Uncharted (Brendan)

[Melody Webb]

Friday 7th May 2010

It was mid morning, and Melody was lying on the lounge, watching television. Nothing much was on, but she decided that watching some of the morning news shows might help her keep in the know of what is happening. You never know when you have to know what the news story is that you are reporting that night yourself. Brendan was already at work, and watching television alone was getting kind of boring to Melody, so she turned it off.

She slowly swung her legs over the edge of the lounge, and placed her hands on her stomach. Melody rubbed at it, and her thoughts went back to what she had been thinking about over the last day or two. She had noticed that her stomach had grown a bit over the last few days, and it felt like that it was probably bigger for her first baby. Melody had no idea, though she could have gained some weight maybe. The other day at work she had snacked on some things, well alot of some things, and it might have contributed to her size. But thinking about the food, it wasn't all that bad, so she had no idea.

Melody glanced at the phone, and wondered if she should maybe call Doctor Natalie Glover to see if she was available this morning or this afternoon. She knew worrying about it wasn't going to help her, so decided to call anyway. Melody made her way over to the phone, and dialled the number.

Natalie: Doctor Glover speaking.
Melody: Hi Natalie, it's Melody Webb here.
Natalie: Hi Melody. Is everything okay?
Melody: I was just wondering whether you had a spare moment this morning or this afternoon so that I and possibly Brendan could come in. I am just a little concerned about something.
Natalie: Sure. {flips through her appointment book}
Melody: It might be nothing, but just wanted to get it checked.
Natalie: No, no perfectly understandable. I am free for the rest of the morning if you are able to come down.
Melody: Great. I will just contact Brendan and see if he is able to come too.
Natalie: No worries Melody. Will see you later on. Bye.
Melody: Thanks. Bye.

Melody put the phone done, and was happy that she could get her concerns sorted before she worried herself sick. She then texted Brendan, instead of ringing, just in case he was busy.

Hey Bren. Are you able to come home? Just made an appointment to see the doctor, and hoped you could come too. M xx

She then sat back on the lounge, feet up, and waited for Brendan to come home. Melody hoped that she hadn't made him worried with her message, but she didn't want to go alone if something was wrong.

[brendan]

Bren had been cutting back on his work duties ever since it was discovered that Melody had a heart murmur due to the pregnancy because he wanted to be around her more when she was at home. However he was Editor-in-Chief for both the magazine and newspaper and he couldn’t stay away all the time. He had boss like duties that needed to be taking care of, be it meetings or signing company cheques. He hadn’t planned on staying in for long. He was going to sign the cheques that were required and then reply to any work emails that he deemed important and then he was going to set up an interview with Dominic Salvatore because he had heard his press conference about cutting back on music and going into the fashion industry. He wanted to ask him if he would be interested in working with his fashion columnist Lucinda to hand in any photographs on his recent designs.

He contacted Dominic’s management company and spoke to Ethan who said that Dominic could be available for an interview but maybe in a couple of week’s time as he was still recovering from his ordeal. Bren hadn’t forgotten about Dominic’s nasty ordeal, he just wanted to see if Dominic would be happy to have a talk when he was fit enough. He had then passed that information onto Ethan and he said that he would pass the message on and he was sure that he would hear from Dominic soon enough about a possible date to talk with him. Bren had then thanked Ethan and the soon as he put the phone down he was just getting ready to see if anybody else required him before he left when the tone on his mobile let him know that he had a text from Melody.

He flipped his phone opened and read the text and alarm bells began to ring reading that she had made an appointment to see the doctor. He began to wonder if something had happened to her. He grabbed his leather jacket at the back of the seat and went into Connor’s office, “I was jus’ gettin’ ready to go anyway when I got a text from Melody, she’s made an appointment at the docs an’ wants me to go with her. Am sure hopin’ nothin’ is wrong. Yer gonna be alrigh’ to keep yer eye on things ain’ ya?” He asked, knowing fine well that Connor was already doing a great job as Assistant Editor. He of course also had April, but he hated to throw everything onto her all the time as her job was supposed to be more relaxed working for him. Connor looked up and gave him a smile, “Sure boss, everything’s good here, hope everything’s okay with her.” Connor knew how much Bren loved Melody and therefore how much he cared about her.

Bren then began to run out of the office as he pulled his jacket on at the same time, not an easy feat, and soon made his way out to his jeep. He jumped in and put his foot down on the gas and was back home in around ten minutes as the new offices in Las Vegas weren’t too far from his home now. He jumped out the jeep and quickly ran into the house with a slight worried expression on his face as he found Melody sitting on the lounge but she looked as if she was okay. “Hey Precious I got home as fast as I could, are ya alrigh’ there ain’ nothin’ wrong is there?” He asked all worried as he made his way over to her and looked down at her resting waiting for her to reply.

[Melody Webb]

As Melody waited for Brendan, she kept looking at her phone, and wondered why he never texted back to her message. She still kept hoping that she hadn't scared him with what she said, but really she just told him what she had done. Though she should have maybe called him to tell him, and tell him at the same time to not worry. Well she did wonder about the size of herself right now, but kept hoping that it was all alright for them now. They had enough to worry about, and having something else wrong would just not work well.

Melody had decided to turn on the television, and just flipped through channels, occassionally stopping to watch whatever was on for a minute, then moved on. After about ten minutes, she heard the Jeep outside come to a stop, and Melody heard running feet outside. This is what I was afraid of, thought Melody, as she soon heard the door, and soon saw Brendan inside the house. She saw the worried look on his face, and she felt bad for jumping to conclusions to whatever was wrong.

After Brendan stated that he got home as fast as he could, and questioned if she was okay and if there was anything wrong, Melody turned to Brendan, as she turned off the television. "Sorry I didn't explain myself, but I guess there is only so much you can say in a text message. Maybe I shold have rung instead." Melody shook her head, then looked at Brendan. "I don't think anything is wrong, just more concerned about myself I guess. I can explain on the way there, as Natalie is available for the rest of the morning." Melody slowly got up off the lounge, and reached for her bag, placing her phone back inside, and walked out the house, towards the Jeep.

Once they were both inside, and heading towards the hospital, Melody decided to explain to Brendan. "I have just noticed over the last couple of days or so that I seem to be a bit big, and no not thinking of my weight. I just feel that I might be a bit bigger than what I should probably be at almost four months. I am not sure how big I should be for having my first child, but it.... Maybe I am just overthinking it, but I would just feel better to get checked, you know?" Melody rubbed at her stomach, "I feel like I should be more than what I am. Like maybe four and half months. But I guess I should just wait and see what Natalie has to say about it. I am probably worrying about something stupid."

Melody looked at Brendan more, as he drove, and then shook her head. In one part of her mind she wondered if she was just worrying for no reason. It might just be in her head, but for all she knows, it could be something to worry about, and she knew that it was better to get it checked out.

{ooc - decided to just leave it there.... but I guess I could have gone on further.}

[brendan]

Once Bren was inside and had gone up to Melody in a panic and said he got home as fast as he could and asking if everything was alright Melody soon turned off the television and began to talk to him apologising that she didn’t explain herself and he began to shake his head to let her know that it was alright and continued listening to what else she had to say. “Ya don’t hafta apologise Precious, I just panicked when I read the text an’ shoulda text ya back, but guess ma main focus was gettin’ home to ya.” He said and gave her a bit of a smile. Melody spoke some more saying that she didn’t think anything was wrong but just concerned. Bren was going to ask what it was that was concerning her when she spoke some more saying they could talk about it on the way to see Natalie. He replied saying, “Alrigh’ then.”

Melody got up from the sofa slowly and picked up her bag and as she made her way out of the house to where his jeep was Bren followed. Once they were both inside and Bren was heading the both of them to the hospital Melody began to talk explaining what she was concerning her. Obviously Bren had to concentrate on the road but he would glance at her every now and then to acknowledge that he was indeed listening to what she was saying. When Melody was finished Bren answered her. “I understand what ya mean I think. Yer sayin’ that ya feel as if yer further on in yer pregnancy than ya should be.” At least that’s what he took from what Melody had said, maybe it was to do with the heart murmur he thought not even given the idea of her possibly carrying twins a thought despite discovering that Debbie had a twin brother.

“I think yer doin’ the right thing gettin’ yerself checked out then Precious, better to be safe than sorry.” Bren said and began to concentrate on the road once more hoping that Natalie would say there is nothing to worry about because he felt as if it was all they had been doing of late since it was known that the pregnancy had given Melody a heart murmur that they’d had to take things a lot easier. After about five minutes Bren was pulling into the hospital and soon found a parking space near the entrance. He got out his side and went round to help Melody out of the passenger side and once she was out he locked the doors and turned on the alarm and then put his arm around Melody and led her toward the hospital entrance.

Once inside Bren made his way to the main reception desk, “Hi, we’re here to see Doctor Natalie Glover please, Brendan Harris an’ Melody Webb.” Bren said and gave the woman behind the desk a warm smile. She picked up the telephone and obviously called Natalie’s office and placed the receiver back a few seconds later. “She said you can go right through, I assume you know where her office is?” The woman asked and Bren nodded his head, “We do thanks.” He then led Melody to Natalie’s office and knocked on the door. “Come in.” The voice said and Bren opened the door giving Natalie a smile and once Melody was seated Bren sat down next to her. He thought he would let Melody do the talking as she knew what it was that was bothering her.

[Melody Webb]

Melody listened to what Brendan said, as he told her not to apologise, stating that he just panicked. She listened to what else he had to say, and nodded. "Okay." Melody still felt bad, but was just glad that Brendan was there now. She spoke a bit more, but then decided to just tell him what she thought was up in the car. So they soon got out to Brendan's jeep, and headed towards the hospital.

As Brendan drove, Melody explained her concerns to him. She finally got it out there, and he replied. Hearing what he had to say made her nod. "Maybe, just not sure. Maybe I am reading too much into it." Melody shrugged. "I guess we will find out when I get looked at." She knew that she wasn't her normal cheerful self, but she knew she would be like this till she found out what might be wrong. Brendan then acknowledged that she was doing the right thing in getting check out. She turned and gave him a bit of a smile, "I think so too Bren. I just feel that it is just one more thing, you know?" She gently placed her hand on his thigh just for a second, then moved it so that he could concentrate on driving.

They soon reached the hospital, and once they were both out, after Brendan helped her out which she thanked him for, they headed towards the hospital entrance. When Brendan put his arm around her, Melody wrapped her arm around him, snuggling a little as they walked. At the reception desk Brendan told them that they were both there to see Natalie, and soon enough they were told to head down to her office. The walk there felt like it took forever to Melody as all the thoughts of what might be wrong kept going through her head.

Brendan soon knocked when they got to Natalie's office, and they headed inside. They were greeted by Natalie, and Melody gave her a small smile, sitting down opposite her. "So what can I do for you this morning?" Melody shifted in her seat slightly, then looked at Natalie. "I guess it is mainly myself who wanted to come. I just have a couple of concerns, or mainly one big one. I have just noticed over the last week that I have grown in size. I don't think it is a weight issue, but I wanted to just get a check up to stop me from worrying I guess." Melody swallowed and looked at Natalie. Without thinking she took Brendan's hand in her own, starting to feel a little uneasy right then.

Natalie pointed to the bed, "Why don't you hop up on the bed, and I will give you an exam." Melody nodded, and let go of Brendan's hand as she stood up. She slowly got up on the bed, and laid down ready for Natalie. Melody remembered from the previous check ups to lift her top, which she did this time. Natalie came over, and began to feel and press gently on Melody's stomache, moving her hands around to take in what she was feeling. Nothing was said, and occassionally Melody would look over at Brendan with not much of an expression on her face at all. The silence was killing Melody, who just wanted some answers.

Natalie removed her hands, and then brought over the ultrasound machine. Squeezing some gel on the paddle, she turned on the machine, and then began to move the paddle over Melody's stomache. She didn't react to the gel, with her mind elsewhere. Melody's eyes looked at the screen, hoping that everything was okay. She could see movements on the screen, and saw the baby. Melody blinked a few times, and took in what she was seeing. But then she heard something. It was a heartbeat, but then there was something else, sounding like another heartbeat. Melody looked at Natalie, who was still moving the paddle around, but also looking at the screen too.

Melody saw the frown on her face, "What's wrong?" She looked at Brendan again, feeling a little bit sick now. Her gaze diverted back to Natalie. Natalie moved the paddle a little more over Melody's stomache, then removed it, placing it back on the side of the machine. She handed Melody some paper towel to wipe herself down with. Finally Natalie replied to Melody, as she was going to open her mouth and question her again. "Let's talk when you sit back down. Again the sick feeling came over Melody and she quickly wiped herself down and made her way back to the seats.

Once seated, Melody instantly grabbed a hold of Brendan's hand, and turned her attention to Natalie. "The dates are right, and you are three months and three weeks, so that is all correct. I took a longer scan this time as I picked up something else, along with your baby's heartbeat." Melody braced herself for the bad news, just know if it was indeed bad news that she would probably be sick right there and then. "I thought that the machine was just picking up your heart murmur, but really your heart is a bit far away from what I was looking at and also hearing." Here it comes, though Melody, here comes the bad news, and me being sick.

"Melody. Brendan. Looks like you are having twins." Melody just sat there stunned. She blinked a couple of times, and soon her ears started to block up on her, like everything was muffled. She looked from Natalie, to Brendan, and back to Natalie. "What? We're what?" She shook her head, and frowned, looking at Brendan. "What did she say?" Melody felt like she was going to pass out, and removed her hand from Brendan's, and placed her head in her hands, keeping down low, as far as she could, taking in deep breaths.

After a few moments, she sat up slowly and looked at Natalie, "Are you sure?" Natalie came over, and got down to Melody's level. "I am sure. The heartbeat was a dead giveaway, after my first thoughts of what it could be. But I did see some movement from behind the first baby." Natalie go the monitor back on, and showed them, pointing out what she was seeing. Melody was speechless, and as she saw something move behind the first baby, a tear fell down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, and then turned to Brendan, feeling a bright smile creep onto her face, "We're having twins." With that she buried her face in his shoulder, and began to cry, happy tears.

[brendan]

When Melody said that she might be reading too much into it and shrugged Bren glanced in her direction and gave her a slight frown and was about to say something when she spoke again about finding out when she got checked out. “Maybe ya might be readin’ too much into it Precious, but with yer heart murmur I don’t think we can take anythin’ fer granted.” Bren replied and gave her what he hoped was an encouraging smile. He had then said that she was doing the right thing getting checked out. Melody soon replied to this saying that she thought so too adding that she felt as if it was just one more thing. He then felt Melody place a hand on his thigh briefly and he glanced at her again, “Well I guess we’ll find out soon enough.” He replied hoping that it wouldn’t be anything to worry about as he felt with Melody being diagnosed with the heart murmur that they didn’t need to deal with any other problems.

Bren soon had them at the hospital and once inside they were soon outside Natalie’s door and Bren knocked on it and soon heard the voice telling them to come inside. Once they were inside they were soon greeted by Natalie and Bren acknowledged this by giving her a half smile. Natalie soon asked what she could do for them and Bren let Melody answer as it would seem she knew what it was that worrying her so he felt that it was best for her to explain what the issues were. Melody soon told Natalie what was bothering her and that was when he felt Melody take his hand. Bren began to caress the back of it with his thumb slightly and gave it a gentle squeeze as well. Bren then looked at Natalie, “I sure hope there ain’t gonna be anythin’ else wrong, am sure we’ll cope mind ya but just rather it not be the case ya know?” Bren said to her and gave her a weak smile.

It would seem that Natalie wasn’t going to waste any time in getting Melody checked over as she soon pointed to the bed and told Melody to hop onto it. Melody soon let go of his hand and moved to the bed in question. Bren got up from where he was sitting and moved a chair over so that he could sit beside Melody and he took her hand again. He had walked out on her during the first scan but that was down to bad memories, now he was in this for the long haul and he wanted Melody to know that he wasn’t going to walk out on her this time. Bren then just sat in silence while Natalie began the examination of Melody and inside Bren just hoped that they wouldn’t get any more bad news. He did notice Melody glance him every so often and when she did he would gently squeeze her hand for some sort of reassurance although it was unnerving that Natalie wasn’t really saying anything just now.

After checking Melody over with her hands on her stomach Bren watched as she pulled over the ultrasound machine. Soon enough the gel was on Melody’s stomach and Natalie was moving the paddle around Melody’s stomach and Bren did what he could to peer at the screen to see if he could see anything or anything that might be wrong despite not really knowing what he was looking for. Bren was certain he could see their baby and it seemed to be moving so he took that as a good sign that there was nothing wrong with the baby. He soon picked up the baby’s heartbeat and he heard another sound as well but he was putting that down to Melody’s heartbeat as he was certain the ultrasound machine would pick up Melody’s as well as the baby’s.

Melody soon asked what was wrong and when she looked at Bren he gave her a reassuring smile and squeezed at her hand gently but he too was slightly worried just over Melody’s reaction. Soon enough Natalie seemed to be finished with what she was doing as Bren watched her return the paddle to the screen and give Melody some paper towel to wipe her stomach free of the gel that Natalie had put onto her stomach. Natalie said they would talk when they sat back down again and Bren could see from the look on Melody’s face that she was worried. He gently squeezed her hand again and then caressed the back of it with his thumb once more trying his best to keep her as calm as possible.

Bren got up and moved his seat back over to where they had sat when they first came into Natalie’s office and soon enough Melody was back beside him again. He immediately reached for her hand, although it would seem that Melody had the same idea and grabbed his hand first. Bren held it gently and once more began to caress the back of it with his thumb. Natalie soon began to speak saying that the dates were correct and that Melody was indeed three months and three weeks pregnant and this made Bren frown slightly as it would seem that everything was fine. Natalie then spoke some more talking about taking a longer scan and how it had picked up on something. Bren instinctively gave Melody’s hand a gentle squeeze knowing that she would probably worry about hearing those words as he couldn’t deny it had made his heart stop for a second wondering what could possibly be wrong.

As Natalie continued to talk about how she thought that it was Melody’s heart murmur but adding that it would be too far away from where she was looking and hearing. Bren was feeling sick to the stomach and wished that he could say something but couldn’t find his voice. So he just continued to squeeze gently at Melody’s hand hoping that despite how he was feeling that he could try to keep Melody calm. When Natalie spoke the next few words Bren wasn’t sure he had heard right, but he backtracked and realised that he had indeed heard Natalie say they were having twins. He was still holding Melody’s hand and instead of squeezing it, he began to caress the back of it with his thumb again. A slow and huge grin began to spread over his face, “Well I’ll be damned.” He said and looked from Natalie to Melody.

It would seem from Melody’s reaction that she hadn’t quite taken in what Natalie had said and she soon turned to him and asked her what Natalie had said. “I think she said we’re havin’ twins Precious.” Bren replied finding it very difficult to keep the happiness from his face and voice as he was absolutely ecstatic about the news. Bren then felt Melody move her hand from his and watched as she put her head into her hands. Bren immediately put one of his hands on the small of her back and rubbed at it gently. Bren was about to ask Natalie a question when Melody sat up slowly and looked at Natalie and asked her if she was sure. Natalie soon came round to their side and got to Melody’s level and soon confirmed that she was sure. Natalie had then turned the screen on again and began to point out what she had been seeing.

Bren couldn’t believe it, and as he watched more closely this time he too saw the movement behind the first baby and as he glanced at Melody she had tears in her eyes which led to tears filling up in his eyes also. “Well I’ll be damned, if that ain’t the best damn thing I ever saw.” Bren said and wiped at his eyes as he felt the tears beginning to fall. Melody then turned to Bren and he saw that bright smile on her face and would have returned it, except he already had the biggest grin on his face anyway, showing off those perfect dimples of his. Melody soon made a comment that they were having twins and then she buried her head into Bren’s shoulder and began to cry. Bren wrapped his arm around her and rubbed his hand up and down her arm slightly even though he knew the tears were happy ones.

He looked at Natalie and couldn’t help but to ask the next question, “I don’t mean to put a dampener on the good news or anythin’ but I gotta ask, will this affect the heart murmur? What I mean is will it make her even more tired, should she give up work or go on maternity leave sooner or anythin’ like that? Or will everythin’ go the same as planned? I guess am just worryin’ about my girl ya know?” Bren said as he gave Natalie a warm smile and then bent down to kiss Melody on the head.