The Family He Needs

by Lucy Clark

He pressed his lips firmly to hers but not for too long. ‘Get going,’ he said as he took a step back. ‘You’re too tempting for words.’

  Julia laughed, feeling light-headed and giddy. She turned and headed for the door before stopping and looking at him once more. ‘I almost forgot.’ She reached into her pocket and pulled out his car keys.

  ‘Thanks.’ As they swapped keys, Zac took the opportunity to kiss her once more before saying, ‘Go, or we’ll never leave this office!’

  ‘Sounds promising,’ she teased, unable to believe what had transpired. Zac was willing to give them a chance! It was promising that now he was going to do just that. Taking three days off work was a big thing for him and the sentiment wasn’t lost on her at all. Also, he wanted them to go on a date. Another big step for him. Julia shook her head, trying not to allow rational thought to intrude into her romantic haze.

  The silly, happy grin refused to leave her face as she walked to Jeffrey’s office. When she arrived, as usual the sight of her son only increased her happiness.

  ‘Mummy!’ he exclaimed, and she dropped everything and opened her arms wide to envelop him in a hug.

  ‘Mmm, you’re just what Mummy needs to top things off,’ she told him, and hugged him close.

  ‘You’re certainly happy,’ Jeffrey said, his own smile wide. ‘So what did Zac want to see you about?’

  ‘As if you didn’t know,’ she teased. Julia kissed his cheek. ‘Thank you for pulling some strings and organising these days off for him. That means a lot to me and I’m sure to Zac as well.’

  ‘My pleasure,’ Jeffrey replied.

  The three days without Zac were absolute agony. Julia couldn’t believe how long a day could be as they seemed to stretch on for ever. Combined with that was the gossip around the hospital at Zac’s sudden departure. Several staff asked Julia questions but she simply shrugged and told them to ask Jeffrey or Zac if they really wanted answers, knowing none of them ever would!

  The time also helped Julia’s doubts to return in force and fester, until by Thursday night she could hardly sleep. She knew Zac needed the time and she was glad he was taking it. He’d been open and honest with her, just as he’d been in the past. Yet what if he once more decided that he didn’t want to pursue family life again? He’d asked her out on a date but perhaps that was simply to tell her of the decision he’d reached. Would he risk accepting a ready-made family? Would he risk loving her again?

  By Friday morning, she was a nervous wreck and anxiously awaiting his return. Zac had appeared for ward round but only seconds before it had started, so she’d had no time to talk to him.

  He’d neither smiled nor frowned at her and she was now too exhausted to read his body language accurately. After ward round, she’d promised Edward they’d spend some time with Cassandra.

  ‘Watch me, Gr’ma,’ Edward said.

  ‘I’m watching.’ Cassandra waited patiently for her grandson. Edward stood on the floor and, concentrating very hard, did a hop. ‘Oh, clever boy,’ Cassandra praised.

  ‘He was practising all yesterday afternoon,’ Julia told her mother, and they both smiled. Edward had brought such happiness into their lives.

  ‘There you are,’ Mona said as she walked across to Cassandra’s bed. ‘Julia, I’ve found out what’s wrong with Aki.’

  ‘What?’ Julia’s eyes were wide with surprise. ‘Great. Let’s call Zac and have him meet us.’ She stood and looked at her mother, then at Edward. ‘I’ll take him.’

  ‘No,’ Cassandra protested, and switched on the television set. ‘If you’ll lift him up onto the bed, we can snuggle together and watch some TV.’

  Julia did as her mother asked, telling her son not to move or he might hurt Grandma. ‘Back soon,’ she told him, and hurried over to the men’s ward with Mona. She stopped at the nurses’ station and paged Zac. Mona refused to say a word until Zac had arrived.

  ‘What is it?’ Zac asked eagerly. Julia could tell that whatever was happening between them on a personal level had nothing to do with what was happening with their patients. She looked at Mona and concentrated on what she was about to say. The sooner they found out what was really bothering their patient, the sooner they’d be able to fix it.

  ‘I was right with my earlier hunch. He has lost face.’

  ‘Because he was injured in a bus accident?’ Zac couldn’t believe it.

  ‘No.’ Mona shook her head. ‘It’s because of his asthma.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘To his people, asthma is seen as a disability.’

  ‘Surely not?’ Julia found this difficult to believe.

  ‘I’m afraid so, dear. Aki feels he has brought shame not only on himself but on his family name as well. To have an attack in public, as he did on the tour bus, has been most shameful to him.’

  ‘Doesn’t he realise that there are a lot of people who suffer from asthma?’ Zac asked.

  ‘Why don’t we go and talk to him?’ Mona suggested. ‘Let him know that things aren’t as bad as they seem.’

  ‘Sounds like a great idea,’ Julia said, and gave Mona a hug. ‘I knew you’d sort everything out. You’re a very special woman, Mona McArthur.’

  ‘Thank you, dear.’ Mona smiled brightly at them both before they headed over to Aki’s bed to talk to him. Mona translated everything they said and by the time they left Aki had a smile on his face for the first time.

  When she returned to her mother’s bedside, Edward was curled up on her mother’s uninjured side, watching television without a fuss. She bent to give him a kiss but he was too engrossed to notice.

  Julia smiled to herself and sat down in the chair by the bed. She glanced over her shoulder to the doorway to the female ward, and found herself looking into Zac’s hypnotic blue gaze. Her smile disappeared as desire, mixed with longing, began to burn deep within her. They had a few more hours to get through before all would be revealed.

  That night, Julia dressed with care. She wore a cream dress that ended at mid-thigh, and had inch-thick straps. She left her hair loose, just for Zac. When the doorbell rang, her heart was hammering wildly against her ribs and her mouth was dry.

  ‘Hi,’ she breathed as she opened the door. He looked incredible, dressed in black trousers and a chambray shirt. They drank their fill of each other before he pulled a large bunch of frangipani out from behind his back.

  ‘Oh, Zac. They’re beautiful,’ she said as she took them from him. ‘You remembered.’ She gazed at him, revelling in his smile.

  ‘Ready?’

  ‘I’ll just say goodnight to Mona.’

  ‘Where’s Edward?’ he asked, looking around.

  ‘Asleep.’ She carried the flowers into the kitchen, feeling Zac follow her rather than seeing him.

  ‘Oh, aren’t they lovely?’ Mona smiled at Zac. ‘Let me put them in some water for you, dear, so you two can get going.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Julia said.

  Soon they were riding in Zac’s Jaguar to a small, secluded restaurant by the beach. They spoke of their patients during the drive and discussed hospital protocols during dinner. Julia started to wonder whether this was a promising sign or not!

  ‘Zac?’ He looked up from his coffee and smiled. Her heart turned over with love for him and she silently prayed that tonight wasn’t going to be the beginning of the end. ‘H-how were the last…um…three days?’

  His smiled increased. ‘Why? Did you miss me?’

  ‘Terribly,’ she confessed in a whisper.

  ‘I missed you, too.’

  This was good, she thought. A very good beginning. ‘So are you going to keep me in suspense any longer?’

  ‘Maybe.’ He shrugged and then laughed. ‘I did a lot of thinking after retreating into my cave—not literally, you understand,’ he added. ‘And I think we should…seriously date. I need to spend time with Edward as well as time with you. I really missed you, Julia.’ He reached out and took her hand in his across the table.

  It was more than Julia had secretl
y hoped for. She did notice that he hadn’t suggested marriage or any permanent relationship but still…it was definitely a step forward.

  For the next week they did just that, with each date ending with a chaste goodnight kiss. Zac obviously wanted to take things slowly…very slowly…and Julia wasn’t about to argue. It was important for Edward to feel as comfortable with Zac as she did. During Zac’s visits they played cars and trucks, as well as running around outside and playing with a football.

  Edward was definitely becoming attached to Zac and that in itself caused Julia happiness as well as apprehension. What if she and Zac didn’t end up together? What if Zac was happy to date Julia, but not to marry her, as he’d done in the past? Zac had never offered to have Edward by himself and Julia wasn’t sure she wanted to encourage it—at this stage. Perhaps in the future…

  Near the end of that week, Zac received a phone call from Jeffrey. ‘I have a problem,’ his friend said.

  ‘What’s up?’

  ‘I told Julia I’d look after Edward tomorrow afternoon but I’ve just had a meeting scheduled with the State Minister for Health and I can’t possibly cancel. I know you usually tackle your paperwork on Friday afternoon, so would you mind doing it from home and watching Edward while Julia’s operating?’

  Zac had realised that Julia hadn’t suggested that he and Edward spend time together without her, and wasn’t sure how she’d feel about this arrangement. ‘Ah—what about Mona?’

  ‘She’ll be working with Bianca Hayden.’

  ‘And Cassandra?’

  ‘She has her physio appointment. She can’t miss that. You’re her doctor, you should know that.’

  ‘I do. Isn’t there anyone else? A day-care centre?’

  ‘Julia can’t get him in until Monday. They don’t take children at such short notice. Honestly, Zac, if it was anyone but the Minister I’d cancel, but you realise how important this meeting is.’

  ‘I thought you weren’t supposed to meet the Minister until next week.’

  ‘I was, but he had a cancellation and I got moved up in the queue.’

  ‘Are you sure there isn’t anyone else?’

  ‘No one. Why the hesitation? I thought you and Julia were a couple now.’

  ‘We’re dating, Jeffrey. Getting to know each other again.’ He raked a hand through his hair. ‘How does Julia feel about this?’ There was silence on the end of the line and Zac began to feel even more uneasy. ‘She doesn’t know, does she? You’re organising her son for her without asking her permission.’

  ‘Look, Zac, if I tell Julia I can’t look after him, she’ll have to cancel her operating list. Do you know how much money that will cost the hospital? I can’t leave Edward with just anyone, and he knows you. He can’t stop talking about you.’

  ‘Yeah, he’s a great kid.’ Zac closed his eyes and Edward’s image came readily into his mind. He liked the little guy and really wanted to help out, but still wasn’t sure how he felt about going behind Julia’s back. He wanted to help Julia. ‘All right,’ Zac agreed. ‘But only on the condition that Julia knows I’m looking after him and is OK with it. I won’t have you organising this behind her back.’

  ‘Fair enough.’ They sorted out the details, with Jeffrey promising to ring Julia the instant he hung up from Zac. ‘Thanks, mate.’

  Zac sat back and took a deep breath, a smile on his face as he planned what he and Edward would do the next day. Three whole hours, alone with Julia’s son. It made him feel very happy.

  ‘You did what?’ Julia couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  ‘I’ve asked Zac to take Edward tomorrow afternoon.’ Jeffrey said down the phone. ‘What’s the problem? I thought you two were a couple?’

  ‘We’re dating, Jeffrey. It doesn’t mean he wants to get married.’

  ‘Ah, so that’s what’s bothering you. Look, Zac has spent time with Edward and there’s just no one free to look after him during your operating list tomorrow.’

  ‘I know, I know,’ Julia said, feeling churlish. ‘You and Mona have been so great this past week. I’m sorry, Jeffrey. It’s just…this will be the first time Zac’s been alone with Edward and I’m not sure what will happen.’

  ‘Oh, come on. Edward is a wonderful child.’

  ‘He hasn’t been sleeping too well since Mum’s accident. His little world has been turned upside down. What if he throws a tantrum?’

  ‘They’re few and far between. Besides, I’m sure Zac will cope.’

  ‘But what if it turns him off?’

  ‘Ah, I see. That’s where you’re coming from. Julia, darling, there comes a time when you’re just going to have to trust the two of them together. You know them both, you love them both—so just take the step.’

  ‘You’re right.’

  ‘Aren’t I always?’

  Julia laughed. ‘Thanks for organising this for me. So you’ll drop him off?’

  ‘Zac will pick him up from my office at two o’clock and take him back to his place. You can pick him up when you’re finished in Theatre.’

  It was all organised.

  Julia was on edge during ward round the next day, and when they were done she touched Zac’s arm and waited for him to look at her. When he did, her heart turned over with love.

  ‘Thanks for having Edward this afternoon. I really appreciate it.’

  ‘You’re more than welcome. Actually, I’m looking forward to it.’ He smiled and patted her hand. ‘Good news about Aki.’

  ‘The best. Now that we know what’s wrong, it’s good to see him looking happier.’

  When she started her list that afternoon, she had a hard time trying not to think about Zac and Edward together. What were they doing? Were they having fun? Was Zac coping?

  She shook her head and finished scrubbing. ‘Focus,’ she whispered, and closed her eyes for a moment before opening them and heading into Theatre, her mind geared for the operation ahead.

  Exactly three hours later, she walked out of Theatres, wrote up the notes and headed for the changing rooms. After changing, Julia had to stop herself from racing from the hospital to see how Zac and Edward were getting along. She hadn’t been paged, so nothing major had obviously happened. She headed to Recovery to check on her patients before she left.

  Finally, she walked out to the car park and looked at the address Jeffrey had given her before heading to Zac’s apartment.

  The traffic was awful and Julia started to seethe impatiently, but still drove safely and took her time. Eventually, she was in the high-powered lift, riding her way up to Zac’s luxury serviced apartment. Another difference between them. Not only their cars symbolised their priorities but their accommodation did as well. She had the roomy four-bedroom home and Zac had his high-rise apartment.

  She stood outside the door, her heart hammering wildly against her chest and her breathing slightly erratic. She closed her eyes, willing herself to relax, and gave her arms a little shake. She knocked on the door and a moment later heard a squeal of excitement.

  ‘Mummy! My mummy’s here.’

  Zac opened the door, a wide smile on his face, and the breath Julia had been unconsciously holding whooshed out at the sight of him. He was wearing an old pair of jeans that fitted him to perfection and an old Brisbane University T-shirt. He looked more like a beach-bum than an orthopaedic surgeon, but to Julia he’d never looked more handsome. Edward lunged at her legs, nearly knocking her down. Zac reached out a hand to steady her and Julia tingled at his touch.

  ‘Hi, there,’ he said, and welcomed her in. She managed to disentangle Edward’s arms from her legs, only to have her son pull her into the room, talking so fast with excitement that she couldn’t understand him. She bent down to hug him but he was too absorbed in telling her everything that had happened.

  She caught the words ‘beach’, ‘sandcastle’, ‘shops’ and ‘cars’. As he said the last word, his entire face lit up in awe. ‘Wow,’ Julia replied, still unsure what her son was talking about but kn
owing he was waiting for her response. She glanced at Zac and found him leaning against the wall, his hands in his pockets and smiling at her son.

  ‘Look, Mummy. Look.’ Edward showed her his prized possession. ‘A new car.’

  Julia looked at Zac and he shrugged.

  ‘A remote-controlled car. Just what we needed,’ she told her son, and shook her head in bemusement. Boys and their toys!

  Edward became absorbed in it and Julia crossed to Zac. ‘Thank you for having him this afternoon.’ She leaned forward and accepted his kiss.

  ‘He’s been no trouble. In fact…’ He paused and smiled. ‘I’ve had a good time. He’s been a great help.’

  Julia almost sighed with relief. Zac was happy with her son. Edward was happy with Zac. Perhaps there would be a happy ending for them all. ‘I take it you didn’t get your paperwork done?’

  He shrugged. ‘It’ll wait for another day.’

  She nodded, knowing the feeling well. They both looked at Edward who was lying down on the floor next to the car, having a conversation with it and doing both voices.

  ‘Well, I guess we’d better give you back your solitude,’ she said, not wanting to prolong their stay. She crossed to Edward’s bag and made sure everything was in it.

  ‘Actually, I’ve decided to forgo solitude this evening.’ He pushed off the wall and came to stand beside her.

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘I’m coming to your place for dinner.’

  She gaped at him and only realised her jaw had dropped open when he leaned over and gently pushed it closed. ‘Ah…You’re…Did I just…?’ She stopped, knowing there was no way she’d get her words out properly with him standing so close. He smelled too good to be true and his attitude towards her seemed almost…flirtatious. What had happened today with Edward?

  ‘I’ve ordered dinner for the six of us and it’s due to be delivered to your house in about…’ he consulted his watch ‘…fifteen minutes, so we’d better get a move on.’

  ‘Hold on. For the six of us?’

  ‘Yeah. Mona, Jeffrey, your mother and us.’ He gestured to the two of them and Edward. ‘We’ve all had a busy day and, well…I’m taking over.’