“But you’ve got lots of family here, too. You’ve already met all of the crazy Carters, you’ve got big Uncle Luke, who will take on the world for you. Then, there is Archie, who’s your Pops, and Mai, who’s your nanna.” He was quiet for just a few seconds, but then he continued, “Oh, and there is Aunt Sash, who’s not technically a Carter, but she may be someday, if your uncle Luke finally grows some balls. She’s the craziest of them all, but don’t hold it against her, because again, she’s loyal and will guard you with her life.”
He put the now empty bottle down. “Ya know what, little man? I’m actually digging that name. I think it might work. Carter Delaney, how does that sound, bud? We need to run it by your mum when she finally wakes from her coma, but I think we could be on to a winner.”
“It’s perfect. Luke and Grandad will be chuffed to bits,” I whispered, finally stepping into the room. “How about Daniel as a middle name?” I added. It was only fair to give his family some recognition, too.
“He’d be stoked, but he’s already getting Delaney as a surname, so we don’t have to.”
“No, I like it. Carter Daniel Delaney. It’s perfect.”
He pulled me in and, with Carter between us, kissed me hard on the mouth.
“You’re perfect, even with leaky boobs.”
“You say the sweetest things.”
“What can I say, it’s a gift.” He winked as he said it, and I wondered right then how on earth we were gonna make it another five weeks without touching each other.
2011
Life was good. Carter was a happy healthy little boy. Despite being born early, he met all of his milestones with flying colours. He was walking at ten months, and at three, he could hold a conversation with any grown-up. He usually picked random strangers in the supermarket for this, and he wanted to know everything about everyone.
“You lost? Where’s you mum?” he asked a really, really short lady doing her shopping one day. Another time, he was in the trolley as I unloaded my groceries onto the belt and asked the teenage boy on the till, “Oh no, who did that to your face? Does it hurt?”
When I looked up, the poor kid who had the biggest spot on his chin was the colour of the bottle of tomato sauce he was packing into my bag. Although, I thought I beat him and managed to go a shade brighter.
He told the man covered in tattoos in the newsagents, “Your mum’s gonna be mad when she sees all that purple on you.” Purple, being ink, or texter, or crayon, because for some reason, Carter had decided that anything he could draw with was a purple. A blue purple, a red purple and even a purple purple, but every writing device was a purple.
Everyone, from the bakers to the girls at the hair salon and the lady in the dry cleaners, all knew Carter, and he lapped up the attention.
He had just about every adult in his life wrapped around his finger, none more so than Luke, who constantly spoiled him and had made it his life’s mission—without much success—to convert him from a United supporter to an Arsenal follower.
Liam’s business had gone from strength to strength during one of the worst economic downturns in history and had expanded into avenues with varying degrees of success.
He still travelled a lot, but for the longer trips, we usually went with him. By the time Carter turned two, he had spent time in Australia, Canada, America, and South Africa.
It was because of all the travelling and my underlying fear of being sick again that we put off having another baby. I said we, but really, it was me. Liam had been on my case since before Carter turned one to start trying for another one, but I wanted some time to enjoy just him and us for a little while. It was good for us to spend the last few years getting to know each other better and learning to become parents.
I really was a lucky girl.
Just before Carters third birthday in May, I conceded and went off the pill. I was pregnant by June, and a week after I took the at home test, I found myself in a tiny room with Liam and Carter as I waited for the sonographer to come and perform my first scan.
My fear over the morning sickness had been unfounded, and apart from feeling a little queasy and extremely tired, I was doing fine.
Carter sat patiently waiting on Liam’s knee to get his first glimpse of his new bubby. According to him, this bubby was his, no one else’s—just his, and he took great pride in telling just about every person we passed on the street that his mum had a “bubby” in her belly.
I watched Liam bury his nose in Carter’s soft blond hair and breathe in his scent. He was an amazing dad, just like I knew he would be. He hated the long hours he spent at the office or time spent away from us overseas but, if he wanted the business to continue doing well, it was a sacrifice he had to make. Thankfully, he had agreed to cut back his hours a bit after this baby was born.
There were two soft knocks on the door, and then two women walked in.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. A little bit of excitement with my last patient when we unexpectedly found out she was having twins.”
“My mummy has a bubby in her belly.” Carter informed the doctor with his confident little smile in place.
“Yes, she does, and hopefully you’ll get to see that bubby today. What’s your name, young man?”
“I’m Carter Daniel Delany. That’s my mum, Sarah, but daddy calls her ‘pretty girl’ and him there”—he pointed at Liam—“he’s my dad.”