by Sue MacKay
Jess sympathised, while thinking that at least Lynley hadn’t resorted to swearing at the poor guy, like some women did.
Jackson stood behind her and rubbed her back when she rose from the stool. How did he know she ached just there? And did he understand he was knocking down her resistance towards him?
Finally, some time after three o’clock, Lynley suddenly announced, ‘I want to push. Now.’ She sank onto the bed and leaned back against the stack of pillows Jackson had placed there earlier in case she got tired of standing.
‘Let me take a look at you.’ Jess pulled on another pair of gloves and squatted on her stool again. ‘Push when you’re ready. There you go. The head has appeared. Keep pushing, Lynley. That’s it. You’re doing brilliantly.’
Lynley’s attention was focused entirely on pushing her baby out into the world.
Then the baby slipped out into Jess’s waiting hands. ‘Welcome to the world, baby Coomes.’ Jess wiped the little boy’s mouth clear of fluid and draped him over his mother’s breasts.
‘Oh, my goodness. Look at him, Trevor. He’s perfect.’ Tears streamed down the new mother’s cheeks. ‘Didn’t we do great?’
Trevor was grinning and crying, staring at his son like he was the most amazing sight ever.
Which he was. Jess blinked rapidly. It didn’t matter how many babies she’d delivered, today baby Coomes was the most special. Next week there’d be another for her to get all soppy over.
‘Isn’t that the most beautiful sight?’ Jackson spoke quietly beside her, emotion making his voice raw.
Maybe he really did mean to settle down here. ‘It is. Once I’ve dealt with the cord and afterbirth let’s take a break and give these two time alone with their son before the families descend. There’ll be no peace when they all arrive.’ Which was why Lynley had said right from the outset she didn’t want anyone knowing she was in labour.
Mike had locked up the medical centre and gone home, no doubt crossing his fingers he’d get a few hours to himself and his wife, Roz. Today everyone’s focus would be on clean-up and less on health issues. Tomorrow might be different as reality settled in.
Jess switched on the lights in the kitchen and filled the kettle for a cup of tea. She automatically got out two cups. Then she found the tin of chocolate biscuits Sasha kept hidden in her locker and sprang the lid, quickly stuffing a biscuit in her mouth. ‘I need sugar.’
Pulling out a chair, Jackson sat and sprawled his long legs half across the room. ‘You must be exhausted. Did you sleep much last night?’
‘Next to nothing. My mind would not shut down.’
‘I’ve found three houses for rent that you can look at. Two at Pohara and one at Para Para. You can see see them any time you want. You’ve got first dibs on all three.’
Leaning back against the bench top, she folded her arms under her breasts. ‘Para Para would be lovely. That long, wide, sweeping beach is stunning, though a bit dangerous for Nicholas when it’s windy. Which is often.’
‘Not too far out of town?’
‘Unfortunately, yes. So I’m already down to two.’ She gave him a tired smile. ‘Thank you for doing this. I do appreciate it.’
‘Just want to help.’
Her forefingers scratched at her sleeves. He’d told her he loved her and she hadn’t said a word. Yet he hadn’t stalked off in a sulk. Far from it, he’d stayed by her side all day. Helping with the birth, making endless rounds of sandwiches and coffee, looking up rental properties, rubbing her back when it got sore.
Raising her head from where she’d been staring at the tips of her running shoes that were never used for running, she looked directly at him and said, ‘Jackson, I love you, too.’ When he made to stand up she held up a hand. ‘But that doesn’t mean I’m going to do anything about it.’
It hurt just to say the words. A deep hurt that twisted in her stomach. She wanted him so much, would do almost anything to give in and accept his love and make a life with him.
‘Want to elaborate, Jess?’ he asked, bewilderment lacing his tone.
‘My parents.’ This was hard. So hard. ‘They love each other very much.’ Too much. ‘To the point they are selfish with it.’ They don’t even realise it. ‘They excluded me from a lot. Anything that money couldn’t buy, really.’ Her eyesight blurred. ‘Yes, I love you, Jackson. But what if I love you so much I cut Nicholas out of the picture, forget to give him hugs and kisses, miss school plays, send him on expensive holidays to get him out of the way?’ Her voice had got quieter and quieter until she could barely hear herself. ‘You want kids, but what if I neglect them, too?’
‘You won’t.’ Two little words and yet there was the power of conviction in them. ‘I know you, Jessica Baxter. I’ve seen you with Nicholas. You totally love him. You’d never be able to avoid hugging him. You’ll never want to miss seeing his first proper fish.’
‘You’re missing the point.’ That had been when it had only been her and Nicholas, before she went so far as to admit Jackson into her life properly.
‘No.’ He stood up and reached for her. With his arms around her waist he leaned back and looked down into her eyes. ‘You’re missing the point. You’re a natural mother. You’ll never be otherwise. But you’ve got a big heart, Jess, big enough for me as well. And for our children, if we have them. You can love us all. You do love Nicholas and me already. What has Nicholas missed out on since that very first night when we went to bed together? Go on. Tell me.’ His mouth was smiling, like this wasn’t the issue she’d believed it was. His eyes were brimming with love for her.
‘I can’t think of anything.’ Nicholas certainly seemed as happy as ever when Jackson was around. In fact, he loved Jackson and the things they had done together.
‘Do you trust me to give you a nudge if I think you’re not getting the mix right? Because I certainly would. But, Jess, I don’t believe it will ever come to that.’
He truly believed she wasn’t like her parents. Wow. ‘I do love you both and I hoped I was getting it right. But it’s hard to know. Mum and Dad don’t have a clue what they’ve excluded me from. They honestly believe they’ve been great parents.’
‘I know you’re an awesome parent. I wouldn’t want anyone else to be my children’s mother.’ Jackson lowered his head, his lips finding hers. His kiss, when it came, was tender and loving and understanding, and it fired up her passion. ‘I love you, Jess. Will you take a chance and marry me? We could have so many babies you’d always be inundated with their demands, and I’ll be making arrangements for date nights so I can have you all to myself.’
The eyes that locked with hers held so much sincerity and love her doubts evaporated. For how long she didn’t yet know, but she now knew that she could always discuss them with this wonderful man. He’d help her through. ‘Go on, then.’ At his astonished look, she laughed. ‘That’s a yes. I will marry you, Jackson. And love you for ever, as well as all those children. Jessica Wilson, here I come.’
This time his kiss wasn’t so gentle. More like demanding as he sealed their promise. ‘Thank goodness,’ he sighed between their lips. ‘Thought I’d be spending the next year trying to sweet-talk you into a wedding.’
* * *
When Jackson drove up to his parents’ house Nicholas was waiting on the veranda. He immediately began waving and leaping up and down.
‘Mummy, I’ve been watching for you for ages.’
Her heart squeezed painfully. Her boy. She loved him beyond reason. Reaching to lift him into her arms, panic struck and she spun around to stare at Jackson.
‘No, Jess, you haven’t neglected him for other people. You were doing your job and now you’re home to hug and hold and love your son. That’s normal for most parents.’ Jackson stood beside her, lifting strands of hair off her face.
‘Thank you.’ She sucked in the
sweet smell of Nicholas as he wriggled around in her arms. She felt his warmth warming her. Knew he’d always come first with her.
‘Mummy, there was a very big eel in the packing shed. Ian said the flood brought it here. I touched it and it was cold and yucky.’
Jackson took her elbow and led them inside. ‘Let’s get changed into something clean and warm and I’ll break out the champagne. We’ve got something to celebrate.’
Her mouth stretched so wide it hurt. ‘Yeah. We do. But first I need some time with Nicholas. I’ve got something to discuss with him.’
Jackson nodded his understanding. ‘Why don’t you go through to Mum’s office? I’ll make sure no one disturbs you.’
In the office she sat in the one comfortable chair and settled Nicholas on her lap. ‘We’re going to live in a different house for a while, Nicholas. Our one was flooded.’
His little eyes widened with something like excitement. ‘Really? Can I see it with the water in it?’
How easy things were for a child. ‘We’ll go there tomorrow, but the water’s gone now.’
Disappointment replaced the excitement. ‘I wanted to see it.’
Drawing a deep breath, she continued with the other important piece of news. ‘Nicholas, how would you like Jackson to live with us? All the time?’
The excitement rushed back. ‘Yes. When? Now?’ His face fell. ‘But he can’t. We haven’t got a house to live in.’
‘We’ll find another house. Mummy and Jackson are going to get married. You’ll have a daddy.’
‘Like Robby’s daddy?’ Hope radiated out of his big eyes.
Shame hit her. She’d held out on Jackson because she’d feared she’d be hurting her son, yet all along the best thing she could’ve done for him was accept Jackson’s love and go with it. ‘Just like Robby’s father.’
She kissed her boy. ‘I love you, Nicholas.’
‘I love you, Mummy. I love Jackson.’ He slid off her knees. ‘Is he really, really going to be my daddy?’
‘Yes, darling, he is.’
A whirlwind of arms and legs raced for the door, hauled it open and Nicholas took off to charge through the house. ‘Where’s my daddy? Jackson, where are you? Mummy and Jackson are getting married. Jackson? There you are.’
Jess made it to the door in time to see Jackson swinging Nicholas up in his arms, both of them grinning like loons.
‘Guess everyone in the bay’s going to know in no time at all.’ She shook her head at Nicholas, her heart brimming with love. ‘Quiet has never been one of your attributes, my boy.’
Jackson rolled his eyes. ‘It’s funny, but I’m happy if the whole world knows I’m marrying you.’
CHAPTER TWELVE
SIX MONTHS LATER, on a perfect spring day, with a sky the colour of love, Jess walked down the path leading through Virginia’s garden to the marquee once again set up on the Wilsons’ front lawn. Jess clung to Ian’s arm, her fingers digging in hard as her high heels negotiated the newly laid pebbles. ‘Thank you for standing in for my father,’ she told Jackson’s dad.
True to form, Mum and Dad hadn’t been able to make it home for the wedding. Something about the gorillas in Borneo needing their attention. Jess swallowed her disappointment. She was about to get a whole new family: one that would always be there for her, as she would be for them.
‘I’m thrilled you asked me.’ Ian looked down at her with tears in his eyes. ‘I’m getting to be a dab hand at it. Two weddings in less than a year. Who’d have believed it? And before we reach that son of mine, who’s looking mighty pleased with himself, can I just say thank you for bringing him home for us.’
‘Thank goodness he didn’t have long to go to finish his contract.’ She’d have gone crazy if he’d been away much longer than the four months he’d had to do. Now he worked three days a week in Nelson and the rest of the time at the Golden Bay Medical and Wellbeing Centre.
Sasha spoke behind them. ‘Come on, you two. We’ve got a wedding to get under way, and Nicholas and I can’t stand around all afternoon listening to you both yabbering.’
Jess turned and grinned at her soon-to-be sister-in-law. ‘Yes, ma’am. By the way, you looked lovely in blue.’
‘Why do my friends get married when I’m looking like a house in a dress?’ For the second time Sasha was standing up for a close friend while pregnant.
Jess grinned and glanced down at Nicholas. He looked gorgeous in his dove-grey suit and sky-blue shirt that matched Jackson and Grady’s. ‘Let’s get the show under way. What do you reckon, Nicholas?’
‘Hurry up, Mummy. It’s boring standing here.’
Jess grinned. ‘Love you too, buddy.’ Then she faced the end of the path, where Jackson stood watching her take every step along that path. When she placed her hand on his arm he blinked back tears. ‘You are beautiful,’ he murmured. His eyes glittered with emotion.
She couldn’t say a word for the lump clogging her throat, so she reached up and kissed him lightly.
‘Seems we need to get you two married in a hurry.’ Diane, the marriage celebrant, chuckled. She looked around at the family and friends gathered on the lawn. ‘Jessica and Jackson stand here today in front of you all to pledge themselves to each other.’
Jess heard the words and yet they ran over her like warm oil, soft and soothing. Not once on that day in January, when she’d stood up with Jackson, watching her best friend marry Grady, had it occurred to her that she’d be getting married in this same place, with the same people surrounding them. She hadn’t known love like it—the depth, the generosity, the bone-melting sweetness. She hadn’t known the colour of love—summer blue with sunshine lightening it. Okay, today it was spring blue, but that was close enough.
In fact, it was brilliant, as Jackson said the vows he’d written himself, declaring his love for her, promising her so much. Her heart squeezed tight with love. This wonderful man was becoming her husband. Handing Sasha her bouquet, she held her hands out to him. The diamond-encrusted wedding ring he slipped onto her finger gleamed in the sunlight.
‘Jess, would you say your vows now.’ Diane caught her attention.
Taking Jackson’s strong, warm hands back in hers, she managed a strong voice. ‘Jackson Wilson, today I promise before our family and friends to always love you with all my heart, to share my life with you, to raise our children alongside you. I acknowledge you as my son’s father in the truest sense of the word. I love you. We love you.’ And then she couldn’t say any more for the tears in Jackson’s eyes and the lump in her throat.
Sasha placed the gold band she and Jackson had chosen into her shaking hand. Her fingers trembled so much Jackson had to help her slide the ring up his finger. And then he kissed her. Thoroughly. No chaste wedding kiss.
‘Okay, that’s enough, you two,’ Ian interrupted. ‘There are children present,’ he added, with a twinkle in his eye.
Diane smiled. ‘I declare you man and wife.’
‘Good, then I can kiss the bride,’ Jackson said.
There was a general groan and many quips from the people seated around them, but none of it stopped Jackson placing his lips on hers again.
Once more Ian interrupted by pulling her out of his son’s arms into his. ‘Welcome to the family, Jessica.’
Then Virginia and Sasha were hugging her, quickly followed by Nicholas, Grady, Mike and Roz, Rory and Mrs Harrop. Time sped by until Ian tapped a glass with a spoon and got everyone’s attention.
‘Champagne is being brought around. Let’s all raise a glass and drink to Jessica and Jackson.’
Champagne. That’s where this had all started. Her smile was met by one from her husband. ‘Yep, it’s the same champagne.’
As they were handed glasses of her favourite nectar, Jess grinned. ‘I won’t be drinking as much of this as I d
id the last time. I want all my faculties working on my wedding night.’
Jackson ran his hand through his hair, instantly mussing it up. ‘I seem to remember they worked fine that other time.’
He slipped his free hand through her arm and tugged her away from the crowd and through the rose garden that was Ian’s latest hobby. ‘I want a few moments alone with my wife.’
‘You sound very smug, Mr Wilson.’
‘Why wouldn’t I? I’ve just achieved a dream. You look absolutely beautiful. That dress with the orange flowers suits you to perfection.’
‘Apricot, not orange.’ She leaned against him and pressed a kiss to his mouth. ‘I love you.’
For a moment they were completely alone. No voices touched their seclusion and nothing interrupted the sense that they were in their own little world. Then Jackson pulled his mouth free. ‘I hope you’ve packed that orange bikini for our honeymoon.’
She’d done what she’d been told to do. Jackson had kept their destination a surprise, only saying that she’d need bikinis, lots of them. ‘Of course.’ And two other new ones he hadn’t seen yet. Not apricot in colour, either of them.
‘Our flight to Auckland leaves tomorrow afternoon.’
‘Right.’ Like she’d be wearing a bikini in Auckland in spring.
‘Then on Monday we fly to Fiji.’ That smug look just got smugger.
Secretly she’d hoped that’s where he’d chosen. ‘Fiji?’ She grinned. ‘You remembered.’ Her kiss smothered his chuckle.
‘We’re away for two weeks, sweetheart.’
‘Our house will be finished by then.’ There was only the paintwork to be completed and the carpet to be put down in their new home before they were handed the keys.
‘That will make you happy. Being back on your piece of dirt where you planned on bringing up Nicholas.’
That was one of the things she loved about this man. He understood her need to put down roots for herself, and how she had done that when she’d bought her little home. Which was why, when the insurance company had elected to bowl over both her houses and pay out the money, they’d had the two sections made into one and started building a house big enough to cope with the children they intended on having very soon.