“Well, this one has to remain well-hidden. At least for now.” Until Charles was gone and she could pick up the frayed edges of her life. Then if Luke didn’t hate her for keeping this from him and still wanted a life with her, she might finally be able to embrace happiness.
“When are you due?”
“August.”
“You’re going to have to make some preparations. For one thing, you need to tell the twins. And by the time another month rolls around you’ll be in maternity clothes, so it won’t exactly be a secret.”
“I know, I know. Oh, God.” She looked into the mug as if it held the answers she was seeking.
“You should go home and get some rest. You look like hell and this is no time to neglect yourself.”
“Thanks so much.”
“Don’t go back to the hospital tomorrow. You’ve been cutting back on your visits. He won’t miss you.”
Julia shook her head. “He has something in mind. Whatever it is involves Rod McGuire so you know it can’t be good. I’m to report back tomorrow afternoon.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Claire gave her a hug.
“I wish to all that’s holy I knew what the bond is between those two.”
Claire giggled. “You don’t suppose they’re both closet homosexuals, do you? Maybe they’ve had a thing going all these years.”
Julia stared at her. “What? No. I may be stupid about a lot of things, and Charles may be a dud in bed, but I never got a hint of that. Especially when they were together. There are always signs. No, it’s something else. Something that makes a bond thicker than blood.”
Claire nibbled on the edge of a nail. “I’ll tell you what. I’m going to find out what it is.”
“Leave it alone, Please. Besides, who would you ask?”
“Leave it to me. I promise you I won’t make any waves and it will never get back to either of them.”
“Good, because I’ve got all the stress I can handle right about now.”
“You’re right. Go home, take a hot bath, and cuddle your kids. That’s an order.”
“Yes, ma’am.” A ghost of a smile chased itself across Julia’s face. “Whatever would I do without you?”
“I’m not about to let you find out. Don’t you worry. I’m going to coddle you like a piece of china. No traveling and no late events. I’m happy to do it all.” She hugged her friend. “Something special in your life. You need it.”
* * * *
Charles sat propped up in bed when Julia entered his room the following morning. His face still held the same implacable look and anger still simmered in his eyes. She wasn’t sure what to say to him. Hello? How are you feeling? Rotten, I hope.
“Sit down,” he snapped. “We have business to discuss.”
She took the chair furthest from the bed. “Then let’s get on with it.” She was proud of the controlled tone of her voice.
“I’ve given this entire situation a great deal of consideration. I don’t have much else to do, as you well know.”
“Yes, Charles. I’m aware of your incapacitation.”
“At its best, your—situation—is still a problem. Even if the child were mine, this would not be the best time for you to be pregnant.”
She said nothing. Silence was her best tack right now.
“Since you insist on keeping this bastard child, there are only a few options. It would create more embarrassment than I’m willing to endure to have you parading around fat and swollen and have to deny the child was mine.”
“Yours?” She raised her eyebrows. “B-But…I mean, the divorce…everyone knows…”
“Yes,” he spat. “The stupid divorce. Another manifestation of your childish behavior.”
Anger surged through her. “Childish—”
Charles held up a hand. “Please let me finish. I discussed everything in detail with Rod this morning. He’s only too happy to help me carry out my wishes.”
I’m sure he is, she wanted to spit out, but pressed her lips together.
“Under the circumstances, divorce is no longer even a consideration. Especially since my signature is the one holding up the process and I have no intention of signing now. Or ever. Oh, yes, I know a judge can force the issue but you’d have to find one willing to do it. And at this point I’m prepared to contest it.”
“But—” Julia felt the nausea creeping up again. Every word was like a body blow.
“So, what to do,” he went on, as if discussing some errant business problem. “What solution would be a fair compromise for the parties concerned? Having looked at the entire situation from every angle, I’ve decided to offer you a bargain.”
“A bargain? How magnanimous of you.” She forced herself to be calm although inside she was shaking like watery Jello. “What do I have to do, cut my heart out?”
“Here are the terms if you don’t want to lose your present children and be thrown out in the streets,” he went on, ignoring her remarks. “Rombauer made it quite clear my days are numbered and my condition will continue to deteriorate. He is recommending I be moved to a nursing home.”
“Yes. He went over everything with me.”
“I refuse to accept it as an option. For whatever time remains to me, I choose not to spend it in the care and company of strangers.”
“Then what’s the alternative?” Julia frowned, puzzled.
“I want to go home.”
“Home?” She was sure her voice squeaked.
“Yes. We can turn the den into a room for me, a hospital bed can be brought in, we can arrange for home health care. Everything can be done quite simply.”
Bring him back into the house? Where she’d never have a minute’s peace?
“And?”
“And the rest of my care will fall to you.”
“You’re out of your mind.” She clenched her fists at her sides. “You want a pregnant woman to be at your beck and call twenty-four seven, taking care of you? How will I even manage?”
“That will be up to you. You have Miranda to help you. Let her earn the outrageous salary we pay her. However you do it, I expect the finest care and
