‘Mummy looks sickeningly good,’ Donna said. ‘I wish my figure had sprung back as quickly as yours. I don’t know. You have an easy and quick labour and a few days later you’re almost back to what you were before you became pregnant. It’s just not fair.’
CJ laughed. ‘I can’t help it.’
‘No. Although I would like to add that when you get pregnant again—some time in the future—we keep a close eye on you when you go into labour because, boy, oh, boy, do you go quickly. You’ll be lucky to make it across the road to the hospital with the next one.’
‘What next one?’ she scoffed, but didn’t dwell on it. ‘I want to enjoy the baby I have because before I know it she’ll be on her way to university.’
‘Don’t I know it!’ Donna laughed. ‘All right. Ethan’s going to be here soon so let’s get you organised.’ She pulled out a large bag with cosmetics, a hairdryer, curler and hair spray, and a pair of stockings. ‘I stopped by your house earlier to pick up a pair of shoes for you but the back door was locked.’
‘Ethan.’ CJ shrugged and shook her head. ‘He’s a stickler for locking the doors.’
‘I figured as much. You get changed and I’ll pop over and get a pair now. He should be home but give me your keys in case he’s still at the clinic.’
When she’d gone, CJ slipped out of her pyjamas and pulled on the dress. The straps were two inches wide in a zig-zag pattern with a row of diamantés in the middle. The neckline also had a zig-zag pattern that came across the top of the bust, glittering diamantés again highlighting the unusual cut. It came to mid-thigh and showed off her legs to perfection.
Thankfully, Donna had bought the next size up from what CJ usually wore so when she zipped it up, it didn’t pull across her bust. She’d already expressed milk after the last feed just in case Elizabeth should wake up hungry while she was gone.
She looked down at her sleeping daughter. ‘Oh, baby. You are so beautiful. Sleep well while I’m gone. I’ll be back. I promise. I will never leave you and I will love you for ever.’
Donna rushed back into the room, stopping still as she gazed at CJ. She shook her head. ‘Even without the hair and make-up, you look incredible. He isn’t going to know what hit him!’
They set to work, piling CJ’s hair on top of her head and curling the ends slightly, leaving a few loose tendrils coming down. ‘I have another surprise,’ Donna announced after she’d finished CJ’s make-up. She pulled out a jeweller’s box. ‘I wore these on my wedding day and they’ve never been worn since.’ Donna handed it to CJ, who opened it slowly. A row of diamonds winked back at her. The necklace was a classically simple strand with matching bracelet and a pair of studded earrings.
‘Oh! I can’t.’
‘You owe it to the jewels. They deserve to be seen and they match the dress perfectly. Now, no more fuss. Turn around so I can fasten these in place.’
CJ did what Donna told her to do, as her hair and make-up were completed. When she stood and looked in the half-mirror of the hospital bathroom, she barely recognised herself.
‘You really do look like a princess,’ Donna stated. ‘Please, have a great time.’
‘I feel so spoilt.’
‘You deserve it. You’ve given so much to this town, it’s time we all gave something back.’
CJ smoothed a hand down the dress and smiled brightly at her reflection. Tonight, she decided, was a night of hope and she determined to enjoy everything it offered.
* * *
Ethan drove his car to the hospital, furious with himself for being late.
He’d called Bonnie to let her know the clinic had run late and to pass on a message to CJ. It was almost seven-thirty! He parked the car, cut the engine and rushed into the hospital. When he arrived at CJ’s room, it was to find her dressed in a robe, sitting up in bed, feeding Elizabeth. He stopped and stared, their gazes meeting.
Her hair was on top of her head in a pile of curls, her face had make-up on it and diamonds seem to twinkle around her neck and ears. She looked...sexy! Wholesome, and irresistibly sexy. He swallowed over the dryness of his throat.
‘Sorry. She woke up and was hungry, so I thought it would be best to feed her before we go. Will this affect your plans for this evening?’
He gulped as he took a few steps into the room, then stopped. The urge to crush her to him and plunder her mouth was almost too great for him to control. He swallowed again.
‘No. I’ve called the restaurant to let them know but they understand how it is and will hold the table for as long as we need.’
‘Good. She’s almost finished.’
The room was plunged into silence again and CJ began to feel a little uncomfortable. Why didn’t he come into the room? Sit down? Say something? She glanced up at him, only to find him intently watching them. When Elizabeth had finished her feed, CJ closed her robe and handed him the baby.
‘Here’s a towel. Would you mind burping her while I go and get changed?’
‘Sure.’ He walked to the bed and sat on the end, glad CJ was leaving the room for a moment. Hopefully, he’d be able to get himself under control again. ‘You’re worse than your mother,’ he muttered to Elizabeth as he rubbed her back soothingly. ‘Irresistible and highly kissable.’ He pressed his lips to her head. Once she’d finished, he wrapped her up and tucked her into the cot. Then he concentrated on taking some deep, calming breaths. He was determined to
