by Lexy Timms
“I’m sorry, Jamie had a playdate with little Mariah and saw a snippet of Frozen. I’m afraid it’s started.”
Charity burst out laughing. “We can sit her in front of a screen tomorrow and she can watch it while we finalize the details of Dad’s carnival. It’ll only be a matter of time before she dresses as the princess.” She grinned. “We can take her this afternoon to buy the movie and the dress! She’ll need the dress too. What’s the princess’ name?”
“There are two main female characters, Elsa and Anna. She’s going to need both outfits. By the way, Elijah wanted to surprise you. He zipped home and took apart the crib. It’s in storage so you won’t have to deal with it again for a while.”
“That was sweet of him.” Charity opened the freezer and got out a pint of ice cream. Too bad he’s going to have to put it back together again.
“Did you read the news today?”
Charity shook her head.
“I know that Hal Jaworski isn’t your favorite person but you have to feel bad for the man. What sad news.”
“Pardon?”
“He’s been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Did you have any idea he was ill? It just came out today on a business site I follow. Apparently he’s known for a few months and kept it under wraps. They say he has about six to nine months.”
Charity had no idea when she went to his office. Hal Jaworski was the other anonymous donor! He had managed to create his legacy but now was running out of time. He was racing to give away his money because he had no one to give it to.
Margaret continued. “Says here that his daughters are estranged and they refuse any inheritance. Apparently, they don’t want to have anything to do with their dying father. Sad and ironic. He has the cash to build an excellent cancer center but it won’t be able to save his life.”
“I had no idea.” She squeezed Margaret’s hand. “I spoke with him just a bit ago and he never mentioned it. I’ve got a ton of work I suddenly need to do. Do you mind listening for Jamie Lynn if she decides ever to leave her bed? We’ll go right after she’s awake and ready to shop.”
Charity grabbed her pint of ice cream and walked to the soon-to-be nursery.
After an hour of phone calls and getting things moving with Pinnacle, Charity decided to get in touch with Hal Jaworski’s daughters. She didn’t want his kids to miss the chance to say goodbye or realize what he was doing for St. Luke’s.
She found Bernadette raising four children and living an ordinary life in Los Altos, California. She was the oldest of the girls so perhaps she would have some influence over the others.
“Hello, this is Charity Bennet. Is this Bernadette Bond?”
“This is Bernie. Do I know you?”
“No, I’m a friend of Hal Jaworski,” Charity said.
Bernie hung up. Strike one.
Charity looked up Rose and found out the girl had overdosed a year ago and passed away. This act of good will was not going as planned. Her last chance was Helen, who was easy to find as she still used the last name Jaworski and lived on Staten Island.
“Hello, this is Doctor Charity Bennet. Is this Helen Jaworski?”
“This is Doctor Jaworski. How may I help you, Doctor Bennet?”
Charity fist pumped the air. “Let me say first, and please don’t hang up on me until you hear me out, I’m a business acquaintance of your father’s.”
“Let me save you the trouble, Charity. My father and I have nothing in common. I tried to mend fences years ago but it didn’t work out. I read the newsfeed and I’m aware he’s dying. I’m heartbroken that I never had him as a father and that he will never meet his grandson.”
“Doctor Jaworski, I’ve been working with your father on a project he’s kept secret. He’s set up an enormous generous contribution to cancer research. He probably doesn’t know he has a grandson. Imagine what a beautiful gift it would be to allow them to meet.”
“First off, I’m a psychologist. I’m thrilled he’s doing something good with his money for a change. Secondly, my son is not my father’s grandson. I adopted Jason. He’s a wonderful, smart four year old.”
Charity smiled. “Please think about it, Helen. We are planning a carnival for Doctor Scott Thompson’s birthday. He’s the chief at Thompson Hospital. It’s this Friday.”
“I know the hospital.”
“Great! Jason would have a blast and he won’t be the only child. I’d love to meet with you and maybe chat a bit more.”
“I can’t promise you anything, but I’ll consider it.”
“Great! I’ll get you the details.” Charity hung up with her mission accomplished. Now she had to hope Hal Jaworski would agree to come to the party.
Chapter 25
“Knock, knock. Would you mind a little company?” Elijah popped his head into Charity’s office.
“Are you all set for Friday night?” Charity asked as she pulled Elijah close to her for a welcome home kiss. She’d spent the day after meeting with Hal packing up some of her office. Just trying to clear a bit of space was her excuse.
“I’m set. Do you know how you’re getting Scott to the field? He’s an important component to the whole surprise party thing.”
“I’m working on it. It’s not going to be an elaborate plan. The only way I can get him to do anything for sure is to involve Jamie. I was thinking of asking for a lift to the park, where Jamie has to be picked up from a playdate.”
“Good enough. This whole thing is bizarre. Are we actually going to play baseball? I didn’t think your father was much of a fan.” He offered her some sushi he’d just picked up on his way home from work.
“My dad’s a closeted baseball fan. He keeps it on the down low because he’s a Red Sox fan in Yankee country. He’s got friends in Boston at Brigham & Women’s and Mass General. He gets to Fenway whenever he’s in that neck of the woods.”
“The hotdogs are an extension of the baseball thing, right?”
“Not exactly. Margaret says my dad has special memories of eating Coney Island dogs with his grandfather. I don’t really know because he never mentions the man. I’m inviting Hal Jaworski.”
“Now this is getting downright weird. Why the hell are you inviting that monster?” Elijah asked as he shoveled a hunk of uni in his mouth.
Charity’s stomach flip-flopped as he chewed on the morsel of sea urchin. She’d done a pregnancy test this morning after he’d left for work and it had confirmed what she already knew.
“I’m inviting him because I’m in the mood to do something kind for someone.”
“That’s my Charity. Saving the world with one act of random kindness at a time.” Elijah laughed.
“Don’t make fun of me.” Charity punched him in the arm lovingly. “I’m sure you read he has cancer. I think he’s surrendering the white flag from the fox hole. Maybe he deserves a little happiness before he goes.”
“Fine by me. What’s with you Charity? Looks like you’re moving out of this office that I made so beautiful for you. Are you just rearranging stuff to prepare for your next big project?”
She grasped Elijah’s hands. “Sort of. We’re having a baby.”
Elijah swallowed the food in his mouth and reached for the water as he nearly choked. “You pulling my leg?”
“Nope. Test confirmed it this morning. It must have happened when Jamie was in the hospital.”
“And you only realized now?” He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter!” He swung her around and squealed with delight. “I’m elated. How long have you known? Really?”
“Not long. So much has been going on, I really haven’t been paying attention.”
“You said while Jamie… that’s two-two and a half months already.” He stared at her, a silly grin on his face. “How did I not know?”
“Jamie is going to make a fabulous big sister to the little sprout. Can you imagine if we have a boy? She’ll have someone besides you to play her prince.”
“Charity, I’m unsure how I wake up and love y
ou more each day. My cup runneth over, babe.” Elijah placed his hands on Charity’s still flat tummy.
“It’s truly a miracle. We did good, Dr. Bennet.”
“We sure did, Dr. Bennet,” Elijah agreed. “I think we should write a sex book.” He winked at her, teasing her. “We’re so good at it.”
“Why stop there? It should come with a tape, or video.”
“Do they allow this sort of thing on YouTube?”
“I’m not sure but I’m sure that our skills will find a market somewhere.”
“You’re getting me hard, Charity.”
She laughed. “That should be the title of the book.”
“Or movie.”
“Enough!”
Chapter 26
Elijah was awake before Charity. He propped himself up on his elbow and pulled the sheet away from Charity’s still body. She was sleeping silently.
He whispered the words so he didn’t disturb his wife’s peaceful slumber, “Hey Sprout. That’s what your mom has decided to call you until we come up with a proper name. You are blessed little one to have squirmed into the perfect vessel. Mom’s created a safe place for you to hang out until you come into this crazy world. You’ll have a big sister who’ll be happy to show you the ins and outs of being a baby. Your grandparents will be filled with love for you. They’re also a bit zany. Grandpa will pretend that he’s not, but he just may be the most silly of the bunch. Then there’s Mommy and me. We’ll love you and shepherd you towards a full and happy life. Jamie keeps asking for a puppy so maybe together you kids will convince me. That’s all for now Sprout. Talk to you soon and take care of Mommy.”
Elijah kissed Charity’s belly and then went into Jamie’s butterfly world. He could hear her cooing, which meant she was ready for visitors. Charity smiled when Elijah left the room. She had been in a twilight sleep as she listened to Elijah talk to his baby. It made her warm inside.
Jamie was babbling to herself under the butterfly canopy when Elijah entered the room. It occurred to him that his entire parenting plan was about to change. He always doubted it when parents claimed they didn’t have favorites when they had more than one child. Elijah already knew that he would love his second child as much as he loved Jamie. Love for each of them would differ but it would be just as strong for both. “Good morning princess. May I join you under your magic canopy?”
“Yes Daddy. Princess Time soon.” Jamie squealed.
“Oh, it’s time to choose which princess you’ll be today. Can I help pick?”
“No Daddy. You’re a boy but I’ll choose Anna so you can be Elsa. Can you buy me a sister?”
“You can’t buy a sister. Mommy and Daddy have to make one.” Elijah was beginning to sweat.
“Can you and Mommy show me how?” Jamie looked at Elijah with her saucer blue eyes.
“Charity, help!” Elijah called out. He wasn’t expecting the conversation for another fifteen years. If ever.
Charity ran into Jamie’s bedroom. “What’s wrong?”
Elijah tried to keep a straight face. “Jamie wants us to show her how we would make her a sister.”
Charity shot Elijah a dirty look, but he saw the corners of her mouth twitching, so he knew she wasn’t serious. “Jamie honey. Why don’t you press play and watch Frozen before breakfast.”
Jamie jumped out of bed and ran to the television.
“Diversions’ll work until we’re ready to deal with that long time away sex talk. Always change the subject and they’ll forget all about it.” Charity smiled.
“Do you use that trick on me as well?” Elijah made his way out of the canopy bed, fighting pink mesh and butterflies in the process.
“How about blueberry pancakes for breakfast, Elijah?”
“Sounds great.” Elijah quickly stepped out of bed.
“Works every time,” Charity murmured as she lay down on Jamie’s comfy bed. “I’ll just close my eyes for a moment.”
****
Charity woke and Elijah had already left. He’d brewed coffee and left her a note.
My Dearest Charity,
See you at the park tonight! Thank you for making all my dreams come true. Don’t forget to take your vitamins. Enjoy your coffee, and remember that from now on it’s one cup per day. Give Jamie Lynn kisses. It’s going to be a wild ride, Dr. Bennet, and I’m glad you’re riding shotgun with me!
Charity sailed through her morning routine. She popped her vitamins and sang in the shower. She felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. All of Margaret’s planning was done and Charity’s only responsibility was to get her father to the park for the shindig. He had absolutely no idea and she couldn’t believe it.
She spent the afternoon getting her and Jamie ready. They showered together, dressed and put on make-up. She went the extra step and gave herself a salon-worthy blow out. She tried on a few funky pieces of jewelry and let Jamie decide.
“The blue ones!”
They were pieces she’d picked up on a trip to Mexico. Elijah loved turquoise so she agreed with Jamie’s choice. She wore a white jumpsuit and cinched the waist because soon she would be unable to do so.
“Charity? I let myself in,” Julie called from the kitchen. “I got off early and thought I’d see if you needed me to take Jamie to the park.”
She went to greet her friend and stopped short at the pale, sad face that met her in the kitchen. “What happened?”
Julie burst into tears. “Simon’s been cheating on me.”
Charity realized with everything that had happened, Elijah had never told her what was going on with Simon. “I’m so sorry.” She’d been so caught up on realizing she was pregnant, everything else had been pushed aside. She should have pushed Elijah for news, not let everything slide. It wasn’t like her. She tended to argue and push. Things were changing over time, her along with it.
Julie tried to smile and wiped her face with the back of her hand. “He told me everything. It’s with Pam, who works at the hospital, in HR.”
“Plastic Pam?”
Julie laughed through her tears. “That’s what I said.”
Charity went and wrapped her arms around her friend. Jamie’s Frozen Sing-A-Long movie played in the background. She could hear Jamie singing to the music. “I’m so sorry.”
“I kicked him out.” Julie sighed. “But I don’t want him to leave.”
“What does Simon want?”
“He wants to try and make things work for us. He’ll do marriage counselling, whatever it takes.”
“Is it something you might consider?” Charity poured Julie a cup of coffee. “You guys always did have a crazy kind of love.”
“I think we just got bored with each other and busy with our lives. We kind of forgot how to communicate.” Julie grabbed a Kleenex and blew her nose. “I’ve been trying to figure out what to do. What would you do?”
Charity shrugged. “I don’t know. I can’t imagine my life without Elijah. I also have Jamie to consider.”
“Elijah isn’t the cheating kind.” Tears filled her eyes but Julie blinked them away. “I didn’t think Simon was either.”
“You don’t have to decide now, Juls. Maybe give it some time. Then it’ll be easier to know what your heart wants.”
“I’m pregnant.”
Charity felt her mouth drop open. “Pardon?”
“I know! I’m pregnant.” Julie shook her head. “I’m so lost. Maybe therapy and working through our issues will make things right. I don’t want to lose him.” Her last sentence came out in a whisper.
Charity reached for her friend’s hand. “Then don’t. Fight for him. Tell him how you feel and what you want.” She swallowed and whispered, “I’m pregnant too.”
“Really?”
She nodded and pressed her fingers to her lips and then pointed to the living room where Jamie was.
Julie smiled. “That’s so exciting.”
“Wasn’t exactly planned.”
Julie harrumphed. “N
either was mine.” She waved her hand and hugged her friend. “We’ll do this together! In the meantime, we have a certain party we need to go to. Let’s put the worry in a box for tonight and take it out again tomorrow.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.” She grinned again. “I can’t believe we’re going to have babies that’ll go to school together! What if I have a boy and you have a girl! They could grow up and date!” Her grin grew into a smile. “They could get married!”
“Whoa sister!” Charity laughed. “Let’s take this one day at a time.”
“Good idea.”
“All right, operation get dad to the park is about to begin. I hope he doesn’t know what we have planned. Margaret has worked tirelessly to get things in order.”
Charity transferred the car seat to Julie’s car. It wouldn’t be long before she was using the baby seat again. She was bursting with anticipation for today, and the future.
“Ready Julie?” Charity asked.
“I’m ready. You look awesome in that white pantsuit Charity. You don’t show at all.” Julie smiled.
“What’re you talking about?” Charity tried to conceal her grin. “Neither are you!”
“I’m three months, what about you?”
“Two and a half.”
Julie clapped her hands, reminding Charity of Jamie when she was excited. “Imagine we go into labor at the same time?” She pressed her lips. “I’m going to fix Simon. That boy is not allowed to leave the delivery room alone.”
“He won’t. You guys’ll work it out.”
Julie nodded. “Or I’ll get Elijah to kill him.”
“I’ll help.” Charity winked at their joking. It sounded like Julie and Simon had a long road ahead of them, but things were going to work out.
Chapter 27
“I told you, Dad. I got stuck here because Elijah dropped me off and my car’s in the shop. Julie has Jamie at the park and she doesn’t have the time to bring her back to my place.”
Dr. Thompson sighed. “I’m exhausted, Charity. Have you tried Margaret?”
