‘I don’t know. Everyone was wearing face shields and masks. A little difficult to tell.’ Jasper tightened his arm around her shoulder. ‘Are you expecting it?’
‘When your boss calls to say that she’s picking up your children and taking them back to her place, especially when it’s widely known that you don’t mix business and pleasure, tongues have surely got to wag.’
‘And wag they will. I’m simply saying I didn’t notice anything, except for extreme concentration to get Mrs Verucci’s hip replacement back on track so we could all go home.’ Jasper could feel her tensing up and wanted instantly to alleviate her fears. ‘If we don’t hide from it, then people will stop talking soon—’
‘The day-care centre want to register me,’ she blurted, interrupting him.
It took a second for her words to compute and it was then Jasper realised that it wasn’t only the hospital situation that was bothering her. ‘I think that’s a good idea.’
‘You do?’
‘Yes. Just in case a similar thing happens in the future.’
‘Oh.’
‘Is that OK with you?’
‘Huh? Yeah. I mean, yes. Of course it is. I mean, it’s logical. Right? I live close. The girls know me. You and I often have conflicting shifts.’
‘Which is something else I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.’
‘Can we talk about it another time, please?’
Jasper could hear the hint of panic in her tone and wondered why it was there. As far as he was concerned, things were moving along beautifully between them. Sure, it was a little difficult to get some alone time but they were managing.
‘Sure. Of course.’
‘I just want to enjoy being with you.’ She pulled his arms about her and snuggled into him. She looked over to the sofa bed opposite where they sat, her heart warming at the sight of the sleeping twins.
‘You’ll get no argument from me.’ He wanted to hold her for ever and he also wanted to let her know that he was definitely in love with her. He wasn’t exactly sure when it had happened but it had. The fact that it had was a miracle in itself as after Elisha’s death he’d been certain he’d never love again. He also knew that confessing this to Jennifer would freak her out even more and that was the last thing he wanted. Slow and steady won the race. That’s what he’d learned as a child and that was the tactic he was employing right now because he had to do whatever it took to convince Jennifer that they belonged together. The four of them. Together. A family.
‘Why are we getting back into the car, Daddy?’ Lola wanted to know. ‘We haven’t walked down the aisle yet.’
‘The church is really pretty and I love the flowers.’ Lilly spoke as Jennifer helped her into the car and started to do up her seat belt.
‘I love the flowers, too.’ Lola’s tone was wistful.
‘And we promise to walk really slowly, Daddy,’ Lilly continued. ‘Just like Jen showed us. Nice and slow.’
‘We won’t run. Honest, we won’t.’ Lola’s eyes were earnest.
Jasper looked across at Jennifer and together they had a flash of clarity.
‘You know this isn’t your fault,’ Jennifer quickly reassured both girls, and Jasper agreed with her. Although how he was going to explain that Aunty Megan wouldn’t be getting married today because her creep of a fiancé had left her stranded at the altar, he had no idea.
Both girls opened their mouths to talk but Jasper got there first. ‘Shh. Just for a moment, please,’ he instructed his daughters. ‘Listen to Daddy.’ He leaned further into the car and kissed each one on the cheek. ‘I am so proud of both of you. You’ve been very well behaved.’
‘And we didn’t get our dresses messy.’
‘I know, but unfortunately there isn’t going to be a wedding today.’
‘But we’ll walk slo—’
‘Shh,’ he said softly, and placed his finger on Lola’s little lips. ‘Aunty Megan is very sad and upset because Calvin has changed his mind.’ Two pairs of bright blue eyes looked back at him. Jasper glanced at Jennifer who nodded encouragingly for him to continue. ‘Calvin doesn’t want to marry Aunty Megan.’
‘Well, that’s just dumb,’ Lola mumbled against his finger. Jasper smiled and kissed her head.
‘I couldn’t agree more, pumpkin, but that’s the reason you don’t get to walk down the aisle. It’s not your fault. Either of you. You’re not being punished. Understand?’
‘We’re all proud of you,’ Jennifer reiterated.