Revelation of Hearts (Stacey and Shane Mcleod, #3) (55 page)

“That’s awfully decent of you Miles, but I’ve already made reservations,” Shane said.

“Cancel them mate. I can assure you it will be more comfortable on my plane than on a crowded airliner, even if you’re flying first class, plus it will cut your flight hours in half,” Miles insisted.

Shane, thought it over, and then asked Stacey, “How do you feel about us traveling with Miles and his newly acquired family?”

“I feel very good about it. I like Daphne and the children very much,” Stacey said.

On the plane, Daphne’s children entertained the younger children. Daphne and Stacey were able to become better acquainted. It had been a most enjoyable flight but Stacey was looking forward to getting home. They left on the morning of the fifteenth and arrived in Texas around six p.m. of the same day. Captain Neumann had called for a flight plan to land at the ranch. Stacey’s mom with her SUV and her dad with his truck met them at the tarmac and invited everyone to breakfast at the ranch. With the SUV full, Shane, Miles, Dominic and Captain Neumann rode the short way to the ranch in the back of the truck with the luggage.

Gramps and Grandy, along with Uncle Rusty, Ramona, Jason, Chris and Brandon, plus Harlan were all there waiting for them when they arrived. Stacey was so happy to see her grandparents again. She had spoken with them many times over the phone, but she had been worried about the health of Gramps. Her dad had assured her, although her gramps had arthritis, he was doing well, but she was still concerned.

After introductions, breakfast was ready and everyone gathered around the table. Stacey, her mom and Daphne ate in the kitchen with the young people and her children. The ranch was such a pleasant place that Miles and his family spent the day there before flying on to Virginia.

The twins could hardly wait for breakfast to be over so they could ride their ponies. It was no surprise when Harlan produced a pony for Nicky too.

“Come, little buck-a-roo,” Harlan said, as he picked Nicky up and sat him on his pony. Harlan walked him around a few times, then said, “Yes sir, Nicky, you’re gonna’ be a real fine horseman, you are.”

Stacey stood and watched as Harlan sat Nicky in the saddle and walked him around the corral a few times. Stacey could see the emotion on Harlan’s face. She too could see Eric in Nicky in so many ways. She had tried to prepare herself for this, but a deep agonizing emptiness hit her when she was least expecting it. Harlan came to her, put his arms around her, and said, “I know how you feel Stacey girl, but there ain’t no bringing him back. We gotta’ be grateful for the piece of him we got. He’s a mighty fine little man Stacey. If Eric had of had a say in this he wouldn’t have had it any other way. Jennifer knew what she was doing when she came to you and Shane. Now buck up girl before these young’uns take a notice.”

Brandon had been riding in the paddock with the twins, now he was walking Nicky’s pony around the corral. About that time, the older kids came out of the barn. Jason and Chris had saddled up horses for Dominic, Christine and Diana. They rode through the paddock for a while then across the pasture to the lake. After a late lunch, they spent the afternoon in the swimming pool.

Stacey sat thinking how contented she felt just to be home again. Jason, Christ and Brandon were growing up so fast. They were now eighteen, sixteen and seven. Stacey was so proud of the way the boys took Dominic, Christine and Diana into their world and shared it with them. Everyone was out by the pool watching the children play and swim. When Dominic dove in for the umpteenth time, as he came up and shook the water from his face he said, “Man, I love this place. If I lived here, I’d never leave.”

Shane was in the pool with the twins and Nicky. He looked up at Stacey when Dominic made his declaration. She smiled and winked at him. Doctor Scott told Dominic, “Young man, you are welcome here anytime. That goes for your sisters and your mom and dad too.”

“Not my dad,” Dominic said “but, Miles can come; he’s a lot more fun.”

After a while, Nicky climbed upon his mother’s lap and fell asleep. Jessie came and took him from Stacey and said, “I’ll take him to the house, Stacey. I need to get out of this heat anyway.”

Miles looked at his watch and said, “Sorry kids, but we have to break this up.” When they dallied longer than necessary, Miles chapped his hands and said, “Chop, chop, juveniles, I have new in-laws waiting, and I don’t want to get on their bad side.”

Daphne laughing turn to Stacey and said, “I can’t recall ever being this happy. Sometimes I think I should pinch myself to see if I’m dreaming.”

Late in the afternoon, the Gulf Stream jet cleared the tarmac and winded its way east with Miles and his family on their way to Virginia.

After being at the ranch for a week, Stacey, Shane, the children and the grandparents flew to Florida to spend a few days at Disney World. On the third day, in the afternoon Nicky came to Stacey and said, “Mommy, I vanna’ do home.”

“Okay sweetheart. Are you tired? Mommy will take you back to the hotel.”

“Do you want me to take him back to the hotel sweetheart?” Jessie asked.

“No, Mom, you and Dad stay here with Shane and the girls. Nicky and I’ll go back to the hotel.”

“No, Mommy, not hotel. I vanna’ go home,” Nicky said and started crying. “I vanna’ see Lady.”

Stacey wiped Nicky’s eyes and said, “I know you miss her sweetheart, but Lady’s fine. Remember Lady’s visiting with Matthew while we’re visiting with Grandma and Grandpa.”

On board the shuttle on their way back to the hotel, Nicky fell asleep in Stacey’s lap, but every little bit he would take a shaky breath and jerk as if he was crying in his sleep. Later at the hotel after the children were fed and in bed, Stacey talked to her mom about Nicky being upset.

Jessie said, “He’s probably just tired and missing Lady. Let’s see how he is tomorrow, before we start worrying needlessly.”

The next morning, after breakfast Nicky seemed fine and was excited about going to swim with the Dolphins. Later in the afternoon, Nicky started talking about Lady again. Shane suggested that he call the Grants and say hello. “Hugh, hello, Shane said. “We’re calling from Disney World. Nicky’s a little worried about Lady, so he wanted to call and see how she’s holding up.”

“She’s doing fine and she’s right here wagging her tail, if he wants to talk to her.”

Shane had Nicky in his lap and put the phone to his ear to talk to Lady. Nicky’s eyes got big and he said, “Daddy, Lady talked to me. Her say, woof, woof.” Nicky slid down from his daddy’s lap, ran to his mommy and said, “Mommy, Mommy, Lady said her misses me.” Nicky put his arms around his mommy’s neck and said, “Her said her misses Jessie and Jackie too.” Stacey hugged her son and smiled at her daughters as they talked on the phone to Matthew telling him all about Disney World.

After a hectic week at Disney World, the McLeod and Scott families flew back to Austin. The fourth of July came around and the families of Sam and Jessie’s all congregated at the ranch and later at the cabin at the lake where they picnicked, water skied, swam and rode Sea-dos. That night they all drove to Rawhide to watch the fireworks show. The following Saturday was Ashley’s and James Randal’s wedding. They had timed it for when Stacey and her family, Mr. Chen and Aunt Lora and Richard could attend. Stacey was Matron of honor; Jessie and Jackie were flower girls. The couple was married in the Presbyterian Church in Houston. The reception was held at the home of the Flemming Grandparents.

A week later, families from both sides came to the ranch to celebrate an early surprise birthday party for Stacey. After the unwrapping of gifts Stacey said, “Thank you all for being so generous, but I’m gonna’ need another suitcase to take all this home with me.”

Shane smiled a very satisfied smile, as this was the first time Stacey had referred to England as home.

Courtney said, “Well, now Stacey, I’ll be more that happy to take charge of any or all of these troublesome gifts if you feel you won’t have room, especially that ugly diamond bracelet Shane gave you. I know it would look quite lovely on my wrist.”

“Yes, I’m sure it would look lovely on your greedy little wrist, Courtney, but you can quit coveting my bracelet, sugar plum, because it’s going with me and I feel sure I’ll find room for my other gifts too,” Stacey said, laughing at her cousin. Stacey had grown up with her cousins, they were all very close with one another as some people and over zealous young men to their peril had come to understand, if you mess with one, you must be prepared to face them all.

Chapter-76

Happy Parents

Once again, time had come to say goodbye. Miles, Daphne and the kids arrived around ten that morning. Jessie and Mr. Chen had brunch ready. The entire Scott family was there to say goodbye. The children played and swam in the pool. Goodbyes were hard to say and there were lots of tears. At two p.m. Miles Gulf Stream jet cleared the tarmac and set their course for England.

Miles and Daphne’s baby was due in September, so in August the McLeod’s and Strayhorn’s’ spent a few quiet days at Menton, France. They flew over in Miles’ jet and Captain Roget sailed the yacht to the Mediterranean for a weekend cruise. It was wonderful to sit on the deck with the gentle rocking motion of the boat on the water and watching the children play with a cool glass of lemonade in hand.

On September sixteenth, Joshua Thomas Strayhorn was born. Miles was beside himself with pride and joy. Daphne’s children were there as well. They were a united front to meet this new member of the family. George was there with the children looking through the nursery window when Stacey and Shane arrived. Stacey smiled at George and took his arm, as he said, “He’s a magnificent little chap; don’t you think?”

“Yes, George. I think he’s precious and a very lucky young man to have so many wonderful people to love him. Has his grandmother and Doctor Fein been here yet?”

“Oh, my yes, they spent most of the night in the delivery waiting room. Master Joshua is the long awaited heir to the Strayhorn family.”

Stacey frowned and said, “That seems an awful lot of expectation to put on one tiny babies shoulders.”

No sooner had she said that, than she remembered, her own little son would one day hold that same enormous responsibility, on his own young shoulders. Stacey took a deep calming breath and told herself not to borrow trouble, that that day was a long time in the future yet. She patted George on his arm and said, “We’ll see you guys later. We’re off too see the new parents.” George watched Stacey and Shane walk away and wondered what had caused the cloud of uneasiness to cross Stacey’s face, and then quickly faded away.

In the room, Stacey and Shane congratulated the happy couple.  “Have you seen our little guy Stacey?” Stacey nodded her head, “Isn’t he darling? I’m so happy it seems unreal.”

“Don’t you think he’s the best looking lad in the entire nursery?” Miles said with enormous pride.

Stacey was holding Daphne’s hand as Shane shook Miles hand and said, “Absolutely, little Joshua is a most handsome lad. George and the children are at the nursery, as we speak, with their noses pressed against the viewing glass.”

In late September, Stacey was taking freshly folded laundry upstairs when she had a cramp so sever she had to sit down on the steps. Mrs. Wyatt was dusting upstairs when she heard Stacey calling. She quickly answered, “Yes, Mrs. McLeod.” When she saw Stacey sitting on the stairs bent over the basket of laundry she said, “Oh, my lady, who should I call?”

“My Aunt Lora, please,” Stacey said. “And keep the children in the playroom, if you can.”

Lora and Richard arrived within twenty minutes. Richard carried Stacey to the car then came back to stay with the children. Doctor Shaw was paged immediately. She examined Stacey and asked many questions. Shane joined her within minutes.

Stacey said, “I only had the one severe cramp and a few lighter ones later. I should have waited to come in, I feel terribly foolish.”

Shane took her hand and said, “Don’t give it a thought sweetheart. It’s better safe than sorry.”

“Your husband is right Stacey,” Doctor Shaw said. “Also I think it’s time to eliminate the stress of the stairs.” Doctor Shaw saw the look on Stacey’s face and entreated the importance of keeping these babies in the womb as long as possible. “We’ve talked about this before, Stacey and now I believe is the time for you to cut back on your activities, starting with the stairs. You have a virile husband, I’m sure he can carry you up and down the stairs.” Doctor Shaw turn to go, then turned back and said, “Also, no hanky-panky.”

Stacey smiled at her and said, “Yes ma’am, we know. There’s been no hanky-panky for sometime now.” Doctor Shaw left with a smile on her face. She liked Doctor McLeod’s young wife and wondered if there was going to be another onslaught of Doctors from her family once again when this set of twins arrived.

Aunt Lora drove Stacey home and Shane went back to the neurology wing. He was seated behind his desk with his mind on Stacey and the twins she was carrying. After Stacey and Aunt Lora left for home Shane had gone back to talk with Doctor Shaw. Doctor Shaw was writing in Stacey’s chart when Doctor McLeod knocked on her open door. “What is it you’re not telling my wife, Doctor Shaw?”

Doctor Shaw removed her reading glasses and said, “Shane, we went through this the time before. I am concerned Stacey will not be able to carry these babies full term, but I do not want her worrying about it. That could make matters worse. I want her off her feet as much as possible. Perhaps you could hire a housekeeper or her Aunt or have a family member that could help out.”

“We have a housekeeper who comes three hours a day five days a week. I’m sure Aunt Lora will help as much as Stacey will allow.” Shane thought for a minute, and then said, “If my mother or Stacey’s mother came for an extended stay, Stacey would have to be told the truth. However, their may be someone else who will come in under the radar, so to speak. Thank you, Doctor Shaw, I’ll be in touch.”

Shane called Mr. Chen and explained the situation. Mr. Chen said, “Doctor Shane, do not give it another thought.  I will finish my business here in Hong Kong and be there within the week.”