Chapter 33
Jasmine stood over the Moses baskets, smiling tenderly at the two sleeping babies. She’d just fed them, whilst Robin was in the kitchen preparing for their visitors. As promised, Bunty and Perry were coming for dinner. Since bringing the twins home, Robin’s domestic skills had known no bounds.
‘You’re actually a decent cook,’ Jasmine had remarked.
‘Don’t sound so surprised. I lived alone for a few years,’ laughed Robin.
He refrained from telling her that his diet had mainly consisted of ready-made meals from the local shop, or Sunday roasts at his mum’s.
Still, even he had to admit his cooking had hugely improved, probably because he’d had to pitch in whilst Jasmine was occupied with the babies.
Not that he wasn’t a hands-on dad, far from it.
Bath time was his favourite time with them.
They loved the water as he gently splashed their wriggling little bodies.
He pictured teaching them to swim in years to come, all of them enjoying family life on the bay.
Robin, like Jasmine, felt blessed to be bringing their children up in such idyllic surroundings.
Although they hadn’t been born and raised in Samphire Bay, they were so pleased it was now their home and the place where Barny and Jemima would spend their childhood.
There was a gentle knock on the back door. Jasmine went to the kitchen to see Robin welcome in Bunty and Perry.
‘Hi, come in.’
‘They’re fast asleep at the moment,’ said Jasmine, giving Bunty a hug. ‘How was Skipton?’
‘Wonderful, thanks,’ smiled Bunty.
‘Here’s a little something we bought there for the twins,’ said Perry, passing the wrapped presents.
‘Oh, thanks,’ replied Jasmine, deciding to open them when they were awake.
‘Hope you like chilli?’ asked Robin.
‘Lovely,’ replied Bunty, then added, ‘did you make it, Robin?’
‘I did,’ he proudly answered.
‘Chilli’s his signature dish,’ teased Jasmine, having had it quite a few times.
‘Practise makes perfect,’ chipped in Perry with a chuckle.
‘Come through, have a look at them.’ Jasmine led them into the sitting room, where the twins still slept peacefully.
‘Oh!’ cried Bunty on the verge of tears, leaning down for a closer look. Robin and Jasmine exchanged a warm smile. ‘Aren’t you just adorable?’ As if answering her, they both opened their eyes and gurgled, their tiny hands thrusting away. ‘Aww…’ Bunty was taken away at the sight of them.
‘Do you want to hold them?’ asked Robin.
‘I’d love to,’ replied Bunty eagerly. She and Perry sat down next to each other, while Robin and Jasmine gently passed them each a baby. Even Perry’s eyes began to fill when Jemima’s starfish hand closed over his thumb.
‘I can’t wait to become a granddad,’ he told them gruffly.
‘Well, I don’t doubt you will be, seeing how happy Emma and Felix look,’ said Bunty.
‘Ah, still loved-up then?’ asked Jasmine with a smile.
‘Very much so. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear wedding bells in the not-so-distant future,’ replied Perry.
Robin shifted uncomfortably. It bothered him that he and Jasmine weren’t married.
This only made Jasmine laugh when he voiced his concern, but Robin couldn’t help the way he felt.
Given his way, he’d have married Jasmine when first learning of their pregnancy, but had agreed to put it off, as preferred by Jasmine.
But surely it was time now the twins were here?
He looked towards her. She was totally oblivious to his unease.
Maybe he should just take the bull by the horns and propose – produce a ring she couldn’t resist and name the day.
‘Let’s open the presents,’ suggested Jasmine and gave him a parcel, interrupting his thoughts. ‘Aw, they’re gorgeous!’ she exclaimed, lifting up the Peter Rabbit plush toy.
‘Thanks,’ smiled Robin. He tucked Flopsy Bunny into Jemima’s Moses basket. ‘Right, well, I’d better check on dinner.’
Once gone, Bunty grinned at Jasmine. ‘Robin seems very domesticated.’
‘He’s brilliant. I don’t know how I’ll cope when he goes back to work.’
‘Well, we’re always here to help,’ said Perry and sincerely meant it. He’d surprised himself at how the twins had affected him. He gazed down and saw two tiny blue eyes staring back at him and melted.
Meanwhile, Robin was busy in the kitchen.
Not only seeing to the food, but his mind had suddenly notched up a gear.
A plan was forming and building momentum.
He realised that he needed to be far more assertive, especially where Jasmine was concerned.
He’d always admired her pragmatic approach, and still did.
He applauded her get-on-with-it attitude, especially given her traumatic past. Becoming a widow at the age of twenty-nine and starting again in Samphire Bay couldn’t have been easy.
Not everyone would have coped the way Jasmine did.
She’d shown real resilience and strength of spirit.
But, at times, Jasmine could be a little too blasé, too casual.
Look at how she’d insisted on going to the launch party, saying she would be ‘fine’.
Clearly that had been a mistake. He ought to have intervened, put his foot down.
And now he was going to show some assertiveness.
He was going to insist that they marry and make their union official.
Why not, for goodness’ sake? They were blissfully happy, had two beautiful children and a lovely home.
‘It’s ready!’ he called, placing the casserole dish filled with chilli on the table along with a big bowl of rice. He’d also made a salad and garlic bread.
‘Hmm, this smells delicious,’ said Bunty, sitting down.
‘It certainly does,’ added Perry, rubbing his hands together.
Jasmine moved Barny into Jemima’s Moses basket so they could keep each other company while the adults ate. That was the beauty of twins, she thought, they always had each other. She sat at the table and poured the wine, allowing herself just half a glass.
Robin took off his apron and joined them. He raised his glass and gave a toast.
‘To us,’ he cheered and looked directly at Jasmine. She gave a slight frown before raising her glass, expecting a toast to the twins if anything.
‘To us,’ they all repeated, clinking glasses.
After a relaxing meal, which the babies didn’t interrupt, Bunty and Perry bid their farewells. Under strict instruction from Perry, Bunty was aware of outstaying her welcome.
‘We can’t stay too long. They’ll be tired and want to put the babies to bed,’ he’d warned. Bunty had nodded in agreement, glad of the advice. The last thing she wanted was to become a pest.
Once the twins had been bathed and fed again, Jasmine wound up the musical mobiles suspended over the cots. The tune seemed to soothe the babies and settled them down for the night.
‘I just need to pop out,’ whispered Robin, opening the nursery door.
‘Where to?’ asked Jasmine in surprise.
He winked. ‘All will be revealed.’
‘But, Robin—’
‘Won’t be long,’ he interrupted and disappeared, leaving a very puzzled Jasmine.
‘Grandma’s ring?’ said Robin’s mum, raising an eyebrow.
‘Yeah. She left it to you, didn’t she?’
‘Well, yes, but I was saving it to pass on to a future granddaughter, Jemima now.’
‘Can I have it?’
‘Pardon?’ she laughed.
‘I want to give it to Jasmine, tonight. I’m going to propose,’ he declared with fortitude.
Good for him, she thought, knowing her mother would have approved. Of course she would.
‘I’ll fetch it.’
Within minutes she was back with the ring, still in its original box. It would be considered a collectable nowadays. A stunning blue topaz, claw set in a golden band. It matched the blue velvet box with the name of the jewellers in gold writing.
‘It’ll be in safe hands, that’s if she says yes,’ said Robin with a grin.
‘Of course she will,’ reassured his mum.
Jasmine was in the sitting room when Robin came back.
‘What’s going on?’ she asked with a frown.
Robin knelt in front of her.
‘Jasmine, will you marry me?’ Before she could answer, he produced the velvet box. Instinctively, Jasmine took it and opened the lid. She gasped.
‘Robin, it’s beautiful.’ Then, realising she hadn’t answered him, looked into his eyes. ‘Yes, of course.’
Robin placed the ring on her finger.
‘A perfect fit,’ she said in delight.
‘Obviously meant to be,’ replied Robin.
They kissed, then Robin pulled back.
‘I want to set the date.’
Jasmine paused. ‘When?’
‘Before the twins are christened.’
Another pause. ‘Why not at the same time?’ suggested Jasmine.
‘What, you mean a wedding and christening together?’
‘Well, everyone we know will be there. Why not get the twins christened and exchange vows too?’
Robin blinked. Jasmine took being practical to a new level. It did make sense though. Everyone they knew would be there in church, so yes, why not? It’s what he wanted, wasn’t it? His little family all nicely sorted. His face broke into a beam.
‘You’re on.’