by Chris Cornforth

Created on: October 04, 2009

Father & Son

"Damn, damn,damn," moaned Nicola gazing at the pregnancy predictor stick. 'This just wasn't supposed to happen." No matter how much she stared the blue lines weren't going anywhere. She could only be about 6 weeks pregnant and she knew exactly when it happened. It was that blissful weekend up at Katoomba in the blue mountains, north of Sydney. They'd shut the cold out and the heat of their passion in for two glorious days away from the routine of their busy lives.

"Somehow, I'll have to think about this later."

The rest of the day passed in a blur and it wasn't until she was standing checking her appearance in front of the full length mirror that she allowed herself to think of the morning's result again for longer than a brief moment. Running her hand over her still flat belly she wondered how she would look. Her career as a model could be put on hold - if that's what she wanted, though she'd only a few years left to earn some really serious money before age took its toll.

"You are looking very serious sweetheart," Rod's voice came from behind her as he snaked an arm around her waist and kissed the side of her neck beneath the silky curtain of brunette, "and on my birthday too."

"Oh, I was only wondering if I should wear the gold belt and change my shoes, you know - vanity."

Nicola turned and smiled up at her husband lovingly stroking his tanned cheek, she grinned "You're not bad for 60 my love." As she ran her hand through his thick head of white hair, "the two years we've been married have been the happiest of my life." She kissed him lingeringly, then added "but now we must dash and meet our guests."

Most of the other invitees were already there at the restaurant, sipping champagne and exchanging news, the gentle hum of conversation ending as Rod & Nicola entered the private room booked for the occasion. A polite round of applause ensued and the couple separated to mingle with family & friends.

As she watched Rod talk to his grandchildren she thought of what a wonderful father he'd be, what a wonderful father he was, she corrected herself. Tears pricked at her lids as she turned away to put down the untouched glass of champagne on a nearby table. Over the murmur of conversation, she heard Rod's mellow tones say quite clearly to his eldest son Rick, " I'm surprised that you didn't run into Nicola in Katoomba, she was there too about six weeks ago on a modelling assignment."

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