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Chapter Two: Double Blessing

Rosemary expected that she wouldn’t reach full term until after she had completed her college examinations. However, at what she calculated to be her sixth month of pregnancy, she underwent an ultrasonic scan to determine the child’s growth and sex. The medical technician assisting the gynecologist tested, then re-tested, and announced with an excited grin, “I have good news, and more good news for you, young lady.”

Post-concurring with the doctor, he cheerfully announced, “You are expecting healthy twin boys.”

Rosemary’s face first registered shock at this announcement, quickly followed by worry about how to break the news to her parents, and then, finally, her face broke out into a radiant smile. She didn’t rush home immediately but went to a coffee shop to mull over this new development. The nursery was coming along nicely, but this new “double expectation” meant having to refit the room for two new arrivals.

To some, it could be seen as a double blessing, but all she could focus on in her initial thoughts was the extra cost now needed. Two cots instead of one. A pram built for two. And how would they manage feeding time and dealing with two babies? Would she, and by extension her mother, cope, or would they need to hire a nurse?

Sitting there sipping her coffee, she was laughing and crying simultaneously, a deep joy very much noticeable in her demeanour. Some of the onlookers stared in perplexity, while others politely looked the other way. One onlooker, a middle-aged man, approached her out of concern to enquire if all was well. Unable to contain herself, she explained as best as she could about the twins she was expecting. He hugged and congratulated her before returning to his corner seat.

This was the encouragement she needed. She got up, paid for her coffee, and with a skip in her step, decided to go home and update the family.

She couldn’t have timed it better. Her dad had just arrived from work, and her mum was busy making his customary cup of tea—part of his English upbringing. Timothy, for a change, was also at home, not out playing at his friend’s house.

As she walked in the front door, all eyes fixed on her. She smiled at them and said, “Sit down. The news I am about to give you all is both exciting and daunting.”

Bruce cautiously put down his cup of tea so as not to spill any. Timothy just sat and looked at her, and her mum blurted out, “What is it, Rose?”

Finding a seat in their family meeting room—the kitchen—she said in a slightly subdued voice, not knowing quite what reaction to expect, “I’m having twin boys.”

The reactions she received were as different as each one was in age, build, and relationship to the other. Her mum was up first and, in a rush of motherly affection, took her face in her hands and kissed her on each cheek. Her dad, after the initial shock, walked over to her, a broad smile playing on his face, and caught her in a bear hug. Everyone made sure they didn’t see the tears in his eyes. Timothy, thinking like a typical teenage boy, could only blurt out, “I’m going to be a double uncle! Two nephews at once!”

This latest news meant that once the initial excitement had settled, all preparation and planning had to be revised. This was now Revision Two of her parents’ plans for her future.

The original vision, which could be called Plan ‘0’, was for her to complete her diploma and then move to England to enrol in one of the prestigious firms to advance her career. With the news of her first pregnancy, Plan ‘1’ came into effect, which meant there was no formal plan, only the possibility of her pursuing a similar path in America. Now, with the news of expected twins, Plan ‘1’ was still tentatively on the cards, but with what could be called an “addendum” or a major modification. One thing Bruce was resolute on: he would not—could not—kick his daughter, his own flesh and blood, out to fend for herself.

Life often plays out with two faces of the same coin. While a truce was called on the family home front, the family’s broader community life also took a major jolt. This was the late sixties and early seventies; a young girl being pregnant out of wedlock was not only frowned upon but often resulted in her and her family being ostracized by many. The fragility of human bonds became painfully evident through a lack of love, friendship, sympathy, and emotional support.

Many people tried to exude a sense of godliness through their pitying sighs, which only served to salve their own consciences. Where once they were invited to functions and included in neighbourhood activities, the Ascotts were now literally pushed out and shown very clearly that they were no longer welcome. Their one group of solace remained the church they had been a part of since their move there just before Timothy was born (their previous dwelling would have been far too small for the expanding family). It was hurtful, to say the least, but they did have the unwavering support of each other, plus the majority of their church family.

Rosemary watched her diet even more carefully now. In the habit of praying again, she implored God to delay the birth of her sons until after the completion of her college examinations. She still played her part by keeping diligently to her studies, intent on being more than ready to write her exams, irrespective of how things happened.

The exam timetable had been posted, and as she reviewed the dates and times of the various subjects, she felt comfortable with the study time she had put in and her assimilation of the subject matter. Her lecturer, Ella Jones, played an important role in helping her.

As the first exam day arrived, she was mindful of the prayer she had made and took a moment to close her eyes and say a prayer of praise and gratitude. It was a tough two weeks, with exams every other day, including one she was required to complete on the second Saturday afternoon. Her final examination was the following Tuesday, mid-morning.

Post-examination, elated with the knowledge that she was able to “do justice” to every paper, her first stop was Miss Ella Jones’ office. Ella, seeing this young girl with a broad smile on her face and sporting a bump clearly indicating her final stage of pregnancy, walked in and immediately presented her with a gift of gratitude. Ella hugged her and asked about the exams, even though Rosemary’s smile said it all.

Thanking her and opening the gift, Rosemary couldn’t hide her pleasure at seeing a sparkling 18-karat platinum (white gold) pendant sporting a cluster of brilliant white diamonds.

“Ella, how did you manage this? It is very costly,” Rosemary asked, feeling the gift was too extravagant.

“My mum bought it,” was the only reply she received. “She is also grateful for all that you have done for me.”

Rosemary’s mother picked her up outside the campus main hall, and before moving off, they joined hands together, and they thanked God for His wonderful faithfulness. That night, as the Ascotts gathered around the dinner table, Bruce produced a bottle of sparkling wine, and they proceeded to toast the successful completion of Rosemary’s studies.

Two more events were on the horizon: Timothy’s exam results and the long-awaited arrival of the twins.

Timothy’s exam results were celebrated a few days later, his only complaint being, “Why no bubbly for my success?”

Over the past three months, Bruce and his son had worked feverishly hard to get the “revised” nursery completed. It took a long time on account of their only being able to work in the evenings and on Saturdays. This involved Timothy having to vacate his larger room for the twins and moving into what was previously the spare room. To accommodate two cots, this room was now painted and furnished as per the new requirement. Also, two chairs were now fitted to allow for the feeding of the babies—one for Rosemary and the second for whoever would be assisting. The bathtub for washing the babies was tucked away on one side, allowing enough space for ease of movement.

One thing was clear: the paint in the nursery hadn’t even dried properly yet, and the refurnishing had just been completed when Rosemary was rushed to the hospital. Her water had broken, and the pains she was experiencing were now waves following each other in close succession.

Mom phoned the doctor to inform him to meet them at the hospital. Rose and her hospital kit bag with her toiletries and other necessities were “loaded” into the family car. Dad, in anticipation of his needed involvement, had taken a week’s leave and drove, while Mum sat on the back seat to “support” her daughter. Timothy stood at the front door and waved them goodbye, well aware that he could not go with them.

The trip to the hospital, six miles through late afternoon traffic, seemed to last an age, especially for Rose, who could just about endure the pain. On arrival, nurses were on hand with a gurney to whisk her to the delivery room. They prepped her, and as if on cue, her gynecologist, Doctor Blaine, stepped in.

The delivery took longer than expected. Just before midnight, the twins were born, six minutes apart. They were identical in every way, except that the firstborn had a half-inch skin blemish on his left temple. They had light olive-coloured skin, hazel eyes like Rose’s, and raven-black hair.

Standard hospital medical procedures were performed, and she and her babies were kept overnight for observation. The following morning, Doctor Blaine checked on her and the twins; satisfied that everything was well, he wrote out a discharge note and handed it to the attending nursing staff. Bruce, accompanied by an excited Cally, wasted no time in fetching the three of them.