Wife Swap: When you’ve married the carbon copy, what happens when the original reappears?

by Roz James

  Nat took a deep breath. “No.... that is I don’t need time. Lou, Vivien, I think... no I know that you’ll both make fabulous parents and I’d be honoured to be his or her aunt. Any mention of gran though and I’d have to kill you. After all I’m only slightly older than you Viv.”

  Kara smiled at her.

  Viv jumped from her seat, hugging Nat. “Oh my god, are you sure Nat, I was convinced you were going to say no?”

  Nat laughed as she was tightly hugged. “I’m positive, strange as it may seem I’ve got used to having you lot in my life.”

  Lou joined them in the hug. “I think it’s time to break out the champagne.”

  Vivien settled back on the couch. “Isn’t it a bit premature babe?” They could all feel her enthusiasm though, it was incredibly infectious.

  Lou headed for the kitchen, turning to Lou and beckoning her to follow. “No, I just know this will work, I can feel it. Given we have everyone behind us. Come on grab the champagne flutes.”

  Natalie laughed. “You might as well enjoy some fizz now Viv, it’ll be a long nine months with no wine.”

  Vivien groaned. “Don’t I know it, and someone here will know how much they need to make up to me, every day.”

  “Hey I do already, I bought champagne, chilled it, and I’m going to bring it through. I can’t carry that and the glasses though, come on.”

  Kara and Natalie smiled at each other; it was obvious that they had needed time alone.

  Kara pulled her towards her in a hug. “I must say you had me there for a minute Nat.”

  “Seriously, I didn’t mean to drag it out, it was the last thing I expected though. If I’m honest that’s dealt with some of my residual guilt.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well you know I was honest with Lou when we met that I didn’t want kids of my own, that I’d had my share with Neil, and that I don’t think she heard that in the first flush of love. Latterly I felt that I was depriving her of something momentous. So, Viv satisfying her dream regarding kids, God I’ll give them any support they need.”

  “Maybe you need to tell them that.”

  “I will.”

  “And Neil, that doesn’t bother you?”

  “No, I’m proud of him and I truly hope it works out for them. I know this is all a bit strange, and mildly incestuous, and if it was Lou carrying the child then I’d have struggled more; she was the equivalent of his step-mum after all. It’s not though, and I meant what I said I know they’ll make fantastic parents. They’ll need some support, it’s not like they’ve got other family around, nor good parental role models, but I’ve seen them with the kids.”

  “I’m proud of you babe.”

  Natalie kissed her lips gently. “I’m glad you’re proud... granny!”

  Just then Lou and Viv appeared, and the next two minutes were taken up with popping the cork, pouring champagne, and toasts.”

  Natalie’s phone pinged and Neil’s face appeared on the screen.

  “We texted Neil.”

  “So I see.” Nat looked at the text. ‘I’m proud of you mum.’ She had tears in her eyes as she replied. ‘Not as much as I am of you’

  Kara smiled, eager to lighten the atmosphere. “You do know you need to have a girl don’t you?”

  They all looked at her. “Why?”

  “So she can get a free education at Holmford of course. I can’t see Tom refusing his great niece an illustrious education.”

  Lou grinned. “Fair point, remember that Viv.”

  Nat laughed. “How to give her a serious complex. Have you all forgotten your schooldays? Imagine two parents teaching at your school, one, if not both, in a principal role by then, and lesbians no less. Forget the college fund, I’ll start saving for the therapy now.”

  They all laughed. Within five months Vivien was pregnant, and they were overjoyed when it was discovered that they were expecting twin girls. Whilst Natalie hadn’t had a baby, she had brought up a child as if she had and she supported Vivien throughout her pregnancy, allowing her to share her fears and concerns about motherhood.

  Natalie realised she’d come to love Vivien, and without realising, or discussing it, they both began to feel like the sisters everyone mistook them for. They even stopped correcting this misapprehension. Kara and Natalie had helped with practical tasks like decorating the nursery and building furniture. When seven months into the pregnancy they had been asked if they would be the twins’ godparents, they were overwhelmed but incredibly happy, accepting immediately.

  ********

  Suddenly Lou appeared, tears streaming down her face. Kara, Nat, Neil and Susan all stood up, trying to read her expression, terrified. Lou could hardly speak, but suddenly smiled. “It’s all over, they’re all fine. God they’re so beautiful, just perfect. The nurses just need a few moments, then you can come through.”

  What felt like a long half an hour later they were allowed in. Kara looked around her, at her wife Natalie, truly her soulmate, at her ex-wife Vivien, looking exhausted as she held one of her daughters; at Lou, Natalie’s ex, and now Vivien’s wife, so like her that they’d had a challenging relationship at first, but now understood, respected and loved each other. At Neil, the father of the twins, and his wife Susan gushing over the twin Lou held. She knew this wasn’t an average family, but what did it matter, it was their family, their normal, and that was good enough for them.

  The End.

  Note from the author

  Starting as an avid reader of lesbian romance, the pull to write came upon me in 2016. I find writing very therapeutic, almost meditative, allowing me to disappear into the lives, loves and struggles of my many characters.

  Writing relaxes me from the stress of the day job and everyday life; and whilst I’d love to write full time and for a living, it’s not yet a possibility. Maybe someday, a girl can dream after all, although I’m a social animal too so maybe I’d miss work too much. It’s daily life that gives me ideas too, so that could be a problem.

  I love to travel, holidaying a few times a year when I can. I will sometimes be found writing on holiday too and include some of the places I’ve visited in my books. I hope you enjoy hearing and learning about them.

  This is my 15th book and I have a few more first drafts in existence as well as some more ideas jotted down. I hand write initially, editing through committing the words to paper. Probably not the quickest way, but it works for me. I write faster than I can type. If anyone ever invents a pen that turns into type I’ll be forever in their debt.

  I continue to appreciate all feedback offered, so if you can please review this book on Amazon or Goodreads. See below for some information about some of my other books too. I’m deeply grateful to all of you who read my work and love that they are read around the world.

  Thanks again,

  Roz xx

  If you liked this book you may be interested in my other books which include the following.

  Sister-in-law

  At 31 Stephanie Walker has established her IT consultancy business and is close to becoming financially independent. Immersing herself in work has come at a price, friendships and relationships have taken a backseat, neither receiving the sustained attention they require to flourish.

  Discovering her recently widowed father is getting remarried comes as a huge shock, making her question her own life. As an only child becoming part of a wider family has added complications, her soon to be step-mother has a daughter. Could this be the sister she wished for but never had?

  A free spirit, who has spent most of her adult life travelling the world, Mia Sullivan is 29. Weary of this existence she is looking for somewhere to settle, she has never given up hope that this will include someone to share her life. That even her mother is remarrying before she manages to meet the woman of her dreams brings this into sharp relief.

  Thrown together, forced into each other’s worlds at times of change, the future step-sisters are not what each expects. Neither could have
predicted the nature of their feelings.

  Will they take a chance on love?

  When family is all you need.

  Faith, Hope and Charity

  When Cass McKenzie moves to Stirling to be near her dying mother, she leaves most of her old life behind; her tired relationship, work and friends. Age 29 she has already had an interesting life as a guitarist and a firefighter. Her priority is the time her mother has left, she will worry about the future later.

  Monica Adams, 32, is a Church Minister. Having long considered herself incapable of romantic relationships, her life revolves around her career and her parish. Dating a woman would be the last thing she, or her employer, would expect.

  When Cass and Monica’s lives cross paths both are surprised by their response, and fate appears to be pulling them together.

  When love threatens everything you believe.

  The Chef and the Gigolo

  A beautiful woman and an exceptionally talented chef, Lara Bartoletti has restaurants across Europe, and 8 best selling cookery books to her name. Lara is an extremely successful woman, but this masks an unhappy personal life. Her recent marriage breakdown, like all her successes and disappointments is splashed across the tabloids. Lara throws herself into her work, focusing on her latest cookery book, a return to her roots in Italy.

  Nikki Walker has spent the last 6 years working as a highly paid escort, her androgynous good looks and talents enabling her to establish a thriving private business. She services rich and famous women who want their sexual lives to remain private, and are happy to have their needs met by a woman acting as a man. In Nikki, or Nik her alternate ego, they have complete satisfaction and ultimate discretion.

  But Nikki is tired of this life, escorting and personal relationships are incompatible and she is tired of meaningless encounters. Now close to financial stability and having completed her training she wishes to focus on her photography and graphic design skills. The opportunity to work with the company designing Lara Bartoletti’s cookbook is a dream come true, she has desired Lara for as long as she can remember. Despite her low level role, she hopes for the chance to prove herself. When Lara then unknowingly employs her as an escort, despite everything warning her against it, Nikki throws caution to the wind and accepts.

  When Lara and Nikki’s worlds collide neither is prepared for the impact, Can Lara open her heart to an alternate lifestyle and accept Nikki for who she really is? Can they face the wrath of the press?

  Sometimes you don’t know what you need until you find it.

  Loving Undercover

  Sergeant Christine White is committed to her police work, relationships when she has them come second. When tasked to work undercover as a pupil at Westwood Academy in Glasgow to investigate possible sexual abuse of pupils she jumps at the chance. The fact that she is asked by the very person she sees as responsible for her lack of promotion assists with her decision, Chris accepts determined to prove herself

  For Dr Alex Carello, Principal Science Teacher, romance is the last thing on her mind. Still recovering physically and emotionally from a violent marriage she guards her feelings, restricting herself to friendships with those who have proven to her over time that they can be trusted.

  When Chris arrives undercover at Westwood the last complication, she expects is to face an immediate and powerful attraction to a senior teacher. Staying with Alex’s Aunt Alice also pushes them together. But Chris is supposed to be seventeen and Alex is a senior teacher with a responsibility to protect her and she’s not a lesbian.

  Will Chris solve the case and can lasting love grow from a friendship built on lies and deceit?

  Inside Out

  Leah Maxwell is paying the price for a moment of madness. Just released from prison under licence, her offence driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Fortunately, no one was injured except Leah, who drove off an embankment to avoid other cars. Leah though hasn’t been able to forgive herself, shunning earlier release to ensure that she faced the maximum jail sentence and avoiding facing the reason for her unusual behaviour on that one eventful day.

  Jenna, Jenn Forsyth has been a Social Worker for 6 years. Inheriting a large house she commits herself to supporting young women on their release from prison. Running Freedom House leaves little time for romantic relationships, experience has shown her that women don’t want to share her with her work.

  When Liz, Jenn’s friend and Leah’s Social Worker, recommends her as a volunteer for Freedom House, Leah and Jenn have an immediate connection. Can Leah learn to love herself, and can she do this in time to gain the happiness she deserves?

  Leaving the prison gates behind is just the beginning.

  For further books please see my author’s page, including:

  Hurt

  Torn

  Flamenco

  Down Under

  All Inclusive

  A Safe Landing

  Christmas Spirit

  A Dominant Relationship

  Thank you again for reading,

  Roz