by Tamie Dearen
Charlie whispered to her sister, “Has Spencer figured out what he’s going to say to Olivia?”
“I don’t know. He’s pretty nervous.”
“I hope his little slip-up doesn’t spoil things between Josh and Olivia. I could tell at dinner he’s really smitten with her. Couldn’t you?”
“Yeah. When he said, ‘We’re still in this together, aren’t we?’ It broke my heart.”
“Me, too. And she really blew him off. Of course, I can’t really judge, can I? I did the same thing to him.”
“Yes, but he was a different guy back then. I bet if you had known he was really going to change, you two would be together now.”
“Don’t say that! I don’t even want to think about the possibility when Josh is in love with Olivia. Let’s just concentrate on getting them together—whatever it takes.”
It seemed the usually fun-filled Sunday night dinner stretched painfully long. Her nerves were on edge by the time Connie and Joe Marshall finished their desserts and retired to watch television, leaving the kids with cleanup duty.
As soon as the coast was clear, Spencer cornered Olivia, his face contrite. “Olivia, I’m sorry. I really am. I must have misunderstood what Josh told me. But honestly, I was only speaking up because I love you, and I was worried about you.”
She pulled up one corner of her mouth and regarded him with her arms crossed. “My dear brother.” The sarcasm dripped from her tongue. “There are several problems with your argument. First, you believed I could be pregnant. And not only that, but you also believed Josh could be the father. And you said something about it in public!”
“I didn’t believe it, at least not at first. But he kept talking about doing the right thing and being a father. And he was trying to rush the wedding and all...”
“I see.” She tapped her foot on the floor in a steady rhythm.
“It would help if you explained it,” Spencer said.
“Perhaps, but I’m not ready to. Let’s discuss how you accused me of being pregnant, not privately, but publicly, in a restaurant, in front of people we’d only just met.”
“I’d rather not discuss it.”
“I bet you wouldn’t! Let’s just say I’m prepared to forgive you, but you should be prepared to serve a long penance. I’m still pondering all the ways I’m going to let you make it up to me.”
“I’m prepared to write your thank-you notes for you after the wedding. Surely that would make up for it.”
“There’s not going to be a wedding.” Olivia made the declaration with the same nonchalance she displayed when announcing dinner.
“But why not?” asked Charlie, as she strained to control her shaky voice. “Josh didn’t tell Spencer you were pregnant. It’s not his fault this happened.”
“Oh, I know that. But he’s not in love with me.” Charlie squirmed under Olivia’s meaningful regard.
“So why does he want to get married, anyway?” asked Hannah. “You’ve been saying you’re going to explain it ever since Grace’s wedding, and you haven’t done it yet.”
“I think it’s Josh’s story to tell,” said Olivia. “Maybe he’ll explain it on the ski trip.”
“But Olivia, I think he’s in love with you,” Charlie argued. “I really do. I’ve seen how he looks at you. It’s like his life would be over without you. He’s really devoted.”
“That’s not what you saw, Charlie.” Olivia made the assertion with a confident tone. “He thinks he needs me, but he doesn’t. And need isn’t the same as love. But it doesn’t matter, because I’m not in love with him. And he knows it.”
Charlie restrained herself from arguing further. She had no right to tell Olivia to act differently than she’d behaved herself. Now Josh was going to be hurt all over again.
Unless... Unless she could change Olivia’s mind. Steven said Josh was joining them on the ski trip. Perhaps during their week in Colorado, there would be an opportunity. She could even enlist her mom’s help. The thread of a plan began to weave in her mind.
“UNCLE JOSH?”
“Yes, Jace.” Josh was wrestling with Chloe, who was squirming and screaming in objection to putting on a diaper.
“No! No dy-pee! I not a baby!”
“Yes, you are,” said Jace. “You’re only two. You’re a baby.” At this, Chloe began to cry in earnest.
“Jace, you’re not helping,” Josh growled. “What did you want?”
“I wondered when Aunt Olivia is coming back.”
“She’s coming over tonight.”
“Good.”
“Why? Do you like her better than me?” Josh quipped.
“She’s nice. She brought cookies. Hey, Uncle Josh?”
“Yes, Jace.” Josh struggled to pull a clean shirt over Chloe’s head.
“What do you do at the hospital?”
“I’m a doctor in the emergency room.”
“Oh! Do you poke holes in people’s throats and stick straws in? I saw this show on TV, and the doctor stuck a straw in this guy’s throat, and there was blood and everything, but then the guy started breathing through the straw! Do you do that?”
Josh finally succeeded in sliding the shirt down and forcing Chloe’s arms through the sleeves. Upon her release, she immediately took off at a dead run for the entertainment center. Josh caught her just before she crashed into the glass cabinet doors.
“So do you? Do you put straws in people’s throats?”
“Uhmm, no. I don’t think I’ve ever done that.” Josh gently placed the wriggling girl on the floor in front of a huge pile of oversized Legos.
“Awww.”
Josh couldn’t help being amused at Jace’s sad puppy dog face. He tried to think of something that might impress his nephew. “But a guy came in today with a broken leg, and his bone was sticking out.”
“Cool! Was there blood and everything?”
“Yes—lots of blood.” Josh smiled. “You’re not afraid of blood?”
“No way. I like it. And my friend at school, Gavin—sometimes when he’s sitting at his desk, blood will start running out of his nose. And sometimes it drips on his shirt and stuff. And he gets to go to the nurse. And one time I got to go with him because he was holding his head back, and he couldn’t see where he was going.”
“That’s pretty awesome,” said Josh. “If you like blood, maybe you might like to be a doctor some day when you grow up.”
“No. I’m going to be a jet pilot,” he said, plopping on the floor to join his sister. Chloe proceeded to scream in protest every time her brother picked up a Lego.
Jace was quiet while he concentrated on building for a few minutes, ignoring his wailing sister. Then he asked, in a small voice, “When am I going to see Nanny and Poppy?”
Josh’s throat tightened. He didn’t want to be the one to tell Jace his grandparents had rejected him in favor of his sister. “I’m not sure. Maybe after the ski trip.”
“Tell me again about going skiing,” Jace said, as he chewed on his cheek. “I told my friend today I was going to fly on a fancy jet, but he said I was lying. He said that’s only on TV. He said I was making it up. Is it really true?”
“It’s really true. It’s a private jet. It will just be our friends on the plane.”
“And who are your friends again? Who’s coming?”
“Our friends,” Josh corrected. “They’re your friends, too. So it’s Aunt Olivia and her three sisters, Aunt Grace and Aunt Hannah and Aunt Claire. Also, Uncle Brad, Uncle Spencer, Aunt Emily, and Aunt Charlie.”
“And they’re all old like you?”
“Well, maybe not quite so old as me, but they’re grown-ups.” Josh stifled a laugh.
“And there’s kids, too?”
“Yes. Mr. and Mrs. Gherring have two little boys that are two years old, like your sister.”
“But they don’t have a little boy who’s nine?”
“No, I’m afraid there’s not another nine-year-old. But you’ll have lots of fun, I promise.
”
“That’s okay. Jeffrey’s nine, and he’s kind of mean. I’d rather play by myself.”
“Who’s Jeffrey?”
“He’s the other boy who lives with Mr. and Mrs. Delaney. But I’m not going to stay there. Right? I’m going to live with you?”
“That’s right. I want you to live with me and Aunt Olivia, when we get married. But I have to get the judge to approve it.”
“And Chloe, too?”
“I hope so.”
“That’s okay, I guess.”
“You don’t want to have Chloe live with us?”
“I guess I miss her sometimes, but she’s a girl,” he said, as if this fact explained everything. “And she messes up my stuff all the time.”
“But you want to grow up with your sister. That way, someday, when you’re grown and married—”
“Ewwww! Married? To a girl? Ewwww!”
Josh chuckled. “Okay. You’ll just have to trust me. You want to grow up together with your sister.”
A knock sounded at the door. “Is that her? Is that Aunt Olivia?”
“I bet so. You want to answer it?”
He jumped up to open the door. “Hi! Hi! Hi! Do you have cookies?” Chloe ran to greet Olivia as well, pushing Jace away from her and clinging to her leg.
OLIVIA SURVEYED THE chaotic apartment with amusement. Only a few days and the kids had wreaked havoc on his normally tidy place. “Yes, but they’re for after dinner. What are we eating?”
“Spaghetti,” said Josh, with a groan, stretching his arms over his head. “It’s almost ready.”
“Are you tired already?” Olivia teased. “It’s only six thirty.”
“Yes, but today was the first day I had to work at the hospital and take care of the kids, too. I’ve been up since five a.m.”
“Better get used to it,” she called in a merry voice as he disappeared into the kitchen.
Olivia picked up Chloe and twirled her around while she giggled.
“Do me! Do me!” demanded Jace.
“I’ll try, but I’m not very strong.” She pretended to strain to pick up Jace. “Ughh! You’re so big! I can’t do it.” Then she raised her eyebrows, “But you know who’s really, really strong, and can pick you up and swing you around for hours without getting tired?”
“Who? Uncle Josh?”
“No. Your Aunt Charlie. You haven’t met her yet, but you’re going to love her. And I’ll tell you something else if you can keep a secret.”
“What?” he said, wiggling with excitement.
She whispered in his ear. “Aunt Charlie’s the one who made the cookies.”
“Really?”
“Yes, and she can climb rocks and mountains, and she goes whitewater rafting and she teaches kids how to ski.”
“Really? Is she going to teach me how to ski?”
“I bet she will,” said Olivia, grinning smugly.
“Is she pretty, like you?”
“Awww!” She ruffled his hair. “You’re so sweet. Yes, she’s even prettier. Her hair is curly like mine, but even longer.”
“I have a lot of aunts, now. I never had any before...” His face fell, and tears sprang to his eyes. “Before Momma and Daddy died.”
Olivia felt her own eyes glistening. She bent down to hug him, and he threw his arms around her, holding tight to her neck. She picked him up and held him tight, wishing she could squeeze away his pain. Then she started spinning him around, faster and faster. Soon his tears began to fade, and he dissolved into giggles as she got dizzy and collapsed with him onto the couch.
“Hey! You said you couldn’t pick me up.” His brows furrowed over his green eyes.
“Yes, but you hugged me and gave me super powers. I’m almost as strong as Aunt Charlie, now.”
“What about Charlie?” Josh spoke behind her.
“Oh, you startled me.” She ignored his suspicious glare. “Jace and I were just talking about all the aunts he has now.” She felt the blood rush to her face. She’d been caught already. She’d have to be more cautious or Josh would undermine her efforts.
“Aunt Charlie’s really strong,” Jace declared. “And she climbs rocks, too.”
“I see. That’s good to know.” Josh regarded Olivia with one eyebrow raised. “But did you know your Aunt Olivia is a nurse, and she’s going to be a doctor? I bet she can tell you all sorts of good stories about bloody things.”
“Really? I like blood and stuff. Have you seen somebody’s bones sticking out before? Or maybe a broken neck?” Jace asked, cranking his head sideways to demonstrate.
Olivia pretended to sniff the air. “Do I smell dinner? I’m starving. How about you, Jace?”
“Where’s Chloe?” asked Josh, as Jace dashed for the kitchen.
“I don’t know. She was just here. I don’t hear her.”
“Ah ha!” said Josh, scooping her up, with Olivia’s purse clutched tightly in her hands, while the remaining contents spilled onto the floor. Josh waited while Olivia rescued her belongings, much to Chloe’s dismay.
“I know what you were doing,” he said. “And it won’t work. I can’t marry Charlie.”
She shrugged. “We’ll see.”
“No we won’t see. You’re the only option.”
“Well I already turned you down. So the way I see it, you either have Charlie or no option.”
He shook his head, carrying Chloe into the kitchen. “It won’t work. It’s not an option. End of story.” He paused at the threshold, speaking over his shoulder. “And stop trying to influence Jace.”
He disappeared into the kitchen, and Olivia smiled to herself. Grace and Brad were due back tomorrow. Once she told Grace what was going on, Grace would know just what to do. Josh wouldn’t know what hit him.
CHARLIE WAS BURIED in pillows... almost. There was one small space open around her face. Micah and Ellis were giggling while tossing pillows on top of her prone body as she lay on the floor.
“So Grace and Brad are coming back from their honeymoon today?” she yelled.
Her Mom’s voice came from the other room. “That’s right! I bet they had a great time. Will you see them?”
“Probably not. They’ll be crazy busy getting ready to leave again on Saturday for the ski trip. Are you guys packed?”
“Ha!” Anne laughed. “When do I ever pack ahead of time? But I bet Emily’s already packed.”
Charlie chuckled. “She’s packed. And she sent me a packing list.”
“Actually, can I borrow that packing list?”
“She probably sent you one in an email.”
“Oh... I haven’t had time to check it in a while.” Anne came out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee. “Come on, Steven. Let’s get out of here before the boys decide to bury us, too.”
Steven emerged from the kitchen wearing a confused expression, until he saw the ever-growing pile of pillows. He laughed. “You see, Anne? I told you there were too many throw pillows in this place. At least the boys finally found a good use for them.”
“They’re for decoration,” objected Anne, heading toward the door. “Thanks for coming so early, Charlie. We’re going to be mostly out of touch all day. But text me if there’s an emergency. Okay?”
“Don’t worry. There won’t be any emergencies. Have a good day.”
Charlie soon gave up all hope that the boys might fall back asleep due to the early hour. So she led them into the kitchen to find some breakfast. “We’ll eat first and then get dressed. Maybe we’ll play outside if I can find your coats and hats and gloves.”
“Outside!” said Ellis, jumping up and down. Soon Micah was also jumping, and the two continued to bounce until they bumped heads, starting the first round of tears for the day.
“Oh,” said Charlie. “Did you bump together? Let me kiss it. Show me where.”
Both stopped crying and rushed to get their promised kisses. Charlie kissed their heads, and as had become their custom, she kissed their necks and tummies until they laughed
from the tickling.
She heard a knock. “There’s someone at the door. Let’s go see who’s here.” The boys ran ahead of her as she moved to open the door. The penthouse elevator only operated if the occupant knew the code, so she expected to see Emily waiting outside the apartment.
Instead, she found Josh.
Chapter Six
JOSH WAS HOLDING A squirming two-year-old girl with tear-streaked cheeks and blond curls. Peering shyly from behind him, stood a young boy with blond hair and huge round green eyes. Ellis and Micah immediately latched onto Josh’s legs, while he stared, slack-jawed.
“What are you doing here?” asked Charlie. Her head was spinning. Josh had kids? The relationship was undeniable. The boy was a miniature Josh.
“My nanny bailed on me today. She’s sick. Is your mom not here? She told me I could bring the baby in an emergency. I didn’t call because it was so early I was afraid I’d wake the boys.”
“No, they had a big meeting today. They’re flying to Chicago, and I’m watching the boys.”
She paused to listen to the girl who was sobbing quietly on Josh’s shoulder. “I not baby. I big girl. No dy-pee. No dy-pee. I not baby...”
Charlie reached out her arms to Chloe. “You wear pull-ups?”
“Pull-ups!” she sobbed anew. “No dy-pee! I big girl!” She flung herself into Charlie’s arms.
“Of course you’re a big girl,” said Charlie. “You’re a very big girl. Let’s get you a pull-up. We’ll take off this silly diaper. Okay?”
“Siw-wee dy-pee!” she said, with a shuddering breath, looking down for the first time and noticing the twins. Her curiosity piqued, she temporarily forgot her distress.