Reunited After 25 Years 50

Anton's jaw dropped. "You are? Really?"

"Mm hm." Andrea nodded, smiling.

"Andrea!" Anton laughed and hugged her. "So the other doctor was wrong, then!"

"Yeah. Dr. Lloyd was I wasn't considered to be completely in menopause until I'd gone a year without having a period, and I was still having them regularly. He did say I'm high risk, though, because of my age. He referred me to Dr. Keller. She specializes in high risk pregnancies."

"I am so happy, Andrea," said Anton. "I know that this is something you have wanted for a long time, and I have as well. I cannot wait to tell my mother she is going to be a babushka again."

"I'm gonna have to tell my Mom too," said Andrea.

"You sound like you do not really want to tell her."

"It's just that she didn't think it would be a good idea to try at my age," said Andrea.

"When she gets used to idea, she will be thrilled," Anton predicted. "When do you go to see the other doctor?"

"I've got an appointment for two weeks from now," Andrea told him. "Can you go with me? Dr. Lloyd's nurse said they might do an ultrasound."

"Of course I will go," Anton replied. After dinner he called his mother and talked to her in Russian for a long time.

"Well, what did she say?" Andrea asked when he finally hung up.

"She is shocked, but happy," he replied. "She said that she hopes to come see the baby after it is born."

"I hope she can come," Andrea agreed, dialing Jewel's telephone number.

"Hi, Mom! Big news!" she exclaimed as soon as her mother answered. "I'm pregnant!"

Jewel was silent for a long time.

"Mom? Are you there?"

"Yes, I'm here, honey, but...are you sure? I thought the doctor said it was too late for that to happen."

"That was Dr. Smith at the fertility clinic, Mom. My regular doctor, Dr. Lloyd, said it's not too late until you've gone a year without having a period."

"Well, well," said Jewel. "I certainly never thought we'd be grandparents again."

"I was hoping you'd be happy for us."

"It isn't that I'm not happy for you, hon, but I am very concerned for you. You know how dangerous this is at your age."

"I know, Mom, but I'm going to see a very good obstetrician who specializes in high risk pregnancy."

"But Andrea, what if you have a Mongoloid?"

"Huh? Oh, you mean a baby with Down's syndrome? Even at my age, Mom, there's still less than a ten percent chance of that happening."

"But I'm worried about you too, dear."

"I'm in good hands, Mom. Everything is going to be OK."

"She is less than thrilled, I take it." Anton grinned.

"She's just worried about my health, and about the chances of me having a baby with Down's syndrome."

"What is that?"

"It's a condition that causes mental retardation and is more likely to happen to the babies of older women, but even at my age, the chances of it happening are still pretty low."

"Oh, yes, I have heard of it. In my country it is called by a different name."

Next Andrea called Denny and Darya. Darya answered the telephone.

"Guess what, Darya? You're going to be a big sister!" Andrea told her.

"You mean that you and my Papa...that is great, Andrea!" Darya exclaimed. "I cannot wait to tell Denny!"

"What is it, babe?" Andrea heard Denny ask in the background.

"Your Mama is pregnant!" Darya told him.

"No!" Denny exclaimed. "Let me talk to her!" He took the telephone receiver. "You're not serious, are you, Mom?"

"I'm totally serious." Andrea felt just a little bit hurt.

"But at your age?"

"Yes, at my age. I'm not even fifty yet, Denny."

"Well, um...that's great, I guess."

"Denny didn't sound very happy about it either," Andrea told Anton later.

"What about Dasha?"

"She sounded thrilled!"

"I think it will be OK. Your mother and Denny just have to get used to the idea. That is all."

Andrea yawned. "I think I'll make an early night of it."

"That is good. You need your rest."

"Are you coming to bed too?"

"I think perhaps I will read for a little while."

"OK. Good night, then."

"Good night, Andrea."

They hugged and kissed and then she went to bed. She was asleep when he joined her a couple of hours later.