CHAPTER TEN
Marie Lucas returned to the house about 3 months later, I was 7 months gone by then. Things were a bit awkward but we moved on just fine, the boys were home too, I missed those tiny monsters. They were so excited that it won’t be just them anymore.
I broke off all communication with Ashley, she honestly had no right to do what she did. She’s convinced she did the right thing and that’s what pisses me off.
I just set the table for lunch and rang the bell to signal the boys, their feet thundered down the stairs as they came down, almost pushing me down in their hurry to get to their food.
"Sorry, mommy!!!"
They took their places at the table and as I was about to join them, the door opened and Lucas stepped through. I was so shocked at first and then scared. Something must have happened for Luke to be home this early. I mean, the clock read 2:45 pm.
“Luke, you’re back early...”
“Yeah, I know. Just wanted to spend time with you guys today. Hope you don’t mind?”
He shrugged off his jacket and placed it over the back of a couch to join his suitcase.
“Of course I don’t mind, why would I?”
“Relax Marie, that was a rhetorical question.”
The kids came out of the dining room and upon seeing their dad, lit up like the fourth of July. They ran to him and somehow two 8-year-olds managed to bring a 43-year-old fit and agile man to the floor and barraged him with questions.
“You came home early daddy.”
“How was work?”
“Are you tired?”
"Are you hungry?"
“Do you want to eat lunch with us?”
“Do you want to play trucks with us?”
“Did you miss us?”
“Okay kids, that’s enough. You can have your lunch in the living room if you promise to behave.”
They nodded their head vehemently. I gave them the go-ahead and they took off like NASA rockets. After helping Lucas stand and to the dining room, I closed the door and sat on the chair next to him.
“What’s wrong Luke?”
“Hmmm?”
“I said what’s the problem? It's not like you to come home so early and worry is written all over your face.”
Lucas placed his head on the dining table and took deep breaths before raising it back up.
“Honey, I honestly don’t know how you’re going to take this...”
“What is it?”
"A hospital called me concerning Jana. Turns out she put me as her emergency contact...she went into labor and she didn’t exactly make it. She’s in a coma.”
I was stunned for a moment, this was about Jana. Well, she was still alive so I couldn't feel any sort of compassion for her. Not after what she did to my family and me.
“Okay. So how does this bother you, it's not like the child is yours."
“Before she went under she made a request that I take care of her child if she doesn’t make it.”
What now?!
The nerve of that bitch, she tried to tear my family apart with a child whom she can’t tell who the father is. But then again, I know it's not wise that I take out punishment on an innocent child.
“What do you want to do?”
“I don’t know...a part of me wants to do as she had said. I know that kid would be better off with us than in any foster home in the country.”
“Then I think we should do it.”
Lucas’ head snapped up and his eyes bored into mine.
“Are you sure about this?”
I nodded my head and smiled.
I wanted to do this. I knew I could do this.
...............................................................................................
We adopted the baby but Jana wasn’t so lucky, she gave up the ghost.
I heard her cry through the baby monitor, I just fed that kid an hour ago. I tried to get up but my 9-month bump won't even let me make any movements without help.
“Lucas!!!”
Lucas appeared at the door in a couple of seconds.
“What?”
“Shania is crying again. Could you please get her?”
“Sure.”
We had given her her mother’s name, but I refused to call her Jana. We named her Shania Jana Summers Johnson. We didn’t want to erase the memory of her mother, everyone should be remembered.
Lucas came in and sat beside me, settling Shania in his arms and placing the nipple of the bottle in her mouth. I watched him feed her and then realized we're expecting another tiny one just like that very soon.
When Lucas was done feeding her, he called in the nanny we employed who also happened to be Claudia, Jana’s friend. We watched her take Shania away and we sat in companionable silence.
“Marie?”
“Yeah...”
“Did you just pee on yourself?”
“What?”
I looked down and sure enough, I was wet.
“Lucas, the baby is coming...”
And just as I said that the contractions started and boy did it hurt like a bitch. Lucas ran around the house like a headless chicken before getting the bag. He put his hand under my hands to support me, and we made our way down.
“Claudia, please watch the kids. The baby is coming!!!”
Claudia appeared at the doorway nodding vigorously.
“Good luck!!!”
Boy, did I need it!
...............................................................................................
"We're almost there Mrs. Johnson. Just one more"
I gathered all the strength in me and pushed and was rewarded with the sweet cries of a baby. My body collapsed on the bed as I tried to catch my breath.
“And we’ve got a healthy baby girl...with a healthy set of lungs on her.”
Everyone laughed at the joke as my girl was brought over to me. She was so small and so beautiful, I handed her over to Luke and I saw tears in his eyes as he held her. It was a beautiful moment.
"Mrs. Johnson, I see another head. You have just a few minutes!"
“What?!”
Twins, again?!
Okay then, bring it on!!!