Baby Talk

Tom was washing the ambo when Stevo pulled up. He sat for a moment and watched, a smile on his face; Boomer was trying to ‘help’ Tom by grabbing the sponge from the bucket and running round the yard with it in his mouth. Tom looked upon hearing the car door slam and grinned.

“Bloody dog! I’m baby sitting while Tori is off visiting the twins.”

“Looks like he’s doing a grand job,” Stevo laughed…”Hey!” he shouted as Boomer chose that moment to stop by his side, sponge dripping wet, and shake his head.

“Good thing you’ve got your shorts on, Mate.” Tom chuckled, chucking a towel across at his friend.

“What’s on for today then, Tommo?”

“Off into Coffs in a bit to re-stock.”

“Ah, no wonder the old girl is getting spruced up. Don’t want George to have a go do we.”

“Actually, partner, got a call from him earlier. We’re getting a new rig. Thought the least I could do was hand her back nice and clean.”

“Oh, right,” Stevo replied. “So stocking up on a new ambo as well as supplies. I like the sound of that. Let’s get this done then. I’ve got something to show you before we head out.”

They grabbed the hose and the ambo was soon rinsed down and polished up. Stevo grabbed his bag from the car and followed Tom inside for a quick cuppa.

“What ya got then, mate?” Tom asked, watching Stevo rummaging about in his bag. He smiled as he saw a small camcorder in his friends’ hand. “Home movies?” he asked.

“You just have to see this, Tom. We were babysitting for Andy and Lucy last night. I heard Jeffie humming after he’d done the last feed and change before putting bubs down, and grabbed the cam. I was in the kitchen and he didn’t see me.”

Stevo handed the camera across to Tom, who turned it on and pressed the playback button. He sat watching with a smile on his face. Jeff was sitting on the sofa singing softly:

“Hush little baby, don’t say a word; Jeffie’s gonna buy you a humming bird.

If that humming bird don’t hum, Jeffie’s gonna…” Jeff stopped for a second as if thinking what to sing next…”Jeffie’s gonna get you another one.”

“Oh man, that’s too cute for words,” Tom said, handing the camera back to his friend.

“I was holding my breath at one point. Was certain he was gonna say, ‘Jeff is gonna kick him up the bum’, but he was behaving and being a good uncle.”

They washed up their mugs and headed out to the ambo. After dropping Boomer off at home, they were soon on their way to Coffs, and continued their conversation.

“You know something, Tom? You and Tori would make great parents.”

“Not until we’re married, mate,” Tom smiled in reply, “But we sure as hell are having fun practising.”

“Aw, Tommo…too much info this time in the moring, mate.” Stevo grinned.

“Being serious for a mo, Stevo…I think you and Jeff would make fantastic parents too. Jeff got well and truly broody after meeting young Livvy Wade didn’t he, especially after being offered the job or number one babysitter.”

“We’ve been talking seriously about it, Tom. I even went as far as calling a lawyer friend of mum to ask about the possibility.”

“And?”

“Not too good, I’m afraid. Same sex couples can’t adopt in New South Wales, even if they are in a civil partnership. The only state it’s legal in is WA.”

“Oh, Steve; that’s bad news. Have you told Jeff yet?”

“No, he doesn’t even know I’ve been looking into it. There is one spark of hope though; we can foster. The lawyer said that there are Aboriginal babies up the top end that don’t have a chance of adoption, so if we fostered one, they would be with us until they are old enough to make their own way in the world most likely.”

“That sounds more than promising.”

“It does, but…and it’s a HUGE but…I need to do something very important before we even start discussing things like that.”

They were just pulling into the ambulance station and Tom parked up and turned to his friend. “And what would that be, mate?”

“I gotta ask George for some time off…then I need to propose!”