Threes a crowd. - Now Complete.

Part 8

After sharing a shower and getting dressed, it was only a short drive to Jane's parent's house. The Ashers, although they knew and liked Paul, had been unhappy that their daughter had been hastily married because of the baby. Margaret Asher was particularly concerned about her daughter.  Although her pregnancy seemed to be blooming, there was something in her daughter's manner that worried her. Jane had lost her sparkle...her 'joie de vivre' since marrying Paul. Margaret Asher knew that in the past Paul hadn't always treat Jane well and could only hope that now she was carrying his child, he was treating her the way she deserved. She watched her over Christmas lunch. Jane had eaten very little and had observed the conversation around the table without taking part unless questioned directly by another member of the family.

"Paul, could you give me a hand taking these dishes into the kitchen please?" Margaret asked during a lull in the conversation.

Surprised but wary, he stood up and helped his mother in law. It came as no surprise to Paul when his mother in law pulled him into the pantry and spoke in a low, angry voice.

"What have you done to my daughter? She looks dreadful!"

"Done?" Paul was shocked, "I haven't done anything to her Margaret! Seriously I haven't! I'm doing my best to show her that I  love her and look after her. I know she's not been sleeping very well.  She says the baby is keeping her awake because it's moving a lot.  She's also really anxious about giving birth and is stressed about that!"

"And you're behaving?" Margaret stared him directly in the eye.

He blushed. He knew Jane had told her mother about his past 'wanderings.'

"Paul?"

"Margaret, I am being completely faithful to Jane! I made her a promise and I'm sticking to it!" He looked at his mother in law. "I am worried about Jane too Margaret. She won't talk about the baby. We haven't even bought any baby equipment yet ....she just won't even engage with the idea! I turned up with a teddy bear and little shoes the other day - she didn't even look at them! I know she wasn't happy about getting pregnant in the first place but I hoped that by now she would be feeling happier about it all!"

Margaret nodded. "I've noticed that too. That's worrying!"

"Can I tell you something else Margaret?"

"I you want to."

We were with the lads, at John's house the other night." said Paul, "and even Cynthia, who she's really good friends with, couldn't get her to talk about the baby. It worries me so much!" 

"Do you think I should try and talk to her?"Margaret asked, "This isn't normal you know, for someone so close to giving birth Paul!"

"You could try but..." he stopped.

"But what?"

"The thing is...." Paul reluctantly told his mother in law about what had happened at the Lennon's and Jane's conviction he was being unfaithful. "No matter how I try to reassure her how much I love her and will always be there for her Margaret, she seems to doubt me all the time but I really don't know what else to do! I know that won't be helping her!"

Margaret nodded, looking thoughtful. She smiled at Paul. "Thank you for being so honest with me Paul. That can't have been easy!"

"It's OK." He gave her a weak smile in return. "It's Jane I'm worried about! I do love her so much and hate to see her clearly so unhappy!"

"I'll have a chat with her. A proper sit down serious talk."

"Thank you.... and Margaret?"

"Yes Paul?"

"Will you make it clear to Jane that I only told you because I'm worried about her. Because I love her? Please." 

After Christmas dinner and giving and receiving presents, the family sat around together talking and watching Christmas TV. Jane dozed on Paul's shoulder.

"Jane love," said her mother gently, "Why don't you go and have a lie down upstairs? You'll be much more comfortable?"

"That's a good idea love." said Paul softly.

"Actually I think I will. Thanks mum!"

"Use our room Jane love." called her mother, "And I'll bring you a drink up later."

An hour or so later, his father in law snoring in a chair, Paul sat playing cards with Jane's brother Peter. Margaret appeared from the kitchen.

"I'm just taking this drink up to Jane!"

Peter just nodded, focused on the game. Paul gave his mother in law a thankful smile and watched her go, wondering how Jane would react to her mother's questions.

Margaret Asher entered the room. Her heavily pregnant daughter was lying on the bed, eyes wide open, clearly deep in thought. She saw her mother come in and began to sit up.

"Hi!"

"Hello love, good sleep?"

Jane took the cup of tea from her mother. "I couldn't get back to sleep after all so I've just had a rest."

"Feeling any better?"

Jane looked at her mother's face. She knew immediately something was wrong.

"What's wrong mum?"

"I think that's something I should be asking you Jane, don't you?"

"I'm fine mum!"

"No you're not love!"

"Mum, look I'm just..."

"Jane, please love, just listen to me for a moment. Paul's worried sick about you and so are your father and I. You're not yourself, anyone can see that!"

"What's Paul said?" Margaret heard the panic in her daughter's voice.

Margaret took her hand. "Paul was amazingly honest with me love. He told me about what happened at the Lennon's the other night. He even explained how it had come about. But he's even more worried about you. You won't talk about the baby. Is it really true that you've not bought a single thing for this baby? It could arrive at any time Jane!"

Jane nodded slowly. "I'm ...I'm so scared mum! I didn't want to be pregnant at the beginning but now, I still don't want to have this baby!"

"Why love?"

"The thought of giving birth is terrifying!"

Margaret smiled. "Every first time mum thinks that love!"

"I know but....mum, I scared of being left on my own with a baby. Paul and I, we've never had the easiest of relationships! And I know it's just a matter of time before he gets fed up of me and a crying baby and starts wandering again! I couldn't stand it mum!!"

"But Paul keeps telling you how much he loves you and that he will be faithful!"

"I Know but mum, but I've heard these words from him so many times and but then he's gone off with other women! It's hard to believe he's changed so much!"

"I think the propectof being a father I feel like I'm sitting on a time bomb - just waiting to go off and then Paul will ditch both of us! It's in my head all the time!"

"What about the baby? How do you feel about that?"

"I want to be a good mum." Tears were now rolling down her cheeks, "I do but I also know that Paul won't like my attention not being on him....it'll give him an excuse to wander! Then look at me! I'm fat and ugly and I know I want magically go back to the figure I had. Paul will think I'm and ugly freak! It's all a mess mum!!" 

She began to sob uncontrollably.