A Mother for His Twins

by Lucy Clark

  ‘Well, now they definitely know,’ Jasper said as he fell into step with her as she headed up to her office.

  ‘What? How?’ Jennifer was so caught off guard by his comments that some of the files she was holding slipped from her grasp.

  When she didn’t bend down to pick them up, instead simply standing there and staring at him, Jasper bent and gathered the files. ‘You called me Eddie, Jennifer. You never call me that. By doing so, you’ve raised suspicions. They’ll all be grinning to themselves asking exactly what you’re trying to cover up.’

  ‘Really?’

  There was such a look of wild panic in her eyes that Jasper quickly put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. ‘It’s all right. Remember? We said we wouldn’t hide from it.’

  ‘You weren’t going to hide from it. I was going to run for the hills.’

  ‘Why?’ He looked a little hurt as they continued on their way and entered her office. Jasper closing the door firmly behind him. ‘Why don’t you want people to know?’ He tried for a nonchalant pose. ‘Don’t think I’m good enough to thaw the ice queen?’

  ‘Oh, Jasper. No.’ She was mortified at his words and crossed to his side, taking his hands in hers, wanting to dispel the pain she saw in his eyes. ‘It’s not that at all. It’s just different for me, that’s all. They’ve all known you for years. I’m the new girl and head of department.’

  ‘But we discussed this.’

  ‘I know.’ She gave his hands a little squeeze. ‘I thought I’d have more time, that’s all.’

  ‘What else? Come on, Jennifer. I know you well enough by now to sense when you’re holding back.’

  He was right and she was amazed at his insight. Dropping his hands, she turned and went to sit behind her desk trying to figure out how to say what she was thinking. ‘It’s nothing.’

  ‘Don’t go saying it’s nothing because it already is. What is it?’ He came around and leaned against her desk, facing her, his thigh brushing the arm of her chair. She could feel his comforting warmth enveloping her even though he wasn’t touching her. Slowly, she raised her head and looked into his amazing, hypnotic eyes.

  ‘You’re the biggest catch in the hospital.’

  ‘You make me sound like a fish.’

  ‘You know what I mean, Jasper. You were voted most eligible Bachelor of the Hospital last year—or so Maryanne said.’

  ‘Maryanne?’

  ‘Yes, and she said it with a dreamy look in her eyes.’

  ‘Nah. They were just glassy from the bug she was fighting.’

  ‘Stop it, Jasper.’ She half laughed as she spoke. ‘It’s easy for you to make jokes but the truth is there are plenty of women out there who, once they discover our relationship, will treat me differently. I’ve seen it happen before when staff date. I know of one woman who actually received anonymous hate mail because she was dating the hospital’s most eligible bachelor. What if that happens to me?’

  ‘It won’t.’

  ‘How do you know?’

  ‘The people in Sydney aren’t nearly as crazy as those who live in Melbourne.’

  Jennifer shook her head and stood, moving away from him.

  ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry.’ He came up behind her. ‘I guess I’m not all that comfortable hearing you talk about me as though I’m some product on the meat market.’

  ‘I thought you said it was fish?’

  Jasper smiled and turned her round to face him, looking deeply into her eyes. ‘I don’t care what anyone else thinks, Jen. What’s going on between us is our business and no one else’s. And if anyone gives you trouble, let me know and I’ll sort it out.’

  ‘You mean, we’ll sort it out. I don’t scare that easily but I just don’t want anyone else to get hurt.’

  Jasper brushed a kiss across her lips. ‘You are not the ice queen everyone thinks you are.’

  ‘Found the heart beneath the ice, eh?’ She laced her hands behind his head, urging him closer.

  ‘Absolutely.’

  Thankfully, no one on the staff mentioned anything and as the day went on Jennifer began to relax a little more. She was fine when she was at home in her comfort zone or at Jasper’s house. She could really let go and relax. Both Lola and Lilly were adorable and she loved spending time with them—even when Jasper was at work. On Friday, the day before Megan’s wedding, Iris had been running late from an appointment with Megan and had called Jennifer to ask if she could collect the girls from day care.

  ‘Traffic is ridiculous,’ Iris said into the echoing speakerphone in her car. ‘Ian’s still finishing a round of golf, Jasper’s working—as you know—and I didn’t want to bother Sara.’

  ‘It’s fine, Iris. The day-care centre is just down the road and the girls can come back here to my place until Jasper finishes work—which is only two more hours.’

  ‘Oh, thank you, dear. You’re a lifesaver.’

  ‘How’s Megan holding up?’

  ‘Megan’s Megan. I don’t know what we did to raise such a stubborn and independent woman, but that’s what she is. Oh, and can you let Jasper know you’ve got the girls?’

  ‘Sure. I’ll call him now.’

  ‘Thanks again. I’ll see you later tonight.’

  Jennifer rang off then dialled Jasper’s cellphone. It was switched off. She closed her eyes and mentally recalled his timetable. Friday afternoon—he was in Theatre. Shaking her head, she opened her eyes again and dialled the hospital switch board, asking to be put through to Theatres. Hopefully, he’d be between cases or could at least let the scout nurse hold the phone for him while she spoke to him.

  She was put through to Theatres, then through to the theatre Jasper was operating in.

  ‘Hi. It’s Dr Thorngate. Is, er…Jasper available?’ Jennifer closed her eyes, hating it that she’d fumbled.

  ‘He can’t come to the phone right now, Dr Thorngate. Can I take a message?’

  It was as she’d thought. There was nothing else she could do but leave a message, despite how uncomfortable it made her feel. What she could do was deliver the information in a matter-of-fact way and, hopefully, as the message was relayed to him with the entire theatre staff listening on, they wouldn’t read anything…untoward into it.

  Jennifer cleared her throat. ‘Yes, you can, thank you. Please let Dr Edwards know that his daughters will be at my place when he’s finished work.’ Jennifer bit her lip as she waited for the acknowledgement.

  ‘Uh…oh. OK, then. I’ll pass that message on. Thank you, Dr Thorngate.’

  Jennifer returned the phone to its cradle and took a deep breath. Now it would be out. People at the hospital would now know she actually did possess a heart and it hadn’t taken a supernova to thaw it—only Jasper.

  She’d been gossiped about a lot in the past and had painstakingly taken steps to distance herself from recreational friendships with colleagues. She lived for her work and everyone knew that…but now they would know differently.

  ‘Get a grip,’ she said out loud, shaking her head as she pulled herself together. So they were going to be talking about her and Jasper. So what? She could deal with it because he was worth it. He’d brought so much colour into her life—as had the twins—and for the first time in years Jennifer was beginning to feel as though her heart was indeed thawing.

  Collecting her keys, she drove the short distance to the day-care centre and received a warm welcome from the staff.

  ‘Iris called through to let us know you’d be picking up the girls,’ the director of the centre said after Jennifer had shown some identification. ‘We’ll put you on the official paperwork as a registered carer in case you need to collect them at another time.’

  Jennifer’s eyes widened at this news. She would now be a registered carer? Was that what she wanted? She and Jasper were dating. That was all. Wasn’t it? She didn’t have much time to ponder the matter as one of the girls spotted her and came running over. It was Lola and she almost knocked Jennifer to the ground as she wrapped herself
around her legs.

  ‘Jen. Jen.’ Lola hugged her tightly before letting go and clapping her hands. ‘Lilly!’ She hollered. ‘Come on.’

  ‘I need to get my bag,’ Lilly said practically, and Jennifer couldn’t help but smile. That was Lil. Completely practical—like her father. From what Jasper had said about Elisha, it seemed Lola was a lot like her mother. Impulsive, direct and a little absent-minded at times.

  ‘Get my bag, too,’ Lola called.

  ‘No.’ Lilly protested, walking up while she stuffed a painting into the small bag.

  ‘Why don’t I take that for you?’ Jennifer offered, smiling at the girl’s determination.

  ‘I can do it.’

  Independent, determined and a little exasperating at times. Jennifer nodded. Just like her father.

  Finally, the two girls were in her car, buckled safely into the back, and while they weren’t sitting on their usual booster seats, it wasn’t too far to drive and Jennifer knew they’d be safe.

  ‘I love this car. It’s so pretty and shiny and it smells nice.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘I’m very excited to be going to your house, Jen.’ Lola’s excitement was all but bubbling over. ‘I hope Daddy finishes very, very late so we have to have a sleepover.’

  ‘But we can’t because it’s Aunty Megsy’s wedding tomorrow and we have to get up really early and get ready,’ Lilly pointed out.

  ‘Not that early. Jen, can we sleep on your hiding bed? I love hiding beds. Sara has one at her house and she lets us pull it out sometimes and lie on it, but I want to sleep on one all night long.’

  ‘Well, perhaps we can arrange it for some other time.’ She was touched that Lola wanted to sleep over, knowing that Lilly would also enjoy it.

  ‘And Daddy, too. He can sleep over, too.’ Lilly added.

  ‘But where does he sleep? He’s too big for the hiding bed.’ It was certainly a problem and one both girls pondered quite intently.

  ‘He can sleep in Jen’s bed,’ Lilly ventured. ‘That’s what mummies and daddies do.’ Again, Lilly’s tone held that practical note.

  ‘Oh, yeah. I forgot.’

  Jennifer wasn’t sure what to do or say—so she said nothing and instead concentrated on getting the girls out of the car and into the house. They continued to talk on, covering a wide variety of topics, and were more than happy to entertain each other while she prepared a snack for them.

  When Jasper finally arrived the girls were lying on Jennifer’s hiding bed, which she’d somehow been talked into pulling out, watching some television and relaxing.

  ‘Sorry.’ He greeted Jennifer with a kiss. That was something else she was coming to terms with as well—the fact that Jasper was intent on kissing her at every available opportunity. He was a very demonstrative man. She loved every moment of it but it still felt a little unnatural for her. ‘Theatre just wouldn’t end tonight.’

  ‘Problems?’

  ‘Mrs Verucci’s total hip replacement didn’t want to follow textbook procedure.’

  ‘I hate it when they do that.’ Jennifer smiled as she spoke and was pleased when her words brought a more relaxed smile to Jasper’s face. That was another thing she liked—the power she had over him. She could relax him, make him laugh, tease him, enjoy quiet moments with him. It was another world and it was a world where she didn’t feel alone any more.

  They ordered some food, neither feeling like cooking, and Jennifer was pleased when Jasper was talked into letting both girls have a mini-sleepover on Jen’s hiding bed.

  ‘At least I’m not the only one who’s wrapped around their little fingers,’ she said as she stacked the dishwasher, delighted to be able to use it. Usually, when it was just her, there was no need to put it on. She smiled, amazed at how a little domestic thing like a full dishwasher made her feel happy.

  ‘They’ll sleep in their clothes, their teeth won’t be brushed and they’ve missed out on their bath,’ Jasper pointed out as he walked over and took both of Jennifer’s hands in his. ‘And that’s a compromise I’m willing to make if it means I get a bit of extra “grown-up” time with you.’

  He bent his head and kissed her tenderly, drawing her closer into his arms. She went willingly, loving the way they fitted together.

  Once the girls had fallen asleep, the two of them sat and talked quietly about books, television shows, tomorrow’s wedding and work.

  ‘Was anything said?’

  ‘When?’

  ‘When I left the message. Were there any…interested eyebrows raised?’

  ‘I don’t know. Everyone was wearing face shields and masks. A little difficult to tell.’ Jasper tightened his arm around her shoulder. ‘Are you expecting it?’

  ‘When your boss calls to say that she’s picking up your children and taking them back to her place, especially when it’s widely known that you don’t mix business and pleasure, tongues have surely got to wag.’

  ‘And wag they will. I’m simply saying I didn’t notice anything, except for extreme concentration to get Mrs Verucci’s hip replacement back on track so we could all go home.’ Jasper could feel her tensing up and wanted instantly to alleviate her fears. ‘If we don’t hide from it, then people will stop talking soon—’

  ‘The day-care centre want to register me,’ she blurted, interrupting him.

  It took a second for her words to compute and it was then Jasper realised that it wasn’t only the hospital situation that was bothering her. ‘I think that’s a good idea.’

  ‘You do?’

  ‘Yes. Just in case a similar thing happens in the future.’

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘Is that OK with you?’

  ‘Huh? Yeah. I mean, yes. Of course it is. I mean, it’s logical. Right? I live close. The girls know me. You and I often have conflicting shifts.’

  ‘Which is something else I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.’

  ‘Can we talk about it another time, please?’

  Jasper could hear the hint of panic in her tone and wondered why it was there. As far as he was concerned, things were moving along beautifully between them. Sure, it was a little difficult to get some alone time but they were managing.

  ‘Sure. Of course.’

  ‘I just want to enjoy being with you.’ She pulled his arms about her and snuggled into him. She looked over to the sofa bed opposite where they sat, her heart warming at the sight of the sleeping twins.

  ‘You’ll get no argument from me.’ He wanted to hold her for ever and he also wanted to let her know that he was definitely in love with her. He wasn’t exactly sure when it had happened but it had. The fact that it had was a miracle in itself as after Elisha’s death he’d been certain he’d never love again. He also knew that confessing this to Jennifer would freak her out even more and that was the last thing he wanted. Slow and steady won the race. That’s what he’d learned as a child and that was the tactic he was employing right now because he had to do whatever it took to convince Jennifer that they belonged together. The four of them. Together. A family.

  ‘Why are we getting back into the car, Daddy?’ Lola wanted to know. ‘We haven’t walked down the aisle yet.’

  ‘The church is really pretty and I love the flowers.’ Lilly spoke as Jennifer helped her into the car and started to do up her seat belt.

  ‘I love the flowers, too.’ Lola’s tone was wistful.

  ‘And we promise to walk really slowly, Daddy,’ Lilly continued. ‘Just like Jen showed us. Nice and slow.’

  ‘We won’t run. Honest, we won’t.’ Lola’s eyes were earnest.

  Jasper looked across at Jennifer and together they had a flash of clarity.

  ‘You know this isn’t your fault,’ Jennifer quickly reassured both girls, and Jasper agreed with her. Although how he was going to explain that Aunty Megan wouldn’t be getting married today because her creep of a fiancé had left her stranded at the altar, he had no idea.

  Both girls opened their mouths to talk but J
asper got there first. ‘Shh. Just for a moment, please,’ he instructed his daughters. ‘Listen to Daddy.’ He leaned further into the car and kissed each one on the cheek. ‘I am so proud of both of you. You’ve been very well behaved.’

  ‘And we didn’t get our dresses messy.’

  ‘I know, but unfortunately there isn’t going to be a wedding today.’

  ‘But we’ll walk slo—’

  ‘Shh,’ he said softly, and placed his finger on Lola’s little lips. ‘Aunty Megan is very sad and upset because Calvin has changed his mind.’ Two pairs of bright blue eyes looked back at him. Jasper glanced at Jennifer who nodded encouragingly for him to continue. ‘Calvin doesn’t want to marry Aunty Megan.’

  ‘Well, that’s just dumb,’ Lola mumbled against his finger. Jasper smiled and kissed her head.

  ‘I couldn’t agree more, pumpkin, but that’s the reason you don’t get to walk down the aisle. It’s not your fault. Either of you. You’re not being punished. Understand?’

  ‘We’re all proud of you,’ Jennifer reiterated.

  ‘Grandma and Grandpa?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Sara and Matt?’

  ‘Yes. All of us,’ Jasper emphasised. ‘Now, if you could just sit in the car for a few more minutes, Jen and I are going to check with Grandpa that everything else is under control. Can you both sit quietly?’

  ‘Yes, Daddy,’ they said in unison.

  ‘Excellent. We’ll head home soon.’

  ‘There’s no party?’ Lola wasn’t happy about that.

  ‘Aunty Megan said there would be a party afterwards.’ Lilly nodded her head enthusiastically, trying to convince her father.

  Jasper shook his head sadly. ‘Sorry, girls. No party. We’ll be back in a moment.’ He put the window down a bit, then shut the car door, waiting for Jen to follow suit before they walked over to where his father was standing outside of the church, talking to Sara.