by Holly Rayner
“Are not!” Jaden said, running over and pinching her arm.
“Auntie Sophie! Did you see what he did?” Emma yelled, turning to pinch him back.
“Whoa there, let’s not start the fighting that soon,” Sophia said, holding back Emma’s arm before she could attack her little brother with it.
“My mom says you and Jed fight all the time. Why can’t we?”
Emma’s blunt honestly would likely be the death of them, Sophia thought as her eyes darted to Jed before going right back to her niece and nephew.
“Sometimes adults disagree, but we do it in a way that is respectful. Jed and I might not always see eye-to-eye, but I can guarantee you that I have never once pinched him.”
When she looked up at Jed, there was a slight knowing twinkle in his eye, though he kept his comment to himself. Their one night together flashed through her mind’s eye, and she quickly wiped away the image. Now was certainly not the time for those kinds of thoughts.
“Now, I’d like an apology out of both of you. And if you’re good, we can order in a pizza and have some ice cream for dessert.”
Thrilled at her offer, Jaden and Emma became fast friends again, and while Sophia placed the call, they all decided to watch a movie while they waited. When Sophia returned from the kitchen, the three of them were tucked under a massive blanket. Emma looked up.
“We like to be in the middle. You can sit on that side, Auntie Sophie.”
“Fair enough,” she agreed, settling in as Jed changed channels to the kids’ favorite cartoon.
Twenty minutes later, the doorbell rang, and Sophia made quick work of filling everyone’s plates so they could continue watching their movie. As they munched on their dinner, Sophia cast a glance from time to time at Jed. He was wearing a gray t shirt and jeans, and he looked oddly relaxed. She wondered if he had ever watched a cartoon in his life that he wasn’t assigned to promote.
When the film ended, Sophia let out a fake yawn.
“Bath time,” she declared.
That appeared to be the magic word for chaos, because both children bolted up and began running around the apartment, tearing pieces of clothing off as they screamed and laughed. Stunned, Jed and Sophia locked glances.
“I’ll draw the bath, you round up the dragons?” he asked.
She smiled at him.
“Deal.”
Bath time was frenzied and messy, and halfway through Jaden took a rubber duck and squirted bath water all down the front of Jed’s shirt. Somehow they managed to get both children cleaned and dressed, and as Sophia put them to bed, Jed headed into the guest bedroom to change.
“Goodnight, my loves,” Sophia said, running a loving hand along their foreheads.
“Auntie Sophie?” Emma said as Sophia turned off the light.
“Yes?”
“I like Jed. I don’t think he’s nearly as bad as mommy says he is.”
Sophia chuckled softly.
“I think you might be right, little lady. Good night.”
Sophia closed the door behind her, looking around for Jed. The door to the guest bedroom was cracked open, so she headed in that direction. When she pressed the door open, she found him.
Jed was standing half-naked, his shirt removed, as he typed something into his phone. When he heard Sophia enter, he turned, his bare, muscular chest fully on display. Sophia swallowed, her throat suddenly parched.
“Sorry, I was just answering an email,” he said, pressing the send button and placing his phone in his back pocket.
He reached for another t shirt and slid into it, and Sophia found herself disappointed.
“The children are in bed?”
“They are. I must admit that I am beyond surprised at how capable you were with them today.”
Jed shrugged.
“I can talk to children. I do it on commercial sets all the time.”
“That’s not the same thing,” Sophia said.
“I suppose it isn’t, but I will admit that this might not have been as bad as I was imagining. A little water on my shirt is far and away a better outcome than puke.”
“Yes, I agree,” Sophia said.
“Would you like to watch some TV before we head to bed?” she asked.
“Sure.”
The two of them sat on the sofa, giving a little space between. After a few minutes of watching a historical drama show—something they found they had in common—Sophia turned to Jed.
“Have you really never built a fort before?”
Jed gazed down at his hands in his lap.
“No,” he admitted.
“What kind of childhood did you have, Jed? Please tell me.”
It was something she had been trying to dig out of him for ages. Now, in the comfort of her sister’s living room, she hoped that he would finally open up. They had made so much progress after the night he called. Beyond that, she just wanted to know him. Who was this man who had been driving her nuts the past seven months?
“It’s not something I like to remember, really,” Jed said, his tone hushed.
Sophia listened with rapt attention.
“I remember some happy times with my mother, though she was often sick, and couldn’t play with me. There were complications with my birth that had affected her for years afterward. I always blamed myself for her condition, but it got worse when she died.”
Sophia held in a gasp.
“How old were you?” she whispered.
“Eight,” Jed said. “I think deep down my father blamed me for her condition, too, because he was quick to send me to boarding school. Any friends I had dropped away, and I was ruthlessly bullied at school. He was never informed, because the very wealthy can do as they please, without consequences. I learned that very early in life.”
“Did you have any friends at all?”
In those few words, Jed had told her so much about why he held her at bay, keeping everyone at a distance. Jed shook his head.
“Not at first. I learned how to use my words, and manipulation to get people to like me. Advertising and marketing is my family business, as you know. I took the small bit I had gleaned from my father and I used it in my favor. Eventually I became one of the most popular kids in school, but none of those people meant anything to me. I knew, deep down, that they only liked me because I had molded them to.”
Sophia stared at him with fresh eyes, so many pieces of the puzzle coming together.
“Why are you telling me this?” she asked.
Jed’s eyes shone in the soft lamplight as he stared at her.
“Because you are the one person I haven’t been able to manipulate. After everything I’ve done, you still never gave up on your quest to change my mind. I have never met my match in that arena. I suppose, after all this time, and given where we’re headed,” he said, dipping his chin towards her belly, “that you might as well know the real me. I’m not sure if anyone really does.”
“Where is your dad now?” she asked.
“Upstate, in our family estate. After I proved myself profitable he left the business in my hands and spends his days as a recluse, though from time to time he’ll call to see if I’ve failed yet.”
“He’s a difficult man to impress?”
Jed laughed bitterly.
“Impossible. I’ve spent my entire life trying to live up to his standard, and failing. I suppose even if I get elected as mayor he’ll still find some reason for me to not be good enough.”
Sophia reached out and grasped his hand. He stared at it for a moment before holding hers back.
“You are far better and more successful than any man I’ve ever met. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
Jed’s lip twitched.
“That’s quite the compliment, coming from you.”
“Keep giving me reasons to compliment you, and I will,” she said, matching his grin.
The clock on the wall began to chime. When Sophia looked up, she blinked in surprise.
“I
s it really that late?”
“It would appear so. You should get some sleep, Sophia.”
His eyes darted to her belly, then away. He stood, making his way towards the guest room. Sophia would be sleeping in the master bedroom, and, in that moment, she regretted that decision ever so slightly.
“Goodnight, then,” she said, lingering at the door.
Jed nodded to her.
“Sleep well,” he said.
When he closed the door behind him, Sophia stared at it for a while, her mind and heart whirling. After a moment, she walked to the other bedroom and settled into her own bed, trying not to think about Jed sleeping just feet away from her.
After all this time, could she really dare to allow herself to hope again?
Chapter Fifteen
Sophia awoke to the scent of warm butter.
Stretching, she stepped out of bed and opened her door, heading in the direction of the delectable smell. When she reached the kitchen, she nearly laughed.
Jed was standing over the stove, wearing an apron, while Emma and Jaden sat at the table coloring. When she entered, he looked up, and grinned at her skeptical expression.
“What? I manage a company of over ten thousand people. You don’t think I can manage a pair of youngsters?”
“I…” Sophia began, but couldn’t think of what to say.
Jed had managed to surprise her in every way over the past week, and she admitted to herself that there might be a path for them after all. He flipped the last of his pancakes before sliding piles onto several plates, and together they enjoyed a boisterous breakfast full of very silly jokes and laughter. Sophia watched Jed from the corner of her eye, relishing in this paternal side of him she had never thought could exist.
They spent the day bouncing around the city, climbing to the top of the Empire State Building and taking a cruise to see the Statue of Liberty. Afterwards, Jed bought everyone hotdogs and ice cream, though they had to eat them inside, with the weather turned cold.
“Can we do this every day?” Emma asked Jed, and he laughed.
“I’m afraid not. I have to get back to work, and your aunt has a building in process.”
“How did you know that?” Sophia asked.
Jed shrugged.
“I read the paper. It’s kind of my job to know what’s going on in the world.”
Sophia nodded, secretly pleased that while he had pretended not to care about her or their child, he clearly had still been keeping tabs behind the scenes. A warm glow blossomed in her belly at the thought, and she took another bite of ice cream, pensive.
They realized quite soon that the day had gotten away from them, and the little group rushed back to Genevieve’s apartment just as their parents were arriving. Emma and Jaden rushed into their parents’ arms, and Genevieve looked up at Sophia and Jed from behind Emma’s shoulders.
“Thank you so much for looking after them! It looks like it was quite the treat.”
Jed smiled, and Sophia wondered if he would bring up all the nasty little comments they had heard from Emma the night before.
“It was certainly a one-of-a-kind experience. You have some great kids here.”
Genevieve’s eyes widened in surprise, and her gaze darted to Sophia for an instant before she held out a hand for Jed to shake, which he did.
“Any time you want to take them on, they’re yours,” she teased.
After a few more farewells for the children, Jed and Sophia grabbed their bags and headed back toward the garage, where they settled into his car.
“I feel exhausted,” Sophia said, resting her hand on her belly.
“We did a lot today. You should get some good rest tonight.”
“I plan to,” she said, casting a sideways glance at him as he drove the car out of the garage and onto the city streets.
He looked so much handsomer somehow, and the silence between them no longer felt tense as they enjoyed one another’s quiet company after a boisterous couple of days. Before she knew it, they were pulling up to her building, and Jed turned to look at her.
“Well, thank you for that unique experience. I imagine it will help us as we prepare for whatever comes next.”
Sophia wondered what exactly that meant. What kind of future did Jed Shields envision when it came to her and the baby? As though sensing her thoughts, the baby chose that moment to kick—hard.
“Oof!” she said, her hand darting to her belly.
She looked at Jed apologetically as the baby tumbled around.
“I’m sorry, the baby’s decided to wake up. Do you mind if I just sit for a minute?”
“Not at all,” he said, his eyes on her stomach. “Would you mind if I…”
He held out a tentative hand towards her belly. It was the first show of interest he had ever made. With her eyes locked on his, she guided his hand towards where the movement was and placed it there, the two of them feeling their child tumble around together. Her whole body tingled with the sensation of that touch. It was something she had longed for, ached for even, for ages.
As they stared in wonder at her protruding belly, Sophia finally glanced up to find Jed staring at her, his eyes misted with unshed tears. His face was so close that she could feel his warm breath, his eyes darting to her lips as he leaned forward, as though he couldn’t help himself. He captured her mouth in a delicate, cherishing kiss that set her entire body on fire. The baby went quiet as Jed broke off the kiss, leaving a void that Sophia desperately wanted to fill.
“Thank you for coming this weekend. It meant a lot,” she breathed.
“You’re welcome,” he replied.
A brief silence passed between them, and, not wanting to ruin the perfection of the moment, Sophia stepped from the car and waved a farewell before turning toward her building, not looking back. When she entered her apartment, she tossed her bag on the floor and made quick work of changing into pajamas. Her feet were swollen and sore, and she carefully settled into bed, feeling a slight twitch in her stomach.
Too tired to think about it, wondering more about her own feelings for Jed, and her reaction to his kiss, she fell asleep thinking about what it would be like to have his arms around her, cradling her and their unborn child. With that image, she drifted off to sleep.
Pain shot through her core like a knife.
Sophia woke with a start, her hands darting to her stomach. Looking at the clock, she saw it was six in the morning, though it was still dark out. Another jolt of pain shot through her, and she picked up her phone, dialing Jed.
“Sophia? What’s going on?” he asked, his voice slurring with sleep.
“Something’s wrong. There’s a sharp pain, and I don’t know what to do.”
Her voice rose with panic, and she could hear footsteps as Jed launched from his bed.
“I’ll be there in a minute. If you can get downstairs, try.”
“Okay,” she breathed.
Rising, she made her way slowly to the door, sliding into a pair of shoes and grabbing her purse before she headed towards the lobby. By the time she reached the street, Jed was already stepping out of his car and opening the passenger side.
“Take it easy now,” he said, helping her into the car.
Another jolt of pain went through her, and Sophia hissed through her teeth, biting her cheek to distract from the pain. Jed flew into the driver’s seat and took off towards the hospital.
“We did too much yesterday. We should have taken it easier,” he said, his voice terse.
Sophia couldn’t talk. She was focusing all her energy on not panicking. Before she knew it, Jed had managed to get her to the hospital and up to the maternity ward. He pulled a chair up next to her while a doctor came in, performing a few tests.
“Let me just check on these, Sophia, and I’ll be back.”
He closed the door behind him, and Jed and Sophia looked at one another, fear echoing between them. Jed reached out a tentative hand, and Sophia took it gratefully.
“D
o you think that the baby will be okay?” she whispered.
“Of course. That baby comes from some tough stock,” Jed said, his tone a sad attempt at reassuring.
They sat together in anxious silence before the doctor opened the door and returned with a small smile on his face.
“Everything looks great,” he declared.
A rush of air poured from the couple as relief washed over them.
“I would guess it’s simply some late-term cramping. Still, let’s do an ultrasound to be sure.”
He whipped out some gel and revealed Sophia’s belly, pressing the wand against her skin. They watched on as a tiny face or hand or heartbeat would appear on the screen, everything looking perfectly sound. The doctor turned toward Sophia.
“See? Both babies are doing perfectly fine.”
Sophia blanched.
“I’m sorry, what did you just say?”
“I said both of your children are healthy. Why?”
Sophia and Jed stared at each other before she looked back at the doctor.
“They told me I was only having one.”
“Ah, yes that happens from time to time. The technician might have missed the other one. I see from your records you haven’t opted for many of these.”
Looking at Jed, she was surprised to see joy in his eyes.
“Twins? Can you believe it?” he breathed.
She grinned, happy to see that he wasn’t taken aback by the news.
“I guess practicing with two kids was a better test for us after all,” she said.
“I suppose so,” he agreed.
The doctor wiped the gel from her belly, letting them know that they could leave as soon as the paperwork was cleared. He bid them a kind farewell before leaving the door cracked open.
Jed turned to Sophia, but before he could speak, his phone rang. When he glanced at the number, his expression was apologetic.
“I’m sorry, I have to take this.”
Sophia nodded, watching him step outside the door. He moved to close it, but it remained cracked, and she listened in as little bits of his conversation floated in through the doorway.
“I understand. Yes, I’m making steps in that direction as well. Actually, can I get you those numbers in a bit? I’m at the hospital. Nothing wrong, just some complications with the babies.”