by Roo

Part Three - Chapter Twelve

A breakdown

Editing by Bronwen

Previously:

It all seemed like a dream to me when I finished the discussions with Sandy and John with Brian taking notes to take back to his office. It was all happening too fast ,but again I also knew that I had to slow down till our little boy was born and than I could go back to work.

The rest of the day I spent with the twins and Ricky at Helen and Barry , Ricky's parents, which there will be a lot more of from now on.

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The story continues,

Sunday 24th February 1974

I'd settled down a little by now and got used to the fact that my life would be slightly different from now on. I thought to myself, “I will get myself pregnant so it is basically my own doing. Oh well it wont be too bad.”

Over the weekend most of what had to be done was sorted out and it only remained for Brian to draw up all the legals and I would sign the papers that would change my life at least for the foreseeable future.

I was feeling quite queasy in the tummy and of course I knew what it was, so off to the bathroom I went. It was only five a.m., and I didn’t want to wake Ricky or the twins so I stayed in the bathroom till I felt better and then went to the kitchen to make myself a cup of tea. I usually drink coffee but once I'm with child for some unknown reason my taste buds are quite different.

When I put the kettle on I must have disturbed Mum who came into the kitchen in her dressing-gown.

She said, “Sweetheart sit down I'll make us the tea, you look all flushed.”

I replied, “Mum, I know this is all part of being pregnant but it is the only part I don't enjoy.”

As usual Jean was in my head and said, “Carla last time I stopped a lot of that for you so I guess I'll have to do the same this time.”

I replied, out loud, “Sis you're too kind.'

Mum said, “Alright you two, you forget I can listen into your little digs at each other.”

Jean than manifested herself and was sitting on the chair next to Mum who jumped and said “Jean must you do that without warning?”

Both Jean and I laughed but said, “Sorry Mummy.” at the same time, just like my little ones do.

Mum said “Carla I'm glad you are only having one!! I don’t think I can handle much more of this double speak.”

By six a.m., the twins had their Daddy awake and and wanting to know where Mummy was. They are dry now and sleep all night through, which is a blessing.

Ricky put up with the little monsters jumping up and down on the bed for a while and then took them both down to the main bathroom and let them play in the big tub while he used the shower next to the tub. I could hear all the squealing going on and thought I’d better rescue my husband and see to the little ones.

When I got there Ricky was in the tub as well and they were making a real mess on the floor splashing water at each other. Ricky was as bad as the girls.

I said, “Ricky! Going through your second childhood are we?”

All I ended up with was a splash of water directed at me so I disrobed and got into the shower. In the end we were all wrapped in towels back in the bedroom, and I made the girls sit on the bed while Ricky and myself got dressed.

Once dressed we grabbed a twin each and dressed them for the day and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Mum was standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips and said, “I hope you two intend to clean up that bathroom.”

Both me and Rick said, “Yes Mum.”

The twins joined in and while climbing into the chairs singing “Yes mum” all Mum could do was to look the other way so not to encourage them to keep it up.

Mum had all the breakfast prepared, and Dad turned up as well and started blowing raspberries on the girls cheeks. Once all the silly stuff was over things settled down. The twins are really good at eating and can feed themselves. As long as they have their bibs on they don’t make too much of a mess.

Once breakfast was over, Mum and Dad looked after the twins while Ricky and myself cleaned up the kitchen and and bathroom. It was Sunday, so Ricky said, “Honey lets go over to Jenny's place and let the girls play with little Joshua.”

I replied, “Ok I'll give Jenny a call and see if she can cope with this unruly mob.”

It was only seven thirty a.m., but being February it was hot already. There is no real humidity in Quilpie but it get very hot in summer and most people get up fairly early especially the ones with little ankle biters.

I went to my home office and dialled Jenny's phone number.

“Hello Billy Wilson.”

“Billy it's Carla. I was just thinking it might be a good idea if we come over today and let the twins play with little Josh.”

He replied, “Sure, I want to catch up with Ricky anyway I'll let Jenny know.”

He hung up before I could tell him what time we would be there so I rang back. Jenny answered and said, “Make it ten o’clock.”

I replied, “What's wrong with Billy? He seems to be in a hurry and hung up the phone before I could tell him that I wanted to talk to you.”

“He was getting breakfast ready and left the milk on the stove and it was about to boil over”

We arrived at Jenny's place and saw that Rita and Peter's car was there and as we pulled up, Chrissie and Alan also turned up, I thought, “I wonder what this is all about? First Billy said he wants to catch up with Ricky and now half the family are here.”

Jenny's place is a typical old Queensland type homestead and has wide verandahs all the way round and there is also a pool with a shade cover over it. Rita had brought an Esky packed with enough food to feed an army.

Again I thought, “There is something I’m missing here.”

I said to my secretive husband, “Ok are you going to let me in on what is going on?”

He replied, “Well dear there are a few things going on and once we all sit down all will be revealed.”

I felt quite annoyed that I seemed to be treated like a kid and said, “Right, that's it!! Give me the keys to the car. I'm out of here.” Tears were already forming in my eyes.

Ricky said, “Calm down darling.” and tried to put his arm around me but it was too late. I was far too emotional to listen to him or anyone and walked off down the driveway and onto the road. I had no idea where I was going and just started to walk down the road, tears streaming down my cheeks. I was heading towards the airport and the hanger. Ricky wasn't far behind me but didn't try to stop me either so I kept right on walking in the direction of the airport. It was not that far and would only take me about ten minutes to get there.

I thought, “Why are they all keeping me out of the picture? I'm only pregnant for Christ sake!”
Just then I tripped and fell hard on a gravel driveway and skinned my knees. Ricky was there instantly and pulled me up into his arms and held me tight. I was now shaking and sobbing so hard that I couldn’t get any words out and then everything went black.

Jean said, “Why are you here again Carla?”

“How can I be in Billy's car when I'm here with you?”

I came to in a hospital bed with Ricky holding my hand. He had bloodshot eyes and said, “Sweetheart I thought I had lost you. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you what was going on, I just wanted you to relax without any worries about the business.”

“The baby, Ricky the baby!! Is Paul ok?”

Ricky didn't answer me but Jean did in no uncertain terms, “Carla the baby is alright but you will have to stay in hospital for a few days. You lost a bit of blood, Now please behave yourself and let your worried husband tell you why the family was gathered at Jenny's place.”

Ricky got on the bed with me and I cuddled into him, “Sweetheart please don’t be upset with me. I know you thought we were leaving you out of the picture, but we were about to tell you when you took off up the road. I think you were heading to the hanger to take the Piper up, weren’t you?”

“Well I was mad at everyone trying to retire me from being in charge of my own life!! What did you expect?”

“Honey you are so close to having a complete meltdown. From now on I promise you I will tell you everything that is happening, but please don’t run off like that again”

“O.k., but I want to be part of any decisions that are being made or I will pull the plug on more than you can ever imagine my darling husband.”

I have more wealth than anyone in the family and that is only because I have invested in property on the Gold Coast and apartments in Brisbane, so if push came to shove I won't need any one to look after me.

I thought, “It's time to pull myself together and be sensible or things will not be very pleasant in the near future, and if they think I can be bullied they are all sadly mistaken”.

I could see Ricky had a worried look on his face and was close to tears.

“Carla what's happened to you? You have never been like this before.”

“No one has ever tried to bully me before, and it's not going to happen now Ricky”

He had never seen me like this but just because I was pregnant I wasn't just going to bed for nine months.

I said, “Ricky you are my whole life and I love you more now than ever. Just think, you will have a little son in nine months time.”

Ricky has never really shown his emotions as much as he did now and he had tears streaming down his face and said, “Carla you have always been there for me. I wouldn't do anything to jeopardise our marriage. I'm so sorry about what happened, I love you.”

The next hour was spent with myself and Ricky talking quietly about what was going to happen about the clinic, and what I expected to do till our boy was born. Of course Jean was included in most of the conversation. I decide I would not sell my share of the clinic but become a silent partner for two years and when our little boy turned one I would make up my mind what I wanted to do about going back to work.

There was a knock on the door and I said, “Come in” and in walked every one that was present when I had my little tantrum earlier in the day. I felt a little ashamed at how I was behaving and apologised to my family. No tears this time. We all agreed on what was to happen so my stress level dropped to a reasonable level.

My little girls were being looked after by the nurses while things were being worked out and then I heard them down the hallway singing a nursery rhyme with the nurses joining in. My twins seem to be able sing complete songs and not miss a word or note. I think Jean might be prompting them.

A nurse named Kathy opened the door and in walked my two little girls with a bunch of flowers each, both saying, “I love you Mummy.” and climbed up on the bed and cuddled into me.

I replied, “I love you too my little darlings.”

I spent another two days in hospital and on the third day I had had enough of inactivity so I phoned Doc Ryan to come and see me. He was there within half an hour and said, “Good morning Carla. I know, you want to go home!”

I replied, “Jim I need to do some exercise or I will end up being a blimp, and besides the girls need their mother. I promise I will take it slow but I need to be home or I will go stir crazy.”

Jim replied, “Carla you have promised me before and then ended up in hospital. Can I trust you to do as I tell you from now on?”

“Of course this time I will do as you tell me, now can I go home?”

“Hmm!!! well alright, only because your Mum is already outside to pick you up.”

Mum came in and said, “Ok girl lets get you home.”

I replied, “Mum I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused the last few days.”

“Honey it was all caused by stress, but that’s going to change now isn't it?”

“Yes Mummy.”

The next week was spent with me resting like I should have done before all this started. The twins were happy with me being around and of course my ever present sister Jean was in my head most of time so I did not have much choice but to behave.

Wednesday 27/2/74

I was starting to enjoy being at home with the twins and Mum and Dad. Ricky was leaving for work at least two hours later. I think it is because he wanted to make sure that I was doing everything not to jeopardise his unborn son.

Chrissie was only working a few hours a day as well and was spending a lot of her time with me. She of course was a bit further down the track than me and was not having any real problems with morning sickness, half her luck!!. John had gone back to the States to finalise all he had to do to sell up and than come back to become an Aussie. I was still allowed to drive so it had become my job to pick up the girls from school of an afternoon. Oh by the way, young Jenny had been enrolled in the same school as Jamie and was the talk of the school because of her American accent.

Sandy absolutely loved having the two girls to look after and once John returned I think there would be a wedding. I also had long discussions with Jenny about her being transgendered. She of course was impatient and wanted to go to Brisbane as soon as possible for Rose to start her on the track to womanhood.

To be continued.

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Carla Bay [email protected]