A Mother for His Twins (12 page)

Jasper smiled at her word. ‘Thank goodness you didn’t say “lethal”.’

Jennifer sighed and looked up at him. ‘I like this.’

‘This?’

‘This. You and me.’

Jasper tightened his arms about her. ‘Me, too.’

She giggled. ‘You sound like the girls.’

‘Bound to happen eventually,’ he quipped. They enjoyed a few minutes’ silence, both completely comfortable to just sit there and be together, absorbing the essence of each other.

‘Are you comfortable?’ he finally asked.

‘You know, I think I am. I mean, I may have been concerned about this attraction—even a little conflicted—when it first started, but now it’s different.’

Jasper’s laughter rumbled joyously, surrounding them with warmth. ‘That’s fantastic to hear but I meant literally, not metaphorically.’

‘Oh. Well, yes. I’m comfortable.’ Jennifer looked up at him, her eyes intense. ‘Thank you.’

‘For?’

She smiled at his fishing attempt. ‘For ensuring my comfort.’

‘Is that all? That didn’t feel like a throw-away “Thank you” to me.’

‘That’s because it wasn’t. I guess I’m grateful that you’ve shown me that I can move forward with my life.’ She shifted slightly, edging closer. ‘That I need to reach out.’ She gently urged his head towards hers. ‘That I need to let go and venture out of my comfort zone. So here I go again.’ At that, she pressed her mouth to his and where he’d been reining in the fire, Jennifer let it go, opening her mouth and teasing his lower lip with her tongue.

Jasper groaned and hauled her against his chest, eager to let her lead, eager to reciprocate the pace she was setting, eager to let her know he was with her all the way. ‘You make my head spin,’ he muttered against her mouth, both of them breathing heavily.

‘Good. At least it means I’m not alone on this ride.’

‘No chance of that, lady.’

‘Really?’ She smiled at him.

‘None whatsoever. I’ve been fighting this attraction, trying to keep my distance, trying to give you the space I felt you needed, but now that we’ve passed those points, now that I’ve finished fighting, the only thing left for us to do is to continue moving forward.’

‘To where?’

For the first time since the day had begun, Jasper heard hesitation in her voice. Was she thinking about the girls’ earlier question? Did she think he wanted to marry her? He hadn’t even questioned himself that far yet.

He shifted, repositioning himself on the lounge and pulling Jennifer towards him so she could rest her head more comfortably on his shoulder. As she moved, she gasped in pain, then stuck her hand down the back of the cushions and pulled out a pencil.

‘Oops. Sorry. I thought I’d removed them all.’

‘Never mind.’ She leaned forward and put it on the table, and it was as though as she eased away from him in a physical capacity Jasper could also feel her easing away on an emotional level, too. She picked up her teacup and took a sip, hoping the warm liquid would give her the answers to the question now flooding her mind.

‘What’s wrong?’ he asked softly.

‘What makes you think something’s wrong?’ She turned around so she could see him better.

‘You’re distancing yourself from me. Talk to me, Jen. Let me into that inner sanctum.’ As he spoke, he played with the ends of her hair, still unable to stop touching her.

She liked it. The fact of the matter was, Jasper really liked her, she could see that as plain as the nose on his face, and that was fantastic. So why should she even think of hesitating?

‘I don’t know, Jasper.’ She put her cup back on the table.

‘You want this, don’t you?’

‘I don’t know what
this
is. We’re attracted to each other. We’re obviously compatible when it comes to the more…physical aspects, but what about the girls? What about work?’

‘What about work? We’ve covered this, Jen.’

‘I know, but now it’s actually happening and I can’t help the way my brain freaks out. It’s just how I’m wired.’

‘OK.’ He caressed her cheek, then leaned forward and placed a kiss on her lips. ‘Thank you for letting me know.’

‘Well?’

‘Well, what?’

‘What do we do?’

He smiled and kissed her again. ‘We take it slowly. We don’t flaunt it at work. We spend time together and time with the girls whenever our schedules allow. How does that sound for starters?’

Jennifer sighed and nodded. ‘Good.’ She paused for a moment. ‘But are you sure, Jasper? Are you sure I’m what you want?’

‘You’re insane.’ How could she
not
see just how much he wanted her?

‘Possibly, but I’m also very high maintenance. I know this about myself and while it may have taken me a long time to admit it, I can do that now and I don’t want my silly neuroses getting in the way of this thing between us. And even more than that, I don’t want to start treating you differently at work, as though I’m trying to compensate. Neither do I want you to feel that you have to treat me any differently because, after all, let’s face it, to an extent I’m your boss and that can’t be easy if we’re going to have disagreements about work issues. Everything needs to be done by the book because I won’t have anyone accusing me of favouritism. And as far as the girls are concerned, we’ll need to be especially careful because they’re so young and I love them so much and there is no way in the world I ever want to hurt them. So they’ll need to be told something but I’m not at all sure what because I’m not a parent and I don’t have the first
idea about parenting, even though it’s what I’ve wanted for so long, and—’

Jennifer’s mouth was captured by Jasper’s, effectively silencing her. When he drew back, he smiled at her. ‘Would you do me the honour of accompanying me to my sister’s wedding?’

‘P-pardon?’

‘Megan’s wedding. Will you be my date?’

‘Uh…um…’

Jasper smiled, causing Jennifer’s stomach to flip-flop. It was amazing how the tingly tension still existed between them even after he’d kissed her the way he had. For some daft reason she’d expected it to diminish, to settle even, yet to her great astonishment it had done quite the opposite. The way he smiled seemed to affect her more than before. Perhaps it was because only a few seconds ago those very lips had been pressed to hers.

‘It’s not a difficult question. Or, at least, I hope it isn’t.’

‘I would love to go. I’d love to see the girls all done up in their pretty dresses.’

‘Is that the only reason?’

‘Why? Am I putting a dent in your ego?’ She smiled, amazed she had such power over him.

‘Yes. As a matter of fact, you are.’

‘Well, then.’ Jennifer touched her fingers to his cheek. ‘I’d love to be your date.’

‘Good.’ He let out a breath.

‘You were unsure?’

‘Well, after you stated your…concerns, I wasn’t one hundred per cent sure, no.’

‘Sorry. I was babbling.’ She shook her head, slightly embarrassed. ‘I tend to do that when I’m extremely nervous but I tell you again, Jasper, I’m not an easy woman to figure out.
I know my faults and I can be honest about them. I’ll probably also be honest about your faults, too. I tend to freeze people out in order to protect myself from pain and hurt. See? I’m not at all easy to understand.’

‘They don’t call you the ice queen for nothing,’ he stated with a smile. ‘And you may have temporarily forgotten it but I live with two very high-maintenance females and consider myself amply qualified to take on a third. As for work, I’m sure we’ll figure everything out. We have so far.’

‘True.’

‘We won’t flaunt this relationship but I won’t hide from it either. If the gossips find out, that’s fine by me.’ He felt her tense and cupped her face in his hands. ‘It’s OK, Jen. You
can
and
will
deal with it.’

‘What if I freak out again?’

‘Then I’ll enjoy calming you down. I know how to stop you babbling, remember?’ He pressed his mouth to hers and she sighed with longing.

‘Seriously, Jasper. I don’t like freaking out but I do. I know this about myself.’

‘If you freak out, then we’ll deal with it—together.’

D
URING
the next week, Jennifer felt like a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs—especially when she was at work. Jasper had told her they wouldn’t flaunt their relationship, and they didn’t, but on the first day they had to attend meetings together and she was positive that everyone in the room could see that something was definitely going on between them. At one point she even called him Eddie, rather than Jasper, to try and show that they were still only just friends. It backfired big time.

‘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.’