by Karen Clow
“Next time you and Maria can take them to MacDonald’s” said Monica. “Poor Shaun, he’ll be glad to go back to the pub for a rest!”
“Yes we heard about you in the play area Shaun, aren’t you a bit big to be climbing through hoops and things?”
Everyone including Shaun laughed.
They had just taken their hats and coats off when the doorbell rang again, it was Sarah. Entering she thanked them again for the money Mickey had given her. She had brought a really cool pair of trainers.
While the children ate the party food, the adults chatted. Mary asked how things were going regarding the adoption.
“It’s looking good,” said Monica “the boys have fitted in really well with us and their foster mother is very keen for us to adopt them. She’s told our social worker the boys are happy and that Harry’s behaviour has improved. Best of all she’s agreed for us to have the boys for ten days over Christmas. Actually she’s a really nice woman, I know she’ll be sad to see the boys go, but she wants them to stay together. She told me that if they were younger, they would adopt the boys themselves. We’re hoping it will go to court in February, it seems a long way off, but it’s only a few months.
Shaun stood up and walking over to the table picked out two cakes with his initial on. As they watched him eat them, they laughed. Grinning he said, his lassie’s made them especially for him and it would be rude not to eat them.
With the time approaching six thirty, Monica had to leave. Five minutes later, everyone kissed Monica and the boy’s goodbye. Shaun helped her secure them into the back of the car.
Pulling away Monica called out the window that next time they came she was going to bring her video camera, just in case Shaun came to MacDonald’s with them.
Everyone was still laughing as Monica disappeared from sight down the drive.
Sarah’s dad pulled up to collect her just as they were heading back indoors. Mickey chatted to him while Sarah collected her things.
Once back inside the house, Maria suggested giving the girls their bath, they were both tired and it would give the adults the chance to eat dinner in peace.
By quarter to eight the girls were fast asleep on the sofa. The main topic of conversation was Monica and the boys. The feeling was those boys belonged with her and George; they were just like a regular family. Maria suggested inviting them down for Christmas. Everyone thought it was a great idea.
When they went to bed around midnight, Mickey suggested trying to put the twin’s back in their own beds. He thought his plan had worked, but as he got into his bed and leaned towards Maria to kiss her, they heard Madeline’s voice say.
“Daddy can we sleep with you and Mummy?”
Both girls were standing in the bedroom doorway.
Moments later they were lying between then. Leaning over them he kissed Maria and said “Who needs condoms?”
They couldn’t help but laugh when a little voice piped up and asked what a condom was.
CHAPTER 10
After breakfast, Mickey and the other men took the twins to the stables. They decided not to ride that morning, just to let the ponies out into the paddock. Mickey and Den would do the mucking out, while Shaun and the twins sorted out the feed as Sarah wasn’t coming over that morning.
Back in the kitchen the two women did the vegetables for the Sunday roast, while they worked Mary asked how she felt since being back at the house. Having to admit it was getting easier; Maria still worried how she would feel when everyone left. Mary offered to stay longer. She added it was good to see Maria and Micky getting on well. She’d worried that recent events would drive a wedge between them.
“I know it wasn’t his fault Mum and I know how bad he feels about it, but it doesn’t change what happened. He even suggested us having a body guard, but I don’t want that for the girls. That’s why I moved here in the first place so they could live a good safe life. I keep asking God why this happened to us, I’ve even thought that perhaps it’s because of me. Maybe everyone would be better off without me, because no matter how hard I try, something bad always happens.”
“Oh love, this is not because of you, unfortunately the world we live in is not always a good place, but believe me love, it’s better for having people like you in it. What would Mickey and the girls do without you, they’d be lost.”
“They would survive Mum, he’s a good man he’d meet someone else and I know he would always love the girls and put them first.”
“Hey now” said Mary as she put her arm around her, “come on don’t talk like that love, they would be devastated if anything happened to you. I can’t believe you’re even thinking like this, perhaps this thing has affected you more than you’ll admit, maybe you should see a doctor I’d go with you. Come on love tell me what’s wrong, it upsets me to see you like this.”
Mary was shocked when Maria blurted out that she was pregnant.
“Oh that’s wonderful darling, are you sure?”
“Positive, but I don’t think I can bring another child into this world, it terrifies me, so you see I’m not a good person and I know that Mickey really wants another baby, but I can’t go through with it.”
Mary tried to reassure she was only feeling like that because of what happened once the baby was born everything would be fine.
Maria begged her not to tell Mickey until she’d spoken to a doctor. Her intention was to have the baby terminated.
Mary was so shocked she quickly stated she couldn’t promise not to tell him, he was her son and had a right to know. Her advice was she should talk to him and sooner rather than later. In fact that day would be a good day to tell him. Maria sobbed, she couldn’t he would hate her.
Mary squeezed her hand, she didn’t think for one minute he would hate her, but she knew he had a right to know. If Maria didn’t tell him, she would because she couldn’t live with her conscience and she knew Maria would live to regret it for the rest of her life.
It was turned nine o’clock when the others returned. Mickey could see straight away that she had been crying. Walking over to her and putting his arm around her asked if everything was alright. She couldn’t really speak to him in front of the others, because she knew she would burst into tears, so she simply said she wasn’t feeling well and was going to lie down.
His mum looked at him and told him to go and talk to her, she wasn’t doing too good. The others would take the girls out for a couple of hours give them some time together. He kissed his mum on the cheek and told the twins to behave as he kissed them. Then he left to take a shower.
Fifteen minutes later, he walked into their bedroom wearing just his boxer shorts; his hair was still wet from the shower. Maria was sitting on the edge of the bed crying. After putting his dressing gown on, he sat next to her and asked what was up. Instantly, she burst into tears unable to answer.
“Come on babe, nothing can be that bad, come on tell me. I know it’s been hard for you, but it will get better and we’ll talk to Tony about security when he gets here later.
As he sat there waiting for her to say something, they heard the car pull out of the drive, Shaun blew the horn as they drove away.
Desperately she tried to regain her composure, as she looked at him and blurted out she was pregnant.
She could see that he was thrilled, so the sooner she told him she wasn’t keeping it the better.
Looking down at the floor, unable to face him, she admitted she didn’t want it. She was going to have it terminated. There was a stony silence before he asked if he had any say in it?
“I’m sorry Mickey, I knew you’d hate me, but I can’t have this baby. I knew you wouldn’t understand and I expect you’ll want a divorce now.”
“I want us to have this baby, I don’t hate you and I definitely don’t want a divorce, but I do want you to talk to me.”
“I can’t have another child, not yet. What if someone took the baby, I just can’t do it, I’m so sorry.”
Without saying anyth
ing, he gently pushed her down on the bed and kissed her, but again she repeated she was so sorry.
“Don’t be sorry babe, I know how you feel about what happened, but please let’s talk about it. I can’t give you guarantees that terrible things won’t happen, any more than I could guarantee we’ll never get run over, or catch a deadly virus. The only thing I can guarantee is this baby would bring more love and happiness to this family. I’ll do anything you ask, I’ll work from home, we’ll move house, anything, but please don’t ask me to agree with terminating our baby.”
Lying there sobbing as he held her in his arms, finally she admitted she was so afraid. She’d really wanted a baby for him, but she was terrified.
“Me too babe, it’s a big responsibility being parents, it frightens me, but we can’t let what happened destroy our love. We both want this baby, we’re lucky that our family came through this terrible thing, but we’ve learnt from it. I’ll do everything in my power to keep us safe and I know in my heart it won’t happen again. I just can’t prove it to you, but please believe me babe.”
Snuggling her head into his chest she asked him to promise her it wouldn’t happen again. He knew he couldn’t make that promise with absolute conviction, but he had meant everything, so he promised her.
They lay there silently for several minutes and then she agreed to have the baby, but it won’t stop her being afraid. Pulling her close to him, he kissed her passionately and then fondled her through her clothes. Knowing he was horny she quickly reminded him that since losing her first baby, she had feared having sex during pregnancy. Slowly he began undoing her trousers as he said it wouldn’t hurt her or the baby and then he kissed her. She responded by pulling open his robe and slipping her hand inside his boxers. When she kissed his chest, she could feel his heart pounding with anticipation. Slowly she fondled him. Feeling him fumbling with her bra hooks; she sat up and removed it, then continued touching him. He gasped as she took him in her mouth; holding her head as he moved his body in sync with her mouth. Unable to resist her for long, he loved what she was doing. She knew he was about to come when he arched his body and pushed her head down. Afterwards they just lay there cuddled up together. It wasn’t long before they were both asleep. They were woken up by someone ringing the doorbell. Mickey jumped out of bed pulling his dressing gown round him as he hurried down the stairs.
Tony had been ringing the bell for several minutes, when Mickey finally opened door. Apologising, Mickey said the kids were out and him and Maria were having a kip.
Maria blushed as she saw him, she knew he was aware of what they had been doing, despite Mickey telling him they’d been sleeping. Tony kissed her on the cheek. They talked about the families while they waited for Mickey. Once he joined them she seemed more comfortable.
Mickey talked about Maria having a hard time.
“That’s normal babe,” reassured Tony “it’s gonna take time to get things back how they were. Belle was exactly the same when we were broken into to, it was ages before she felt safe in the house, that’s why I had the fence and the gates done, but she’s fine now. I’ve spoken to Mickey about using the firm I had, they were good, quick and efficient and the price is negotiable for cash. I know Adrian the guy who runs it; I’ll get him to give you a call.”
She smiled and thanked him.
A car horn sounded outside, Mickey recognised it as their car. Shaun was just getting out of the car as he opened the front door. His parents were getting the twins out. Madeline walked over to Tony’s car; she’d noticed a dog sitting in the passenger seat when they’d pulled up. Her dad told her to come away and leave it alone.
As they went inside, he said to Tony he didn’t realise he had a dog.
Tony smiled, he wanted to speak to them about the dog, her name was Rosie she was s a great dog, friendly, loved kids and a great guard dog. After assuring them the dog would be fine with the kids, Tony went out to his car to fetch Rosie. When he re-entered the house, he told her to sit and stay. Madeline asked if she could stroke her. When Tony looked at her parents for approval, they nodded. Within seconds the twins were stroking her and Melanie asked if they could have a dog.
“Actually baby, we are going to have a new member of the family, Mummy is having a baby a little sister or brother.”
Everyone congratulated them. Mary hugged her, but Madeline asked if they could have a dog as well. They all laughed.
“Maybe after Mummy’s had the baby, because it’s a big responsibility having a dog. You have to train them and look after them and we’ll all be busy with the baby.”
Madeline wasn’t going to give up that easy; she begged and pleaded, quickly joined by her sister.
“That’s enough girls,” said Maria “you heard what daddy said, we haven’t got time to train one. Maybe when the baby’s here, we’ll think about it.”
Tony interrupted and asked if he could have a word with them in private? Maria looked curious as she nodded her head.
They walked into the lounge.
“It’s about Rosie; she’s looking for a new home. I would take her myself, but Belle is allergic to dogs and cats. She’s Reggie’s dog, he was walking his dogs one night when he came across a couple of blokes beating on her. Well that was like a red rag to a bull to Reggie, I’m not sure who they were more scared of, Reggie or his dogs. Anyway, he took her home cleaned her up then he waited to see if anyone reported her missing, especially as she’s a pedigree German Shepherd, but no one did, so he kept and trained her. She’s about a year old now and he wants her to go to a good home before she comes in season because of his dogs being males. If he can’t find one, he’ll have to get her done. He knew I was coming here today, so he asked me to bring her with me; truth is she’s a great dog. Obviously I didn’t say anything in front of the kids, but you certainly wouldn’t have to train her, she does everything you ask of her.”
Maria looked at Mickey, they knew the girls would love a dog and they had been through a lot, maybe they should consider it. Mickey nodded then asked Tony if they could see how the dog was around the girls and the ponies?
“Course you can, if it’s alright with you I’ll stay ‘til around nine tonight, see how she gets on, that way it should make it easier to decide.”
“Great, but don’t mention it to the girls, just in case we decide not to keep her.”
Back into the kitchen, both the girls were laying on the floor playing with the dog. In fact, they barely left her alone all the afternoon. Mickey suggested taking Tony to see the ponies; he was keen to see how Rosie reacted around them. When he put the girl’s coats on, he noticed that the dog sat and waited for them. At the stables Rosie was curious about the ponies, she had obviously never encountered one before, but Tony reassured her and within minutes she was practically ignoring them.
Walking back to the house, Mickey picked up a stick and threw it, telling Rosie to fetch. Soon the twins were throwing the stick for her and having a great time.
Maria had cooked the evening roast for six o’clock, as they sat down to eat Tony told Rosie to go and lay down; the dog obeyed him without hesitation. When they finished, Maria called the dog and the twins into the kitchen. Handing them some scraps of beef she told them to give them to Rosie, she watched as the dog gently took each piece from the girls.
Finally, it was time for the girls to take a bath before going to bed. Since the kidnapping they had slept on the sofa, until being taken up to their parent’s bed. This night was going to change all that.
As they lay on the sofa, Rosie laid on the floor along the front of it. Mickey asked the girls where a dog would sleep if they had one. Madeline was the first to say the dog would sleep with them. Mickey was quick to remind them that they slept with him and mummy and they wouldn’t want a dog in their room.
“Well, we could let it sleep in our room with us then,” said Madeline “Daddy please can we have a dog?”
Madeline was not going to stop until he agreed.
Tony no
ticed that everyone seemed ok about having the dog so he saw this as an opportunity to strike. Purely for the benefit of the twins not knowing he had already spoken to their parents, he looked at Mickey and said he was looking for someone to look after Rosie for him, but he didn’t think the girls would want a big German Shepherd.
Madeline instantly replied, “Yes we do want a Germing Shipard don’t we Melanie?”
Her sister nodded her head. The adults tried hard not to laugh as Madeline waffled on, despite her having no idea what a German Shepherd was, or any other breed of dog for that matter, but she was undeterred in her mission.
Finally, Tony said if it was ok with their mum and dad, maybe he could leave Rosie there for a couple of days as long as they didn’t mind looking after her for him. If she could sleep in their room, he was sure she would like that.
The twins were obviously excited at the thought of Rosie staying, because they begged their parents to say yes. Maria smiled at their dad. If Tony left her there for a couple of days and if the girls got on ok, then maybe they’d think about getting them a Germing Shipard of their own.
Everyone laughed. Cleverly their dad said maybe they should make sure that Rosie wanted to stay there, perhaps you girls should go up to bed and see if she settled while Tony was still there, just in case Rosie didn’t settle then he could take her home with him?
For the first time since the kidnapping, the twins were eager to sleep in their own room. Maria took them up to bed, but said she’d leave the door open, just in case Rosie wanted to come back downstairs.
“She won’t want to Mummy,” said Melanie “she wants to stay here with us.”
No sooner had the twins got off the sofa when Rosie immediately sprang to her feet and followed them up the stairs.
In their bedroom, both girls got into Madeline’s bed, but Maria never said anything, she had expected it. She would just be grateful if they actually stayed there and she and Mickey got a night’s sleep. Rosie sat on the floor by the bed as Maria tucked the girls in and kissed them goodnight, reassuring them that she was only going to be downstairs if they needed her. After putting the night light on, she turned off the main light. It was as she reached the door, she heard a noise, turning to see what it was; she wasn’t surprised to see Rosie was lying on the bed with the girls. The twins pleaded with her to let Rosie sleep on the bed, even the dog seemed to sense what was being said when looking at Maria with her puppy dog eyes, she wagged her tail. Patting Rosie’s head, Maria succumbed, but stated if there was any messing about Rosie was going on the floor. Madeline assured her they would all be good.
