A Mother for His Twins

by Lucy Clark

  Her smile increased. ‘Relaxing.’

  He straightened. ‘Excellent. So when is it your turn to have us around for breakfast?’

  ‘I’m sorry?’

  ‘Well, you’ve been to my place for pancakes. A good neighbour always returns the invitation. It says so in the etiquette book.’

  That made Jennifer laugh and he loved the way it seemed to brighten the entire marquee. ‘You’ve actually read an etiquette book?’

  ‘Well…no, but my mother has and that’s what she’s told me all my life.’

  ‘Oh, well, if it’s in the etiquette book, I guess we’d better sort out a date. Now, by “us” do you mean you and the girls or should I include your parents in this invitation? After all, your mother has dropped by a few times to visit on my days off.’

  He nodded slowly. ‘She did mention that. As far as who to invite, personally I think you should have three different events. One with just me. Then one with myself and the girls and then one with the whole family.’

  ‘Just you, eh? The two of us? Eating breakfast alone?’ She raised an eyebrow. ‘I don’t honestly think the girls will let you, Jasper.’

  ‘You’re probably right.’

  ‘And I didn’t have breakfast alone with you last time—the girls were there as well.’

  ‘I know, I know.’ He shifted uneasily in his chair. ‘I guess I’m just impatient to get some time alone with you. To talk.’

  ‘We will. Tomorrow. You’re going to snatch ten minutes of my time between A and E cases, remember?’

  ‘Or we could have breakfast bright and early tomorrow morning before you go to work.’

  Jennifer bit her lip at the suggestion, so desperately wanting to give in, to accept, but knowing once she was alone with Jasper in such a secluded environment, anything could happen.

  ‘Or I could just come to the hospital.’ He went back to his earlier suggestion. ‘I could power through some of your paperwork for you so that when Martha comes in on Monday morning, your reputation as a slave driver would remain intact.’

  ‘The poor woman would probably have a heart attack and I seriously don’t want that.’

  ‘I can still help and we can talk in between funding applications,’ he suggested, a teasing light in his eyes.

  Jennifer chuckled. ‘How utterly romantic. And then once the paperwork’s done, I suppose we can talk between patients and mop-up lists.’

  ‘We could. At least I’d get to be with you.’

  She looked into his eyes as he spoke and couldn’t stop her breath from catching in her throat at the repressed desire she saw there.

  ‘The sooner we talk, Jen, the better.’

  ‘For who?’ she whispered.

  ‘For both of us.’ He reached out and took her hand. ‘How about tonight?’

  ‘So, Jennifer.’ Megan barrelled in to the marquee and Jennifer instantly shifted, letting go of Jasper’s hand. Jasper could have cheerfully throttled his sister.

  Megan sat in the seat her mother had recently vacated. ‘Jasper tells me you’re the new head of unit and you’re only the same age as me. You must have worked very hard.’

  ‘I have.’

  ‘Congrats on the dream job, then.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘You could have been head of your unit long ago,’ Jasper felt compelled to point out to his sister, trying to hide his annoyance at her bad timing. ‘You’re a bright spark. Where do you think the girls get it from?’

  ‘Er…you. You’re no dummy, Jasp. Anyway, like you, big brother, I’m not one for administrative work. It takes a special kind of doctor to juggle both admin and medicine.’

  ‘Jennifer is that doctor,’ Jasper said, proudly and Jennifer smiled at him, warmed by the look in his eyes. He wanted to talk to her, to seriously talk about the attraction between them. Even the thought of having that conversation was enough to set the butterflies churning in her stomach. Excited by the prospect, she wasn’t quite sure what to do. Should she agree to see him tonight? Wouldn’t it be dangerous for him to come over in the evening when the girls were asleep? Would they be able to control the desires that were building every moment they spent together?

  It was a big step and she wasn’t sure she had the courage to take it.

  ‘Hello?’ Megan waved her hand and snapped her fingers between the two of them, a happy smile on her face. Jennifer was amazed at how it changed her appearance, how it made the dark circles beneath her eyes disappear, made her blue eyes sparkle and her straight, white teeth show. She looked for similarities between the siblings but only found it in the nose and ears. ‘Gee. You two are worse than me and Calvin. That’s my fiancé,’ she clarified for Jennifer’s sake. ‘He’s also good at admin and medicine. He’s head of Cardiothoracic at Sydney General.’

  ‘Oh. OK.’ Jennifer watched as Megan frowned a little as she spoke. The light went out of her eyes, her face took on a dark scowl and a moment later she excused herself. ‘Is she all right?’ Jennifer was genuinely concerned.

  ‘I’m not sure.’

  ‘You said she’s doing most of the planning herself?’

  ‘Most? Try all.’

  ‘Why doesn’t she hire a wedding consultant?’

  ‘Megan? Megan only asks for help as a last resort. It’s one of her biggest faults.’

  ‘And her fiancé isn’t helping at all?’

  ‘No. He doesn’t want anything to do with it. Just told her to tell him where and when he should turn up, but from what she said earlier he’s even having second thoughts about doing that.’

  ‘A lot of people get cold feet.’

  ‘Would you have been one?’

  ‘No.’ She wasn’t hurt by the question. They’d been open and honest with each other about their pasts. ‘How about you?’

  ‘Nope. Unfortunately, though, my darling sister is a bit of a control freak, in the nicest sense of the word. She’s not domineering. She just likes things done her way, especially when it comes to things like her wedding.’

  ‘Well, most girls start to plan their wedding at about age twelve.’

  ‘Did you?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Has it changed over the years?’

  Jennifer thought for a moment. ‘Here and there, but I think that’s because I’ve changed.’

  ‘Megan hasn’t. Even as a child, she would over-think, over-plan, over-research. I guess that’s part of the down side to having such a high IQ.’

  ‘Possibly.’

  ‘She’s even making the wedding cake.’

  ‘What? Why is she putting so much pressure on herself?’

  ‘Because she doesn’t believe anyone else could do it exactly the way it needs to be done. Besides, cooking, baking, decorating cakes—that sort of thing—relaxes her.’

  ‘Is she doing it by herself?’

  ‘Mum’s going to help. She’ll make sure Megan doesn’t burn herself out too much.’

  ‘At least your sister has someone strong to lean on.’

  Jasper smiled. ‘Sounds as though you like my mother.’

  ‘I do. You’re really lucky, Jasper. Many adults don’t have close relationships with their parents.’

  ‘True.’

  ‘And she’s really made me feel welcome. That’s a nice feeling to have.’ Jennifer smiled. ‘The other day when she brought the girls round, we had a difficult time getting them out of the empty packing boxes. Isn’t it amazing how much fun kids can have with an empty box?’

  ‘The girls said they had a great time. They keep asking to come over again.’

  ‘Oh, good. I’ll let Iris know when my next day off is.’

  ‘Unfair.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I said it’s unfair.’

  ‘What is?’

  ‘That my daughters and my mother get to spend more time with you than me.’

  ‘That’s silly. I’m with you at work all day long.’

  ‘Yeah, on a ward round, or in theatre, or at clinic. That’s
hardly spending quality time together, Jen.’ He raked a hand through his hair.

  ‘We went to a concert just last night. Or did I dream that?’

  ‘No. You most definitely didn’t dream that, and neither did I.’

  ‘I had the best time.’

  ‘So you’ve said. More than once. But don’t think I’m complaining. I had a great time, too.’

  Jennifer found herself gazing into his eyes once more and knew she’d never grow tired of it. Things were moving fast, faster than she’d anticipated. ‘Jasper, what if people at work find out we’re…you know.’

  ‘Interested in each other?’ He laughed. ‘Too late, Jen. They know.’

  ‘What? How?’

  ‘I think it has something to do with you calling me Jasper, rather than Eddie.’

  ‘Really? No. I’m sure other people in the hospital call you Jasper.’

  ‘Nope. Not one. Except for the new head of unit.’

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘Is that a problem? Do you think it will wreck your ice-queen status?’

  ‘No.’ She shook her head.

  ‘Good, and for the record I just told everyone that we have mutual friends outside the hospital. That cooled the wagging tongues.’

  ‘You did?’ Jennifer sighed. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Why? Would it be so bad for people to think that we’re…more than colleagues? More than friends?’

  ‘Jasper.’

  Jasper shifted in his chair, glancing out to where he could see his mother spitting onto a napkin to wipe Lilly’s face. He took her hand in his again, holding it tightly. ‘Let me come round tonight and we can talk. Once the girls are asleep, I’ll let Mum know I’ll be out and she can monitor them.’

  Jennifer shook her head. ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea, Jasper.’

  ‘Why not? We need to talk.’

  ‘I agree with that part but…’ She shook her head again. ‘Not at my place. Just the thought of the two of us…alone…with no distractions and, well, with this…thing sizzling between us, it’s just asking for trouble and I honestly believe it’s trouble neither of us need at the moment.’

  She had a point. ‘Where, then? It has to be soon because I’m having trouble functioning.’

  ‘I know. I know.’ She thought. ‘How about I come back to your place tonight and once the girls are in bed, we can talk? That way you don’t need to bother your mother.’

  ‘Good. I like that.’

  ‘And I can help you get the girls ready for bed.’

  Jasper was a little surprised at that. ‘You really want to do that?’

  ‘Sure. They’re so yummy, Jasper. The more time I spend with them, the more I can pick up on their different personalities. I’m determined to be able to tell them apart.’

  He nodded, pleased. ‘They may look the same but both are unique little individuals, who usually enjoy ganging up on their father.’ He smiled as he spoke and Jennifer joined in. Jasper squeezed her hand. ‘I’m glad you like them.’

  ‘I do, Jasper. You’ve done a brilliant job with both girls.’

  ‘I’ve had help.’

  ‘Of course, but you’re their father and it’s quite clear to see they love you and vice versa. It’s what I always wanted with my father but…’ She trailed off and shook her head. ‘Anyway, it’s nice to see.’

  Jasper was now more relaxed because he was going to get to spend some time alone with her tonight. She had been right in declining to be alone at her house because he wasn’t sure how much longer he’d be able to keep himself under control. The desire to touch her, to hold her close to his body, to press his lips to hers…everything had intensified and he’d come to the realisation that fighting what existed so naturally between them was ridiculous to ignore any more.

  Lola walked into the marquee and headed straight for Jennifer, climbing up onto her knee. Surprised but delighted, Jennifer let go of Jasper’s hand and put her arms around the little girl. ‘How are you enjoying yourself?’

  ‘Really good, but Uncle Matt said the sausages are almost ready but Aunty Sara said they had to cool before we ate them all.’ Huffing, Lola folded her arms tightly in disgust.

  ‘She’s right, though,’ Jennifer said as she watched Lilly come in and climb up onto Jasper’s knee. He automatically hugged her close and pressed three quick kisses to her cheek. ‘If you ate the sausage straight off the barbecue, you’d burn your tongue.’ Jennifer wrinkled her nose and Lola laughed. ‘That’s not a nice thing to do.’

  ‘I can blow on it,’ Lola said eagerly.

  ‘Now, that’s a fantastic idea. We can cut it up for you if you like, which will help it cool faster, especially if you blow on it.’

  ‘Will you cut it up for me, Jen? Please?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘I want to eat mine in the bread like a long sausage,’ Lilly declared.

  ‘So long as it’s cool enough,’ Jasper said, but knew Lilly had a little more patience than her sister.

  Lola leaned back against her, snuggling in a little bit, and Jennifer’s heart turned over with love. It hadn’t taken her long to fall in love with these two adorable girls, who were so full of life, so spirited and so accepting. Jennifer glanced at Jasper as he spoke to Lilly, smiling when he bent and blew a raspberry on Lilly’s neck, making her squirm and squeal with laughter.

  How long would it be, she wondered, before she fell in love with their father?

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  BY THE time they arrived back at Jasper’s house, both girls were starting to get grumpy. They’d all had a fantastic afternoon, with Jennifer and Jasper receiving more than one or two meaningful looks from the family and friends around them.

  ‘It was like being in a goldfish bowl,’ Jasper joked as he carried Lilly towards her bedroom. Jennifer followed suit, Lola’s arms firmly wrapped around her neck.

  ‘I know what you mean. All eyes on us.’

  ‘Were you wet?’ Lola asked.

  ‘Wet?’ Jennifer touched her nose to the little girl’s and both of them giggled. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Goldfish live in water,’ she stated, as though it was a new scientific breakthrough. ‘Were you wet?’

  Both Jennifer and Jasper laughed. ‘Not quite, sweetheart,’ her father answered. ‘Right. Time for bath.’

  ‘No!’ the girls said in unison.

  ‘Jennifer’s going to bathe you tonight and then she’s going to stay for dinner and then a quick story.’ Two pairs of bright blue eyes widened with delight.

  ‘Will you check my teeth?’ Lola wanted to know.

  Jennifer had no idea how, exactly, she was to do this but was more than ready to agree, touched by such a request. ‘I would be delighted to check your teeth.’

  ‘Mine, too,’ Lilly demanded.

  ‘Yours too.’

  ‘And you can have a sleepover, too.’ Lilly had scrambled from her father’s arms and was eagerly pulling off her clothes. ‘We have a special hidey bed under my bed.’ Totally naked now and without a care in the world, Lilly shifted some toys out of the way and tried to tug out the trundle bed.

  ‘Why don’t we leave the bed where it is for now and get you two into the bath?’ Jasper wrapped Lilly up in a fluffy towel so she didn’t get cold.

  ‘Please will you sleep the night?’ Lola asked, pleading and fluttering her eyelashes.

  ‘She was born doing that,’ Jasper murmured, and the adults smiled.

  ‘I’d love to, Lola, but I have to be at the hospital bright and early tomorrow morning. Maybe another time.’

  Lola opened her mouth to object but one quick look at her father had her closing it again.

  ‘Jen will be here until you’re asleep. You’ll just have to be content with that.’ Jasper went off to run their bath and Jennifer helped Lola undo the buttons on her dress.

  ‘I like having you here,’ Lola declared.

  ‘Me, too,’ Lilly added.

  ‘We don’t have big girls here. Sometimes Aunty Mega
n comes but she’s been very busy with the wedding.’

  ‘Your daddy must have lots of friends.’

  ‘Sometimes Aunty Sara comes but mostly we go to her house.’

  ‘You have Grandma.’

  ‘She’s not a big girl. She’s an old girl,’ Lola declared, little hands on her naked hips. Jennifer wrapped her in the towel Jasper had placed at the end of her bed, trying not to smile. She was discovering that four-year-olds could be very direct and brutally honest.

  ‘Do you like my daddy?’ Lilly was the one to ask the question and Jasper heard it from the hallway. He stopped just outside the door, holding his breath as he waited for Jennifer’s answer.

  ‘I do.’

  ‘A lot?’ Lola questioned.

  Jennifer couldn’t help but smile. ‘Yes. A lot.’

  ‘A lot, a lot?’

  ‘Yes.’ Her smile drew bigger. ‘A lot, a lot.’

  ‘Are you going to marry him?’

  The smile vanished. ‘Uh…’ Jennifer was completely stunned at the question but obviously the girls were dead serious as they looked up at her with their expectant blue eyes. ‘Well…that’s an interesting ques—’

  ‘You could be our mummy.’

  ‘We don’t have one,’ Lilly added matter-of-factly, shaking her head slowly.

  ‘Uh…I know.’

  ‘She died when we was just babies but she was very pretty.’

  ‘Like us.’ Lola put her arms in the air, striking a pose and causing her towel to fall down in the process. Jennifer bent to wrap her up again.

  Lilly sighed. ‘I’d like a new mummy.’

  ‘Me, too,’ Lola said with an equally gorgeous sigh.

  ‘You could live with us and have sleepovers every night.’ Both girls agreed this was a very good plan. Jasper was still frozen to the spot outside his daughters’ bedroom, unable to believe they’d voiced such a plan. Jennifer would no doubt think his children had no manners whatsoever or—worse—that he might have put them up to it.

  Then he quickly reminded himself that four-year-olds had no filtering systems which, he was sure, Jennifer had already worked out. Besides, they’d managed to ask Jennifer how much she liked him and he’d been extremely pleased with the answer. The main problem he had now was to sneak away and pretend he was just coming out of the bathroom, rather than having Jennifer realise he’d been standing outside the door, eavesdropping.