This Child Is Mine

by Mildred Colvin

  “They are both so cute.” Cecelia confided in Beth just before she gave her hand a quick squeeze. “I’m so glad you decided to come and bring her. We didn’t know what we were missing. She looks enough like Lexie to be her sister for real.”

  Beth smiled at her. “Yes, she does. I guess that’s why we didn’t discover the switch any sooner.”

  She watched them urge Lexie to join Stevie on their grandmother’s lap and wondered if Lexie might be a tad jealous of another baby taking over her grandmother. All evening, she’d been quiet compared to Stevie. After getting her up from her nap, bare minutes before the family arrived, Beth had not pushed herself toward Lexie, preferring to allow Lexie to come to her when she was ready. But Lexie had stayed close to Jon, often with her thumb stuck in her mouth.

  Beth knew thumb sucking didn’t necessarily mean there was a lack in the child’s life. Some babies seemed to need the comfort the additional sucking provided while others didn’t. Still, she couldn’t help wondering if Lexie sucked her thumb because she’d been deprived of a mother. If for no other reason than that alone, Beth would accept Jon’s offer to care for the two babies together. No longer would her daughter be motherless.

  After listening to Little Red Riding Hood, Stevie scrambled down and grabbed another book. “Ma-maw, wead.”

  Grandma just laughed. “You’re quite the galloping pony, aren’t you?”

  Lexie sat complacently in the circle of her grandmother’s arm watching Stevie bring book after book to be read. The only time Stevie sat quietly was during the reading.

  Jonathan talked to his brother, or maybe only pretended to listen. He continually turned toward Stevie’s antics with what Beth interpreted as a gleam of pride. Strangely enough, after the warm welcome and acceptance his family had given her, he didn’t seem so threatening. His family seemed to be true-hearted people she could trust.

  Finally, Stevie grew tired of the storybooks. She scooted off her grandmother’s lap and found Robbie’s abandoned cars. Beth watched the three-year-old run across the room to defend his property and was surprised when he knelt beside her and played without a fuss.

  Beth turned to Cecelia. “I thought there would be a fight over the cars, but your son is a generous little boy.”

  Cecelia smiled. “Most of the time he is. I think Stevie is just another Lexie to him. We’ll have to get together sometime and take the kids to the park.”

  Beth smiled. “That sounds like fun.”

  “Then you are staying, aren’t you?”

  Beth smiled at the eager expression on Cecelia’s face. She nodded. “Did you honestly think I could walk away after I met Lexie?”

  “Does Jon know?”

  “I haven’t told him, but I think he suspects. Why wouldn’t he? He knew I’d fall in love with her the minute I saw her. But I loved her already. She’s my baby, Cecelia, and I’ve been cheated out of so much. I’m just thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of her life while she’s so young.”

  Cecelia patted Beth’s hand. “I’m glad. Lexie needs a mama.”

  ~*~

  Jon closed the door after the last of his departing family and held Lexie close. Beth stood nearby with Stevie. Mary made a quick sweep through the family room picking up forgotten cups and straightening cushions.

  It had been good having his family there. Beth seemed to fit in especially with Cecelia. His dad said he liked her fine. Jon told himself he was glad. If she was going to move into the house and care for the girls, she would have to get along with everyone. Life would be easier if they liked her.

  He nuzzled Lexie’s neck, delighting in her soft giggles. She threw her little arms around him and gave him a hug. They had been a twosome from the time she was born. No woman coming into his house could change that.

  “Time for bed, Lexie.” He turned to Beth. “We always spend time together at bedtime. I give her a bath and get her ready for bed, then I read her a story.”

  When hurt sprang into Beth’s eyes, he realized how excluding his words sounded. “Maybe the girls would like to take a bath together. If you want, you can join us.”

  Beth looked at Lexie, and a faint smile touched her lips. She nodded. “Yes, I’d like that very much.”

  The bathroom upstairs was large with plenty of room for two adults to kneel in front of the tub without getting in each other’s way. Jon filled the tub while Beth got first Lexie, then Stevie ready for their baths. When she lowered Stevie into the water to join Lexie, she stepped back.

  “Stevie likes to splash.” The words were no sooner out of Beth’s mouth than Stevie hit the water with both hands and giggled.

  Jon had no time to get out of the way. A wave of water hit him full in the chest and face as he fell backward on the floor. He gasped and grabbed one of the towels he’d placed to the side in readiness for the girls.

  As he wiped his face, he heard Beth scold the baby. “No, Stevie, we don’t splash. Here, use the washcloth to wash your face.”

  He looked up at Beth, and she turned toward him where he lay sprawled across the floor, her hand extended. “Do you need help getting up?” The corners of her lips twitched.

  He frowned. “Did you teach her that?”

  Laughter burst from Beth. She shook her head. “No one has to teach Stevie things like that.”

  Jon began to laugh until he glanced at the little girls in the tub. He scrambled to an upright position.

  “Oh, no.”

  “What?” Beth swung around and hurried to the tub, her laughter gone.

  “She’s got Lexie doing it.”

  Beth was practically leaning over the tub when Lexie hit the water just as hard as Stevie had. Both little girls squealed as the water flew. Only this time Beth got soaked. Hair, face, and blouse dripped. She turned toward Jon, holding her blouse out with both hands, her face the image of shock. Jon handed her the other towel.

  Beth buried her face in it and Jon chuckled. She looked up with a glare. He laughed. She hugged the towel to her and looked at him. A smile tugged at her lips. The next sound he heard was her laughter. Together they laughed while their baby daughters watched and, he imagined, wondered what was so funny. When Stevie started bouncing in the tub, Jon let the water out.

  “I think you’ve had enough excitement for one evening, young lady.” He grabbed a couple more towels from the shelf and handed one to Beth.

  “I’m taking this galloping pony before the bathroom floods. You can get Lexie.” He didn’t wait for her response, but took a dripping baby from the tub and wrapped her in the towel. Stevie looked up at him as if she were trying to figure out who he was and what he might be going to do with her next. He turned her so she sat on his arm and headed for the door.

  “Let’s get a diaper and a nightgown on you, okay?” Stevie watched him as he carried her across the hall and into the nursery. He kissed her cheek and was rewarded with a smile.

  “Are you always this feisty? A lot like your old dad, aren’t you?” He talked to her as he slipped a diaper under her and fastened it. Next came the nightgown. Where were Stevie’s clothes?

  Beth stood outside the door in the hall talking to Mrs. Garrett. Lexie seemed content to be held close in her arms while the women talked.

  Jon waited for a break in their conversation before calling out. “Beth, can you tell me where Stevie’s nightgown is?”

  Her voice sounded amused. “Excuse me, Mary. It sounds like I’m needed in the nursery.”

  Beth, still carrying Lexie wrapped in a towel, walked past him to the door connecting the nursery with her room. “It hasn’t been unpacked yet.”

  Within seconds, she came back with the nightgown. Her eyes widened as she looked at Stevie. Jon looked, too, but couldn’t see anything wrong.

  “You’ve diapered her?” The inflection in her voice was a cross between question and exclamation.

  “Of course. Did you expect me to leave her wrapped in the towel?”

  Color touched Beth’s cheeks and sh
e nodded. “Actually, yes. I never thought much about it, but I guess I assumed that men. . . I mean I never knew a man who would. . .”

  Jon smiled at her confusion. He’d changed more diapers since he brought Lexie home from the hospital than he’d ever want to count. It wasn’t that hard.

  “A lot of men change diapers, Mrs. Carter.”

  “Beth.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You called me Beth earlier—when you couldn’t find Stevie’s nightgown. Mrs. Carter sounds so formal if I’m going to be here all the time.”

  Jon smiled. He felt as if he’d been holding his breath since Tuesday night when he first approached Beth about the job as nanny. He’d been so afraid she’d turn him down and he would lose Stevie. As the tension drained from his body, he nodded and stuck out his hand. “I’m glad to hear you’ll be joining us on a permanent basis, Beth.”

  “Oh, my. I did say that, didn’t I?” Beth blushed again and Jon laughed.

  He shook her hand, noticing how small and delicate it was. “Yes, you did, so don’t even think about trying to back out now.”

  She kissed the droopy-eyed Lexie in her arms and said, “Don’t worry, I couldn’t if I wanted to, after meeting my baby.”

  Her baby? Jon mentally shrugged. Somehow he no longer felt threatened by Lexie’s birthmother.

  “In that case, we’d better get these girls ready for bed so I can read a story before they go to sleep.”

  Jon sat in the rocker with a baby snuggled in each arm and nothing had ever felt more right. He kept the chair moving in a steady rhythm while he read Beddy Bye Bear.

  He closed the book and looked across the room where Beth had been listening.

  “I’ve never put two to bed before. Would you like to take one so I can get up?”

  Beth smiled. She was even prettier than he’d thought. She took Stevie and carried her to her bed. Jon gave Lexie a kiss on the cheek before lowering her into her baby bed and covering her with a quilt.

  Jon and Beth passed each other in the middle of the room on their way to say good night to their other child. Jon gave Stevie a kiss then headed for the door leading to the hall.

  He paused with his hand on the door handle. “Please, don’t feel that you have to get up at any certain time in the morning.”

  Beth turned the lights down, using the switch located beside the door to her room. She gave a short laugh. “From that remark, I’d say you haven’t been the one to get up with Lexie. Unless Stevie wore herself out today, I’ll be up around six in the morning, just as usual.”

  Jon grinned. “Guilty as charged. I put Lexie to bed, but Mrs. Garrett gets her up. Usually after I’m already gone.”

  Beth nodded toward her room. “This was Mary’s room until today, wasn’t it?”

  “No, actually, it wasn’t.” Jon paused, wondering if he should tell her the truth, and decided it wouldn’t make any difference. “It was my room. Good night, Beth.”

  Jon chuckled at Beth’s surprised expression and pulled the door closed. He whistled as he clomped down the stairs two at a time to the lower floor and his new bedroom just off his den. He always enjoyed the time spent with Lexie, but tonight had been special. He touched his still damp shirt and chuckled. His mom was right. Stevie was a galloping pony. Lexie had caught on quick to her antics, too. That shocked look on Beth’s face was one thing about this weekend he’d never forget. He hadn’t had so much fun in a long time. Yes, sir, bringing Stevie into his house was the best move he’d ever made.

  Chapter Eight

  When Jonathan turned south on Highway 13, Beth’s heart sank. Her time with Lexie was almost over. She turned to glance into the back seat where both little girls dozed in their car seats. Only a few more minutes, and she’d have to tell Lexie bye. Her gaze lingered on the baby she hadn’t known existed. Her baby. She’d missed so much. With a sign, she turned back to the front.

  “Will you be all right?”

  Jonathan’s eyes held concern and sympathy. He understood how she felt. A special connection sprang between them—or maybe she only imagined it. She turned away. “Yes, I’m fine. I’ll miss her, that’s all.”

  “I know.”

  More than anyone else, he probably did. She shrugged. “I’ll be fine. Two weeks isn’t so long.”

  “No, only when it hasn’t passed yet.”

  He stared out the windshield as they drew ever closer to parting. She smiled. At least there was comfort in the knowledge that someone felt the same way she did.

  How quickly comfort fled when he pulled into her driveway and turned off his SUV. In the silence, Beth unbuckled and opened her door. “Since both girls are asleep, maybe we should unload before disturbing them.”

  Jonathan held out his hand. “Give me your keys, and I’ll take your bags in.”

  “Okay.” While he did that, Beth left Stevie alone and went around the car. She opened the door beside Lexie and leaned in to look at her sleeping daughter. She touched a strand of blond hair and rubbed her thumb over the silky softness. Next, she picked Lexie’s dimpled hand up and held it. “I’ll be back, baby, I promise. We’ll be together soon the way we should’ve been from the first. Only two weeks. That isn’t long.”

  “No, it isn’t.” Jonathan stood beside her.

  Beth brushed her damp eyes. “I didn’t hear you come out. Did you tell Stevie bye?”

  “Not yet. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  “I’m fine.” Beth slipped her finger from Lexie’s hand and backed out, softly closing the door. “Did you find a place to dump my luggage?”

  He grinned. “No, I figured I’d pick the wrong place so I set everything by the door to the hall. Can you handle it from there?”

  She smiled. “I’ll manage. I’d rather not leave Lexie outside alone. Why don’t you take Stevie in and lay her in her bed. You can tell her bye then.”

  His eyebrows lifted. “I’d like that.”

  When Jonathan came out a few minutes later, Beth headed toward her door. “Thank you, Jonathan. I appreciate this opportunity to be with my baby. I feel as if I’ve missed so much of her life, but have now been given a second chance. I’m looking forward to closing things here and being a mother to both my daughters.”

  His mouth twisted in a wry grin. “Last week I might’ve resented hearing you say that. It was hard at first thinking about sharing my daughters with a woman I didn’t know. This weekend has been good. Getting to know you. Seeing the care you have for both girls. Knowing Lexie and Stevie will be in good hands.”

  “Thank you.” Beth whispered the words.

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to come for you Saturday?” Jonathan watched her face.

  “Yes, I’m sure. I need to drive so I’ll have my car there.” Beth laughed at his concern. “Don’t worry, I can find the house.”

  He shrugged. “Think you’ll have everything taken care of by then?”

  She nodded. “I have a dear friend here who will finish what I can’t get to. Lori is more than capable of handling things, but I don’t think there’ll be that much. Mostly just disposing of furniture.”

  Jonathan nodded and stepped past her toward his SUV. “All right. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks. I’d better get back on the road before Lexie wakes up.”

  Beth watched Jonathan back out of her driveway before she went inside, closed the door, and reached for the phone. When Lori answered, Beth’s first words were, “I’m home.”

  “Good. Are you comfy?”

  Beth laughed. “Yes, why?”

  “Because I’m curled up on the sofa waiting to hear about your weekend, and I don’t want you to leave anything out. Wait, where’s Stevie? Is she going to interrupt this?”

  “No.” Beth smiled. “Stevie was asleep when we got here, so we put her to bed.”

  “We? What’s all this ‘we’ talk? Is Mr. McDuff still there?”

  “Of course not. I wouldn’t be calling if he was. I don’t know why I said we. He brough
t her in and put her down. He wanted to give her a kiss before he left.”

  “Hmm, it’s almost two-thirty in the afternoon. You’re home before I expected. I assume that means you didn’t go to church this morning.”

  “No, we didn’t. I started to, but I panicked. Lori, you tell me. What would it have looked like for a single dad to suddenly bring a woman and another child to church? Can you imagine the ideas the church family would get?”

  “Yeah, I see what you mean. So what will you do when you move up there? And don’t even try to deny it, Beth. I know you’re going.”

  “I’ll go to a different church.”

  “Then you really are moving.” Lori’s voice sounded flat—matter-of-fact.

  “You knew from the start I would.” Beth slipped her shoes off and wiggled her toes in the carpet before bringing her feet up in the recliner with her. “How could I not? Lexie is my baby. She looks so much like Steven, yet she looks like me, too. It’s strange. I can’t explain it, but she and Stevie look enough alike to be sisters, yet they are so different.”

  Beth spent the next several minutes describing her weekend and Lexie. Finally, Lori interrupted. “So what’s Lexie’s daddy like? Will you be able to get along with your new boss?”

  “Jonathan?” Beth laughed. “For a guy who started out as the enemy, he really isn’t so bad.”

  “No, I guess he isn’t if you’re already calling him by his first name.”

  “Oh, Lori.” Beth couldn’t keep from laughing. “He’s so natural with the girls. You should see him in action. Let’s face it. A man who changes diapers without cringing can’t be all bad.”

  “Really? Let’s see, he drives a luxury SUV, lives in a mansion, has a housekeeper, and changes diapers? Take my advice and hang on to that man, Beth.”

  Beth laughed at Lori’s silliness. By society’s standards, Jonathan McDuff would be considered a wonderful catch. But Steven had already won her heart. She thought of Jonathan’s dark good looks and gentlemanly manners. His obvious love for both of her tiny daughters and his concern for her feelings. If Steven hadn’t taken her heart to the grave, she might take a second look at Jonathan. But he had, so there was no reason to even entertain the idea. She shook her head. She should never give notice to the ideas Lori planted in her mind.