Noelle (Babysitter’s Club 4)

And though this time I hadn’t had to either, it had been too close. “You’re jealous…” She grinned cheekily.

“Of course I am, your kisses belong to me.” I was angrier than I thought.

“I never kissed Jack.”

“What? But you were together for two years. And things are very different now from even the last reincarnation. Men and women are more free with their affections and no one seems to even bat a lash.”

“I know, that was part of the problem. I guess even though I hadn’t been awakened yet, somewhere deep inside I still knew it was wrong. I now understand why I found him so repulsive when everyone else fawned over him. We were never meant to be.”

“I guess with this world being what it is, it’s stupid to expect someone as beautiful as you are not to have a suitor or two. I’m just glad I got to you in time. I’d hate to be sent up for murdering that boy.”

She’s always had admirers, especially in later reincarnations when the world had changed and women became more exposed to the opposite sex. But none had ever gotten this close.

I guess it was the price I had to pay for tempting fate and moving things around. Still, I don’t like that someone else had been that close to her.

“Thank you, for not betraying me.” I pulled her to me across the table and kissed her while the baby clapped and chortled with glee.

“I have to leave you now, will you be okay?” She nodded her head and picked at the food on her plate. “We’ll be fine, but I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too.” I stole one last kiss before getting to my feet to leave. At the door I looked back to see her tickling the baby under her drool covered chin.

“Noelle, stay close to the house okay, and be careful. I’m pretty sure Priscilla plans to stick around here for the rest of the day. Don’t you two go getting into any mischief.”

It was a fair warning, those two do know how to get into trouble together. Over time they’ve bonded together over their mutual hatred of Judy and their love for me.

In times past Priscilla has always been Noelle’s protector, but with each new life, it’s hard to miss the special bond between the two women; like sisters.

As I left the house that last thought had my mind going to Trudy and what exactly she was doing here. I have no doubt that she poses a threat of some kind, I’m just not sure what.

All day while I was away I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to get her away from my woman and child. No matter what she was up to, I no longer felt safe leaving her in my home.

Now that Noelle was safely ensconced and was already carrying my sons, with Judy out of the way, I didn’t think that Trudy could do much harm.

Still, it was that little bit of doubt that tied my hands. I’d thought it was better to keep her here where I can keep an eye on her, but now I’m having second thoughts.

I hurried back to the house earlier than usual. It was no use trying to stay away I missed her every second we were apart. I expected it, but didn’t expect it to be this bad. Like a physical ache.

She was in her old room while the baby was down for her afternoon nap. I stood in the doorway and watched her for a second as she stood beside the bed.

“What are you doing in here?” She turned with a smile before looking back at the bed where we’d shared all our nights together in the past.

“Ella moved all my things into the master bedroom. I was just taking one last look. I wanted…” I walked over and wrapped my arms around her from behind, leaning her back into my chest.

“I know, but this time I’m doing everything the way it should’ve been in the beginning. With you as my wife, the lady of my home. The only one in my bed.”

“I just had a thought. That first time you had a fictitious husband to explain your pregnancy, and then you became a widow. This time I’m the real widower.”

“What does it mean do you think?”

“I’m not sure, it’s just one more parallel to the past I guess.” We stood in silence with my arms around her and it didn’t take long for my body to respond to her nearness.

My hands lifted from around her middle to cup her breasts in the tank top she wore. Over the years her clothing and mine had changed with the times. Each time she wore less and less.

“I have to go shopping for you. Soon we’ll be out and about. I don’t like this much of you showing.” I guess I still have those same old world values as before. That’s not going to change.