Something to Believe in

PART 57 - NC-17

Returning to her desk, Calistia tried to concentrate on the task Max had set her.  Punching in figures into a spreadsheet wasn’t exactly the hardest task in the world ….. so why the heck did she keep getting it wrong?  In the last twenty minutes she’d just completed and had to redo it, all because of the mistakes in inputting.  Geez her mind wasn’t on the task.

And why?  Oh the reason why her brain felt spaced out was easy.  She was scared as hell at that moment.  Busily worrying her bottom lip in a nervous stance, Cali tried to forget about her worries and concentrate on the task at hand.  That was a feat not easily done though.

Just when she found herself fully concentrated, her subconscious would flash a warning, and her stomach would lurch, reminding her of the potential predicament she found herself in.  This was not good.

Puffing out a deep sigh, Cali stared at the computer screen and watched the numbers merge into one.  No!  She was not going to cry, she was going to stay in control.  She couldn’t, wouldn’t let Max know something was wrong.  He’d ask her loads of questions she wasn’t ready to answer, questions she didn’t truthfully know the answer to at that moment.  Thoughts of telling Jesse jumped into her head.  Would he be kind and caring?  Or would he tell her she was on her own, turn his back and walk away.  Then she’d be alone, very alone.  No, not telling them was the best policy, Cali thought silently.  But oh how she wanted to talk to someone.

“Cali?  You ok?”  Max queried, coming out of his office and watching his sister in law stare into space.  The teary look in her eyes wasn’t lost on him either, despite her quick attempts to blink and remove the evidence.

“What?  Oh I’m fine.”  Cali quickly replied, trying to sound composed.

“You sure?  You don’t look too well.”
”Yeah, I guess I am feeling a little under the weather.”

“Then go home.  Things are pretty quiet here right now and if you’re not feeling well you shouldn’t be worrying about work.”

Thoughts of sitting at home in an empty house didn’t exactly fill her with joy.  There would be far too much time to sit around and think about things.  Analyse and question whether her suspicions were right.  Then again, maybe she could find out for sure, rather than just speculate and pray.

“Ok, thanks Max.  If you’re sure?”

“Yes go, do you want me to give you a lift?”

“No, I think the fresh air might do me good.”  Cali replied, reaching for her jacket before slipping it on.

“Ok.”  Max said, watching her switch off her computer and collect her things before disappearing out of the glass doors to their office.

Turning on his heal and heading back into his office, Max wondered what was wrong with his wife’s sister.  Cali wasn’t normally known for her quietness, and certainly not for having difficulties with simple tasks set at work.  Since the first few weeks of joining him, she’d quickly bucked up her ideas where physical work was concerned.  Max certainly couldn’t fault her work rate and accuracy.  So maybe she was sick, a virus or bug or something.  Making a mental note to talk to Liz that night, Max set about answering the office phone that had started to ring incessantly.

Clutching the small brown paper bag in her hand, Cali pushed her keys in to the lock before turning it and opening the front door.  On first inspection the house was quiet as she stepped into the large hall.  Just as she’d expected it to be, Max and Liz were both at work, and Rebecca safely at school.  That would give her plenty of time to do what she needed to do and face the consequences.  The last thing she needed was an audience to question what was wrong.

“Cali?”  A voice called from the kitchen.

“Liz?”  Damn!, she was supposed to be at work!

“Yeah, I’m in here.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”  Cali asked bluntly, watching Liz remove a baking tray filed with chocolate chip cookies and place them on a wire rack to cool.

“I could ask the same of you.”  Her sister shot back in a softer tone.

“I’m not feeling too great, so Max sent me home.  What about you?”

“It was quiet so I decided to take the afternoon off work.  Had a hankering for cookies!”  Liz grinned, snatching one up and breaking it in half.  Watching the stringy melted chocolate drip down her finger, Liz took a bite before savouring the freshly baked taste.  “Mmm, they’re good, want one?”

“Err, no thanks.”  Cali replied, a hand falling to her stomach.  Just the thought of food made it churn. 

Was that a nervous reaction?  Or perhaps another sign that maybe, possibly she was ………..  No!  She wouldn’t voice the words, even in her head.  But watching Liz, her stomach starting to show major signs of pregnancy now, was almost too much.  Her sister was so happy, married to Max and excitedly awaiting the birth of their child.  Their circumstances so different, yet could they be connected with a common link?  Could she really be ………..?

“Cali?  You sure you’re ok?  You look as white as a sheet.  Here, come on, let’s go sit down in the living room.”  Liz said, placing two hands on her sister’s shoulders and directing the younger girl to where she could sit down.  Dropping her bags to the floor, Cali took in a deep breath before the inevitable tears started to cascade down her face.

“Oh Cali!  What is it?”  Liz asked softly, but got no reaction except for the gentle sobs.  Wrapping her arms around her sister, Liz pulled Cali close and tried to soothe her tears.  Calistia wasn’t an emotional person normally, wasn’t someone who let others know what she was feeling usually.  But whatever was troubling her sister, Liz thought, was clearly serious.

It took several minutes and a glass of ice-cold water before Cali finally felt composed enough to speak.  Maybe it was for the best to share her burden with someone.  Ok so Liz would most likely judge her, tell her [I]I told you so[/I], but ultimately she was still her sister.  Surely Liz wouldn’t shun her?

“What is it Cali?  What’s troubling you?”  Liz pushed gently, wanting to get to the bottom of it.

“I’m ….. I’m scared Liz.”

“About what?”

“I’m …… I’m late.”

“Late?  For what?”  Liz queried, before realisation dawned on her.  “Oh!  Late, I understand.  How late?”

“A few days, nearly a week.”
”Well that’s not that long Cali, maybe it’s just a false alarm.  Or have you any reason to think you might be.  I mean you are careful aren’t you?”

Her sister’s averted eyes and hung head was the only answer Liz needed.  Shouting and screaming at her would do no good, the deed was done.  But Cali knew better than that, did she really want to be saddled with a child at her age?  Surely she knew all about taking precautions and being careful, she was nearly eighteen for goodness sake.  Ok so their parents weren’t always busting at the seams to discuss sex education, but Liz had at least been forced to hear the basics of using precautions.  Not that it had done a great deal of good in her case.  But surely her parents had done the same to Calistia ….. hadn’t they?

“Oh Cali.”  Liz sighed.  “Please tell me you were careful, please tell me you didn’t take risks …. You’re seventeen for goodness sake.  That’s plenty old enough to take responsibility and be an adult.”

“Look ok I know I made a mistake.  It was just once Liz, about two weeks ago.  We weren’t prepared and just kinda got carried away with the moment.  You know how it is, heat of the moment, sometimes being careful isn’t at the forefront of thinking.”

Hell yes she could relate to that, and she hadn’t even got away with just a scare.  Thinking back, Liz thought about what she and Kyle had gone through the time she had fallen pregnant, not much older than Cali while at University.  Ok so they’d been careful, but still got stung, but in the end paid the price, physically and emotionally.  Did she really have the right to judge or lecture her sister for ending up in the same predicament?

”Have you talked to Jesse about this?  I mean it is Jesse you were sleeping with right?  This is his child you could be carrying?”
”Yeah it’s Jesse, but I haven’t said anything to him.  He did worry afterwards for a while, you know, concerned for me.  But I said it would be ok, that I wouldn’t get pregnant.  And I really thought I wouldn’t, I mean it was only one time Liz, just once.  Surely I couldn’t be pregnant?”
”That’s all it takes sis, you know that.”  Liz replied.  “So I think you should take a test to know for sure.  Then you’ll be able to decide what you want to do before talking to Jesse.”
”I’m scared.”  Cali said in a small voice.

“I know, but this is important Cali, you need to know for sure so you can choose your options.  You’re so young, but you can’t run away from this.  You’re an adult now, sleeping with Jesse has forced you into that.  And now you have to face the consequences, good or bad.  Have you got a test yet?”

“Yeah, here.”  Cali reached down to pick up the brown bag from by her feet.

“Right, go on then.  I’ll wait here for you.”  Liz instructed, her sister reluctantly rising to her feet.  “And don’t worry.  Whatever happens we’ll work it out sis.”

“Thank you Liz.”  Cali whispered before disappearing upstairs.

Sinking back into the sofa, Liz rubbed her eyes and drew in a deep breath.  Oh what a mess.  How would she face her mother and father if Calistia did turn out to be pregnant?  They’d sent Cali to her to stop her wayward ways, and to an extent she had.  But this would be the ultimate icing on the cake so to speak. 

Dropping a hand to her stomach, Liz thought about the tiny baby growing inside her.  At nearly four months, she was starting to show now, much to her pleasure.  She loved watching the changes in her body, the slight bulge indicating what she was carrying.  A baby she’d struggled so hard to have, been through so much turmoil and tears.  Yet here was Cali, faced with the potentially same prospect after just one slip up.  Oh how life could be very cruel indeed.  But then Liz knew that, and her thoughts returned to when she and Kyle had faced the same problem, waiting for the results of a test as they held hands and willed it to be negative.  It hadn’t worked then, would praying work now?

A few minutes later Calistia returned, eyes still red from crying, carrying the white stick that held her fate.  Placing it gently down on the coffee table, she sat down and faced Liz.

“Liz look I know I should have been careful …….”

“Let’s save any lecture until after we know the results ok?”  Liz said rather sternly.  Geez, why did she feel like Cali’s mother right then?

The next few minutes were torture for both of them.  Barely breathing, not saying a word and hardly moving as if any change would influence the outcome of the test.  Liz tried to put herself in her sister’s position, finding out at 17 that were going to become a mother.  Just the though sent a shiver down her spine.  It was hard enough being older and with a loving husband, but Cali was barely a child.

“It’s time.”  Liz said softly, glancing at the clock.

“I can’t look.”  Cali said, squeezing her eyes shut.

“Ok, I will.”  Liz said defiantly.  Reaching out for the white stick, Liz glanced at the results for speaking.  ”It’s blue Cali.”

“Blue?”  Her eyes shot open and Cali said bolt upright.  “I’m not pregnant?”

“No.”  Liz said with a relieving sigh.

Tears cascaded down Cali’s cheeks once more, but this time they weren’t tears of despair, instead tears of happiness.  Wrapping her arms around her sister once more, Liz hugged Cali, as relieved as her sister was that the test had turned out negative.

“Look Cali, you know I’m really happy that the test wasn’t positive and you’re not pregnant, but …..”

“Liz please, no lecture.”  Cali said, standing up.  Now that she knew the test result, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders.  Definitely time to celebrate.

“No way Cali, you owe me a few minutes.”  Liz said sternly, grasping her arm to halt her sister’s movements.  “Now I know you don’t want me to so called lecture you, but what you did was wrong Cali.  Geez you’re seventeen for gods sake, do you really want to be saddled with a child?”

“No, of course not.  That’s why I’m pleased I’m not.”  Cali shot back.

“Are you going to tell Jesse?”

“What’s the point, there’s nothing to tell him.  It was just a scare Liz.”
”But he deserves to know Cali, deserves to know what worry you’ve been put through.  Maybe then he’ll think twice about taking risks and not using precautions.”

“Whatever.”  Cali brushed off.

“You do what you choose Cali.  But do me a favour and learn from this mistake please?  You got lucky this time; you slipped up once but don’t have to pay the price for it.  If you keep playing with fire though, one day you’re gonna get burnt.  And I won’t be able to bail you out, no matter how much you want me to.”
”I never asked you to Liz.”

“No, but you know I’m always here for you.  We haven’t been the closest of sisters Cali, but I’ll always be your friend.  Just promise me, promise me you’ll be careful from now on.  No more risks, ok?”

“Fine, whatever.”  Cali replied before sauntering out of the room.

Another heavy sigh, Liz sat back down on the table and stared at the pregnancy test.  Cali had been lucky this time, but would she learn from it?  Would do her utmost to make sure it didn’t happen again?  However much she wished the answer could be yes, Liz wasn’t sure how much this episode had actually sunk into Cali now she was off the hook.

Watching the froth of strawberry bubbles rise up, Max paused before turning of the large silver faucet to stem the water flow into the bath.  The heady aroma of strawberry and peach, mixed with the folds of billowing steam from the hot water filled the large bathroom.  Making sure two clean towels were laid out ready for them, Max turned to chivvy Liz along.

It had been obvious from the moment he had stepped into the house from the office that Liz was itching to tell him something.  The looks exchanged between Liz and Calistia had been brief throughout dinner, but the undercurrent of something big simmering under the glances.  Liz seemed happy enough, but something had obvious happened between the sisters.  The way Cali was eager to disappear once dinner had been consumed wasn’t overly out of the ordinary, she often had a hectic social life.  But Liz’s warning and flashed stern eyes to [I]be careful[/I] hadn’t been lost one bit on Max.

And what better way to encourage Liz to spill the beans than in their Jacuzzi surrounded by bubbles and sparking wine.  Ok, so Liz’s glass was three parts lemonade with a dash of wine, but it was the thought that counted.

“Hey you.”  Liz smiled; sprawled out on the bed with eyes looking up over the brim of the book she’d been engrossed in just moments before.  How was it that she could go from being so occupied one moment, to forgetting what she’d read in a space of seconds?  All because Max had entered the room.

“Hey, time to put the book down and give some of your attention to your husband.”  Max said, gently prising the book from her hands and placing in face down on the bedside table.

“Is that right?”  Liz queried in mock innocence.

“Yeah, and just to show what a wonderful husband you have, I’ve run the bath all ready for us.”

“Really?”  Liz replied with raised eyebrows.

“Yeap.  I take it Becky is all tucked up in bed?”

“Shouldn’t stir till morning.”

“Then what are we waiting for?  The water will get cold.”  Max said, holding his hand out to help Liz up from the bed.

Entering the bathroom, Liz discarded her clothes, with Max quickly following suit.  Climbing into the large tub first, Max held his hand out to help Liz in, before they both slowly sunk into the hot water and strawberry bubbles.

Laying her head back against Max’s chest, she took a quick sip of her drink before letting out a contented sigh.  His hands seemed to be working their exquisite magic as his fingers made light work kneading away the knots of tension in her shoulders.  Rolling her neck slightly, she subconsciously encouraged his fingers towards a needy spot.

“So, what’s going on with you and Cali?”  He asked softly against her ear.

“Oh, well she kinda had a scare today.”  Liz replied dreamily, her eyes closed.

“Scare?”

“Yeah, she thought she was pregnant.”
”Pregnant?”  Max spluttered.  “Wow, I guess that explains why she was preoccupied at work today.”
”Yeah well she got lucky, like I said it was just a scare.”
”But you don’t think it’ll jolt her into being responsible?”
”Who knows Max, who knows.”  Liz mused.  “Hell you know my sister, she’s always up for shock value!” 

“Oh yeah!  Do you want me to have a talk with Jesse?”  Max asked, hoping to elevate some of Liz’s fears.

“Yeah, that might help.  Only don’t tell him details, I don’t even know if Cali is going to tell him about this.”
”Ok, I’ll be discrete.  I’ll talk to him tomorrow.”  Max promised.  “Now, time for us!”

Gently helping her to turn in his arms, Max grinned up at his wife before lifting his head and brushing her lips.  Wrapping her arms around his neck, Liz sighed into the embrace before deepening the kiss.  Sweeping her tongue along Max’s bottom lip and grazing against his lower teeth before delving in to explore the dark caverns of his mouth.

Wrapping his arms around her waist, Max pulled Liz as close to him as he could, before breaking the kiss and blazing a trail of kisses down her neck, across her shoulders and down further until he found her bare breast.

Running her fingers through his steam damp hair, Liz kissed the top of his head, all the while rocking her lower body against his.  In a couple of months she’d be too big for loving in the bath, Liz thought silently.  Definitely time to make the most of it!

Prising his lips from her body, Liz guided Max’s mouth to hers once again as he took charge of the kiss.  Spreading her fingers across his chest Liz dragged her neatly manicured nails down his chest, stopping just below his belly button before heading up once more.  The throaty groan omitted by Max as Liz danced her nails down once more reverberated around the room.

Scooping up fistfuls of damp hair, Max angled Liz’s head slight so he could deepen the already passionate kiss.  Her hands roamed over his body as they embraced, touching, caressing and stroking down his torso before she reaching her goal.  Feeling her hands sink under the warm water before encasing his heat had Max biting back a curse.  My was she in a hurry tonight!  Sane thoughts quickly evaporated into the steam of the room as the fire in his stomach doubled and then tripled with each touch, each stroke of her sculpted hands. 

In a bid to deflect some of the attention from him, either that or there would be an all too soon untimely end to their fun, Max ran his hands along Liz’s sides.  Brushing the sides of her breasts before slipping to the curve of her waist and over her hips to her thighs.  Slipping his fingers across he moved tantalisingly across her legs and up past her stomach once more.  Just when the look in her eyes indicated she might die if he didn’t do what her body demanded, he finally brushed his fingers against the damp curls between her thighs.

“Max.”  She sighed as the pads of his fingers brushed over her sensitive heat.  Needing more, urging him further, Liz rocked her hips into his touch, silently pleading.  “Please.”

“What do you want babe?”  He queried huskily, deliberately keeping his touch just skimming over her. 

“You.”  She groaned back.  “I want you.”

“Then you can have me.” 

Finally receiving what her body craved, she felt his touch strengthen, probe and caress her in just the right way to heighten the already bright flames in her stomach.  Over and over, with each stroke, Liz felt the coil inside her tighten like a spring ready to break free.  Higher and higher his exquisite touch took her until just before Liz felt sure she would free fall into oblivion.  And then Max stopped.  Damn how was it he knew her body so well?  To taunt and tease to the very brink and then pull back?

With a smug smile on his face, Max pulled Liz close once more before descending on her moisture damp lips.  His lips plundered hers, his tongue taking her mouth mimicking what he would do to her body in just moments.

Finally breaking contact, Max placed a hand either side of Liz’s hips.  Dropping her own hands to his chest to keep her balance, Liz’s hair fell across her face in damp clumps, steam and water from the bath coating her body.  Rising up with Max’s guidance, she slowly sunk back down, filling them, joining them as one as she encouraged him deeper inside her velvet body.

Slowly, gently she started the rocking rhythm, taunting and teasing Max with the power she had over him at that moment.  His hands tried to encourage a faster pace, but Liz held fast.  Now it was her turn to tease! 

 Hands sculpting and caressing his chest, Liz bent to kiss Max once more, all the while continuing the torturously slow pace.  When she relinquished his lips she saw into his black, tempestuous eyes and she could feel the air in her lungs quickly expiring.  Knowing it was time to end the torture, Liz slowly upped the pace, this time allowing Max’s strong hands framing her hips to help.

Over and over they continued, matching each other stroke for stroke before finally, they came together in a flash of white light and a surge of emotion.  Slipping over the edge, they rode wave after wave of immeasurable feelings together before slowly, reluctantly coming back down to earth, dizzily spent.

Collapsing against his chest, Liz was silently grateful Max’s upper body was out of the water.  For she felt sure if she had rested her head against him while consumed with the water she’d drown, not having the energy to move.  Dragging in a long, deep breath, Max slowly ran his fingers up and down Liz’s back, tracing her spinal column as he felt her slowly return her breathing to normal.

Gently kissing the top of her head as she dozed against him, Max couldn’t stop the smile.  Oh how he loved his perfect wife, more than anything else in the world. 

And when they eventually got out of the tub and into their waiting bed, he fully intended to show her once more the immense love he felt for his petit brown haired angel!

PART 58

Stepping out from the kitchen, Jim loitered in the doorway of the expansive and comfortable living room.  He stood there, leaning gently against the doorjamb and just watched.  Surveyed all that was happening in his vast house and the warmth it generated inside him.

For so long the house had lain practically empty, quiet and almost desolate.  With Kyle around it had been the perfect haven, filled with the fun and laughter of his friends, but also giving solitude and space for the two of them to live together without too many father/son spats.

But then, with Kyle’s passing, although Jim had kept the house and its up keep going, his heart hadn’t been in it.  No longer had the brightly lit rooms, colourful decor and sunny tended garden make his heart fill with warmth.  For many a time he’d considered selling up and moving to a place that held less memories and fewer ghosts, not just of Kyle but also his ex wife Michelle.  The house had been her choice, her idea of a status symbol rather than a family home.  But after Michelle had abandoned their son and her husband, Jim had worked tirelessly to make the place as cosy and homely as possible.  Yet still, the thought of moving on to start afresh had crossed his mind on many a lonely night.

But now, surveying moments like these, Jim Valenti was grateful he hadn’t sold the place he’d come to love.  Old memories would always be remembered with fondness and a tinge of sadness, but it was times like these that he realised there were new memories created every day to dull the pain of the old.

It was three days before Christmas Eve and his place was a happy haven for the children he classed as family.  There was something magical about watching children play under the glow of twinkling Christmas tree lights and the soft flicker of a wooded fire.

At a year and a half, Mackenzie was a fast paced crawler, gunning for anything left loitering on the floor.  The pile of presents clustered around his feet held little appeal as the little boy placed a chubby hand on the solid chestnut coffee table and hoisted himself eagerly into a standing position.  Stretching out sticky fingers he reached towards the long crystal stemmed glass that held sparking white wine.

He should have been concerned, Jim reasoned, at watching Mac go for the glass.  By rights he knew if the little one took hold of the dainty crystal it would most likely end up tumbling towards the floor in a shatter.  Yet the breakage of a prized flute glass was worth it for having the laughter fill his house once more.  Oh how that little boy reminded him so much of Kyle at that age.  So inquisitive and eager to learn to walk and thus experience the independence he craved.

Sitting at one end of the forest green sofa was Alex, daughter cradled protectively in his arms.  A smile crossed Jim’s rugged face as he though of the changed that had gone through Alex since Amber’s birth.  The smile of happiness was plastered constantly across his face, the joy and sparkle in his eyes each time the little tot’s name was mentioned.  Oh how he remembered that pride and paternal love for a small being he’d helped create.

And how adorably sweet that little girl was.  From Amber’s big wide blue eyes, to her delicate splay of blond locks to her baby soft skin.  She was sure going to be a stunner when she grew up, Jim mused, since she’d already stolen the hearts of all the men in her life without even a bat of her baby lashes.

But the little girl who had truly stolen his heart though sat crossed legged on the floor, flanked either side by Liz and Isabelle.  Between them they were busy conquering a few hundred piece jigsaw puzzle of some brightly coloured Disney character whose name Jim couldn’t quite remember.  Rebecca’s teeth were gnawing incessantly on her bottom lip, worrying it and mirroring an action he remembered Liz used to do when he had first met her.  Back when she had dated Kyle.

A chill ran down his spine as he thought about how close Max and Liz had come to loosing their precious little girl.  But it hadn’t happened, he reminded himself sternly, the judge had backed them.  And now they had officially adopted the Rebecca for good.  No one would ever take her away from them again.

Watching Liz slowly rise to her feet, he took in her lazy stretch.  He wasn’t the only one watching the petit brunette either, he quickly mused as he glanced around.  Max’s eyes were firmly watching her with delight, glee and pride as he held one ear on the conversation with Michael about the latest ball game the night before.  It didn’t take a genius to know that Max’s undivided attention was, however, on Liz.

Pregnancy definitely agreed with Liz Evans, Jim thought silently.  Despite occasional bouts of sickness and fatigue, she’d had a relatively easy previous eight months on the pregnancy front.  Despite her advancement in months, from the back she looked no different, it wasn’t until she turned and her stomach came into view you could tell she was expecting.  And she definitely radiated happiness at the impending birth.  Max too was obviously anxiously waiting until their child was born, as he held out a hand to encourage Liz into his arms.  Jim watched her go with ease, and couldn’t stop the wash of happiness it gave him. 

Despite everything Liz had gone through with Kyle, despite how much she had cared for him, what Max and Liz shared was true love in the purest sense.  He silently wondered if Kyle had been still around would he have really stood a chance in stopping Liz from unconsciously radiating towards Max Evans?  Somehow he doubted it.  Heck if he’d believed in soulmates these two were classic examples!

The roaring open fire and twinkling white fairy lights added further to the magic of the evening.  They’d had a traditional turkey dinner and after opening presents they’d all settled for an evening of relaxation and entertainment for the children.  Just having so many people in his house on such a family time was special.  He was no longer alone in the world any more.

Much of that was to do with the lady sitting only a few feet away from him chattering to her daughter.  Amy DeLuca had not only brightened his life, she’d stomped right in and turned it upside down.  Not that he was complaining of course!

He’d long since given up on love after Michelle had left him when looking after a young boy had become too much of a chore.  A string of beautiful women were always around to accompany him to various functions and events, but they were little more than beauty charms on his arm to look good.  None of them had anything Jim really looked for in a woman.  Most were typically pretty airhead types who rarely thought for themselves.  Amy, on the other hand, had proved she could do anything she wanted with little or no help from anyone.  The way she had successfully single-handedly reared Maria was proof enough.

Even now he couldn’t put his finger on exactly what he was attracted to with her.  Oh she was pretty, certainly, but was it the sparkling green eyes, or her cute smile, or that short pixie style hair cut that made her look years younger than she really was.  Or perhaps it was her stunning independence that won him round.  Whatever it was, Jim knew he was caught, hook, line and sinker in love with Amy DeLuca.

And he planned to marry her, not long after Christmas.  They’d discussed it many times since the engagement, it was time to push forward he thought.  And then they could go back to tackling the other subject that had cropped up over the previous few months between them.  It was a subject Amy had brought up each time, silently trying to obtain his views.  A subject that had stemmed ever since Amber’s birth, Jim suddenly thought.

“Surveying your domain Boss?”  Liz queried softly, as she drew up beside him in the doorway.

“Something like that.”  Jim replied somewhat wistfully.

“They won’t all disappear if you look away you know.”  Liz said gently, placing a hand on Jim’s arm to reassure him.

Glancing around the room at the activity one more time, Jim finally turned to look at Liz.  Her dark brown eyes stared up at his face, full of inquisition and just a touch of concern.  She wasn’t used to him becoming reminiscent, clearly such activities worried her.  Placing a hand over the top of hers on his upper arm, Jim flashed a reassuring smile her way at he patted her wrist gently.

“I know that, thanks Liz.  I’m just wondering where along the way of life I deserved all this.”  Jim said, gesturing around the room with his hand. 

“I’m not sure I follow.”

“All I ever wanted in life, from my marriage, from my son, was a house full of activity and happiness.  I never really got it from any of those sources, except life, and yet it has decided to descend now.  Why?  I’d given up hope on my dreams of a happy family and friends to surround me, I guess that’s why Amber Inn is so successful.  I’ve had nothing else to occupy my time after Kyle.”  Jim mused.  “But now ….. now I have all this.  All these people and beautiful, amazing children.  Makes me wonder why I let life pass me by for so long after Michelle and I parted.  Why I didn’t just find someone else to make me happy and move on.”

“You were just waiting for the right woman to come along I think.”  Liz replied wisely.

“Yeah, perhaps you’re right.  Amy is amazing that’s for sure.”  His face lit up as he looked towards his fiancée.  “Maybe this is my second chance at a family then.  I always thought Kyle would be my only child …… but I guess who knows.” 

“Are you and Amy thinking of trying for a family?”  Liz queried, studying her boss’s face and for the first time noticing the worry lines that had used to be such a permanent feature, had completely disappeared.  Instead his eyes were full of life and love, the years practically fallen away as if a huge weight had been lifted from his broad shoulders.

“Well you know maybe just thinking about it.”  He responded.  “I mean I’m not getting any younger and there’s no guarantees we even could or anything.  But we have talked about it and I guess who knows.”

“You’d both make great parents Jim.  Kyle would be so proud to see you finally happy again and considering such things.  He would have wanted you to find solace with someone you love.”

“You know I think you might actually be right.  He always did badger me to move on and find someone, I guess it just took me a little more time than he imagined it would.”

Wrapping an arm around the older man’s neck, Liz hugged Jim, sensing he needed some reassurance at that moment.  Enveloping Liz in a returned embrace, Jim felt the comfort in her words and actions.  Liz’s approval was almost as good as a confirmation from Kyle, she was like a daughter to him, and that was just what he needed. 

The debate as to whether he was too old to start a new family with Amy still raged in his head though.  He loved her dearly, and she’d made no secret on the fact she’d always wanted another child or two after Maria, but had never met the right man.  Could he really go back to midnight feeds and nappy changing again?  Would he really have the stamina to run around after an active toddler at his age?  A rueful smile crossed his face as he watched Michael jump up to sweep Mackenzie off his feet and stop him climbing on to the TV cabinet to get the china cat ornament that stood on top.  Age had nothing to do with it, he suddenly deduced.  No matter who you were or how old you were, keeping hold of an active child was an immense task!

The tiny fluttering feeling between them made Jim release his hug on Liz and pull away slightly.  Query crossed his face, he hadn’t imagined that little ‘kick’ had he?  Was that really ……. really her child he had felt?

“Was that …….?”
“Yeap, junior is getting active again.  He doesn’t like it if I confine him to a small space for too long.”  Liz grinned.  Whether it was indeed a he or she growing inside her, Liz didn’t know.  And, to be honest, didn’t really mind one way or the other.  She loved Rebecca dearly, loved buying new pretty clothes and doing her shiny brown hair in fancy braid styles that the little girl adored.   Yet a son would be very special too.  A little boy who’d look just like Max, of that Liz was sure.  Someone for Max to teach to play baseball or fishing.  An ally, and someone to carry on the legacy of the business Max had built, if he wanted to of course.

“Wow, that was really him kicking?” 

“Yeah.”  Liz responded, watching the awe on Jim’s face.  It was almost the same as how Max looked when he experienced it.  The awe-struck eyes, the goofy grin and the need to experience it again and again.

“Can I ….. can I?”  Jim stumbled, his hand hovering around Liz’s protruding middle.

“Sure.”  She smiled, taking his large hand and placing it to the right of her bump.  As if on queue, junior gave a hearty kick once more, making sure no one forgot he was around and after attention.

“Wow Liz, that’s …. Amazing.  Doesn’t it hurt?”
“No not really, unless he manages to get his heal right in my ribcage, but that only normally takes my breath away a bit.  It’s kind of comforting though, I like it.”

“You know, I’d forgotten how amazing it is.  How it feels to share the experience …. It’s been such a long time.”
“Well you’ve got the opportunity to experience it again with Amy if you want to.  Otherwise enjoy the fun of being an honouree grandfather to our growing and ever extending family.”

“Everything ok?”  Max queried, slipping into protective mode as he had for the previous few months.  Worrying about Liz and their unborn baby seemed to be his favourite pastime of late, not that Liz had ever given him really reason for concern.  Yet no matter how many times she’d tried to alleviate his concerns, Max had gone right on worrying.  It was as if it was in his genes to worry about anyone and everyone.  Maybe in a past life he’d been a leader, or a king or something, Liz had thought more than once.

“Fine.”  Liz smiled.

“Oh, erm I was just ……”  Jim stumbled, feeling like a teenager after being caught with his hand touching Liz’s stomach and experiencing the amazing flutters of life.  With a quick snatch he removed his hand and stuffed it into his jeans pocket. 

Feeling growing life was certainly amazing, he couldn’t help but wonder how it would feel to see Amy pregnant and feel his own child kicking gustily.  He hadn’t been involved much when Michelle had been pregnant with Kyle, and she hadn’t enjoyed it, which meant he’d missed out on many magical experiences before Kyle had been born.  Only now was he realising this, and wondering if he could have a second chance to experience everything he’d missed.

“Amazing isn’t it?”  Max grinned, wrapping his arms around Liz’s middle and waiting for junior to say hi too.  Max wasn’t disappointed either, a few moments late he was rewarded with a couple of hefty kicks of greeting.  “I think feeling him kick is something I’ll never tire of.”

“Yeah, it’s something special alright.”  Jim replied with a smile, grateful to see Max hadn’t taken offence to his hand on Liz’s stomach.

“You ok Liz?  No back ache, or pain or anything?”  Max queried, his hand instinctively slipping to her lower back to massage it gently. 

It was one of his best traits, Liz had decided over the past few months.  Max’s ability to massage and rub her back when it ached was a godsend.  And just how did he know exactly when it ached, and where the spot was?

“Mmm, a little.”  She replied, her eyes drooping slightly under the touch of his fingers.  My that felt good, she thought silently.

“I think we should take you home soon.  You’re looking tired and a lie down would do you good.”  Max finally said.

“No I’m fine really, I guess sitting on the floor doesn’t do me much good right now.”

“Liz …..”

“Please Max, we’re all having such a good time.  And Rebecca is doing really well with her puzzle, I’d hate to tear her away now.”

“Ok, another hour.  But then we’re going, right?”  Max pushed, stopping the massage as he waited for confirmation.

“Ok.”  Liz finally conceded.  “But can I have a little more on the back rub first?”  She queried with a grin.

As Maria got up to trade places and sit next to Michael, Amy glanced around to find where her husband to be had escaped to.  Finally spying him standing in the doorway, looking more like a spare wheel in his own home as Max massaged Liz’s back.

“Hey you, there you are!”  Amy called out, extending a hand to encourage Jim to sit down with her.  With another smile to Liz, Jim eagerly obliged.  It was time to be a part of the fun of the evening, rather than a mere bystander.

Kissing the tip of Amy’s nose, Jim put his arm around her and pulled her close.  Her eyes gazed up at him, the smile on her face radiating, but she could sense a change in his demeanour.  The look in his eyes gave something away, like he’d had a huge decision to make and he’d finally decided what to do.

Raising a hand, Amy cupped his cheek before lifting her head to gently kiss his lips.  Breaking away after a moment, she checked again to look into his eyes, in case she’d imagined the fleeting look.  But again it was still there.

“Is everything ok Jim?”  She queried softly, stroking his cheek and encouraging him to look at her.

“Yeah, of course.  Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I don’t know.  It’s just a feeling I guess, like you’ve just made some monumental decision or something.”
“Well I guess maybe I have.”  He replied cryptically.

“Do I get to be let in on the secret?”  Amy queried.

“Yeah sweetheart you will.  Just not yet ok?”  He said.  “Wait till later, when we’re alone.  Let’s just say I’ve thought a lot about something we’ve discussed before and I’ve finally decided what I want to do.”
“That’s pretty cryptic Jim, do I get any hints?”

“Nope, I’ll just leave you guessing!”  He grinned.

 Amy playfully punched his arm, a clear indication she wasn’t pleased with being left in the dark, but she didn’t push the issue.  It was clear the decision hadn’t been easy to arrive at, which meant it was something serious.  And she could wait if that’s what Jim wanted. 

Instead she nestled into his arm, resting her head on his shoulder.  All the while surveying her family and friends, silently grateful this Christmas was an immensely happy one for all concerned.

TBC ..............................?

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