Chapter 26 #2
“Amazingly well. I think she’s totally stunned.”
He put his arms around Andi from behind and patted her belly, which had begun to pop out. “These guys were a big surprise to all of us.”
“I need to go to bed if we’re going to make that flight.” They were flying out of Boston at noon, and since the airport was almost two hours away, a limo would pick them up at eight. Jack’s parents had driven up from Connecticut earlier in the day to stay with the kids while they were gone.
“Let’s go.” He swept her up and carried her through the house, pretending to be staggered by the weight of her.
“You’d better knock it off, buddy. That will not be funny in a few months.”
“You’ll have to get your own ride then.” He tried to kiss her, but she wouldn’t let him after that crack.
They flew to St. Thomas and took a short ferry ride across the sound to St. John.
The resort had every imaginable amenity, but they were content to do nothing after the nonstop activity since their last vacation on Block Island the summer before.
Andi sipped a virgin pina colada late one afternoon as they reclined on a double lounge at the beach. Thankfully, there’d been no nausea or vomiting during their vacation. “I’m in heaven,” she said.
“Me, too. We should just move here.” He took in the sleek black one-piece bathing suit that covered the bump in her once flat belly. Her breasts spilled out the top.
“Oh, yeah, right, I can see it now—living with our six kids on the beach.” She glanced over at him and caught him checking out her newly voluptuous figure. “Quit ogling, Jack!” She tugged at the top of her suit.
He laughed at her. “Why can’t I enjoy the best part of getting you pregnant?”
She rolled her eyes. “Just don’t get used to them. They’re temporary.”
“That doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy them while they’re here, does it?”
“Do you think about anything else?”
“Not lately.” He stretched and yawned. “As a matter of fact, I’m getting very sleepy. I need you to take me in for a nap.”
“You just had a ‘nap,’” she reminded him.
“That was hours ago, and I need my rest.” He got up to offer her a hand. “Plus, I’m starting to freckle in this sun.”
She snorted with laughter and let him help her up. “We can’t have that now, can we?”
The moment they were in their room, Jack nudged the straps to her bathing suit off her shoulders.
When her breasts sprang free, Andi folded her arms over her chest self-consciously.
He moved them aside. “Don’t. I want to see you.”
“They’re ridiculous,” she said, her face burning with embarrassment.
“No, they’re not.” He skimmed her suit down over her hips and rested his hand and then his lips on the baby bump.
“I didn’t think it was possible for you to be more beautiful, but seeing you pregnant with my babies…
You’re so incredibly sexy, and I want you all the time.
” He sat her down on the edge of the bed and knelt in front of her.
Cupping her breasts, he captured an extra-sensitive nipple between his lips and skimmed his tongue over it.
Her head rolled back as she grasped his hair and moaned.
He eased her back so she was lying down, and still he kept up the tugging, sucking, and licking until she writhed beneath him.
His lips were hot on her belly as he coasted over the bump and then went lower.
Propping her legs on the edge of the bed, he nuzzled at her and teased her with his tongue.
His fingers found her slick and ready for him, and as he slid them gently into her, he brought his tongue down hard against the spot that pulsed with desire.
Andi cried out when the orgasm blasted through her. She was still coming when he shed his bathing suit and entered her. Struggling to accommodate him, Andi moved her legs farther apart to take him deeper.
He was careful not to rest too much weight on her. “I need to keep you pregnant from now on,” he whispered against her lips.
Her arms tightened around him. “Is that so?”
“I didn’t think there could be any more between us, but lately…”
“Mmm, I know.” She arched into his thrusts. “Jack…”
“What, honey?”
Her eyes fluttered closed. “I think I’m going to…again…”
He reached down to where their bodies were joined and sent her soaring.
Clutching him tightly from within, she took him with her.
They flew home tanned, rested, and relaxed after a week on St. John. Spring had sprung in their absence, and bright yellow forsythia bushes were in full bloom when they arrived late on Sunday afternoon.
The car dropped them off at home, and Jack gathered up their bags. He wouldn’t let Andi carry anything heavier than her purse.
They were surprised when Jamie came out of the house to help with the bags. “Hey, guys. How was it?”
“Fabulous,” Jack said. “We only came back because the law says we have to take care of our kids. What’re you doing here?”
“Come in, and I’ll tell you.”
Jack sent Andi a questioning look.
She shrugged.
“What’s going on?” Jack asked, beginning to sense something was wrong. “Where is everyone?”
“Jack, Clare’s in the hospital. She’s developed an infection. They’ve got her on high-dose antibiotics, but she’s not doing too well.”
Andi reached out to Jack.
“What kind of infection?” Jack asked, his heart in his throat. “How long has she been there?”
“They think it’s a blood infection. She spiked a high fever yesterday, and they took her in last night.”
“Why didn’t you call me? I would’ve come home.”
“We figured you probably wouldn’t get here that much sooner if we called you last night.”
“I need to get over there.”
Andi hugged him. “Of course, Jack, you should go to her.”
“Will you be all right?”
“I’m fine. Go on ahead. Jamie, will you take him?”
“Yeah. I stayed here with Eric while Jack’s parents took the girls to the hospital. He’s upstairs playing in his room, but he’s waiting for you.”
“Thanks, Jamie,” Andi said.
“I’ll call you,” Jack said. He gave her a distracted kiss on the cheek and followed Jamie out the door.
Jack’s parents brought the girls home just after midnight.
“How is she?” Andi asked Madeline after the girls had gone upstairs to bed.
“Not good. The fever hasn’t broken, despite massive doses of antibiotics.” Madeline’s shoulders slumped. “I’m afraid we’re losing her.”
“I’m so sorry.” Andi hugged the older woman. “Can I do anything for you?”
“I don’t think so, honey. I need to get to bed and so do you. You need your rest.”
“I was hoping to hear from Jack. How’s he holding up?”
“He’s upset but resigned. He knows Clare might be better off dead than living the way she has for the last three years.”
“Is anyone with him?”
“Frannie was in earlier, and she took Clare’s mother home with her, but Jamie stayed. He won’t leave Jack, honey. Don’t worry. Why don’t you get some sleep?”
“I’ll try,” Andi promised as she kissed Madeline good night.
Jack never came home that night, and she didn’t see him again until ten the next night, when he came in looking like he was about to drop.
“Hey.” She got out of bed to go to him.
“Hi.” He hugged her and kissed her cheek. “Don’t get too close. I need a shower.” He was still wearing the same clothes he’d worn home from St. John.
“I don’t care.” She held him for a long time. “Why don’t you let me draw you a bath?”
“That sounds good, thanks.” He sat on the bed to take off his shoes.
She turned on the water in the Jacuzzi, went back to sit next to him and brushed the hair off his tanned forehead. St. John already seemed like a long time ago. “Are you hungry?”
He shook his head. “Jamie made me eat earlier. He was with me the whole time. I kept trying to get him to go home, but he wouldn’t.”
Andi had never seen Jack looking more exhausted. “I’m glad he was there. How is she?”
“Still the same. They can’t figure out why she’s not responding to the antibiotics.” He rested his head on her shoulder and ran a hand over her pregnant belly. “How are you, hon?”
“I’m fine, Jack. Don’t worry about me.”
“I do worry about you. And them.” He bent to press a kiss to the bump.
She ran her fingers through his hair, her heart aching for the pain she felt coming from him. “We’re fine, sweetheart.”
“I’m going to soak for a bit.”
“I’ll be right here.”
“Good.” He kissed her and went into the bathroom.
Clare’s fever lasted twelve days. Just when Jack was certain he was losing her for good this time, she opened her eyes and looked at him.