Chapter 17

“I am fat and ugly!” said Donna, sitting down on the sofa and sighing heavily “and it’s all your fault!”

“You are not fat, you’re pregnant, and you are most definitely not ugly!  I know I’m going to regret asking – but why is it my fault?”

“I would’ve thought that was obvious!” she said, glaring at him.  “I’ll tell you something else, too, if men had babies – they’d only ever have the one!”

“I can’t help being a man, Donna!  I was born with different equipment to you!”

“Yes!” she said, ominously  “And if you dare laugh, you won’t have it for much longer!”

“Ouch!” he said, ducking to avoid the cushion lobbed in his direction.  “New balls, please!”

“That’s not funny!”

“Then why are you laughing?”

She could not think of an answer to that, and, wrapping her arms around him, she laid her head on his chest, a happy smile on her face.  She looked up as he gave a sudden sharp intake of breath.

“What’s the matter?” she said, looking concerned.

“You’ve got that perfume on again, haven’t you?”

“My new one?  I fancied a change – I hope you don’t mind!”

“No!” he said, a pained expression on his face.  His eyes shut tight as he fished in his pocket for his handkerchief, trying in vain to hold back.  “As long as you don’t mind if I sneeze myself silly for the next five minutes!”

“Oh, Jon, I’m sorry!” she said, as realisation suddenly hit her.  “I forgot!  I’ll go and wash it off!”

“Whatever!” he said, totally overcome, and completely incapable of speech.

As she rushed upstairs, he heard the back door open, and Donna’s mother peeked around the door.  She had been shopping with Rosie, and as the little girl ran into the living room and headed straight for her toybox, her grandma sat down on the sofa, commenting on her aching feet.  Suddenly, she noticed his red face and streaming eyes.

“Are you all right, love?” she said, putting her hand on his shoulder.  “Have you been crying?”

“No!” he said, looking embarrassed.  “I got caught out by a sudden sneezing fit!  It was your daughter’s fault! She forgot I was allergic to her perfume!”

“That sounds like Donna!” she said, affectionately.  “Changing the subject, have you realised how close it is to Rosie’s second birthday?  She’s growing up really quick, isn’t she?”

“Yes” he said, looking thoughtful.  “Too damn quick!  Mind you, I’m looking forward to her party – I’m just a big kid at heart!”

“Who wants to grow up?” she replied, smiling fondly at him.  “Children seem to take life far more in their stride than we do! They make everything seem so simple – they bring you so much joy!”

Jon immediately thought of Emily, the child who had brought him joy, but just as much heartache along with it, but he did not say anything.  His thoughts were interrupted by Rosie, as she wandered over and climbed on his lap, shoving a small plastic cup into his hand.

“Cup of tea, daddy?” she said, smiling at him – her smiles always warmed his heart.

“Thank you, sweetheart!” he said, pretending to drink it.  “Do you know whose birthday it is soon?”

“Mine!” said Rosie, giving him a look that suggested she thought he was a bit on the dim side for not knowing!!  “Silly daddy!”

His mother-in-law tried in vain to conceal her mirth, as he glanced at her and said:

“Well, that told me, didn’t it?!”

Knowing that she would be heavily pregnant by that time, Donna had booked Rosie’s party at ‘Kids World’, a local indoor adventure playground that also held children’s parties.  She had not got the strength to run around after a dozen two year olds, yet she wanted Rosie’s party to be special.  As she sat at the table pouring juice for the children, as they grew hot from their running around, she watched as Jon emerged from the ball pond for about the dozenth time, carrying yet another giggling child under his arm.  It was amazing what he could accomplish with one arm out of action!He was such a natural with children, she thought, they all seemed to love him – drawn to him like a magnet, then again, he had that effect on 90% of the female species!

He came and sat down next to her, pouring a well-earned drink for himself.  She found herself staring at him.

“What are you smiling at?” he said, looking at her quizzically.

“You!” she said.  “you seem at so at home with those little ones, perhaps it’s because you’re just like a big kid yourself!”

“Thanks!  I think!”

“No!  That was meant as a compliment!  They all love you – including me!”

“Right!” said the hostess, clapping her hands to gain their attention.  “Would all Rosie’s guests stand in a line, please, with the birthday girl at the front – and we’ll go upstairs for the party!”

They sat in the little room together, listening as Rosie’s little guests laughed and chattered as they ate their meal, followed by jelly and ice cream.  The hostess kept popping in to make sure they were all right, then she came in with Rosie’s cake, and lighting the candles, she said:

“Right!  Before Rosie blows out her candles, we’ll all sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to her!”

As they all sang together, one voice rang out, strong and true, above all the others.  All the little people seated at the table turned and looked at Jon, the expressions of wonder on their faces made him feel inexplicably moved. The hostess put her hand on his arm, and said:

“What a beautiful voice you have, dear!  I bet you’re in demand for bedtime lullabies!”

“I have my uses!” he said, flashing her the smile that was guaranteed to fell a girl at 100 paces.

It had been a very tiring day, and Donna found it remarkably easy to get her little girl to sleep!  She did not intend leaving it too late until she went to bed herself – she was due very soon, and she tired easily.  She sat there on the sofa, her hands wrapped protectively around her bump, suddenly she felt very emotional, and buried her head in a cushion, beginning to cry softly.  Suddenly, she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“Donna!  What’s the matter, love?  Come on, you can tell me!”

She lay her head in his lap, as the tears coursed down her cheeks.  She tried her best to explain to him how she felt – she was scared, yet happy at the same time.  After her experiences before, she felt vulnerable, and that things were beyond her control.  He tried desperately to reassure her that everything would be all right, it was all he, or anyone for that matter, could do.  She gradually quietened as she felt his gentle, calming hand stroking her hair, then gently massaging her aching back.  Then she heard that God given voice she loved so well begin to sing softly to her, and her eyes slowly closed, as she began to feel as she always did when in his arms – safe and completely at peace.

Next morning, he was up bright and early – for once, he was up before his little girl! She must be tired, he thought.  Someone else was bright and early, too – the postman!  He got up from the breakfast table as he heard the letters drop on to the mat.  Nothing but bills and junk mail, he thought as he looked through them.  No, wait a minute!  What was this?  The handwriting looked all too familiar – Emily.  He sat there for a moment, just staring at it.  He wanted to open it, yet he didn’t.  Things were going so well now for him and Donna – their baby was due any time now, and he couldn’t be happier.  Why couldn’t she just leave him alone, he thought bitterly, tears stinging his eyes.  He put it to one side, determined not to open it – he had risked all he had too many times before by giving in to her heartfelt demands, it was just not worth it.  He kept glancing at it as he waited for the kettle to boil for his third cup of coffee that morning – but hardened his heart, and left it unopened.  Suddenly, he could stand it no longer.

“Oh, bugger it!” he said, ripping open the envelope, soon wishing he hadn’t.

The letter was heartrending to read, pleading with him to come and see her, telling him how much she loved him, how she couldn’t stand the thought of never seeing him again.  As he sat there with tears rolling down his face, he did not notice Donna standing behind him, reading the letter over his shoulder.

“Don’t even think about it!” she said, the look in her eyes showing she meant what she said.  “Our baby’s due any day now!  You don’t need any more grief from her!  You can’t give in to her!  I’ll tell you now – and I mean it, Jon – if you do, so help me God, I’ll never forgive you!!”