Halcyon

The Irish Family

20 minutes later they arrive outside a row of small semi-detached houses along a very long strip of road, Jack is the first to get out and the taxi driver helps him take the two suitcases from the boot while Nikki wakes up Poppy who is still fast asleep. "Come on Pops, we're here..." Nikki says calmly to her daughter who is starting to wake, Nikki then gets herself out the car and helps Poppy out the car who stands beside Nikki rubbing her eyes and sucking her thumb.

"Come on baby girl" Nikki smiles as she takes Poppy's hand and follows Jack up the driveway. Jack knocks on the door and waits, he steps back and looks down at Poppy. They hear the door open and slowly the front door opens.

Nikki looks at the woman who is in her mid-fifties, she knew this had to be Jack's aunt Josephine as there was a family resemblance about her. "Jack... my child... how are we!" She says her Irish accent so thick, that Nikki can barely understand a word she is saying.

"I'm good... it's nice to see you, shame about the circumstances" Jack replies as the Irish woman pulls Jack into a tight hug.

They pull away from the hug and Jack turns back to look at Nikki and his daughter, Josephine raises an eyebrow and looks at Jack, "Oh Aunt Josephine, this is my fiancee Nikki and our beautiful daughter Poppy" he smiles as he watches his Aunt freeze and stares at them both for a second. 

"Oh... okay... oh, you're pregnant," Josephine says looking Nikki up and down. Nikki nods awkwardly and then lifts Poppy up out of awkwardness to try and hide her bump a little.

"Put her down Nik," Jack says frowning at Nikki. She shakes her head and looks down at the floor. "So are you going to let us in? it's cold out here" Jack smiles moving the subject on quickly.

Josephine nods and allows Jack and Nikki into the house with Poppy in tow. Nikki crouches down to Poppy's height once inside and helps her remove her coat and shoes, while Josephine stands starring at Poppy.

Jack notices Josephine watching Poppy, "Are you okay Aunt Josephine... you look like you've seen a ghost" Jack speaks.
Josephine snaps out of the trance and looks at Jack, "No, No nothing is wrong" she laughs slightly before walking off into the lounge. Nikki stands and looks at Jack and raises an eyebrow, Jack rolls his eyes in reply before walking into the lounge with Nikki and Poppy.

Jack sits down on the sofa and Nikki sits beside him and Poppy clambers onto Nikki's lap. "Mummy who is that lady?" Poppy questions.
"That lady is your Daddy's auntie" Nikki explains before planting a kiss on Poppy's cheek.

Josephine walks through from the kitchen and sits in the chair opposite them, "I've just put the kettle on, so how was the journey?" she asks them both while she watches Poppy again.

"Tiring... especially with trouble here..." Jack smiles and tickles Poppy's sides making her fall into a shriek of laughter.
"Daddy no! that's mean!" Poppy frowns and crosses her arms.
"Oh Pops" Jack smirks before looking back at his aunt.

"She is just like you Jack..." Josephine smiles happily.
"You think?... All I see is Nikki in her... especially how intelligent she is, just like her Mum" Jack replies back making Nikki blush, she hates it when Jack bigs her up making out that she is extremely pretty and intelligent.

She smiles at the three and keeps glancing at Poppy who is in her own world singing quietly to herself, "I mean you were exactly the same at this age... she's four right? although you were a lot taller she's a wee dot" Josephine smiles.

"No, surprisingly she is only two, three in April. Apparently, she is exceeding her age bracket" Nikki laughs as she strokes Poppy's hair as she is now stood in between her legs.
Josephine smiles and continues to watch her before hearing the kettle boiling and she excuses herself from the room and heads into the kitchen and prepares a pot of tea for the three of them.

When she returns they continue the conversation that goes on for a while, "So I see you're pregnant... how far along are you?" Josephine questions as she picks up he cup of tea. 

"I'm 26 weeks" Nikki smiles.
"Gosh, you are tiny for 26 weeks... is everything okay with the baby?" she questions the two.

Nikki looks at Jack and smiles, "Yes the baby is fine... I've always carried small until like the last month" Nikki explains.
"You have more children?" Josephine asks getting the wrong end of the stick.
"No! god no... Poppy is our first, and we're yet to meet our second" Jack explains.

Josephine laughs awkwardly before moving the subject on, "So what do you do for a job Nikki?"

"I'm a Doctor... of pathology... a home office Pathologist" Nikki replies with a smile which surprises Josephine as she had Nikki down as the stay at home kind of Mum or a florist, not a pathologist. They continue to chat for a few hours before Josephine prepares their dinner for them all.