A Mother for His Twins

‘Like us.’ Lola put her arms in the air, striking a pose and causing her towel to fall down in the process. Jennifer bent to wrap her up again.

Lilly sighed. ‘I’d like a new mummy.’

‘Me, too,’ Lola said with an equally gorgeous sigh.

‘You could live with us and have sleepovers every night.’ Both girls agreed this was a very good plan. Jasper was still frozen to the spot outside his daughters’ bedroom, unable to believe they’d voiced such a plan. Jennifer would no doubt think his children had no manners whatsoever or—worse—that he might have put them up to it.

Then he quickly reminded himself that four-year-olds had no filtering systems which, he was sure, Jennifer had already worked out. Besides, they’d managed to ask Jennifer how much she liked him and he’d been extremely pleased with the answer. The main problem he had now was to sneak away and pretend he was just coming out of the bathroom, rather than having Jennifer realise he’d been standing outside the door, eavesdropping.

‘Daddy! What are you doing there?’ Lilly asked as she came out of the room, almost tripping over her towel.

Jasper groaned and put a hand over his eyes. The best-laid plans…Scooping her into his arms, he decided the best thing was to just keep on moving rather than trying to explain. ‘Bathtime, princess.’ He quickly carried Lilly through and was about to go back for Lola when Jennifer carried her in.

‘Princess Lola arriving for her bath,’ she announced. After hanging up the towel and depositing her royal highness in the bath, Jennifer looked at Jasper. He could see in that one brief moment that she was well aware he’d overheard her conversation with the girls.

‘I’ll get dinner started,’ he said.

‘Need any help?’

‘No. Stay and make sure these two mischief-makers…’ He pointed to each child in turn causing them to giggle ‘…don’t make a mess.’ He gave them each a stern look before pulling a face and making them giggle once more. ‘Be good for Jennifer.’

‘Yes, Daddy,’ they replied in that perfect unison Jennifer was now getting used to. After he’d left, she took off her jumper so she didn’t get her sleeves wet and knelt down, reaching for a bath toy. Between herself and the girls they managed to make up a pretty good story, with the toys, Mr Turtle and Betsy, who was an overly large bath doll, deciding to get married. The bath book was the minister and the two plastic mermaids were the flower girls. Fifteen minutes later Jennifer looked up, surprised to see Jasper lounging in the doorway.

‘How long have you been there?’

‘Not long,’ he answered, a large grin on his face. ‘Betsy marrying Mr Turtle again?’

‘Yes.’

‘Third time this week.’

Jennifer stood and wiped her hands. ‘You’ll be very pleased to know that the flower girls walked carefully and slowly down the aisle.’

‘Did they, now?’ He’d seen Sara and Jennifer take the girls through their paces at the barbecue and had been very pleased with the more suitable pace. So had Megan.

‘Is it time to get out, Daddy? I’m getting all wrinkly.’

‘Yes, buttercup. Dinner’s almost ready.’ Between the two of them they managed to get the girls out, dry and dressed in their matching pink nighties in record time, and soon they were all sitting at the kitchen bench, eating chicken schnitzel and vegetables. Jennifer was impressed at how well both girls ate, not quibbling about eating the food put in front of them. Afterwards, she ended up checking two sets of teeth and reading three bedtime stories. When she’d finished, Lilly beckoned her close and put both arms around her neck, giving her a big squeezy-hug before kissing her cheek.

Lola had her turn, giving Jennifer two kisses. ‘We like you.’ She yawned as Jasper came in to kiss them and turn on their nightlight, knowing they’d be asleep within moments.

‘Can I help you with the dishes?’ Jennifer asked as they headed out of the girls’ bedroom.

‘They’re all done and I’m just brewing a pot of tea. Join me?’

‘Sure.’ She put her jumper back on as he took her into the lounge room. He’d straightened up the cushions and done a general tidy-up since they’d first returned.

‘You’ve been busy.’

‘I’ve had time. It’s amazing. I was almost on the point of getting bored.’

Jennifer smiled as she sat down on the comfortable lounge, Jasper coming to sit next to her after placing the tea things down on the table. He reached for the teapot and poured them both a cup. ‘I guess you’re used to doing everything by yourself.’