Your Lying Eyes

Your Lying Eyes Chapter 60

Matthew Paul Donald Orange was born five hours later, weighing in at nine pounds and twelve ounces.

Anna leaned back against the pillow as she watched the midwife clean him and bundle him up before coming to the bed to hand him to her.  She gazed down at her son, as he wriggled around in the blanket.  

"He's beautiful Anna," Howard whispered to her as he leaned in to study the tiny face.  "Just like his mum.  Look at all that dark hair!" he smiled at her.

"He's going to be tall too," said Sarah, the midwife.  "Did you see the length of those legs?  He's a bonny baby.  Congratulations!"

"Yes, congratulations Anna.  You were amazing," he told her kissing her cheek.  "Jason will be totally blown away when he sees him."

Anna looked from Matthew to Howard, her eyes bright with tears of joy and relief that it was now all over with.

Sarah smiled at them then told Howard that she needed to tend to Anna.  He took hold of Matthew and cradled him tenderly in his arms, carrying him to the plastic cot and placing him gently inside.

"I think I've got one or two calls to make now haven't I?" he asked her. "Jason, Mark and Chloe and Gary?" he checked with her.

"Yes that's right.  You don't mind do you?" she asked him.

"Not at all, I'll see you in a bit, ok?" he said as he left the room to make the calls.

Jason's phone was switched off and so he left a message telling him that Matthew had been born.  Next he rang Chloe and Mark and they decided to bring Maisie over to see the new baby just as Anna had wanted them to.

"Leave it an hour or so, Anna is still in the delivery room.  They'll be taking her up to the ward soon.  I'll text you then," he told Chloe.

Mark told him that Jason had rung to say he was about to board the plane back home again, an hour or so before.  Another hour would mean that he'd be back in England and on his way to the hospital.

Last of all he rang Gary and Sandy to give them the news, both of them promising to stop by the following day to visit.

His calls made, he went back into the room to rejoin Anna and Matthew who now was dozing peacefully in the cot.  He leaned over and stroked the baby's cheek with his finger.  It felt so soft and delicate.  He smiled at him, remembering how almost two and a half years ago he'd done the same when Maisie had been born.

"Is Chloe bringing Maisie over then?" asked Anna anxiously.  "I told her she had to."

"Yes they'll be here soon," Howard replied going to sit at her side.  "Don't worry, she'll bring her.  Maybe Mark too!"

"Good," said Anna, satisfied that her wishes were being carried out.  "Any news on Jason?"

"Yes he's on his way.  Should be here in about an hour or so.  Now just relax, ok?"

Sarah re appeared to tell them that a bed was ready for her on the ward and with the help of Carmel, one of the auxiliaries, they took them to the next floor.

As they entered the ward, there were still some late visitors on the ward.  To their surprise, Norman the photographer, and his wife were there.  Their daughter had given birth a couple of hours before and they were in the process of saying their goodbyes.  Their new grand daughter had already been photographed at least three dozen times with her mother even though she was only a few hours old!

"Mummy!" called a little voice as Maisie burst through the door followed by Mark and Chloe.  "Where's my baby?"

Anna and Howard laughed and Howard took hold of her hand, picking her up to show her him.