The Baby Arrangement

“Yes, he’s mine,” Paula had confirmed with a heavy sigh, and Faith had heard neither pride nor joy in her sister’s voice. “It wasn’t supposed to happen,” her twin had continued, annoyance echoing in every word. “I forgot to take a few pills...that’s all.”

“That’s all,” Faith repeated, and lifted her gaze to meet Paula’s, wondering if her sister ever thought about the consequences of her actions.

“You’re not going to start lecturing me or anything, are you?”

“No, I’m not going to lecture you,” Faith assured her, suddenly blinking away the moisture clinging to her lashes. “Mom and Dad must be thrilled...” she went on, and immediately caught the look of guilt that flashed in her sister’s eyes.

“Haven’t you told them?” Faith asked as she followed Paula into the living room.

“No, I haven’t told them,” Paula confessed. Dropping into the armchair, she glanced up at Faith. “I haven’t told anybody. I couldn’t—” She stopped abruptly. “Not after what you went through with Erica,” she added, her voice trailing off.

“I see,” Faith responded softly, surprised and touched by her sister’s thoughtfulness.

Glancing at her twin, Faith noted the paleness of her sister’s features, as well as the anxiety tugging at her mouth.

“So, tell me. What kind of mess have you gotten yourself into this time?” Faith asked as she lowered herself with the baby into the love seat facing the granite fireplace.

“It’s complicated...” Paula replied, not quite meeting Faith’s eyes.

“When hasn’t your life been complicated? You thrive on complicated,” she added in an attempt to coax a smile from her twin.

Paula flashed her a fleeting grin. “I know. But this time, well...this time I think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew,” she concluded with a sigh.

Faith remained silent, knowing from experience it was futile to ask questions. Paula, if she felt so inclined, would explain in her own sweet time.

“How old is the baby?” Faith asked as the subject of her question began to wriggle in her arms. “And if I’m not out of line...who’s the father? Anyone I know?”

“The baby was born September fifteenth.”

“That’s just two weeks ago. And the father?” she prompted.

Paula leaned back in the armchair. “His name’s Jared McAndrew. He’s not an actor, if that’s what you’re thinking,” she added. “Well, his mother was an actress, but that doesn’t count.”

“Not an actor... Now, there’s a twist,” Faith commented dryly.

Paula’s grin appeared again. “He’s a lawyer, if you must know.”

“A lawyer!” Faith pretended to be shocked. “How on earth did you get involved with a law-year?”

“I met him through a mutual friend. At first I thought he was an actor. He’s certainly handsome enough, with gorgeous blue eyes, dark brooding looks and a cleft in his chin that’s very sexy.” She lapsed into silence, a small smile tugging at her mouth.

Faith waited for her twin to say more, but she appeared to be deep in thought. “Has the baby got a name?” Faith finally asked.

“Yes. His name is Nicholas Preston McAndrew. I named him after Grandpa Preston,” Paula answered, her tone softening a little with sentimentality as she spoke of their own beloved grandfather. “He’s much too little to be called Nicholas, so I just call him Nicky.”

“Grandpa would have been proud and pleased,” Faith replied, still finding it difficult to come to terms with the fact that the baby in her arms actually belonged to her sister. Marriage and children had always been high on Faith’s list of goals, but nowhere on Paula’s.

“Does the nonactor, not-in-show-business lawyer know he’s a father?”

“Yes. Jared knows,” Paula responded. “Listen, sis, I’m a wreck and too exhausted to think, let alone explain everything. What I need is a couple of hours uninterrupted shut-eye. This mothering routine has worn me out. I’m beginning to think I’m not cut out for it. I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep since before he was born.”

Faith hid a smile. “Welcome to the real world,” she said. “Go take a nap. The bed in the spare room is always made up.”

“Thanks.” Paula rose from the armchair. She’d taken only a couple of steps when she stopped and turned to Faith. “Uh...it is all right. I mean, you don’t mind looking after the baby, do you?” she asked with some hesitation.

Faith lifted her gaze from the sleeping infant and smiled at her twin. “No, I don’t mind,” she answered, surprised and pleased to discover she was speaking the truth.

She hadn’t as much as looked at a baby, never mind held one, since Erica’s death. In fact, Faith had deliberately made a point of avoiding situations where she might run into anyone with an infant.

But feeling the weight of Nicky in her arms, mingled with his sweet scent, was strangely comforting. Watching his chest rise and fall, she was mesmerized by the miracle in her arms. And holding him seemed to diminish the pain of her loss and restore a small measure of peace.

“Well, Nicky,” Faith said softly, once Paula had disappeared down the hallway. “I guess it’s just you and me. By the way, I’m your aunt Faith.” Nicky’s eyes flickered open in response to her voice, and seconds later he started to cry.

Carrying him into her bedroom, Faith proceeded to change and feed the infant. Afterward, she put him down in the center of her king-size bed for a nap while she tidied her workroom. Just that morning a courier had picked up the children’s illustrations she’d completed for her publisher.

Paula joined her in the kitchen two hours later. After inquiring about Nicky, she filled a glass with orange juice and turned to Faith. “Listen, sis, I have to fly to L.A. tonight,” Paula suddenly announced.

“Tonight?” Faith repeated with a frown. “But you just got here,” she added, disappointment tugging at her because Paula and the baby had to leave so soon.

“It’s really important,” Paula continued. “It could be the turning point of my career. That’s why I had to—” She broke off. “I need to get there as soon as I can. I’ve waited so long for this and I can’t afford to blow it....”

“Blow what?” Faith asked, but Paula merely shook her head and brought the glass to her lips.

Paula sighed. “I don’t have time to explain all the ins and outs. I have to catch a plane. But I need to ask a favor,” she hurried on.

“Anything. You know that,” Faith responded, wondering if Paula would ever tell her the whole story.

“Can I leave Nicky with you?” Paula asked.

Startled, Faith felt her breath catch in her throat at the unexpected request.

“I know it’s asking a lot....”

“What about his father? Can’t you leave Nicky with him?”

Paula hesitated, and avoided Faith’s gaze. “Right now, that’s not an option. And please don’t ask me why,” Paula hurried on. “Look, it’ll only be for a couple of days...a week at the most.”

Faith heard the familiar pleading note in her twin’s voice. Reaching for the towel on the drain board, she dried her hands. “Of course I’ll look after Nicky,” she said. “Take as long as you need.”

Paula’s eyes instantly lit up, her features relaxing in obvious relief. “Do you mean it?” she asked breathlessly.

“When have I ever been able to say no to my baby sister?” Faith teased gently.

Faith suddenly found herself enfolded in Paula’s arms. “Oh, sis, thanks. This means a lot to me,” Paula mumbled before spinning away. “Oh...can I borrow some clothes? I was in such a hurry when I left, I didn’t think to take any of my regular clothes with me. I’ll hit the stores once I get to L.A.”

“Sure. Check in my closet,” Faith said, only just managing to refrain from voicing the question Left where? “There’s not a lot to choose from, but help yourself,” she added.

Paula had phoned the airline and, after making a reservation, had called for a taxi. While they’d waited for the cab Faith had tried to coax some more information from her twin, but Paula had ignored her questions, and had simply kept repeating that her future depended on the outcome of the trip.