by Lucy Clark
‘If you’re OK with that, yes. I love spending time with your girls, Sheena. Please let me do this for you.’
Sheena looked at the glorious bubble bath again, almost itching to slip into the soothing water and let all her stresses go. ‘I can’t believe you’ve done this for me.’ She held up the loofah. ‘An incredible bubble bath complete with my own personal loofah.’ She giggled, still somewhat surprised at this unexpected turn of events.
‘You deserve it, Mother of Adelaide’s previously conjoined twins.’ Will raised her hand to his lips and pressed a slow, soft kiss to her skin. ‘Take all the time you need but, above all, relax.’
He released her hand and stepped from the room, leaving her in peace. Sheena stood there for a moment, breathing in the glorious sweet scents surrounding her and noticing some other little treats Will had prepared in the room. Off to the side of the bath was a small table with a plastic champagne flute and a bottle of non-alcoholic wine. Sheena poured herself a glass and took a soothing sip before stripping off and sliding into the water.
As the bubbles and water surrounded her body, she closed her eyes and sighed, unable to recall a time when she’d been afforded such a luxury as a soak in a tub. The stresses of the past few months started to slip away, her thoughts relaxing along with her body.
Will couldn’t have given her a more gracious and precious gift other than some time to herself. He was quite a man and her feelings towards him were intensifying with each passing moment.
Will was standing by the cribs, watching the girls as they slept, when Sheena walked back into the room almost twenty minutes later. She was dressed in the fluffy robe and slippers, the towel and her clothes folded neatly in her arms.
‘Wow.’ She stopped just inside the door, gasping at the sight before her. Just as he’d done with the bathroom, Will had placed small tea-light candles around the room. There weren’t nearly as many here but it still managed to create a romantic, relaxed atmosphere and Sheena couldn’t believe how excited that made her feel. ‘It looks … incredible in here, too.’
‘I’m glad you like it,’ Will murmured, pleased with her response to his idea. He picked up a tea light in his hand and a moment later the light went off.
‘How did you do that?’
‘They’re battery operated. There was no way I was going to risk real candles in here, not with the girls so close.’ He switched the candle back on and placed it on the shelf. ‘I saw that same thought flick across your face just now, concerned the candles were too close to the girls.’ He took a few slow steps forward, coming to stand in front of her before he leaned in to whisper something near her ear. ‘I know your expressions all too well, Dr Woodcombe.’ It had been a mistake to lean in close. He’d known it would be because the glorious scent from her bath hung all around her, but he hadn’t been able to resist. He eased back, putting a bit more distance between them, and she came further into the room, placing her things on a nearby table before going to check on her girls.
‘Both sleeping soundly. Sarah hasn’t woken. Ellie finished her bottle about ten minutes ago and she’s been changed and settled, as you can see.’
Sheena bent and kissed both her daughters then tucked the fluffy robe closer around her body, conscious not only of the fact that she was naked beneath but also that Will would know that as well.
‘Now, why don’t you go and get changed while I set up the next part of the surprise?’
‘There’s more?’ Sheena’s eyebrows rose in disbelief. ‘Will, you don’t have to do this. The bath, the candles, the—’
He stepped forward and pressed his finger to her lips. ‘Stop trying to control everything. Just for the next hour, while the girls continue to sleep, let yourself continue to relax.’
Sheena edged back a fraction, her lips suffusing with heat where his finger had touched her, and the sensation started to spread throughout the rest of her body. Perhaps Will was right. Perhaps putting on some clothes was the best way for her to feel a little less self-conscious, but she also needed a few moments away from him to pull herself together.
‘OK. Good idea.’ She quickly crossed to the dresser by Sarah’s crib and extracted some clean clothes from her pile. ‘Won’t be a moment,’ she said, heading into the small bathroom attached to the girls’ room. It only housed a shower, toilet and handbasin. No big, glorious bath. Once she had changed, still deciding to wear the cute fluffy slippers, she stepped back into the room—and stopped.
Not only were the tea-light candles twinkling their lights around the room but Will had pushed the chairs to the side, and spread a red-and-black checked picnic rug over the hard floor. A few cushions were scattered around the edge of the rug and in the middle was a cheese and fruit platter, a plate of mini-muffins and some biscuits. Will stood at the door to the room, accepting a tray with a pot of tea and two bone china cups from Raquel-Maria.
He turned and saw her standing there, surveying his handiwork. ‘Oh. You’re out faster than I’d anticipated. Never mind. Sit down. Make yourself comfortable.’ He carried over the tea-tray and knelt down on the rug.
‘How … did you do all this? The food? The cushions?’ Sheena shook her head in bemusement as she sat down on a cushion and snagged a grape from the platter.
Will smiled but slowly shook his head. ‘I’m a man of mystery and never divulge my secrets.’
Sheena laughed and settled more comfortably on the cushions. ‘It’s been … amazing, Will. The loofah, the bath, some time away from the girls, and now this’ She waved a hand at the late-night supper spread before them and sighed. ‘Thank you.’ Her tone was filled with sincerity. ‘For … everything.’
Will heard the honesty in her words as well as the appreciation. ‘It was most definitely my pleasure, Sheena Andromeda.’
She giggled at the name. ‘I can’t believe you remember that.’
He seemed surprised. ‘The day that you decided to choose your own middle name because you weren’t given one? Yes, my dear Dr Woodcombe, I do,’ he remarked as he handed her a plate. As she put some food onto it, he spoke quietly.
‘We’d just finished a gruelling shift—me in Theatres, you with an epidemic in the children’s ward. We sat outside the front of the hospital, looking up at the stars, talking softly about our night. You told me that one child you’d been caring for had three middle names and that you had none.’
Sheena’s smile was bright. ‘And you told me to choose one. “Choose a name, Sheena. Anything you like and tonight I will christen you with your new name”. That’s what you said.’
Will lay down on his side, propping himself up on his elbow as they revisited the past. ‘You laughed, pointed up at the sky and said, “I choose Andromeda”.’
‘And you immediately christened me Sheena Andromeda Woodcombe.’ Shyly she looked down at the food on her plate before meeting his gaze. ‘That’s one of my favourite memories. When things in my life aren’t going the way I’d planned, that’s one of the memories I take out, dust off and think about.’
‘It’s one of my favourite memories, too,’ he confessed. They both fell silent, the years they’d been apart disappearing as their familiarity and the sense of ease in each other’s company washed over them.
‘Life seemed so simple back then.’ She sighed, and hugged one of the cushions to her chest, needing some contact, needing to feel close to him but knowing she couldn’t possibly ask him to hold her. That would be far too dangerous.
‘We were young.’
She nodded. ‘Yet we felt so old. We thought we knew everything.’
‘But it turns out not nearly as much as we should have.’
‘I’m so glad we’ve been able to start afresh,’ Sheena remarked, her gaze flicking between his eyes and his lips. Did the man have any idea just how irresistible she found him?
‘So am I,’ he murmured, unable to help but notice the way she was looking at him. Now that they’d sorted through a lot of their past, he was well aware of the mounting
tension coursing between them. He’d kissed her twice—almost three times—and having that small sweet taste of Sheena had only unlocked the cravings he’d kept hidden away for far too long.
‘Don’t look at me like that, Sheena,’ he whispered quietly into the sudden stillness of the room, the only sound that of two little girls breathing deeply as they slept.
‘Then you shouldn’t have given me such a wondrous evening, Will. No one has ever done something so unselfish for me. Usually, whenever I get a treat, there are strings attached.’ She frowned for a second and looked at him with concern in her eyes. ‘There aren’t any strings attached, are there?’
He thought about her parents, about the boarding school, about her ex-husband, and how it honestly did seem as though Sheena had lived her life always waiting for the axe to fall. Well, not with him. ‘Only that I like seeing you smiling, seeing you relaxed and being able to unwind after everything you’ve been through.’
‘And that’s it?’
‘That’s it.’ He sat up and faced her, knowing it was best to ease the tension surrounding them. ‘Now, before the girls start to wake up, can I interest you in some cheese? Or perhaps milady would like some more grapes. A mini-muffin, perhaps?’
‘You’ve organised way too much food,’ she said with a laugh, pleased he’d managed to break the intense atmosphere. She wanted him. There were no two ways about it but she also knew it was completely the wrong time of her life to be worrying about romance. Friendship—now, that was something she could handle, and for the next fifteen minutes they sipped tea and nibbled at the food until Sarah woke up, demanding their attention.
All in all, though, when Will finally took his leave after helping her to pack away the rug and set up her camp bed for the night, Sheena couldn’t resist standing on tiptoe and kissing his cheek.
‘You’re a good man, Will Beckman, with an equally good heart. That’s a rare quality nowadays. Thank you again for my wonderful and relaxing evening.’
Will shoved his hands into his pockets to stop himself from hauling her close but smiled and nodded. ‘You’re more than welcome. Now, get some sleep because tomorrow is another big day, both for you and the girls.’
‘And I’m so happy that you’ll be there to share it with us.’
‘There you are.’ Miles walked over to where Will was sitting in the hospital cafeteria, the smells of bacon, eggs, sausages and grilled tomatoes filling the air. Miles pulled out a chair and sat down next to his friend, giving him closer scrutiny. Unshaven, crumpled shirt, no tie. ‘I’ve been looking for you. Aren’t you supposed to be taking Sheena and the girls out for a few hours?’
Will frowned and glanced at his watch. ‘I’m not due to meet her for another hour.’ He looked more closely at his watch and then checked one of the clocks on the wall in the cafeteria. ‘What? My watch battery must have died.’ He quickly finished his half-drunk coffee and rose to his feet. ‘Did she ask you to come and find me? Is everything all right? Are the girls fine? I checked on them just after two o’clock this morning and they both seemed fine.’
Miles raised an eyebrow, taking in his friend’s attire. ‘Interesting look you have there. Is it the new dishevelled surgeon look you were after? Because I think you’ve achieved it.’
‘I couldn’t sleep. Too much on my mind.’
‘You’ve been out walking, haven’t you?’ Miles asked rhetorically, knowing his friend of old. The two men headed out of the cafeteria, talking as they walked. ‘Your all-night walking and thinking escapades usually only happen when you can’t figure things out. Now, I know the twins are fine because I’ve already been around to see them, so that can only mean it’s their mother who’s been keeping you awake. She’s clearly messing with your mind.’
‘How do you even know what’s in my mind?’ Will spluttered, and became even more annoyed when Miles had the audacity to chuckle.
‘Because I’ve been in your position, mate. If it’s love that’s bothering you, don’t even try to work it out.’ They rounded the corner into a longer corridor and continued their way to the paediatric unit. ‘I tried to fight love and look …’ He held up his left hand, where a gold wedding band gleamed. He laughed again. ‘I’ve never been more happy in my life. Janessa is … everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman and, where for years I thought I’d never find happiness again, it jumped up and slapped me right between the eyes the instant I saw her.’
‘You think I’ve fallen in love with Sheena?’
Miles snorted. ‘I don’t think you ever stopped loving her. She may have broken your heart ten years ago but back then she thought she was doing the right thing, but right or wrong and no matter what you may have been able to trick yourself into believing, it’s as plain as the nose on your face that you still love that woman … and her adorable girls.’
‘Who doesn’t love those girls?’ Will tried to smooth his crumpled shirt. He’d meant to head back to his parents’ house and change his clothes before taking Sheena and the girls out but now he’d run out of time.
‘True, but not the way you do. I’ve seen you with them and both Ellie and Sarah have you wrapped firmly around their tiny fingers. As for their mother—well, whenever you two are in the same room the tension buzzing between you is almost enough to power the entire hospital.’
Will frowned in puzzlement. ‘It can’t be that obvious.’
‘It is to me but, then, I’ve known both of you for quite some time. I remember what the two of you were like the last time you were together and I can see the same things happening. Those long looks, those meaningful touches, those secret smiles.’ Miles over-dramatised his words with wide hand gestures. Will felt a smile start to tug at his lips. ‘Add to all of that the fact that I’m a man wildly in love with his wife,’ Miles continued, ‘and I want every other man to be as happy and as fortunate as I am.’
‘And you think I’d be happy with Sheena?’
‘I think the only time you’ve ever truly been happy was when you were with Sheena. Which brings me to my next question.’
Will stopped and faced his friend. ‘Don’t ask it. I’ve been asking myself all night long how I really feel about her and I still haven’t come up with any answers, only more questions.’ The main question was whether he’d be content not to have any natural children of his own. He loved both Sarah and Ellie as though they were his own. With the amount of time he’d spent with them, it was now second nature for him to change them or give them a bottle or simply cuddle them.
Sheena hadn’t restricted him in any way, accepting his help and advice, but he could still see concern in her eyes. She wasn’t sure whether he was going to stay in Australia or whether he was going to go back to the States. He hadn’t been able to talk to her about it because he wasn’t sure himself … yet.
‘All right, then,’ Miles continued. ‘Let me ask you this question. How do you feel when you think of her spending her life with someone else?’ Miles received an immediate growl as his answer.
‘I can’t even go there,’ Will confessed, his jaw clenched, his fists tight, his heart instantly in pain.
‘Interesting.’ They started walking again, drawing closer to the paediatric unit. ‘You and Sheena are good together, Will, but communication wasn’t your strong suit ten years ago—on both sides. Don’t let it hold you back this time.’
‘I don’t intend to. I want to be part of their lives,’ Will said as they stopped just outside the door to the paediatric unit.
‘But?’ Miles prompted.
‘What if Sheena can’t have any more children? What if Ellie and Sarah are it?’
Miles nodded. ‘And there goes your big family picture.’
‘I know it might sound pathetic but I always pictured myself surrounded by a lot of children.’
‘What about adoption? If Sheena can’t have any more children, how about considering it? There are many children out there just waiting to be loved.’
Will nodded but didn’t make any rema
rk. Instead, he opened the door to the unit and instantly heard a baby crying.
‘That’s Sarah,’ he said, quickening his pace.
‘How can you tell? Just from a cry?’ Miles was totally amazed.
‘Sarah’s cry is deeper than Ellie’s and a heck of a lot louder, too.’ Will entered the room and found Sheena trying to quickly finish dressing Ellie, calling to Sarah in a soothing tone.
‘I’m coming, Sarah,’ she said. ‘Mummy’s almost finished. Shh, darling.’
‘Hey. Sorry I’m late.’ Will headed to Sarah’s crib, his heart turning over when she instantly held out her arms to him, wanting him to pick her up. No sooner was she in his arms than her cries subsided and she snuggled into him. Will closed his eyes and hugged the little girl tight. She was his Sarah, just as Ellie was his Ellie.
And Sheena? Was she his Sheena? Was he fortunate enough to still have her love him? He hoped so.
CHAPTER EIGHT
AS THEY headed out into the sunshine, Will pushing the pram with ease, Sheena slipped her sunglasses on and made sure the little sunhats were shielding the girls’ eyes properly. Will slipped the hood of the pram into place and breathed in the fresh air.
‘They’re both blinking rapidly,’ Sheena said with a smile on her face. ‘They’re not used to being in direct sunlight.’
‘All that’s going to change. Now that the main surgery is over, they’re both going to start moving more and crawling, and before you know it they’ll be running around creating more mischief than you can imagine.’
‘Oh, help. Don’t say that.’ Sheena laughed. ‘I feel so silly for being nervous about bringing them outside.’
‘You’re nervous?’ he asked as they headed towards the botanical gardens situated near the hospital.
‘I know. I guess it’s because all they’ve known of life are the four walls of the hospital.’
‘They’ve never been outside before?’
Sheena shook her head. ‘Although they were healthy before the surgery, the risk of being outside, of catching a cold or getting sick in some way, was just too great. Miles and Janessa were in complete agreement and none of us wanted to make any mistakes in case it delayed the surgery. Besides, when they were conjoined, they were such a media novelty that even when I went out of the hospital grounds I was often photographed and asked questions.’