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September brought change to Top Oasis. It was spring and the busiest season of the farm year. Though only breakfast time, John had already been out two hours doing the lamb beat in pouring rain. Since the lambs had begun to arrive, the weather had been continuous rain and the implement shed was filled with a dozen orphaned lambs that the girls had to bottle feed every morning.
Other changes were apparent, too. The third term was over, school holidays had arrived and Kylena was on the first day of maternity leave. In the new term, Courtney O'Reilly would take the senior class while Vicky Taylor, after six months at Long Valley Road School would become acting principal. This situation was a worry to Kylena and was one reason she'd left her leave for so long.
"It's not that Vicky isn't a good teacher," she explained to John.” She is, but can’t be decisive enough in administration or when dealing with parents. One or two sense this and are already beginning to boss her around. I'd rather have Courtney's maturity."
"I know," John replied and chuckled. "Anyhow, Julie won't let her get away with anything, will she?"
Kylena grinned, "That's for sure. She's as good as an extra teacher around the place. Only last week she just about flattened one of the Year 6 boys who sniggered about my size." She rubbed a hand over her protruding tummy. 'Three months to go My Love. It seems like the time will never arrive. Also, there is that visit to see my parents to get through.”
Even though it was a busy time on the farm John promised to accompany Kylena on a journey to Christchurch, a South Island city five hundred kilometres away to visit her parents.
*
When the ATR 72 aircraft flew into Christchurch airport, Kylena became quite glum and glanced in apprehension out the window as the Canterbury Plains rolled out beneath them.
"A duty trip," she commented when John asked what the trouble was. "Dad's a great guy but I'm afraid my mother and I don't get on that well. Dad's retired but Mum is still working with one of those multinational firms as a district manager. That’s the trouble. She's so used to giving orders she can't relax." She shrugged. "I haven't told her of my condition, either."
"So all the childhood memories flood back," John replied.
"That's it, exactly," she replied. "Anyhow, it's only for a few days, Christchurch is a beautiful city and there are lots of things the girls will enjoy."
In the terminal building, the family had just picked up their bags when there was a cough and a man in his sixties came striding across the room. "Kylena," he called and reached out. “How’s my beautiful daughter?"
"I'm fine, Dad," she responded and rushed into his arms. "My, you look great."
"Well, it's all that golf," he responded and pumped John's hand enthusiastically when they were introduced. 'Call me Andy, John,” he said. Even though Kylena was obviously pregnant, Andy Delton did not mention it but turned to the girls. 'Hi, you must be Julie and Helen. I've heard so much about you both.' He opened a small satchel and brought out two massive bags of assorted candy to hand to each girl. "I don't know what you like but all youngsters enjoy sweets," he smiled.
"Gee thanks, Mr. Delton," Helen responded while Julie smiled and accepted the gift.
"And where's, Mum?" Kylena asked.
"Working." Her father shrugged. "She'll be home this evening."
He led them out to an old station wagon and twenty minutes later they arrived at a modern suburban house. The early afternoon passed by pleasantly and, even though her father protested, Kylena insisted on preparing the evening meal.
"Look, John enjoys golf, Dad. Why don't you take him down to your local club?"
"Would you like a round?" Andy's eyes lit up as he turned to John.
"Sure," John replied but turned to his partner. "Will you be okay, Kylena?" he asked.
"Fine," she replied. "I'll take the girls to the Olympic indoor swimming pool later. "
The trio had an interesting trip across the city and, as expected, the girls were enthusiastic about Queen Elizabeth Park Olympic pool. Helen managed to swim right across the pool while Julie braved a jump off the top diving board. Their swim was followed by a snack in the pool's restaurant and a bus ride back to Kylena's parent's place.
The girls were watching Kylena peeling potatoes when she heard a car pull into the drive. The presence of someone in the house was immediate when a thin woman in her mid fifties walked into the kitchen. "For crying out loud, Kylena," stated a piercing voice. "You're pregnant."
"Hello Mum," the younger woman replied and gave her mother an awkward hug. "Dad's taken John down for a round of golf."
"Figures," Ethel Delton replied without any real interest. "But what about this condition of yours? You could have written and told me."
"That's because I knew what your response would be," Kylena retorted. After only two minutes she was already annoyed and wished John was around to provide support.
Ethel fixed her eyes on Kylena for a second before she noticed the teenager waiting at the door. "Hello dear," she said. "Julie, isn't it?"
"Yes" the girl responded and looked ready to jump to Kylena's defence until her stepmother's smile made her relax a little.
"Oh, I love that American accent," Ethel responded. "Tell me, how do you like our little country."
"We love it here, Mrs. Delton but only because we have Kylena in our family." Julie's blue eyes stared at the older woman for a second before she switched her attention to her sister. "Come on Helen, let's go down to the park. I'll get you an ice cream from the dairy. Dad gave me some money."
"Can we, Mommy?" Helen glanced up at Kylena.
"Yes but be back by five o'clock, okay?"
"Sure Kylena," Julie responded, gave the other woman a slight smile, grabbed her sister's hand and disappeared outside.
"Mommy? Kylena? My the young ladies are certainly familiar aren't they?" Ethel muttered. "But they're Americans, I suppose."
"Oh, for God sake, Mum," Kylena snapped. "What do you expect them to call me, Miss Delton?"
"Well, in your condition I guess it's a bit late for that isn't it?"
"I knew it, " Kylena's voice became low. "You know nothing of my situation, Mum yet you rush in being judgmental. If you must know, I have never been so happy in my life and that includes when I was a child." She grimaced. "I came here out of courtesy because I thought, that for just once you might be happy for me. I will not, though, stand here and have you criticize my new family."
Ethel Delton coloured slightly. "I'm sorry dear but taking on a grown family with a man I believe is ten years older than you and arriving here heavily pregnant. Even you must admit it is not normal."
"And I suppose you'd rather I stayed with Mic and be beaten up once a week," Kylena retorted. "Frankly, Mum, I don’t really care what you think. John is a marvellous man; I love him and am carrying his child. You either accept that or you don't. That is up to you but, for God's sake, at least be civil to him and the girls," Her eyes glared out in anger. "At least Dad made us welcome."
The older Delton woman swallowed. "But..." she began.
"No Mum," Kylena screamed as tears built in her eyes. "No buts or maybes. Ever since I was Julie's age you tried to push your opinions and values onto me. Dad gets by, by ignoring you but I do not have to put up with it. Understand?" She flung a tea towel that was in her hand down. "I'm sorry, Mum but that's the truth. Perhaps if you realized I've grown up we could be friends. I'm going to the park to see how the girls are getting on. See you, later."
Ethel remained where she was for a moment before she rushed out and caught up with her daughter at the gate. "Can I come, too," she asked in a quiet voice.
Kylena turned. "Yes, Mum," she whispered.
The subdued elder Delton walked beside Kylena in silence for a few moments before she spoke. "And when is the baby due?” she added in a gentler tone.
"January, Mum," Kylena, responded. She relaxed a little but couldn't help comparing her mother's attitude with that of Fiona. They couldn't be further apart.
*
Three days passed. Ethel was polite to John and awkward with the girls but at least, it appeared she was trying to make their stay pleasant. Kylena’s dad more than made up for his wife's attitude and took them everywhere, treated the girls to rides on a gondola that went up to the Port Hills, took them to a zoo, to local malls, the movies and everyone out to an up-market restaurant where he insisted on paying the whole tab.
"I like your dad," John said on their last evening in Christchurch.
"But Mum is still difficult," Kylena sighed.
"I know," John, responded," I think she’s trying though."
"She is. It's like University days. We always had a row then she'd settle down but next time it would be the same. Poor Dad's been nagged all his life. I don't know how he puts up with her."
"Plays golf and goes to his club," John replied. "You know he's well liked and respected at both those places."
"Yes but Mum did one thing for me."
"And what's that my dear."
Kylena's blue eyes shone into his. "I changed my mind. I want to get married before bubs is born; the sooner the better."
" You do?" gasped her partner.
"Well if you do?" Doubt grew in her voice but she noticed his response and laughed. "I promise not to end up like Mum if that's what you're thinking."
"No, you're like your Dad," John replied.
"And my suggestion?"
John said nothing but pulled her into his chest and ran a hand over her tummy. He next held her out, gazed in her eyes and placed an affectionate kiss on her lips.
*
Two weeks later in a small civil ceremony in Hunterville, John and Kylena were married. Harold was the best man and Julie bridesmaid. The bride was surprised to see her parents had accepted their invitation and had flown up for the ceremony.
For the first time, perhaps, Ethel could not have been more graceful and John was quite embarrassed when, after the reception, she handed him a check for several thousand dollars.
"This is for the girl's education," she said. "I believe Julie is off to boarding school in the new year and I know they can be expensive places. We would also like to open a bank account for the baby when he is born."
"It could be a girl, Ethel," he responded.
"I know," she replied. "It doesn't really matter but the offer is still there."
"And I accept," John smiled. “This is the nicest wedding gift you could give us."
Ethel smiled. "It's not your wedding gift, John," she said. "We bought you both a new automatic washing machine. It’s being delivered today. Kylena said the one in the house was quite small. You'll need a big one with all those baby things to wash."
John smiled and hugged his new mother-in-law. "Thank you," he said in a whisper.
Ethel looked up at him. "I know Kylena and I have our differences but I do love her, you know."
John nodded and glanced up to where his bride, dressed in a dark blue suit that almost hid her pregnancy was walking back across the room. "Why don't you tell her that," he responded.
"You know, I think I will," Ethel responded. She squeezed John's arm and stepped out to meet her daughter.
*
Another surprise materialized the next evening when Linda McLean managed to persuade Kylena to go to the local hall on pretence of their being a special meeting of the Country Women’s Institute. When she walked in, the hall was dark and quiet but she could sense other people there. Suddenly the lights went on and a huge banner flopped down from the ceiling.
"Mrs. Kylena Berg, Long Valley Road's newest bride."
A cheer rose and everyone in the whole valley, it seemed plus all the children were there, Tables of food appeared from the back room and a speaker started blaring out music. Streamers appeared from nowhere and coloured lights flicked on.
"And you thought you could sneak away and get married," Linda cried out as a mystified John appeared. Frank had told him he wanted some repairs on the hall checked and the locals had even managed to hide their cars in an out-of-sight paddock.
Kylena looked up to see Julie, Helen, her Mum and Dad walk in. "You knew, too?" she gasped.
"Of course," Julie said.
"Oh my God, I'm overwhelmed," Kylena responded as three ladies appeared with a massive bunch of flowers and an enormous gift wrapped in pink paper. "To our favourite principal (and John, too)", it said.
With Helen's help, Kylena opened the present to reveal a baby's bassinet with a gigantic teddy bear tucked in the bed filled with more presents; all sorts of baby items from soap to toys. Kylena just stood and gazed around the room.
"Thank you." She smiled. "Thank you everyone. I'm overwhelmed."
"Yeah, well we've got something for John, too," Harold grunted. He reached behind the ancient hall piano and withdrew another present that looked like a book to hand to the groom.
It was. When John opened the gift, read the title, gave a chuckle and handed it onto his wife.
"Okay, what's it called?" someone called out.
John held the book up. "The Expectant Father and the Working Mother,” he read "A guide to modern family life."
A ripple of laughter ran through the room and another voice pierced the air. "Yeah, we want Kylena back at school next year, mate, so you're better digest everything in it."
John tucked one arm around his wife and another around Julie while Helen cuddled in front of them all. Two cameras flashed and spontaneous applause broke out. It was a night to remember.
*
A week slipped by, the girls were back at school and John had just returned from the morning farm chores when Kylena looked up from the computer screen and smiled.
"There's a letter from your accountant in New York on the bench," she said.
When John read the letter a deep frown crossed his brow. He flicked through the wad of pages and turned back to reread the front page.
"Problems?"
John nodded. "It's from my lawyer. My brother has filed a court case against me and it will be heard during the first week in November."
"But I thought you had settled everything with him." Kylena stood and walked across to examine at the letter.
"Yes, but he wants more," John snorted.
"How can that be?"
"It's long and complicated but is a continuance of the case contesting my father's will. Gary is three years older than me and my parents supported him through university where he ended up with a PhD while I got a two-year agricultural diploma and returned to work on the ranch. Pop died a few years after Mom. In his will, he left two thirds of everything to me and a third to Gary."
"And did your brother help on the ranch?"
John shrugged. "No. We hardly saw him. He moved to California just after he graduated. I helped Pop on the farm for ten years before he died. Anyhow, Gary contested the will and we came to an out of court settlement where I agreed he could have fifty percent of the estate. I bought him out at the market rate three years ago."
"Sounds like your father was being fair and you have one miser of a brother my dear."
"Oh he is," John snorted. He turned to the letter. "That's the trouble. I sold the ranch to a developer for about twenty percent higher than the original evaluation. Gary is now claiming an extra five hundred thousand dollars that he reckons is his share of the ranch sale price."
Kylena stared." Oh my God," she exclaimed "But the ranch was in your name, wasn't it?"
"Oh it was," John replied. "He found some loophole in the law and is suing me. My lawyer said in his covering letter that unless I defend it, Gary has a very good chance of winning." He shrugged. "All my money is tied up in Top Oasis. To pay that amount, plus lawyer's fees will mean I'll have to get a heavy mortgage here or sell the farm."
"The bastard," Kylena hissed. "Why don't you just ignore it? American courts have no jurisdiction in New Zealand and most of your capital is here."
John sighed. "I know, my sweet, but if they decide in his favour and don't pay up, I'd be an outcast and could not return to The States."
"So what do you do?"
John placed the document on the bench and pointed to a paragraph on the front page. "My lawyer suggests a counter claim under the New York State equivalent of New Zealand's Family Protection Act. Basically, if we can prove my family, and that's you too, of course, will suffer undue hardship as a result of his claim, it could be lowered or even dismissed. Also, we have to prove no malice or dishonesty was intended when I signed the original agreement.
"What do you mean?"
"Gary is claiming I knew the ranch was worth more than that original evaluation and it was my intention to sell it at the higher price and leave the country."
"Nice fellow," snorted his wife.
"It seems a long shot but Orley, that's my lawyer, gives us a fifty-fifty chance of winning and better odds at having the amount reduced. I have to attend personally, though."
"Then I'm coming, too," Kylena snorted.
"But the cost and your pregnancy?"
"I have some money saved and will only be seven months on in November." She grimaced. "How long will the case last?"
"All the preliminary stuff can be done by Orley. I'd say a week at the most, probably less. Whatever the outcome, we should be back by mid November."
"Well, we have plenty of time," Kylena said with that determined streak. "If you go, I will, too." She grinned. “I’ve never been to America."
It didn't take too much to make John agree to Kylena's suggestion and the only change to their original plan was an offer from Fiona to pay for the girls to make the journey back.
"No, I insist," she told them. "Harold and I will look after the place and a couple of weeks off school will do them no harm."
"But what about yourself, Fiona?" Kylena asked. "Wouldn't you like to go back?"
"No," Fiona smiled. "There's nothing in America for me, now." She glanced up at John. "That's why I came with John in the first place."
*
In the last weekend of October, John flew out of New Zealand with his family, two excited daughters and his new wife.
Three days doing all the tourist things in Los Angeles still didn't really prepare Kylena for the small city of Syracuse. It was similar in size to her hometown of Christchurch but the surrounding countryside was different. Whereas Christchurch was surrounded by farmlands stretching back to New Zealand's Southern Alps about three quarter of a million people lived in the counties around the Northern New York State city and thirty miles north was the massive expanse of Lake Ontario and Canada. It was fall; the weather was cold and the countryside thick with the reds and yellows of deciduous tree leaves.
After landing at Hancock International Airport, John picked up a rental car, a massive Pontiac and headed the seventy miles to his old home. Old friends were met and, without exception, welcomed John's new wife into their homes. As expected, the Bern ranch had gone and the visit there was an anti-climax. Their old home had been demolished and a new road ran right through the property. Already three new houses had been constructed and four more were in various stages on construction.
But time came for business and after two days later they headed back to a peasant motel in Syracuse. It was the day before the court case and another friend of John's who lived in the city offered to entertain the girls while the two adults visited Oily Williamson at his downtown office. He was a pleasant man in his mid forties who, like everyone else they'd met, greeted Kylena with enthusiasm.
*
After summarizing the procedures, the lawyer turned to Kylena. "Would you be prepared to go on the stand," he asked in a slow drawl that made John's voice sound in her mind, almost accentless.
"Of course if it will help," she replied.
"It will." Orley replied. "New bride, heavily pregnant prepared to travel half a world to defend her husband's rights. You may be just the person we need to tip the scales our way. Now, I'll need a few details of your combined incomes, assets, liabilities and so forth."
"I brought all the papers connected with our New Zealand property," John replied.
"And I remembered to bring details of Julie's boarding school fees next year, the income tax we have had to pay in advance and other establishment fees John had to pay in New Zealand plus the taxes he had to pay here before he left New York."
"You are thorough, Kylena," Orley complimented and gave John a dig. "Where did you find this jewel?" he asked.
"Well, I don't know whether to count her as an asset or liability," John said and ignored indignant glance. "He smiled. "I guess she's an asset."
"Thanks," she retorted and turned back to the lawyer. "Top Oasis has not turned a profit since John bought it. I'm on unpaid leave, too."
"So you're almost broke, baby's due and Julie is off to boarding school."
"We get an allowance from the government for her," John added.
"I didn't hear that," the lawyer replied. "I'd say you made a total commitment to date and are still struggling to make ends meet. I hear you support your former mother-in-law too, John."
"Well," John replied. "Sort of. Fiona arranged to have her superannuation transferred from New York State before she emigrated so she is really independent."
"I never heard that either," Orley chuckled.
Kylena frowned. "Isn't that all a little dishonest?"
"No," replied the lawyer. "We don't mention it, that's all. If Gary's lawyer finds out about it that's fair enough but why should we help them? I know he is crying poverty and debts as long as your arm."
"But he gets a huge salary," John retorted.
"Yes, and lives highly," the lawyer replied. “That is something I'm about to bring out, too."
*
Judge Elizabeth Mroczkowski glanced down at Kylena after the New Zealander had been sworn in and gave a professional; smile.
"Would you like to have a seat, Mrs. Berg?" she offered but the young woman smiled and declined. You understand our court procedure. Both counsels will ask you questions and also I may if I seek clarification of an item. This is not a jury trial and is more informal."
"I realize that, Your Honour," Kylena replied.
"Very well," the judge replied. "Mr. Williamson you may begin."
Gary Berg’s lawyer, Thomas Carlson, grilled Kylena for half an hour as he tried to draw out every little detail about her.
"Tell me, Mrs. Berg," he asked. "You were divorced and working as a elementary school principal when you met your husband. Is that correct?"
"Yes."
"Very convenient. Rich American arrives in town with a ready-made family," the man muttered as he gazed over his glasses at the witness.
"A point, Your Honour," Orley said in a quiet voice.
"Yes, Mr. Williamson," the judge replied.
"That is an irrelevant statement bordering on being defamatory. The reason for Kylena Berg's marriage to my client has no bearing on this case."
"I agree. You will change your approach, Mr. Carlson."
"I apologize to the court, Your Honour," the lawyer said in a bored tone and turned back to Kylena. "Can you describe the farm, let me see..." He glanced down at his notes. "Top Oasis that your husband purchased."
"It is a high country sheep and cattle farm, three hundred hectares; that's about seven hundred and fifty acres consisting of steep hill country and a flat plateau. It carries..." Her voice continued with a precise description.
"And compared with adjacent farms, how would you classify it," Carlson asked.
"Most in the district are of comparable size."
"And your house?"
"It's a modern residence..." and so the questioning continued.
Kylena became more depressed. She felt her evidence was hindering their case rather than vice versa. Gary Berg's lawyer was well on the way in establishing John owned a valuable property in New Zealand, in fact one that compared more than favourably with the property he sold in New York State.
*