Cassie looked across at the Maidens Hill swimming pool, full of people. She’d been surprised that the children had wanted to swim, despite it being heated. The evenings were cooling off fast and the sun was dropping already.
Even as the thought crossed her mind, Shayne was ordering everyone out. He looked so adorable, with six-week-old Aaron in a pouch on his chest. She knew he loved both twins, but somehow the weaker Aaron had brought out the nurturer in him.
She’d seen fathers who went into denial if their child was less than perfect. Shayne had gone full on, taking the lead with the extra time Aaron needed. In those first few days, there’d been talk of taking him to Brisbane, but under Shayne’s unremitting care, he’d rallied. The doctors had done their part, of course. But Shayne had barely left the hospital in those early days. He’d talked to him, touched him with gentle fingers, as if reassuring him he wasn’t alone. He’d been the one who’d found the pouch so there could be skin to skin touch when Cassie was busy with Freddie. Now it was a guaranteed way to help him settle.
Freddie had been ready to come home after only a week, but Aaron had needed longer. He hadn’t come home until almost the original birth date. Not that they’d come back to Maidens Hill until his discharge. Dawn had opened her home to them so they could be five minutes away from the hospital at all times.
Cassie had been nervous at first, staying with her parents-in-law, but it had given her a new appreciation of Dawn’s capabilities.
Becca stretched on the lounger beside her, smothering a yawn. ‘You must be pleased to be home?’
Cassie nodded, giving Freddie in the bouncer a small nudge to keep him rocking gently. He’d not long been fed, so he was sated, lying like a frog with a smear of milk at the corner of his rosebud mouth.
‘It seemed like forever, but Dawn finished the renovations in super-fast time, so it was easy.’
Becca was sitting at ease, sipping a cup of tea. Her older children had taken charge of little Sam and she’d collapsed on the chair with a groan. ‘I don’t know how I ever managed with two. One is exhausting enough.’
‘I’m only getting used to having the two at the same time now. It was weird having Freddie with me all the time and having to spend time at the hospital with Aaron. We did it in shifts, but it felt all sorts of wrong.’
‘I remember. Edward was the tricky one out of our pair. I ended up alone in Brisbane for weeks and hated it.’
‘Shayne was so determined we were going to stay here without splitting up the family. He put Doctor Reece on the spot, but they came to a compromise.’
Becca laughed. ‘I heard the hospital scored some new equipment.’
‘It wasn’t really bribery. The hospital will use it for any preemies or sick babies in the future.’
‘Believe me, I approve. Morgan and I are planning at least one more child. He was so wrapped in being present for the whole pregnancy and birth thing.’
‘Where is Morgan?’
‘He’s doing a web consult with Jordan’s medical team at the hospital. He’ll be here in time for the steak and sausages.’
Shayne was wending his way through the crowd. It was only family, but it seemed like a lot of people after Cassie had spent so much time between the hospital and her in-law’s place.
‘How are you? Not too tired?’
Cassie raised a disbelieving brow. ‘How could I be tired? No-one will let me do anything.’
‘Well, I think little A wants a change and feed, so maybe we should head inside. You’ll excuse us, Becca?’
Becca waved them away. ‘I’m good. It’s nice to do nothing, whatever Cassie says.’
Upstairs in the nursery, Shayne deftly changed Aaron and handed him over, whisking Freddie onto the change table to check his nappy.
This was her favourite time, with only the two of them and their babies. Not that they’d be able to relax for long. They had guests downstairs. She made herself comfortable on the rocker to feed and Shayne settled Freddie in his cot and sat on the armchair.
Aaron was being fussy, and she rubbed his back. ‘I think your reputation as a tough guy has taken a hit.’
‘What makes you think I ever had a tough guy reputation? You forget I’ve been a father to a girl for sixteen years. Anyone who’s been around long enough has seen me with painted fingernails and ribbons in my hair.’
The image was priceless. ‘If you don’t have photos, it didn’t happen.’
‘They’re somewhere in the cloud. I’ll send you the link and you can trawl through them when you have time.’ He grinned. ‘I’ve never got around to printing them out, but I assure you, there are thousands.’
It was almost too comfortable. Despite the disruption of the past few weeks, they’d become closer every day. They hadn’t done more than share a bed to sleep, but that could change anytime. Her body softened in anticipation. Though it was probably wise not to get too hopeful. The twins hadn’t settled into a routine and never coordinated their sleeping and eating pattern.
They were both sleeping now, and she felt a zing of excitement as Shayne drew her into the master bedroom. ‘Dawn has said she will monitor things downstairs if you want a nap before you go back to the barbeque.’
‘A nap?’
He was undoing the buttons on her dress, nudging her towards the bed. ‘I’ll stay with you. To make sure you are thoroughly relaxed.’
Which he did. She was, in fact, so thoroughly relaxed after his loving that she’d fallen asleep, curled up in his strong and tender arms.
It was dark when she woke, still held close. This was the perfect place to be. ‘Shouldn’t we be heading back downstairs?’
‘Only if you want to.’
‘It’s family. I want to be there with you.’
His mouth brushed over hers, soft and sweet. ‘I will be there for you, as long as I live.’
‘I can’t ask for more.’
‘I’m going to give you as much more as you can handle.’
It was much later when they joined the party, along with the twins.
Kimberley winked at her as she tried to make an unobtrusive entrance alongside Shayne. Her acceptance had been wholehearted after the birth of her brothers. It was a new start in so many ways, surrounded by family and community. Yet it was one man who’d made it all possible, with his patience, his unswerving commitment.
With his love, their love, that made all things possible. A love she could believe in forever.