The Madeleine Richards Box Set (The Madeleine Richards Series Book 4)

by Juliette Duncan

  Maddy was most surprised when, the following day, Alex agreed to watch the game. She said she'd make her own way there, but that she'd come.

  "That's great, Alex," Maddy said as they chatted briefly outside the locker room. "Maybe you could come back home for lunch? No pressure, but the invitation's there if you'd like to."

  "I'll see," Alex replied, and then turned and walked off on her own.

  Chapter 8

  Maddy got up early on the Saturday morning of the game. She had a lot of nervous energy, and couldn't sleep. She went down to the chicken coop and collected the eggs, and then sat on the swing that Hank had put up for her in the back garden.

  She leaned back, swinging her legs to get as high as she could.

  "Maddy! Breakfast's ready!" Hank called from the back door.

  "Coming," Maddy replied, slowing the swing down just enough to jump off. She landed safely on her two feet, picked up the egg basket, and ran inside.

  "It's so nice to see you out there of a morning," Hank said. "Just think, it won't be long until you'll be able to push your little brother or sister on that swing!"

  "That will be very strange," Maddy said as she sat on the stool she'd just pulled out from under the breakfast counter.

  "Yes, it's going to be a big learning curve for me. Your mom and I are really excited, though, Maddy. I hope you are too."

  "I guess so. I just hadn't ever thought about Mom having a baby, so it's a bit weird at the moment. Where is she?" Maddy asked when she realized that Sarah wasn't in the kitchen as she normally was at this time of the morning.

  "She's having a bit of a sleep in. She's got a touch of morning sickness, but that's normal. Nothing to worry about," Hank added when he saw the look of worry on Maddy's face.

  "Will she be okay to come to the game this morning?"

  "Yes, she should be right by then," Hank said. "Let's have some breakfast now, and then we can check on her."

  Hank and Maddy had their breakfast together, and as they were finishing, Sarah appeared in the doorway in her dressing-gown.

  Maddy was shocked at how tired her mom looked.

  "Mom, come and sit down." Maddy quickly got up and helped her mom to a seat.

  "I'm okay, sweetie. But thanks anyway."

  "Can I get you some breakfast?" Maddy asked.

  "No, I don't feel like anything at the moment. Maybe later."

  "Okay. Are you sure you're alright?"

  "Yes Maddy. I'm fine. It's just a touch of morning sickness. I'm feeling quite tired, but it's all normal when you're having a baby. I'd forgotten what it was like, I must admit, but it really is normal. You don't need to worry."

  "Alright then. I'll just go and get ready for the game."

  "Okay sweetie. I'll get ready shortly too."

  Once Maddy had gone upstairs, Hank leant over and took Sarah's hand.

  "Are you really okay, or are you just saying that for Maddy's sake?" he asked quietly.

  "It's not good. But I'm sure it will pass."

  "Maybe you shouldn't go the game."

  "I can't let Maddy down," Sarah replied. "I'll be okay."

  The team was lined up in front of the coach doing warm up stretches when Maddy arrived.

  "Sorry I'm late," she said to the coach as she joined the other girls.

  "We're glad you're here! We thought you weren't coming," Nina said. "What held you up?"

  "Oh, nothing really," Maddy replied, knowing she couldn't divulge her mother's secret yet.

  "Look at the other team! They're huge!" Nina whispered to her as they dribbled a ball each down the court.

  "Yikes!" Maddy replied. "They really are huge! We’ll just have to be fast to beat them."

  "Righto, girls. Over here," the coach called out. "Starting team, you need to take the court. Good luck, girls!"

  Maddy, Nina and the other interchange players sat on the bench. Lauren and Jasmine were in the starting line-up. Maddy looked around to see if she could see Alex anywhere. No. Her mom and Hank waved at her, but Alex was nowhere to be seen. She waved back quickly, feeling a little embarrassed.

  Anticipation filled the air as both teams waited for the starting whistle. Then they were off. The opposing team had a good start, and stole the ball from Jasmine. They scored. Their supporters clapped and cheered. Lauren got a penalty, and shot a three pointer. The scores remained fairly level, with both teams taking advantage of any opportunity that came their way.

  Maddy and Nina replaced Lauren and Jasmine at the first break. Maddy was raring to go. She sized up her opposing player, almost a foot taller than her. Well I guess I'll just have to outsmart her, Maddy thought to herself.

  The whistle blew. Nina dribbled the ball down the court. She passed it to Maddy, who had side stepped her opponent to break into free space. Maddy bounced and then took a shot from under the post. She scored! Her very first competition goal! She was ecstatic!

  Although Maddy's team ended up going down by a few points, the coach was happy with the way the girls had played.

  "They were the top team last season," he said, "so you did really well to keep up with them. Especially since we had new players. I'm sure next time we meet them it will be a different ending. See you all at training during the week."

  Maddy said good-bye to her friends after they'd had a quick wash in the change rooms. She was eager to get back to her mom, and also to have another quick look for Alex.

  "Mom, are you alright?" she asked as soon as she saw Sarah hunched over on the seat.

  "No, she's not too good, Maddy," Hank answered. "I'm going to take her to the hospital. Can you grab her bag?"

  "Sure," Maddy replied, picking up her mother's bag from the floor. In her concern for her mother, Maddy didn't notice Alex leaning on the wall looking on.

  Hank helped Sarah out of the car and into a wheelchair when they pulled up a few minutes later at the emergency entrance of Smithtown General Hospital. Although he wasn't on duty, the nurses treated him as if he was, and rushed them both into a private cubicle.

  Maddy was unsure what she should do. She'd been holding her mom's hand as she was wheeled in, but was left standing on her own when she was led away.

  "Maddy!" She turned around and saw Jasmine's mom.

  "I thought I saw Dr Wilson come in. Is it your mother?"

  "Yes, she's not well," Maddy replied hesitantly.

  "She's in good hands, so no need to worry. Come and sit over here. I'll go and check on her and come back and let you know how she is shortly."

  "Thank you Mrs Jones. I appreciate it."

  Maddy sat anxiously on the chair in the waiting area, expecting Jasmine's mom to come back any minute. She looked around at the other people who were also sitting, waiting, but then she had to get up. She couldn’t sit still any longer. She walked over to the vending machine and was just about to put her money in to get a drink when she saw Mrs Jones heading towards her.

  "How is she?" Maddy asked. She'd realized that her mom's secret would now be out, but it didn't really matter anymore. All that mattered was that her mom was okay.

  "She's fine! They're just doing a scan to make doubly sure, but Maddy, how exciting for you!"

  "It was a surprise, that's for sure," Maddy said, relieved to hear that her mom was okay.

  "Dr Wilson said you could go in now if you like. Would you like to come with me?"

  "Yes please," Maddy replied, following Jasmine's mom along the corridor to the cubicle where her mom was.

  Sarah was lying on her back when Maddy entered. A doctor was running an object over her tummy which was covered in gooey stuff, and Hank was holding her hand. They were all staring at a screen. Sarah called Maddy over and got her to sit on the bed beside her.

  "Look at this, Maddy. That's your little brother or sister."

  "Really? It just looks like a blob!"

  "Yes, it does a bit, but it really is a little fetus if you look closely enough," Hank said.

  The doctor controlling the scan loo
ked more closely at the screen, and then turned to look briefly at Hank. Sarah noticed the look they exchanged.

  "What is it?" she asked Hank. "What can you see? What's wrong?"

  Hank looked at her, and then at the other doctor. He then peered again at the screen.

  "Early days, my love, but it looks like there might be two!"

  "What! Two babies! Twins?" Sarah tried to sit up, but the doctor gently pushed her back down.

  "Let me have a better look," he said. "We’ll try to be as sure as we can."

  After a few moments, Hank pointed and they both nodded.

  "Yes, I'm reasonably confident that there are two fetuses. It looks like you’re having twins! We won't know their sex, or if they're identical, for a while, but that would explain why you've been so tired," the doctor said.

  "That's crazy!" Maddy said. "Two babies! Unbelievable!"

  "I guess we won't be able to keep this a secret any longer," Sarah said, finally able to sit up.

  "No, especially since Andrea Jones knows," Hank said.

  "So, can I tell my friends?" Maddy asked.

  "Yes, I guess so," Sarah replied. "But Maddy, it really is early days, and anything could still happen."

  "You mean you could lose them?" Maddy asked.

  "Yes, sometimes that happens, Maddy." Hank said. "The doctor has told your mom that she needs to get as much rest as possible, especially since she's already had a scare, but she should be okay. We’ll just have to do more around the house, and you might need to catch the bus to and from school. Is that okay?"

  "I guess so," Maddy replied, not really liking what she was hearing.

  Hank helped Sarah to stand, and put his arm around her.

  "Let's take you home," he said. "Come on Maddy, let's go."

  "That's wonderful news, darling," Betty congratulated Sarah later that day when they were talking together on the phone. "Have you been sick like you were last time?"

  "Yes, Mom, I have. It's been fairly bad. Probably worse than last time." She didn't let on that she'd been rushed to hospital.

  "Would you like me to come and stay for a while? Best if you can rest as much as possible, at least until you get over the sick stage."

  "That would be great, Mom, but will Dad be okay without you?"

  "Yes, he'll be fine. I'll sort things out here, and I'll be there on Monday. How's Maddy taking the news? I bet she's excited!"

  "I'm not real sure about that, Mom. I think she's still getting used to the idea. She's been an only child for so long. It came as a shock to her, I think."

  "I'm sure she'll be excited as it gets closer to the time," Betty said. "Anyway, I'll see you on Monday. Look after yourself, love."

  "I will Mom. And thank you."

  Sarah put the phone down and closed her eyes as she rested her head against the pillow.

  Hank and Maddy went to church on their own the following morning. Hank was hesitant to break the news to Sarah's friends who wondered where she was. Deciding it would be best if she told them herself, he just said that she wasn't feeling too well and had stayed at home.

  When Maddy arrived at school on Monday morning, having caught the bus successfully for the first time, her friends already knew.

  "Maddy! How exciting!" Jasmine exclaimed when they met up on the way to first period.

  "Shh!" Maddy said. "I don't want everyone to know!"

  "Sorry," she said. "I couldn't help it. Mom said it might be twins!" she whispered.

  "Yes, that's what they're saying," Maddy replied.

  "How cool," Nina said, tucking her thick hair behind her ears.

  "I love babies!" Lauren joined in. "They're so cute!"

  "Well, like Mom said, it's early days, and anything could happen." I wish they’d stop! Maddy thought to herself.

  They reached the classroom, and Maddy and Nina took their seats. Maddy looked around to see if Alex was there. Yes, there she is. Maddy smiled and waved discreetly. She thought that Alex had almost smiled back, or was she imagining it?

  At the end of class, Maddy hurried to walk beside her as they headed to the cafeteria for lunch.

  "Are you right to come over tomorrow afternoon, Alex?"

  "Yes, I'll be there," she replied. "Good game, by the way."

  "Were you there? I didn't see you."

  "I made it for the last half. Is you mom okay? I saw you all helping her out."

  "Yes, she's just a bit sick. She's pregnant! With twins!"

  "Wow! That's exciting!" Alex replied. Maddy was surprised to hear some enthusiasm in her voice.

  "Would you like to sit with us for lunch, Alex?" Maddy asked cautiously.

  "No, but thanks. I'll just sit here on my own. I prefer it that way."

  "Okay. But if you change your mind, you'd be welcome," Maddy said as she walked off to join her friends.

  "Why are you talking to her?" Jasmine asked as the four girls sat together at their normal table in the cafeteria. "She's bad news."

  "She's so rude!" Lauren leaned over so she could speak quietly to her friends. "I bumped into her the other day by accident, and she swore at me! I said I was sorry, but she just walked off."

  "She's really not that bad once you get to know her a little," Maddy replied, feeling like she needed to stick up for her. "She doesn't really have a family from what I can gather. It's just her and her dad. I think she has a hard time at home, so it's not surprising she's like she is. I think we should try to be nice to her."

  "You can if you want, but I'm not," Lauren said. "Not after the way she spoke to me!"

  "I think Maddy's right," Nina said quietly. "She seems to be sad most of the time. She mustn't be very happy."

  "You two goody goodies," Jasmine said. "I'm with Lauren. I'm not going to talk to her, let alone be nice to her. I don't see why we should."

  "Let's leave it for now," Maddy said. She was annoyed with Lauren and Jasmine, but didn't want to risk losing them as friends. She was glad that Nina had agreed with her, though.

  The girls ate their lunch, and talked about the game until the bell rang.

  Chapter 9

  When Maddy arrived home that afternoon, she was greeted at the door by her gran. She braced herself for the hug. There it was!

  "So good to see you, Maddy!" Betty said as she kissed her grand-daughter on the top of her head. "I won't be able to do that much longer. You're getting so tall!"

  "Good to see you, too, Gran," Maddy said, taking her gran's hand and walking with her through the house to the kitchen. "I've missed you and Grandpa."

  "He's sorry he couldn't come, but someone had to stay home to look after the animals. Your mom tells me you've made some good friends. I'm pleased to hear that, sweetheart."

  "Yes, my friends are great. I shouldn't have been so worried about it, I guess." She wished she hadn't had that upset with Lauren and Jasmine though. It was eating at her.

  She reached out for one of the homemade cookies that her gran had brought.

  "These are yummy, Gran! Almost better than Mom's! Where is she, by the way? Is she okay?"

  "She's upstairs in her room. I think she's awake if you'd like to go up and see her."

  "I think I will, Gran. I'm glad you're here." Maddy walked over and gave her a big hug. "I really have missed you."

  The following afternoon Maddy and Alex caught the bus home together. Maddy had told Alex about her mom needing bed rest for a while, and that her gran had come to help out.

  "You're so lucky having a grandma. And a mom as well," Alex said as they walked the short distance from the bus stop to Maddy's home.

  "Yes, I know I am. I think I'm lucky having Hank as a dad as well. I wasn't happy about it at first, but he's been really great. What happened to your mom, Alex?"

  "I don't really know. Dad says she just went crazy, and started drinking too much. I can't remember her too well. She left when I was little."

  "I'm so sorry, Alex. It must be real hard for you. Is that a picture of her in your locket?"
<
br />   Alex reached up and touched the locket that she wore every day around her neck.

  "Yes." She didn't offer to show Maddy the picture, so Maddy decided not to ask. She thought she saw a tear trickle down Alex's cheek.

  "Here we are, and here's my gran!" Maddy introduced Alex to her grandma, who promptly gave Alex one of her big embraces. Alex held herself upright and rigid. She glared at Maddy over her gran's shoulder.

  "Gran, let her go!" Maddy cried out. "You're squashing her!"

  "Sorry love, I didn't mean to hurt you. Come and have some afternoon tea."

  The girls followed her down the hallway to the kitchen, where the aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air.

  "Do you bake your own bread?" Alex asked incredulously.

  "Yes. Living on the farm, I bake just about every day. Maddy's grandpa won't eat the bought stuff, and sincee I’m a Diabetic, it’s easier if I make my own. Would you like some, Alex?"

  "Yes please! It's smells great!" she said, pulling up a stool to the kitchen bench.

  Betty proceeded to cut a couple of thick, mouth-watering slices from the loaf that she'd recently taken from the oven.

  "Help yourself to the spreads," she said, placing the tantalizing bread in front of the girls.

  "Thank you! This tastes so good!" Alex said as she ripped into it.

  "It looks like you haven't eaten for a week, Alex!" Betty said.

  Maddy thought it could well be true.

  "How's Mom today, Gran?" she asked.

  "See for yourself. Here she is." Betty smiled at Sarah as she entered the kitchen.

  Sarah walked over and gave Maddy a kiss and a hug.

  "I'm feeling a little better today, thanks, Maddy. Hello Alex. Nice to see you." Sarah reached for a stool and joined the girls at the bench.

  "I might have a piece of your bread, Mom," she said. "I could smell it upstairs!"

  Maddy and Alex remained in the kitchen a while longer, chatting to Sarah and Betty, until Maddy finally said that they really needed to get on with their project.

  "You're welcome to stay for dinner again, Alex," Sarah said as the two girls stood to head upstairs. "Please don't feel as if you need to rush off on my account."