“Mom stuff?” Rebecca tried not to laugh. “Bee, what on earth are you talking about?”
“Mom stuff!” Brooke repeated in frustration. “She takes care of everything. I mean, she gets the kids from school most days. She’s the one who makes sure we all have what we need. It doesn’t matter if it’s sneakers or dinner,” Brooke went on. “When anyone is upset…”
“Bee,” Rebecca interrupted her daughter. “Tess is a wonderful mother. I agree.”
“See!”
“No,” Rebecca tried not to laugh at her daughter. “I don’t see, and I don’t think Tess would either. You are a terrific mother, Bee. Dani and Davey adore you. Just because you and Tess play different roles doesn’t mean either of you is better at this Mom stuff you seem to have made up in your head.”
“It’s not made up.”
“Who’s teaching Dani to play drums and piano?” Rebecca challenged her daughter.
“Different.”
“Really? Who helped coach Davey’s baseball team?”
“Not the same, Mom,” Brooke said.
“No, it is not the same. That’s a good thing. You play different roles. That’s part of being a family,” Rebecca told her daughter.
Brooke groaned. “I just…”
“You’re afraid,” Rebecca said. “And, before you tell me I am wrong, let me tell you that I understand. You want this baby so badly, and you are afraid it won’t happen. And, there is a tiny part of you that almost hopes it doesn’t happen, because then it is real. I hate to tell you; that’s normal.”
“What if I…”
“There aren’t any what ifs in life,” Rebecca said honestly. “There are some things we choose and some choices that are made for us. Whatever way it happens—we deal with it. That’s called living, Bee. Being a mom is the same way. You guide your children. You love them. They have their path to follow—their choices to make. You need to stop worrying about everything you can’t control. You and Tess will get through whatever comes. And, Tess will be okay, Brooke. She loves you. She would do anything for you. That much I do know.”
“I know. I just wish I could do more for all of them.”
“I think you underestimate yourself a bit, Bee.”
“Mom?”
“Yes?”
“Do you think that I…”
“I think you will have an answer tomorrow,” Rebecca said. “I’ll see you when you get home. I will be sending you good vibes,” she promised.
“She will be so disappointed…”
“Bee,” Rebecca spoke lovingly. “Of course, Tess will be disappointed. You need to step back for a minute. Let me ask you something. If it were you standing beside Tess waiting for the answer; how would you feel?”
“I…Hopeful…Nervous.”
“Why?”
“Why? Because it’s Tess! I would love for Tess to have our baby.”
Rebecca smiled. “I know you would. And, maybe one day that will happen too. Everything you feel when you think about that is what Tess is feeling now,” she reminded Brooke. “Don’t forget that, sweetheart. It’s her baby too.”
“I know that,” Brooke said. “That’s why I worry, Mom. She doesn’t want to tell me she’s nervous. She’s afraid it will make me more nervous.”
“It would,” Rebecca laughed. “And, Bee? You would do the exact same thing if the situation were reversed. Stop worrying. What will be, will be.”
“Tess,” Rebecca’s thoughts snapped back to the present. “You know Brooke. She’s nervous.”
“I know. I just wish I knew how to make it better.”
“Just be there, sweetheart,” Rebecca told Tess. “I have a strange feeling that all will be well.”
“So do I,” Tess admitted. “But, it scares me, Mom.”
“Of course, it does. But, look at it this way, this would be almost the 7th week of her term,” Rebecca reminded Tess. “So, stay positive. If all looks well, chances are that all will be well,” she assured Tess. “Breathe.”
“I’m trying. I just don’t…”
“Want Bee to know how nervous you are,” Rebecca guessed. “She already knows,” she told Tess. Tess’s silence told Rebecca that her daughter-in-law was surprised by that assessment. “She knows you,” Rebecca reminded Tess. “Just like you know her. Want my advice?”
“Yes,” Tess replied.
“That’s refreshing,” Rebecca laughed. “Brooke usually asks then doesn’t want to know.” She heard Tess snicker and continued. “Stop trying to be so strong for her. She’s sensitive, not glass. Let her know how you feel; Tess—good, bad, terrified, elated—tell her the whole messy truth. She can handle it.”
Tess sighed. “I…”
“She needs you to take care of her, don’t get me wrong,” Rebecca chuckled. “She needs to take care of you too—all of you.”
“She does.”
“I know,” Rebecca said. “She doesn’t always see it that way; you know that.”
Tess peered down the hallway and saw Brooke emerging from her office. “I’ll try,” Tess said. “We’ll see you in a bit.”
“Relax, Tess. Bee’s nervous energy could probably power a freight train—if I had to guess.”
Tess laughed. “Accurate.”
“Yours will speed it up. Take a breath.”
“I will.”
“Who was that?” Brooke asked.
“Your mom,” Tess answered.
Brooke took a deep breath and smiled nervously. “Rach just called. She’s ready for us in room two.”
Tess smiled and took Brooke’s hand. “I’m nervous too,” she confessed.
Brooke’s genuine smile surprised Tess and Brooke laughed. “I guess maybe I needed to hear I wasn’t alone,” Brooke admitted.
“Nope.”
“Okay, Diana,” Brooke said. “Let’s go find out if any new superheroes are on our horizon.”
Tess smiled. I hope so, love. I hope so.
***
“Why are you friends with him?” Dani asked her brother.
“He’s cool,” Davey replied.
“He’s a jerk.”
“You just don’t like him because he thinks band is gay.”
Dani looked at her brother disgustedly. “Don’t say that word.”
Davey shrugged. “Why? It is.”
Dani shook her head. “You know what? Go ahead and be a jerk too,” she said. Dani got up from her seat on the cement stair she was sharing with her brother and walked to stand beneath a tree a few yards away.
Rebecca Campbell pulled her car up in front of the school. Davey ran toward it and opened the front door. “Shotgun!” he screamed. “Hi, Gram!”
Rebecca rolled her eyes. “Hi to you too, Davey.” She watched as Dani sauntered to the car and opened the back door.
“Ha! I called shotgun.” Davey gloated.
Dani shrugged and slid into the back seat with her backpack. “So? I don’t care,” she mumbled.
Rebecca glanced into the rearview mirror and watched her granddaughter for a moment. Dani buckled herself in dutifully. Her shoulders slumped, and she was uncharacteristically silent.
“How was school?” Rebecca tried to coax Dani into a conversation.
“Same,” Dani answered. “Can we go home now?”
Rebecca’s gaze narrowed in questioning and concern. “Yes, we can,” she replied.
“Hey, Gram,” Davey said excitedly. “We got to touch snakes in science today!”
“That sounds… Lovely, Davey,” Rebecca commented as she pulled the car out.
Rebecca listened as Davey begin to tell his story about science class. She made a point to keep glancing into the mirror at Dani. Dani was normally talkative and excited to see Rebecca. Rebecca sighed inwardly. A sullen Dani would either serve to dampen the high spirits of Brooke and Tess or it would further stress the couple if they received disappointing news. Well, it looks like there is some damage control to do before the girls get home.
***
“Brooke,” Tess called to Brooke softly. Brooke took a deep breath. “Open your eyes, love.”
“I’m not sure that I want to,” Brooke admitted with a nervous chuckle.
“Trust me; you want to,” Tess said.
Brooke opened her eyes slowly. She met Tess’s smiling face first and turned to see Rachel’s matching grin. With a deep breath, Brooke allowed her eyes to track to the small screen. She held her breath for a moment. Tess wiped a tear that had begun to fall over Brooke’s cheek.
“I told you, you wanted to,” Tess whispered.
“Rach?” Brooke looked at her best friend.
“You can read that image as well as I can,” Rachel reminded Brooke. “But, if you need me to say it—it looks good, Brooke. It looks like the beginning of a healthy pregnancy to me. You and I both know there are never guarantees. I feel confident looking at this and so should you,” Rachel said.
Brooke let out the breath she had been holding.
“And,” Rachel raised an eyebrow. “You managed to steer clear of double trouble. No multiples this time around,” she told the couple in amusement.
“It would have been okay with me,” Brooke said honestly.
Tess kissed Brooke on the cheek. “Me too, but I don’t mind admitting that I am more than happy with one at a time from now on.”
“From now on?” Rachel laughed. “Good Lord, what—are you two planning to populate a small city or something?” she kept laughing.
Brooke shrugged. “I like the city,” she deadpanned.
Rachel rolled her eyes. “Good to see your humor is back,” she observed. She took a deep breath and looked at Tess and Brooke. “Things look as I would hope and expect. You both know that the next three to four weeks are the most delicate. With that said, I don’t see any reason for you to worry,” she told her friends. Rachel heard Brooke sigh. “Brooke,” Rachel continued. “I’m not saying this as your friend. I’m telling you as your doctor. I am always cautious,” Rachel said.
Brooke nodded. Both she and Rachel approached every pregnancy they guided with caution right up through delivery. There were different types of caution. Brooke and Rachel had often discussed that. There was a cautious concern, and there was cautious optimism. Both Rachel and Brooke had seen happy endings and unexpected loss on both fronts. Caution always ruled the day.
“I am cautiously optimistic,” Rachel said. Brooke nodded again. Rachel chuckled. “That’s my way of telling you not to fret, Dr. Campbell. It’s not good for you, and it’s not good for that baby. You let me do all the worrying from here on out, and you stay focused on looking forward to meeting this baby. That means you too, Tess,” Rachel ordered. “And, don’t either of you look at me like that. I know you two. There is no reason to be anything but happy right now,” Rachel said. She smirked as she removed the probe from Brooke.
“What is that look for?” Brooke asked. “You’re enjoying this exam?” she poked.
“Please,” Rachel rolled her eyes. Tess laughed. “Your vagina fulfills my one per hour quota.”
“Nice, Rach,” Brooke chuckled.
Rachel shrugged. “Seen one, seen ‘em all.”
“Not really,” Tess commented absently. Brooke and Rachel looked at Tess in disbelief. “That was out loud, wasn’t it?” Tess blushed. Brooke laughed.
“I will see you two here in ten days. Same drill. Only we should be able to get the heartbeat then,” she said.
Rachel marveled at the wonderment in Brooke’s eyes. Brooke knew that. She’d performed her fair share of these tests. Rachel understood. Being the patient was dramatically different. In Brooke’s case, Rachel was certain that for most of her life, Brooke had never expected to have the roles reversed on her. She had been ready to tease Brooke about possible morning sickness, but the hopefulness in Brooke’s eyes stopped her. Instead, Rachel laid her hand on Brooke’s arm.
“I’m happy for you, Brooke,” she said sincerely. “Both of you.”
Brooke nodded. A sudden burst of reality seemed to have hit her. Tess squeezed Brooke’s hand knowingly and smiled at Rachel.
“I’ll let you get cleaned up,” Rachel said. “I’m sure you have some people anxiously awaiting your news,” she guessed.
“Thanks, Rach,” Tess said. Rachel patted Tess’s shoulder on her way out of the room. “Neither of you is to worry,” she repeated. “I mean it. Only happy thoughts—doctor’s orders,” she said as she left the room.
Tess waited for Rachel to close the door. She looked at Brooke and smiled at the dazed expression on her wife’s face. “You okay there?” Tess asked.
Brooke looked at Tess and nodded dumbly. “I thought… I just…”
Tess smiled. “You heard the doctor. You know me, whatever the doctor says is the law of the land.”
Tess’s humor pulled Brooke from the emotional tide that had pulled her under. Brooke rolled her eyes. “Since when? And, what doctor are you talking about?”
Tess shrugged.
Brooke laughed as she reached her feet and retrieved her clothes. When she turned back, Brooke was surprised to see the emotional tide had shifted to Tess. She stepped forward and placed a tender kiss on Tess’s lips. “I know,” Brooke whispered. Tess fell into Brooke and let her head fall on Brooke’s shoulder. Brooke held her silently for a moment and then whispered in her ear. “Does this mean I get lasagna tonight?”
Tess giggled. “Depends. Will I need wine?”
Brooke laughed and pulled back. “Were you hoping for double trouble again?”
Tess shook her head. “Two mini-hulks? No, one will do, thanks,” she joked. “I’m not sure there is enough green in the world for three of you at once.”
Brooke snickered. “How do you know she won’t be a mini-Diana?”
Tess smiled. “She?” Tess laughed.
“Yeah?”
“Think you know the gender already, huh?” Tess asked.
“It’s a girl,” Brooke said as she zipped her jeans. Tess bit her lip and shrugged. “What? You think it’s a boy?” Brooke wondered. Tess shrugged again. “Really?” Brooke asked. Another shrug made Tess’s reply. “Is that like a Sinclair prerequisite or something?” Brooke asked.
“What?” Tess asked.
“That shrug,” Brooke replied. Tess grinned and shrugged again. “Cute,” Brooke said. “Care to wager?”
“You want to bet on the gender of our child?” Tess asked in disbelief.
“Yeah, why not? What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. Besides, I like my odds.”
Tess pursed her lips and nodded. “What’s your wager?” she challenged Brooke.
“Mmm… I know,” Brooke grinned evilly. “If I am right and it’s a girl, I get lasagna every Friday for a year!”
“A year?” Tess asked.
“Yep. One whole year. Every, single Friday. I get your lasagna.”
Tess licked her lips. I can’t lose in that case. “Umm-hmm…And, what do I get if I am right and it’s a boy?”
Brooke considered the question for a moment. She leaned against the examination table and folded her arms across her chest. “What do you want?” she asked Tess suggestively.
Oh, love… Be careful. You could be paying interest for a long, long time. Tess thought for a moment. She smiled at Brooke. “I get one night away from all the kids, the house, our parents, all the cooking... once a month for the same year,” Tess made her request.
“Without me?” Brooke asked sheepishly.
Tess tried not to laugh. Oh, Brooke, you are priceless. “That depends on the level of wine consumption required in the month.”
“Oh, no… You can’t have clauses in the wager.”
Tess sighed. “Oh, okay… With you,” Tess agreed playfully.
Brooke gloated. That is not much of a bet. I win no matter what. “Deal,” Brooke rep
lied. “Should we seal it with a kiss?” she asked Tess.
Tess stepped forward and kissed Brooke gently. “You do realize how wrong this is?”
Brooke shook her head. “It’ll make for a good story one day. Should I invest in new baking pans now?” she teased Tess.
“I wouldn’t,” Tess replied as they made their way to the door in tandem.
“No?” Brooke questioned.
“Nope. I’d save my pennies to pay for all those get-a-ways you will be taking me on next year,” Tess deadpanned.
Brooke watched Tess walk through the door in front of her and chuckled. Oh, I will be taking you away long before next year, Tess. Trust me.
CHAPTER FOUR
“Oh, my God, I need a nap,” Tess mumbled.
Rebecca heard the comment and laughed. Tess had arrived home from work and had immediately set about the kitchen preparing for the twins’ birthday party the next day. Brooke had been called in to consult on a patient at the hospital. Dani was downstairs drumming away, and Davey had retreated to his room to play video games. Every once in a while, his voice would filter down from above amid the constant beating from below. Rebecca could understand Tess’s need for just a moment of peace.
“What can I help with?” Rebecca asked Tess just as a crash from a cymbal echoed through the house.
Tess shook her head. “Open some wine?” she asked lightly. “I seem to be asking for that more and more. Am I becoming an alcoholic?” Tess joked.
“No,” Rebecca kept chuckling. “I recall that I needed my share of wine when Bee was ten. And, I only had one to contend with. Well, I did have Brad to deal with too,” she mused. “Oh, Tess,” Rebecca’s face turned grim. “We need to stock up,” she said with mock seriousness. “Twins, Brooke, and a baby? You need a distillery, not a bottle of wine.”
Tess erupted in laughter just as the house phone rang. She lifted the receiver still giggling. “Hello?”
“Ms. Sinclair?”
“Yes?”
“It’s Mrs. Knowles. I’m sorry to bother you on Friday evening.” Davey’s teacher apologized sincerely.
Tess sucked in a defeated breath. Oh, this cannot be good. “It’s perfectly fine, Mrs. Knowles. Please, call me Tess.”
“I am sorry to bother you,” the teacher apologized again. Tess could hear the genuine regret in the woman’s voice. “But, I thought perhaps I should touch base with you about something that happened today.”
Late Arrivals (Special Delivery Book 4) Page 5