Two For Mirth

Chapter Two

Monday

08:00

“Right, Cecelia, what can I do for you?” Charles De-Goulash asked as he walked into his office and sat down in his chair, pulling himself close to his desk and leaning on it. He looked at her with his perfect blue eyes, his long eyelashes curling elegantly over them. His blond hair was immaculately combed, not a hair was out of place, and his three-piece tailored suit hung from his stunning body perfectly.

His best friend Cecelia Jayne Montage sat opposite him looking a bit peaky. Her dark suit made her already pale skin look even paler if that was even possible. He looked at her, worry etched into his eyes. He knew what was up with her, why she was here to see him, not Gerry, but it was down to her to voice her opinion on it, not to him.

“I’m sorry to do this Charles, I know you are busy, but I needed to see you,” Cecelia said to him.

“Cecelia, I don’t know what you are worried about, I can always make time for you and you know that. So come on, out with it.” He had noticed changes in her about a month, maybe six weeks ago, it was his job to see these things after all.

“Not feeling so great to be truthful with you.” She told him. “Nausea, mainly first thing when I wake, I’m off food unless it is full of sugar, drinking like it’s going out of fashion and then peeing like a god damned fountain, I keep having dizzy spells and hot flushes, and I am tired all the time.”

“Well,” Charles said with a chuckle. “I know what it sounds like to me, and being a doctor yourself, I am surprised you didn’t come to the same conclusion.”

“Charlie, come on,” Cecelia said nervously.

“Cecelia, to me it sounds like you could be pregnant, and you obviously had the thought in your head or you would have gone to see Gerry, not come and seen me on a clinic morning. So let’s get you up on the bed and do a scan and see where we stand shall we?” Charles suggested as he stood up. Cecelia took a deep breath in. This couldn’t be happening; okay yes, she had come to the conclusion which is why she sought out Charles and not Gerry, but now he had pretty much confirmed it for her, it was settling in heavier than she had expected it to. She stood up and went behind the screen in his office where he kept a bed for patients. “You know the drill, I will just get one of the ultrasound machines and we can get sorted. Do you want a nurse in here as an escort?”

“No, no, don’t worry, I know you well enough to know you won’t be doing anything kinky.” She said dropping her trousers and underwear before getting on the bed whilst he went and got the bits he needed. When he returned he did the exam and then set up the ultrasound. After a moment he found what he was looking for.

“There we go.” He said with a smile. “By the measurements and my exam, I’d say you were about ten weeks gone young lady.”

“Ten weeks?” She said shocked.

“When was your last period?” He asked her.

“To be honest I couldn’t say, with everything that’s happened, I’ve kind of been working on autopilot.” She explained as he continued to move the wand on her stomach. He turned the screen so she could see the baby.

“Here is baby Blackman.” He told her before shifting the wand slightly. “And here is baby Blackman number two,”

“Twins?” She squealed as her face paled further. This just was not her day.

“Twins indeed. You don’t do anything easily do you sweet pea.” He answers, printing off the copies for her. Charles stood and went to the other side of the curtain to let her get dressed.

When she was ready, Cecelia returned to her seat on the other side of the desk to Charles.

“Right, I will class this as your three-month check-up, I will get you booked in for blood tests with the antenatal clinic and I will speak to Molly-Jayne about being your midwife, she's my best one. I want to see you again in six months for a check-up with me, that is of course if you want me to attend you, I will understand if you would prefer someone else, I can pass you over to Claire Tate if you wish.”

“No, no. I would want no other obstetrician other than you to see to the birth of my children.” Cecelia said. “I trust you Charlie, and you know what I am like for trusting people.”

“Very well, then I shall book you in for this time two weeks today to see Molly-Jayne for your midwife appointment, she can do your booking bloods.” He said before standing. She stood up and they walked out of the room together.

“Thank you again, Charlie, I will see you soon.” She said kissing his cheek before turning and walking quickly away, her handbag held tightly to her, a nervous trait she had exhibited for as long as Charlie had known her. He smiled as he watched her leave.