One of a Kind

Chapter 5: Christmas

Christmas was a very important time in the Roberts household.

Like most families it was a time for cheer and good will, but a special baby was born one Christmas; and it wasn't Jesus.

'ALEX!!' Jennifer snapped 'get out of the kitchen. NOW!' Alex held up his hands in despair, Jennifer was very stressed that Christmas as everyone had come to them despite Jennifer being pregnant again. 'Do you want some help?' asked Carol, sticking her head round the kitchen door 'No! I'm fine thank you. I am pregnant, I have not lost the ability to think or cook. I am nearly done now PLEASE sit down, thank you' Carol shook her head and left, defeated. Jennifer had the same strong-headed determination that had been passed down through the female members of the Emerson family. When the dinner was finished Alex sent Charlotte to help her mum being out plates so everyone could help themselves; it was a good job she did.

'Daddy' she said coming out of the kitchen 'where's the plates honey?' He interrupted 'mummy needs you' she ran and sat next to her Nan, hugging her leg tightly. Alex stepped into the kitchen and Jennifer was doubled over by the work surface, 'Jennifer? Are you alright?' She shook her head as she slowly straightened up breathing deeply. 'I think I'm in labour' she gasped, he ran forward and helped her out of the room. 'Not a good time, eh baby' he muttered to himself as he came running out of the kitchen carrying Jennifer in his arms 'oh dear' Ella (Alex's mother) exclaimed 'need a driver?' She had to take long strides to get in front of them to hold the door. The rest of the family would follow behind.

'Are you sure?' Alex asked her for the hundredth time, she looked at him sternly and gasped as another wave of pain hit her 'Alex, I think she knows if she's in labour or not' Ella retorted turning into the hospital. Alex was right to be worried, it was Christmas Eve and the baby wasn't due until late January. It was a quick labour and after just an hour they had another lovely baby girl. Their families had arrived a few minutes before she had given birth, and had spent their car journey discussing names. Jennifer and Alex hadn't had time to think about that yet. She displayed her baby proudly to their families and they pondered their possibilities, Charlotte came up to her mum and Carol lifted her up and sat her on the bed by her mum's feet. She clambered up the bed and looked excitedly at the baby. 'Can she play with me mummy?' Jennifer kissed her daughter on the forehead 'not quite yet darling'. Doctor Kell came into the room, a wide grin spread across her face. 'Well' she began as if questioning herself 'despite being early, she is perfect. Everything has developed fully and everything is working in order. You can take her home today, a new baby for Christmas eh?' Alex turned to Jennifer, 'the perfect present' he whispered and hugged her.

On Christmas Day, Charlotte came into her parents room as usual but she was told that if she came in screaming and woke the baby, Santa could still take away some presents. So she came in as calmly as she could at 6am but her mum was already up and feeding Elsie, her baby sister. Alex was still asleep but he soon woke up when Charlotte jumped on him 'shh' he groaned 'you're going to...' 'Wake the baby?' Jennifer finished and motioned to the baby who was now crying softly in her arms.

They went downstairs and Charlotte gasped, her eyes growing wide 'PRESENTS!!' She shrieked throwing herself onto the floor and picking at the paper on the closest present. There were about 30 presents under the tree. 20 probably for Charlotte and 5 for each parent but Charlotte reached into her dressing gown pocket and pulled out a card with a drawing of her, Alex, Jennifer and Elsie. 'Hafe nise furst crismus Elsie' read the front. Jennifer welled up at the effort that had gone into the lovely card. 'I did it last night' Charlotte squealed 'you went to bed early and I asked daddy if I could make a card!'

Later, they all went to the family Christmas party at Carols house. Jennifer was surprised to slip so easily into her size 8 dress Alex had bought for her last summer. 'Jeez babe' he gasped awestruck 'how the...' She shrugged and rushed to her baby as she started crying. They had some emergency baby clothes and dressed her as warmly as she could, the snow was thick outside and Jennifer did not want to spend Christmas in hospital when it could be avoided.