A modern fairytale part 18

"- I'm going to cook dinner so Dad can spend more time with Mom. Do you want to help me?" Brennan offered his sister

"- Sure, why not?" replied Mary-Annella, not wanting to upset her brother.

While preparing a tomato sauce for pasta, Brennan asked his sister:

"- Tell me, little sister, why do you have so many one-night stands?

- I'm looking for love. I want to get married and have lots of children!

- You could be pregnant as a result of one of your relationships and not know who the father of your baby is. Have you thought about that, Mary-Annella?

- No." The young woman confessed, lowering her eyes guiltily."

She went to cook the pasta, hoping to avoid further reproaches.

- Well, dinner's ready, go and set the table. After dinner, you'll see what true love is all about." Concluded the young priest.

After clearing the table, washing and putting away the dishes Brennan invited Mary-Annella to look through the half-open door of their parents' bedroom

"-Come. Look, this is love." Brennan said in ASL

In the bedroom, Julian tenderly kissed his wife, now bedridden, before lying down on an air mattress beside Kelly's medical bed.

Mary-Annella had tears in her eyes and went to bed without a word. The next day, Julian was astonished to see his daughter arrive dressed in a simple red T-shirt, jeans and ballet flats that matched her top.

"What a change, my girl! You look lovely." He complimented her at

- Thanks, Dad. It's a more practical outfit to help you

- Help me with what?

- Taking care of Mom...if you agree, of course.

- That's very kind of you. Come on, let's take her breakfast." Julian said, grabbing a tub of vitamin-enriched yoghurt from the fridge.

A modern fairytale part 17

 Mary-Annella's behavior worried her father. She dressed very provocatively and had many one-night stands. Julian had tried several times to reason with her, but to no avail. He decided to put it out of his mind and enjoy Brennan's visit.

"Hello, son. It's always a pleasure to see you! Are you staying with us all summer?

- Yes, Dad. I've been granted exceptional permission, given Mom's state of health. How is she?

- Worse and worse. More tumors are forming in her body, there's no hope of recovery."

Brennan burst into tears.

"Dry your tears, my son. Be brave!" Said Julian

"- Yes, you're right, Dad. I'm going to say hello to Mom.

A broad smile appeared on Kelly's face as she saw her son enter her room.

"-Hello, son. Come closer so I can get a better look at you."

Brennan approached his mother's bed. He was shocked to see her with a body deformed by tumors. She had gained a lot of weight.

- You look good." he complimented

"- You're sweet, son, but I know I'm going to die. I offer my life to the Lord for your sister's conversion.

- My sister's conversion?  She's so religious!

- She's lost her faith, dresses inappropriately and consorts with a lot of men. Your father tried to bring her back to her senses but couldn't. Try talking to her during your vacation.

- I will, Mom. I'll let you rest now." Brennan said before leaving the room.

A modern fairytale part 16

When he came of age, Brennan entered the seminary. The day of his ordination was a day of great joy and pride for his parents. After Mass, he blessed them and said:

"- I've asked to be appointed to France. Masses are not often accessible for the deaf. I explained this to our bishop and he said "well, it will be your mission to evangelize the French deaf!"

- Life isn't easy for the deaf in France, you know..." Kelly warned her at

- "Yes, I know, Mom, but with God's help everything will work out fine."

A year after her son's ordination, Kelly's health began to deteriorate sharply. She could no longer sit up and was forced into bed. Extensive medical examinations revealed a tumor of the spinal cord. Julian cried hard at the diagnosis

"- I don't want to live without you, my love! he said to his wife

"- I'm still alive, darling! Let's enjoy the good times we've had together.

- You're right. I'll always be by your side, whatever happens. I love you!

- I love you too, and I thank the Lord for sending me such a good husband."

A modern fairytale part 15

 Kelly had to patiently put up with the nurses coming to her home for three years, but then Julian obtained the diploma that enabled him to look after his wife himself. The young woman could no longer manage the children on her own, but she insisted on being involved in their daily lives. Every day, she accompanied her husband to pick up Brennan and Mary-Annella from school.

One day, Brennan, now ten, came out of school with a bloody nose.

"What happened? asked his mother

"- Paul insulted you, he said you were disabled! I explained that it wasn't true, that you were just sick, but he kept on saying nasty things and we got into a fight.

- You must never fight. We'll go home and disinfect your wounds, then you can go to your godfather and confess." Julian decided

Brennan had no desire to go to confession, but he obeyed. He spent almost an hour with his godfather, then went home.

"- How did your confession go?" asked his father over dinner

"- It went well. Dad, Mom, I have something important to tell you.

- Go ahead, son. We're listening." Kelly smiled

"- I want to change schools. I want to get a hearing aid and learn to speak.

- Why do you want to do that? Are you ashamed of being deaf?" asked his worried mother

"- Not at all, Mum, but it's because I want to become a priest!

- Well, we can't stop you! You'll finish the year at your school and then go to a new one next year." Julian concludes

A modern fairytale part 14

 At the hospital, Kelly underwent an MRI of her spine. The doctor then asked to see Kelly and Julian in his office. Father Brennan, who had also moved to the USA, intervened: "Mr. and Mrs. Peyton are deaf, non-oralists. They understand what you're saying by reading your lips, but will respond in ASL. I must be present to translate their answers.

"This does not respect medical confidentiality. I can't let you in."

"- Father is my best friend. I have no secrets from him, he must accompany us." Signed Kelly hurried off, obviously very annoyed by the situation

"- What is she saying?" asked the doctor

"- She's explaining that I'm her best friend, that I know her perfectly well and that I must stay" translated Father Brennan.

The doctor finally agreed to let the three of them into his office.

"- Mrs. Peyton given that you present a malformation of the spine your fall has resulted in complete paralysis of the lower limbs.

- Meaning?" asked Kelly

The father passed on the request to the doctor, who continued:

"- That you will not walk again, that you will not be able to have children and that you will not be able to go to the toilet. You'll need nursing care several times a day.

"- I'm going to train to take over my wife's care myself, Doctor." Julian announced

Kelly looked at him blankly, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Julian went out, pushing his wife's chair, and Father Brennan followed them.

"- Your salary won't be the same." Said Kelly as they left the hospital

"- Your happiness and well-being matter more to me than all my love." Then addressing Father Brennan he said, "Father I want to renew my wedding vows. Is that possible?

Moved, the priest said: "Yes. Do you, Mr Julian Peyton, promise again to be faithful to Mrs Kelly Peyton, no matter what life throws at you?

- Yes, I do

- And you, Mrs. Peyton?

- Yes, I do.

- In the name of Christ and the Church I receive your pledge. You may kiss each other."

A modern fairytale part 13

Mary-Annella was now six months old, and her mother had come to take her after her nap. Kelly didn't have time to take her little girl in her arms. She fell close to the bed and couldn't get up.

The babyphone alarm went off and Julian rushed into the room.

"My darling! What's happened?" he asked, kneeling down beside his wife

"- I tried to take the baby, but I fell. Don't try to get me up, contact the emergency services."

Julian exchanged a few messages with 114 and help soon arrived. He then wrote to Father Brennan: "Kelly has fallen . We're off to the emergency room. We'll need you to communicate."

"I'll be there as soon as I can" replied the priest.

A modern fairytale part 12

 On weekends, Julian, who had a comfortable income, looked for a "large family" house in Minnesota. He found one in a small town and bought it. He then took all the necessary steps to emigrate, found another job in the USA and a year later the family was able to take a one-way flight.

Kelly really wasn't feeling well. She was feeling nauseous. Julian, who was sitting beside her with Brennan on his lap, said to his son: 

"- You're going to be a big brother." Then, seeing that the little boy didn't understand, he took Brennan's little hand, put it on his mother's belly and explained: "- There's a baby growing inside Mommy's belly! The child laughed.

"- Are you happy? "

The little one said yes.

Kelly was afraid of giving birth in hospital again. She had just felt the first contractions and warned her husband:

"- If I have to go to the emergency room again, let me die!

- You'll be fine, Kelly. I'm going to fill up the pool, you're going to sit in it and give birth peacefully, without medical help.

- Are you sure about this?

- God told me last night."

Julian disappeared for a moment to prepare the pool, then came back to fetch Kelly, who went to sit in the water.

"- Is the temperature okay?

- Yes, it's fine, lukewarm.

- Come on, darling, it's time to push. You can do it!" The father-to-be encouraged her, barely concealing his concern.

Kelly grunted for a long moment, her face red with effort, then Mary-Annella Lucy was born, in full health. She was very beautiful.

A modern fairytale part 11

Kelly remained in hospital under medical supervision for almost a month, before being discharged on February 1st . The following day she received the blessing for new mothers and little Brennan was placed on the altar to be consecrated to the Lord. Kelly and Julian were married a week later in the presence of all their deaf friends, and Brennan Peter Francis was baptized immediately after the wedding by the parish priest of Saint Nicolas du Chardon, with Father Brennan as godfather. The couple moved into Julian's apartment together.

"We'll only be in France for a year, then we'll move to Minnesota. Life there will be better for our son. He'll go to some very good schools for the deaf.

- You're right, darling. I don't talk anymore, you don't talk. What choice should we make for our son?

- American Sign Language education. If, on the other hand, he wants to be fitted with a hearing aid and speak when he's older, we'll let him.

- Sounds good to me." Said Kelly, who always agreed with her husband, even though she prayed that their son wouldn't become an oralist.

A modern fairytale part 10

 - My love, here you are at last! Meet our son Brennan Peter Francis." Julian said as his fiancée arrived

"- He's beautiful, he looks just like you, darling."

The child began to cry.

"He's hungry. Are you going to give him a bottle?

- No, I'm going to nurse him. Put him against me." asked Kelly, who didn't dare get up

"- I'll wait outside. Come and get me when the little one's fed, I've got a present for Kelly."

The couple nodded, Julian put the baby down for two minutes in his plastic cradle to help his wife uncover her breasts, then gave the little one to his mother. Brennan found his mother's breast without difficulty. When he stopped suckling, Kelly handed the newborn to Julian, who put Brennan back in his crib, took Kelly in his arms and put her to bed. He then went to fetch Father Brennan.

"Miss Smith, I've come to bring you help from the heavenly doctor!

Kelly looked at her friend without understanding. Father Brennan reached into his chapel case, which had been left in the bedroom, opened it and took out the anointing oil and a book of blessings. He then approached Kelly to mark her with the oil, but she burst out laughing.

"- What's the matter?"

"- With a stole and a Roman collar, wouldn't it be more serious?" Kelly teased

Father Brennan then noticed that he was still wearing a white smock, so he took it off, hid it under the bed, took his stole and administered the Sacrament of the Sick to his friend.

A modern fairytale part 9

 Father Brennan went to the recovery room, sat by Kelly's bed and waited for her to wake up, resting his hand on that of his friend. When she awoke, the young woman saw at first only a vague human form, then her vision became clearer and she recognized her friend Father Brennan, smiling at him.

"- Ah, you're awake, little flower of Christ! "

Kelly's first gesture was to put her hand to her belly. Her face showed great fear as she discovered that she was no longer pregnant.

"- Don't worry, you're the mother of a beautiful, healthy boy. You lost a lot of blood and had to be delivered by emergency Caesarean section

- My son! Julian! Where are they? Where are they? I want to see them!

- Little Brennan is with his daddy, he's taken good care of him.

- Take me to them!

- You're still very weak. We must wait for the doctor's orders.

- Please, Brennan! Are we friends or not?

- Yes, you are and always will be my friend. I'll see what I can do. Don't try to get up." Kelly nodded.

The father borrowed a white gown from the linen room, put it on, found a wheelchair and went to get Kelly. He took her in his arms, sat her gently in the chair and headed for the bedrooms.

A modern fairytale part 8

 Julian then warns father Brennan. "Kelly is going into labor. Come quickly to the Charité Parisienne hospital. I need you to communicate with the nursing staff" he wrote to him in a message

"I'm coming!" The priest, who had learned to speak, replied almost immediately.

Kelly was immediately taken to the operating room, where she gave birth by Caesarean section.

"You have a beautiful baby boy. Congratulations! "said a nurse as she handed the baby to Julian, who was waiting outside.

Father Brennan intervened: "Mr. Peyton is deaf. He reads your lips but doesn't speak. You can ask him questions, I'll translate and pass on the answers.

"- What do you wish to call him?"

Julian handed the child to Father Brennan, thought for a moment and then slowly spelled out:

B.R.E.N.N.A.N. P.E.T.E.R. F.R.A.N.C.I.S.

Father emotionally passed the chosen names to the nurse, who noted them on the baby's birth bracelet.

Julian then asked: "How's Kelly?"

"- Mr. Peyton would like an update on his fiancée, Miss Kelly Smith.

- She's in recovery. Would you like to have some skin-to-skin time with little Brennan?

Father Brennan translated the question to Julian, who agreed. Before taking his son in his arms again, Julian said to the priest:

"-Go and see her. I'll take care of the baby."

A modern fairytale part 7

In the few moments they spent together, Kelly and Julian prepared the baby's room in Julian's apartment, where they would live after their wedding. One day, Kelly felt the baby move for the first time. Without saying a word, she took Julian's hand and placed it on her belly.

"- Is it normal for him to move so much?" asked the worried father

"Yes, baby's been here for five months. He's healthy, so he's moving around.

- Ah right."

Julian then leaned over his fiancée's belly and planted a kiss for their unborn child.

Kelly laughed. "- You're going to be a fantastic father."

Kelly was now approaching the term of her pregnancy. Father Brennan had given Julian permission to sleep over at his fiancée's so that he could be there in case of trouble.

"- I've put a baby monitor with a sound detector in your bedroom and in the living room there's another that will emit vibrations and flashes of light if anything happens. Good night, darling!

- Good night my love."

The alarm went off at midnight. Julian ,who hadn't slept at all rushed into Kelly's room and saw that her nightgown and sheets were stained with blood.

"-I have to go to the emergency room. Hurry!" Kelly implored before losing consciousness.

Julian exchanged a few text messages with 114, the emergency service for the deaf. Help arrived quickly.

A modern fairytale part 6

 Kelly decided to make a video call to her best friend, Father Brennan, whom she was on first-name terms with. He too was deaf and spoke fluent French sign language

"- Hi, there's someone I'd like you to meet. This is my fiancé Julian."

She pressed a button to move the camera so the father could see Julian.

"Hello, Father.

- Hello Julian, so you want to marry my best friend?

- Yes, Father.

- How long have you known each other?

- Six months, Father.

- And you're already thinking about marriage? Kelly, tell me the truth, are you pregnant?

Kelly turned the camera around again.

"- Yes." she confessed, blushing

- Well, I can't marry you now. You've sinned, you'll do penance for nine months. After the birth I'll marry you, but until then you'll have to live separately.

"- Okay," said Kelly and Julian, disappointed, then Kelly hung up.

A modern fairytale part 5

 Kelly learned of her pregnancy three weeks later. She met Julian at church at midday, acted as if nothing had happened and then, as she left Mass, said to him:

"- I've got a present for you", handing him a tiny package wrapped in red paper and adding, "It's best if you sit on the steps to open it.

Julian sat down, as did Kelly. 

Inside the package was a pair of tiny white woollen slippers that the young woman had spent the morning knitting. Julian looked at his beloved, then asked:

"- Are you sure?"

Kelly laughed heartily and replied:

"- Yes, I've done three tests. They're all positive."

- Oh, that's a wonderful gift!" He cried with joy at the idea of becoming a father. Julian seemed to think for a moment, then finally spoke

"- Marry me, Kelly! I want to take care of you and the baby. I'll do everything to make you happy.

- Thank you, my love. Yes, I accept to marry you."

Julian pulled Kelly to him and kissed her for a long time, one hand resting on his fiancée's belly.

A modern fairytale part 4

 Without thinking Julian slipped his hand under Kelly's dress, Kelly began to unbutton Julian's shirt and the two exchanged a long kiss before the evening ended in the bedroom.

"- We've committed a sin." Kelly said, crying

"- I'm sorry, I'm the one who encouraged you." Her lover replied

"- We're both at fault! There's one thing I need to tell you: I've always said to myself that if one day I ever had a love affair, I'd welcome any new life with gratitude.

- That's a beautiful way of looking at life.

- What would your reaction be if I told you in a while that I was expecting a child?

- I'd be overjoyed!" Julian said honestly, before embracing his beloved.

Kelly snuggled up to her lover and fell asleep in his arms.

A modern fairytale part 3

  Julian recounted his childhood in Vietnam and his adoption by a Franco-American couple. Kelly, who was passionate about Vietnamese culture and had dreamed of emigrating to the United States from an early age, was deeply moved. Love at first sight was mutual and they continued to see each other after the spiritual retreat.

Kelly, a traditional Catholic, preferred the Latin Mass, as there was less to hear and more to see. Her new friend began attending the traditional church to please her. So they met every day at church, then went to see exhibitions with a guided tour in French sign language, or to the sign café. 

One evening, on returning from an exhibition, Julian took Kelly home with him.

"Kelly, I've never dared tell you this, but I've loved you since the first day I saw you. he declared bravely.

"- I love you too. "Kelly said, blushing.

A modern fairytale part 2

 Kelly was delighted to meet up with all her deaf friends for a two-day spiritual retreat in Paris. There were many newcomers, and everyone had to introduce themselves to the others.  Kelly didn't dare to play the game, as she was very shy, but her best friend Arielle encouraged her by discreetly sending her a message on her phone: "Come on, sweetheart, get up. There's Julian devouring you with his eyes." The young woman felt her phone vibrate on the table, grabbed it, read the message, blushed a little, put the phone back down, raised her hand to ask to speak.

"Yes, Kelly, we're listening. Said Auriane, one of the group's leaders

The play on words made the whole room laugh, as all the participants were deaf.

Kelly got up and stood in front of the podium.

"Hello everyone. My name is Kelly, I'm 30 years old and it's been ten years since I lost the hearing in my right ear. About six months ago, the hearing in my left ear started to go. I was a saleswoman and was made redundant when I refused to get a hearing aid. I was so well received when I first came here that I've decided to stay where I belong, a deaf person among the deaf.

Loud bravos in French Sign Language interrupted Kelly.

"- Are you still speaking?" Auriane asked

"- No. I've been profoundly deaf for two months now, and I've chosen sign language.

"- It's not going to make your life any easier, you know..." warned Kendra. warns Kendra, another participant in this retreat

"- Yes, I know. But I'm brave!"

"-Thank you, Kelly. Who would like to introduce themselves now?" asked Marianne , the second in charge

Julian raised his hand.

A modern fairytale part 1

 "Your hearing has deteriorated considerably. I'm going to schedule you an appointment with a hearing specialist" Dr. Speck, the company doctor, announced coldly to Kelly

Kelly began to gesticulate, but the doctor couldn't explain this strange behavior.

"- What are you doing?" he asked, genuinely surprised 

"- The right question for me would be: 'What are you saying? Because you see, Doctor, I was explaining to you in French Sign Language that I know the world of the deaf and that my deafness won't be a problem for me to succeed in life.

"I'm delighted to see you take the news so well, but I must warn you. Finding a place for yourself in the world of work without a hearing aid will be extremely difficult

"- Well, I'll find happiness in other ways. Good-bye, Doctor." Kelly said politely before leaving the office.