Families and Friendships (35 page)

There was great rejoicing at the service on that Sunday evening when the congregation heard that their rector's wife had given birth to triplets. They were told that mother and the babies were all going well, but it would be several days before Fiona was home again, and several weeks before the babies could leave hospital.

Simon and Fiona decided to wait until the spring for the christening – or baptism, as some preferred to call it – of the three babies. It took place at the end of April when spring had really arrived. The trees around the church were almost in full leaf, the pale green of springtime, when they were at their loveliest. The gardens were bright with daffodils, narcissi and tulips, and vases of these flowers adorned the communion table and the window ledges of the church. There was no fear of rain coming in as the work on the church roof was now completed. As it happened, though, it was a gloriously sunny day.

The church was packed for the triplets' christening service, even more so than it had been for that of little Stella. There was to be a family gathering at the rectory afterwards for the immediate friends and family, but the baptism itself was for the wider family of the church. Simon had asked Joshua, the curate, to officiate as he wanted to be a godparent to his infants, along with Fiona.

It was really only a formality as to how many godparents each child should have. Simon and Fiona had been in perfect agreement about who they should choose as godmother and godfathers. Each of them, before consulting the other, had decided upon Debbie, Greg and Graham. Who else could they choose who would be as fitting? They had all been there on that weekend when the triplets had been born, and Debbie had played her own special part.

It was a real family occasion – their extended family, as Fiona called it – with Vera and Stanley, Debbie's parents, in the congregation. They were delighted to have been invited; and so was Grace, the sister of Greg and Graham. Yvonne was not there, as she was on honeymoon with her new husband.

Debbie, Greg and Graham each held a baby in their arms, the young men rather gingerly, though Debbie was proud and confident. She looked down lovingly at the child she was holding. She had a definite look of Fiona now that her features were forming, and of herself, too, Debbie reflected. They stood forward in turn handing the babies to Joshua. He made the sign of the cross on each tiny forehead with the water from the baptismal font. They were given their names, Matthew, Mark, and Michelle.

What lovely names, thought Debbie; and how touched she had been when Fiona had asked her to be a godmother to the babies. She turned to smile at Fiona, and at Stella, holding on to her mummy's hand. Fiona smiled back. The two of them knew that they now had a very special bond. Then she smiled at her parents who were sitting in the front pew. Vera and Stanley looked proud and happy. They smiled back lovingly, both of them nodding contentedly. How well they understood her …