This Child Is Mine

by Mildred Colvin

  The next day Beth told each of the parents as they dropped off their children that she would be closing her daycare in two weeks. On the ride home from Kansas City, she and Jonathan had agreed to keep quiet about their babies being switched at birth in an effort to keep the media away. Jonathan said by not going to court, it was possible they could keep the story quiet. She told the parents she would be moving out of town and nothing more. Most begged her to reconsider, saying they couldn’t get along without her.

  Debbie’s mother summed it up for all of them when she said, “Your daycare has been the best I’ve ever used. Debbie loves to come, yet she’s always happy to see me when I pick her up. I know I won’t find anyone half as good if I look this town over. We’ll miss you and Stevie and won’t be a bit mad if you change your mind at the last minute and stay.”

  Beth wouldn’t change her mind. In spite of how busy she was, the two weeks seemed to take forever. Several children left before the last day as their parents found other care, giving her a little extra time to do some packing.

  She made arrangements with an auctioneer to have her household furnishings and daycare equipment auctioned off under Lori’s supervision after she was gone. The final day before she closed her daycare, she spent special time with each child that remained. Then Friday evening after they were all gone, she packed personal belongings for her and Stevie while Lori looked on.

  “How am I going to get along without you, Beth? First Ron and now you.” Lori sat on the bed and watched Beth empty her closet into a suitcase.

  Beth stopped and looked at her friend. “Ron left for his own reasons. I’m not leaving you. I want you to come and visit me. Please say you will.”

  “Will your boss allow visitors?” The sparkle in Lori’s eyes told Beth she was teasing.

  Beth rolled her eyes upward and shook her head. “I don’t think I’m being imprisoned. According to my boss, I will have two days off each week, which, of course, is ludicrous. As if I’m going to want to be away from my babies two whole days a week. But I’ll take off a few hours to visit with you when you come.” She stopped and tilted her head, pretending to think. Then she smiled. “And if we go away from the house, we can take Lexie and Stevie with us.”

  Lori laughed. “Why do I believe you would do exactly that? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more maternal woman than you, Beth.”

  Beth clicked the suitcase shut. “I think this one’s full. Just one more and I should be finished.” She double checked the dresser drawers and nodded her head with satisfaction. “Yep, that should do it.”

  “Careful, girl. If I didn’t know better, I’d think the way you’re acting you’re anxious to hit the road headin’ north.”

  A smile lifted the corners of Beth’s mouth as she glanced toward Lori. “I am.”

  ~*~

  Early Saturday morning, Beth locked her house and joined Stevie in her well-packed car. She drove across town to Lori’s house. She pulled into the drive and, leaving Stevie in the car, ran to the front door. Lori stepped out before she could knock.

  Beth held out the key to her house. “I have until the first of May to get out of the house so if you’re going to boss the auction, you’ll need my key.” Then she noticed Lori’s red-rimmed eyes. Oh, Lori, don’t you dare cry. It’s a three hour trip. That’s all.”

  “Three hours or a lifetime, it’s all the same.” Lori bit her lower lip. “Who’s going to keep me company when I miss Ron? Who’s going to come crying on my shoulder when life deals them a bad blow? I’m a nurse, Beth. I have to feel needed.”

  “Yeah, well stay close to your phone, because you’re still needed.” Beth gave Lori a quick heartfelt hug. “As soon as I can, I’ll give you a call. You aren’t getting rid of us. Not by a long shot.”

  “You’d better be telling the truth.” Lori swiped at the moisture still in her eyes. “And Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome had better let you call me as often as you like. Will your cell phone work up there?”

  “Yes, it works fine there.”

  “Good, but if he does anything you don’t like toward you or Stevie, either one, you let me know, and I’ll be there so fast it’ll make his head swim.”

  Beth laughed even as tears threatened to fill her eyes. “Oh, Lori, you are the best friend I’ve ever had and the sister I always wanted. But don’t worry. Jonathan is too much of a gentleman to hurt me, and he already adores Stevie.”

  “If he’s so wonderful, why don’t you marry him and solve all your problems?” The teasing sparkle came back into Lori’s eyes.

  Beth sensed there was more to the question than Lori let on. “I don’t think I could ever marry again. Not even for the girls. Marriage is too sacred to enter without love. Divorce is too easy. Then where would the girls be?”

  Lori’s smile disappeared. “I know, Beth. All too well. I loved Ron—and still do with all my heart. Obviously he didn’t feel the same for me. I can only thank God we never had children.”

  Beth’s heart went out to Lori. She’d never understood her friend’s divorce. She’d always thought Ron loved Lori, too. Sometimes life didn’t seem fair, and she didn’t know how to change that simple fact. Or what to say to bring Lori comfort. Usually it was best to change the subject when Lori began thinking of Ron and the day he walked out saying he wouldn’t be coming home again.

  She gave Lori another hug. “I promise I’ll call. Soon. I’ve got to go, though. After all it’s at least a three-hour drive, and Stevie gets restless if the car isn’t moving.”

  Lori followed Beth to the car and gave Stevie hugs and kisses and a new picture book to look at on the trip. She finally stepped back and let Beth go.

  ~*~

  The trip was uneventful, but as Beth entered the congestion of the city, her eagerness to see Lexie warred with the few remaining reservations she had about the move. She breathed a prayer of thanks that she could stay on 71 Highway most of the way. Only when she got deeper into Kansas City would she need to pay close attention to where she was driving. At long last, she started closing in on the McDuff house.

  Jon wasn’t there when she arrived, but Mary helped her unload a couple of suitcases. “We’ll get the rest later. If not, Mr. Jon can get everything when he gets home.”

  “Are you sure that’ll be all right?” Jonathan might not appreciate having to haul in her belongings after working all day.

  “It’ll be fine.” Mary brushed off her concerns and led the way into the house.

  After lunch, Beth put the girls down for a nap. She spent the time unpacking her personal things in her room. After their nap ended, the girls played with toys in the nursery before Beth took them into the backyard for some time outdoors. They ate supper with Mary, but Jon didn’t come home until after Beth put the little girls to bed.

  Beth had already retreated to her room when she heard the hall door to the nursery open. She crept to the connecting door in her room and peeked into the dimly lit nursery. Jonathan stood beside Stevie’s bed. He reached toward her and stroked the hair back from her face. Beth watched as he bent to place a soft kiss on her exposed forehead. Then he crossed the room and repeated the caress with Lexie.

  Beth started to push her door closed. She must have made a noise, because he turned and looked at her. She couldn’t see his expression well, but knew when he smiled at her.

  “Spying on me, huh?” His voice sounded little more than a whisper.

  She nodded and spoke just as soft. “I heard the door open.”

  “I’m glad to see you made it. Sorry I couldn’t be here to welcome you. I’ve been working on a case for Monday. Sometimes it gets crazy just before we go to court, and this one’s been a doozy from the start.”

  “That’s fine. I didn’t mind.” Even as she said the words, she realized they weren’t completely true. She had minded that he wasn’t there. Until that moment, she hadn’t recognized the empty, quiet feel to the house was because Jonathan wasn’t there. Strange how his presence should make so much
difference.

  “Well, I’m tired.” He turned toward the door. “I’ll see you in the morning. Sleep well.”

  “Thank you. Good night.” She spoke to the closing door and turned back into her own room.

  ~*~

  Beth woke early the next morning as sunlight danced through the window beside her bed. She loved having a bedroom on the east side of the house. She glanced around the room, trying to imagine it as Jonathan’s room. Although not feminine, the room didn’t carry Jonathan’s personality either. A king-size bed occupied the center of one wall. A large mirrored dresser stood against the side wall. The closet was large, giving plenty of room for her clothing. She especially liked the rocker-recliner that filled one corner. She figured it had been designed to snuggle into with a good book.

  As soon as she showered and dressed, Beth poked her head into the nursery to discover two wide-awake girls. Lexie, lying in her bed, scrambled to clutch the top of the rails as Beth stepped into the room. Stevie, already standing, began to jump and call, “Mama.”

  Lexie looked across the room at Stevie and then reached one hand toward Beth over the top of her prison. Her little face scrunched seconds before the wail that followed. Beth’s heart went out to her daughter and she took a step toward her.

  “Mama, me.” Stevie’s call held her and she turned toward her daughter. Could she go to one first without hurting the other? After a moment of indecision, two more steps carried Beth to Lexie. She scooped her up and before Stevie could complain, had her held close in her arms, too.

  Beth wrinkled her nose. “Oh, my. If you two girls aren’t soggy. Let’s get you cleaned up and then we’ll have some breakfast. I’ll bet you don’t know today is Easter Sunday morning.”

  “Hey, is there anything I can do to help?” Jonathan poked his head in the nursery doorway as Beth fastened Lexie’s diaper.

  She nodded toward Stevie sitting on the floor. “I’ve finished the diapers. If you don’t mind, I usually dress Stevie in only a T-shirt until after she’s eaten. Saves a lot of cleanup that way.”

  He grinned. “Good idea. Looks like she’s ready to go then.”

  He knelt in front of his daughter and held out his hands. “Hey, Stevie, how about coming to Da—”

  He looked at Beth, his eyebrows lifted.

  They stared at each other for long moments until Beth turned away. “It’s all right. In fact, I think it’s only right for us to teach them to call us Mama and Daddy.” A flash of anger filled her chest as she swung back to face him. “After all, that’s who we are. It isn’t their fault and it isn’t our fault this happened, but it did.”

  “I’m sorry, Beth.” His voice was soft.

  “Me, too.” She barely spoke the words, but lifted Lexie and held her close. She was her baby, yet not hers legally. What a mess.

  Jonathan took Stevie downstairs while Beth slipped a T-shirt on Lexie before she followed. After they ate, Beth and Jonathan took the girls upstairs and dressed them in their Easter Sunday best. Beth inspected the frilly dresses and was glad to see Lexie’s didn’t outshine Stevie’s. Both girls looked adorable and far too much like sisters.

  “I’ll take them downstairs while you get ready. Lexie has some coloring books in the family room.” Jonathan stood holding Lexie.

  Beth set Stevie on his other arm. “Can you manage both on the stairs?”

  He grinned. “Yes, Beth. Don’t worry. We’ll be fine.”

  Beth dressed as quickly as she could, then combed and arranged her hair. Without Stevie’s interference, she didn’t take long. She walked down the stairs and entered the family room where Jonathan’s family had met her and Stevie two weeks ago. The room appeared larger this morning with only one chair occupied.

  Jonathan looked over the top of the two little blond heads on his lap. Beth imagined his dark brown eyes brightened as they focused on her, but pushed the idea away as soon as it came. He lowered the book he’d been reading, and Stevie scooted off his lap.

  She toddled across the room. “Mama.”

  Beth picked her up and held her close, reveling in the sweetness of her precious baby. She smiled at the picture Jonathan and Lexie made in the easy chair across the room. Lexie had no desire to leave the security of her daddy’s lap. Although she longed for a relationship with her daughter by birth, Beth breathed a prayer of thanks that Lexie had such a loving father.

  “I didn’t get a chance to talk to you yesterday.” Beth had no idea what Jonathan’s reaction would be to her announcement. She figured the best way to find out would be to plunge right in.

  “On the way here, I noticed a church that I thought Stevie and I should try out this morning. I hope you don’t mind.” She gave a nervous laugh. “Actually, it’s so close, I could walk if I needed to.”

  He nodded. “Yes, I’ve visited there on occasion. From what I’ve seen it’s a good church. I have no objection, although you are welcome to come with Lexie and me if you’d like.”

  “Thank you, but, no.” Beth shook her head. “To be honest with you, I don’t want to give the people in your church or anywhere else, for that matter, anything to talk about.”

  “I understand and respect your concern.” Jonathan closed the book and laid it aside. “My family has a few traditions. One of them is on Easter Sunday we meet at my parents for dinner and an egg hunt for the children. It isn’t part of your job, but I’d really like for you and Stevie to come, too. Please?”

  When Jon sealed his invitation with a dimple-flashing-heart-stopping grin so like Stevie’s, Beth would have agreed to almost anything.

  She ignored her racing heart and shrugged. “Sure. It sounds like fun.”

  ~*~

  After church, Beth met Jonathan and Mary back at the house.

  “I won’t be going with you.” Mary shook her head when Jonathan invited her. “This is a good time for me to visit my friend, Mrs. Landrup. I’ve been promising her I’d come and haven’t until now. You all go have a good time just like I intend to do.”

  Jonathan drove across town to his parents’ house where a BBQ grill was set up in the backyard.

  Before they rounded the corner of the house, Beth could smell the aroma of charcoal broiled steaks cooking and her stomach growled. She flashed a quick glance at Jonathan, thankful he hadn’t heard or was too polite to indicate he had. She couldn’t remember when she’d attended an outdoor barbeque. Obviously, being part of a large family had its rewards.

  “Beth, come on over here.” Cecelia called out.

  With Stevie and Lexie being passed from one family member to another, Beth relaxed and enjoyed herself. Jonathan’s sister-in-law, Donna, jumped up and hurried away. She soon returned with Lexie. She hugged the little girl and said, “I don’t know how you can keep your hands off this little doll.”

  Whether she meant the remark as criticism or not, Beth took it that way. She looked at Lexie and wished she felt the freedom to keep her by her side always. She probably should ignore Donna, but maybe the remark needed to be addressed. “It’s about all I can do to keep a little distance. But I want Lexie’s love and acceptance. I don’t want to force her in any way. And to be honest, I guess a small part of me is afraid to get too close. I don’t know if I could handle losing her now I’ve found her.”

  Cecelia brushed away the serious words. “Don’t even think such a thing. You aren’t going anywhere and neither is Lexie. My prediction is that you will raise both your daughters and see them marry and give you grandchildren. Freaky circumstances brought you into our family. But now you’re here, we don’t intend to ever let you go.”

  “Mama, bubbles.” Stevie tugged on Beth’s skirt.

  Beth welcomed the interruption. She didn’t want to get into a debate, and she’d already aired enough of her insecurities for one day. She knelt beside her daughter and accepted the dandelion seeds. “Yes, you found some dandelion bubbles, didn’t you?”

  “Bubbles?” Donna set Lexie on the ground as she squirmed to get down with
Stevie. “How cute.”

  Beth laughed. “Yes, that’s what she calls them.”

  Lexie grabbed the stem, causing an uproar from Stevie. Beth pointed to some more dandelions that had sprung up in the otherwise neat yard. “Look, Lexie can you get some over there?”

  Lexie released Stevie’s dandelion and toddled away to get her own. She came back with one clutched in her hand, a happy smile lighting her face. “Bubbles.”

  “Isn’t it funny how quickly they catch on to something like that.” Donna laughed.

  “Let’s have the egg hunt.” Jonathan knelt beside the girls and lifted them both as he stood, one on each arm.

  Beth’s heart fluttered at how easy he made it look. Maybe the guy lifted weights.

  “Hey, what have you got?” He looked from one little girl to the other as he walked away with them.

  “Bubbles.” Stevie stuck hers in his face.

  He jerked back with a laugh. “Nice, bubbles.”

  He turned and spit to the side then looked at Beth. “You didn’t warn me about that one either.”

  She laughed. “You might want to be on your guard with Stevie. I never know what she may do.”

  “Thanks. I’ll remember.” He went on while his laughter drifted back to them.

  Beth turned to find Cecelia watching her, a speculative gleam in her eyes and a half smile on her lips. Beth prepared to deny whatever she was thinking when Donna spoke.

  “I can’t wait until Bradley and I have a little one to look for eggs, too.” Donna looked wistfully as her husband helped his father hide eggs around the backyard. She shrugged then. “Maybe in a couple of years we will have. But for now we have our Flopsy.”

  “Flopsy?” Beth couldn’t resist asking.

  Donna smiled. “Yes, she just had puppies. They are the cutest little things. Both are little balls of fur.”

  Ray McDuff stuck the last egg in plain view on the seat of the picnic table. He called to Cecelia. “Tell them we’re ready now.”