The Surprise Triplets

“Why did you leave L.A.?” she asked. “I’m sure it paid better.” He’d earned a hefty salary, plus bonuses.

“It was cutthroat.” The partners at his old firm had encouraged associates to go for the jugular. The more Edmond saw of vicious divorces and custody battles, the less he appreciated that approach to family law.

Despite their pain, he and Melissa had behaved like rational adults during the divorce. That experience had been part of the reason he’d switched his focus to collaborative law and joined a smaller firm.

There’d been other reasons, as well. He’d sought to reduce his hours so he could help his parents and sister, who’d had a rough year. Then, after meeting Geoff and finding that their views dovetailed, he’d leaped at the chance to move to Safe Harbor. And possibly, to start over with Melissa.

Until today, he hadn’t admitted to himself how much he’d hoped she’d let go of her desire to have children. Once, she’d valued being with him above everything else, and as the years passed and she hadn’t remarried, he’d wondered if she might be experiencing some regret.

Obviously, he’d been wrong. Regardless of who the father was, she’d made an irreversible commitment to the child inside her. This pregnancy meant he’d truly lost her.

“So the short version is, you took the hospital consulting job because you need the business,” Melissa summarized.

“Harsh but accurate,” Edmond conceded. “Also, the legal aspects of new medical technologies present an interesting challenge.”

She crossed her arms. “I don’t view my clients’ legal concerns as an ‘interesting challenge.’ They’re individuals facing real-life issues.” Judging by her tone, he gathered that he’d irritated her.

“Of course they’re individuals, but when they consult a lawyer, they deserve objective advice more than hand-holding.” Rather than continue in this vein, Edmond added, “My job description also includes educating the staff on family law topics, such as changes regarding adoptions and surrogacy.”

“I presume Tony is on board with this.”

“He’s the one who requested they hire a consultant.” Tony Franco, the hospital’s regular attorney, had his hands full dealing with liability and malpractice matters, as well as refining policies on patient privacy, patient rights and the in vitro program. “Geoff introduced us on the golf course a few months ago. He suggested I apply for the opening.”

“Congratulations.” Melissa stopped there. Whatever she was thinking, she guarded it well. He used to consider her an open book, but then again, if that had been true, he’d have had some idea of how radically she’d altered her opinion of parenthood.

After a brief silence, he said, “Let’s discuss how I can assist you with fertility patients. You’re on the front lines, I understand.”

“Fine. Later.”

“Why not now?” He wasn’t ready to cut short this meeting, not until he had a clearer picture of where she stood. How she felt. Who the damn father was.

Instead of a direct answer, she blurted, “Don’t go to the wedding.”

So that’s what’s on her mind. Edmond struggled to catch this conversational curve ball. “I already RSVP’d.”

“It isn’t set in concrete.” A cord of tension stood out in her slender neck. “You’re only attending to expand your contacts in the community, right?”

Not entirely. “There are personal as well as professional reasons. I had no idea it was at your house.” Why did this bother her? She’d agreed to work with him.

“It’s an informal event,” Melissa said. “One person more or less won’t affect anything. It’s not as if Jack and Anya will be stuck paying a caterer for an uneaten meal.”

Edmond had a tight schedule on Saturday, and skipping the afternoon event might ease things. But in view of his new consulting job, her friends were now his coworkers. Breaking his promise to attend would be rude. And he didn’t understand her reluctance.

Was she trying to hide the circumstances of her pregnancy? Surely she didn’t expect to keep him in the dark for long. Had she broken up with the father? Or was the prospect of introducing him to her ex-husband uncomfortable?

Edmond half hoped the guy was a bum with body odor. Maybe that’s the real reason for the nose clips. At the ridiculous notion, he smiled.

“You find this funny?” she asked.

“I was just...” He shook off his reflections. “We live in the same community.”

“Your choice, not mine.” Her low tone bordered on a growl.

“You gave your permission,” he reminded her.

“Not for you to relocate to Safe Harbor, only for this job. I’ve never been vindictive.”

“That’s true.”

“Then do me a favor and...” Halting, she paled, and sucked in several quick breaths.

“Are you okay?” Edmond leaned across the desk. “Shall I call someone?”

“What I need is tea.”

“I’ll get it.”

“Never mind.”

This was ridiculous. “We aren’t enemies,” he said. “Melissa, tell me what I can do.”

“I don’t want your help.” Were those tears in her eyes? “And it’s just a touch of morning sickness. Gone already.”

Perhaps, yet her distress troubled him. “You’re sure?”

“Yes. And if I change my mind about the tea, I’ll ask Caroline.”

Damn, she was hardheaded. “Surely we can find common ground and give each other a break,” he said. “I’ve been dealing with family matters...I could use your insights. And in your situation, you shouldn’t be too quick to reject an offer of friendship.”

He’d phrased that badly, he saw when her chin lifted defiantly. “I have plenty of friends. What do you mean by ‘my situation,’ anyway?”

“You haven’t mentioned the father.” Oh, hell, he was making matters worse. “Not that it’s any of my business.”

“There is no father.”

She hadn’t fallen in love with another man. That discovery brought some comfort, but Edmond also found it disturbing. How desperately she must want a child to undergo insemination by an anonymous donor.

She was awaiting a reaction to her statement. If she expected reassurances, he had to disappoint her. “Is that fair to the child? Fathers matter.”

“I have guy friends,” she told him. “Guys who think kids are precious.”

“Friends aren’t family.” Nor did she have any other family, unfortunately. Her parents had died years ago, and her younger brother had drowned as a toddler.

“Lots of women raise children alone,” Melissa flared.

Edmond was glad the color had returned to her cheeks, even though it was an angry red. “In any case, nothing I say matters. Your baby is your priority now.”

“That’s right.”

They’d reached an impasse, and the end of this conversation. Edmond didn’t offer to shake hands, which might force her to rise. “I’ll see you on Saturday.”

“You’re determined to attend the wedding?” she asked tightly.

“As I said, I already accepted.” If she could be stubborn, so could he. On the spur of the moment, he added, “I’ll be bringing a plus one, by the way.”

“Suit yourself.” She faced her computer, dismissing him.

In the outer office, Edmond paused at Caroline Carter’s desk. An attractive young woman with a smooth dark complexion and a romance novel partly visible on her lap, she regarded him brightly. “Yes, Mr. Everhart?”

“If you wouldn’t mind, my... Melissa could use some tea. Her stomach’s bothering her,” he said.

“I’m on it,” she responded. “And welcome to Safe Harbor.”

“Glad to be here.” He exited into the main-floor hallway, where he was engulfed by the chatter and bustle of personnel heading for the cafeteria. Despite the flat lighting and the smell of antiseptic, he liked this place. The air hummed with the enthusiasm of people dedicated to their work.

It had been a rocky meeting with his ex-wife. But they’d accomplished an important task: clarifying that they stood as far apart as ever.

* * *

EVERY MINUTE CLOSER to lunch, Melissa felt nearer to starvation, and today’s cafeteria special had been posted as chicken enchiladas with guacamole, a favorite of hers. Nevertheless, her friends would spot her frayed emotional state the moment she sat at their table, and she wasn’t ready to field questions.

Why was Edmond so stubborn about the wedding? And why had she overreacted? She hadn’t intended to demand that he skip it.

When he’d observed that pregnancy suited her, a wall inside her had started to crumble, and his strong presence had reawakened a longing to lean on him. What an absurd idea, and yet he’d been her rock after her parents’ sudden deaths in an accident, and she needed someone to talk to right now.

But when he’d pushed her away, it stung, revealing a vulnerability Melissa had believed long vanquished. How could she still have feelings for the man who’d broken her heart?

Considering his dismissive attitude toward fatherhood, he had a lot of nerve, criticizing her decision. Is that fair to the child? Fathers matter. As if she hadn’t taken that into consideration.

In fact, she’d been reluctant to undergo artificial insemination. Melissa had questioned how she would explain to a child later that its father had no involvement, indeed no awareness of its existence.

Then a couple of in vitro clients to whom she’d grown close had faced a dilemma. After bearing healthy triplets, they’d been left with three unused embryos. Due to a difficult pregnancy and with three children to raise, they’d decided against another pregnancy. Instead, they’d resolved to donate the embryos.

Recalling an earlier conversation with Melissa, they’d offered the little ones to her. With her, they’d insisted, they wouldn’t worry because they had confidence she’d be a wonderful mother. But they’d also been in a rush to settle the matter and told her if she didn’t seize the chance immediately, they’d select another recipient.

Her physician, Dr. Zack Sargent, had noted the potential physical complications of a multiple pregnancy but, in view of her general good health, he’d given his approval. When she’d solicited the opinions of her housemates and a few dinner guests, Anya’s fiancé, obstetrician Jack Ryder, had said that frozen embryo transfers at Safe Harbor had about a fifty percent success rate. That statistic reinforced Melissa’s assumption that at most she’d bear twins.

She’d also received enthusiastic support from Karen. Divorced and in her early forties, her friend had no plans for children of her own but loved being around babies. Another housemate, male nurse Lucky Mendez, had advised Melissa to follow her heart instead of obsessing about everything that could go wrong. Only ultrasound technician Zora Raditch had been dubious, but then, Zora had accidentally become pregnant with twins after having breakup sex with her faithless ex-husband, so her opinion of men and maternity was understandably jaundiced.

It had felt like fate. Then all three embryos had taken. And now here I am, hurting because the man I used to love won’t accept me the way I am. What a waste of energy.

Annoyed at her weakness, she picked up the phone and put in a call to Rose’s Posies. As her wedding gift to Jack and Anya, she was providing the bouquets for the bride and for two flower girls, as well as for one of Anya’s sisters, who was flying in from Colorado to serve as maid of honor.

The shop owner, Rose Nguyen, answered on the fourth ring. “I’ll go check to be sure my daughter has all in order,” she said after Melissa explained she was calling to confirm the arrangements. “Hold for Violet, okay?”

“Thanks.” Melissa smiled at the name of Rose’s daughter. Like her mother’s, it was sweetly appropriate.

She stretched her legs, slipped off her pumps and rested her swollen feet on a stool beneath the desk while making a mental note to buy larger shoes. Preferably before Saturday, to go with the flowing silk caftan she’d found at the Gently Used & Useful thrift shop.

Heat flooded her at the realization that, flattering as the lavender print dress might be, it emphasized her girth. She’d been rather proud of that until Edmond mentioned bringing a date.

Who was it? The legal secretary or the receptionist from his office, a friend from L.A., or a new acquaintance? She’d probably be pretty, smart and slim.

Melissa shook her head at her insecurities. Take Lucky’s advice. Stop obsessing.

On the other end of the line, someone picked up. “Ms. Everhart?” It was Violet. “Let me review the order with you to be sure we have everything as you requested.”

“Good idea.”

A few minutes later, as they finished talking, Melissa’s stomach quivered. No, that wasn’t her stomach. She clamped her hand to her abdomen. The babies were moving. Although they’d been visibly active during a recent ultrasound, she hadn’t been able to feel them.

Her tests had revealed three girls, but until now they’d remained figures on a screen. This fluttery sensation filled her with wonder. My daughters are playing.

Picking up the sonogram picture, she studied the tiny people until tears blurred her vision. They were helpless, utterly dependent on their lone parent. Sometimes the reality of her pregnancy and her future as a single mom to triplets was overwhelming, but she could do it.

Everyone believed in her ability to love and raise them—her friends, her coworkers and Nell and Vernon Grant, the couple who’d donated the embryos. Everyone except Edmond. Well, he was wrong, just as he’d been wrong three years ago.

As for how she’d compare on Saturday to whoever he was bringing to the wedding, why should she care? They’d spent five happy years together but, ultimately, he’d been the wrong man for her.

Still, it wouldn’t hurt to stop by The Baby Bump on her way home. Perhaps the shop carried something more flattering than the billowy lavender dress.

Chapter Three

A white satin bow and a bouquet of red, white and blue balloons adorned the mailbox in front of the two-story house. Edmond didn’t have to check the address as he wedged his black sedan into a space by the curb. Even had the decorations not identified this as the wedding site, it was the only residence along this stretch of Pelican Lane, bordering the salt marsh and ending half a block away at the Pacific Ocean. If there’d been other homes here in the past, they must have been bought up and removed to restore the estuary.

“Is this it?” His wedding date, her green eyes filled with uncertainty, regarded the rolling lawn and long gravel driveway packed with vehicles.

“We’re here,” he confirmed. As she unstrapped the belt that she’d carefully positioned to avoid wrinkling her party dress, Edmond reached for his door handle. The ground was soft, and he’d prefer to carry her rather than risk dirtying her sparkly shoes.

Although he’d been warned, he hadn’t been prepared for the pungent smell that struck his nostrils the instant he stepped out. His date noticed, too, of course. As he swung her from her seat and around to the roadway, her nose wrinkled in disgust. “Pee-yoo.”

“Want to borrow those nose clips?” He’d shown them to her earlier.

She gave him a gap-toothed smile. “That might leave red marks, Uncle Eddie.”

“We can’t have that!”

“A fairy princess has to look perfect,” she agreed.

“And so you do.” Taking her hand, he led seven-year-old Dawn along the street bordering the yard. There was no sidewalk.

Behind the house and on either side stretched marshy land that, he’d read on the city’s website, provided refuge for hundreds of bird species as well as wildlife from rabbits to coyotes. As for vegetation and terrain, the site had mentioned pickleweed, cattails, mudflats and tidal sloughs. No wonder the place stank.

Yet Geoff Humphreys’s wife, Paula, a second-grade teacher, had declared the estuary far more interesting than the sailboat-filled marina that gave Safe Harbor its name, or the enticing stretch of sandy beach on the west side of town. Edmond supposed that the educator had a valid perspective, but he was far from impressed. The house itself appeared inviting, though, with a wide front porch and clean white paint trimmed in blue.

As he rang the bell, his niece pressed against his side. Dawn had become shy this past year, which was understandable in view of the turmoil in her family. With matters still unsettled, Edmond was doing his best to keep her spirits up.

The door flew open. Two girlish faces, both topped by curly red hair, peered out eagerly. “Hi!” declared the taller one, whom he guessed to be about twelve. “I’m Tiffany, Jack’s niece. Well, he’s our cousin really, but he’s more like an uncle.”

“I’m Amber,” said the younger one, who wore a matching blue dress with red-and-white trim.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Edmond Everhart and this is Dawn.” He saw no reason to explain further.

As they entered the house, Dawn indicated circlets of blue-and-white blossoms atop the girls’ heads. “What pretty flowers!”

“We’re the flower girls,” Amber said. “See, we match!” She pointed to the blossoms festooning the banister of the nearby staircase.

Tiffany regarded Edmond speculatively. “Everhart. Are you related to Melissa?”

“Yes. Is she around?” He’d rather not provide details of his marital situation.

“She’s in the kitchen.”

“But the wedding’s that way.” Amber pointed to their right.

“Thank you both.” Amused by the unconventional welcome, Edmond escorted Dawn into the high-ceilinged living room.

Curio cabinets dominated the far wall, with a striped sofa positioned beneath the front windows, no doubt shifted to provide space in the center. Several dozen chairs, half of them already filled, faced a slightly elevated dining room at the rear. Its table had been moved to accommodate a flower-covered arch, while a boom box in one corner played an instrumental version of “We’ve Only Just Begun.”

Edmond recognized some of the guests as hospital staff. In his law practice, he’d learned to quickly commit names and faces to memory, and he was trying to place as many as possible when a small hand tugged his sleeve. “What’s up, tiger?” he asked.

“Let’s go see Aunt Lissa.” Dawn peered across the room. “That girl said she was in the kitchen.”

“It would be rude to barge through the house.” Immediately regretting his phrasing, Edmond added, “I’m sure she’ll join us later. We can talk to her then.”

“I want to see her now.” The girl’s lower lip quivered. “I miss Aunt Lissa.”

“How well do you remember her?” Dawn had been only four when they divorced. Edmond’s sister Barbara had mentioned that Melissa had sent a birthday present for her daughter the following year, but Barb’s life was chaotic, with many changes of both physical and email addresses. To the best of his knowledge, the two women hadn’t stayed in touch.

“She used to read to me. Why did she leave?” Dawn glared up at him accusingly, as if it was his fault she’d lost one of her small circle of loved ones. Well, perhaps it was, in part.

“We divorced, but I’m sure she’s missed you, too. I suppose we could take a peek.” Melissa had emphasized the informality of the occasion.

“Yay!” Dawn gave a little hop, brown curls bouncing. Her Grandma Isabel, Edmond’s stepmother, had done a fine job of styling the child’s hair—not only for the wedding but also for an earlier, less pleasant outing this morning.

They were saved the need to intrude past the wedding bower when Melissa, blond hair shining above a pink dress, emerged into the dining room. Her gaze met his, then fixed on the little girl beside him.

“Dawn?” Her expression warming, Melissa descended the two steps from the elevated level. “My goodness, you’ve grown.”

“Aunt Lissa!” The child flung herself forward. As her arms stretched to embrace her aunt, she halted in confusion. “You’ve grown, too.”

Melissa laughed and hugged the child around her enlarged midsection. “I’m pregnant.”

“You are?” Dawn patted the extended tummy. “He’s a big baby.”

“That’s because...” She broke off suddenly.

“Is something wrong?” Edmond touched her elbow to steady her.

“No.” She cleared her throat. “It’s just that...”

“He’s a she and she’s coming in triplicate.” A fortyish man with a short beard and black top hat joined the conversation from the side.

“You’re having three babies?” Dawn asked.

“That’s right,” her aunt said. “All girls.”

Triplets. Melissa didn’t do things by half measures, Edmond thought. “Congratulations.”

Dawn patted her aunt’s tummy again. “What are their names?”

“I haven’t decided.”

“Can I pick?”

Melissa brushed a curl off the little girl’s forehead. “I’m not ready to name them yet.”

What else was one supposed to say under the circumstances? Edmond wondered.“When are you due?” he asked.

“December,” she said. “If I can hold out that long.”

That exhausted his very short repertoire of small talk on the subject. Besides, in Edmond’s opinion, this was far from a light topic, since multiple pregnancies carried extra risks. “I hope this won’t endanger your health.”

“She’s being closely monitored.” The bearded man extended his hand. “I’m the groom’s uncle, Rod Vintner.”

“We’ve met before.” He shook hands with the man, who then solemnly did the same with Dawn. She giggled. “At the hospital.”

“Ah, that’s right.” The man nodded.

“Rod’s an anesthesiologist,” Melissa said to Dawn. “He puts patients to sleep while they’re in surgery.”

“And I’ll soon be sleeping myself, here at Casa Wiggins,” Rod announced. “I’m trading residences with the bride. She’s moving into the apartment Jack and I shared, and I’m taking her old room.”

“Ah.”

Don’t get ideas now that you’re living with my wife. Where had that notion come from? Edmond had no claim on Melissa. Besides, a positive aspect occurred to him. “I’m glad she’ll have an M.D. on hand.”

“I don’t deliver babies.” Rod waggled his eyebrows. “Come to think of it, I don’t make house calls, either.”

“But you’ll live here,” Dawn pointed out.

“You’re right,” Melissa said. “He can serve as the house physician.”

“Living together means we’ll all be one big happy family, and doctors don’t provide medical care to family members,” the man deadpanned.

“You wouldn’t help her?” Dawn demanded.

“Of course he would,” Melissa assured the child. “Rod’s joking.”

“It’s lucky his patients are asleep,” Dawn replied tartly. “’Cause his jokes aren’t funny.”

Edmond laughed at the unexpected jab. The man in the top hat clutched his side. “Ow! A direct hit.”

“I’m impressed,” Melissa said. “You have a wicked wit, Dawn.”

She took her aunt’s hand. “Will you sit with us?”

“Of course.”

“On that note, I have best man duties to attend to.” Rod patted his pocket, which presumably held the ring, and went to join an older man in a suit waiting beneath the arch.

“That must be the minister,” Edmond observed.

“He’s from Karen’s church.” Melissa glanced toward the kitchen door. “I’m supposed to be helping her with the food.”

“Isn’t the ceremony about to start?” The invitation said 2 p.m., and it was almost that now. The seats had been filling as they spoke. “If we wait any longer, we’ll be sitting on the window ledge.”

“You’re right.” Melissa led the way down the narrow aisle to three empty seats. The folding chairs, fitted with white covers, weren’t exactly comfortable, but Edmond found room to stretch his legs beneath the seat in front of him.

Being near Melissa was a treat. Just the musical sound of her voice calmed him. During their marriage, her nearness had filled the dark spaces in Edmond’s soul. With her, he hadn’t had to throw up protective walls. She’d understood him intuitively, which was why he’d expected her to understand that his vasectomy was a declaration of how strongly he felt about preserving their union.

She had a gift for nurturing, and he’d needed that. He still did. But she’d chosen motherhood over him.