears of joy and sadness making their way back to Chase’s pickup truck. Ella broke the silence first, “Well my lovely siblings that went better than I expected, he’s just fantastic don’t you think?” “Absolu tely awesome, did you see the way he scored his first goal?, I thought I may have to give him a chance but I dare say it was him who was giving me the chances, he’s incredibly fast for his age, I think I going to need some training to be able to catch up with him.”
“I love him to bits he’s adorable, did you see how beautiful his little smile is, it’s like nothing I have ever seen before, I just want to take him home and keep him forever.”
“So do I, I’d love to bring him up, teach him all he need to know about fishing and football, he is the brother I always wanted, so cute, so intelligent, I find it really hard leaving him there when I could give him the one to one attention he needs, he wouldn’t want for nothing.”
Both Ella and Destiny knew Chase would be an excellent big brother and encouraged him to look into, they would support him in any way they could, and maybe it was something Wallace could advise them on.
Ella knew Destiny was also keen to have shared access and she was. “I tell you what why don’t w e book an appointment with Wallace, I’m sure he will be able to advise us on how we can go about it, let’s not get ahead of ourselves until we’ve spoken with him, we all want to avoid further disappointment, besides we also need to know if Felicity still has any rights first.”
They all agreed, it certainly gave them more to think about, they all knew one thing though if they had to fight for Benjamin they were willing to do so with all they had, their little brother belonged with them and nobody else.
On their way home Ella picked Anna up from nursery, she was all cranky and tired, Ella was so glad to see her, she missed her so much. It was Anna’s third time in nursery and Ella was reluctant to leave her the first few times, and this was the first time on her own. The nursery staff seemed friendly enough; one of the ladies Ella already knew from Pensborough, she worked in the nursery that Carter had attended in his early years, so she knew she could trust them. Still there was no one better than the good old Mrs Walsh, how Ella was missing her; she couldn’t wait to see her after her holiday, as she had an offer for her she hoped she wouldn’t refuse!
“Right next stop the boys. By the way how do they like their new school?” “No complaints yet, Broody’s made several new friends all of whom I approve, I am a little worried about Carter though, I don’t think he’s as popular as his brother, however I’ve managed to cheer him up a little as I invited Dylan over for the weekend.”
Chase shuffled in his seat. “Cool, how’s the little guy holding up after James death?”
“It’s a long story Chase, but I’ll tell you later when we manage to get some adult time.”
Chase didn’t push it any further; he knew Ella was still screwed up after James suicide. “ Hey how about I take the boys out for dinner?
That’ll be great, the boys have missed their old uncle so much and I know there’ll be tears when you have to go back to Hong Kong in a few days time.”
“Hey enough of the old if you don’t mind, I’m not receding yet and there’s no sign of grey any hairs. Besides who mentioned anything about going back to Hong Kong now I have just found out about Benjamin?”
Ella and Destiny looked at each other in excitement for a few brief moments and Ella teased Chase further mentioning that he’s no spring chic
ken and he’s going to need all the energy he has to keep up with the boys and little Benjamin.
Destiny remained rather pensive, deep in thought; it wasn’t like her to be quiet only when she was thinking and Ella couldn’t blame her for that, there was certainly a lot for them all to think about.
“Can we order more take out tonight I am not in the mood for cooking?”
“Yeah Destiny, what do you fancy?” “Chinese , I have a craving for king prawns in black bean sauce with pancake rolls and some greasy chips and a giant handful of prawn crackers.”
“Sound great, think I’ll have the same, and some prawn toast it’s delicious.” Destiny nodded in agreement.
Ella thought hunger was taking them all prisoner, remembering they hadn’t eaten anything all day.
“Well I don’t know what the boys fancy but I could murder a rear to medium steak with onion rings and chips, maybe beefeater would be a good idea, I know the boys can’t resist their crinkle cut chips.”
“Right, stop now the pair of you; you’ve both got me thinking of nothing else but food and I’m starving.”
Chapter 15 Chase couldn’t believe that he had a brother who was out there all this time alive and never knew about him until now; he was over the moon and could hardly contain his excitement. Since his return from Hong Kong several weeks earlier he made the decision to stay in the UK permanently to be closer to his family, he had already informed his colleagues and appointed a new chair person for his partnered company to work on his behalf and in his absence, as he had no intention of going back to Hong Kong not now, he informed his fiancée Zhaohui of two years of his decision over the telephone asking if she would like to come and live in England and set up home with him here.
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