Always Summer

by Criss Copp

  “Your next period would be due?” she asked, rising her eyebrows.

  “Sunday.” I answered.

  “Of course!” she agreed. “Okay, I’m just going to call Miranda in to get some blood, and after that I’ll get you to give me a urine sample... is that okay?” she asked, I nodded. “Then we’ll talk some more.” She said, getting up and going out through another door.

  She returned with her nurse Miranda, who had me sit on the bed in the corner.

  Miranda finished taking two vials of blood, and tidied me up, before handing me a little urine specimen jar.

  “Just go through there Summer.” She indicated the toilet door. “And we need a mid stream sample... do you know what to do?” she asked sweetly.

  “Yes.” I answered.

  Returning with my sample, after having scrubbed my hands, Dr Drake was talking to Blake.

  “Are you also a model Blake?” she asked.

  “No, I’m a student... and an artist.” He said.

  “Wonderful...!” and looking up, she said, “And here she is.”

  She took the specimen as I sat down; she popped the jar on top of a couple of tissues on her desk, pulled some rubber gloves on, and undid the top of the jar. Pulling out a small white packet, she ripped it open and a plastic square approximately two inches by two inches, fell out onto the desk along with a little dropper.

  “What is that?” Blake asked.

  “A pregnancy test.” Dr Drake answered serenely.

  Blake sat up stiff, and my stomach dropped.

  She placed the tiny dropper in the urine and collected some of my sample. She then hovered over a tiny hole at the corner of the plastic square and dripped in a couple of drops. She then placed the dropper into the upturned lid of the specimen jar and pulled off her gloves, throwing them across the room and nailing the shot of dropping them into the bin there.

  “Now, while we wait, just a couple of other questions.” She stated... she was super nice, but I was scared.

  “Have you had sensitive breasts?” she asked.

  I nodded.

  “How about emotional fluctuations outside your normal experience?” she asked.

  Again, I nodded.

  “Alright... what about sex... feeling a bit more frisky?” she asked with a huge grin.

  Blake answered. “She’s been insatiable.” He had his arm around me... when did that get there?

  She nodded... and looked at the test. She nodded again.

  “You’re pregnant.” She announced.

  You could’ve heard a pin drop.

  Blake was breathing hard, and his eyes had a bewildered, frightened look.

  I was choking... was it possible to die of shock? I mean... really?

  I gasped.

  “I have time to do an ultrasound... We have a basic facility... after today, I’ll be sending you to the specialists... but I’ll just go get my setup ready. Then I want you to come into this room with just this gown and your panties on... okay?” she said, pointing to the room Miranda had entered through, and handing me a paper gown. Then she stood up, smiling, and exited.

  “Blake?” I croaked.

  His voice was shaking, but he was able to stand, “Come on babe, let’s get you in that gown and get you in there.

  He moved me across to the bed, pulled the curtain and began to undress me, placing each item of clothing on the bed.

  As he did, I watched his face. He was shocked, but he was containing it... better than I was.

  “What are we going to do?” I asked him.

  “Love him... or her!” he said, yanking down my tight jeans.

  “But... the expense... everything!” I asked.

  “Look...” he said, standing up... “I want kids... I just wasn’t expecting them now. Mom and Dad will help... they’re invested in this too!” he reasoned.

  “Shit... Blake! I feel terrible accepting help!” I said softly.

  “Don’t... they’ll do it because they love us... they’ll do it because they wanted oodles of kids but could only have two! They’ll do it because that’s who they are!” he said... looking me dead in the eye. I knew he was right.

  I was now completely naked except for my panties. Blake dressed me in the gown.

  “You ready?” I heard Dr Drake from the door.

  “Yes.” I replied, making my way out from behind the curtain, and to the door.

  *

  Lying on the bed, Dr Drake began lubricating the scanning instrument with gel, while Blake got in a comfortable position next to me on a chair so he could see everything, she explained what she thought had happened.

  “Antibiotics interfere with the pill... they are contraindicative... so your body was effectively not on the pill, and preparing to ovulate.” She explained.

  “Why didn’t I know that?” I asked.

  “I’m surprised the doctor didn’t tell you!” she said, laying the very cold instrument on my lower belly.

  “He didn’t speak much English, maybe he did tell me, and I didn’t know, because of the language barrier.” I sighed.

  “Too late now!” she reasoned, as she moved a ball on the consul and clicked away.

  She made some appreciative noises... Blake was looking... I was looking, but I wasn’t completely sure what I was seeing, I could make out a weird looking profile at one stage... Oh. My. God! Blake and I made a baby!

  After a little while, I looked at Blake who from his point of view was probably getting a much better look; I realised that Blake was in some kind of awe.

  “Okay, I will be taking some further measurements next, but I want to show you your bundle of joy.” She said... smiling.

  Blake held my hand tight... his awe was beginning to rub off on me.

  “Okay, this here is the gestational sac for baby one, and over here is the gestational sac for baby two.” She explained.

  “What?” Blake suddenly verbalized... “Two? We have twins?” he asked.

  “Yes. Fraternal twins!” she confirmed.

  Blake was excited... I was somewhere between shocked and excited... and tremendously scared.

  Blake leant in and kissed my forehead. Pulling back he said, “Babe, when we do things out of sync... we make sure we do a thorough job!” and then he began to chuckle, kissing me firmly on the lips, before sitting back down.

  Dr Drake pointed out faces and limbs, in addition to capturing their heart sounds for us to hear; and she confirmed that we were around 12 weeks pregnant. She gave us a couple of printouts of different views, before making copies for our family members.

  When I was dressed, and sitting in a chair in her office, she finally gave me an appointment schedule and informed me that the babies estimated due date was on 1st July. She explained that twins often came along premature, so I needed to be very conscious to keep my nutrition up in order to give them the best chance if they were early.

  Blake promised my compliance.

  Blake.

  We’d gone into the good doctor’s offices with no expectations of anything in particular, and came out as expecting parents.

  I was so glad that I chose to go with Summer... I couldn’t imagine not being there to find out about our babies! I was overwhelmed!

  We were sitting in a cafe not far from the doctor’s offices... Summer was talking to Sally, who had met us there, and I was building up to ring my parents.

  Summer had at first looked like her world had collapsed when she found out about our twins. However, right now... she was beaming. I couldn’t believe how beautiful she appeared to me in this moment... she was my Venus!

  She’s carrying my children!

  I was again consumed... with desire... but mainly with love. Suddenly it hit me... I knew what I needed to do.

  “Summer...” I interrupted them; leaning across the space between us, “Marry me.”

  “I already said yes to that.” She smiled.

  “No, you said yes to be my wife! Marry me... let’s get married... as soon as we
can! I want you to be my wife now!” I explained urgently.

  “You’re serious!” Summer said, her eyes opening, her eyebrows rising.

  Sally’s smile was huge, and so she covered it with her hand. Her eyes remained big.

  “Of course I’m serious!” I reasoned passionately.

  Sally started laughing.

  Summer looked at her sister, “What about our families? What about the money?” she asked.

  “I don’t give a fuck about the money... and we’ll invite our family.” I said. Yes, this could work!

  “I...” Summer just stopped, flabbergasted.

  “Come on Summer... don’t wait forever like me! Besides, do you want to be fat in your wedding photos?” Sally asked.

  That got Summer’s attention.

  “We can get a license today... and we can work out a date with everyone after that.” I argued.

  “You haven’t even told your parents about the babies!” she argued back.

  “I think I should tell them all the news at once.” I reasoned.

  “I don’t know... they may have heart attacks.” She smiled.

  “Summer... I want to take my wife to the appointments... my wife to the hospital. I don’t want to be considered less than your husband!” I reasoned.

  “Okay?” she squeaked.

  Sally screamed, and hugged Summer fiercely... I moved in and grabbed my woman away from her... pulling her up into my arms and kissing her senseless.

  *

  By the end of the weekend, despite Summer’s hectic schedule, everyone knew about the twins... and they were ecstatic. We were getting married on Saturday, 7th January... in a small family filled ceremony at a charming venue in Centrepoint. Debbie and Max insisted on paying, and my Mom and Debbie were in charge of organizing everything!

  Julie was to be my best man... Sally was the bridesmaid. Everything was to be low key and as Summer put it... sweet!

  Summer was getting married in Winter... perfect!

  Chapter 18

  Summer.

  On Christmas eve, Blake and I were waiting on Sally and Henry to show up at Debbie and Max’s, alongside everyone else. Phoebe and Elspeth were already there asking me again about the pregnancy, and again offering their assistance as aunties once the babies arrived; as they both had been since the news was announced the previous week. I had always had contact with the two of them, but it seemed this last week I was never off the phone outside of bedtime with my family. It was driving Blake mad.

  “You know, I really want to thank you Summer.” Phoebe announced, flopping down onto the couch beside me.

  “Why’s that?” I asked.

  “For taking the pressure off me to reproduce and give Mom and Dad grandchildren.” She laughed.

  “I second that motion!” Elspeth cheered, raising her glass of wine.

  I looked at the two of them, grinning over at me. They had high profile careers and mega bucks incomes. A family right now, or possibly ever, was way off the mark for either of them. They were driven in a whole other direction.

  “You two have time left to have children... I would really liked to see you girls have families of your own.” Debbie said, meandering in to present us with a platter of cheeses and biscuits.

  “Mom!” Elspeth said warningly, “I have never been the domestic type... not that there is anything wrong with that!” she clarified to me, before continuing. “I really, really don’t want a family beyond what I have here! I will thoroughly enjoy being an aunt! I can categorically state that these kids will be my outlet for anything motherly. It works out perfectly!” she explained.

  Debbie put on a pout and a sour face.

  “I am definitely on the same page!” Phoebe agreed. “I’m definitely keen to spoil these little brats and spend all my motherly instinct on children I can hand back at the end of the day!” she chuckled, touching my arm and smiling enthusiastically at me.

  “I think it’s time to formally adopt Summer and Sally so that I really do have a true claim on their kids!” Debbie grumbled. She appeared to be serious.

  I just baulked... Adopt? Can that even happen? I’m an adult!

  “I think you should!” Elspeth, a high flying corporate lawyer, agreed with a huge grin.

  I laughed... weakly!

  Blake and Max had been in Max’s den, discussing whatever ‘man’ things they were up to. As they left the room, I could see Max shaking Blake’s hand and lean in to say something to Blake. Blake pulled back, still clasping Max’s hand and laughing heartily.

  I was so happy that Blake got on with Max... and Debbie. For all intents and purposes, they were my parents.

  Just before I had turned eighteen, a letter came from Child Services, addressed to me - it explained my rights as I exited the foster system. When I had approached Max about it all, he took one look at the letter, asked me if I wanted to continue on with them as before; and when I said I did, he took the ‘offending letter’ as he referred to it, over to the fireplace in the family room and set it alight. It had made me cry, so he hugged me and told me that I was his daughter regardless of birth... which of course made me cry even more.

  It was hard to reconcile that that event happened only eight months before... so much had happened and changed since then. A whole lifetime had occurred in the subsequent months.

  *

  Sally and Henry rocked up at the house three hours late. Sally looked exhausted and her eyes looked puffy, like she’d been crying.

  Henry looked agitated.

  After sitting down for dinner, we all retired to the Family room, where the Christmas tree stood, and a warm fire was roaring.

  Pulling Sally aside, I moved in to ask her about her and Henry.

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  “What do you mean?” she sighed.

  “You and Henry! Something is definitely wrong!” I explained.

  “Oh... it’s nothing!” she answered, pouting slightly.

  My eyebrows shot up... nothing my ass!

  “Do you wanna try pulling the wool over someone else’s eyes Sal? I mean I’m not stupid!” I argued in a fierce whisper.

  Sally looked at me with sad eyes.

  She sighed, “Henry still isn’t ready to get married, and we’ve been fighting about it non-stop.” She admitted.

  “Not because of me?” I asked worriedly.

  “No... and yes!” Sally began. “I’ve been asking him to commit to a date for the last 6 months, however, when you two announced your wedding date; he just kind of got all worked up, like I was trying to make him uncomfortable about us not moving forward. The thing is, I hadn’t said anything different from before; he’s the one that sees it all as a slap in the face!” she looked up at me a little broken.

  “I’m sorry!” I said apologetically.

  “No!” Sally gasped, “Please don’t be sorry! I’m thrilled by your wedding and the babies! He’s the one that isn’t!” she smiled.

  “I want you to be happy!” I explained. I knew how she felt about this... her greatest dream was to have a functional family of her own.

  “I will be... he’ll come around eventually.” She smiled.

  Blake.

  I watched Summer mingle with her family and felt a huge warmth radiate through my chest. My girl... my woman... was carrying my children, and wandering around talking to everyone she held dear. I wondered if she knew how absolutely beautiful she looked right at that moment.

  Sally and her were quietly discussing something. The looks on their faces made it obvious it was a slightly painful discussion. I wanted to go over and intervene, make things better, but just as I had decided to move across to them, Henry sat beside me and addressed me.

  “So... you’re going to be a father and a married man!” he said.

  I was unsure about his tone... it was jovial, but there was an underlying current of unease.

  “Yeah man!” I enthused.

  “And you’re okay with all of that?” he asked perpl
exed.

  “Of course! I did ask her!” I explained.

  “Yeah, but you don’t have to get married because she’s pregnant!” he stated. He must of seen the incredulous face I was presenting, because he added, “just saying!”

  “I proposed to Summer before we got pregnant... and sure, I sped up the wedding because of the babies, but it wasn’t because I was trying to make an honest woman out of her or anything. I did it for completely selfish reasons!” I explained, sitting further back into my seat.

  “Oh! Okay... I just find the whole marriage thing scary... you know?” he chuckled nervously.

  “Nah man... can’t say I do!” I answered, taking a sip of my beer. “I am so desperate to make sure that woman is mine... I can’t stop thinking about it! And the fact that she’s carrying my kids just makes me even more desperate!” I enthused. It was true! I wanted to be sure that everyone around us knew that this woman was everything to me, that she would be my everything forever!

  “Good for you!” Henry nodded. His face still carried a generous amount of confusion. Obviously he didn’t feel the same about Sally. I couldn’t understand that... Sally was a seriously gorgeous woman in her own right, and she was sweet, kind and a domestic goddess as well. She was the whole package. The guy needed to wake up to himself.

  “Sally’s a keeper you know.” I risked saying.

  “Hmmm...” Henry mumbled, looking into his beer and guzzling the second half of it promptly. “You’re still in the honeymoon stage of your relationship... things change after a while, you’ll see.” He outlined bleakly.

  I laughed. It was definitely not the response he had expected; he looked at me like I was nuts.

  “No way,” I began, “I’ve been in love with Summer for 11 years; and I’ve been manufacturing ways to get her to be mine for the last 4 of those years.” I smiled. “Now I’ve got her, there’s no way I’m ever gonna question my decisions to be with her.” I explained.

  Henry raised his eyebrows at my declaration.

  “You and me,” I said, indicating the two of us with the beer bottle in my hand, “We’re cut from completely different cloth, I believe!” I offered.