Chapter 3
Two days later, Oliver and Finn walked to their cars together. Oliver whistled all the way.
“Hey, buddy,” Finn asked. “You get lucky last night?”
“Not in the way you mean. But I did get lucky in a way that counts. Let’s sit on the bench over there.” They took seats in the shade off to the left. “I met someone.”
Finn’s eyebrows raised. “And?”
“She’s a doctor. She did my mother’s surgery a week ago.”
“Yeah?” He waited a bit. “I hate to bring up that pesky professional ethics thing, but you can’t date your mother’s doctor.”
“She’d already been taken off my mother’s case because a new guy joined the practice and the others were overworked.”
“That’s kismet.”
“Maybe it is meant to be.”
“Tell me about her.”
“Her eyes are the color of that sky right there.” He motioned to the heavens. “And her hair is steel blond, with highlights. It’s thick and luscious.”
“She sounds beautiful.”
“She is.”
“You like her?”
“A lot.”
“Does she like you a lot too?”
“We had a date and we kissed. We both got into it, even though we were in the parking lot.”
“Still sounds good.”
“I told her I’d call her. So I think there’ll be another date.”
“Good for you, buddy.”
“No other woman interested me this much right away, Finn. She’s different.”
“My advice?”
“Of course.”
“Pursue the relationship. It sounds promising.”
“I intend to. How’s Elise?”
“Things are complicated.”
“I thought she had four months off.”
“She does. But word got around about the movie they filmed here. Producers are calling every day. Literally. I want to support her, but it’s making us both crazy.”
“When she decides on her next film it’ll probably calm down.”
“Yeah. I’m impatient, though. I didn’t think she’d be so tied up right away. We planned to have this time together.”
“Compromise.”
“Meaning?”
“Let her do what she needs to do for her career but both of you be careful not to let it take over.”
“I guess. We have to try something.”
“Can I do anything?”
“Just chase after that little blond.”
Oliver laughed.
“How about this? You take my advice, I’ll take yours.”
“You’re on buddy.”
* * *
Anabelle hoped work would distract her today. No more obsessing. As she entered the cardiac catheterization lab, all thoughts of Oliver Ricardi fled. “Hello, Ms. Kramer. How are you feeling today?”
The forty-year-old woman fidgeted. “All right. A little nervous.”
Anabelle smiled. “That’s normal. I’d like to go over the process of what I’ll be doing today.
I’m going to give you a test to check for clogged arteries and coronary artery disease.
We’re doing this because you’re experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath and extreme fatigue.
Also, I saw on the intake form that your mother had congenital heart disease. ”
Already, her healthcare team had checked the patient’s blood pressure and pulse and attached sticky patches with sensors to the woman’s chest. Wires connected the patches to a computer.
“First, I’m going to inject you with some sedation to help with the nervousness.”
She waited a bit until the woman said, “I think I’m relaxed.”
“There might be some bleeding or bruising during the test. In rare cases, there could be some infection or irregular heart rhythms. Or allergic reactions to contrast dye, or medicines used during the test.”
“I understand.”
“I’ll explain what I’m doing for each of the steps of the test as I execute it. First, I’m going to insert a thin, flexible tube called a catheter in through your hand.” She felt for a blood vessel and when she found a plump one, she inserted the catheter into it.
“Next I’m injecting dye into the catheter so the blood vessels will show up more clearly on the X-ray images.”
Anabelle waited for the results. “As I told you, if I find a blocked artery, I’ll treat the blockage right away. Is that still okay with you?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Now, I’m guiding the wire through the blood vessel to your heart.” Carefully, slowly, she threaded it in.
After a bit, she said, “I’m finding a blocked artery, Mrs. Kramer. Now, I’m going to pull the catheter out and place a wire mesh tube in the artery…”
When Anabelle finished the treatment, she said, “Now that this part of the test is over, you’ll spend a few hours in a recovery room.”
“I’m sleepy.”
“You can rest as long as you need.”
Anabelle left the room happy about this appointment.
* * *
Oliver punched in Anabelle’s cell number. She answered on the third ring. “Hello.”
“Hello, Anabelle. It’s Oliver Ricardi.”
She chuckled. “You didn’t have to give your last name. Oliver is an unusual one.”
“What’s that in the background? Are you at work?”
“No, I’m out in the yard. I have a little pool set up and my girls are splashing and talking, to each other, I think.”
“You think?”
“They have a language all their own. They seem to be communicating.”
“That’s fascinating. Can I come over and see? I’m off today too.”
“You wouldn’t find this fun.”
“Let me be the judge of that. I’ll bring food. What would you want for lunch?
“I like salad. With chicken on it.”
“What about them?”
“They still take bottles. And eat baby food.”
“I have your address. I’ll see you soon.”
Whistling again, Oliver picked up two salads at The Garden, a restaurant near her house and arrived at her doorstep a half hour later.
He could hear them in the backyard and followed the slate path out.
Two little munchkins sat in a small pool, filling pint-sized pails and dumping the water over each’s other heads.
Sitting on a blanket next to the pool, Anabelle’s laughter tinkled into the hot July sun.
He called out, “Hello there.”
“Hi.” She stood. And looked adorable in yellow jean shorts and white cropped top. He could see tanned skin peek out.
“I come bearing gifts.”
“Put the bag on the picnic table under the umbrella.”
He set the food down and approached her. Her hair was back in a ponytail; he tucked a stray strand behind her ear and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. They both dropped down. The twins noticed him and at the same time splashed water at him. His shirt got wet, but he laughed. So did she.
“What brings you here today?”
“Harmony Healing is closed on Sundays. I told you two nights ago I’d call.”
She angled her head to the girls. “I think this is more than you bargained for.”
“Never.” He smiled. “Lucy and Emily, right?”
“Yes.”
“Hello little cuties.”
They splashed him again. Anabelle shook her head. “No more, ladies. Ready for food?”
“Foo foo foo,” one of them said.
“Emily is very vocal. Her sister not so much. It’s time they got out.”
“I’ll get one of them.”
“You sure?”
“I have tons of nieces and nephews.”
“I’ll get their clothes.” She hurried to the table and came back with diapers and T-shirts that said, I’m a sweetie. He took a towel, laid it on the blanket and picked up Emily. She frowned. “Uh-oh.”
“She’ll be okay. She likes men.”
“I’m not sure I like that.”
“Friends. My dad.”
Anabelle scooped up Lucy. He followed suit when she laid Lucy down and dried her off. “Wow,” she said. “This takes me forever when I do it alone.”
“Are they walking?” he asked as he put a diaper on his baby. The t-shirt took longer because Emily kept batting him in the face and giggling.
“Not walking yet. But they crawl like Olympic athletes. And Emily likes to play, so she’s giving you a hard time.”
Finally, they were dressed. He carried Emily to the table where two seats were clipped onto it.
They both put the kids into respective ones.
“Peas and carrots first.” The unopened jars were in the middle of the table out of the sun.
She gave him a bib and began to fasten one on Emily.
“You don’t have to feed one. I can do both. ”
“Are you kidding? Give me a spoon.”
Both girls devoured the food, though to him the peas were, well, disgusting. He talked to Emily the whole time. Then Anabelle poured cheerios on the trays. They were fun to watch, as they picked them up and stuffed them into their mouths.
“Bottle time.” Two were also prepared and within reach.
Oliver leaned back into the chair with Emily and stuck a nipple into her mouth.
She sucked greedily. There was something calming about holding a baby that warmed him inside.
He caught a glimpse of Anabelle. She was gazing at Lucy with such joy on her face that it took his breath away. “They’ll fall asleep drinking.”
“Then what happens?”
“We wait till they poop. I change them inside.”
He stood.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to change a poopy diaper.”
The nursery was down a hall to the left. He followed Anabelle. It was the cutest room, with life-size bunnies and deer and birds on the walls. “Wow, did you do all this?”
“No. My dad’s an artist. He went to town in here.”
“It’s beautiful.”
When the kids were changed, she put them in one crib.
“Not two cribs?”
“I tried that. I thought it would be better for them, but they screamed their heads off. As soon as I put them together, they stopped.”
By now, they had both zonked. Was there anything more amazing than sleeping babies?
“We can eat our salads outside. I have a monitor and the front door is locked.”
On the way back down the hall, he got a glimpse of a bedroom with peach walls and taupe accents. In the kitchen she grabbed two bottles of water and they went outside.
“I’m starved,” she said, opening the bag and pulling out two salads, two croissants and two chocolate chip cookies.
“Hmm. I love croissants.”
“Me, too.”
They put spicy dressing on the salads and she dug in. He watched her for a few seconds then speared lettuce and chicken for himself. “This dressing is great.”
“Yeah.” She buttered the croissant and took a bite. “Oh, yeah.”
They made small talk while they ate. When they finished, she sat back. He could see lines around her mouth and eyes. “You’re tired.”
“I’ve been up since five. I usually nap when they do, but I’ll be okay as soon as the calories kick in.”
“No, way. You’re going to nap right now.”
“I want to see you.” The protest was weak, though. “Besides, I should clean up the girls’ chairs and trays. They make such a mess.”
“Nope, I’ll do it. I got to sleep in.” He stood and held out his hand. “Come on, I’ll tuck you in, too. Then I’ll do this.”
“You don’t mind letting yourself out?”
“Nah.”
They held hands all the way to the bedroom. She was so tired she didn’t even realize she shucked her shorts off in front of him, then climbed under the sheet. He got a peek of red lace panties.
Leaning over, he kissed her head.
She closed her eyes and was out cold in seconds. Oliver picked up the monitor she’d set on the nightstand and walked out. He closed the door. After cleaning everything up outside, he came back into the living room, turned on a ball game and made himself at home on the couch.
* * *
Anabelle awoke. She stretched lazily, then when clear-headedness returned, she bolted up.
Her heart thudded in her chest. Oh my God, Oh my God, the door was closed.
She got off the bed and opened it; the twins’ door was shut too.
She checked her watch. They’d only been asleep an hour.
She stuffed her feet into her shorts and headed out to the living room.
Where she found Oliver, watching sports with the monitor in his hand. She walked further inside and stood in front of the TV.
“Look at you all sleep-tousled and sexy.”
She chuckled and dropped down next to him. “Explain.”
“You were dead on your feet when we brought the twins in. I ushered you to bed, took this” he held up the monitor “and came out here.”
“It was nice of you to wait.”
He turned toward her on the couch and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear again. “You only slept an hour.”
She grasped his hand and kissed it.
“Hmm. More.”
Leaning in, she pressed her mouth to his. Opened his lips and explored him with her tongue. He grasped onto her. The kiss went on. When she drew back, he whispered, “I want to touch you with some degree of intimacy.” She felt his breath in her ear. “I’ve been having fantasies while you slept.”
“You were watching the game.”
“What game?” His hands went to her top. He pushed it up and released the clasp of a very sexy white lace bra.
She spilled into his hands. Her skin felt like watery silk.
He lost no time in kissing the swell of her breast, then the side and finally his lips closed over a nipple.
When he began to suck she bucked forward.
“Hurt?”
“No wonderful.”
He went back to the very delightful task. She made all kinds of lovely noises…hmm. Oh wow. Yes. This feels so good. When he leaned back, she asked, “Can I touch you? Intimately.”
“Not on the inside of my clothes. I’ll go off in a second.” He took her hand, placed it on his groin. And pressed gently. “Ahh.” He went back to her breast. Suckled. She moaned and pressed harder.
“Ahhh.”
After a bit, she pulled away. “This is on the verge of getting to the point of no return.”
It took Herculean effort to say, “We’re not ready for that.”
“I suppose.”
They drew back at the same time and he scooted down some.
“Well!” he said.
“Yeah, well.”
She laid her head back and looked up at the whirling fans.
He took her hand, laid back and looked up, too.
Not long after that, there was giggling coming through the monitor. “The babies are up.”
“How cute that they don’t cry when they awaken.”
“They’ll play that way for a bit. Then call me in with a few minor screeches.”
“Your life is full of joy, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it is. Thanks for noticing that.”
“I like it.”
“I’m glad you do.”