The Happiest Valentine

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The Happiest Valentine.
It was a day before Valentine’s Day, and Caroline and Frank were at the shopping mall in Dublin buying stuff for their loved ones. Caroline looked unrecognizable in her extra large body, in which her child was.
Caro: I should have brought Andrea along…
Frank: Why don’t you call her?
Caro: Good idea. *dials Andrea’s number*
Andrea: (on the phone) Hello?
Caro: Andrea, it’s me.
Andrea: Yeah, I know. What’s up?
Caro: You wanna go shopping for gifts?
Andrea: Sure. I was about to call you as well. Where are you?
Caro: The biggest mall in Dublin.
Andrea: Ah, okay. Can I bring Shaun along?
Caro: Shaun’s there with you?
Andrea: Well yeah. Can I bring him?
Caro: Sure.
Andrea: Are Sharon and Jim coming?
Caro: I don’t know. Why don’t you call Sharon and I call Jim?
Andrea: Sure, no prob. See you in half an hour.
Caroline hangs up.
Frank: What did she say?
Caro: Yeah, she says she’s coming, with Shaun.
Frank: Oh, okay. How bout the rest of the family?
Caro: Oh yeah, gotta call Jim…
Caroline dials Jim’s number.
Jim: Hello Cazz. Is the baby here or something?
Caro: Not yet, brother. Anyways, you up for some Valentine shopping?
Jim: Nah… I have no one to celebrate it with.
Caro: Oh come on. Valentine’s Day isn’t only celebrated by lovers. You can celebrate it with your loved ones, like me, or Sharon, or Andrea…
Jim: Uhh…
Caro: Besides, who would pass up the opportunity to shop?
Jim: Cazz, I’m a guy…
Caro: Okay, okay. So are you coming or not?
Jim: See you there…
Caro: Alright!
Caro hangs up.
Frank: (bending down to kiss Caro) I love you.
Caro: Awww. And I love you too…
Frank: So, what do we do now?
Caro: Wait for them, I guess…
After half an hour, the whole family showed up with their partners, except Jim who brought his positively cheerful looking maid.
Caro: No offense, Jim, but what’s up with the maid?
Jim: Oh, she’s my Valentine.
Sharon: Ah, not bad a choice.
Andrea: True. Shall we start shopping?
Shaun: Of course. Let’s split up and meet here back again in about 6 hours.
Sharon: (whispering to Gavin) Hmmm…his intelligence is not too bad…
Gavin: Oh hush!
Frank: Right, let’s split up then.
The family went their own separate directions and met back at the same spot 6 and a half hours later.
Andrea: (hands filled with shopping bags) Right, that’s about it. Shaun, c’mon!
Shaun was carrying loads and loads of shopping bags until one actually covered his face.
Caro: (hands filled with shopping bags, although not as much as Andy) Let me guess, only one of those shopping bags are filled with stuff Shaun purchased.
Andrea: No, two actually.
Caro and Sharon:
Frank: Hey, you didn’t leave us without shopping bags too, you know!
Frank and Gavin carried nearly the same amount of shopping bags as Shaun did.
Caro and Sharon:
Andrea: Hah! Anyway Jim, why aren’t you loaded with shopping bags?
Jim: (carrying one shopping bag) Oh, I decided to buy small but valuable items for my loved ones…
Sharon: Hmm… never mind. Shall we?
Andrea: Shall we what?
Gavin: Shall we leave, dear…
Andrea: Oh… okay!
They left for each other’s home. The next morning…
At Jim’s house…
Jim: *snoooore*
Maid: Sir, it’s time to wake up…
Jim: *yawn*
Maid: Your breakfast is ready, sir.
Jim: (sweeping the maid into his arms) Don’t call me ‘sir’. I’m yours today…
Maid: Well, sir, I’m totally speechless…
Jim: Jim, call me Jim.
Maid: *giggle* Okay, Jim…
At Andrea’s house…
Andrea: Pillow fight!!!
Shaun: You’re on! *throwing pillows at Andrea*
Andrea: Eek! *throwing pillows at Shaun*
At Sharon’s house…
Sharon: *snoooore*
Gavin: (bending down to kiss Sharon) Wake up, sleepyhead.
Sharon: *sno…* What? It’s morning already?
Gavin: Doesn’t matter. (presenting a bouquet of roses) Happy Valentine’s Day, love.
Sharon: Awww… thank you! (kisses Gavin passionately)
At Caroline’s house…
Caro: (shares a kiss with Frank) Mmm…and what are you going to do for me today?
Frank: We’ll see. Perhaps a candlelight dinner, a short drive, passionate love making…
Caro: *giggle* You don’t mind that I’m in my full-blown pregnancy stage?
Frank: Of course not!
Caro: Hehehe… ow, ow!
Frank: (worried) What’s the matter? What’s wrong?
Caro: I think it’s okay. The pain’s there since 2 days ago… ow!
Frank: I don’t care; I’m getting you to the gynecologist.
Caro: Frank, it’s okay. I think it’s just normal cramps.
Frank: We’re going anyway. You’re supposed to deliver anytime now.
Caro: OW!
Frank: I’m serious.
Frank drove Caro, now heaving in pain, to the nearest hospital.
Frank: Ma’am, I think me wife’s about to deliver anytime.
Caro: (breathing heavily) Frank, the baby’s coming, I can feel it.
Doc: Okay, we’ll check to make sure if she’s going to give birth or not, then we’ll make the necessary arrangements.
Frank: Right. Will she be alright?
Doc: God willing. Do you want to be with her when she delivers?
Caro: (breathing heavily) Frank, please be…
Frank: Of course. Let me call
The doctor took Caroline into her office while Frank called each and every Corr sibling and their dad.
At Corr senior’s home…
Gerry: (looking at Jean’s photograph) Happy Valentine’s Day, love…
*ring ring*
Gerry: Darn phone. *picks up the phone* Hello?
Frank: Gerry, it’s me, Frank. Cazz is going to deliver anytime!
Gerry: What?
Frank: Caro’s going to deliver anytime. Your daughter, Caroline!
Gerry: Of course I know it’s Caroline. Where?
Frank: Holles Street Hospital. Hurry.
Gerry: Do the rest know?
Frank: Not yet, I’m about to call them.
Gerry: Right, I’ll be right over.
Frank dials Jim’s number.
Jim: Hello?
Frank: It’s me, Frank.
Jim: Hey, wassup bro?
Frank: Cazz is going to deliver anytime now!
Jim: Oh my God! I’ll be right up!
Frank dials Sharon’s number.
Sharon: Hello?
Frank: It’s me, Frank.
Gavin: Hey Frank!
Frank: How come I can hear both of you?
Sharon: Well, both of us can hear you. What’s up?
Frank: I’m nervous. Caroline’s going to give birth any minute now!
Sharon and Gavin: What!
Sharon: Where?
Frank: Holles Street Hospital. Come quick!
Gavin: Yay, a Valentine baby!
Sharon: Hush. We’ll be right up.
Frank dials Andrea’s number.
Andrea: Hello?
Frank: It’s me, Frank.
Andrea: Ah yes, my sister Caroline’s husband…
Frank: Well, d’uh!
Andrea: Hey, of course I know you! What’s up?
Frank: Is Shaun there?
Andrea: Well, yes, but what’s up?
Frank: Wouldn’t you want to guess it yourself?
Andrea: Right, let me try. Is Caro going to deliver any minute now?
Frank: Well, what do you know? You’re a hundred percent right!
Andrea: What? I was just kidding.
Frank: Well, I am not. Come to Holles Street Hospital right away. Bring Shaun if you want.
Andrea: Right. We’ll be over before you know it.
Frank heaves a sigh of relief. Suddenly his phone rings.
Frank: Hello?
Jim: Hey, it’s me, Jim.
Frank: Yes, what is it?
Jim: Which hospital are you at?
Frank: Holles Street. Hurry!
Jim: Right, I will.
Frank hangs up. The doctor approaches him.
Frank: Is there going to be any problems, doctor?
Doc: There shouldn’t be any complications. Have you contacted your relatives?
Frank: Her relatives, yes.
Doc: Good.
Frank: Why?
Doc: Just a precaution. We don’t get Valentine babies all the time, you know…
Frank: Heheheh. Can I see my wife now?
Doc: Sure. It’ll take the baby about 2 to 3 hours to come.
Frank follows the doctor to the ward Caroline was in.
Frank: (holding Caro’s hand) Everything will be alright, don’t worry.
Caro: (breathing heavily) Frank, we’re gonna have a Valentine baby!
Frank: (kissing Caro’s forehead) I know. Do you know how happy and nervous I feel?
Caro: (laughing slightly while breathing heavily) Can it beat my nervousness and happiness?
Frank: I highly doubt it… Your sisters, brother and father will be here any minute now.
Caro: Good. Frank, can you promise me something?
Frank: What is it love?
Caro: If I die…
Frank: (putting a finger on her mouth) Shhh…nothing of that sort will happen.
Caro: If I die anyway, please take care of our baby. And make sure Andrea doesn’t cry too much. And make sure you get on with life.
Frank: (tears flowing) I promise. Does it hurt that much?
Caro: *chuckle* More than you can imagine.
Frank: Wait til he comes into this world. I’ll give him a beating for giving you so much pain.
Caro: I love you.
Frank: And I love you too.
Caro: Wipe away your tears. Our baby’s coming.
Frank: (wiping away his tears and wiping Caro’s forehead and neck, which was filled with sweat) Let nature take its course, okay?
Caro: (smiling) Okay.
Frank waited by Caro’s bedside as Caro went through cramps. But it just wasn’t time yet. Then, the rest of the Corr siblings, their partners and their father came along.
Gerry: How’s it going, both of you?
Frank: We’re going fine.
Andrea: (goes to Caro’s bedside and holds her hand) Will you be alright?
Caro: I’ll be just fine, don’t worry.
Sharon: Although I’m elder than you, I can’t give you any advice.
Caro: Yeah, I know. I’m the first of this generation’s batch to give birth.
The family laughs a little, but the tension still prevailed.
Jim: Make sure you’ll be fine. For all of us.
Caro: Yeah. Andy, Sharon?
Andrea and Shazz: Yeah?
Caro: You’re going to be aunties.
Andrea: (a tear flowing down her cheek) Yes, I know.
Sharon: We know, dear.
Caro: Jim?
Jim: Yeah, I know I’m going to be an uncle.
Caro: Yeah, and if it’s a he, you’re going to name him.
Jim: (touched) Really?
Caro: Yeah, really. But don’t give him weird names.
Jim: (laughing) Okay, okay, of course.
Caro: And you must also consult dad before giving him his name. Will you do that for me?
Jim: I’m honoured to…
Gavin: What if it’s a girl?
Caro: I’m coming to that. If it’s a girl, Sharon and Andrea will name the baby.
Sharon: Awww… thank you.
Andrea: Yeah. But now, save your energy.
Sharon: Yeah, what she said…
They waited for an hour…
Caro: (breathing heavily) Huff, huff, huff, huff!
Frank: Come on, push!
Caro: (breathing heavily) What do you think I’m doing?
They waited for another 2 hours…
Caro: (breathing heavily) Huff, huff, huff, huff!
Frank: (worried) Doc, is there anything wrong?
Doc: Hmm…these things happen sometimes…
Andrea: God, I’m never going to get a baby!
Sharon: Hush, pray.
They waited for another 3 hours…
Jim: I’m bored…
Caro: (breathing heavily) Huff, huff, huff, huff! Shut up, Jim! Huff…
Frank: Don’t blame him…
Sharon: You’re supposed to be the father!
Frank: I know, but it’s taking way too long a time…
Doc: These things happen…
They waited for another 4 hours…
Frank: This is getting annoying.
Caro: (breathing heavily) Huff, huff, huff, huff! Shut up, Frank! Huff…
Doc: These things happen sometimes…
Sharon: Can you please stop saying that?
Andrea: Yeah, it was getting a bit irritating.
The doctor looked at the girls puzzlingly.
Jim: Don’t mind my sisters. They can be a pain sometimes. *bop* *bop* OW!
Finally, an hour or so before midnight…
Sharon: (praying) Oh, let this be a Valentine’s baby…
Andrea: *gasp* Shazz, you should be praying for the safety of the baby!
Sharon: Does it matter?
Andrea:
Caro: (breathing heavily) Everybody, I think the baby’s coming!
Frank: *sigh* Finally!
Doc: Right, let’s go into the delivery room. Mr. Woods, please follow me.
Frank: Sure… (hurries along with the doctor as he calls the nurse and wheels Caro somewhere else)
Andrea: Shall we follow them?
Sharon and Jim: Of course.
Andrea: Umm…where’s daddy?
Gerry: *snooooore*
Jim: Ah, typical of the men of our family…
Andrea: Shall we wake him?
Sharon: (before Andrea said anything) Pappy! Wake up!
Jim: No need. It has already been done…
Jim: Can’t we just leave him there?
Andrea: We can’t. He’s the grandfather, anyway.
Sharon: Right. Jim, go wake him up.
Jim: Why me?
Andrea and Sharon: Because we voted and you lost. So go!
Jim: (to himself) Weird.
Jim walked to Gerry.

Jim: Pop, wake up!
Gerry: Whaaa…
Jim: Cazz just gave birth. We’re going in to see her. Do you want to come?
Gerry: Son, what type of question is that?

They all rushed into the room. There, Caroline was cuddling her baby while tear-faced Frank sat on the bed wrapping his arm around Caroline. They both looked up when they heard the door opening.

Andrea: Thank God you’re alright!
Caro: Hehehe! It’s a boy…
Jim and Gerry: Yessssssss!!! (giving high-fives to each other)
Sharon: Ah, so we miss the opportunity of giving the baby a name…
Andrea: C’mon. The baby’s still our nephew.
Jim: So, how was childbirth?
Caro: Firstly, you guys gain so much, yet miss so much. The pain is unbearable, but you forget everything once you see the child in your arms.
Andrea and Sharon: (getting tears in their eyes) Oh that is so sweet!
Jim: (receiving a minute punch from the baby) Hey, this lil’ guy is pretty strong!
Girls: Uh-oh! (giving meaningful glances to each other)
Jim: What?!
Girls: Oh, nothing… (still giving meaningful glances to each other)
Sharon: Oh, I gotta go call Gavin. I promised him I would call him as soon as the baby is born.
Caro: Right, see you later.

Silence followed while the rest looked at the baby in Caroline’s arms.

Andrea: So, the naming ceremony?
Caro: We’re definitely going to have a problem here…
Jim and Gerry: (instantly) Hey!

The rest laughed and that’s the end of this story…

-The End-