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But I know this is a fleeting moment that will soon be gone because undoubtedly their parents will soon be home and Jessica will revert to doing her job in the hope of solving the case and returning to the station.
My heart is heavy just thinking about it and yet I push it aside because they’re here now and I must make the most of that.
* * *
Much later,we carry a child each from the car and tuck them into bed and I briefly wonder if we should have thought this through. It’s their last day of school tomorrow before they break up for Christmas and I’m guessing they will be sleepy and irritable due to the lack of sleep and amount of sugar they consumed this afternoon and evening.
As we close the doors and tiptoe back downstairs, the thought of returning home is the last thing I want and, almost as if she reads minds, Jessica says shyly, “Please stay.”
I glance up and see her heightened colour and shallow breathing, and the message is loud and clear. She is interested; more than interested perhaps and in two steps, I pull her into my arms and whisper, “I’m not going anywhere.”
As we enjoy a long and leisurely kiss, I can feel her heart beating against mine and wonder if this is the moment my dream becomes reality and as she presses in and groans softly, there is only one thing on my mind right now. Her.
It appears she is of the same mind because she says in a low, urgent voice, “Just don’t break my heart, Robert.”
She pushes off my jacket and her fingers reach for my belt and suddenly all self-control has left the building and returning the favour, I push up her sweater and with a feral groan, run my hands under her shirt, loving how soft her skin is against my fingers. Her muffled moans of longing are all the encouragement I need and as we fall onto the sofa, my hand pushes up her skirt as I settle between her legs and then like a bucket of cold water, we hear the front door slam and as we pull apart like guilty teenagers, I stare in astonishment as two people almost fall into the room and Jessica says in disbelief, “Sally!”
The fact her sister was caught in a compromising position obviously doesn’t deter her from saying with some relief, “Oh Jess, thank goodness we’re home. That was a horrific nightmare.”
She races across and pulls her dishevelled sister into her arms and it’s a little awkward as she sobs on her shoulder and hiccups, “I never thought I’d see my home again.”
I make myself respectable while they are otherwise occupied and as her husband ventures deeper into the room, I note his pale face and weary expression as he stares at the scene anxiously.
He catches my eye and I stand, offering him my hand.
“You must be Anton. I’m Robert.”
At the sound of my voice, the two women pull apart and Sally stares at me in surprise and then glances back to her sister.
“What’s going on?”
Jessica fluffs her hair and tries not to look as if she was two kisses away from the very crime her sister was arrested for and says in a bright voice, “Meet Robert my…”
“Boyfriend.” Ignoring her startled expression, I step forward and offer her sister my hand and pull Jessica close by my side. “It’s good to meet you both. You have a lovely family.”
“Are they ok?” Sally’s anxious expression makes me a little emotional as Jessica nods reassuringly.
“They’re fine. Exhausted but fine.”
“Have they asked about me?”
As I picture the outburst at the nativity, I wonder if Jessica will fill her in on events, but she is obviously as shocked as I am and merely smiles. “All is good. I’m afraid we wore them out with a visit to London. They may be a little tired in the morning.”
“On a school night?”
Sally appears shocked at that, and Jessica shrugs. “It was a distraction.”
Anton steps forward and runs his fingers through his hair and I can tell he’s been through a lot, judging by his tired eyes and pale expression and Jessica obviously comes to the same conclusion and says briskly, “Well, it’s late and I’m guessing you both want to shower and get some sleep. We’ll catch up in the morning.”
She turns to me and says with a slight hesitation. “We should go and leave them in peace.”
“Of course.”
Sally peers at me a little closer before glancing at her sister and it amuses me to witness the astonishment in her eyes.
“Wow, it appears I’m not the only one who has some explaining to do.”
“But not now.” Anton steps forward and places his arm around his wife’s shoulders and sighs.
