Threes a crowd. - Now Complete.

Part 40

"Jane! Jane love!"

Jane appeared on the stairs, holding Mary's hand.

"What's the matter Paul?"

"Are you expecting someone?"

"Me? Not particularly."

"There's a van on the way up the  road."

"Oooh! I know what that is! Grab Mary for me!" She ran down the stairs and to the door. "I didn't think they'd be here this early!"

Paul and Mary followed her out as a single bed was pulled out of the van, followed by a single mattress and bedding. Jane signed the delivery note, thanked the driver then waved as he left.

"You've bought a bed?" Paul looked surprised. "Why?"

"I beginning to find Mary's starfish way of sleeping a real pain," she confessed quietly, "It would have been OK for a couple of nights but since we seem to be staying longer and longer, I decided we needed to improve sleeping arrangements."

"OK."

"Yes, I thought you could have the single bed and me an Mary will have more room in the double bed!" She grinned, "Come on...help me take everything upstairs and then we can build it ready for tonight.

Paul was rather quiet whilst bed building. As Jane put the finishing touches to the pillows and covers Paul headed back downstairs with Mary. He turned on the TV and the two sat together.

"Fancy a brew Paul?" Jane asked, coming into the room.

"If you want."

Jane stood in the kitchen doorway. "Paul?"

He looked up at her. "Yes?"

"Can you give me a hand a minute?"

"Daddy be back in a minute flower." He told Mary, "I'm going to help mummy."

"OK daddy." Mary nodded.

Paul wandered into the kitchen. "What's the matter Jane?" he asked warily.

"I was going to ask you the same Paul."

"Me? You wanted me to come in here!"

"Paul?" Jane caught his hand, "What's the matter? You've gone very quiet...and kind of...well, sad."

He shrugged. "I'm OK." he replied, his voice quiet.

"No you're not!" Jane urged in a whisper, "Look, I know there's something wrong!  Come on Paul. Talk to me!"

"I'm OK!" he repeated, "Look, I need to go back to Mary."

"Paul, she's fine watching TV for a few minutes. This is more important!" She stared at him, waiting. "Well?"

"The whole buying another bed thing," he said quietly, "It threw me, that's all."

Jane looked surprised. "The bed? Why?"

Paul shrugged. "I just thought that ...well that you and me were trying again yet you're talking about separate beds. I'm not expecting you to welcome me completely into bed Jane but..." He stopped, "But if it's what you want then I'm not going to argue.I just hope it doesn't mean you're changing your mind about you and me trying again."

Suddenly it dawned on Jane what Paul was talking about. Her face fell."Oh Paul, I'm so, so sorry!" She reached up and hugged him. Keeping her arms around his neck she continued, "I didn't mean it when I said the single bed was for you love."

"You didn't?" Paul asked in surprise, "But..."

"No I didn't!" Jane interrupted. "It's for Mary Paul love! I was joking!"

"You were?"

"Paul, Mary's starfish sleeping is driving me nuts! She's been asking for a big girl's bed!" She kissed him again, "Oh my poor love, no wonder you were so sad! I didn't mean it when I said you have the single bed! No, I thought not having Mary in bed with us would help us."

Paul looked at her sceptically. "You're not just saying that? You really were joking?"

Jane could see how Paul's confidence was so fragile at the moment.

"No Paul. It was always intended for Mary. I'm sorry. I thought you'd realise I was joking!" She kissed him then stopped. "Kiss me Paul. Like you used to. I've told you I want you and me to work." Paul began to kiss her, it quickly became a deep passionate kiss. Suddenly Jane pulled away, breathless and aroused.  "Stop Paul." She paused. "Paul love, I'm not ready for that yet. It's too soon for me to be with you like that. I'm sorry. I can't help how I feel!"

"I don't expect you to make love Jane. I really don't. My God after what I did to you, I'm still amazed that you say you still love me. If we ever reach the point where we make love again, then I want you to be completely sure. I don't want to risk anything by getting carried away the regretting it afterwards."

She nodded. "As long as we're clear on that point. I'm happy to share a bed with you with Mary in the single bed." She smiled. "And given time, maybe we can be a proper couple again."

Jane was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. She had the radio on and was singing along to a Beatles song on the radio..."And I love her." As the song came to an end Paul and Mary clattered into the room with Martha.

"It's starting to snow!" He grinned, "I think we're in for a white Christmas!"

She turned and kissed him. "You're freezing! You shouldn't be out so long when it's so cold....especially with Mary!" She scolded. She turned to her daughter who was unzipping her own coat. Her fingers and nose were bright red. "You and daddy go and sit by the fire Mary love. Mummy will bring you both a hot drink."

"Please can I have hot chocolate mummy?" Mary asked.

"Of course you can! Paul, do you want some too?"

"Please love!" He turned to Mary, "Come on Mary, let's go and sit down before Martha pinches the best part of the sofa!"

Giggling, Mary ran into the living room and jumped on the sofa. Martha gave her a look of alarm and jumped off, lying in front of the fire instead. Paul joined Mary. It wasn't long before Jane appeared with their drinks and food.  A short while after dinner, Jane settled Mary into her new bed with a story. The little girl's excitement was a delight to be hold, captured forever by daddy's camera.

Once asleep, Paul and Jane settled down on their own before retiring to bed just after 9 pm themselves.