Babies, Husbands, and why I was a Parent by 17

Chapter Ten: Life Goes On

<<warning: this chapter contains a sex scene>>

The Christmas holidays passed in a blur, and Jasper had to go back to work. My daycare kids started showing up again, and life went back to normal.

Annabelle and Jacob came over everyday after they had finished their shifts at work, and Neil and Bella played together. Anna and Jake were starting to get serious with their relationship, after a month of raising Neil together.

They held hands all the time, and snuck kisses in when they thought I wasn't looking. I was happy for them, and Annabelle and my friendship was better than it ever had been. There was no longer the rift between us of her loving me, she was finally not stressing about money and raising Neil because she had a stable job and a wonderful and responsible man to call the father.

Our house was constantly full of laughter and love. My dad was over a lot, never wanting to miss a chance to see his grandkids. My sister Rachel was going to be flying in in a few weeks for the baby shower.

Our babies were due in 6 weeks, but I looked like I was 9 months pregnant already. I waddled around whenever I walked, always needing to sit down. My feet were very swollen and Dr Robertson suggested getting a foot massage. It did make my feet feel better temporarily, and so we went for a family walk for the first time in a few weeks.

I was wearing a maternity pea-coat and some comfy knit boots. The kids were looking adorable in their little snowsuits. Jacob and Annabelle were holding hands, with Neil on his shoulders. Bella was on Jasper's hip in her pink coat and snow-pants, wearing a fuzzy knit hat with a bobble on the top. She was wearing little purple boots that flashed when they touched the ground. 

My arm was around Jasper's waist and my head was resting on his shoulder. A middle-aged woman stopped near us.

"Oh, what darling children!" she cried, coming over to say hello to Bella and Neil.

"Thanks," Annabelle said uncertainly when the woman tickled Neil's feet. She came over to me.

"Boy or girl?" she asked, patting my stomach without permission. I was taken aback. 

"We didn't want to know the gender, but we know they're twins," I said warily.

"It's a shame you don't know the gender," the woman said nosily. I frowned. "Well, you have a wonderful family. My name is Amanda Hartfield. I am a marketing representative of Le Petit Fuschia toddler clothing store over in Montreal. Here's my card. If you're interested in having your children as models, give me a call."

She walked away briskly after handing us the card. "Well, there's a garbage can over there, let's go throw it out," I said, laughing.

Jasper grinned. "I'm fine with that." Jacob laughed too, nodding.

Annabelle hesitated. "I don't know, guys, maybe, you know, it might be good for Neil! I always wanted to be a model, but it never really worked out.... Maybe Neil could get a start! He might get noticed by some other companies."

My eyebrows rose. I didn't want my daughter corrupted by the media at such a young age. 

Jacob shook his head. "I don't know Annabelle. A lot of the kids that start young get pretty messed up..."

"Yeah, you're probably right," Annabelle said. She walked over to the garbage pail and moved her arm toward the opening. Jasper and Jacob weren't looking, but I saw her slip the card into her pocket and rejoin our group.

***

I waited expectantly at the airport with Jasper by my side and Bella on my hip, her head lolling to the side as she struggled to stay awake.