Chapter Twenty-One

It was a beautiful, clear sunny day as Henry waited with his family and friends on the green grass of Harborside Park overlooking Newcastle’s Hunter River. He watched his mother, who positively beamed as she lovingly organised her brood of grandchildren. He again checked his watch, nervously waiting for the wedding cars to arrive.

Sidling up to Henry and shaking his head, Liam Flanagan looked dapper in his formal three piece suit. “Doesn’t seem right getting married in a bloody park,” he whined. “We should all be at the Cathedral by now.”

“It’s all right, Dad. Don’t concern yourself.” Henry grinned. “Elaine and I didn’t want to put Father Kelly under any unnecessary pressure. He’s well aware we are both divorced and you, more than anyone, should be aware of the Church’s policy about divorcees getting remarried in a Cathedral.”

Liam’s eyes narrowed. “The church has different rules for different people and they make up rules to suit themselves. Look at that Princess of Monaco. She’d been married before and she was allowed to get married in the Cathedral. Annulment, what a load of hogwash. The Church should be bloody consistent and have the same rules for everyone.”

“Father Kelly is still marrying us, isn’t he?” Henry asked quietly. “And the baby will be Christened in the Cathedral.”

“He bloody well better be.” Liam scowled before he realised his eldest son was teasing him. A sheepish grin played at the corners of his lips as he changed the subject. “‘Tis a fine lass you’re marrying, son.”

“Finally,” Henry sighed when he sighted the three limousines approaching the parking area.

“I better get moving, since I’m supposed to be giving her away.” Liam made a beeline for the cars.

Elaine emerged from the leading vehicle and Henry took in a deep breath. She was dressed in a cream brocade and satin smock fitted around the bust line, the skirt softly falling over her protruding bulge to just below her knees. She wore a tiny snug fitting hat with a small veil that barely covered her eyes. She was attended by her sister Bev, the maid of Honour, and Lisa and Michelle, her bridesmaids. Michelle handed the bride a small bouquet of cream roses. Elaine looked over at Henry waiting in the distance. With the strains of George Gershwin’s, ‘Our Love Is Here To Stay’, playing in the background, she tucked her arm in Liam’s and began walking in his direction. Fixing her eyes on him, her lips parted over a devastating smile. She was soon at his side.

She took his arm and Father Kelly stepped forward. “Are you ready, Henry?”

“Never more so, Father.”

***

With no warning but a sudden tightening in her belly, Elaine’s water broke as she rose from the dining table. “It’s time,” she gasped.

“Get Elaine’s suitcase girls.” Henry reached for the car keys.

Seated either side of Elaine on the journey to the Mater Mothers Hospital, Lisa and Michelle each held a hand, comforting her through each contraction. In the weeks leading up to the birth, they’d fussed over their new step-mother, catering to her every whim. After leaving the Volvo in the emergency car park, the small group accompanied the forty-four year old expectant mother to her private hospital room.

“Did you bring everything, Dad?” Lisa still held Elaine’s hand

“Yes, I think so, love.”

“I hope everything goes well.” Elaine’s brow creased into a small frown. “I mean, they say I’m in the risky age group.”

Your doctor says everything has progressed normally. What’s more, during the pregnancy, you’ve kept extremely well. And the scan showed the baby is perfect. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine, sweetheart. You’ve waited too long for this for anything to go wrong.”

A young, casually dressed doctor entered the room and checked Elaine’s contractions. “Blood pressure’s a bit high, but that’s normal for someone of your age who is giving birth,” he said dismissively. “It’ll be sometime yet.” He removed his stethoscope and exited the room.

“Gee, they know how to put you down gently.” Elaine took a deep breath as another contraction hit. The doctor returned periodically to check her condition.

Henry carried out the role of the expectant father to perfection. He assisted Elaine with her breathing and comforted her through all the contractions. The girls also gave her every encouragement. As the long wait continued, the time between contractions reduced. The doctor announced it was almost time for the birth, and gently shooed the girls from the room. Henry couldn’t help feeling a little guilty as he gazed at Elaine’s beautiful face, so contorted in pain, as the final bearing down took place. Beads of sweat soaked her blond hairline, and Henry wished he could burden the pain for her. At last the doctor sighted the baby’s head, then in a rush the tiny body entered the world.

“A boy!” The medico confirmed, as he cut the umbilical cord and handed the baby to a nurse, who wrapped him in a light rug before placing him in Elaine’s arms.

She hadn’t prepared herself for the wave of absolute, unconditional love sweeping over her. Our baby - he’s perfect.

Henry gazed down at Elaine and his newly born son and smiled. I knew it would be a boy. The lovely face that had been so contorted in pain a few minutes previously, was now radiant as she looked up at him. The girls were called back into the room to admire and fuss over their new-born brother.

“A beautiful boy.” Lisa sighed, smiling down at her young brother. “I never asked before, but what are you going to call him?”

Henry raised his eyebrows at a glowing Elaine who nodded. He turned back to his daughter. “We’re going to call him Liam Daniel. Liam after granddad and Daniel after Elaine’s father.”