Rebecca's Little Secret (5 page)

“Well, Jeff spends all his time with his kid, and Rebecca doesn’t mind, but I don’t like to be ignored. I thought Bill could keep me company.”

Jeff let out a deep breath. “I think it would’ve been polite to at least tell me Bill was going to be joining us, Chelsea.”

“I thought you’d say no.”

Jeff knew that this wasn’t the time or the place to address this. Besides, he didn’t want to make a scene in front of Rebecca, Joey or Bill. Instead he just shook his head. “Of course you’re welcome to join us, Bill. Joey and I plan to find the elephant that can get peanuts out of Chelsea’s pockets.” He grabbed Joey’s hand and headed in the direction of the elephant house, warning Joey to keep his eyes peeled for a place they could buy peanuts.

R
EBECCA THOUGHT THE DAY
at the zoo was turning out to be a lot of fun after the bizarre start. And Chelsea was right. Bill fit right in and entertained Chelsea when the other two adults were involved with Joey.

Joey was having the time of his life. His father was spoiling him rotten. He’d had peanuts, cotton candy, chocolate candy and several colas. Now Jeff was announcing they needed to stop for lunch.

To no one’s surprise, Joey said he wasn’t hungry.

“That’s because your father has been feeding you junk food all morning,” Rebecca said.

Joey, sitting beside his mother, tugged on her
shoulder and whispered, “I don’t think they know, Mommy.”

“Know what?” Rebecca whispered in return.

“About him being my daddy. He may want to keep it secret.”

“Is that why you never call him Daddy?”

Joey nodded his head.

Rebecca had noticed the way her son avoided calling Jeff Daddy or even by his first name. She had started to say something several times, but she hadn’t wanted to embarrass Jeff or Joey. Instead, she bent over to kiss her son to show him she understood and cared.

“What is it?” Jeff asked, his face showing obvious concern.

“Joey was warning me not to call you his father in front of the others in case you were trying to keep it a secret.”

“Mommy!” Joey protested.

“Joey, they already know I’m your daddy,” Jeff said hurriedly.

“I think that may be why he’s never called you Daddy, either,” Rebecca added, staring at her son with tears in her eyes.

“Is that true, Joey?” Jeff asked.

“I didn’t know if you’d like it,” Joey said, staring down at his athletic shoes, too embarrassed to look up at Jeff.

“We should’ve talked about this before now. It’s my fault. I didn’t want to rush you about calling me
Daddy. I’d love for you to call me Daddy, but if you don’t want to, you can call me Jeff.”

This time Joey looked up at Jeff. “Are you sure?”

“I’m very sure.”

“Then I’d like to call you Daddy.”

Jeff picked him up and hugged him tight against him. “Boy, that sure sounds wonderful coming from you.”

“What a touching moment,” Chelsea said with a lot of sarcasm.

Bill stood, took Chelsea’s arm and practically dragged her away from the table.

Jeff paid them no attention. “I’m glad we’ve got that settled, Joey. I was afraid you didn’t like me.”

“Aw, Daddy, I always like people who buy me peanuts, popcorn, candy and colas.”

It took Jeff a moment to realize his almost-four-year-old was teasing him. When he finally figured it out, he grabbed Joey and began tickling him. Joey was shrieking with great joy.

Just as Rebecca was calling the two males in her life to order, Bill and Chelsea came back to the table. Much to everyone’s surprise, Chelsea apologized to Jeff if she’d seemed insensitive a few minutes ago.

Jeff stared at her blankly, not really sure if she was being sincere or if Bill was forcing her to apologize.

“Well, it makes you sound so old,” Chelsea said, trying to explain her behavior.

“So I guess you don’t want Joey to call you Mommy?” Jeff asked with a grin.

It was hard to determine which one looked more horrified, Joey or Chelsea.

“Daddy was just teasing, Joey,” Rebecca said quietly.

Her words reassured Chelsea, also.

“He can call me Chelsea.”

“And if you keep on wearing those overalls,” Bill pointed out, “in a few years they’ll think he’s your date instead of your stepson!”

Chelsea burst into tears and ran away from the table. Both men looked helplessly at Rebecca. She got up from the table and followed Chelsea over to a tree under which she was standing.

“Chelsea, what’s wrong?”

Chelsea hurriedly rubbed away her tears. “Nothing I care to discuss with you.”

“Bill was just pointing out how young and cute you look in the overalls. I’m sure he didn’t mean any harm,” Rebecca offered, despite Chelsea’s rude comment.

“Are you sure? I—I bought these overalls because Bill said I didn’t know how to dress for fun. And then I thought he was making fun of me.”

“That would upset me, too,” Rebecca assured her with a smile. “But I’m sure that’s not what he was doing.” She looked over at the others. “Let’s go back to the table. They can’t go get our food until we’re there to stay with Joey.”

“But how will I explain my tears?”

“Oh, Chelsea, never explain. We don’t want them to think they can figure us out.”

A look of realization shone in Chelsea’s eyes. “Yes, of course. What a good idea.”

They walked back to the table. When both men questioned her, she smiled and said, “I had a headache.”

Both men looked dumbfounded.

“I think you’d better get in line for our hamburgers. There’s a big crowd coming,” Rebecca pointed out with a smile.

The men hurried away, fear of standing in a long line making them rush to the hamburger stand.

“Well, that went well,” Rebecca said with a grin at Chelsea.

“Thank you, Rebecca,” Chelsea said slowly, as if the words were hard for her to say. “My mother would’ve insisted on a detailed explanation that would’ve embarrassed me.”

“Good heavens, with that to look forward to, you must hide all your emotions.”

“Mostly,” Chelsea admitted with a shrug. “Mother doesn’t like tears.”

“I think they’re therapeutic, sometimes.”

“I like that idea. You have a great way of explaining things. I’ll have to remember to say that to my mother.”

Rebecca grinned. “Just don’t attach my name to it.”

Chelsea giggled. “You’re a lot of fun…for a mother.”

“So, Chelsea, you’re going to be a stepmother. Are you all right with that?” Rebecca asked. She knew she shouldn’t be prying into Jeff’s business, but as Joey’s mother, she felt she had a right to know. Chelsea mostly seemed to ignore Joey, and that worried Rebecca.

Chelsea shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t suppose I’ll be around your little boy that much. I mean, Jeff will most likely spend time alone with him doing boy things.”

Rebecca hesitated, but she couldn’t leave things as they were, especially if Chelsea was going to be a part of her son’s future. “Do you not like little boys?”

Chelsea looked shocked. “I don’t dislike them. I’ve just never been around them. I don’t know what to do with them.”

“Well, I could teach you about little boys and what they like to do, so when you become Joey’s stepmother, it won’t frighten you.”

“I didn’t say it frightened me,” Chelsea said, her eyes round and accusing.

“I’m sorry. I just thought— Hmm. I just know from my own experience, when I don’t know about something, it tends to frighten me. I wasn’t trying to make a judgment about your character or mothering skills,” Rebecca said gently.

“Oh.” Chelsea relaxed and seemed a little less defensive. “I guess it does rather scare me a little. I don’t know what small boys like.”

“I like hamburgers,” Joey said helpfully, watching Chelsea. Then he looked up and saw his father and Bill. “Here they are, Mommy. Hurray! They got french fries, too!”

“Now you know what little boys like,” Rebecca said with a laugh. “But that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t eat vegetables as well.”

Chelsea grinned. “I’ll remember.”

The two men reached the table with two trays loaded with food. In the flurry of distributing everyone’s meals, Jeff stole a look at Rebecca. “Everything okay?”

“Yes, everything’s fine.” And it was. Rebecca had discovered that Chelsea wasn’t as pretentious and cold as she’d thought. She just hadn’t had any experience with children, and she was frightened by the unknown. Maybe Rebecca could help Chelsea get to know Joey, so that when Joey spent time with Chelsea and Jeff, it wouldn’t torture Rebecca with fears of neglect or mistreatment.

When they all finally left the zoo, Rebecca felt it
had been a day well spent. But she was exhausted, as was Joey. He’d fallen asleep on Jeff’s shoulder as he carried him to the car.

Bill interrupted Jeff’s attempt to get everyone in his car. “Jeff, why don’t you let me take Chelsea home so you can get Joey to bed as soon as possible? The little guy is obviously really tired from his full day of excitement.”

“Chelsea, do you mind? Joey needs to get to his bed for a little sleep before dinner,” Jeff said, concentrating on his son.

“That will be fine,” Chelsea agreed calmly.

Rebecca watched Chelsea, amazed that it didn’t bother her that she was being passed off to Bill because of Joey. Rebecca wanted to tell Jeff that wasn’t smart, but before she could decide what to do, she found herself in the front seat next to Jeff, with Joey asleep on the back seat, belted in.

As they drove, Rebecca finally said, “Jeff, I don’t think it’s a good idea to shuffle Chelsea off to Bill. She may blame Joey for separating the two of you.”

Jeff turned to stare at her until traffic demanded he pay attention to his driving. “Chelsea understands that I need this time to bond and form a relationship with Joey. Otherwise she would’ve thrown a fit. Overall, I think things went well today.”

“Yes, they did. I didn’t expect to like Chelsea, but I do. I see why you like Chelsea and chose her for your wife-to-be. I’m going to teach her about little boys, so Joey won’t frighten her.”

“You could teach me, too.”

Rebecca looked at him, sure he was teasing her. When he appeared to be serious, she said, “You don’t need any teaching. You seem to know what to do instinctively. Joey has taken a real liking to you, and you didn’t seem to be struggling with what to do next with him.”

“He’s a smart little boy. Happy, too. You’ve done a good job, Becca. You could’ve taught him to hate me, since I wasn’t around, but you didn’t do that. I really appreciate that.”

“Why would I do that? It would only hurt Joey.” To say nothing of herself. She didn’t want Joey to hate Jeff. She couldn’t hate him, either.

Jeff parked his car in front of Vivian’s house. “I’ll carry Joey up to his room.”

Rebecca followed him into the house, waving to Betty as she admitted them. Upstairs, Rebecca turned back the bedcovers and helped Jeff put Joey in bed. The little boy never opened his eyes.

“He had a wonderful time today, Jeff. Thank you,” she whispered.

“It was my pleasure,” he assured her as they left Joey’s room. “And you? Did you have a good time as well?”

She could only answer honestly. “I did. Bill and Chelsea are both nice people. I enjoyed getting to know them better very much.”

“I had a nice time, too.”

By that time, they’d reached the bottom of the stairs. Vivian appeared and asked Jeff to stay for dinner.

“I don’t want to put you to any trouble, Vivian,” Jeff said.

“Don’t be silly. Betty always makes too much food, anyway. Besides, we’re celebrating tonight.”

“Oh? What are we celebrating?” Rebecca asked in surprise.

Vivian’s cheeks flushed. “I can’t tell you yet. We’re waiting for Vanessa to come home. She’s been at the library all day working on a paper.”

“Well, with that kind of enticement, how can I do anything but accept your invitation to dinner, Vivian? If you’re sure I won’t be intruding?”

“Oh, no. You will need to know, anyway, Jeff. It’s just so exciting!” Vivian gushed, her cheeks again red. Then she swayed slightly.

Rebecca reached out and took her arms. “Are you all right, Vivian?”

“I just felt a little dizzy for a moment. I’m fine.”

“Let’s go sit down, Vivian. Where’s Will?” Jeff put an arm around Vivian’s shoulders and led her toward the library.

Rebecca slipped away to the kitchen to check with Betty about Jeff staying for dinner. “Um, Betty, do you know what we’re celebrating tonight?”

“No. Miz Vivian said it was a secret, but she sure seemed excited.”

“Yes, she is. I think I’ll try to call Vanessa on her cell phone.”

Rebecca picked up the phone and dialed Vanessa’s cell phone number by memory. When her sister an
swered, Rebecca asked, “When are you coming home, Vanessa?”

“Oh, Rebecca, I was thinking about going to get some dinner with—with Jeremy. Would you tell Mom?”

“No, Vanessa, I think you should come home. Your mom is real excited and says we’re celebrating tonight.”

“What are we celebrating?”

“I don’t know. She wouldn’t tell me. She wanted to wait for you to come home before she makes her big announcement. She’d be awfully disappointed if you didn’t come home tonight for dinner.”

“Okay. I can go out with Jeremy another time. I’ll be home in fifteen minutes.”

“Good. I’ll tell Betty.” After she hung up the phone, she let Betty know that Vanessa would be home in a few minutes. Then she went to the library, where Jeff had taken Vivian.

“I just talked to Vanessa. She said she’d be home in fifteen minutes,” Rebecca announced as she sat down.

“Oh, good. I’m so excited, I can’t wait!” Vivian exclaimed. Will got up from behind his desk and sat down on the sofa next to his wife.

“I think you’d better calm down or I’ll have to send you upstairs to bed.”

His threat didn’t seem to upset Vivian. She snuggled up next to him, still beaming with happiness.

“I’ll be good,” Vivian promised.

Betty came in with a tray of hors d’oeuvres.
“Thought you might be hungry. These will keep you from starving.”

After Betty had left the room, Jeff looked at Will. “How do the ladies of the house stay so slender?”

Will shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. I’m trying to be careful myself, but Betty just keeps bringing delicious food, just in case we’re starving.”

After a few more minutes of chitchat, they all heard Vanessa’s voice in the hallway. Vivian leaped to her feet, but Will kept her from running to her daughter. “In here, Vanessa,” he called.

Jeff stood as Vanessa came into the room, and so did Rebecca.

“Hi, everyone. Did I hold up dinner?” Vanessa asked as she entered the room.

“No,” Will assured her. “But your mom was getting a little impatient.”

“I’m sorry, Mom. I could’ve—”

“Will’s just teasing me, darling. But we do have exciting news. I wanted to wait until you were here to tell everyone.” Vivian’s cheeks were bright red.

“Well, I’m here now. What’s the big news?”

“Vanessa, you know I love you more than anything even though I didn’t actually give birth to you?”

“Of course I do, Mom.”

“And I told you God gave you to me because I couldn’t have my own baby?”

Vanessa nodded, frowning now.

“Well, we were wrong. I can have my own baby.”

Vanessa stared at her mother, waiting for more explanation.

Rebecca, however, had figured out what Vivian meant. “No! Really?” She jumped up and hugged Vivian. “I’m so happy for the two of you. Are you feeling all right?”

“Why would you ask—Mom? You’re pregnant? We’re going to have a baby? I can’t believe it. Are you sure?”

Vivian nodded, beaming at her daughter.

“You’ve seen a doctor? He says everything is okay?” Jeff asked.

“Yes. I’m only forty-three, Jeff. Other women have had a baby at my age. Usually not their first one, I’ll admit, but so far everything’s fine, and the doctors are going to watch my pregnancy very closely.” Vivian shared a look with Will. “We’re so excited.”

“It’s hard to believe that I’m going to be changing diapers at this stage of my life,” Will said with a big grin.

“You’ll be a great father, Will,” Vanessa told her stepfather. “Do you know if it is a boy or a girl? Are you going to find out?”

“It’s too early to tell. Your mom and I don’t care which one it is, honey. If it’s half as good as you, we’ll be satisfied,” Will assured her.

Vanessa hugged Will’s neck and then her mother’s. “I’m so excited that we’re going to have a baby. After all these years of hoping, it’s finally come true. I’ve already got Rebecca, and hopefully more siblings
as soon as we find them. Now I can have another sister or brother.”

Betty entered the room. “Dinner is ready.”

“Betty, I can tell you our news now,” Vivian said, watching her housekeeper closely. “We’re going to have a baby.”

Betty’s look swung first from Vanessa to Rebecca. “Who is?”

“I am,” Vivian said, beaming at Betty.

Betty practically went into hysterics, screaming and hugging Vivian. She immediately summoned Peter from the kitchen so that he, too, could share in their happiness. It was several minutes before dinner was served.

Joey didn’t awaken until almost eight o’clock. Betty fed him leftovers in the kitchen. The rest of the family sat in the library and talked about the new baby soon to join their family.

“Have you thought of names yet?” Jeff asked.

“We’ll probably wait until we know the sex of the baby. That way we’ll only have to make one list of names,” Will told him.

“Good thinking. I believe choosing a name is one of the hardest parts about having a baby.”

Vivian’s face filled with concern. “You didn’t get the chance to name Joey, did you?”

“No, but I couldn’t have chosen a better name. You see, Rebecca named him after me and my dad.”

“She did?” Vivian asked, sending a loving smile toward Rebecca.

“My dad’s name was Joseph, and my middle name
is Lee. Joey is named Joseph Lee. The only thing we have to change is the last name.”

Rebecca appeared startled by his remark.

“What are you planning?” Will asked.

“I want his last name to be Jacobs. After all, we share responsibility for him now. But Rebecca and I will have to discuss it later.”

It was as if the two men were having a private conversation. Vivian looked at Rebecca and shrugged.

“I’ll see if Joey’s finished eating. Then we can tell him your good news, Vivian,” Rebecca said, slipping into the kitchen.

A couple of minutes later, she brought Joey into the room. “Joey, Grandpa Will and Grandma Vivian have some exciting news for you.”

“They do? Are we going to get a pet elephant?” the little boy asked, looking around excitedly.

Vanessa stared at her nephew. “Why would you ask that, Joey?”

“Well, we saw the elephants today, and I think I’d like to have a pet elephant.”

“They’re not allowed in our neighborhood,” Will said solemnly.

“Oh. Then what is the good news?”

Vivian leaned forward. “Grandpa and I are going to have a baby, Joey. In a few months, you’ll have a new baby to play with.”

Joey frowned. “Are they fun to play with?”

Will burst out laughing.

Jeff swung his child up into his arms. “I guess we’ll find out together, son. But you should congrat
ulate your grandparents on their good news about the baby.”

“Okay. Congratulations, Grandpa Will and Grandma Vivian.”

“Thank you, Joey,” Will said for both of them. Vivian smiled at Joey. “I think the baby will be fun for you, Joey, and your daddy, because you won’t be expected to change diapers,” she said.

“Eeew,” Joey returned, making a terrible face.

“That’s not polite, Joey,” Rebecca said softly.

“But, Mommy, dirty diapers aren’t polite, either.”

“He has a point,” Will agreed. “I think we need to talk about having someone to play ball with. In two or three years, Joey, our baby will be able to play ball with you.”

“That’ll be neat,” Joey agreed, “but how long do I have to wait?”

“Maybe when you’re seven,” Vivian said. “Our baby will be three and that’s old enough to play ball.”

Joey’s enthusiasm diminished somewhat. “When I’m seven? That’s really old. And that’s a long time to wait. Waiting is hard. I don’t think I can wait that long.

Rebecca laughed with everyone else, but she told her son it was his bedtime. After he’d told everyone good-night, she took his hand and led him upstairs. Jeff followed.

“Can I help tuck Joey into bed again tonight?” he asked Rebecca.