As was I. Concerned for Vee and the baby, as I listened to him, I, too, appreciated the reassurance.
“I’m just going to sit you on the sofa, Vee,” Mitch carried on, leaving me, Fin, Mum and Dad where we were in the hall. “While I ring the hospital to let them know we’re on our way.”
“Joseph,” Mum said. Her voice quivered as if she was struggling to contain her emotions. “This is it. Our very first grandchild.”
Dad smiled, tears gathering in his eyes. “My baby’s having a baby,” he said, wiping them away. “I think this calls for a drink.” He took a deep breath. “Fin, care to join me?”
Fin looked my way as if needing my approval and finding such a response both respectful and sweet, I smiled and nodded, encouraging him to go for it.
“You go too,” Mum said, at the same time looking down at Vee’s puddle. “I’ll get the mop.”
While she headed off for her cleaning apparatus, I did as I was told and followed Dad and Fin into the lounge. Mitch conversed on his phone with the hospital’s maternity staff while Dad headed straight for the whisky bottle.
“Don’t mind me,” Vee said, watching Dad pour himself and Fin a drink. “I’m only in bloody labour.” She turned to me. “I see he’s not offering you one either.”
“Right,” Mitch said, stuffing his mobile into his pocket. “Time for us to go.”
“We’ll give you head start,” I said, my excitement building. “Then follow on. That’s if you don’t mind us being there?”
“It might mean you’re at the hospital for a while,” Mitch said. “Possibly all night.”
“That’s okay,” I replied. “It’s not as if we have anything more important on.”
“Have you got your hospital bag?” Mum asked, charging into the room.
“All ready and waiting in the car,” Mitch replied.
“And has been for the last three months,” Vee said. She let Mitch help her onto her feet. “My husband hasn’t left anything to chance.”
“Come here, love,” Dad said, pulling his youngest daughter into a hug.
“I’ll go and start the car,” Mitch said.
As he headed out, I felt guilty for all the times I’d secretly mocked my brother-in-law’s pregnancy reading. Having watched him put some of what he’d learnt into action, it was clear the man deserved nothing but respect.
Mum took Dad’s place, wrapping her arms tight around Vee’s shoulders. “Thank you,” she said. “I thought these two had made my Christmas.” Mum indicated Fin and me. “But to have a Christmas baby…” Her words faltered as her emotions again took over.
“Oh, Mum, please,” my sister said, coming over all weepy too. “You’re setting me off now.”
As Mum stepped away from Vee, I stepped forward. “It’s a big thank you from me too,” I said, throwing my arms around my sister. “For listening. Now go on. Go welcome this baby of yours into the world.”
“Not so fast,” Vee said, glancing over at Fin. “Well, come on. You may as well give the pregnant lady a hug too.”
He smiled, appearing more than happy to comply. Although as he leaned in, I saw a seriousness appear on his face as Vee whispered something in his ear. He nodded in response, while I wondered what words of wisdom had been exchanged.
“You ready?” Mitch asked, reappearing from outside.
“For what I’m about to go through?” Vee asked. “As I’ll ever be, I suppose.”
38
We all followed my sister and brother-in-law out into the hall, but while Fin and I saw them off from the doorstep, Mum and Dad went out to the car. They fussed around the parents-to-be, making sure seat belts were buckled and promises to drive safely were given. And when Vee and Mitch, at last, drove off, the two of them stood there until the vehicle was nowhere to be seen.
“You okay?” Fin asked.
I smiled as I watched my madcap parents in their elf outfits embrace each other. They’d spent months eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first grandchild and now the time was almost upon them, they appeared a little overwhelmed. “I can’t believe in the next few hours my little sister will have had a baby.” I felt Fin’s arm reach around my shoulders. “I’m glad you’re here,” I said.
He kissed the top of my head. “Me too.”
“Well this is exciting, isn’t it?” Mum said as she and Dad made their return.
We all stood there in silence staring into the distance as if my sister’s car was still in full view. It seemed we all needed a minute to absorb what was happening.
“Time to put the kettle on,” Mum suddenly said, at the same time ushering us all back inside.
“But don’t you want to get going?” I asked, surprised to hear otherwise.
“To the hospital?” Mum replied. She laughed as if I’d said something stupid.
“We’ve got hours yet,” Dad said. “There’s no rush.”
“And we’re going to need to load ourselves up on caffeine if we’re to get through the night,” Mum said. “Besides, I thought you had some announcement to make?”
In all the excitement I’d managed to forget about that. “It’s nothing, really,” I said, trying to delay the inevitable. “It can wait.”
“Rubbish,” Mum said. “You three go and sit yourselves down. The drinks will be ready in no time.”
As me, Fin and Dad filed back into the lounge, I took a deep breath, feeling my pulse race as I anticipated everyone’s response. Dad headed for the sofa, while Fin and I sat in an armchair each. I could see Fin was nervous. Like everyone else, he hadn’t a clue what I was about to say. I hadn’t even told Vee what decision I’d come to and she was the one I’d discussed everything with.
True to her word, Mum joined us minutes later with a tray of coffee cups. “There’s sugar here if you need it, Fin,” she said, handing out the drinks. She perched on the sofa next to Dad. “Now what was it you wanted to say, Holly?”
All eyes on me, I wasn’t sure where to begin. I told myself I may as well start with the wedding debacle and the fact that there wasn’t going to be one. “Well. The thing is…”
“I have to go back to the US,” Fin said, interrupting me mid-sentence. “To start another work project.”
I flashed him a look wondering what he was doing.
“Ooh, that sounds exciting,” Mum said. “For the telly?”
Fin nodded. “It is, yes.”
“Are we allowed to know what it entails?” Mum asked, clearly keen to know more.
Dad leaned forward in his seat. “In America, you say?” he said, sticking to the salient point.
Fin nodded.
“So when do you have to leave?” Dad said.
Here we go, I thought.
“On the 31st,” Fin said.
“Of January?” Dad said.
“December.”
Mum appeared mortified. “But what about the wedding? How can you plan a wedding if you’re in two different countries?”