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Author:	Llywela [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 3:33 pm ]
Post subject:	Keeping Up With Family Tradition - complete 1/2/10
This is my first attempt at a Chalet School story - or drabble, as you call them here. I wasn't completely sure where to put this, as the style is a bit of a departure (but works well for the concept, I think) so opted for St Scholastika's as I think it definitely qualifies as neither fish nor fowl nor good red herring! There are four parts; this is the first - very short and tame, just to set the scene. Title: Keeping Up With Family Tradition Disclaimer: The characters and scenarios depicted herein are the property of sundry people who are not me. I am merely borrowing them, with no intent to defraud, and make no profit from this. Summary: A series of telephone conversations between Joey Maynard and her daughter Philippa as a startling event draws near. Keeping Up With Family Tradition Ring! Ring! "Hello, this is Freudesheim." "Mamma?" "Phil? What a lovely surprise! I wasn't expecting to hear from you today, not after that husband of yours berated me so resoundingly for waking you when I called yesterday. He made it sound like you were at death's door. Are you feeling any better, darling?" "A little. The doctor gave me something that's helping, and Andrew's got us all stocked up on ginger beer – it's the only thing I've been able to stomach, just lately. And at least now we know for sure why I've been so sick. That's why I'm calling. Mamma, you know how much Andrew and I have wanted to start a family – how we went to that clinic for help…." "It's happened? At last? Oh, Phil! I'm so happy for you!" "I'd suspected for a while, but didn't like to say until the doctor confirmed it. Oh, Mamma. I feel like…I don't even know how to describe it. I've wanted this for so long, and now that it's finally happened it doesn't seem real. Apart from the sickness, of course – that part is only too real!" "My poor lamb. But it doesn't last forever, and the reward at the end of it will be all you could ever have wished for." "I know, and I'm looking forward to it already – although I can't help feeling a little scared at the same time. Not scared of becoming a mother, never that, but…scared that I might wake up tomorrow and find that I only dreamed this after all." "Well, I can assure you that I am completely wide awake. And if I am awake and talking to you, then you must be awake as well, which means that this wonderful news is most definitely real and your dreams really are coming true at long last. I could dance for joy – but I shan't, let me hasten to add. Anna would think a herd of baby elephants were stampeding up here, to say nothing of how my poor knees would protest. Consider me to be dancing in spirit, if not in body." "That makes two of us, then. I just can't believe it – it hasn't sunk in yet. I'm all of a spin! There are so many things I want to do to get ready, but the doctor has ordered me to rest, and I do feel terribly woozy, so I'm following orders like a good little girl. I just hope this stage passes soon. Mamma, you'll tell everyone for me, won't you?" "Of course I will, if that's what you wish. I'll shout it from the rooftops! Your father's due home at any moment, so I'll start with him. He'll be thrilled. And then I must call Len and Reg, and Auntie Madge will want to know too, of course, and Geoff, and Con and – oh, everyone. As soon as we finish talking, I'm getting out my directory and calling everyone I know!" "Thank you, Mamma. I wanted to do it myself – I know I've never liked to talk to the others about…well, about our disappointments, but such good news is something to be shared, and I do want to share it. Only I can't quite face…well, I mean, for one thing, I just don't seem to have the energy for that much talking right now." "You do sound awfully tired. The family will understand, I can promise you. They always have. I won't keep you any longer now – you go and rest." "I am a little sleepy. I think I'll take my ginger beer through into the lounge and rest on the sofa for a while with the television to keep me company. I'll talk to you soon." "Goodbye, darling. Mind you get plenty of rest, now." "I will – Andrew will make sure of that! Bye!" ***

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 4:02 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - part one 29/1/10
Intriguing! Brilliant news for Phil; and how typical of Joey to want to tell everyone at once! I hope that Jack can interject some sense of slowing down and decorum to the situation Thankyou; I can't wait to read more!

Author:	cal562301 [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 4:11 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - part one 29/1/10
Lovely start. Looking forward to more of this. Thank you.

Author:	Alison H [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 4:18 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - part one 29/1/10
Congratulations on your first drabble .

Author:	Abi [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 11:23 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - part one 29/1/10
Lovely start - thanks Llywela!

Author:	Lesley [ Sat Jan 30, 2010 6:19 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - part one 29/1/10
Sounds as though Phil has had IVF - timings would work - first one was 1978 and she would have been about 24 then. Thanks Llywela and congrats on your first drabble.

Author:	JB [ Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:43 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - part one 29/1/10
Thanks Llywela. Looking forward to more of this.

Author:	JS [ Sat Jan 30, 2010 11:56 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - part one 29/1/10
The title makes me hope this will be a happy drabble - but I have niggling doubts... Please put me out of my misery soon

Author:	Llywela [ Sat Jan 30, 2010 3:29 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - part one 29/1/10
Thanks for all the comments, folks. Lesley wrote: Sounds as though Phil has had IVF - timings would work - first one was 1978 and she would have been about 24 then. Well spotted. Aye indeed, this is the early 1980s, fertility treatment is in its infancy, techniques not yet refined...and with that said, I refer you all back to the title and summary before you read Part Two. * Ring! Ring! "Hello, this is Freudesheim." "Mamma?" "Oh, Phil! I was just thinking about you. How are you feeling today? Is that tummy of yours letting up at all?" "Not so's you'd notice. Why do they call it morning sickness? It's more like morning, noon and night!" "You poor lamb. I confess I never had it anywhere near as bad, and I'm sure mine never went on for as long as this, either." "Why, thank you, Mother. I feel better now." "I'm sorry – the last thing you want to hear when you're so sick is how lightly your mamma escaped in comparison! Are you able to eat anything at all? Andrew was quite worried when I spoke to him last." "He's been marvellous. He found me a new brand of ginger biscuit that's quite yummy – and stays down, too, more to the point. Lemon tea works as well, we've found. So I'm not quite so poorly off as all that, and my doctor is keeping a very close eye on me. Now, Mamma. Are you sitting down?" "Why? I know that tone. That tone says you've done something terrible. What is it? You haven't been and gone and decided to emigrate after all?" "No, no – of course not. We couldn't, as things stand, anyhow. No, we're well settled here, for the foreseeable future, at the very least. Are you sitting down, Mamma?" "All right, all right. I'm sitting down. What is it?" "Well…Mamma, you know how long Andrew and I have wanted to start a family – how we went to that clinic for help…." "Phil, we've already had this conversation. Remember? I nearly went through the roof with excitement for you, and then ran up the most appalling phone bill, telling the entire clan – and that was a very mean trick of yours, by the way, stiffing me with both the chore of playing newsreader and the bill for it!" "And you loved every minute, playing the proud grandmamma. Not that you haven't done it before, of course…" "But this is the first time for you! And you've wanted it for so long. You are taking good care of yourself, aren't you? Getting plenty of rest?" "Of course – as if Andrew would let me do anything less. Now, Mamma." "Yes. You wanted to tell me something. Okay – shoot." "Shoot? Where did you get that from? Honestly, you're worse than a teenager!" "Stop procrastinating, my love. Come along, Philippa, spit it out." "All right, all right. Well…you remember that Andrew and I went to that clinic for help, and…well, I know I've never wanted to talk about it, but it was awful – I can't tell you how awful, the hoops they made us jump through – but worth it in the end." "Yes, an excellent job they seem to have made of it, too." "Maybe a little too excellent…" "And just what is that supposed to mean?" "Mamma…you are sitting down, aren't you?" "Yes, I'm sitting down, Phil. Come on, out with it." "Mamma, I went for a scan yesterday. And it showed that…there's more than one baby." "Twins? Oh, how wonderful – you're keeping up with the family tradition, there!" "Um…Mamma? It isn't twins." "Triplets? Mercy on us, my girl, you're every bit as bad as I ever was." "Um. No, Mamma. It isn't triplets." "Not triplets? But then…surely not quads? Now that really would beat me into a tin hat – I always said I would round off the family with quads, but I never quite managed it, so it's quite fitting, really, that my daughter should take care of it for me." "No, Mamma. The doctor checked the scan very carefully, he counted and re-counted and then he called for a second opinion. Lots of people counted. They're as sure as they can be. I'm…I'm having quintuplets." "Qui–" Thump. "Mamma? Mamma? I knew you weren't sitting down. Mamma!" "I'm here, I'm here. I only dropped the phone – well, what do you expect, when you go around dropping bombshells like that?" "I did try to break the news gently, you know." "Yes. Yes, I suppose you did – although I'm not sure there is any way of breaking news like that gently! I'll be jiggered. Quintuplets! How Madge will hoot when I tell her! How did Andrew take it?" "He only narrowly avoided collapsing all over the floor right there in the middle of the hospital." "I'm not surprised." "And then he started talking about needing a bigger car. And a bigger house." "Poor Andrew. But you are still pleased about this, aren't you? Both of you? You've wanted children so very much, after all." "Of course we're still pleased – we're getting an entire family in one fell swoop. It's been quite a shock, of course, and we're a little worried. There's so much that could go wrong, and it's going to be hard, we know that. But we're very happy, rest assured of that." "I'm glad. And I can't wait to tell your father!" *

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ Sat Jan 30, 2010 3:34 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - updated 30/1//10
I hope that they all survive and are delivered safely! That really would beat them all Thankyou!

Author:	JS [ Sat Jan 30, 2010 3:34 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - updated 30/1//10
Thanks for the speedy update

Author:	JB [ Sat Jan 30, 2010 3:35 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - updated 30/1//10
I was half expecting quads. Thanks for going one better.

Author:	Alison H [ Sat Jan 30, 2010 5:23 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - updated 30/1//10
From the title I thought she was going to be expecting quads, but quins are even better .

Author:	Mrs Redboots [ Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:11 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - updated 30/1//10
Thank you!

Author:	Lesley [ Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:18 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - updated 30/1//10
Oh that's excellent - and quite possible - even today twins etc are far more common with those having IVF. Thanks Llywela PS No wonder she's 'morning' sick!

Author:	emma t [ Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:40 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - updated 30/1//10
I really enjoyed this! Anymore to come?

Author:	cal562301 [ Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:59 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - updated 30/1//10
Lovely news for Phil and Andrew. Great that Joey being beat by her own daughter. Echoes requests for more please

Author:	Abi [ Sun Jan 31, 2010 12:00 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - updated 30/1//10
Well, blimey! Loved Joey's reaction . Thanks Llywela!

Author:	Kacca [ Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:29 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - updated 30/1//10
I would have dropped the phone as well!!! Thank you Llywela.

Author:	Llywela [ Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:00 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - updated 30/1//10
Thanks again, everyone. My thought process for this ran thus: I've been re-reading the series and have just got to the stage where Joey first starts threatening to have quads, just to ensure that she beats everyone else in the childbearing stakes. Except, of course, that she can't just arrange these things to suit herself. So I started thinking that it would serve her right if someone else had the quads instead of her...except that just because twins run in the family doesn't make a higher order multiple birth any more likely. But then I thought about how the dawn of fertility treatment brought about a swathe of higher order multiple births in the 1980s-90s, before techniques started to be refined (well, it can still happen now, but they do try to avoid it these days)...and thus this story was born. I picked Phil as being about the right age in the 80s, and then decided to well and truly go for broke by giving her quintuplets rather than quads, just for the sake of well and truly outdoing Joey! Okay, this is part three of four. * Ring! Ring! "Hello, this is Freudes –" "Mamma, I'm bored." "Philippa Anne Mayn…Bennett. Interrupting your dear Mamma like that – didn't they teach you manners in school?" "Apparently not. Is your memory going at last, getting my name wrong when I've been married all these years?" "Cheeky brat. How are you, my pet – other than bored, of course, since we've already established that much?" "Fat." "Philippa!" "Well, it's true. I'm enormous. I can't even put my own socks on any more. I look like a beached whale." "Well, what do you expect, incubating five babes at once like that?" "And I'm only going to get bigger before it's all over." "So you called to moo at me about it, did you?" "No, I called so that my most beloved Mamma can entertain me. Andrew's at work, the doctor has me on bed rest, I've read every blessed book in the house and if I watch any more daytime television my brain will start to dribble out through my ears." "Such charming imagery. Radio." "What?" "Radio. It's a quite delightful invention whereby you turn the dial until you find a station that plays music to your taste, and then if that station later fails you, you try again in search of something else. I've always found it wonderfully entertaining in idle moments." "The radio's kaput. Andrew keeps talking about having it fixed, or chucking in the towel and investing in a new one, but it's all talk so far. So you see, motherest of mothers and spinner of stories that you are, you are my last hope. Tell me you have something interesting to report – anything." "Alas, my sweet, you have picked the wrong day to ask. The wrong week to ask, for that matter. The school's on Christmas hols, so nothing to report there, and we're snowed in. I must confess I've been on the verge of a light coma myself, we're all so dull up here." "You're no help! I knew I should have called Cec first." "Oh, I wouldn't, if I were you. Her lot have apparently opted to all come down with some terrible lurgy or other at the same time – she was all but tearing her hair out when I spoke to her. You could try that twin of yours, though. He won't be home, of course – when is he ever – but Christine will be there, and their little pack of rat bags is always good for a tall tale or five!" "Nice thinking. Any more suggestions?" "Yes – learn to knit, or something. It'll keep you nicely occupied and you'll have something to show for it at the end of the day, not to mention the pleasure of seeing your little darlings kitted out in something you made for them yourself. With all this time on your hands for practice, you might even manage to master the art of it at last, and about time, too. How on earth you managed to emerge from your years at the Chalet School so hopelessly inept at all tasks domestic, I'll never know." "Slander! I can cook. That's domestic. And I keep my house spotless, I'll have you know." "Fair enough. You just can't knit, sew, crochet…" "I always hated anything fiddly. You know that." "Don't I just! The fuss we had over you and your dommy sci." "Don't remind me. If all my years at school couldn't make a knitter of me, I can't see any miraculous transformations being on the cards now. I'll have to rely on the rest of you to keep the kids kitted out in knitwear. Instead I think I shall follow your other piece of advice and call my sister-in-law for a good chin-wag, since you've been such a let-down. Bye, Mamma." "Speak to you soon, darling." *

Author:	Lesley [ Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:13 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - part 3/4 added 31/1//10
Oh that was lovely! Such a normal, everyday conversation yet it shows so much love and 'belonging'. Thanks Llywela

Author:	Alison H [ Sun Jan 31, 2010 11:37 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - part 3/4 added 31/1//10
This is lovely .

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ Sun Jan 31, 2010 1:43 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - part 3/4 added 31/1//10
That was lovely!

Author:	shazwales [ Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:03 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - part 3/4 added 31/1//10
Thank you Llywela,really enjoying this.

Author:	emma t [ Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:40 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - part 3/4 added 31/1//10
It's sweet MORE!!

Author:	Abi [ Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:09 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - part 3/4 added 31/1//10
Aww, what a lovely conversation - it's great to see the love and perfect understanding between them. Thanks Llywela!

Author:	Llywela [ Mon Feb 01, 2010 9:57 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - part 3/4 added 31/1//10
Final installment. Thanks again for all the lovely comments. Writing this was sheer whimsy on my part, so I'm glad it has amused others, too. * Ring! Ring! "Yes? Andrew?" "No, Mamma. It's me." "Phil! Still no news yet, then – and here I've been on tenterhooks all day. I thought your surgery was scheduled for this morning. What happened? You sound exhausted. Isn't that hospital taking care of you?" "I'm fine, Mamma, honestly. The surgery was last night. It's all over." "All…what? The babes are here already? But how? Why? Why weren't we told? Andrew promised he'd ring the second there was news!" "I know – blame me. I wanted to tell you myself, so I made him promise not to call. The nurse just brought a phone in to me, now that I'm feeling halfway human again." "Last night? You had surgery last night? And you're on the phone already? Saints preserve us. Are you sure you're fit?" "I'm fine, Mamma, honestly. Well, I'm very sore and a little groggy still, but everything went swimmingly. Scout's honour." "And the babes?" "Girls." "What?" "Girls. All of 'em – very small, but healthier than we'd dared hope, thank God." "Girls? Five girls?" "That's right. We've caused quite a sensation here, as you can well imagine!" "I'm not surprised. Quintuplet girls! Well, mercy on us, my child – you've been and gone and outdone me quite comprehensively! At least someone is carrying on the family tradition wholesale. What are the names, or have you not chosen them yet?" "We have. They're to be Lucy, Emma, Sarah, Kelly and Laura." "Hmm." "What's wrong? Don't you like them?" "On the contrary. I completely approve. A little modern, perhaps –" "Mother!" "Relax, my pet. I'm only teasing. I'm actually rather astounded that you managed to find five such pretty names that no one else in the family had already bagged! I'm also absolutely cock-a-hoop and can't wait to make the acquaintance of young Lucy, Emma, Sarah, Kelly and Laura." "When can you come?" "Immediately! That wretched flu-bug I had is well and truly gone now and your Papa has passed me fit to travel at last. I'll be there by the time you leave hospital." "Oh, I'm glad. Fliss has been here, as you know, and she's been amazing, but she can't stay away from her own family much longer, and she's the only one who's really close enough to easily get here at all. Andrew's mother will stay as long as we need, and she's a dear, but it just isn't the same as having my own Mamma. It seems such an age since I last saw you." "These wretched travel embargos we've both been labouring under! Never mind, it's all over now and I'll be there with you very soon. And now you must rest, while I run up yet another appalling phone bill announcing to all and sundry the latest Maynard family sensation!" "Thanks, Mamma." "You're quite welcome, my love. Oh, and Phil?" "Yes?" "Congratulations, darling." * fin

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ Mon Feb 01, 2010 10:40 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - part 3/4 added 31/1//10
That was lovely! Pleased that there were lots of future CS girls Though I would love to see Joey and Andrew's mother arguing over how best to raise a baby! That could be very interesting. Thankyou for a lovely drabble.

Author:	Millie [ Mon Feb 01, 2010 11:56 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - part 3/4 added 31/1//10
Thanks Llywela, lovely story!

Author:	ammonite [ Mon Feb 01, 2010 1:07 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - complete 1/2/10
Thanks that was lovely.

Author:	cal562301 [ Mon Feb 01, 2010 1:45 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - complete 1/2/10
Thanks. That was really good.

Author:	Sarah_G-G [ Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:52 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - complete 1/2/10
Thanks for sharing that with us- such a lovely story! Joey and Phil are clearly very close still, which is so nice to see so clearly. I was lucky enough to be away over the weekend as well so got to read the whole thing in one sitting!

Author:	shazwales [ Mon Feb 01, 2010 3:31 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - complete 1/2/10
Thank you,really enjoyed that

Author:	linda [ Mon Feb 01, 2010 4:09 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - complete 1/2/10
Thanks, that was lovely!! Five girls, what a handful. Joey's record is well and truly beaten.

Author:	Abi [ Mon Feb 01, 2010 8:04 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - complete 1/2/10
Aaah, that was so lovely!

Author:	Lesley [ Mon Feb 01, 2010 8:25 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - complete 1/2/10
Awwwwwww! Can't you just see them starting at the CS? Thanks Llywela

Author:	Alison H [ Mon Feb 01, 2010 9:47 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - complete 1/2/10
Aww, bless .

Author:	Kacca [ Tue Feb 02, 2010 11:34 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - complete 1/2/10
Aww that was lovely. Thank you.

Author:	JS [ Tue Feb 02, 2010 1:38 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - complete 1/2/10
Got tears in my eyes...wonder if they'll get free places at the CS??

Author:	Mrs Redboots [ Tue Feb 02, 2010 6:19 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - complete 1/2/10
Reaches for tissue. Snf, that was lovely!

Author:	Fiona Mc [ Tue Feb 09, 2010 11:24 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - complete 1/2/10
Thanks, that was wonderful

Author:	Elbee [ Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:58 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Keeping Up With Family Tradition - complete 1/2/10
Aww, that was lovely. Thanks, Llywela.

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