Soon Harry's eighteenth birthday was upon us and we celebrated with a cake. Kath had suggested a party but we had no one to invite and she didn't need the effort being so heavily pregnant. On Harry's birthday, her due date was less than a week away. We were all on tenterhooks as waited for the new arrival to make its grand entrance. Anyway, Harry was pleased with the cake and we got to celebrating in our own quiet way.
As Harry blew out the candles and I watched my little bro age into a man, I felt emotional. He hadn't had an easy life so far and I hoped his future would be bright. My thoughts turned to future parties, how would I feel when I saw my own children grow into adults?
Since Harry was now an adult, he moved in to Dad's old room. He settled into the room just fine. I had wondered whether it would upset him being in Dad's room, but it didn't seem to bother him. I told myself that now Harry was in there with his things, I had to stop calling it Dad's room.
The next day, Harry graduated from high school with highest honours and made us all proud. I went to the ceremony where he was crowned 'most likely to be a sports star' which is exactly what he wants to do in life. I guess his classmates had seen that in him.
Recently Harry had taken to blogging, it seemed to be an outlet for his feelings and people gave him advice online. I was glad to see him talking to people, even if it was only over the internet. He was on his phone all the time, writing posts and streaming video's.
In all fairness to him though, he didn't just sit around all day, he went out and got a job at the sports stadium and he started working out at the gym to improve his chances of getting a promotion. After he came home from the gym one evening, he reported an awkward incident where he met his ex girlfriend, Joni. They were not on good terms and had perhaps tried too hard to avoid each other. He asked for some fitness equipment for his birthday to avoid future interactions and I said he could have some as soon as we had enough money. With a young baby on its way, he may be waiting a while.
Kathleen and I however were not waiting long for our present! Kathleen went into labour the day before her due date in our art studio. She'd insisted on a home birth and we'd been on training so I was able to deliver the baby. I was panicking and a little grossed out to be honest with you and made sure I had the midwife's number on hand.
But all went well, and I delivered a healthy baby boy on the floor of our studio that evening. I was in complete shock and was not of much help to poor Kathleen who took control and settled baby Lee in his cot. She was exhausted and annoyed with me for not knowing what to do but I was still living in a blur, trying to clean up the floor. It was literally the most disgusting thing ever and I wished I'd been better with the baby so Kathleen could have done it like we planned.
Once I was done cleaning and I'd built up the courage I quietly went upstairs to meet my new son properly. I was ever so quiet so as not to wake Kathleen but Harry came in to see me. I had a concerned look on my face, it was eighteen years since I'd held a baby. My little brother was the only baby I'd ever really met. I was the first of all my friends to have children. Harry sensed my uncertainty and reassured me.
"I know you'll be an excellent Dad." He said with a knowing look in his eyes. "You did a god job finishing me off, after..." His voice trailed off and I looked at him as he stared at his feet.
"Thanks." I concluded, not knowing what else to say in reaction to Harry's heart-warming statement. It's strange how the little things affect us in a big way. What Harry said that night really gave me confidence with Lee. Kath and I had chosen the name Lee together, there was no history in it, we just liked the name. Only time will tell if it suits our little boy.
"I know you'll be an excellent Dad." He said with a knowing look in his eyes. "You did a god job finishing me off, after..." His voice trailed off and I looked at him as he stared at his feet.
"Thanks." I concluded, not knowing what else to say in reaction to Harry's heart-warming statement. It's strange how the little things affect us in a big way. What Harry said that night really gave me confidence with Lee. Kath and I had chosen the name Lee together, there was no history in it, we just liked the name. Only time will tell if it suits our little boy.
The morning after Lee's birth, I was woken by the sound of Kathleen cooing over him. We hadn't really spoken much last night as Kath had been so tired so I went in to see her.
"Isn't he just perfect?" I said softly, wrapping my arms around her waist.
"I can't believe I created him. And without really having to do anything." She turned to look at me and hesitantly drew her eyes away from Lee.
"I'm so proud of you." I added. "You did so brilliantly last night, and all I could do was panic and say 'Keep going, you're nearly there!' I promise I'll do better next time."
"Next time?" Questioned Kathleen as a surprised smile crept across her face.
I didn't have time to answer her before her arms were round me and her lips were on mine. "You did fine." She finished as she sauntered out of the room elegantly.
"Isn't he just perfect?" I said softly, wrapping my arms around her waist.
"I can't believe I created him. And without really having to do anything." She turned to look at me and hesitantly drew her eyes away from Lee.
"I'm so proud of you." I added. "You did so brilliantly last night, and all I could do was panic and say 'Keep going, you're nearly there!' I promise I'll do better next time."
"Next time?" Questioned Kathleen as a surprised smile crept across her face.
I didn't have time to answer her before her arms were round me and her lips were on mine. "You did fine." She finished as she sauntered out of the room elegantly.
The first few nights with a new born baby, were hard, as I'd fully expected them to be. Harry helped us a lot. If he heard Lee cry in the night, he would often get up to pacify him whilst Kath and I argued over who's turn it was to get up. Sometimes I'd get to the nursery and find Harry had it all under control. He was amazing and Lee took a real shine to his Uncle. I began to see what Kathleen had said about Harry being the perfect husband one day.
He also seemed to be a great cook. He just had a natural talent for it. One morning he got up and decided he wanted waffles, so he made them. He'd never coked before in his life but they were delicious, perfect even. I remember my first attempt at waffles was not quite as successful. So since that morning, Harry has been doing a lot of cooking in our new kitchen. He really enjoys it and the food he makes is divine. If he doesn't do well in sports, he'll certainly get a career in cooking!