A Trip Down Memory Lane - Part Four - Say, Twins!

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August 26th 1988

Dear Diary, Emily came to visit us today. She bought us twenty-five different flowers, a silver carriage clock and a delicately crafted card. Prior to today, she and James expressed their intentions to take us out for a meal. So we made no plans.

We took a taxi into town and she said to us, 'Before we go to the restaurant, I just need to knock for James and he will join us. ' We waited in a nearby bus shelter as it had started to rain. Within two minutes, Emily was back with us. ' James is just getting ready. Come inside out of the weather... Oh, mind the step. Come into the living room...'

' Surprise! ' A crowd appeared out of nowhere! Balloons popped out from behind the furniture! They organised a party for us! "Twenty-five years!" A banner had written on it. The silver wedding anniversary is, of course, very special. More so for us as this may be our last.

We caught up with some old friends and made some new ones. While all the guests were enjoying games and gossip, Emily and James were cooking a meal. I must say they did extremely well, considering there were about thirty of us in total!

After dessert, Emily stood up and gave a speech. It went along the lines of, ' Mum. Dad. Twenty-five years is a massive achievement! Living in a world where the general attitude towards marriage is on the decline, your unity inspires confidence that a marriage can and will last. I hope your final gift reflects the appreciation that I and others feel toward your relationship. Happy anniversary mum and dad! '

She read out her poem...

Wedding anniversaries
Are magical to behold.
Your admirable strength of bonding love
Is now twenty-five years old!

Together you have made a family,
For whom you've provided loving care,
Who have inherited from you
Qualities special and so rare.

You set a platinum example
Of what marriage is about...
When troubles or anxieties arise,
You don't run. You work it out!

You communicate your daily cares,
The fears, the doubts, the sorrow.
When you face them, head on, together,
You cry today and laugh tomorrow.

The support and understanding you show
" In sickness and in health "
To onlookers like me,
Your partnership is full of wealth!

What a treasure of memories you share,
Like becoming a father and a mother.
Clearly, words can never stress
What you truly mean to each other!

Our hearts were glowing as she read this out. And, as you might well guess, our eyes were flooding! What did we do to deserve her?

May 28th 1989

Dear Diary, during her day off work, Emily took the opportunity to pay us a visit. She looked very bright. She informed us that she was pregnant and was expecting twins! As you can imagine Diary, I was thrilled! Yet, at the same time, sorrow was battling with and defeating my joy. What if Chris is not around to meet our grandchildren? Emily enlightened us with the fact that she was four and a half months into her pregnancy. That inspired hope. The renewed elation took a triumphant victory in my briefly confused heart.

August 2nd 1989

Dear Diary, it has been a hectic few months! Today, the reality of Chris' prognosis hit a devastating blow on our lives. The consultant explained to us that the cancer was too far advanced to opt for further treatment or even to attempt surgery!

' What about my husband? What about his quality of life? There must be something you can do for him! ' I yelled. Chris was dumbfounded. It took the nurses some time to calm me down. I wasn't thinking at the time about the impact my paroxysm of anger and grief would have on Chris... ' We still haven't told Emily! There's been so much going on in her life that we simply haven't had the opportunity to tell her! ' I sobbed. Even though Chris was the one deteriorating, he was comforting me. The poor consultant wasn't sure where to place himself or when to speak. Because he had other patients to attend to, he had to ask a nurse to take us to a quiet room while I settled down. Chris cradled me until the panic was over. I apologised profusely and in desperation cried, ' How will we tell Emily? When? She's nearing the end of her pregnancy. The stress won't do the babies any good! ' ' Ssssh. ' He hushed. ' I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry. ' He soothingly uttered, ' I have an idea. One that will take the pressure off you and will perhaps make it easier to broach with Emily. ' ' You do? ' ' Ah ha... I should imagine that I'll be spending my final week in hospital. What if, when I'm taken in, you say to Emily that I have taken ill and need to stay in hospital until they sort me out... That way, you don't have to face the trauma of telling her about my condition, nor will she have the weighty truth looming over her that she is to lose me... Let things be as they are Natty. Enjoy with me the time I have left. I want us to be happy for however long we have. Please. Do that for me, will you? ' ' Yes. Anything. You know that. ' I requested a pen and some paper from a nurse and wrote an apology to the consultant for my outburst. On our way out, I begged the nurse, ' Please give this to the consultant when he is free. And thank you so much for your patience and understanding. ' The nurse smiled, patted us on the back and stated, ' We are here to care. ' ... October 6th 1989... Dear Diary, Chris went into hospital today... He woke up feeling very unwell and urged me to call the doctor. Twenty minutes later, an ambulance arrived... Once the staff got Chris comfortable on the ward, the consultant came round with some flowers for Chris and a card for me. I apologised again for the way I last spoke to him. He assured me that all was fine. Then he conversed with Chris in a normal, down to earth manner. They were laughing and talking as though they were having a pint at the pub together or something! It was like Chris had no fear! I wish my demeanor could have been so jovial. Chris' eyes gave nothing away as to his innermost feelings. They normally would have done. He had this cool, steel strength about him. I couldn't get my head around it at all! At least he was okay and in good hands... I stayed with him 'til late this evening and had to be sent home. Chris told me to stay home and rest up over the weekend. It's hard. But I decided to obey... October 10th 1989... Dear Diary, I was talking to Chris today about everything but the reason I was there. We took a trip down memory lane and enjoyed the experience. When visiting time was over, a nurse came to inquire of my name. This I revealed and she led me off to the maternity ward... James was sitting on a chair beside sleeping beauty. ' We couldn't make contact with you and Chris, but Emily gave birth to the twins about two hours ago. Everything went fine. She fell asleep soon after the babies were taken away. ' Two nurses entered with a twin each to let me see them. Moments later they were taken back to the baby ward, leaving James and myself hand in hand... I whispered to him, ' Chris has taken ill. He had to be rushed into hospital on Friday. So this is why you were unable to reach us. Was it a long labor? ' ' It was about six hours. The midwife said that this was normal. ' ' That's right, she was fortunate it was only that! Emily took twice as long to make her appearance. I'm so sorry James, I would have been here, only Chris...' ' Hey, it's all good... Is Chris okay? Do they know what's wrong with him? ' ' Well, um...' ' Mum. Is that you? Sorry. I must have dozed off. Have you seen the babies yet? ' ' I have Emily. They are as beautiful as you. ' I gave her time to come round. We had a brief chat. Then I told them I'd be back tomorrow... October 11th 1989... Dear Diary, before going to see Chris, I went up to check on Emily. She had just finished her lunch. I asked her how her little angels were. ' They are doing well mum. Their feeding is good and they keep the staff on their toes. It's going to be fun when we get them home! ' ' It sure will! ' ' Can we tell your mum the names of the girls Em? ' ' How about we wait until dad joins us? Where is dad? ' ' Well, actually Emily, now that your feeling more up to things, I need to tell you something. ' A look of dread was painted on her face. ' Yes? ' ' Your dad took ill on Friday. He's in hospital recieving the care that he needs. ' ' Is he okay? What's wrong with him? ' ' Well he hasn't felt well for a while. The doctor sent him in. ' ' Oh. So they still need to find out? (I kept silent) Is he well enough to meet the twins yet? ' ' Why don't we give him a day or two? It will give you time to make a full recovery. ' ' Good idea. ' ' I'm sorry to interrupt. (saved by the midwife) Mrs Harrison. The doctor said that he will be round to see you shortly. If he is happy with everything, you will be free to go home. ' ' And the babies? ' ' The babies too. ' ' Okay... I guess this is my cue to leave. We'll talk tomorrow. ' ' Okay mum. Tomorrow then. ' ' Bye love! '... I still didn't find out their names Diary. I sat with Chris for a while. He is stable at the moment, but frail. As of yet, I don't know if he will make it home... October 14th 1989... Dear Diary, this morning my heart was heavy. A cloud of pending doom hung over me. And I felt a pressure that would have made the knees of a mighty man feeble. Everything was happening in slow motion. Time wanted to stand still but something kept it moving... I met up with Emily, James and the twins at the bus station. Off we went... ' Do you have the camera mum? ' ' It's here in my bag. ' Emily and James fussed excitedly over the babies, acting in a typical manner one would expect new parents to. In a similar way that Chris and I did when we took Emily on her very first visit to her grandparents... I felt numb in thought and feeling... Emily nudged me. ' We're here mum. Come on! Let's see dad. ' ... I went to the information desk to inquire about the state of Chris' health and if he was well enough for guests. We were instructed to wait. The consultant approached me privately to inform me that Chris was drifting in and out of consciousness. However, to my relief, he was alert enough to meet the twins. In we went. ' Chris. Darling. ' ' Natty. ' He faintly responded. ' Emily and James have brought two little girls who want to meet their grandfather. ' ' Dad. We wanted to wait until you and mum were together... Say hello to grandad, Frances. And Elizabeth. ' They gently placed a twin in each of his arms and supported them as he held them. ' Oh, how precious. ' Chris said weakly. I reached into my handbag, took out the camera and steadied my hands to capture this moment. ' Okay everybody, smile! Say, ' twins!' ' ' Twins! ' James and Emily cheered. Chris just about had the energy to smile for the camera... Chris fell asleep with the twins in his arms and that was that. It was as though he hung on to meet our two little miracles. A thought from which Emily and I draw much comfort... It was a bittersweet moment, Diary. The end of Chris' story was the closure to the best chapter of mine.

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