And Baby Makes Three

So, it really was true! What all their parent friends had told them; a new baby, most especially your first, changes your life completely and utterly.

Not the sleepless nights, not the fear of doing something wrong, not the panic of the unexpected sneeze, cough, or raised temperature.  No, none of the negatives.  It was having someone so innocent and helpless and dependant on you smiling and gurgling with pleasure every time she saw you.

From the moment he first saw Debra, Carl knew, if nothing else, this was what he was destined to do, to nurture and raise a child.

He took his full share of paternity leave from his job at the lab, but even when he went back to work, Carl loved taking his turn at the night-time or early morning feeds.

And when he returned home after a day at 'the office', the first thing he did was check in with his beautiful daughter and give her a snuggle before he changed out of his work clothes.

Every evening telling her how his day had gone, how proud he was, and how she was going to fulfil all of her dreams.

While Carl was at work, Malia loved keeping Debra with her as she went about her daily chores and when she had time to relax with her favourite TV programmes, describing to her daughter what was happening on the screen and how she would grow up to do whatever she wished.

Malia was, however, frustrated that the winter weather had staying so long in Hidden Springs so she was unable to get out into her garden.  She had agreed to take a stall at the central park where she would sell her produce and was eager to get started.

Without the physical effort of tending the garden to keep her active, there were many days when Malia would feel quite tired and lethargic by the time Carl came home from work.

Thankfully Carl was never one to mope or idle time away and his enthusiasm for both Debra and Malia as well as whatever it was they were doing at the time would invariably lift her spirits.

And, of course, whenever you felt like resting Debra would need a feed, or a nappy change, or just cuddles and play.

Seeing the uncomplicated love and affection of their baby would put a shine on any otherwise dull day.



A few weeks after Debra was born, they received a parcel from one of Malia's more distant aunts, Bernice.

Neither of them had seen her in years, though they knew Malia's parents and some other family members had kept in touch with her so it wasn't entirely surprising to receive a letter or small gift to celebrate a new addition to the family.

The gift of a small soft doll was not unusual either, but there was something out of the ordinary about it, compounded by the mysterious 'secrets' alluded to in the accompanying note.

Either way, Malia was delighted to hear from Bernice, and Debra took an instant liking to her slightly odd looking toy, so everyone was happy.

Special Delivery

Knowing they were to be parents, some changes in their lives were inevitable.

For one thing they realised that they needed a little extra room in their modest home so that their child had space to play in and, also, so that they had somewhere to get a little peace should they need it.  As positive and optimistic as they were, they both knew that there would be times when one or other of them just needed to take break.



So Carl set about adding a small extension to their cottage and moving the bathroom to make way for a nursery.

While Carl was busy reshaping their home, Malia had to endure the peculiar stresses, strains, and cravings that were part and parcel of being pregnant.

Normally Malia was not a great fan of ice-cream (it was one of the few things about her that Carl could never understand ... after all, who doesn't love ice-cream?!)

But there were many nights Malia would wake up with an urgent desire for the smoothest and creamiest of ice-creams - though always the most unusual flavours she could find!

-- * --

The months passed, the due date grew nearer and nearer when Carl's boss, Liam O'Dourke, threw a last minute party for the expectant couple - Liam was a great fan of the 'last minute' in most everything he did!

Though hurriedly organised Liam promised a relaxed and chilled gathering with some of their friends and work colleagues.  Despite his imminent fatherhood though, Carl couldn't help himself when they arrived and went into full bro-dude mode as Liam welcomed them into his home.

Always embarrassed whenever he did this, Malia would forgive him this time, knowing that very soon he would soon be saying goodbye to several aspects of his youthfulness as he adapted to a new role, a father.

Liam was a great host, providing not just some lovely finger food but also great company.

Though Malia did wonder if one particular guest held a special attraction for the still single host...

As conversations moved easily from subject to subject, with everyone contributing, whether trivial, serious, or passionate it was clear to anyone who took the time to notice such things, as Malia did, that Liam always seemed that little bit more interested whenever Candace Roberts put across her viewpoint. 

Even in the most relaxed and comfortable environment, Malia still only had limited energy, so when Carl noticed the tell-take signs he quickly suggested that that they head for home.

Saying their farewells to the assembled guests, Malia mentioned how the little one was starting to get a little 'active'.  Which, strangely enough, he/she often did around this time of the evening.

Liam couldn't help asking if he could ...

As he gently touched Malia's belly he felt the baby push out; once, twice, three times.  "Well," he smiled, "I reckon you're going to have your hands full ... feels like baby  Slade is going to be a bit of a handful!"

-- * --

As it turned out, it was only a few days later when Malia felt that irresistible pressure.  It was clear that "the little one" wasn't planning on waiting around!

Rushed to the Rudolph Vanderburg Memorial Hospital, the delivery was surprisingly quick and straight-forward.  There were no complications, the doctor declared both mother and baby were healthy and recovery from the 'trauma' of birth progressing without any cause for concern.


In no time at all Malia emerged from the hospital delighted to introduce the world to Debra Slade.



With little Debra at home, both Carl and Malia felt suddenly empowered.  It was as if, after all the time they had spent travelling and exploring, they had finally realised what was truly important to them.

Their beautiful new daughter had given them a new and very "real" purpose.  One that would, for sure, be at times difficult and stressful but, nevertheless, be immensely rewarding and satisfying.

That night, the first as a complete family, they all three slept soundly, with a a sense of great relief, satisfaction, and anticipation for the next chapters in their lives.

Back To Normal?

The honeymoon is over, Malia's birthday is done, and life is getting back to 'the old routine' for Carl and Malia.

Well, a sort of 'normal'.  Winter was firmly settled in over Hidden Springs and as lovely as it looked it did mean that Malia's garden wasn't getting much attention.

They couldn't afford a greenhouse so she made sure all her plants were well protected by a good deep layer of compost mulch and grit.  All being well, her small and increasingly profitable vegetable plot would make it through to Spring.

So, while waiting for the weather to improve, Malia keep up-to-date with all the latest news, ideas, and tips from the award-winning "Garden Masterclass" programmes on their local TV station.

There was also her favourite monthly magazine, "Oh My! Garden!".  The last Thursday each month when it arrived in the post-box was always a 'red letter' day in the Slade household.

Not that Malia was entirely housebound, she also enjoyed trips into town, in particular her occasional  visits to Silver Zephyr Health Spa for a relaxing massage. On these cold winter days, the warmth of the Spa was especially welcome.

If not the Spa, she loved to while away an hour or so at her favourite coffee shop.

For Carl, however, there were not the same opportunities to relax or idly while away his days.

A week after Malia's birthday a memo was sent out from the lab's HR department.  There were to be no bonuses this year!


After the expense of the wedding and the honeymoon they had been planning on having the usual bonus to bring their finances back to a more respectable state.


With no bonus, Carl had to take every opportunity to earn overtime on the latest projects.

 It often felt as if he saw more of his car-share colleague than he did his wife!

What free time Carl had was often spent maintaining their home and repairing the inexpensive, but equally unreliable, appliances.

-- * --

It had been a few weeks now and Malia was starting to recognise a variety of symptoms ... her breasts seemed  a little more sensitive than usual, the increased tiredness and headaches, the nausea ... she was pretty certain she knew what they meant

A quick trip to the chemist to get a test kit and she would soon know, one way or the other.

Malia looked at the little display panel ... there it was, one simple word that meant so much was about to change ... "Pregnant".

As anxious as she was at the thought of raising a child, Malia was also delighted at the prospect and knew that Carl would be too.  He hadn't made a big deal out of it, not ever pressured her at all, but it was always clear that family meant a lot to Carl and he would love to start one of his own ... their own.

That evening, Carl returned from the lab as usual, changed out of his work clothes, noticing as he did so that Malia seemed particularly excited about something ...

"Carl, honey, I've some news for you ... I'm, I'm pregnant!  We're going to have a baby!"

"What?  Oh, what, pregnant?  Amazing!  Oh Malia, that is wonderful!  Are you sure?  Oh my!"

He pulled Malia close, into a tight hug, "this is the best news, I love you babe, we're going to have the most perfect and beautiful baby ever!"

His face alight with joy, Carl gently caressed Malia's stomach...

A Special Present

Shortly after returning from their honeymoon trip to Al Simhara it was Malia's birthday. Not one of the big 'x0' birthdays so they didn't feel obliged to have a big party, just the two of them celebrating together.

As was tradition, Carl encouraged Malia to make a wish as she blew out the candles on the rather larger than they needed cake that Carl had bought.  Not that he thought it especially large for two people, as far as he was concerned you could never have too much cake! 

Malia had to think, what could she possibly want that she didn't already have?  Now that they were settled in their home, now they were married? As she looked down at the flickering candles it came to her, it was obvious and actually not that difficult a decision to make.

"So, are you going to tell me what you wished for?"

"Ha, you know I can't; if I tell anyone it won't come true.  And you wouldn't want that, you really wouldn't!"

"Hmm, OK.  Well I suppose I should give you your special birthday present anyway!"

"A special birthday present, I like the sound of that, though you know that you are all the 'present' I want."

"I know, and as it happens ... your 'present' is in the bedroom ..."

Not at all surprisingly Malia's 'special present' was indeed Carl!  And on this night Malia couldn't have been happier.

-- * --

 Some weeks later Malia woke feeling unusually nauseous.

As she struggled to contain the unsettling sensations she wondered if her wish was about to be fulfilled; if she was to give her own very special present to Carl ...

The Honeymoon (part 2)

The last day of Carl and Malia's honeymoon in Al Simhara was going to be packed with visits to several of the most important sites so they decided to forego the standard camp-site breakfast and cook something special themselves.

Unfortunately, although Malia was a sound cook at home, fire-pit cookery was not her forte!

-- * --

The first visit of the day was to the Great Sphinx.



A massive monument guarding the passing of one of Al Simhara's greatest rulers into the afterlife, it dwarfs all those that approach it.



As they walked between the outstretched limbs of the great beast the honeymooning couple felt as if they really were approaching the entrance to the underworld.




A local guide explained that the ancient glyphs around the doorway describe how more than two thousand years ago the great Djedefre and Khafra ordered the construction of this great monument to guard the tomb of their father Khufu but that within a couple of generations it had started to disappear under the the sand.

-- * --

From the imposing scale of the Great Sphinx Carl and Malia headed to one of the remains of one of the most opulent ancient buildings still standing; the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

 Set against the side of a mountain, even after hundreds of years the temple still glistened such that you had to avert your eyes as you approached it - surely not an accidental feature of the construction.

Climbing the wide stairway to the first floor the reason for the location of the temple was clear.  From it's mountain-side vantage point the temple looked down directly into the centre of the town below.  Or, perhaps more importantly, the town looked up through the swirling sands and heat-haze to the temple dominating the skyline.

After a simple picnic lunch Carl and Malia made their way down from the temple to another famous viewpoint, the Great Pyramid.

Higher than either the Sphinx or the temple, from the Great Pyramid the views across the desert landscape were quite breath-taking.  Carl had thought they would explore the tomb at the heart of the pyramid but Malia was so taken with the quiet and beauty of the vista they simply sat to contemplate the nature of the people who had lived in this unforgiving environment and yet created such incredible monuments.

-- * --

Eventually the heat of the day, not to mention all the climbing they had had to do, took it's toll of their stamina and the pair made their way back down towards the town.

En-route they caught frequent glimpses of the crystal clear river slowly snaking it's way across the bottom of the valley.  At one particularly good vantage point the urge to feel the cool water on their hot and tired bodies took over and, abandoning their scooters by the roadside, they leapt into the refreshing cold water.

Having enjoyed the spectacular views across the valley from it's high points, the low down perspective from the river as the sun sank behind the mountains was every bit as awe-inspiring.

-- * --

Refreshed from their swim Carl and Malia returned to the camp-site for their last night before flying back home.

Here in the desert, with next to no light pollution and no clouds to obscure the view, Al Simhara was an ideal spot to sit back and watch the stars move serenely across the night sky.

On this night there were no shooting stars just the magic of the twinkling heavens to round off perfectly the first few days of their life together as husband and wife.

-- * --

As much as they loved the magic Al Simhara both Carl and Malia were glad to be home; the lush beauty of Hidden Spring, their friends, and the reality of real seasonal weather.

On the short taxi ride from the airport it was clear that the snowfall they had left behind a few days earlier had settled in and winter had fully arrived in Hidden Springs!

Finally they were home, the reassuringly familiar comfort of their own home awaited. This cozy little cabin was going to be where a whole new, more personal, adventure would begin for Carl and Malia.