His Twin Baby Surprise

by Patricia Forsythe

  As she stepped from her car, Lisa wondered how much longer he would be around. She knew his trip to India was coming up, but she didn’t know when. It was a good thing she hadn’t come to depend on him.

  * * *

  “THIS NEEDS TO be your last day out in the heat, Lisa,” Gemma told her as she stretched a tape measure over her belly and recorded the number on the computer. She frowned as she compared the numbers on the chart. “In fact, you’re to the point where you need to spend a lot more time sitting with your feet up, or even lying down.”

  “But I can keep working, right?” Lisa asked anxiously. “With the glitch in the resort plans, there’s so much that needs to be done.”

  Gemma gave her a hopeless look. “I know, so I’m simply going to say that anything you can do from a prone position, go ahead and do it.” Reaching out a hand, she helped Lisa sit up.

  “Lisa, honey, what’s really going on?”

  The door opened and Carly whirled inside carrying several canvas bags stuffed with other canvas bags. “I’m stopping by to see how you’re doing. What’s up?” She placed the bags on the floor and looked at her friends expectantly.

  “Lisa was about to explain why she’s being so bone-headed about working and taking on so much.”

  “I have to,” Lisa answered, standing and slipping her feet into the flat shoes that had replaced her beloved pumps. The only fashionable thing she could see about her current footwear was that they were bright red.

  “Don’t you understand?” she went on. “I feel so guilty about the failure of the resort project.”

  “How on earth is that your fault?” Carly asked.

  “I should have caught it. People are out of work because of that mistake, oversight, bungling ineptitude, whatever you want to call it.”

  “Wow,” Gemma said. “Letting you be acting mayor was a big mistake. No offense, but your shoulders are awfully small to carry the weight of the world, or even the city.”

  “I’m just trying to figure this all out,” Lisa said. “So much has happened in the past few months.”

  “But you’re not responsible for everything,” Carly said.

  “I have to be both mother and father to these kids. I’ve got to have financial stability beyond what Ben will be providing, a place in the community, people who’ll look after them if something happens to me. I know I can always depend on you, but I have to be sure they can depend on me.”

  Carly and Gemma exchanged a look that Lisa read as “She’s kidding, right?”

  “Oh, honey,” Carly said. “Everyone depends on you, but that’s got to stop. I’m glad you’re able to delegate, but people have to quit looking to you to handle everything. And that won’t happen until you make it happen.”

  Lisa nodded. “I know you’re probably right, but for now I’ve got to go check the preparations for today. The parade starts in twenty minutes.”

  “Fine,” Gemma said. “I’m coming with you.”

  “Me, too,” Carly added. “I’ve got Upcycle bags to hand out.” She held up one of the tan shopping bags with the name and logo of her shop printed on the front.

  “It’s not necessary for you to come with me,” Lisa said after admiring the bags.

  “Maybe not, but we’re doing it, anyway.” Gemma took out her keys. “As soon as I lock up the Sunshine, we’ll be on our way. Then, as soon as the parade is over, we’re going to have a talk about what happens next.”

  Lisa looked from one to the other of them. “Why? What’s wrong?”

  “Not a thing right now. We’ll know more after the parade passes by.”

  “I hate it when you’re cryptic,” Lisa grumbled.

  With Gemma on one side and Carly on the other, Lisa left the Sunshine Birthing Center and walked over to Main Street. She found there was nothing for her to do. The preparations were complete, so she sat in a chair Bunky provided in a spot out of the late-July heat. Soon enough, the parade started and she watched the best of her hometown pass by.

  As Scout troops, local clubs and the high school marching band moved past, the people of Reston waved flags, clapped, whistled and sang along to the patriotic songs. Lisa saw Ben in the crowd, cheering and singing along with everyone else.

  Lisa felt a fierce pride in Reston and in the way they could pull together. Even Roland and Bunky were on their best behavior.

  After the parade, everyone in the crowd milled around, enjoying the games and food in the festival booths.

  When Lisa started to follow, Gemma pulled her back. “Nuh-uh, Mayor Thomas. You’re done.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Gemma nodded toward city hall across the street. “You’re getting out of the heat and into the air-conditioning. Your Founder’s Day celebration is over.” Looking at Carly, she said, “Can you call Nathan and Luke and ask them to meet us at the mayor’s office?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Carly whipped out her phone and called as she kept a firm grip on Lisa’s arm and helped propel her across the blocked-off street.

  “If you want me to get out of the sun, I can go to my office—”

  “No need,” Gemma said in a breezy tone. “We’re here. Where’s the key?”

  Lisa dug the city hall keys from her purse, unlocked the door and walked over to disable the alarm. Carly waited by the door for Luke and Nathan. They arrived within minutes, Nathan carrying both his medical bag and Gemma’s.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” Lisa asked, giving them a worried look.

  Through the glass doors, she saw Ben leave the group he was with and hurry across the street. He rushed up the city hall steps as Carly was getting ready to close the door. He gave Lisa a look that asked what was happening, but she could only shrug.

  Once they were all upstairs in the mayor’s office, Lisa balked. “All right, I’ve been cooperative long enough. What’s going on?”

  “Nathan’s going to examine you,” Gemma said.

  “You just did.”

  “Second opinion.”

  Before Lisa could say anything else, Luke and Carly stepped forward, each taking one of Ben’s arms and turning him back toward the hallway as Carly said, “Lisa is going to be examined right now. Let’s step outside.”

  Ben craned his head around to see what was happening, but they whisked him out and shut the door.

  Alarmed, Lisa looked at her friends, who were both opening medical bags and pulling out stethoscopes. Gemma also held a tape measure in her hand. “What’s wrong?”

  “Have you been having backaches today?” Nathan asked.

  “Well, yes, for a couple of days. Isn’t that normal?”

  “Yes,” Gemma said, pulling up Lisa’s top and tugging her slacks down below her belly. “But you’re also bigger than you were when I examined you a few days ago.”

  “Lisa, we’re pretty sure you have polyhydramnios, too much amniotic fluid,” Nathan added, putting his hands on her belly and gently pressing it here and there. The twins responded by kicking back, which made him chuckle.

  “What he’s saying is you’ve got six pounds of babies and about twenty pounds of amniotic fluid right now,” Gemma said.

  “Is that dangerous?”

  “It can be, but since we caught it early, the danger isn’t as great. Too much fluid pressing on the cervix can cause premature labor. With this condition, the risk of your water breaking spontaneously is simply too great. That amount of amniotic fluid gushing out suddenly is very forceful and could cause the cords to come out, too, creating cord prolapse.”

  “That sounds bad.”

  “It’s an immediate emergency C-section, but we’re going to do everything possible to avoid that.”

  Lisa looked from Nathan to Gemma. “How long have you known about this?”

&nbs
p; “Only since yesterday, but Nathan wasn’t available to examine you until this morning, and I knew you felt like you had to be here for the festivities.”

  “But not at the risk to my babies.”

  “That’s the attitude I was hoping to hear.” Gemma gave her a bright smile as she pulled up the front of Lisa’s slacks and smoothed her top. “Sooo, that means the Founder’s Day parade was your last hurrah. You ought to go on complete bed rest for the remainder of your pregnancy.”

  “That’s eight weeks,” Lisa said. “That’s a long time.”

  “But it’s necessary to ensure the safety of your babies,” Nathan said.

  “Of course I will, but my business—”

  “Can be handled online and by phone. Sandy will be glad to take care of it.” Gemma grinned. “You might have to give her a raise. Also, Luke will help out at your office.”

  “Luke? How?”

  “He was in the real-estate business in Dallas, remember?”

  “Oh, yes.” Lisa and Gemma shared a smile over the memory of the day they’d dressed in their best and gone to tell him to be careful in how he dealt with Carly.

  “I heard about that,” Nathan said. “Did you two really—”

  “Any threat to his good health was purely implied,” his wife assured him.

  He grinned and shook his head.

  Lisa went back to fretting. “I...I guess that will work, but the mayor’s job—”

  “Will have to go back to Harley.”

  “But his heart?”

  “Is much better,” Nathan said. “I think he’s learned his lesson about doing too much, which is something you need to learn.”

  “And it’s only for four months, until the election.”

  “I know. I was thinking about running for mayor, for a full four-year term.”

  Gemma stared at her. “Are you kidding? I thought you’d given up that idea.”

  “With two infants?” Nathan asked.

  “Gemma, you know I’ve always wanted to do it, but I guess it was only a dream,” Lisa admitted, glancing away. “There are so many things I want to do for the town, so many improvements that could be made.” Her gaze was snagged by the map on her desk. “Although I may not be as great at it as I thought.”

  “You’ve done an outstanding job,” Nathan said.

  “And there will be plenty of time later for you to run for mayor. Right now, you’ve got other priorities.” Gemma smiled at her. “Brenda and I have talked about this endlessly. Harley has promised to finish out his term.”

  Gemma and Nathan fell silent as Lisa thought over what they had said. “It’s not even a choice, is it? I can wait until this amniotic fluid thing gets really bad, or I can avoid it altogether by staying in bed for the rest of my pregnancy.”

  Gemma smiled. “That’s right.”

  “Then bed rest it is,” Lisa responded with a firm nod. “The babies’ health comes first.”

  “Atta girl,” Gemma said as she walked over and opened the door. She motioned for Carly to come in. Luke and Ben followed, with Ben skirting the others and coming right over to crouch beside the sofa.

  “Are you okay?” He looked her over carefully. “I saw you at the parade and you didn’t look too good.”

  “Gee, thanks.”

  Lisa told everyone what was going on.

  “So now we have to decide who is going to take care of you, Lisa,” Carly said. “I know it didn’t work out when your mother was there, but would you want her to come back?”

  Lisa shook her head. “No. She’s happy where she is. She and I talk every couple of days. Our relationship is better than it was, but we’ve got a long way to go. I can’t expect her to give up her new life and come running back.” Her smile flickered. “Besides, I think she’s got a boyfriend.”

  “Okay, then,” Carly said. “We’ll have to take turns.”

  “There’s enough of us that it should work,” Luke agreed.

  “No need,” Ben said, standing. “I’ll do it.”

  “Do what?” Lisa asked in alarm.

  “I’ll move in and take care of you.”

  “Move in? Not in this lifetime.”

  “Someone needs to be on hand because you never know when you might need help.”

  “I’m not going to put my babies at risk. Besides, aren’t you going off to China or someplace?”

  “India. But not for a few weeks.”

  “This is a terrible idea.” Lisa started to sit up but had to wait for help. It annoyed her that Ben was the one to give it, supporting her while she sat and then lifting her to her feet as if she wasn’t as big as a beached whale.

  “I’m the obvious choice,” Ben said. “I can arrange my time more so than most people.”

  “At least until you leave,” she pointed out.

  Lisa became aware that her friends were watching this exchange closely, their attention shifting back and forth as if they were at a tennis match.

  “And I’m these babies’ father.”

  He was obviously averse to being put off by her reluctance and downright hostility.

  “At least until you leave,” she repeated.

  Unwillingness to go along with the plan dragged at her. Ben had always been up front about not wanting to be part of the babies’ lives, and she understood that now he wanted to offer temporary help, but she wondered why. Did he want to impress his parents or his adoring public? She was too tired and confused to figure it out right now.

  “I think it’s the best option for now,” Carly agreed, and Lisa gave her a betrayed glare.

  “I agree,” Luke said. “By the time Ben leaves, we can figure out a more permanent solution until the babies arrive.”

  Everyone else murmured assent. Seeing no way out, Lisa walked over to the desk. She picked up the map of Reston Lake and put a sticky note with Isaac Rojas’s name on the front so it could be returned to him. “Fine, then. It looks like I have no choice.”

  “So glad you’re being reasonable,” Ben said sardonically while she wrinkled her nose at him, making him grin. “I’ll go home and get my things, and be at your house in a couple of hours.”

  “Gemma and I will walk down with you and tell you what you need to know to take care of her,” Nathan offered.

  Gemma hurried over and gave Lisa a hug. “We’ll see you at your house in a little while.” She smiled at her friend. “I’m proud of you. Choosing bed rest is the best thing to do.”

  Lisa nodded, but she couldn’t imagine what she would do with herself while she was lying around all day. She had been working since she was sixteen, had been completely self-sufficient since she was eighteen. Now she had to depend on someone else to take care of her. And not just anyone—Ben McAdams.

  The three of them left.

  “I’ll drive you home,” Carly said. “Luke will check on Dustin then drive your car over to your house. And don’t forget that I’m your Lamaze partner. Gemma and I will be over to practice what you’re going to need to know to deliver these babies safely.”

  Lisa wanted to remind her that she was still in possession of her faculties, but knew it was pointless. She saw the worried look in her friend’s eyes and recalled that Carly had lost a baby years ago, and the threat to Lisa’s pregnancy must be a hard thing to handle. Without another word of objection, she handed Luke her car keys.

  Everyone else walked out to the hallway while Lisa picked up her briefcase and stood looking around the mayor’s office. She knew it would be a long time before she saw it again, and even longer before she could fulfill her dream of being mayor. It might seem silly, but she had nurtured the thought for years and it was hard to make herself believe that the day might never come. Finally she turned off the lights and locked the door before joining the others outside.


  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “SO, LISA, YOUR choices for dinner are spaghetti, meatballs in some kind of mushroom sauce and—” Ben examined the contents of another covered container. “More spaghetti.”

  Almost all the food Lisa’s mother had left neatly portioned and labeled was gone. At least he knew she’d been eating well, but it was time to restock the pantry.

  “I don’t care,” Lisa called from the bedroom.

  “You’re not sulking, are you?”

  “Certainly not,” she answered.

  He grinned at the resentful tone of her voice. “That’s good. My mom and dad will be over as soon as they get back from my aunt Marie’s house in Tulsa and I’d hate for them to see you in a bad mood.”

  When there was no answer, he set the meatball container on the counter and walked into her room.

  Lisa was propped up in bed, wearing a baggy pink T-shirt and shorts. She sat cross-legged, with her laptop propped up on a couple of pillows, probably so she could see over her belly.

  “Are you working?” he asked, leaning against the door frame and crossing his arms over his chest.

  “I’m allowed to run my own business,” she answered in a snippy tone. “And I’m only answering emails right now, anyway.” She looked up. “Surely that won’t overtax my system.”

  “Let’s hope not. I’d hate to get another visit from Gemma and Carly.”

  “What? When did that happen?”

  “Back in May. Told me to leave you alone and let you make your own decisions. Now, I guess they’d tell me not to leave you alone, and not to let you make your own decisions.”

  As if she couldn’t help it, Lisa grinned. “The Stiletto Mafia strikes again.”

  “The what?”

  Lisa explained about the time she and Gemma had gone to see Luke at his office in Dallas. She told him they weren’t sure how much it had helped, but they’d known they had to stand up for Carly, who had already been badly hurt by Luke years before.

  Ben watched her face as she talked, noting the outrage at the idea that Carly would ever be hurt again.