Chapter 16 - Life

There was more screaming when formula was thrust at the twins instead of the usual dinner combo of mom and breast. This time, however, it was Noah who made a fuss. Darcy had all but drunk the entire bottle before her lungs went back into action.

Cam was prepared though and placed the warm cushion onto Darcy’s tummy the minute she had finished winding her. It was like a miracle had taken place.

“I can’t believe this,” she chuckled as Darcy lay contently in her lap. “Wait till Michelle…” She sighed and picked up her phone, checking again for a text, missed call, anything that would let her know that Michelle was alright.

Pippa smiled sadly. “She will, love. It’s a big thing becoming a parent, and you girls got it twice over the first time.”

Cam nodded. “I just wish I could talk to her. Are you sure you’re okay to stay for a while?”

“Yes, I’ve told you that. Stop worrying, if Michelle calls and you need to go and get her, then me and these gorgeous bundles will be just fine.”

“Yeah, I know. Caroline said she would come over, but she had some friends over from London, and Kate is really busy down at the gym. I can get Gavin to drop by though; he wants to spend more time with them anyway.”

“I’m sure he does. How’s that working out, anyway?” Pippa asked. It was still a little odd for her that the ‘father’ was hanging around.

“It’s all good. Gavin knows that we have no issue with him being in their lives, but he isn’t daddy.”

Pippa frowned. “I would have thought that would be quite difficult. Always being around two children that he helped to create and yet not…”

“He knows his place, Mum. I’m their parent,” she said, a little put out.

“Of course you are,” Pippa was quick to get out. “I wasn’t saying otherwise.”

Cam sighed. “I know…sorry, I guess I’m just a little wound up.”

Standing up, Pippa moved across the room to where Cam sat. “Why don’t I get this one ready for her bed and you go take a bath, unwind a bit.”

She made no attempt to stop her mother plucking Darcy from her lap. Instead she ran both hands through her hair and scratched her scalp. A bath sounded pretty good right now. “I dunno, what if…”

“If she calls, then you get out and you go and deal with it.”

Cam checked her watch. It was almost eight p.m. “You’re right.” She stood up and checked in on Noah, who was wide awake and looking at the mobile that hung over the little bassinette. “What ya looking at little man, is that a star?” The universe moved slowly around above him, his dark brown eyes losing focus every now and then as the part he was watching moved away and something else slipped into place. He seemed content enough. She glanced back at her mother and took a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll be upstairs. I’ve got my phone, but if she calls the main line…”

“I will shout right up those stairs for you.” Pippa smiled. “Go, go on.”

She trudged up the stairs and entered the bathroom. The first thing she noticed was her reflection in the mirror. Her palms rested against the cold porcelain of the sink as she leaned into the mirror and inspected herself. Dark rings under eyes looked even more stark in the bright light. She pulled off her top and twisted the taps until a good steam was building. When she reached across for the bubble bath, her phone beeped.

She dropped the bottle and fumbled inside her jeans pocket for the device, heart racing. “Please,” she whispered quietly, but disappointment slapped her in the face when she saw the message from Angie. “Damn it,” she hissed, putting the phone down on the edge of the bath as she stripped out of her remaining clothes. “Come on, Michelle. Just call me.”

Pouring bubbles under the flow of the water, she watched as they quickly swirled up and created a blanket of white foam. It smelt like Michelle, and she found herself swallowing down the urge to cry as she tested the water and then climbed in.