Threes a crowd. - Now Complete.

Part 3

A few minutes after Cynthia left the room, Jane got up and, after making she was tidy, she headed downstairs.

"Hello everyone." she said softly as she entered the living room. "Would any of you like a drink?"

"Jane!" Paul surprise was very apparent.

She turned to him. "Can you come and help me in the kitchen please love?"

Paul gave John and Cyn a quick smile then followed Jane into the kitchen. She turned to him.

"I'm sorry about this morning Paul," she told him, "Can we talk properly later?"

"Sure." He looked uncertain.

She reached over and kissed him. "I love you Paul." she smiled, "Did you set a date with Brian?"

He nodded uncertainly. "2nd August...provisionally anyway."

"Provisionally?"

He shrugged. "I wasn't sure we were definitely getting married so it's...." His voice tailed off.

She took his hand. "If the offer still stands Paul, then I would love to marry you."

He smiled in delight. "Oh Jane! Do you mean that?"

She nodded. "I know I freaked out about the whole situation but Cyn helped me see things differently. So, yes I do mean it. I would like you and me to get married."

He put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her closer to him. "I love you Jane Asher. I have loved you from the day we met. I promise you I will do everything I can to be a good husband  to you and father to our baby!" He kissed her softly. "How about I tip John to go early so you and me can be together?"

She nodded. "That would be a great idea."

Arriving outside the Asher home Paul looked uneasy.

"Are you sure about doing this today Jane love?"

"I have to tell my parents Paul! And you agreed to be with me when I did!"

He took her hand. "I know and I want to be with you!" He paused. "How do you think they'll react?"

"I don't know really."

They knocked on the door of the impressive Wimpole Street house. 

"Jane!" Her mother Margaret greeted her cheerfully! "What a lovely surprise! Hello Paul! Come

in!"

Paul gave Margaret a brief hug and then followed Jane and her mother inside. They sat in a pleasant kitchen whilst Margaret made them both a drink.

"It's nice to see the pair of you!" Margaret Asher enthused, "You're both normally so busy!"

"I've got two weeks off before our next tour." said Paul quietly.

"It's America again, isn't it? When will you be back?" 

"Last week in July.....27th." He looked at Jane, "Just in time."

Margaret looked at Paul. A puzzled look on her face. "Just in time for what?"

Paul smiled at her and looked to Jane once more. She looked uncomfortable. Margaret saw the look.

"Paul? Jane? What is it?"

Jane sighed. "Paul and I, we've set a date for our wedding mum."

"Really!" Margaret was thrilled, "Oh Jane, when?"

"Provisionally for the 2nd August."

"Why provisionally?" Margaret looked confused.

"We wanted to make sure you and Dr Asher were free Margaret," said Paul quietly, "and Claire and Peter of course."

Margaret laughed. "We've got a year to  clear the diary so..."

"Mum! It's August 2nd this year!" 

"This year! It's only five weeks away Jane! You can't organise everything for a wedding in five weeks! Why the rush?"

Jane  looked at the floor.

"Jane? Paul?" She asked the couple again, this time her tone changed, "What's going on?"

"Margaret, Jane and I are pleased to tell you that we are expecting our first child." He took Jane's hand, "So we want to get married and be a family."

Is this true?" Margaret's voice was low, "Jane? Is this true? You're pregnant?"

She raised her head and nodded slowly. "I'm sorry." she whispered. A single tear rolled down her cheek. "I know you're disappointed but..."

"No Jane!" Suddenly her mother swamped her in a hug. "I'm not disappointed, just surprised." She looked from Jane to Paul. "You're both so busy I didn't think having a family was on your immediate plans."

"It wasn't." said Paul softly, his arm around Jane's shoulder, "It's come as a surprise to us too but we've talked about it and getting married is the right thing for us to do. Isn't it love?"

She didn't answer.

"Jane?" Margaret was concerned, "Jane? Paul's right isn't he?"

"I suppose...yes." She looked at Paul, "I wasn't very happy about the idea of a baby at first but now...." she smiled, "Now I'm getting used to the idea. I love Paul mum and he loves me. We'll be fine."

Margaret chose to make no further comment.

"Is dad home?"

"He's in his study. Why?"

"I was going to tell him the news....well we were. Is he busy?"

"To be honest Jane love, he's deep in a meeting with some researcher. How about I tell him later?" her mother suggested.

"If you think that would be better than interrupting him then I suppose, yes. Paul, what do you think?"

"I think we do what your mum think is best love." He squirmed uncomfortably. Ever since Jane had admitted to her mother how unhappy she had felt about the pregnancy, she had glared at Paul.

The drank their tea in silence.

"How has your father reacted to the marriage and baby new Paul?" Margaret Asher asked him suddenly.

Paul blushed. "I haven't actually told him yet. Jane wanted to wait until we had spoken to you before we told anyone else. I'll ring him when we get home from here."

"How will he react?"

Paul gave a small smile. "He be pleased because he really likes Jane but," he grimmaced, "he won't be impressed that Jane's pregnant. Not because it's Jane but that I should have been more careful. He'll tell me off for that! He's like that my dad."

"Then that's something we both agree on then Paul." She gave Paul a stoney glare. "And rest assured Jane's father won't be pleased either!"

"Mum, stop it!" Jane exclaimed suddenly.

"Jane it's just that...."

"No mum!" she continued, "It's not Paul's fault this has happened, OK? I accidentally missed a pill dose! I didn't know we'd have to take other precautions! So just leave Paul alone!"

"Jane, you're so young..."

Jane stood up suddenly. "Mum, I'm marrying Paul on the 2nd August. I want you, dad Pete and Claire to be there. I want you to be pleased. I don't want any of you giving me or Paul grief about what's happened. What's done is done!" 

She burst in to tears.