Chapter 16 #2
So, he was leaving it alone. And the man seemed to be stupid in love with his daughter. With a sigh, he took another sip of the eggnog and met his son's gaze.
"Julesa is not sure how she feels about it either. If it's any consolation," his voice was amused. He had seen his father's gaze settling on the couple and knew what he was thinking.
"Why is she concerned?"
"Her brother is a cop and an undercover one. She's not certain how Henrietta is going to deal with him going away when the time comes."
"I hadn't thought about that. Julesa's brother might not always be around, given his line of work," Harry's brow furrowed in contemplation. "Well, the heart wants what it wants, right? We'll just have to see how they manage."
A burst of laughter erupted from across the room, drawing their attention.
Henrietta was now animatedly recounting an amusing tale, with Caleb hanging on her every word.
Despite the uncertainties, there was no denying the joy that radiated from Henrietta's face.
Harry sighed, his gaze softening as he observed his daughter's happiness.
"It's taken me a hell of a long time to sort my own life out." His gaze flickered to his wife, expression softening.
"I'm happy you two have discovered the value of each other." Jordan lifted his glass in a toast.
"So am I."
"Now it's time to go and wrestle my wife into a chair."
"Be gentle," his father advised with a chuckle. He decided to go rescue his own wife from her friends and offer her something to eat.
*****
"You look like an elephant."
Her brother grinned at the dirty look she sent his way.
Her husband had left her alone with him on the pretext that he had some work to do, but she knew he realized that she had wanted a moment alone with Caleb.
"You've put your stamp on the place." He looked around the elegantly beautiful gold and blue room in admiration. "It's hard to believe it's the same building. Everything looks different."
"Mostly Jordan's doing." She rubbed her belly and felt the slight twinges and the stiffening of the flesh.
Very soon, she was going to need one of her husband's famous rubs in order to get to sleep.
Not that she anticipated getting much of it.
She was more likely to twist and turn as she tried for a comfortable position.
"Any idea what you're naming him?" He nodded towards her bulge and felt the same constriction in his chest. His little sister was going to be a mother. He still could not believe it.
"Jonathon Caleb--" She smiled at the burst of pleasure on his face. "Jon for short. Jordan said a resounding no when I suggested we call him JC for short."
"I completely agree." Leaving his position on the love seat, he came over to sit on the ottoman at her feet.
"I think Jon will be a great name. Fits right in with the family," he said softly, his eyes filled with warmth as he gazed at his sister.
"Jordan wasn't too keen on naming him after anyone else. He wanted our son to have his own identity," she explained, a hint of pride in her voice.
Her brother nodded, understanding. "Makes sense. Jon will make his own mark, just like his parents."
She smiled, appreciative of his support. "I hope he grows up to have your sense of adventure and Jordan's steadfastness."
"And your kindness, honey," he added sincerely. "Jon will be lucky to have you both guiding him."
"Thanks." She patted his hand absently on the arm of her chair and wondered how best to broach the subject. Deciding the best approach was a direct one, she continued. "You and Henrietta."
Caleb's brows lifted. "What about us?"
"Is it serious or are you just--" She shifted uncomfortably and took a breath. "Look, I love you both – you more of course, because you're my brother. But Henrietta has come to mean a lot to me, and I don't want to see her hurt. She's just coming out of a loveless marriage--"
He squeezed her knee gently to stop the flow of concerned words.
"I know all of that and the last thing I would ever want to do is hurt her.
" He sighed softly. "It just happened, Jules.
" His expression was pensive. "One minute I was here visiting, and we started talking and the next--" he shrugged.
"She's intelligent and witty. I found myself getting intrigued and attracted.
I've never been with a white woman before because--" he lifted broad shoulders in a shrug. "Because of the obvious reasons."
"So, this is not just a fling?"
"No." He smiled a little grimly. "I'm struggling here.
I tried to stay the hell away from her because she's a goddamn heiress to a fortune.
That does not sit well with me." He rose and started pacing.
"It worked for two weeks and during that time, I was so miserable, I could barely sleep, barely eat.
" He whipped around to look at her. "I'm in love with her.
God help me." He rubbed a hand over his face and looked so miserable that she felt like laughing.
"I hope you did not have that expression on your face when you told her."
"She scared the hell out of me when she told me first. Christ!
" He came back and sat down. "I told her that I want nothing to do with her money and if we decide to get married, she's going to bloody well live on what I earn.
I'm not a pauper, I've invested wisely and since you married Jordan, he has taken control of most of my investments. "
"He has?"
He shot her an amused glance. "The man is a financial genius."
"He's that," she murmured proudly. "Marriage?" She stared at him in fascination.
"Yeah." He laughed softly. "Never thought it would happen to me. I blame you by the way."
"What did I do?"
"You started the entire thing." He sighed. "Now I cannot see my life without her. God help us," he added feelingly.
*****
Their son was born after a blustery February morning. With the wind howling outside the hospital window, the twelve-hour long labor almost drove Jordan crazy. And had him promising not to touch her again.
With the entire family on hand to witness the birth, their son finally made his way into the world, weighing in at seven pounds six ounces.
He came out screaming his outrage at being taken from his safe and secure bed and had his mother declaring that he was certainly going to be either a lawyer or an artiste.
Now they were home. And alone with their son after everyone had departed. To her surprise, she had witnessed Jacquline wiping away tears as she gazed at the newborn and Harry had passed around fat cigars to Caleb and Jordan to culminate the wonderful moment.
It was clear that the baby was adored.
Caleb and Henrietta, who had been on their way back from Tuscany where they had gone for their honeymoon, looked so happy it was quite obvious that they were in love.
The small town of Winter's Peak had swarmed with the talk of the two unusual and unexpected love affairs with the brothers and sisters.
And the changes in Harry and Jacquline Wainwright.
Joani had followed through with her decision and left to live in Florida with her sister, after seeing the changes and realizing that there was truly no hope for her and Harry.
She looked up as her husband came back into the room, carrying an extra blanket. "The snow's coming down out there." Draping the blanket over them both, he went to add another log to the fire, before coming back to take the baby from her.
"He's full and falling asleep."
"For about three hours," she sighed indulgently as she stared at the sparse black hair and the creamy skin.
He had the look of both her and Jordan. Their son had inherited his father's aristocratic nose and the shape of his chin.
If she looked long enough, she could identify that he had inherited the shape of her lips.
But he was mostly Jordan. And she had fallen headlong in love with him.
Reaching out a hand, she stroked it over his cheek.
"Time for bed, buddy?" Jordan cradled him and kissed him gently on one smooth cheek. Lifting his head, he turned to look at the woman who had given him so much, more than he ever anticipated and felt his heart stumbling.
"You should get some rest."
"Don't start," she warned. "I've been resting for two whole days since I've come back from the hospital. Why don't you put him down and join me?"
He smiled, unable to resist her charm. "Alright, alright. But if you need anything, just let me know."
She nodded, watching as he carefully placed their son in his crib. The gentle rise and fall of the baby's chest filled her with a sense of peace and contentment. As Jordan returned to her side, she felt a wave of gratitude for the life they had built together.
Snuggling close under the blanket, they listened to the crackling of the fire and the soft sounds of the baby's breathing.
The snow continued to fall outside, blanketing the world in a serene hush.
In that quiet moment, everything felt perfect.
They were a family, and the future stretched out before them, filled with endless possibilities.
Jordan kissed the top of her head, whispering, "I love you."
"I love you too," she replied. "The statement you made about not touching me again--"
"Was said in desperation and in the moment." He kissed the top of her head, easing back to smile at her. "Surely you do not believe I could ever keep a foolish promise like that?"
She eyed him mildly. "Even though it was 'in the moment' – I wanted to deck you."
"I was blaming myself for putting you through what I thought of as hell.
" He brushed back the hairs from her forehead.
She had her hair in a single braid with tendrils escaping and was wearing a velour rose colored robe with buttons going down the front for easy access to feed their son and had never looked more beautiful.
His heart swelled with emotions so thick he could scarcely breathe.
Seeing the look on his handsome face, she wrapped her hands around his neck and breathed him in.
There was absolutely no need for words.
The end…