Alone In My Memories (Twin Series) Page 5

  “And what a surprise you woke to,” Myles shook his head, amusingly, “two little boys snuggled at your side. Hopefully they didn’t kick you in their sleep.” His eyes warmly settled on her.

  Katherine shook her head. “No, I don’t suppose they did,” she said.

  “You’re lucky. I believe I was kicked a half a dozen times last night.” Myles smiled when she looked surprised at what he said. “They've been sleeping with me for the past two weeks now.” His voiced deepened. “I know it was because they missed you.” I missed you too, he wanted to say, but he wasn't permitted to speak those words now or even before.

  Katherine looked down tenderly at their sons. “Thank you.” she sniffed. “That means a lot to me,” she confessed.

  “Daddy?” The head which rested on her hip lifted slightly.

  “Matthew.” Myles smiled down at his son as he opened his arms to him.

  So the child whose head laid on her hip was Matthew, which meant it was Michael she was looking down at. Katherine felt her heart warm further. Seconds later she felt the bed dip as Matthew leaped towards his father, settled into Myles lap and lovingly rested his cheek against his father’s chest.

  “Did you have a good nap?” Myles asked softly.

  Their son snuggled closer to his father and nodded. Myles kissed his brow, looking pleased, like a doting father.

  This wasn’t the picture Katherine painted of Myles, but it was a pleasantly surprising one to view. Perhaps he wasn’t at all like her father. Perhaps Myles truly did love his children.

  “I slept with Mommy,” Matthew whispered in a sleepy voice, as though it was a secret, as he adorably rubbed his eyes.

  “Did you now?” his father asked, amusingly, their smiles mirroring the other.

  “Aha. Mickey and I did, Daddy.” Matthew’s light brown eyes brightened when he looked at his mother. As if he needed any further proof Matthew said, “Didn’t we Mommy?” he asked in a slightly bashful manner.

  Katherine nodded her response. She was so moved she couldn’t speak as she watched Matthew’s personality come to life before her very eyes, though he seemed rather shy at first. The whole setting was so intimate, so surreal it left her with many questions. Katherine watched the exchange between father and son in wonder. She hadn’t expected Myles to be so tender, so warm to their children. It was like she was looking at a different man, yet she couldn’t seem to forget what she knew, at least what her best friend, Patricia told her.

  "He’s a womanizer Katherine. Myles likes the chase of catching a woman and when he’s done playing the game, as they say, he moves on to the next." And this was what Katherine had observed time after time. She watched Myles pursue a different woman every week. There was a stream of young ladies on his arm; brunettes, blondes, red heads, raven haired beauties and the list went on. It seemed like all Myles needed to do was smile, just like he was smiling now and no woman within two feet of him could resist him, yet she had always managed to. That is why waking up and finding herself married to Myles Manley left her bewildered. Why had she gone against Patricia’s advice?

  Michael moved against her, stretching his tiny hands over his head.

  “Mommy,” he said, opening his eyes, blissfully pleased to find himself against her.

  “Sweetheart.” Katherine looked lovingly down at her son, brushing his hair off his forehead.

  Michael yawned and then placed his little fingers upon her cheek. She smiled, kissing each one as he giggled.

  Myles heart melted as he watched the affectionate exchange between mother and son. How many nights had he longed for his wife to be here with them just like this? How many moments left him trembling with fear that Katherine might not ever wake up, that she and the baby would be lost to him forever. A lump formed in his throat. This was his miracle and he was grateful he was blessed, because Katherine had physically recovered. Only he wondered if his blessing would last?

  “Mommy will you stay?” Matthew asked wistfully, with a worried look in eyes.

  The lump in Myles throat tightened as he waited for Katherine’s response.

  Katherine’s gaze swept up to Myles, who appeared uneasy now, yet his expression seemed to convey the same uncertainty as his sons. Why would she leave? Had she ever threatened to leave before? It was an odd question that caught her off guard.

  “Of course I will stay darling. Why would I ever leave you?” she asked.

  “You were gone so long, Mommy. We didn’t know when you’d come back,” Michael admitted sadly, his tiny mouth formed an adorable pout.

  Katherine felt their pain and it hurt her to know they felt abandoned by her. This was the very thing she feared her children ever feeling, that either of their parents wouldn’t want them.

  “But didn’t I come back to you both?” Katherine asked. Matthew and Michael nodded. “I will never, ever leave again,” she stressed each word. “Ever.”

  “Promise?” the twins asked in unison, as their eyes wishfully pleaded with her never to go.

  “I promise,” Katherine replied.

  The twins beamed, pleased with their mother’s response. They appeared satisfied with their mother’s answer, while Myles oddly gazed at her as though she wounded him somehow. What did she say that was so troubling?

  No, Myles was not satisfied, at least not entirely. He wanted Katherine to love their children. He wanted her to give them every shred of devotion she'd given before the accident. Myles wanted his wife to also stay because she deeply cared for him, because she couldn’t bear to be without him, not even for a moment. He had wanted her to stay for…for love, but Katherine didn’t love him. She only ever seemed to care for one man, and that man was Caleb.

  Someone was rapping on the bedroom door, he heard the sound as though it were at a distance while his gaze remained upon his lovely wife. Her hair was lightly tousled about her shoulders. Her eyes were warm with laughter and love. Her cheeks rosy. Her breast delicately thrusting against her smock. The swell of her rounded belly was resting upon the soft shiny silk covers, the slight lift of her skirt baring the smooth contour of her left leg, baring her knee to his sight, open to his appraisal. Katherine saw where his gaze had traveled, gasped and speedily swept the fabric of her skirt properly back in place once more.

  Their eyes locked just as he heard Laura say, “Oh you have found the boys. Would you like for me to take them back to their room’s sir?”

  Katherine looked up wearily at Myles. He could see the distrustful expression in her eyes, a reaction which mimicked his sons. Michael clamped down tightly onto his mother’s arm, Matthew tightened his hold on his father also.

  “No Laura, we’ll keep the boys for now but,” Myles looked at each of his sons, “I think there is one thing we have to do. Boys, Laura said you didn’t eat all of your lunch.”

  “I had a tummy ache, Daddy,” Matthew said in a sweet baby voice.

  “Michael?” Myles waited.

  “I…I missed my Mommy,” Michael said truthfully as he rubbed his cheek endearingly against Katherine’s.

  Myles let his gaze settle back on his wife. “I don’t think your mama ate enough food either. So who wants chocolate chip cookies and vanilla ice cream?”

  The boys squealed. Katherine looked taken aback.

  “So what do you say Kat?” Her stomach growled loudly. Myles smiled, Katherine blushed. “I’ll take that as a yes,” he teased.

  Katherine wanted to tell him she wasn’t interested in cookies and ice cream, that ever since she had walked through the front door he had practically tried to shove food in her direction. But she was tempted over thought of enjoying the sweet taste of creamy vanilla ice cream with chocolate chip cookies. Katherine closed her eyes blissfully conjuring up the images. She blinked, trying to control her enthusiasm, though she knew she was failing miserably.

  “Chocolate chip cookies?” Katherine asked as her mouth salivated, the taste of the cookies strongly on her mind, so much so that she even smelled the sweet aroma. r />
  “Chocolate chips, just the way you like them,” Myles said temptingly as he smiled, knowing she could not resist this treat.

  “Alright,” Katherine tried to sound calm, but he could hear the rise of excitement in her voice.

  Myles was beaming so brightly you would have thought he heard the most glorious news of his life.

  “Laura tell Gertrude we will be down shortly,” he laughed in a rich deep voice, though his wife gazed oddly at him.

  Chapter 4:The Library

  They didn't go down to the first floor immediately, that is until Myles thoroughly examined Katherine’s feet with his extremely enthusiastic assistants, Michael and Matthew. The boys crouched low, studying their mother’s feet and at times they even took the hands-on approach by poking the soles. When she wiggled her toes and pulled her feet back, they giggled repeating the experiment until their father shook his head. Finally, when Myles looked satisfied with his inspection he managed to maneuver his wife off the bed, despite the fact their boys clung to her, making the task a bit challenging.

  “My little rascals,” Myles said affectionately, when her feet were flat on the ground. “Ready for your treat?” he laughed when they eagerly nodded.

  After they each took one of their children’s hands Katherine followed Myles down the back stairway. They stopped momentarily as they headed down, when Matthew, whose hand she was holding, tried to dash past his brother to reach the bottom first. Katherine gasped, clutching to the railing to keep herself from slipping, but Myles steadied her.

  “Boys,” he used a stern disciplinarian tone, “don’t forget you must be gentle with your mama. She is going to have a baby. You must be easy on her. Now apologize to her.”

  Katherine watched the scolding expression on her husband’s face and the remorseful look on her son's faces. Myles spoke to them well and in her favor. She didn’t expect him to come to her defense this way. It made her think parenting was more like teamwork. Had they been a good team? Katherine couldn’t imagine it being so when Myles had a take charge personality and she didn’t see herself as the kind of woman who would docilely follow.

  “Sorry Mommy,” both boys said in unison, looking adorably repentant.

  Katherine patted Matthew on the head and smiled down at Michael.

  “Now that’s my boys.” Myles smiled. Seconds later he turned back to his wife. “Are you alright?” he asked, as he studied her with a frown.

  “Yes, thank you,” Katherine said as she eased her hold a bit off the rail.

  Myles seemed to hesitate for a moment and then he nodded. “Alright then, come along boys.” Myles began again to descend the stairway.

  Katherine followed expecting Myles to lead them back into the large formal dining area where they ate lunch and was surprised when he led them into the kitchen instead. It was a spacious kitchen with a grand butcher-block island, mint green cabinets and a big hearth over the six burner gas stove.

  A large lady with tight grey curls greeted them. This must be Gertrude the cook, Katherine thought, as the woman gave her a tight bear hug greeting. She warmly squeezed Katherine’s hands, then pinched her cheeks.

  “I’m so happy your home. Oh just look at you. You are a might leaner, but we will fatten you up yet. I’ve got your favorite cookies, chocolate chips, fresh out of the oven.” Gertrude beamed when she saw how pleased Katherine appeared. “Now have a seat.” She gestured toward the solid cherry wood dinette table. Katherine watched as Gertrude rushed about getting their plates and utensils.

  “I can help you get the plates,” Myles offered, to Katherine’s surprise.

  She didn't expect him to offer to help the woman in whose service he paid. His demeanor was startling. Was this the Myles Manley who always walked about campus with not so much of a drop of lint on his coat, whose nails were perfectly manicured and who had hands softer than a baby’s bottom? Yet he was kinder than she expected…with the boys and herself, only a few moments ago on the stairs.

  “Nonsense, have a seat,” Gertrude insisted.

  “But─” he tried again to assist Gertrude, which left Katherine even more perplexed. Did the man who owned the manor ever humble himself and aid the little people he ruled? Myles nose had always seemed to be so high in the air. Had it somehow come souring down or was it a great act for her benefit?

  “You may own this house Myles Manley,” Gertrude said as she strongly pointed to the lovely stone covered floor, “but I rule this kitchen,” Gertrude stated with a firm and solid stance which silenced him.

  Katherine watched as Myles sighed boyishly taking the seat beside Matthew, with a sheepish grin. She was astonished, completely stupefied that Gertrude, a plump, tiny woman, no taller than five foot two commanded Myles, who was well over six feet tall, to sit down. Katherine sat in open amazement when he readily obeyed. Instantly Gertrude won Katherine over. Not only did Gertrude have her respect, but her admiration.

  In no longer than eight minutes flat Gertrude served them all, giving the boys an extra scoop of ice cream when they asked her, affectionately patting Myles on the cheek, “My dear boy,” she said warmly as she slipped an extra cookie on his plate. Katherine had to keep herself from giggling out loud, which was something she hadn't done since she came out of the coma.

  After seven cookies, a large bowl of vanilla ice cream, a delicious grilled cheese sandwich and one tall glass of milk, Katherine felt incredibly full, but marvelously satisfied. She had never enjoyed a meal more in her life.

  “That was wonderful,” Katherine said earnestly. “I enjoyed every thrilling bite.”

  “It’s nourishment for the baby, it is,” Gertrude said with pleasure, as she sighed with a great deal of satisfaction over the amount of food Katherine ate.

  “Do you want anything else Kat?” Myles asked tenderly, as though he hadn’t seen the enormous amount of food his wife consumed.

  Katherine self-consciously blushed. “No thank you, I'm fine. Thank you Gertrude. It was delicious.” She unconsciously placed her hand on top of her belly and felt the baby move. A surprised expression flickered across her brow. Katherine was still getting use to her new body, baby and all. She gently rubbed the spot where the child moved, in a calming motion. “I guess I wasn’t the only one who enjoyed the meal,” she added.

  Myles didn’t miss the warm pleasure in her eyes.

  “The baby moved?” he asked.

  Myles watched his wife nod, as she looked about the room, at every corner, but at him. Why couldn’t she look at him with the same pleasure in her eyes as she so easily bestowed on others?

  Myles noticed Katherine seemed a bit uneasy since the children left the kitchen. Before they left, Katherine promised Matthew and Michael she would join them in their playroom when she was done.

  “He has a love of sweet things I imagine,” Myles said, lightly trying to draw her out, to calm the sense of agitation he felt oozing out of her.

  “Or she,” Katherine stated, finally meeting his eyes, in a challenging stance.

  He nearly chuckled.

  “Or she.” Myles agreed. “Does this mean you want a girl?” he asked intrigued by her response.

  “That's right,” Gertrude jumped in, giving her two cents on the matter. Myles shook his head. “Katherine has given you two handsome boys. A girl of her own would be proper, a proper fine thing, I’d imagine. I could see her running about here with ribbons in her hair, teaching those two little rascals a thing or two─”

  “I can hardly believe I am someone’s mother.” Katherine shrugged looking thoughtful. “I never thought of babies…at least the last thing I remember worrying about accomplishing was passing my literature classes so I could graduate. Motherhood, babies, this is all so new to me,” she admitted. “It all makes a ten page English term report sound like a cinch.”

  Was it regret he heard in her voice? Myles feared this was all too much for Katherine. Earlier he watched how pleased she appeared to be with their sons, yet parenthood was something he had
had to get used to himself. He couldn’t imagine what she felt waking up and finding out that not only was she carrying a child, but there were two little ones at home as well. His optimism was flying out the door. Thank God for Gertrude!

  “Real life doesn’t compare to school. You can cram for your studies, but no one I ever met could cram for life. The high and lows, I guess you can say are like a pop quiz. You never know when one will rear up its ugly head, but you have to learn to take it all in stride.”

  “I guess so…I just had such an easy time in literature class.” There was a dreamy look in Katherine’s eyes. She looked as though she wished herself somewhere else.

  “And what do you say Myles?” Gertrude asked urging him to speak.

  “I don’t believe old Professor Shraeder would like to hear Kat say that. He imagined his literature class to be the toughest obstacle in life. I almost didn’t pass,” Myles stated flatly.

  “What Myles meant to say was he would not have passed if you hadn’t helped him,” Gertrude added as she wiped her hand in her apron and leaned against the white farmhouse sink.

  “I helped him?” Katherine looked astonished, as though what Gertrude stated could never, have possibly ever occurred.

  “You were my English Literature tutor,” Myles said. He was troubled with the thought that Katherine might hate him when she found out the truth.

  Katherine looked puzzlingly up at Myles, as though she had doubted what he said. Why would she ever want to help Myles? Katherine always tried to keep a safe distance from him. She couldn’t quite see herself committing to a job in which they would have such close contact with one another. Somewhere deep inside, Katherine guessed Caleb had not found the idea to his liking either.

  “I don’t know how that could be,” she said, incredibly baffled. “I don’t remember ever being a tutor.” A pool of emotions showed in her eyes. “When did you hire me?” Katherine inquired.

  There was a long pause. Myles seemed reluctant to answer her, as if there was something he didn’t want her to know.