I didn’t say anything to Brian the next morning about waking up and finding him in bed with me. I didn’t really want to hear him say that he just couldn’t get comfortable in the chairs. After we ate breakfast they brought our babies in. I was so happy I had my little family together in one room. Both sets of our parents had called.  Our mothers were not dealing well with the fact that they couldn’t visit. The press circus downstairs had only gotten worse. Every now and then Brian would peek out the window to see if they were going away. Paul finally showed up bringing three huge balloons.

Paul - “I know that they are little but all kids love balloons.”

Brian – “I don’t think that they can even see that far.”

Paul – “Well then you and Jessica can enjoy them. Speaking of which how are you? I’m Paul Lauder.”

Me–“Hi.”

Paul – “You two kids have a bit of a mess downstairs that we need to get figured out.”

Me–“Can’t we just stay in here until they go away.”

Brian – “if we do that the kids will be graduating in the ICU.” Paul sits down at the table and opens his briefcase.

Paul – “Well we’ve got a few options. The first one is deny everything.”

Brian – “Nope. They’re my kids I’ll never deny that. I just want them to go away while we figure this out.”

Paul – “Well we could just say that yes Jessica did have your kids and everything else is no comment.”

Me – “It’ll be that easy.”

Paul – “No you’re life will be hell for awhile.” I groan and cover my face with a pillow. “I don’t mean to preach but this could have been avoided if I would have known about it.” Brian jumps to my defense.

Brian – “Well there’s nothing we can do about it now so let’s not keep bringing that up okay. She made a mistake she knows it so drop it.”

Paul – “Okay. Do you want to make the statement or should I?”

Brian – “Go ahead. I might not be able to keep my temper.”

Paul – “Okay I’ll prepare something quick and be back so you can approve it.” He leaves to goes to a little conference room.

Me – “Did you mean that?” He pours himself a cup of water.

Brian – “Mean what?”

Me – “Not bringing up what I did.”

Brian – “I think that’s something that we need to discuss by ourselves. It’s going to be hard enough with out bringing in everyone else’s opinions on the subject. I know you feel awful about it and I don’t want anyone to upset you while you’re still recovering.”

Me – “Believe it or not Brian I don’t need you to take care of me. I’ve been doing a pretty good job by myself. Thank you very much.”

Brian – “Look I’m not trying to fight with you Jess.”

Me – “Then stop acting like I’m not sitting here. If you’re mad, then yell at me. If you want to leave, go ahead. If you want to stay, then stay. But stop acting like this because it’s making me crazy.”

Brian – “I’m not going anywhere. You might pick up and run off with my kids.”

Me – “you think I would do that.”

Brian – “Before all of this no, but now I don’t know.”

Me – “Well then I guess I know what you really think of me.” I’m ready to cry. It hurt, it hurt bad. I page for a nurse. Betty comes in.  “Betty I need some rest could you find someplace for the kids to stay for a few hours?”

Betty – “Sure there’s an empty room by the nurses station we could set up as a nursery.”

Me – “Thank you.” She leaves to get the room situated. “I would appreciate it if you would please not sleep next to me anymore. I’ll have them keep the babies in that room so you can stay with them but not have to be in the same room with me. We’ll take turns with them until we get this sorted out.”

Brian – “Jessica. I don’t want you to send the boys to another room.”

Me – “Brian I want you to leave.” He leaves. I roll over on my side and look at the closed curtains. Not seeing the sun in the past 24 hours has not helped my mood. I was trying not to let myself get my hopes up that Brian and I would work things out but I did. I wanted him to just say he loved me again. I didn’t care what everyone thought of me, just him.  I was just getting myself under control when Betty comes rushing in.

Betty – “You’re not going to believe this.” She turns on my TV and there stands Brian with Paul. They were in front of the hospital. The crowd is quiet.

Brian – “Thank you all for giving me a few minutes of your time I have a brief statement and then I will answer a few questions. As you are all very well aware of I have recently became a father of two beautiful little boys. They and their mother are doing fine and are expected to be going home tomorrow. As for my wedding to Christine Monroe I will only comment enough to say that the wedding has been called off. Now any questions?” Instantly reporters start yelling questions. “Yes in the blue.”

Lady – “Is it true that you did not know that she was pregnant.”

Brian – “No. Yes down front.”

Guy – “What about the rumors these children are the result of an affair that you had while engaged to Ms. Monroe.”

Brian – “The boys’ mother and I have been friends for a very long time. I knew her before I met Ms. Monroe.” He sees John Norris. “Yes John.”

John – “And how is the relationship between you and the children’s mother now.”

Brian – “We have always had a very strong friendship based on trust and respect. That has not changed. I admire her courage. She had always been important to me and I will always be there for her.” He searches the crowd for another question.

Me – “Betty help me to the window.” She opens the window and I walk over and open the curtains. Looking down I can see Brian.

Brian – “Yes with the hat.”

Lady – “So when do we get to see them?”

Brian – “I think they are a little young and it’s something I would have to discuss with their mother.” He looks up and sees me. I wave and he waves back which makes everyone look up and then they start taking pictures. I quickly close the curtains again. Paul grabs Brian and drags him back inside. They head back up.

Brian – “How was I?”

Paul – “I think that could be classified as a controlled disaster.”

Brian – “That bad.”

Paul – “It could have been worse. Do you think she realized the planted question?”

Brian – “Yeah but I wanted her to. That why I used John. They’re pretty good friends.” They get to my floor. “You coming?”

Paul – “No I’ve got damage control to do.”

Brian – “I’ll be here.” He walks to my room.