The Midwife's Son

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.