by Lucy Clark
‘It does.’ He turned his head and returned her gaze. ‘Perfect sense.’ As they continued to look at each other, the atmosphere in the room intensified, the awareness between them growing with every passing second they spent together. Where prior to Elizabeth’s birth they’d been able to keep their distance, the experience they’d shared—the miracle of life—seemed to have made the bond even stronger. CJ’s lips parted and her breathing increased as she continued to gaze into Ethan’s eyes. He made her feel so wonderful, so cherished, so strong and she wanted desperately to kiss him, to show him how much she appreciated his care and support.
Without a word spoken, he leaned forward and placed his lips on hers as though it were the most natural thing in the world. It was like the first kiss they’d shared, feather-light and very brief, then he shifted back slightly and cleared his throat. As she looked at him for a moment longer, she could clearly see his concern, his questions and his confusion. She didn’t blame him as she felt the same way. Now, however, was not the time for such a discussion and they both knew it, hence she also understood why he hadn’t made the effort to deepen the kiss.
‘Er...the nurses mentioned that you’re planning to discharge yourself and Elizabeth tomorrow.’ He looked down at the baby as he spoke and the moment of repressed need and desire vanished.
‘Yes. I’d like to get home and settled into a routine. I’m not far from the hospital, both you and Donna will be across the road at the clinic during the day should we need anything, and you’ll be in the house in the evening. I don’t see any reason to stay and take up a hospital bed.’
‘I’m not criticising you, I’m merely making a statement. The reason I made the statement is that I was also told about the hospital’s custom.’
‘Custom?’
‘Well, it can’t be a very good one if their own GP doesn’t know about it.’
‘Which one?’
‘The one where the new mother is taken out to dinner for a few hours the night before she returns home. A celebration for her hard labour.’ He raised his eyebrows on the pun.
‘Oh. That custom.’ CJ had forgotten about it, simply because she had no one to take her out. Was Ethan suggesting that he was going to take her out? Tingles of excitement buzzed through her. ‘Why do you...er...mention it?’ Maybe he was offering to look after Elizabeth while she went out to dinner by herself or with some of her friends.
‘Because I want to take you to dinner. You deserve it.’
‘Dinner?’ she repeated. ‘Uh...where were you thinking of going?’
‘I hadn’t actually thought that far. Do you have any suggestions? Favourite places? Or would you like to be surprised?’
‘Um...’ She couldn’t think. She hadn’t been out to dinner in such a very long time she wasn’t sure what to say. ‘Surprise me.’
‘OK. Surprise it is.’ His smile was wide and encompassing.
‘Are you looking forward to this more than me?’ As she asked the question, she saw a hint of sadness creep into Ethan’s gaze. He looked down at Elizabeth for a moment, brushing a kiss to the baby’s head.
‘It’s also my way of thanking you for allowing me to be a part of your miracle.’
Tears instantly sprang to CJ’s eyes and she placed her hand on his arm. ‘If the experiences of the last few days have helped bring you some level of healing for your past pain, then I’m very happy.’
Ethan raised his gaze to meet hers briefly and he nodded, then looked at the clock on the wall. ‘I have to go or I’ll be late for clinic.’ He handed her the baby, their arms and hands touching briefly—but it was enough for them both to stop, stare at each other, then mumble muffled apologies. ‘Enjoy your steady stream of visitors.’
‘We will. They’ll all be even more thrilled now that she has a name.’
‘See you at seven tonight.’
CJ watched him go, then looked at her sleeping babe. She shuffled down in the bed, discarding pillows as she went until finally she and Elizabeth were snuggled up together. ‘I love you, Lizzie-Jean,’ she whispered, and kissed the downy forehead. People may come and go from her life, like her parents and her husband—and even Ethan, who would one day return to Sydney. Now, though, she had someone of her own, filling a void in her life she hadn’t known existed. Whatever happened or didn’t happen between her and Ethan, CJ vowed to be the best mother ever, to always love her little girl.
But it would be wonderful if the man who, she was sure, loved Elizabeth as much as she did could find it in his heart to love her, too.
‘That would be perfect,’ she whispered to her daughter, before drifting off to sleep.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
‘NO DINNER FOR you tonight,’ Donna remarked as she waltzed into CJ’s room carrying a garment bag.
‘Pardon?’ For one heart-stopping moment, CJ thought Ethan had cancelled.
‘From the hospital kitchen, I mean.’
‘Whew!’ She placed her hand over her heart. ‘Don’t do that to me.’
Donna laughed. ‘Sorry. Here. I brought you a surprise.’ She held out the garment bag. ‘It’s my present to you.’
CJ unzipped the bag and gasped as she took out a breath-taking black dress. It was simple, elegant, and one that she’d admired at an online boutique for months. She looked from the dress to Donna. ‘How did you do it? Ethan only asked me this morning to go out to dinner.’
‘I called the online shop and had them express deliver it.’
‘What! You shouldn’t have gone to so much bother.’
‘Nonsense. You deserve this night.’
CJ could feel the tears brimming in her eyes. She put the dress on the bed and rushed to hug her friend. ‘Thank you. Thank you so much.’
‘Hey, don’t start crying now. Ethan’s going to be here in half an hour and we don’t want your face all blotchy.’
CJ sniffed and smiled. ‘You’re right.’ She picked up the dress and held it against her before turning to Elizabeth, who was sleeping in the hospital cot. ‘Look, princess. Does Mummy look pretty?’
‘Mummy looks sickeningly good,’ Donna said. ‘I wish my figure had sprung back as quickly as yours. I don’t know. You have an easy and quick labour and a few days later you’re almost back to what you were before you became pregnant. It’s just not fair.’
CJ laughed. ‘I can’t help it.’
‘No. Although I would like to add that when you get pregnant again—some time in the future—we keep a close eye on you when you go into labour because, boy, oh, boy, do you go quickly. You’ll be lucky to make it across the road to the hospital with the next one.’
‘What next one?’ she scoffed, but didn’t dwell on it. ‘I want to enjoy the baby I have because before I know it she’ll be on her way to university.’
‘Don’t I know it!’ Donna laughed. ‘All right. Ethan’s going to be here soon so let’s get you organised.’ She pulled out a large bag with cosmetics, a hairdryer, curler and hair spray, and a pair of stockings. ‘I stopped by your house earlier to pick up a pair of shoes for you but the back door was locked.’
‘Ethan.’ CJ shrugged and shook her head. ‘He’s a stickler for locking the doors.’
‘I figured as much. You get changed and I’ll pop over and get a pair now. He should be home but give me your keys in case he’s still at the clinic.’
When she’d gone, CJ slipped out of her pyjamas and pulled on the dress. The straps were two inches wide in a zig-zag pattern with a row of diamantés in the middle. The neckline also had a zig-zag pattern that came across the top of the bust, glittering diamantés again highlighting the unusual cut. It came to mid-thigh and showed off her legs to perfection.
Thankfully, Donna had bought the next size up from what CJ usually wore so when she zipped it up, it didn’t pull across her bust. She’d already expressed milk after the last feed just in case Eliz
abeth should wake up hungry while she was gone.
She looked down at her sleeping daughter. ‘Oh, baby. You are so beautiful. Sleep well while I’m gone. I’ll be back. I promise. I will never leave you and I will love you for ever.’
Donna rushed back into the room, stopping still as she gazed at CJ. She shook her head. ‘Even without the hair and make-up, you look incredible. He isn’t going to know what hit him!’
They set to work, piling CJ’s hair on top of her head and curling the ends slightly, leaving a few loose tendrils coming down. ‘I have another surprise,’ Donna announced after she’d finished CJ’s make-up. She pulled out a jeweller’s box. ‘I wore these on my wedding day and they’ve never been worn since.’ Donna handed it to CJ, who opened it slowly. A row of diamonds winked back at her. The necklace was a classically simple strand with matching bracelet and a pair of studded earrings.
‘Oh! I can’t.’
‘You owe it to the jewels. They deserve to be seen and they match the dress perfectly. Now, no more fuss. Turn around so I can fasten these in place.’
CJ did what Donna told her to do, as her hair and make-up were completed. When she stood and looked in the half-mirror of the hospital bathroom, she barely recognised herself.
‘You really do look like a princess,’ Donna stated. ‘Please, have a great time.’
‘I feel so spoilt.’
‘You deserve it. You’ve given so much to this town, it’s time we all gave something back.’
CJ smoothed a hand down the dress and smiled brightly at her reflection. Tonight, she decided, was a night of hope and she determined to enjoy everything it offered.
* * *
Ethan drove his car to the hospital, furious with himself for being late.
He’d called Bonnie to let her know the clinic had run late and to pass on a message to CJ. It was almost seven-thirty! He parked the car, cut the engine and rushed into the hospital. When he arrived at CJ’s room, it was to find her dressed in a robe, sitting up in bed, feeding Elizabeth. He stopped and stared, their gazes meeting.
Her hair was on top of her head in a pile of curls, her face had make-up on it and diamonds seem to twinkle around her neck and ears. She looked...sexy! Wholesome, and irresistibly sexy. He swallowed over the dryness of his throat.
‘Sorry. She woke up and was hungry, so I thought it would be best to feed her before we go. Will this affect your plans for this evening?’
He gulped as he took a few steps into the room, then stopped. The urge to crush her to him and plunder her mouth was almost too great for him to control. He swallowed again.
‘No. I’ve called the restaurant to let them know but they understand how it is and will hold the table for as long as we need.’
‘Good. She’s almost finished.’
The room was plunged into silence again and CJ began to feel a little uncomfortable. Why didn’t he come into the room? Sit down? Say something? She glanced up at him, only to find him intently watching them. When Elizabeth had finished her feed, CJ closed her robe and handed him the baby.
‘Here’s a towel. Would you mind burping her while I go and get changed?’
‘Sure.’ He walked to the bed and sat on the end, glad CJ was leaving the room for a moment. Hopefully, he’d be able to get himself under control again. ‘You’re worse than your mother,’ he muttered to Elizabeth as he rubbed her back soothingly. ‘Irresistible and highly kissable.’ He pressed his lips to her head. Once she’d finished, he wrapped her up and tucked her into the cot. Then he concentrated on taking some deep, calming breaths. He was determined to be in control of his faculties when Elizabeth’s mother returned.
‘Ready?’
Ethan spun around and simply stared at the woman who stood in the doorway. Where had she come from? CJ felt as if he’d never seen her before. Dressed in the most stunning of black dresses, with diamonds everywhere and long, luscious legs. His jaw dropped open and he felt paralysed with desire.
‘Claudia-Jean...you are stunning,’ he breathed, and, finally able to move his legs, he walked to her side. ‘Ready?’ He crooked his arm for her to take.
‘Thank you.’ She smiled up at him and he almost capitulated. The urge to sweep her into his arms and carry her back to their house was increasing at an alarming rate.
‘Ready to go?’ It was Bonnie who broke the spell as she walked down the corridor towards them.
CJ cleared her throat and looked away first. ‘Yes. She’s fed, burped, clean nappy and sleeping like a baby.’ Bonnie wheeled the cot down to the nurses’ station as the two of them walked behind. CJ blew her girl a kiss. ‘Sleep sweet, princess.’
Ethan led her out to the car and for once she was glad he’d put up the soft top. ‘Are you going to be warm enough?’
‘Yes. From the hospital to the car, to the restaurant, to the car, to the hospital. I should be fine.’ He walked her around to the passenger side and held the door for her. ‘Thank you.’
‘Where are we going?’ she asked as they drove along, the scent of his aftershave winding itself around her.
‘Chateau Cregg.’
‘Oh, they have a lovely restaurant there, or so I’ve heard.’
‘Never been?’
‘No.’
He smiled. ‘I’m delighted tonight is the first time.’
They were met at the door by the maître d’ then shown to their table. She smiled across the table at him, determined to enjoy every moment they had together. They talked on a variety of topics while they ate. Ethan told her a few stories from his childhood and the silly things he, his brother and sister had done. She was able to counter a few of them with crazy tales about herself and her sister. After dessert, they made their way back to the car.
‘It’s been a lovely evening.’ CJ sighed wistfully as Ethan pulled away from the restaurant. ‘Thank you, Ethan. You can’t know how much a night out like this means to me. In fact, I can’t recall ever having been out on a night like tonight.’
‘I’m really glad to hear that. I had a good time, too.’
‘How long is it since you’ve been out on night like this?’
Ethan slowly shook his head. ‘Far too long to even remember.’
He changed gear and indicated to turn. ‘If I hadn’t had a mild heart attack, I would never have come here. I would never have met the people of these districts, seen the way they all seem to look after each other.’ He glanced across at her for a quick moment. ‘I never would have met you and I never would have been privileged to experience Elizabeth’s birth. To see her so...complete.’ He nodded. ‘It’s how it should be.’
‘Yes. She is rather awesome.’ It was then that CJ looked out the car window and realised they weren’t headed back to the hospital. ‘Where are we going?’
‘To the lookout.’
‘Oh?’
‘Donna mentioned it today and as I haven’t managed to get here yet, and as it’s sort of on the way back to the hospital, I thought you wouldn’t mind stopping and taking in the sight with me.’
‘No, I don’t mind. It really is beautiful, especially on a clear night like tonight.’
‘And we have an almost full moon.’
CJ grinned. ‘So we do. A full moon. A clear night. If I was working in a city hospital emergency department, I’d be worried.’ They both chuckled at her words. ‘Out here, the same night holds a different purpose.’
‘And what purpose is that?’
‘That anything can happen.’
Ethan nodded, then drove up a small hill and parked in the car park before coming around to her side to help her out.
‘I’m not pregnant any more, Ethan. I can get out of the car by myself.’
‘I know...but a gentleman always escorts his date.’
‘Is that what I am tonight? Your date?’
‘Absolutely, m�
�lady.’
CJ giggled as he led her over the low stone wall that ringed the car park. ‘I think the last time I went on an actual date was...probably high school.’
‘Well, tonight you’re with me and that’s all I care about.’
‘Is it?’
He looked down into her face. ‘Right now, yes.’ He brushed his fingertips across her cheek. ‘You really do look extraordinarily beautiful tonight, Claudia-Jean.’
‘Thank you.’ She dipped her head slightly, hoping he wouldn’t see how much his words had pleased her. ‘You don’t scrub up too badly yourself.’
‘You’ve seen me in a suit lots of times.’
‘Yes, but tonight you’re looking... I don’t know...different. Handsome different.’
Ethan quirked an eyebrow. ‘I don’t look handsome at other times?’
She laughed. ‘That’s not what I meant and you know it. There’s something...different about you tonight. I think it might be more in your eyes, rather than what you’re wearing.’
His gaze was intense. ‘I don’t want to hurt you,’ he said softly, and CJ’s heart was pierced by his tenderness. Again, he brushed her cheek with his hand before cupping her face and drawing it closer to his own. When his lips met hers, CJ sighed into the kiss.
His mouth was soft, gentle, as though she’d break if he exerted any more force. He made her feel precious, treasured and...loved. Was she insane to hope that one day Ethan would come to care for her as deeply as she cared for him?
After a moment, he gently pulled away and gazed at her before gathering her closer in his arms. When he felt the coolness of her skin he pulled back, took his jacket off and draped it over her shoulders. ‘Not that I want to cover up your exquisite dress but neither do I want you to get sick. Bonnie, not to mention Donna, would have my hide.’
CJ nodded but was unable to speak. The emotions he evoked in her were so overpowering, so overwhelming she wasn’t quite sure how to cope with them. Instead, she took delight in being drawn into his embrace, of resting her head against his chest and savouring the scent of him. She closed her eyes, memorising everything she could, filing it away to take out one day in the future when her life might not be so perfect as it was at this moment.
