Our Surprise Package

When I was in my late 38th year I was fairly certain my childbearing days were over, and so when I began to suspect I was pregnant again I said to Mel, "Honey, I think we are going to have an addition to the family!"  He in his wonderful ability for understatement calmly said, "Oh dear, what are we going to call it?"  I was delighted with the idea and after a couple of weeks it was time to have it confirmed by the doctor. Dr. Mc Nair's reaction, sadly, was the opposite of Mel's. "What?" he said aghast, "that is not a good idea at your age!" (I was at the age when babies with Down's Syndrome may be born). I was aware  of the danger but I really was not afraid and I retorted, very strongly, "Well, I am going to have this baby and there is NOTHING you can do about it!" He did not protest but said, "Well I am going to make very sure you have no more. I will deliver  him by C-section." I agreed and since my due date was a few days after Deb's 13th birthday we would schedule his birth for the 24th of January, Deb's birthday. And that is what happened. All this occurred a short time after Ma had moved in with us and it took place three years before our fostering experience.