Stranded On Christmas (24 page)

“
Can
we trade?” I wanted to say that I had held each of them and told
them that I loved them. I was feeling very exhausted.

Gideon
frowned and nodded at me. Very carefully he traded the babies. I
kissed the new little guy in my arms and smiled at him.

“
I
don't think I’ve ever been happier.” I told Gideon.

Gideon

Jessie's
doctor arrived and told me that it was necessary to do some tests. He
needed to know how she was doing. He didn't come out and say it, but
he meant how long she had to live.

Jessie
had fallen asleep. She was completely exhausted.

They
rolled her away for her tests. I couldn't go with her because I had
to stay with the twins and wait.

Both
boys were sleeping in their hospital bassinets. That gave me a chance
to stare at them. I felt they both looked a lot like Jessie. That
meant that I was staring at two very good-looking boys.

I
promised them that I would watch over them and care for them until I
took my last breath.

I
was a father again. These babies were alive. I promised myself that
they would never forget their mother. I had been taking lots of
pictures of Jessie. I wanted something to show them.

It
was over two hours later when they brought Jessie back. She was still
asleep.

The
doctor told me that he wanted to talk to me out in the hall. I was
having one of those moments when you had to be a man and face your
fears, even though it was the last thing that you wanted to do.

I
knew Jessie would ask when she woke up. It would be better if I heard
the news in advance. That way I could work through my feelings and
mask them before I told her. I could be strong for her that way.

“
Mr.
Thompson, sometimes hormones change tumors. They can get bigger –”

I
gulped.

“
Or
in your wife's case – smaller. In fact, it was so small I could
hardly find it.”

“
What
does that mean?” I asked.

“
It
means that she will have to come in for check-ups every three months.
However, it is so small at the moment that you don't have to worry
about her dying any time soon. I'll keep an eye on her.”

I
had dreamed about hearing news like this before. “Honestly, she is
going to live?”

“
Yes,
it looks good for now.” The doctor stepped closer to Gideon. “If
she were my wife, I would see to it that she had a baby every couple
of years to make sure that the tumor didn't grow back.”

I
gave him a nod. That would probably be best. If being pregnant meant,
I would have my wife longer, then that was what I would do.

It
would become my favorite chore.

I
quietly went back to our room and looked at my wife and sons. I had
to ask myself, how I got so lucky?

I
thanked the lord that Jessie's car broke down in front of my house.

Jessie

I
woke up and saw Gideon sitting next to me. He was beaming at me. I
was so glad that I was able to give him children, so he wouldn't be
all alone.

“
Is
my doctor here?”

“
He
came and went.”

“
He
did the tests already?” I asked in disbelief.

“
You
slept right through them.”

I
nodded at Gideon. That couldn't be a good sign. The end must be very
close.

“
How
are our boys?” I asked, wanting to change the subject.

“
They
are great. I guess they take after you because they are sleeping like
angels.”

“
I
think they truly are angels.” The good thing about having a husband
was that you had someone you could brag with without feeling like you
were bragging. He agreed with everything I said.

He
sighed, loudly. “
Still, I have to ask myself
what a daughter would have looked like. And those beautiful things
you knitted. It would be a shame not to have a daughter too.”

“
Gideon,
if I could, I would give you ten more babies.”

Gideon
smiled so big I thought about counting his teeth.

“
I've
got some great news for you, baby. You’re going to be in my hair
for a long time. I'll make sure of it.”

Other
Books By Rachel Burns

A
Man To Guide Her

A
Sheikh's Love

Callie
Part I, II, III, IV V & VI

Chocolate
Rewards

Christmas
Captive

Christmas
Stories

Class
Trip

Daddy's
Little Girls

Daddy's
Sweetheart Part I, II, III, IV &V

End
Of The World Part I

Facing
The Music

For
Her Pleasure

Have
A Heart Part I, II & III

Hot
Cooking Spanker Wanted

Island
Men

Pain
and Regret

Southern
Discomfort

Sugar
Daddy

Trust
In Me Parts I & II

Two
Worlds Collide

Where
The Clouds Touch The Earth

Becky's
Birthday (a short story)

Daddy,
I Don't Feel Well (a short story)

Hold
Still (a short story)

Mafia
Men Mean Business (a short story)

Please
Believe Me (a short story)

Punishment
Sex (a short story)

Saving
His Marriage (a short story)

The
Dress Code (a short story)

Trying
Too Hard (a short story)