“Like they’re posing as angels,” Elena said.
“Where are they going to stay?” Ruth-Ann studied the photo. “Are you changing rooms? They’re not moving into the playroom downstairs, are they?”
“No way. Dad fixed up the attic. He made it really awesome. He bought them a laptop and a TV, and he got them a Wii. He said they’ve had a tough life. He wants to make things nice for them.”
“Tough life? No kidding. They lost both their parents, didn’t they? And their house? And all their stuff?”
Elena nodded. “I think Dad wants to write a book about them.”
Ruth-Ann handed the phone back to Elena. “For real? You know, my parents were talking about your dad’s book. Did you read it?”
“Not really. Just kinda looked at it.”
“Mom said the book says parents should let kids do whatever they want. Just let them be free. My parents made jokes about it. They said it would make a great sitcom.”
“Is that all your parents think about? Sitcoms?”
“Well, yeah. Their show was picked up for another year. All they talk about are jokes and scripts and stuff.”
“Ruth-Ann, do you watch it?”
“Of course not. No way.”
They both laughed.
Elena twisted the phone in her hand. “My dad’s book isn’t true. He is stricter than your parents. I mean, he doesn’t let Ira and me do what we want. I always have to trick Mom into letting me go places. Or Roz. Roz is the easiest because she’s busy worrying about Axl.”
“I forgot about Axl. It’s gonna be crowded in your house, Elena. I mean, a mob.”
“That’s why I want to come to Malibu with you guys.”
“How is Ira taking the new brothers thing? Is he freaking?”
“Of
“Now you sound like my parents. They’d like that joke. They’d type it into their BlackBerries right away.”
“It’s no joke. The poor kid is totally stressed already. I mean, he thinks sixth grade is really hard.”
Ruth-Ann snickered. “Wait till he gets to eighth.”
“He hates his teacher. Miss Montgomery. Did you have Montgomery?”
“No. I had Price, remember?”
“Montgomery acts real nice. She’s real pretty and she’s very sweet, but she gives hours and hours of homework every night. And then she doesn’t even collect it or go over it or anything. Ira says she just makes you do it.”
Ruth-Ann snickered. “Tell Ira to suck it up.”
Elena sighed. “I think he really misses Mom and Dad when they’re both away. Roz is great. But. . you know.”
Elena’s phone rang, startling her. She stared at the screen, but she didn’t have to. She recognized her dad’s ringtone.
“Hi, Dad. Oh. Okay. Okay. I’m coming. Bye.”
She clicked the phone shut. “It’s my new brothers. They’re here. I gotta go.” She jumped to her feet and strode out of the room. She was making her way down the stairs when she heard Ruth-Ann’s shout.
“Hey, Elena-good luck.”
21
At LaGuardia Airport, Mark hugged Lea and held her close, wrapped her up like a prize that had almost been lost. He wanted to plant a hundred kisses on her face. The strong emotion welled in him, taking him by surprise. He was usually so level, no tidal waves of feeling rocking his calm.
But he let her go when he saw the two blond creatures gazing at him.
Yes, they were beautiful boys. Their deep blue eyes were almost unreal. And Lea’s description-angels-came pretty close to describing the sweetness, the innocence on their pale faces.
So why didn’t he feel some kind of immediate connection with them? The wave of emotion seemed to pull back, leaving him with an empty feeling as he stared at the boys over Lea’s shoulder.
He didn’t want them here. He had argued with Lea almost until their plane had taken off. But he hoped that when he saw them. . when he actually saw the two angels, he would fall for them the way Lea had, and his doubts and objections would fade away.
What a disappointment that their hopeful blue-eyed stares only aroused a feeling of dread.
And now, after the long drive to Sag Harbor, here they were in his house. About to meet his kids. About to join his family.
Just like that. Two strangers to take care of and worry about. And love.
Guiding them to the living room, Lea stood behind them, as if backing them up, or maybe blocking any retreat. Her expression was tense. Mark noticed her eyes were bloodshot. She had one hand lightly on Samuel’s slender shoulder.
Ira stood halfway up the stairs, his chin on the wooden banister. He stared down warily at the two boys, gripping the banister tightly with both hands as if holding on for dear life.
“Ira, come down and say hi to your new brothers.” Mark motioned him down.
“Hi,” he said, without budging from his perch.
“Ira, come down.” Lea’s voice sounded tight, shriller than usual. “Can’t you shake hands?”
“Kids don’t shake hands.” Ira’s reply.
The twins gazed up at him with those sweet smiles on their faces. Their blue eyes appeared to glow.
Except they were so skinny, so gaunt. The red T-shirts and long white shorts hung on them like scarecrow clothes. Their flat white sneakers were as long as clown shoes.
The twins stepped forward, almost in unison, and gazed around the living room. “How nice is this?” Samuel said. “We never had a couch.” He put a hand on the back of the green leather couch and squeezed it. Mark saw that when he removed his hand, he left a sweat stain on the leather.
Daniel turned back to Ira on the stairs. “Do you like to swim?”
Ira scrunched up his face, as if he had to think about it. “Not if the water’s cold.”
“Where do you like to swim?” Daniel asked Ira. He was definitely trying to break the ice. “In the bay or in the ocean?”
“My friend Ethan has a pool,” Ira said, chin on the banister. He didn’t move from behind the bars of the banister, safe in his cage up there.
Roz came bursting into the room from the kitchen, holding Axl by one hand as the chubby, dark-haired boy toddled beside her. She wore a long blue denim sleeveless dress and was barefoot, as usual. Axl had a little sunburn on his arms. She had taken him to the bay beach this morning.
“Welcome! Welcome!” Roz threw her arms around Daniel and hugged him, then pulled his brother into a hug,
