The Birthday Girls

by Pauline Lawless

  The ceremony was very moving, made all the more special by the fact that Lexi was so ill. Marvin and Lexi made their vows and when he’d kissed the bride, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her back into the garden and set her down gently on a sunbed. It was incredibly romantic and moving. They then celebrated with the lovely buffet Maria had prepared.

  As the happy couple had exchanged their vows, Troy had looked over at Brenda and smiled at her. She’d been out with him many times since that day in Key West and each time their lovemaking had got better and better. He was also the most fascinating man she’d ever met and interested in many varied things. She had learnt a lot from him and he challenged her mentally. She lived for the moments they could be together and she knew he did too.

  Most important of all, her children liked him and for a man with no children of his own, he was incredibly good with them. She had tried to keep their relationship a secret but it hadn’t taken Alex long to suss it out.

  “You’re really fond of Troy, aren’t you?” she asked one day as they were lying by the pool.

  “He’s been very kind to me,” Brenda replied, blushing.

  “Mum! I’m not blind. You two are crazy about each other and I think it’s great.”

  “Really? You’re not annoyed?”

  “Don’t be silly, Mum. Why should I be annoyed? I’m happy that you’ve found someone who deserves you. Dad didn’t.” Alex made a face showing her disgust at her father’s behaviour. “I think Troy is much more suitable for you. He’s really an interesting man. We all like him very much.”

  Brenda squeezed her daughter’s hand. “I’m so glad to hear that.”

  It was wonderful having her eldest daughter here for two weeks and it had made Lexi very happy. Brenda could see how much Alex had matured in the year she’d been working in Sudan. She was a woman now and Brenda was very proud of her.

  * * *

  Mel intended working right up to the birth of her son but it was getting difficult as she was feeling enormous pressure in her abdomen. The gynaecologist told her this was perfectly normal and meant the baby was getting ready to make his debut. She had her case packed and ready to go and the nursery, with all the cute baby clothes she’d bought, was waiting to welcome her little son.

  Mel had taken the ante-natal classes and knew what to expect but she was still terrified of the ordeal ahead of her. Although she hadn’t voiced it to anyone she was also fearful that something might go wrong or, Lord forbid, that there would be something wrong with him. She tried not to think about it but it was always there in the back of her mind. She had been into the hospital to see where she would bring him into the world and had discussed what she wanted with her doctor.

  Luckily, her medical insurance meant that she would have private care and she had booked a luxury suite in the hospital. She had insisted that she wanted her three girlfriends at the birth. This was unusual, the hospital told her, but they could be accommodated. All she had to do now was wait for him to decide when he wanted to make his entrance. She had declined to intervene artificially and wanted the most natural birth possible for this precious baby, as her mother had advised. “When the apple is ready it will fall from the tree,” is what she’d said.

  Amazingly, her mother had been very supportive and even offered to come over for the birth of her grandchild, even though she “detested America” as she was continually saying. Mel declined her offer knowing that her mother would try and take over everything. Instead she promised that she would bring her little son over to Ireland for Christmas. Her mother was secretly relieved at this solution and so was Mel.

  * * *

  Brenda was very sad when it came time for Alex to leave. She knew it would be another year before she saw her again.

  “Don’t cry, Mum, we have Skype to keep us in touch,” Alex tried to comfort her as they said goodbye.

  “Yes, thank God for that.”

  “Mum, promise me you’ll be happy and follow your heart. Life is too short to not have love in it.”

  Brenda smiled at this wisdom from her daughter as she waved her off on her long journey back to Sudan. It had been lovely spending time with her.

  * * *

  Lexi had been back to see the doctor and had some more tests. The news was not good. The cancer had spread to the liver. He suggested they try another course of chemotherapy but Lexi sensed that he was not very hopeful of its efficacy. She put her foot down. No more treatment. She’d had enough. If this was to be her lot, then so be it. She just couldn’t face any more. She decided not to tell any of them but bear it in silence and make the most of what time was left to her.

  That night they all got together for dinner and Lexi was in such good humour that no one suspected a thing. Angel was in scintillating form and there was much laughter and fun around the table. And then Mel’s waters broke!

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  Pandemonium broke out. Mel was shocked and embarrassed, apologising to Lexi for wetting the chair and floor, Lexi was shushing her, Angel was panicking, the men were shuffling about not knowing what to do while Brenda, the only one who’d been through this herself, was calm and in control.

  “Kenny, take care of Angel,” she ordered, “and go next door and get Mel’s case. Where is it, Mel? It’s all ready, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it’s under my bed,” Mel replied, beginning to realise that her baby had decided it was time.

  Kenny took Angel, who was still shrieking, by the arm, and did as he was told. Brenda then instructed Marvin to take the car around the front so they could take Mel to the hospital.

  “Lexi, would you call them and tell them Mel’s on her way and that her waters have broken.”

  Lexi was pleased to have something to do and did as Brenda asked.

  Brenda and Troy helped Mel up and out to the car and five minutes later she was on her way to the hospital, excited but very apprehensive now that the time had come.

  She had her first contraction as they drove to the hospital. She gasped as it hit her.

  “Breathe, breathe deeply,” Brenda instructed her, holding her hand.

  Mel was thankful that she had taken the ante-natal classes and learnt how to breathe properly – still, nothing had prepared her for the intensity of the pain. Brenda was timing the contractions and helping her friend to ride them out. Mel was reassured to have Brenda at her side.

  Marvin, who had heard stories of babies being born in taxis and cars was worried that might happen here and was thankful that Brenda was with them.

  She appeared cool and in total control and was exuding a confidence which calmed them all, not least Mel. Lexi was praying that they would make the hospital in time as the contractions were coming very fast. Eventually, they arrived and Lexi and Marvin breathed a sigh of relief.

  Once inside, the professionals took over but Mel clung to Brenda's hand. “Please, stay with me,” she said fearfully. She was shaking, her teeth actually chattering with fear.

  “May I?” Brenda asked the nurse.

  The nurse, seeing how terrified Mel was and how calm Brenda appeared to be, agreed. She realised that Marvin was not the father-to-be and seeing no other man in sight guessed there was no husband or partner there to support Mel. This pleased the nurse as men were more often a hindrance than a help in the delivery room. Brenda would be a more calming influence there.

  She led the two girls off as Lexi and Marvin went to the café to wait. Angel and Kenny arrived shortly afterwards with Mel's case. Angel had calmed down considerably. They handed over the case and joined the others in the café. About forty minutes later, Brenda called Lexi to say they could come up to Room 229 on the second floor. Marvin and Kenny left for home and Lexi promised to call as soon as there was news.

  Lexi and Angel entered the room where Brenda was encouraging Mel to breathe deeply. Mel gave them a wan smile. "I know now why they call it labour."

  “She's doing great,” the nurse assured them, smiling. “This little guy is in a h
urry to meet you all.”

  Brenda was very impressed with the comfort and luxury afforded Mel as she remembered the crowded labour ward in Holles Street where she'd given birth to her children.

  In between contractions which were coming faster all the time, the girls chatted to Mel encouraging her and telling her how well she was doing. Mel had refused an epidural or any analgesics, determined to do what was best for her baby. Angel was quite horrified at the pain Mel was going through but ever the actress, didn't show it. When the contractions started coming one on top of another, they stayed quiet, holding Mel’s hand or wiping her brow.

  Two nurses were checking her regularly and when Brenda heard one calling for the doctor, she knew that Mel's labour was coming to an end. The other nurse wheeled Mel's bed into the next room, which was more functional for the actual delivery. Seeing the little crib there brought a lump to Lexi's throat but filled Mel with joy. The doctor arrived shortly after that, scrubbed up and ready to go. Lexi and Angel moved back to allow her space, Angel clutching Lexi's arm tightly. Brenda stayed, stroking Mel’s brow. Mel was stoic, biting her tongue so as not to cry out and panting as she'd been taught to do until it was time for her to push. Within the space of ten minutes it was all over and Mel's baby boy slid into the world. He gave a lusty cry and Mel looking down at the little dark head, burst into tears.

  “Oh my God,” she exclaimed, smiling through her tears. “He's perfect!”

  “He is indeed,” the doctor said, congratulating her. The nurse whisked him away to clean him up and a minute later, wrapped in a blanket, he was placed in Mel’s arms. By now all the girls were crying and crowding around her.

  “My God, he's so tiny,” Mel exclaimed as she clasped him to her. She had never imagined such happiness could be hers. The love she felt for this tiny being enveloped her as she kissed his dark head.

  Lexi had put her finger in his hand and he grasped it with a strength that amazed her. She also felt a deep sadness as she remembered the baby she'd lost.

  “He's a big baby,” the doctor said smiling. “Nine-pounds-four-ounces.”

  “He's so beautiful. I thought all new babies were ugly and scrunched up,” Angel observed.

  “They usually are but this one's a beauty,” the doctor remarked.

  “What are you going to call him, Mel?” Brenda asked.

  Mel had steadfastly refused to tell them all through her pregnancy. She'd planned on calling him Alexander but, as she gazed at him, she knew there was only one name for him.

  From the first moment she'd set eyes on him and saw the way that his black hair grew in a peak, low on his forehead, saw the defined mouth that turned up at the corners, the incredibly long dark eyelashes, the dimple on his left cheek, there was only one name she could call him.

  “Jack,” she said, softly, smiling at them, “but he's so little, I'll call him Jacky.”

  It was as if she was looking at his father once more. She wished with all her heart that Jack was here to share this with her. She still loved him, she always would. Well, now she had another Jack in her life and she would love and cherish him forever.

  The nurse took the baby from Mel to dress him and the girls left the room as the doctor attended to the placenta and a nurse brought Mel a cup of tea and cleaned her up. Finally, mother and baby were wheeled to her suite where each of the girls held the baby for a few minutes, marvelling at how absolutely perfect he was. The girls left then as it was now the wee small hours of the morning and Mel needed her rest. They hugged Mel and kissed little Jacky, smiling at the happy picture they made.

  Mel was secretly happy to have him to herself. She looked at him intently, taking in the long eyelashes and tiny fingers with their perfectly formed nails. It was a miracle. He was her little miracle. It was the happiest day of her life. After Mel had suckled him, the nurse took him from her and settled him in his crib. Mel looked at the time. It was 3 a.m. so that meant 8 a.m. in Ireland. Her parents would be getting up now so she rang them to tell them they had a new grandson. To her amazement, her mother burst into tears and had to hand the phone over to her husband who told Mel how happy they were with the news. She had never heard her father so emotional. As he handed the phone back to her mother, he said, “I love you, Mel. Give little Jacky a kiss for me.”

  Mel felt the tears come to her eyes. He had never told her that before. “I love you too, Dad.”

  Her mother was over the moon and it was all Mel could do to dissuade her from getting on the next flight over. She wanted Jacky all to herself at the moment. She promised to send photos and to bring him to Ireland for Christmas.

  Exhausted, she then lay back on the pillows, her hand resting on the crib beside her, watching her baby sleep.

  * * *

  Mel threw a christening party for Jacky three weeks later. Brenda and Angel mucked in and did most of the work. Lexi was too weak. Mel's happiness infected them all and there was a lot of love in the room. Jacky slept through it all and everyone marvelled at how placid he was – he hardly ever cried – and the women fought over who would hold him next.

  Mel had asked Brenda, Lexi and Angel to be joint godmothers. “Just like the celebrities and royals who have six or more godparents for their babies,” Angel remarked. Marvin was godfather. Mel knew she would have to watch out or her little boy would be thoroughly spoilt. So many women wanting to pet him all the time.

  Donna came down from New York for the christening and Mel promised she would take Jacky up there before long to show him off to Donna's family who had sent gifts and best wishes. Carly was also there with her friend, Sarah, as they had finished at the summer camp. They were staying for a week, bunking down with the twins and then they would travel up to New Orleans where Sarah had an aunt. Ryan decided that he and Dylan would go with them. The two young girls also doted on baby Jacky.

  Mel knew now that she could not return to work in New York and take Jacky away from this place where he was surrounded by people who loved him. She wasn't even sure she could drag herself away from him to go back to work in Tampa. She couldn't bear to leave him with a stranger to care for him while she worked. It was a dilemma.

  * * *

  Troy and Brenda were now deeply in love and spent every moment they could together. She felt she should return to Ireland but Lexi needed her and as Troy said, “Return for what?” He wanted her to move to Florida permanently and live with him. He wanted to marry her but could not until her divorce from Bob was final. He tried to persuade her that if she moved to the States she could get a divorce much sooner. It was very tempting. Besides Troy, there was Jacky. Brenda adored him and spent many hours with him. He was getting cuter by the day.

  One day in early September, Mel put a proposition to her.

  “Brenda, I know you'd like to stay here because of Troy and you have the three of us here too. Would you consider staying on and taking care of Jacky when I go back to work? Otherwise I'll have to give up work. I couldn't leave him with a stranger and Lexi isn't well enough to care full-time for a baby. I would pay you handsomely, of course.” She looked at Brenda, her eyes pleading. "Please think about it. I need you and so does Jacky."

  "I'd have to have a green card to stay longer than six months, wouldn't I?"

  “That won't be a problem. I have a lot of contacts in Immigration who can pull strings. Will you consider it?”

  “I'll have to think about it.”

  When Troy heard about this request he was delighted, hoping it would convince Brenda to move. Lexi was also very persuasive.

  “I would so love to have you here. You'd have a good life with Troy, and the twins and Carly have already said they're coming back here next summer.”

  Brenda had to agree with what she said. The thought of being separated from Troy was unbearable so she decided to talk to her kids about it.

  Alex was very enthusiastic about the idea, happy that her mother had found love again. The twins and Carly thought it was brilliant as all three of them had fa
llen in love with Florida and liked Troy very much. It would make no difference to Megan who would not be back in Ireland for some time anyway.

  Brenda rang Jean and told her what she was thinking of doing.

  “Go for it, girl! You'd be crazy not to. Don't think twice about it!” her sister ordered her.

  Conor and her other brothers also advised her to stay put as Ireland was in a deep recession and no place to be at the moment. Then she received a call from her solicitor in Dublin with regard to her separation. Bob's solicitor had been in touch with her and they were ready to settle things financially. In fairness to Bob, he had been lodging money to her account every week since they had separated but now there was the house to consider. The mortgage had been paid off, thank God, so they would have to decide between them what to do. Everything seemed to be conspiring to bring her back to Florida.

  It was Lexi who finally decided her.

  “I've learnt how precious and short life can be, Brenda.”

  Brenda knew she was thinking of Gianni and Alessandro and perhaps also of her own life which seemed to be ebbing.

  “I am so aware that life can be snatched away from us at any moment. So you must live it fully and treasure love because it's the most important thing.”

  Brenda knew she was right and it decided her. She asked Mel to sort out a green card for her. Within ten days she was called for interview but with Mel's contacts it was only a formality. Two weeks later she had her green card. Her boys were returning to Ireland the first week in October and Brenda booked herself on the same flight. She promised Lexi and Troy that she would return as soon as possible.

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