Getting the rest she needed really helped Evelyn feel her normal self. The family was now home in London, and not everything was the same. Alex seemed to sense something was different, and most days found the curious toddler into things he normally didn�t get into. He was also having more temper tantrums, especially when someone told him �no�, or if someone took him away from something he wasn�t allowed to do. Both Rick and Evelyn were forever thankful they had Nanna, though even she was having difficulty trying to figure out what was making Alex so irritable and uncontrollable.
One evening after Alex had been bathed and put to bed, Evelyn sat in his room beside his crib watching him. She wondered if he somehow knew that soon his life was going to change, and that he would have to share her love with a brother or a sister. She also had a feeling that she was to blame for his current activities. Since returning from Egypt she had been taking it easy, letting Nanna, Rick, and Jonathan handle things with Alex; things that she usually did on her own. As she thought on that her right hand rubbed over her tummy, and she wondered if the baby which rested safe inside her womb would look more like her or Rick, and whether or not they would be parents to another boy or to a little girl.
Just outside their son�s room Rick stood watching his wife. He wasn�t sure what it was that had drawn them together, because in the beginning he had not liked her. With time however, and the events surrounding Hamunaptra, his love for her formed and grew until he couldn�t conceive of his life without her. After a few moments of watching her he entered the cheerful room, walking over to the rocking chair. He held out his left hand and when she took hold of it with her right hand he gently helped her to stand. For a few minutes they both stood watching Alex sleep, then Rick led her out of his room, quietly pulling the door until it was open just slightly. �Are you still worried about the baby?� he asked as they retired to their room.
�No, not as much. I do think my days of complete rest are over. I need to spend time with Alex, and I think my absence in putting him down for his naps and putting him to bed has been the cause of his recent naughty behavior,� she informed as she opened the top drawer of her dresser and pulled out a soft cotton night gown. She walked across the room to their large four post canopy bed and place the gown there then began to undress, ready for another good nights sleep in the company of the man she loved.
Once both of them were in bed, Rick drew Evelyn into his arms, so that her cheek rested against the left side of his chest. He reached down and eased his hand in between them rubbing it over the slight swell in her belly. �So what do you want to have this time around?� he asked as he kept his hand there.
�Hmm, I�m not picky. I want a healthy baby with ten fingers and ten toes,� Evie said. �What about you, what would you like us to have?�
�I think a girl would work for me. Someone who looks like you, and has your beautiful eyes, and your smarts,� he said. When he didn�t get any response he sighed pulling his hand away from her belly. He pulled the blankets more closely around them, then shut his eyes content to lay in bed holding the woman who had stolen his heart.
~*~
Nanna�s day always began promptly at 5:30am. After getting up, she would usually comb out her long hair and pull it back into a bun. Then she would get dressed in a long button down dress, usually navy blue in color or some other dark color. Once she was ready, she would go down the hall and get Alex up and dressed.
This morning as she walked into his room she found him very much awake. He was sitting up in his crib pulling the stuffing out of his bear. �Oh my, I need to fix that bear,� Nanna said as she walked to his crib. She lifted him out and he hugged her, letting her have his favorite sleeping buddy. Gently Nanna placed the bear back in Alex�s crib amongst the stuffing, then proceeded to get his nappy changed and get him dressed.
Some minutes later while his Nanna made breakfast, Alex sat in his highchair drinking out of a small tumbler filled with milk. In the few weeks since her arrival she had gotten him off of taking his bottles, and he didn�t seem to miss them. When he finished his drink, he began to bang the tumbler against his tray and along with doing that he screeched.
Not far from where he was making so much noise, Nanna finished making his cereal and slicing up his banana. As she was walking toward him, Evelyn walked in still wearing her nightgown, and a creme colored robe over that. �Good morning, your up early,� Nanna said as she put the bowl of cereal and the small plate of banana�s down on the table.
�I had a wonderful nights sleep, and I thought today I would spend some time with Alex,� she said. She watched as Nanna put his bib on him and watched as Alex took hold of a spoon using his left hand. This early in the morning, Alex was well rested, and fed himself without making any trouble, leaving his mum and his Nanna time to chat.
�When do you think we should move him out of his crib?� Evie asked as she settled down at the kitchen table.
Nanna was also sitting at the table by then, and had just finished spreading butter over her toast. �I don�t see any urgency on doing that. Are you and Rick going to keep the baby in with you?� she asked.
�We slept with Alex in our room until he was four months old, I guess I see what you mean,� she said. Until finding out she was pregnant with the baby, she hadn�t put much thought into when to move him to a big bed, or when to potty train him.
As if Nanna was reading her mind she said, �I do think it might do well to start teaching him to use the toilet.�
Before Evelyn could respond, Alex screeched and started to bang his spoon on his tray, and as she usually did Evelyn responded to him. She wasn�t finished with her breakfast and realized he wasn�t finished with his. �You need to eat this good food that your Nanna fixed for you.�
�Evie let him do that,� Nanna said, then to Alex. �Alex finish eating your breakfast then we will all take a nice walk.�
He looked at her then threw his spoon on the floor, and started to scream.
Rick stepped in at that time and quickly walked over to his son. �No no no,� he said as he picked up the spoon. �Thats enough Alex.�
His screams turned to cries, but Rick ignored him gently taking his hand, putting it around the spoon. �Finish your breakfast buddy,� he said more gently.
Alex�s bottom lip drooped but he did what his daddy asked and took a bite of cereal.
Evelyn wrapped her arms around the upper half of her husband�s body and leaned her cheek against his back. �Thank you for that,� she said.
Rick reached back and pulled her in front of them, then lowered his head to hers softly kissing her lips. �Not a problem. Why exactly are we awake so early?� he asked.
�I thought it would be nice to spend time with Alex,� she said as she leaned down and kissed Alex on the tip of his little nose.
�Mum eat,� Alex said as he held out a spoon of mushy warm cereal. He laughed when she took a bite, then offered a bite for dad, delighted when Rick also took a bite.
Once he was finished he held still while Nanna wiped his hands and face and allowed her to lift him out of his highchair and put him down. Once he was on his feet he started to run out of the kitchen, then laughed when his uncle Jon lifted him in the air.
�Oh, he needs a clean nappy,� Jonathan said as he put him down.
As Evie headed over to do that, Nanna stopped her. �I think perhaps the one who found he was messy should be the one to do the cleaning,� she said.
At the table Rick chuckled. He really did like Nanna because she wasn�t one to let Jonathan sit around and do nothing. He watched as Jonathan carried Alex away then began eating his breakfast.
~*~
Later that day while the adults sat around in the parlor, Alex who had been playing happily with his toys, was now in the hall leading to the Foyer, digging his hands into the soil of one of Evelyn�s favorite potted plants. When digging wasn�t enough he started to pull the dirt out of the pot, making a mess on the floor.
Sitting on the sofa next to where Nanna was knitting a blanket, Evelyn had a book in her hands looking for possible names for their next child. Not far from where she was sitting Rick sat reading the paper, looking for adds on cars. The car they were driving was one of Evie�s parents, and now that they had limitless funds, he was in the mood to get something a little more sporty.
Not seeing any names she liked, Evelyn set her book aside, then looked around the room, noticing that Alex was no where to be seen. �Where is he?� she asked as she stood up.
Both Rick and Nanna looked at her, then realized that they were the only ones in the room. �Alex,� Rick called out as he headed in toward the kitchen. Nanna headed upstairs, and Evie walked toward the front of the house. When she turned into the hall she found their elusive son covered in dirt from head to toe. �Alexander Jonathan O�Connell what a mess you are,� Evie said, trying to figure out whether she should be mad at him, or to laugh. Then she realized he was chewing on something. �Alex let me see what you have in your mouth,� she said. When he got up to run she reached out and caught his arm, and when he screamed dirt fell out of his mouth. Evie dusted him off despite his struggle, then picked him up as he started to cry.
When Rick and Nanna arrived on the scene both of them laughed, then Nanna walked over and took Alex from his upset mum, to give him a bath and get him ready for his noon day nap.
�I�m not sure how we can handle both Alex and a new baby,� Evie said as she sat down feeling suddenly tired and defeated.
�We�ll manage. I think when we are all busy it wouldn�t hurt to put that playpen to use. I know he doesn�t like being in there but look at this,� Rick said as he knelt down beside her.
�My mother found this outside. It wasn�t growing properly so she transferred it to this pot, and it�s always thrived,� Evie said, as she leaned back into her husbands arms. �Why is he doing this?� she asked.
�He just wants to explore, something I think he gets from both of us,� Rick offered. Then he felt something wet drip on to his hand and realized she was crying. �Hey, shh we can fix this,� He said as he stood up and then helped her stand so he could hold her better. There were lots of times when she was pregnant with Alex that she had cried over little things, and he knew all he could do was hold her until she felt better.
After taking a few breaths, Evelyn lifted her head away from her husband�s chest. �Should we be punishing him for doing things such as this?� she asked.
Rick kissed her. �I don�t think he would really understand if we did that, we just need to keep an eye on him and hopefully this will pass,� he said.
She smiled and kissed him. �Thank you,� she said.
He smiled back. �What did I do?�
�You always know how to make me feel better, and I�m going to need that in the next few months I do believe.�
�There are other ways I could make you feel better, but we better get this mess cleaned up before Alex gets any more ideas.� He left his wife to go get a broom, and when he got back they cleaned the mess up. Evelyn was able to get most of the dirt back in the pot, and after watering it she was satisfied that it would survive this one time.
~*~
Once Alex was down for his nap, the house for once was quiet. Jonathan talked Rick into going into town with him, leaving Nanna and Evie alone in the house.
For a little bit they talked about the summer Evelyn and Jon�s mum brought the plant inside.
�I�m not sure I�ll every be as good a mum as she was,� Evie said as she rested her head against the back of the couch.
�You are doing a fine job with Alex. I seem to remember you being just like that. We couldn�t ever tell you no without bringing you to tears, and you thought you were in charge,� Nanna offered.
Evelyn laughed then. �I guess he comes by his curiosity naturally. What should we be doing when he does things as he did with the plant?�
Nanna set her cup of tea down on the coffee table. �The best thing to do is to remove him from the place he is not supposed to be. If he has a tantrum or cries, don�t pay attention to that. Once he realizes he isn�t going to have attention then he will stop doing that,� she said.
Evie took a sip of her tea then stood up. �I think I will go have a rest while Alex is sleeping,� she said. She leaned down and kissed her Nanna�s cheek the walked upstairs to her room, feeling better about alot of things.
~*~
After spending three hours in town with Jonathan looking at Leisure Suits, Rick was glad to be getting back home. His life had changed since becoming a father, and he no longer felt comfortable spending his times in bars drinking, especially since the one time when a woman threw herself at him. That had pretty much been his last visit to any such bar.
When he walked into the parlor he found Evelyn sitting on the floor making a tower for their son, who was actively chewing on a block she wasn�t using. Rick smiled and walked over behind her, then leaned down and nibbled the left side of her neck.
He startled her, and her tower fell crashing to the floor. �You scared the life out of me,� she said as she leaned against him. Before they could kiss Alex was pulling on her hand, obviously wanting her full attention.
�Hey Alex, will you let daddy have some time with mummy?� Rick asked as he stood up and lifted Alex in the air spinning him around. He liked that and laughed, then screeched when Rick put him down beside his rocking horse. �I guess that�s a no,� Rick said as he sat down next to Alex, and helped him sit down on his wooden horse.
Alex had just learned how to make the horse rock, and would spend sometimes five or ten minutes rocking on it.
�How was your trip to town?� Evie asked as she started to clean up the blocks she and Alex had been playing with.
�Remind me not to go shopping with your brother. He had all the young sales clerks drooling over him, and it took longer than it should have for him to pick out a single piece of clothing,� Rick said as Alex tried getting off of the horse on his own.
He wasn�t coordinated enough to do that on his own and finally let his daddy help him to the floor. Once he was free he ran for the stairs. �NAA NAAA NAAA,� he called out.
Evie looked at Rick then they both looked at Alex as he called for her again. For the first time he was attempting to say her name, and both of them were delighted.
�Did I hear someone calling for me?� Nanna asked as she walked down the steps.
Alex laughed, then ran to the book shelf, to the books that he was allowed to touch and pulled one out. �Book book,� he said as he ran to the rocking chair.
As the two of them settled down to share a story, Rick and Evelyn snuck off upstairs, and in their room Rick found a few boxes on their bed. �While you were away I was getting a look at the baby things we have from when Alex was a newborn, but I will need to buy clothing more suited for the cold weather. It will be fall by the time this one makes an appearance,� she said as she sat down on the bed. Amidst the tissue paper, Evelyn lifted out three tiny gowns, ones Alex had worn frequently in his first few weeks of life.
Rick took a seat close beside her, and picked up a pale green gown. �Was he ever this small?� Rick asked, amazed that once Alex fit the length of his lower arm.
�Seven pounds three ounces,� Evie said as she lifted out Alex�s first pair of walking shoes. They were white, and went around Alex�s little ankle to support him as he walked. The front tips were scuffed from where he had dragged his feet until his steps became more sure.
�We should bronze those,� Rick said as he put the gown down and held up one of the small shoes.
�I know, Nanna was saying the same thing as we were looking at all of this. I think tomorrow perhaps, if your willing, I may go into town with Nanna and do some shopping while you and Alex stay here.�
�Sure I can do that,� Rick said. He was more comfortable being alone with Alex than he had been when he was a newborn. �Look why don�t we go out tonight? I�d say after a day like today both of us could use the time away, and Alex seems perfectly happy with Nanna here,� he said.
Evelyn put the gowns back in their box. �I don�t really have any evening dresses that fit me,� she said.
Rick walked into her closet and looked at the different dresses, then found a red one with lace on the skirt. �What about this?� he asked as he brought it out for her to see.
�That is for when I can�t see my feet. I think there should be a creme dress with a gold belt,� she said as she joined him in their closet. Quickly she found it, then found herself in her husband�s arms. His lips kissed her�s then traveled down to her neck, and for a while all thoughts of diners and an evening on the town was put to rest, as other more interesting ideas took their place.
~*~
After a nice diner of Rack of Lamb, and a rich desert, Rick led his wife out onto the dance floor, and now held her in his arms for a slow dance. Her cheek was pressed against his chest and his arms were wrapped around her waste. They were not really dancing, more swaying, but neither seemed to care.
�I�m glad you thought of this,� Evie murmed against his white shirt.
�I am too, I�m glad we have a nanny, instead of trying to find a sitter who may or may not do a good job taking care of Alex. I was thinking it�s been a long time since we have taken a drive out into the countryside. Maybe after this dance we could do that,� he said.
�Hmm, and what would we do when we were out in the countryside all alone?� Evelyn asked as she lifted her face away from his chest to peer into his dark blue eyes.
Before answering her, Rick gave her a kiss. �Maybe park the car along a roadside some place and have a little fun?�
Evie reached up and pulled his head down then she kissed him hard on the lips then pulled away from him. �We should get started then,� she said.
Never one to keep a woman waiting, especially not his wife, Rick was hot on her heals.
~*~
In the back seat of her father�s black ford, Rick lay with Evelyn on top of his chest. Over them to keep their heated bodies from getting too cold was his over coat. �See, I told you there was enough room,� he said as he lifted his head and kissed the top of hers.
�I won�t doubt you again Mr. O�Connell. I don�t want to go home,� she admitted as she lifted her head up so she could see him.
�I know, but It�s past midnight, and we do have Alex to think about.� Rick and Evelyn laid in the back of the car for a little longer, then they both took turns holding his coat over the window closest to the small barely used country lane while they dressed.
Once on their way Evie rested her head against his left side. �What do you want to call our next baby if it is a boy?� Evie asked.
Rick had his left arm around her shoulders. �Hmm. Adam?� he asked.
�That sounds to much like Alex. I�ve always like the name William for a boy, and for a girl Rebecca or Elizabeth,� she said as she shut her eyes.
The rest of the trip Rick was the only one awake, and when he pulled into their driveway it was nearly 1am. He parked the car in front of the house then sat back, managing to easily to cradle Evelyn in his arms, then he carried her into the house and up to their room. There he put her to bed, and got her dress off, then got out of his cloths leaving all of them on the floor as he snuggled in bed beside her. He planned to savor these nights alone with her knowing that in another few months they would have to wait a while before they had any more of those.