Revelation of Hearts (Stacey and Shane Mcleod, #3) (37 page)

As soon as Stacey touched, Jackie to change her diaper the heat from her body was intense. She grabbed the thermometer and put it to her little ear.  Her temperature was 104. Stacey checked Jessie, but she was cool. When Shane entered the nursery with the bottles, Stacey was sponging Jackie with cool water.

“What wrong with Jackie?”

“She has a high fever, Shane. Please call Diane.”

The twins had had fevers before when they were teething, but this time was different. Diane came right away. She examined Jackie and then Jessie. Her diagnoses was a viral infection. She called the chemist and had medications delivered to the flat. The rest of the night found Stacey walking the floor with a stuffed up unhappy baby girl.

Two days later, Jessie became ill with the same virus. Shane couldn’t help, as he had surgeries back to back and Aunt Lora and Richard were in Milan, so Stacey was on her own. Mrs. Wyatt helped all she could.  Annie was busy with Mathew, as he had contracted the same virus, most likely from the girls.

The weeks flew by with no more surprises. Ian moved back home and participated in Rachael’s therapy. The twins were ten months old now, and saying more and more words. Stacey took them with her to meet Shane and have lunch at the hospital cafeteria.  They were sitting in highchairs drinking from their sippy-cups and chattering away. Shane was eating his lunch and talking to Stacey when Jessie threw her cup. Shane reached out and caught it, then sat it back in front of Jessie. After a few sips, she threw it again. He caught it again and sat it back in front of Jessie. This time, Stacey reached over and moved it out of her reach. Jessie threw a hissie fit. Jackie watched her sister, then began to cry too.  When they were removed from the highchairs and seated in their stroller, they both were screaming, bloody murder.

An employee of the cafeteria said, “You have a pair of spoiled little darlings there, Doctor McLeod.  Best you nip it in the bud before their any older.”

With a good bit of sarcasm, Shane said, “Well, thank you Mrs. Miller, it’s comforting to know you have a degree in child rearing as well as table and floor care.”

Stacey laughed. She just couldn’t hold it back. There was no way Shane was going to hear criticism of his two little lasses.  Just as Stacey’s parents before them, he was sure they would out grow their fit throwing. After all, they were just babies.  By the time they got their jackets on and were outside the fit throwing was over.  Shane helped seat them in their car seats, kissed his three girls bye and ran back to the warmth of his office.  Many of the people who knew doctor McLeod before he was married and had become a father marveled at the change in him.

In the month of April, Stacey received a surprise phone call from Jennifer. Stacey and Jennifer had stayed in close touch over the months since Eric’s death. But still it was a bit of a surprise when Jennifer called and said she was in London and asked if she might stop by.

“Yes, of course,” Stacey said. “You know you are always more than welcome here.”

Stacey hadn’t seen Jennifer since January. She couldn’t help but see the difference in her looks. As she hugged her, she asked, “Are you alright, Jennifer?”

“No, not really, but we’ll talk about it later. Right now I want to see your darling little angels, so I can hold and play with them.”

“Well, their both napping right now, but when they wake I’ll be more than happy for your help.”

Stacey smiled at Jennifer and said, “While we’re waiting for the girls to wake, why don’t we get your luggage and we’ll hang up your things. You’ll be staying with us, of course.”

“Thank you, Stacey, but no, I’m already checked in at the Brown hotel.” 

Stacey didn’t know what, but she knew something was drastically wrong with Jennifer. She made coffee for both of them and they sat at the kitchen table. “Have you talked to Grandy or Harlan lately?”

“Yes, I saw them a few days ago.  Stacey, my grandmother is quite old and we don’t expect her to be with us much longer. You know Grandy and I are very close. I hope you don’t mind. Eric always said, ‘She was the best Grandy in the world.”

“He was right, and of course, I don’t mind. Grandy has enough love to go round.” Stacey could tell Jennifer was nervous. She kept looking at her watch. “The girls should be up soon, and then you can help me feed them. Afterwards, you will stay for supper, I won’t take ‘no,’ for an answer.” 

Jennifer smiled for the first time, “Yes, I would love to have supper with you and your little family.” She said as she reached out and touched Stacey’s arm. 

It wasn’t long before the twins woke up and were ready to play. Jennifer spent the afternoon playing with the girls and talking with Stacey. The twins played on a talking play mat. When they crawled are sat on a part that talked, sang or played music, they would laugh and clap their hands.

“Oh, Stacey, they’re such adorable little darlings. I just want to hug and squeeze them to pieces.”

“Yes, I know what you mean, but I can guarantee you they won’t sit still for too much of that.”

Stacey felt there was more than met the eye where Jennifer was concerned. She knew Jennifer’s grandmother was not well, but for some reason she didn’t feel that was what was occupying Jen’s mind. Jennifer helped Stacey feed the girls their supper. There was something about the way Jennifer held and played with the girls that tore at Stacey’s heart. She knew there was something going on with Jennifer, but she would wait until she was ready to talk. 

Shane tried to get home around six p.m. so he could play with the girls before supper, bath and bedtime.  He was surprised and pleased to find Jennifer there.  While Stacey fixed supper, Shane and Jennifer played with the twins and got reacquainted. He noticed Jennifer watching how he and Stacey reacted to the twins and to each other.

She was so surprised when Shane brought the high chairs to the table for the girls to sit at the table while the adults had their supper, and were given tidbits.

“This is our together time,” Stacey said. “We want them to grow up knowing we are a family and how important they are to us. Shane and I try to read to them each night after their bath and before their bedtime. I’m not sure how much they understand but their vocabulary is increasing.”

After watching Stacey and Shane’s routine with the twins and helping Stacey with the dishes, Jennifer said, “I’ll say goodnight now, and may I come back tomorrow.”

“Of course, you can. Stacey and Shane said simultaneously.”  Stacey hugged her and said, “I wish you would come stay here with us while you’re in London.”

“Maybe next time,” Jennifer said, “But I’ll be back tomorrow for sure.”

After Jennifer left, Shane asked, “What’s going on with Jennifer? She seems sad and resolute at the same time.”

“I don’t know, Shane. Maybe she’ll feel like telling me tomorrow. She did say her grandmother is not well.”

When Jennifer arrived at the flat the next day, Shane was just coming home. They met in the corridor. Shane said, “Well, this was great timing. Fridays are my early afternoon off.”

“Yes, I know Shane, I more or less planed it this way.  I need to talk with you and Stacey.”

Shane was concerned, but he couldn’t imagine why Jennifer was being so ambiguous. Stacey met them both with a hug as they entered the flat. She had just put the twins down for their afternoon nap. Stacey made coffee and they sat in the living room to talk. Stacey knew Jennifer was nervous and seemed reluctant to talk.

Finally, she asked, “Stacey, do you remember last summer when Eric and I were here and I was holding one of the twins and I said, “Eric, I want one of these and he jokingly said, ask Stacey if you can have one.”  Then he said, “Next year honey, I promise.” Well, he has kept that promise.”

“I don’t understand Jennifer, what do you mean, he kept his promise?”

“What I mean, Shane, is I’m almost five months pregnant.”

Stacey was off the sofa and hugging Jennifer. “Oh Jen, this is wonderful news. Is that why you went to see Grandy and Harlan, to tell them the news. This is such good news, why didn’t you tell us yesterday.”

Jennifer took a deep breathe, and her voice shook as she told her story. “I had not been feeling well for sometime. In March, I went to the doctor and he ran quite a few tests. Two weeks later, I received wonderful as well as devastating news. My obstetrician confirmed that I’m in my second trimester. That’s the good news, the bad news is, I may not live to see and hold my son.”

“Oh, Jen, you will. What makes you think you won’t?”

“One of my doctors is a cardiologist. I have been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. It’s a malfunction of the heart muscle and it may be hereditary.”

“But surely medication will take care of that. They know so much today.”

Jennifer took a folder from her handbag and handed it to Stacey as she said, “Yes, there are medications, beta-blockers and metoprolol, but I can’t take them. They could very well do harm to my son.”

Stacey frowned at the medical jargon and handed the folder to Shane and said, “We have a friend who is a superb cardiologist. I know Hugh can help you.”

Shane read the diagnosis and the side effects of the medications. He took Stacey’s hand and explained, “Sweetheart, the medications that might help her could very well harm the fetus. The side effects could cause birth deformity and possible death.”

Stacey reached over and took Jennifer’s hand. With tears in her eyes she asked, “Oh, Jen, what are we going to do now? Never mind, I know what we’re going to do. We are going to see Hugh. I know he can help.”

“Yes, Stacey, I will go see your friend Hugh, but first I must ask you and Shane a favor. As you know, my grandmother hasn’t long too live and my brothers are cold, unloving jerks. I talked with Grandy, Harlan and your mom and dad. They all gave me the same advice, come talk with you and Shane. So here I am. If and when I die, will you take little Nicky and raise him as your own.  I know this is a lot to ask with your hands full already, but I’ve watched you with your daughters and I know he would be loved and cared for here like no place else. You don’t have to give me an answer right away. I know you will need to talk it over. I’ll be leaving tonight, my grandmother is in hospital, so I must go back right away.”

Stacey had been sitting silent with tears running down her cheeks. Shane looked at Stacey and said, “Jennifer, I think I speak for Stacey as well as myself. We don’t need time to think it over, we consider it an honor that you would choose us to raise yours and Eric’s son. I assure you, we will love him as our own. We could not do less. God willing, you will raise him yourself, but if other-wise, he will be safe, loved and raised the same as his sisters.”

Stacey was surprised and grateful. She put her arms around her husband and said, “I knew when I married you, you were the best man in the world. You prove it over and over everyday. Yes, Jennifer, if and when you need us, we will love little Nicky as our own. Thank you for asking us.”

“I feel so relieved,” Jennifer said. “Everyone in Texas were so supportive and helpful. I knew my son would be loved and cared for there, but to be raised with sisters and by you and Shane and not a nanny, no matter how qualified she might be. I truly feel blessed and I know Eric would approve.”

Before Jennifer left, she asked, “I know your little angels are still napping, but may I take a peek at them before I leave?”

“Yes, of course,” Stacey said. “I pray your grandmother will be well, but please come back to us as soon as you can. I’m so sure Hugh will know what to do.”

Stacey hugged Jennifer bye, Shane took her hand and kissed her cheek. He felt so bad for her. He understood the medical diagnoses far better than Stacey did. But one could always hope.

Stacey called her dad to talk about Jennifer’s heart problem. Doctor Sam said, “Sweetheart, I’m not a cardiologist, but from what I understand from her cardiologist in New York, her condition is serious. I’m sure she explained about the medications and the harmful effects on the fetus. Did Jennifer talk to you and Shane about the baby, should anything happen to her?”

“Yes, she did, Dad. And of course, we said, “Yes.” Stacey was quiet for a bit, “This is not fair, Dad. How can fate be so cruel?”

“I don’t know sweetheart. I wish I had answers for you. How’re my granddaughters?”

“They’re wonderful Dad. They are so cute. I wish you could see them, jabbering away to each other, but when we put the movie camera on them, they stop and look at the camera so innocent like.”

Two weeks after Jennifer left, she called to tell Stacey her grandmother had died and she would be back in London as soon as possible. She was all bogged down with lawyers. They being her brother’s and her grandmothers.

It was six weeks before Jennifer was free to return to England. The twins were now walking and into everything. Their curiosity was boundless. This kept Stacey and Shane on their toes as well as the godparents. Stacey and Shane had talked to Aunt Lora and Richard about Jennifer’s request and the Scott’s advice for her to ask Stacey first.

Lora was well aware of how the Scott families felt about Eric.

“I know this is something you feel you must do darling, but how will you manage when you already have two toddlers. And what about your plans for going back to school this fall?”

“Aunt Lora, I hope and pray Jennifer will live and raise her son herself, but if that’s not possible, then I want him with us where he will be loved and cared for the same as our girls are.  School can wait. It will still be there when I’m able to continue my studies. You know Eric was my best friend and the closest thing I had to a brother. There is no way in hell I would ever let those jerk-ass brothers of Jennifer’s get their greedy hands on Eric’s son. My brain can’t even imagine how badly they would treat him. No, Aunt Lora, if Jennifer can’t raise little Nicky, then Shane and I will. We have talked about this and we feel the fewer people that know about his parentage, the safer he will be.”

Chapter-59

Hope Springs Eternal

On June seventh, the McLeod’s flew down from Scotland to celebrate the twins first birthday. Shane had talked with his parents and grandmother about the situation. They all were firmly behind Shane and Stacey adopting the little fellow. Elizabeth saw what a good mother Stacey had become and she had no doubts that she could handle another little one.