Rebecca's Little Secret: Children Of Texas

by Judy Christenberry

  She could only answer honestly. “I did. Bill and Chelsea are both nice people. I enjoyed getting to know them better very much.”

  “I had a nice time, too.”

  By that time, they’d reached the bottom of the stairs. Vivian appeared and asked Jeff to stay for dinner.

  “I don’t want to put you to any trouble, Vivian,” Jeff said.

  “Don’t be silly. Betty always makes too much food, anyway. Besides, we’re celebrating tonight.”

  “Oh? What are we celebrating?” Rebecca asked in surprise.

  Vivian’s cheeks flushed. “I can’t tell you yet. We’re waiting for Vanessa to come home. She’s been at the library all day working on a paper.”

  “Well, with that kind of enticement, how can I do anything but accept your invitation to dinner, Vivian? If you’re sure I won’t be intruding?”

  “Oh, no. You will need to know, anyway, Jeff. It’s just so exciting!” Vivian gushed, her cheeks again red. Then she swayed slightly.

  Rebecca reached out and took her arms. “Are you all right, Vivian?”

  “I just felt a little dizzy for a moment. I’m fine.”

  “Let’s go sit down, Vivian. Where’s Will?” Jeff put an arm around Vivian’s shoulders and led her toward the library.

  Rebecca slipped away to the kitchen to check with Betty about Jeff staying for dinner. “Um, Betty, do you know what we’re celebrating tonight?”

  “No. Miz Vivian said it was a secret, but she sure seemed excited.”

  “Yes, she is. I think I’ll try to call Vanessa on her cell phone.”

  Rebecca picked up the phone and dialed Vanessa’s cell phone number by memory. When her sister answered, Rebecca asked, “When are you coming home, Vanessa?”

  “Oh, Rebecca, I was thinking about going to get some dinner with—with Jeremy. Would you tell Mom?”

  “No, Vanessa, I think you should come home. Your mom is real excited and says we’re celebrating tonight.”

  “What are we celebrating?”

  “I don’t know. She wouldn’t tell me. She wanted to wait for you to come home before she makes her big announcement. She’d be awfully disappointed if you didn’t come home tonight for dinner.”

  “Okay. I can go out with Jeremy another time. I’ll be home in fifteen minutes.”

  “Good. I’ll tell Betty.” After she hung up the phone, she let Betty know that Vanessa would be home in a few minutes. Then she went to the library, where Jeff had taken Vivian.

  “I just talked to Vanessa. She said she’d be home in fifteen minutes,” Rebecca announced as she sat down.

  “Oh, good. I’m so excited, I can’t wait!” Vivian exclaimed. Will got up from behind his desk and sat down on the sofa next to his wife.

  “I think you’d better calm down or I’ll have to send you upstairs to bed.”

  His threat didn’t seem to upset Vivian. She snuggled up next to him, still beaming with happiness.

  “I’ll be good,” Vivian promised.

  Betty came in with a tray of hors d’oeuvres. “Thought you might be hungry. These will keep you from starving.”

  After Betty had left the room, Jeff looked at Will. “How do the ladies of the house stay so slender?”

  Will shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. I’m trying to be careful myself, but Betty just keeps bringing delicious food, just in case we’re starving.”

  After a few more minutes of chitchat, they all heard Vanessa’s voice in the hallway. Vivian leaped to her feet, but Will kept her from running to her daughter. “In here, Vanessa,” he called.

  Jeff stood as Vanessa came into the room, and so did Rebecca.

  “Hi, everyone. Did I hold up dinner?” Vanessa asked as she entered the room.

  “No,” Will assured her. “But your mom was getting a little impatient.”

  “I’m sorry, Mom. I could’ve—”

  “Will’s just teasing me, darling. But we do have exciting news. I wanted to wait until you were here to tell everyone.” Vivian’s cheeks were bright red.

  “Well, I’m here now. What’s the big news?”

  “Vanessa, you know I love you more than anything even though I didn’t actually give birth to you?”

  “Of course I do, Mom.”

  “And I told you God gave you to me because I couldn’t have my own baby?”

  Vanessa nodded, frowning now.

  “Well, we were wrong. I can have my own baby.”

  Vanessa stared at her mother, waiting for more explanation.

  Rebecca, however, had figured out what Vivian meant. “No! Really?” She jumped up and hugged Vivian. “I’m so happy for the two of you. Are you feeling all right?”

  “Why would you ask—Mom? You’re pregnant? We’re going to have a baby? I can’t believe it. Are you sure?”

  Vivian nodded, beaming at her daughter.

  “You’ve seen a doctor? He says everything is okay?” Jeff asked.

  “Yes. I’m only forty-three, Jeff. Other women have had a baby at my age. Usually not their first one, I’ll admit, but so far everything’s fine, and the doctors are going to watch my pregnancy very closely.” Vivian shared a look with Will. “We’re so excited.”

  “It’s hard to believe that I’m going to be changing diapers at this stage of my life,” Will said with a big grin.

  “You’ll be a great father, Will,” Vanessa told her stepfather. “Do you know if it is a boy or a girl? Are you going to find out?”

  “It’s too early to tell. Your mom and I don’t care which one it is, honey. If it’s half as good as you, we’ll be satisfied,” Will assured her.

  Vanessa hugged Will’s neck and then her mother’s. “I’m so excited that we’re going to have a baby. After all these years of hoping, it’s finally come true. I’ve already got Rebecca, and hopefully more siblings as soon as we find them. Now I can have another sister or brother.”

  Betty entered the room. “Dinner is ready.”

  “Betty, I can tell you our news now,” Vivian said, watching her housekeeper closely. “We’re going to have a baby.”

  Betty’s look swung first from Vanessa to Rebecca. “Who is?”

  “I am,” Vivian said, beaming at Betty.

  Betty practically went into hysterics, screaming and hugging Vivian. She immediately summoned Peter from the kitchen so that he, too, could share in their happiness. It was several minutes before dinner was served.

  Joey didn’t awaken until almost eight o’clock. Betty fed him leftovers in the kitchen. The rest of the family sat in the library and talked about the new baby soon to join their family.

  “Have you thought of names yet?” Jeff asked.

  “We’ll probably wait until we know the sex of the baby. That way we’ll only have to make one list of names,” Will told him.

  “Good thinking. I believe choosing a name is one of the hardest parts about having a baby.”

  Vivian’s face filled with concern. “You didn’t get the chance to name Joey, did you?”

  “No, but I couldn’t have chosen a better name. You see, Rebecca named him after me and my dad.”

  “She did?” Vivian asked, sending a loving smile toward Rebecca.

  “My dad’s name was Joseph, and my middle name is Lee. Joey is named Joseph Lee. The only thing we have to change is the last name.”

  Rebecca appeared startled by his remark.

  “What are you planning?” Will asked.

  “I want his last name to be Jacobs. After all, we share responsibility for him now. But Rebecca and I will have to discuss it later.”

  It was as if the two men were having a private conversation. Vivian looked at Rebecca and shrugged.

  “I’ll see if Joey’s finished eating. Then we can tell him your good news, Vivian,” Rebecca said, slipping into the kitchen.

  A couple of minutes later, she brought Joey into the room. “Joey, Grandpa Will and Grandma Vivian have some exciting news for you.”

  “They do? Are we goi
ng to get a pet elephant?” the little boy asked, looking around excitedly.

  Vanessa stared at her nephew. “Why would you ask that, Joey?”

  “Well, we saw the elephants today, and I think I’d like to have a pet elephant.”

  “They’re not allowed in our neighborhood,” Will said solemnly.

  “Oh. Then what is the good news?”

  Vivian leaned forward. “Grandpa and I are going to have a baby, Joey. In a few months, you’ll have a new baby to play with.”

  Joey frowned. “Are they fun to play with?”

  Will burst out laughing.

  Jeff swung his child up into his arms. “I guess we’ll find out together, son. But you should congratulate your grandparents on their good news about the baby.”

  “Okay. Congratulations, Grandpa Will and Grandma Vivian.”

  “Thank you, Joey,” Will said for both of them. Vivian smiled at Joey. “I think the baby will be fun for you, Joey, and your daddy, because you won’t be expected to change diapers,” she said.

  “Eeew,” Joey returned, making a terrible face.

  “That’s not polite, Joey,” Rebecca said softly.

  “But, Mommy, dirty diapers aren’t polite, either.”

  “He has a point,” Will agreed. “I think we need to talk about having someone to play ball with. In two or three years, Joey, our baby will be able to play ball with you.”

  “That’ll be neat,” Joey agreed, “but how long do I have to wait?”

  “Maybe when you’re seven,” Vivian said. “Our baby will be three and that’s old enough to play ball.”

  Joey’s enthusiasm diminished somewhat. “When I’m seven? That’s really old. And that’s a long time to wait. Waiting is hard. I don’t think I can wait that long.

  Rebecca laughed with everyone else, but she told her son it was his bedtime. After he’d told everyone good-night, she took his hand and led him upstairs. Jeff followed.

  “Can I help tuck Joey into bed again tonight?” he asked Rebecca.

  “I suppose, if you want.” In actuality, she was having a little difficulty adjusting to sharing her son.

  While Jeff helped Joey into his pajamas, washed his face and brushed his teeth, Rebecca tidied his bedroom. There wasn’t a lot to do, thanks to Betty. When it had just been the two of them, Rebecca had had trouble keeping up with the laundry and the toys and books, in addition to her job.

  When the two men came out of the bathroom, Joey was giggling. “Mommy, Daddy said the new baby will be like my little brother or sister.”

  “Yes, I guess you could say that,” she said slowly. She often wanted Joey to have a brother or sister, but that wasn’t possible.

  “That’ll be okay, I guess. Will he be here in the morning? When I wake up?” Joey asked innocently.

  “No, sweetie,” Rebecca said, running her fingers through his unruly hair. “He’ll be here in almost a year.”

  “Did I take that long?”

  “Yes, you did,” Rebecca said, avoiding Jeff’s gaze. “Have you picked out a bedtime book for your daddy to read to you?”

  “I want him to read my dinosaur book. And you come read some of it, too, Mommy. I want both of you to put me to bed.”

  Rebecca realized her son was getting a little spoiled, but she couldn’t resist his request. She joined Joey and Jeff on the bed, the three of them cuddling around the book.

  When they’d finished, she tucked in the sleepy little boy.

  “That was nice, wasn’t it, Mommy?” Joey asked.

  “Yes, Joey, that was nice. Now, go to sleep.” She kissed his cheek and pulled the covers up close.

  Then Jeff leaned over and kissed Joey, too. “Good night, son.”

  The two adults backed out of the room, closing the door behind them.

  “This is getting to be a regularity,” Jeff said softly. “I like it.”

  “Joey enjoys having your attention.” Rebecca moved toward the stairs.

  “Was it like that when you found out about Joey? Were you happy?”

  She turned and stared at him. “There was a momentary joy, but I had too much to worry about, Jeff. Being single and pregnant, without any money, is no picnic.”

  “I know that,” Jeff said, acknowledging her words. “I just wanted to know that—that somewhere, sometime, you were happy.”

  “Yes, Jeff, there was happiness, but I had no one to share it with. I know, I know, I should’ve called you. But I didn’t. I believed I was alone. After he was born, he was so—so beautiful, so perfect. Yes, there was joy.”

  “I don’t mean to remind you of bad times, but I’ve missed so much of his young life. I sat down there listening to Will and Vivian, knowing that we’d never have a moment like that.”

  Jeff turned and paced the hallway. “I know we can’t go back to change the past, but I wish we could.”

  Rebecca sighed and leaned against the wall. “Do you think I haven’t thought that a jillion times? Do you think I wanted Joey and me to be alone? I don’t want us to be alone now. But you’re marrying Chelsea. I accept that. It would be helpful if you could accept the past, too.”

  “Yeah,” Jeff said, his chin down. “I guess I’m not helping the situation any.”

  “No, you’re not.” She’d fought those battles when Joey was born. She’d wanted so much for her child. Now it appeared that Joey would receive at least some of what she’d wanted for him. She had to adjust to the fact that she wouldn’t be a part of all Joey would receive. But she would accept it soon. It just took time to swallow the fact that Jeff wasn’t going to be her partner in raising Joey.

  “Let’s not discuss the past, Jeff. It’s gone. Let’s deal with the present. I’m allowing you as much visitation as you want with Joey. And I think things are going well.” She gave him a bright smile, one that hid tears and lonely nights.

  “All right. We’ll concentrate on the present…and the future. I’ll see you at work tomorrow.” With his hands in his pockets, Jeff went down the stairs.

  Rebecca didn’t follow.

  Chapter Six

  When Rebecca got to the office the next afternoon, Chelsea was waiting for her. Or at least that’s what she said. She was busy talking to Bill when Rebecca came in.

  Harriet, too, was waiting to talk to Rebecca. She’d learned Vivian’s news and wanted to discuss it with her.

  Jeff stood on the sidelines, watching the life of his office whirl around Rebecca. He was drawn to her, too, as he’d always been. But he remained still, waiting to see her reaction to Chelsea’s plan.

  “How is Vivian feeling?” Harriet asked.

  “Very well, except for getting tired more frequently. She’s taking naps, though.”

  “Oh, that’s good. I’ll have to take her to lunch to celebrate. This is so exciting.”

  “Yes, it is, Harriet. I’m sure she’d love to do lunch,” Rebecca assured her, smiling.

  “Rebecca, I have a great idea,” Chelsea said almost before Rebecca had finished speaking.

  “You do?” Rebecca asked politely, edging her way to the desk Harriet had assigned her.

  Chelsea stayed right beside her. “Yes, it’s a new thing for us to do with Joey. It’s perfect.”

  “Okay, what is it?” Rebecca asked, putting her purse and books down on the desk.

  “It’s the Sesame Street Show on Ice. Jeff can get us very good tickets, maybe even front row. It will be wonderful.” She was very enthusiastic.

  “Why, that sounds like a fun thing to do. I’m sure Joey will enjoy it.”

  “I think we all will,” Chelsea responded.

  Jeff crossed his arms over his chest and grinned at Rebecca when her gaze met his.

  “All?” Rebecca asked faintly.

  “You, me, Bill and Jeff, of course, plus Joey. We mustn’t forget Joey,” she added with a laugh.

  “But, Chelsea, surely you and Jeff can take Joey.”

  “Oh, no, not yet. You promised to teach me all about little boys. I don’t kn
ow anything yet.” Chelsea gave her a stubborn look that Jeff had seen before.

  He suddenly noticed, too, that Chelsea was wearing jeans and a sweater, similar to what Rebecca had worn to the zoo. That was a change. A big change. Usually, Chelsea wore tailored slacks, silk shirts and jackets.

  “But—” Rebecca began, and Jeff stepped forward.

  “I think that’s a good plan, Rebecca. And how hard can it be? We’ll sit in air-conditioned seats and watch other people perform. It’s not like we’d be camping out or going fishing or something.”

  He almost burst into laughter as he saw Chelsea’s eyes light up. Would her next suggestion include some of those things? He wasn’t sure what was going on, but he was willing to let it run its course. If nothing else, his fiancée would understand Joey and know how to deal with him more.

  “That’s right, Rebecca. And Bill said he’d buy us a hamburger beforehand.” Chelsea exchanged a bright smile with Bill.

  “Well, that’s very nice of Bill, but surely it’s not necessary,” Rebecca responded, seemingly unsure of the invitation.

  Bill stepped forward. “Don’t be silly, Rebecca. It will be a treat for me. I’m so tired of eating alone.” He pulled on a curl of Chelsea’s blond hair. “It’ll be fun to take all of you kids out to dinner. And hamburgers aren’t that expensive.”

  Jeff touched Rebecca’s arm. “You can tell Bill’s willing. It will be fun, Rebecca. How about Friday night? Are you free then?”

  Rebecca hesitated and Jeff’s heart sped up. “What’s wrong? Do you have a date then?”

  “Of course not. Vivian was talking about having a celebration with their friends about their baby, and I—”

  “Mrs. Greenfield is having a baby?” Chelsea asked.

  “Yes, and—”

  “But she’s too old!” Chelsea exclaimed.

  “No, she’s not,” Rebecca replied, for the first time showing impatience. “She’s only forty-three. I think it’s wonderful.”

  “It is,” Jeff agreed. “And we certainly don’t want to take you away from Vivian’s celebration. Why don’t I call her? Then we can pick another night for our outing.”

  “That would be nice, Jeff,” Rebecca agreed with a sweet smile. “I appreciate that.”