Families and Friendships
Page 27
Debbie returned to where Simon was waiting about half an hour later. She didn’t tell him, but she felt that they had taken rather more than a little. The nurse brought her a cup of hot sweet tea, which she sipped gratefully. She felt weak and wobbly, but it was partly because she was concerned about Fiona.
They waited together for what seemed ages. ‘So I inherited Fiona’s blood group,’ said Debbie. ‘I often wondered …’
‘And thank God you did,’ said Simon, ‘I think you helped to save her life, Debbie. I don’t know for sure, and they probably won’t admit that there was a shortage of blood, but that is what I believe. I’m so glad you are a part of our family, Debbie. I know now that there was a purpose to it all. It was meant to be. ‘All things work together for good. I’ve always believed that to be true.’
The doctor appeared eventually. ‘Your wife has come round, Mr Norwood,’ he said. ‘You may come and see her, only for a moment, you understand. She is still very tired. And you, of course, Debbie. We’re very grateful to you for what you’ve been able to do. Fiona doesn’t know yet. We’ll tell her when she’s a little stronger.’
Fiona opened her eyes as they entered the room. She gave a weak smile but her eyes shone with happiness. Simon bent to kiss her gently whilst Debbie hung back. This was a time for husband and wife.
‘We have three babies, Simon,’ said Fiona. ‘I can hardly believe it.’
‘It’s true, my darling,’ he said. ‘But you are all right, and that’s the main thing. And here is Debbie to see you …’
Debbie kissed Fiona’s cheek. ‘Congratulations!’ she said. ‘Two boys and a girl! It couldn’t be better. Stella’s got a sister and two brothers.’
‘You mean two sisters and three brothers,’ said Fiona. She sounded tired, but her mind was as alert as ever.
‘We must go now,’ said Simon. ‘Doctor’s orders, but I’ll be back later. God bless you, my darling … I love you,’ he added.
‘Would you like to come and see the babies, Mr Norwood?’ said the midwife.
He and Debbie followed her to the special unit for premature babies. They were in three separate cots, tiny little infants, like small baby dolls, their heads no larger than a tennis ball, with a fine covering of downy hair. There were tubes attached to them, but the nurse assured them that it was normal procedure. They were doing well and there was no cause for alarm, but they would need to stay in the hospital for a few weeks until they were stronger and had gained sufficient weight to be allowed home.
‘It’s a miracle,’ whispered Simon. ‘Birth is always a miracle … but three of them! It’s an unbelievable blessing. Come along, Debbie. Let’s go and spread the good news!’
Epilogue
There was great rejoicing at the service on that Sunday evening when the congregation heard that their rector’s wife had given birth to triplets. They were told that mother and the babies were all going well, but it would be several days before Fiona was home again, and several weeks before the babies could leave hospital.
Simon and Fiona decided to wait until the spring for the christening – or baptism, as some preferred to call it – of the three babies. It took place at the end of April when spring had really arrived. The trees around the church were almost in full leaf, the pale green of springtime, when they were at their loveliest. The gardens were bright with daffodils, narcissi and tulips, and vases of these flowers adorned the communion table and the window ledges of the church. There was no fear of rain coming in as the work on the church roof was now completed. As it happened, though, it was a gloriously sunny day.
The church was packed for the triplets’ christening service, even more so than it had been for that of little Stella. There was to be a family gathering at the rectory afterwards for the immediate friends and family, but the baptism itself was for the wider family of the church. Simon had asked Joshua, the curate, to officiate as he wanted to be a godparent to his infants, along with Fiona.
It was really only a formality as to how many godparents each child should have. Simon and Fiona had been in perfect agreement about who they should choose as godmother and godfathers. Each of them, before consulting the other, had decided upon Debbie, Greg and Graham. Who else could they choose who would be as fitting? They had all been there on that weekend when the triplets had been born, and Debbie had played her own special part.
It was a real family occasion – their extended family, as Fiona called it – with Vera and Stanley, Debbie’s parents, in the congregation. They were delighted to have been invited; and so was Grace, the sister of Greg and Graham. Yvonne was not there, as she was on honeymoon with her new husband.
Debbie, Greg and Graham each held a baby in their arms, the young men rather gingerly, though Debbie was proud and confident. She looked down lovingly at the child she was holding. She had a definite look of Fiona now that her features were forming, and of herself, too, Debbie reflected. They stood forward in turn handing the babies to Joshua. He made the sign of the cross on each tiny forehead with the water from the baptismal font. They were given their names, Matthew, Mark, and Michelle.
What lovely names, thought Debbie; and how touched she had been when Fiona had asked her to be a godmother to the babies. She turned to smile at Fiona, and at Stella, holding on to her mummy’s hand. Fiona smiled back. The two of them knew that they now had a very special bond. Then she smiled at her parents who were sitting in the front pew. Vera and Stanley looked proud and happy. They smiled back lovingly, both of them nodding contentedly. How well they understood her …