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Charlie remained quiet, while everyone else weighed in on the discussion. She knew the moment her mom noticed her reaction because she suddenly lost her enthusiasm. “Well, we’ll just wait and see. This may be a passing thing. It may not happen at all. I’m sure they won’t be in any hurry.”
“Well, I hope it works out. Josh is a great guy, and I think he’ll treat her like a queen.” Charlie hoped her smile looked genuine.
“I think you’re right, Sister. Josh would make a great husband.” When Spencer was starting to object to her statement, she added with a smile, “Not as great as my husband, of course.”
Watching Emily and Spencer, so obviously in love with each other, Charlie realized, for the first time in her life, she was truly envious of something her sister had.
Chapter Three
CHARLIE HEARD VOICES. She tried to make sense of them, to fit them into her crazy dream about walking a tightrope between two buildings.
“She must be exhausted,” chuckled Steven.
“It’s so cute! Quick, get the camera,” s
aid Anne.
“Already got it.”
She flinched as a light flashed and struggled to open her eyes. Her mom and Steven were smiling down at her. Where was she? She tried to move, but something heavy was holding her in place. She lifted her head and peered down to where two sleeping two-year-old boys were sprawled over her, pinning her to the floor.
“What time is it?” she asked, rubbing her eyes with her one free hand, noting the other was completely numb from the weight blocking the blood-flow.
“It’s five o’clock. They usually don’t nap this late. Naptime is usually at two.”
Charlie rolled her eyes. “Believe me, I tried to make them go to sleep at two. They were wound up and bouncing off the walls. I tried all my tricks, but nothing worked. Then we started wrestling. I told them they had to hold me down for sixty seconds. After thirty seconds of lying still, they fell sound asleep. I didn’t dare move.” She smiled and attempted to shift her stiff body.
“How long have they been out?” asked Anne.
“About an hour.”
“Guess we’d better wake them up, or we’ll never get them to sleep tonight,” said Steven. He and Anne reached down to pick up the boys, both of whom protested until they realized who had them. There were a few seconds of silent cuddling, and then, as they became more awake, the excited chatter began. Both boys were talking non-stop, most of the words unintelligible. They soon wiggled out of the confining arms to begin another round of play.
Charlie chuckled as she stood up, stretching her aching muscles and massaging her numb hand. “I don’t know how you manage to keep up with them, especially at your age.” She laughed as she realized her slip-up. “Not that you’re old or anything.” Her mother raised her brows in mock anger.
“Do you want to back out of babysitting, now that you know how tiring it is?” asked Steven.
“No,” Charlie smiled. “I’m exhausted, but I loved it. They’re just too cute. Obviously they take after their sister.”
“But seriously,” said Anne. “I know you said you would do it until the Christmas holidays, but we could call the nanny service for a substitute until Heidi comes back in January.”
“I just want to be sure you’re not doing it because you feel obligated, because you know we don’t feel that way. You don’t owe us anything,” Steven added.
“I owe you plenty. Ahhhhhhmmmm,” Charlie groaned as Steven messaged her stiff shoulders. “But that’s a different story. I’m babysitting because I want to. I love my brothers, and I’ve missed out on so much of the first two years. I just want to make up for lost time.”
“Chawee! Chawee!” shouted Ellis. “Watch me!” He attempted a headstand, which became a side-roll, and then he dissolved into giggles when his brother rolled on top of him.
“You see? I wouldn’t miss this for anything. You know how much I love kids. It’s even better when they’re mine.”
“Plus, I guess it gives you something else to think about,” said Anne.
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, you know... I thought you might be kind of down about Josh and Olivia.”
“Mom, I told you I’m not interested in Josh.”
“Right. Yes, I kind of forgot. But evidently Olivia told Spencer she’s not all that enthusiastic about his proposal. I don’t really get what’s going on there. I mean she didn’t have a ring, so I wonder if she turned him down. Or maybe they were just in the talking stage.”
