Home is where the Heart is: and some good old fashioned cooking: E-book serial episode 142

It was there in the stillness of dawn, a soft zephyr of air in the pale morning sky, a hidden sense of something which filled the dawning light amongst the sky clear of stars and past the dark of night, a portent of strange happenings as Shakespeare would say, a sense of deja vu perhaps, of provinces unknown but still it circled gently not wishing to be heard a sense of je ne sais quoi, but it was there just the same.

It crept into Jim's bedroom and woke him with a start and startled by this unknown thing Jim leapt upon his feet, not knowing what drove him to it, or even what day it was, he was overcome by this feeling which seemed to have crept there in the night.

Bleary eyed and sleepy still he moved mechanically not knowing just what day it was or what was in his sight.

But suddenly he stiffened he must be on his way, Mary would expect him on this very special day.

He ran, he swam, he showered and dressed and made sure everything was ready in the car. He breakfasted and left the dishes and sat down with his coffee. Everything was ready he reassured himself as this strange feeling that had overtaken him left him with his energy now gone.

He could rest a while then settle before he took off to collect his wife and the new triplets, he had the presents ready for the twins all wrapped if not too well. He'd get them from upstairs discreetly as soon as he had Mary home. He looked forward to some praise from her, it was well overdue.

He wondered if he was hearing things when the door chimes filled the house. "oh, no this couldn't be Rachel, it was not one of her days, oh HELL, surely not Auty Glad again, today was just not one of those days when anyone else would be welcome, he had enough on his plate.

He cursed and put down his coffee, who on earth could this be, and opening the door gingerly he was met by two little pairs of feet quickly scrambling inside while mum followed close behind carrying various bags and dad struggled in from behind with his arms full.

The twins clung to his legs and he took them out into the sitting room making sure he picked up his still hot coffee before they had a chance to scald themselves. They headed straight for the cats asleep after breakfast who only wanted to be left in peace so early in the day. But it was daddy, daddy daddy and soon they were getting into all those old toys left lying about and mum disappeared into the kitchen and dad began dumping his clutch of bags.

"We thought it would be nice if the twins were home to greet Mary and their new sister and brothers and mum is going to cook a big lamb roast for lunch as a special surprise for Mary"

Jim found himself speechless doing his best to keep his clothes fresh withoug being crumpled by his two toddlers. He stooped and kissed them and they laughed out loud to be home again, "bub, bab, babee, baby mummy mum mum , pussy cats".

"So what time are you going son?" from his dad.

"Just about now dad, you're lucky you caught me"

"That figures" replied his dad cryptically.

And Jim left, suddenly quite wide awake. He had not been prepared for the unexpected. His solitary occupation of his house was over, perhaps for ever more. The seriousness of what lies ahead now that Mary's coming home suddenly took a firm grip on him. His family was increasing by the minute, already.

It took quite some time for Mary and the hospital to get the three little ones ready to leave, Jim was ready with his Nikon coolpix which fitted conveniently into his pocket, Mary complimented him on his new haircut and this made his heart sing, sounds like she was realising she had a husband as well as triplets and she always seemed to act as if she'd forgotten about the twins

The nurses were all smiles as they gave the little girl to Mary and handed the two little boys to Jim, how was he expected to get everyone into the car with his arms full, and as the nurses retreated back inside, their duty done until the next one was ready to leave, Jim looked at his glowing wife with her hair nicely done and her pretty new dress. He was so proud of her and their babies, despite the warm if unfashionable jacket she'd had to put on.

Somehow they got themselves sorted out into the car, the three little babies in their two little bubbles and Mary seated serenely next to Jim, no seat belt on despite her now greatly diminished girth and instructed Jim to drive very carefully, which he did.

He said nothing of the welcoming party back home, there were just some things she would have to cope with on her own.

Once again when they got back him he found himself carrying two tiny babies while Mary just carried one. And then she wanted him to open the door, not realising there were others inside just dying to let her in if she'd only thought to ring the bell.

"Well, Mary, you can either take one of these babies so I can attend to the door or you can fish around in my trouser pockets for the keys, the choice is yours". She hunted for the keys and it was she who let them in finding two little ones rushing her and mum and dad standing there waiting.

But seeing all of these babies the twins stopped short in their tracks the adults doing their best to explain to two puzzled little faces.

"We're going to cook lunch today for you Mary and Jim can look after the twins that should give you a chance to sort yourself out and get the babies settled, mum will hold dinner until you're ready to eat it but for now we might all have a nice cup of tea" and mum and dad promptly took themselves off to the kitchen and they stood there alone, this new family of seven.

"Just watch the twins for a minute Mary, I've got something for you to give them" and Jim dashed off being careful to close the door to upstairs behind him and bringing down the clumsily wrapped teddies, identified by pink and blue wrapping paper. He had intended the bears to be little but somehow he'd come home with two medium sized ones.

The twins hurried off to the sitting room with Mary close behind, stumbling and tumbling as they went while Mary did her best to juggle three babies in her arms, collapsing with relief on one of the lounges, the cats leapt high confused by what they had to see and Jim came back whispering in Mary's ear as to what he had done and popping the presents behind the lounge for Mary as he took all three babies, managing to strangle none of them but feeling horribly insecure and Mary offered the twins the presents as they squealed with delight.

That done they encouraged the twins to look at the babies pointing out their tiny limbs and miniscule fingers and toes the twins looking on in some confusion. How much they understood would be anyone's guess and with this Mary took her triplets carefully off to their room but there were no bassinets there. "What on earth has Jim been doing?" and when she went off to the bedroom she very soon learnt the answer to her own question.

Somehow they all had some morning tea with some of mum's cake, of course, so much for Jim's diet and as Mary tucked appreciatively into hers she realized that no hospital could compare with genuine home cooking.

Mary settled down for a rest until the next feed and Jim took the healm with the twins, somehow the clutter of family had diminished. He breathed a sigh of relief, and now looking after just two seemed so much easier.

Wonderful aromas issued forth from the kitchen and with a guilty start he realized he had not cleaned up after breakfast, head of the house he may be, but suddenly he was the last one to have a say in anything. Tommy had positioned himself well away from twins and babies and was curled up cosily obviously in denial of everything which had confronted him, Rosie just slept on as if nothing had changed.

Calling into the kitchen he cautioned his parents about not letting the cats out and then taking two sets of little hands in his own he took his two toddlers out for a walk into the garden thinking they needed some fresh air after a day which must have already proved full of shocks. The puddles had all gone he noted with a considerable degree of relief and they found a chook wandering around in the garden apparently having broken free. They went right up to the very back fence and the twins were delighted to be looking about but as the day became chillier Jim decided they would be better off inside, apparently the twins agreed as they showed no hint of protest.

He noticed they were sleepy so seized the opportunity to put them to bed, free from having to worry about them and the triplets for the time being at least.

Mum expressed some concern saying she thought they could have stayed up a bit longer. "It's Jim's rules now mum, you and dad can now look forward to running your own lives", adding this last sentence in order to add a little diplomacy to the situation. Mum looked at him quizzically and his dad gave him a big wink.

He apologised for not clearing up after breakfast but mum said not to worry as they really had come as a bit of a surprise. She had not got that one wrong. But she shooed him away and dad too, saying you two go and have a chat while I do what I need to do.

His dad wanted a tour around outside and was especially interested in all of Sam's good work, 'you've struck it lucky there my boy' he sounds like a real gem".

This extra reprieve outside was a welcome turn of events and Jim breathed in the fresh fast cooling air. At least his dad was not full of instructions and seemed to appreciate everything that had been done and his exceptionally well designed house.

Jim was anxious to spend just a little time alone with Mary while the twins were asleep so as tactfully as he could he suggested that his dad watch some TV while he went in to see Mary and the babies and his dad being an enlightened kind of man was only too happy to comply.

Jim found the bedroom door closed so he knocked gently and entered. Mary was sitting on the bed on her own, each of the triplets installed in its own litle bassinet.

She just looked at him. He looked a bit sheepish.

"I've bought you a lovely new orchid Mary it's one that can be planted in the garden and Sam will be happy to put it in for you"

"Is that my coming home gift, Jim?"

"Yes, darling, of course, happy?" and she smiled gently at him.

"Jim, why did you put the babies in here, did you have a reason?"

"I thought it would be much easier for you especially with night feeds"

"Yes, I suppose you're right, I was so spoilt at the hospital I hadn't put much thought into what I'd do when I got home"

Now was Jim's golden opportunity and he launched forth to tell her of the arrangements he had made with Rachel but warned her that Rachel just wanted to do her work, not get involved in any way with the family and the babies, or even the twins for that matter. He told her how efficient she was but assured Mary if she found juggling five little ones too difficult he'd make sure he found appropriate help for her even if it did cost a fortune.

They discussed how she would go about managing the twins while she was breast feeding deciding that the easiest thing to do would be to bring them in here with her, while she fed and if they got too difficult she would just have to put them into two separate bedrooms and close the doors firmly and if they screamed and cried with frustration they'd just have to do that until she was free once more to attend to them. Mary's brow had now become furrowed, she really would have her work cut out to cope she could see that.

She recognised Jim's concerns and the very great efforts he had made but at the back of her mind she couldn't help thinking these were all his ideas and he'd made no reference to her in his decisions. She felt vaguely cheated but at the same time was glad to be relieved of the pressure.

Soon the triplets began to fuss and he handed the two boys over for her to feed and much as he'd like to stay with her he explained that they did have other people in the house to look after and when she enquired about a gift for his parents he told her what he had done and said he would give them the envelope after they had all had lunch together. With this he departed leaving Mary to manage on her own which she'd have to be able to do all too soon.

He joined his dad and they chatted on about golf and cricket and the things men generally talked about happy in their own men's world.

Mum came out to say things were going well in the kitchen but as soon as Mary was ready she'd like dad to carve.

Enquiring about the twins Jim suggested if they were asleep at lunch time they could feed them later and mum disappeared once more.

It was a wonderful meal mum really did know how to do a good roast and her hot chocolate pudding with ice cream was the ultimate filler.

She mentioned she had cooked a large containter of pea soup which should do for the evening meal and a few lunches as well which would help Mary to settle in.

She looked her son squarely in the eye and said "she is going to need some help son and do keep in touch".

Before they left they had the pleasure of nursing their now sleeping cosily new grandchildren marvelling at the little miracles and three at once. The twins slept peacefully on, no doubt worn out by all the excitement, and as they left Jim thought to himself "Home is where the Heart is and my heart's right here, feeling all the more comfortable for having had such a great lunch.

Suddenly they were gone and now it would be up to Mary and Jim to carry on, in their new home, one which Mary had barely been able to become accustomed to before going into Labour.

He put his arm around his wife and steered her gently to the lounge as all the babies slept soundly on, he knew this would not last for long.