Romeo And Juliet Part III

Chapter 1

"John, have you seen Mary Anne? We're going to be late for Louise's birthday party." a heavily pregnant Evelyn asked as she searched the house for her daughter.

"No, I thought she was with you." he said.

He then saw her creeping past the doorway, "There you are! We've been looking for you." he picked up his squirming two year old.

"I don't want to go! I don't like Louise!" Mary Anne protested with an angry pout.

"Well I'm afraid you're going to have to put up with her this afternoon." he said.

"There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere." Evelyn said.

"Please don't make me go to Louise's party!" Mary Anne pleaded.

"I'm sorry darling but you have to go. We don't want to look rude to Louise's parents now do we?" Evelyn said sternly to her daughter.

Mary Anne groaned.

"Just show up, be nice and have fun, alright?" Evelyn reasoned with her.

"Oh fine!" she gave in.

"Now come on dear, let's go."

"Shouldn't I take her? At this stage of your pregnancy you should be resting." John said.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" she asked.

"What's the worst that can happen? Don't worry dear."

"Well, alright." she handed the present over to John.

****

John knocked on the door, feeling slightly anxious as he heard the chatter and hubbub coming from through the door.

"Oh, hello Mr Merrick." Sarah greeted him, expecting to see Evelyn.

"Hello Mrs Gilbert." he saw her slight discomfort, "here's a present for Louise."

"Thank you Mr Merrick. Now, come on in Mary Anne, all your friends are waiting." Sarah showed her in with a smile.

Mary Anne reluctantly followed her in.

"Have fun darling, I'll be back in a few hours." John said.

"No Daddy, stay!" she clung to his leg.

"I really should be leaving darling, I'll be back soon."

"Please let him stay." Mary Anne looked up at Sarah with puppy dog eyes.

"If you want to stay you're welcome to Mr Merrick." she said, though she didn't think it was a good decision.

John didn't know what to say but seeing Mary Anne desperately clinging to him he didn't want to leave her behind.

"Well, I suppose I should." he stepped inside with a gulp of anxiousness.

John's heart raced as he entered into a room full of mothers and toddlers.

Several of the mothers who didn't already know John gasped in horror as they laid eyes upon him. Even those who did know him seemed uncomfortable with his presence. Sheepishly, he sat down with them.

"Hello Mr Merrick." Beatrice tried to show him some kindness.

"Hello Mrs Moore." he said, relieved someone had broke the unbearable silence.

Seeing that Beatrice was comfortable with him the other mothers began to relax around him and even spoke to him.

"You must be Evelyn's husband." one of them said.

"Yes, I am." he too began to unwind.

"And that's your daughter, Mary Anne?" she motioned towards Mary Anne who sat playing with the other children.

"Yes she is."

She nodded in acknowledgment, at a loss of what to say next.

One of the children came over to his mother to ask her to take him to the toilet and caught sight of John.

"Mummy, why does that man have a funny head?" he whispered very indiscreetly.

"Matthew! You can't say such things! Now come on." she scolded as they left for the bathroom.

"I'm terribly sorry." she said to John over her shoulder.

"Think nothing of it." he said.

He was a little hurt by the boy's comment but he had heard much worse things said about him throughout his life. He couldn't blame him for being curious, he even found it a little endearing.

An hour or so had passed and Mary Anne walked over to her father.

"Daddy, I'm tired. I want to go home." she said.

"Are you sure you can't stay a little longer?"

"No I really want to go home." she said.

"Alright then dear." he picked her up.

"Mrs Gilbert, is it alright if I take Mary Anne home? She's feeling rather tired."

"Oh yes, it's no problem. Goodbye." she bid them farewell.

"So, I'm guessing you still don't like Louise?" John asked as he carried her home.

"No, she's really mean." Mary Anne said.

"Oh dear. Aren't you being a little hard on her?"

"No I'm not." she said adamantly.

"If you say so."

She then fell asleep as they walked up the pathway.

"You're back early." Evelyn said as they entered the house.

"Mary Anne was tired, and I don't think she was enjoying herself very much."

"You didn't come home. Did you talk with the other mothers?" Evelyn asked with an amused grin.

"Yes I did." he saw her amusement.

"How did they take to you?" she said, a little more serious.

"Surprisingly well. They were initially rather shocked but after a while they got used to me."

"That's brilliant darling. I'm so happy that you're getting on so well with everyone." she smiled.

"Thank you dear. Now, I'd better get this one upstairs into her bed." he said carrying Mary Anne upstairs.

He gently laid her down on her bed, tucking a stray blonde curl behind her ear.

"Sleep well my dear." he said.