Noelle (Babysitter’s Club 4)

“Well?” Ella didn’t even let me get into the room good before pouncing.

“She knows.”

“Thank goodness. It was getting harder and harder not to slip up around her and give anything away. I can go set up her room now.”

She started to leave the room but I stopped her. “No need, she’ll be sleeping with me from now on. You can move her things into the master suite later after she wakes up.”

There was a huge sigh of relief around the room from my mom and sister as well as Ella who changed course and went to get the baby’s bottle ready.

“Where’s Trudy?”

“Last I saw she was heading down to the water.”

“You still have someone watching her right?” I looked at mom for an answer.

“Yes, but I’m not sure he’s on the job yet, it’s still quite early in the morning.”

“Make sure that he is. I don’t want any mishaps. I have to go to the south field this morning, but I’ll try not to be away too long. Keep her away from my girls while I’m gone.”

“I know what to do boy haven’t I been doing it all along?” Ella gave me sass as she bustled around the kitchen doing what she does best. She loves having us all together so she can make a fuss.

I’d offered her a better life, was putting two of her children through college. But no matter what I gave or how much I did for her, she refuse to leave her post. I know she was waiting for the birth of my sons with the same anticipation I was.

I heard Noelle on the stairs and poured her coffee, making it the way she likes. Sweet with a drop of milk. She walked into the room and the tears started.

I gave her the coffee and stole a quick kiss before getting out of the way. This scene has been played out a thousand times before and I knew there was no place for me for at least the next hour.

I rolled my eyes at the women who were in a huddle laughing and crying and talking over each other before turning back to my daughter who watched the scene with interest.

Callan

After the women settled down and went about their business leaving me alone with my two girls, I barely had enough time left before I had to go. It’s always hard for me to leave her the first morning after.

As we’ve been doing every morning since our first kiss, we sat together at the table having breakfast while the baby ate in her chair next to the table.

This morning was a bit different though. Now that there were no more secrets, our interactions were less strained, less employer-employee and more like lovers.

She’s always treated Isabelle with love, even for the short while she’d known the child that first time. Back then she’d had her own two children as well.

Now I watched as she doted on my daughter who smiled and clapped her little hands together. “I want you to adopt her. You’re the only mother she’s going to know so I want to make it official.”

The tears that gathered in her eyes was answer enough, even before she nodded her head yes and ran her hand over Isabelle’s head. “I’d love that.” She patted her flat tummy and the wistful smile on her face touched my heart deeply.

I imagine she still worried whether this plan of mine would work or not. We were indeed on borrowed time. To distract her from her somber thoughts, I turned the conversation to happier things.

Just in case it all went to hell, I’d made plans for her to enjoy the things she’d missed in the past before the babies came.

We know in the past she never made it past their second month, and though I bore some of the same fears, I refuse to let them rule me.

“You should start getting your parents used to the idea of us. Start slowly of course. Our marriage will no doubt interfere with their plans for you. Like college for instance.”

“I’ll take care of it don’t worry. They’ll be happy as long as I’m happy.” She quit talking and gazed off into space as if her mind wandered.

“After the accident became withdrawn. I was never quite the same as before. They’ve been worried about me ever since. I think they’ll be happy just to see me smile again.”

Her parents always changed from time to time, since they never knew the truth in the beginning and wasn’t part of the curse cast by Judy.

Sometimes she’s the daughter of a well to do family, sometimes not. But whoever she is, wherever she is. Once we find each other nothing and no one can keep us apart.

“There were quite a few differences this time around…like Jack.” I couldn’t hide the bite of jealousy I felt. I’ve never had to fight another man for her affections before.