The Best Day of My Life

by Lynda Throsby

  “Will it hurt me?”

  “No, not at all.”

  “Ok, then.” And with that, she shrugs and heads for the door. I’m in awe of my baby girl.

  We all head down the corridor and enter another room. This has a bed in it and the ultrasound machine next to it with a monitor. It’s the same as when Evelyn had scans when she was pregnant.

  “Ok, Evelina, can you pop onto the bed for me? I’m going to lift your top a little bit and edge your skirt down a little so I can see your entire tummy. Is that okay?” She shrugs

  “I guess so.”

  “Right then, next thing I need to do is put some gel on your tummy. This is what it is.” She puts a dab of gel onto Evelina’s little finger

  “It’s a little cold when I put it on your tummy.” I really like this doctor. She is good with Evelina, explaining everything she’s going to do and putting her at ease instead of just bulldozing in there just because she’s a kid. Evelina is rubbing the gel between her fingers

  “Ok.” She shrugs again.

  “It’s a bit like Jello. Look, Dad, it’s like Jello.” She holds her fingers out for me to see the gel. Dr. Cassidy puts a blob of gel onto Evelina’s tummy, and I hear her intake of breath at the coldness. I smile to myself. She spreads it around then gets the probe and places it on the gel.

  “What’s that for?” Evander asks at the side of me.

  “It sends little sound waves through the tummy, and they create pictures by bouncing off the organs in there. It’s very clever. It’s how you can see a baby in a lady’s tummy. It’s how your mum and I first saw you two.”

  “Oh, that’s way cool,” he says, and I laugh at him. I put my hand on his knee and squeeze lightly.

  “Can I speak, Doctor?” Evelina asks.

  “Yes, of course you can, sweetie.”

  “Dad, I know what I want for my treat.” Here we go. It’s probably a pony or something like that

  “Okay, what is it, poppet?”

  “Promise you won’t be upset with me?”

  “No, never, but it has to be reasonable, Evelina.”

  “I want a mommy like my friends have.” Oh, shit. I freeze. That just floored me. Neither of them has ever said anything about not having a mommy. I have always told them about their mommy being in heaven. How she never got to meet her babies, and now she was an angel watching over them. I have always kept Evelyn around, they both have a picture of her in their bedrooms, and there are photos all over the house of her.

  “Evelina, I said a reasonable treat, baby girl. I cannot give you a new mommy as a treat. Do you have a second choice and we can discuss the new mommy idea at a later date?” The doctor is finishing up the ultrasound and Evelina is glaring at me.

  “Second choice, poppet,” I say firmly. I’m not getting into this conversation in the hospital. She’s tapping her finger on her lips thinking hard about a second choice.

  “Ok, I really, really, need Clawdeen Wolf, Draculaura, Frankie Stein, Cleo De Nile, and Lagoona Blue, pretty, pretty, please, Daddy.” She looks up at me. Oh boy, how can any dad deny their daughter when they look at them like no one else in the world matters? She has been so good. I see Evander snigger, and when I glance at him, he shrugs.

  “Guess we’re stopping at the toy store on the way home.”

  “May I ask what on earth you just asked me for? Your old daddy has no clue?”

  “Duh, Dad, they are Monster High dolls. How can you not know that? They are the bestest dolls ever.” I see Dr. Cassidy laughing to herself. She knows I have just been had. I can’t help but smile.

  “Okay, sweetie, that’s it for today. You have been the best biggest girl ever. Thank you for that. You can go home now with your daddy and brother.” I see her lean in and can just make out her whisper. “You have the best taste. I love Monster High. Make sure you get them all off your daddy, and I would get the Monsteriffic bus and the Monster High School for them as well.” She winks at Evelina and smiles at me. A pony might have been cheaper.

  We say our goodbyes and Dr. Cassidy says she will call me tomorrow. It’s going to be the longest night of my life waiting for news on what’s wrong with Evelina. We stop off at the toy store where I get bamboozled into buying the complete collection of Monster High dolls, accessories, school and bus because the doctor said so. I might need a word with Dr. Cassidy. I buy Evander a couple of new games as well, even though I can get them free at work — I can’t leave him out.

  We head home where Sonia is waiting. I had called her earlier to let her know Evelina was not too good. She’s obviously worried about her and wants to see how we have got on. We have dinner with her, and then I send the kids up for showers and promise Evelina she can play with her dolls after homework and shower. I tell Sonia everything that has gone on today.

  “I’m really worried, Sonia. I have no idea what could be wrong. I hope they get the results early and don’t leave me hanging around all day. I can’t see me getting much work done tomorrow. I won’t be able to concentrate. My brain is already running away with all possible scenarios as to what is wrong with her.”

  “Will you ring me as soon as you find anything out, Theon? I’m going to be as concerned as you. Arnold is away for a couple of days, golfing with the boys. If there is anything you need, just let me know.”

  “Yeah, of course. I will let you know as soon as I know anything.” I get up and give her a hug. She looks like she needs it, and to be honest so do I.

  “You know I would never have survived all these years without you, don’t you? Guess what Evelina wanted for her treat for being brave?”

  She looks up at me furrowing her brow. “I thought it was all the dolls?”

  “No, that was her second choice.” I let out a deep sigh and move to the fridge to pull out some juice.

  “She asked me for a mommy like all her friends have.”

  Sonia looks at me a little bit horrified. “What did you tell her?”

  “To have a second choice and we would discuss this topic at a later date. She floored me. Neither of them has ever said anything about not having a mommy around before.”

  “Well, I think that was the right thing to say, Theon. Don’t feel bad. I pray you do find someone to love and love you as much as Evelyn did. I know you still love her, and that will never change, but you do have a life. You do need to live again, sweetie. It will happen one day when you’re ready and when you’re least expecting it.”

  Her comments get me thinking about Evelyn again and our first date the night we celebrated finishing our project.

  18 Years earlier

  WE ARE GOING on an actual date tonight.

  How unreal is that?

  The most beautiful girl in the school is going on a date with me, the computer nerd, of all people. After our little make-out session this afternoon, we decided that tonight would be our first ever date as girlfriend and boyfriend. It wasn’t even me who suggested it.

  The feelings I have for Evelyn are so deep already. I know we have been friends for only a few months, but I believe when you know the one for you, then you just know. I pray she feels the same. I’m scared this will screw up our friendship though.

  I run home to get ready. Grandma knows how I feel about Evelyn, and I tell what’s happened. She gives me the usual lecture about being responsible and not rushing into anything. But she doesn’t have to worry — I know she’s referring to my mom. I have no intentions of becoming a dad for some time. I want to build up my career first to give any children I have a good start in life. I promise Grandma I will bring Evelyn home to meet her and that she will love her just like I do. I love how my relationship with Grandma is so open and honest. It’s one thing she’s always insisted on.

  I walk back to Evelyn’s. I have on my good shirt and trousers. I ring the bell, and when she opens the door to me, I’m floored. I think my mouth is hanging open. She’s breathtaking. Her auburn hair is up in a messy bun with little bits loose, her green eyes freshly made u
p but only very subtle. She has on a dusky pink dress that comes to her knees with buttons down the front, open at the shoulders, and a bit of sleeve.

  “Wow, Evelyn, you are beautiful. You take my breath away.” I step into the house, then lean in to give her a quick kiss on the lips. She holds my head and catches my mouth, and it soon becomes more than a peck. Shit, I’m rock hard now. It never takes much with Evelyn.

  “You don’t look so bad yourself, Theon.” She’s grabbing my waist now and pulling me farther into her. I know she can feel how hard I am because she has a knowing smile on her face. I think she loves how she can do this to me.

  “Come on, gorgeous, let’s get out of here for our first date before we end up staying in and losing control.”

  “Don’t worry about that, Maggie’s in the kitchen. When my parents are away for the night, and although I’m old enough to be left, they always have Maggie stay over so I’m not alone in the house. Just being protective I suppose.” She gives me another kiss but again we can’t seem to tear our lips away from each other until we hear a cough. We both turn our heads together and see Maggie watching us.

  “Hi, Maggie,” I say holding up my hand to give her a little wave.

  “Friends, huh?” she says raising her eyebrows at us.

  “Well, until today, yes, we were best friends, Maggie. But we both have feelings for each other. You know I do, we’ve talked about this,” Evelyn says to Maggie. I look at her and raise my eyebrows.

  “I think I want to hear about that conversation and when exactly it took place,” I say winking at Maggie and smiling down at Evelyn who is still nestled in my arms.

  “See you later, Maggie. Don’t wait up. We’re going for something to eat and then off to the cinema.”

  “Bye, Maggie,” I say turning to the door so she can’t see my front.

  We go to a nice Italian restaurant at the plaza where the cinema complex is, and we share a pizza and drink water. We then walk hand in hand to the cinema. I let Evelyn pick the film, to be honest, I’m not that interested in what we watch as I know most of my attention will be on her anyway. We end up watching a film about a girl working in a club, and they dance on the bar, and she sings and falls in love. It’s okay.

  We are sitting at the back, and luckily there aren’t many people in. I spend a lot of the time nuzzling her neck and kissing her. I can’t get enough of her.

  I still can’t believe she wants to be my girlfriend, and on our way home my worries come tumbling out.

  “Evelyn, why do you want to be my girlfriend? I mean, shit, you are beautiful, baby, and you have all the jocks asking you out on dates, I’ve seen it. Why do you want to go steady with me? You’re gorgeous, and I’m well aware that I’m punching above my weight with you on my arm.”

  She stops walking and my arm jerks back because we’re holding hands. I turn to find she is glaring daggers at me. “How the hell can you say that, Theon?”

  Oh shit, she’s angry, really angry by that look. I shrug. “Look at me, and look at you,” I say to her.

  “I AM looking at you, Theon, where has this come from? Don’t you want to be my boyfriend, is that what this is all about?”

  “No, No! Oh God no. You have no idea how delirious I was today when we kissed. I’ve wanted to do that since the first day I saw you. When you walked into the lecture hall that day, I nearly died. I’d noticed you before then, and I had the biggest crush on you. Then when we were paired together, that was the best day of my life. Until we kissed today then that was the best day of my life — THIS is the best day of my life. I haven’t had many good days in my life, in fact, just a couple, and they both involved you. So, baby, no, this is not me trying to get out of being your boyfriend. It’s just me making sure this is what you want before I fall even more in love with you — if that’s even possible. It would destroy me, Evelyn, if this weren’t what you wanted. I don’t think I would ever get over it. It would break my heart.” I hold her cheeks with both my hands and lean down to kiss her gently on the lips. “Just in case you missed it, I love you. I have been in love with you for a long time. And I would rather be in your life as your best friend if you didn’t want to be my girlfriend than not in your life at all. I don’t want us to try this for it to end badly and us no longer be friends. Evelyn, that would kill me, baby. I love you.” I release her face from my hands and take a step back. The next thing I know, she’s jumping up my body and is clinging to me like a chimp. She’s hugging me hard, but she’s sobbing into my neck.

  “Shhh, baby, please don’t cry. Hey, look at me.” She slowly lifts her head to look me in the face. There’s a smile there — okay this must be good …

  “Baby?”

  “I love you, Theon, I love you so much. You ask why you. Why not you? You are the nicest, sweetest, most unassuming person I know. I told you this afternoon where you live or how much money you have doesn’t dictate the person you are, its what’s up here,” she points to my head, “but most of all it’s what’s in here,” she puts her hand over my heart, just like she did in the pool this afternoon. “In here dictates who and what you are. I feel it in you, Theon. I’ve felt it for a long time. I’m yours. I’m going to keep you.” She laughs. “I’m not and have never been interested in anyone else. You are the one for me. I love you, Theon, You.” She wipes under my eye and then kisses the tears away from my cheeks. I spin her around, and we start to laugh out loud. Anyone watching us would think we were mad. We lean in at the same time, and we kiss hard. I can feel her love for me in this kiss. We break apart, and she slides down my body. That look on her face tells me she felt how hard I am again. I shrug.

  “It’s become the norm since being friends with you, Evelyn. He’s always standing to attention. I’m getting used to it.’ I wink at her, and she laughs.

  “Come on, gorgeous, let’s get you home before Maggie calls out a search party.” I grab her hand, and we walk along together.

  “Oh, just so you know, I told grandma tonight that we were officially together. She was happy for us. Told me to be respectful of you and responsible.” I blush. “I told her I would take you to meet her. That she would love you as much as I do.”

  “I would love to meet the wonderful woman who brought you up to be such a perfect man.” She pulls my arm down, which in turn brings me down so she can kiss my cheek.

  We hand in our project and a week later are told we passed, top of our class. Our tutor asks if he can send our game to his friend who works for a games developer. We are working on a follow-up game to that one, and we still spend every minute we can together, usually in her office working, but now we do spend an awful lot of time making out. We both decide we aren’t ready for sex. We are both virgins and rather than it being awkward between us, we talk about it like the adults we are — about us waiting until we are both ready. We talk about our feelings all the time. I have no doubt we will get married one day.

  A couple of weeks later our tutor asks us to stay behind after class. He has heard back from his friend, and the company he works for, Bulldog gaming, wants to meet us both to discuss buying our game. We are ecstatic. We can’t wait to get home and tell Evelyn’s parents. They are happy for us, but not thrilled. They wanted Evelyn to follow in their footsteps as surgeons and thought she would grow out of her obsession with computers and gaming. It was never going to happen. My grandma, on the other hand, is jumping around for joy. She grabs our hands and we all spin around laughing and screaming. Grandma has met Evelyn a few times now, and she loved her immediately. Just like I knew she would.

  Present

  I DROP THE kids off again the next morning. Evelina had some tummy ache but said she was okay to go to school. I went to work but found I couldn’t concentrate. I’m lucky I have a great loyal team working for me. Some of my employees have been with me since the company started growing too quickly for Evelyn and me to manage.

  I get a call from an unknown number at 11.55 a.m., and I answer straight away, my gut tells me i
t is the doctor.

  “Mr. Tourney. Hi, it’s Dr. Cassidy.”

  “Hello, Doctor, I take it you have the results back?”

  “I do. Can you come in to see me today so we can discuss the results? Just you, no need to bring Evelina in with you.” Shit, this doesn’t sound good.

  “Can you tell me now, Doctor, is it bad news?”

  “I need to see you, Mr. Tourney, to explain properly.”

  “I’m on my way. Can you see me now?”

  “Yes, of course. I have a patient due in very soon; then I’m free.”

  “Can I bring my mother in law with me?”

  “Yes, of course, that’s a good idea.”

  “See you soon, Doctor.” I hang up without waiting for her to say goodbye. I sit for a minute with my face in my hands, trying not to fall apart. I know this is bad. I can feel it, and I’m not usually wrong, why else wouldn’t she tell me if it’s not bad news. Fuck! I dial Sonia.

  “Theon, tell me, what did the doctor say?” No hello. She’s as anxious as I am.

  “She wouldn’t tell me on the phone. She wants to see me. I’m going there now. Do you want me to stop by and pick you up? I think I need some support, Sonia. I know it’s bad. I can feel it.” The tears are flowing down my face. I can’t lose Evelina. It almost killed me losing Evelyn. How I survived is beyond me. It was only the two tiny things that were a part of Evelyn that kept me going. If it weren’t for them, I know I would be with her now — without a doubt. I know life goes on but when your heart stops beating it can’t possibly go on. It was those two kids that made it beat again. I need them as much as they need me.

  “Theon, Theon are you still there, sweetie? Theon?” I can’t speak. I’ve been lost in my thoughts, and the lump in my throat is stopping me from saying anything.

  “Theon, I’m on my way to pick you up. I think it’s best if I drive. I’ll be there very soon. Hang in there, sweetie. Whatever this is, we can get through it. Let’s not jump the gun until we have spoken to the doctor. I’m hanging up now, wait for me.” The phone goes dead.