Clandestine Entanglement

Jack and Carol Driscoll met in a spousal support group. Jack's wife, Elizabeth, had died when their son Dean was two. She had fallen off a horse and broken her neck. It killed her instantly. A ranch hand found her a couple of hours later. Jack was devastated. Here he is, widowed with a two-year-old son who is confused about why Mama was not there. Jack did his best, but it got to the point that he needed to be among people who understood what he was going through.Carol had lost her husband when she was eight weeks pregnant with a baby girl. When she was eight months along, she was ready to leave the house. The pain was fading, but every time she felt her daughter kick, she reverted ever so slightly. Her friend suggested she attend a support group she saw at her church twice a week. She was reluctant, but she agreed to go to a meeting.The meeting resembled an AA meeting, but the coffee was better, the donuts were fresh, and it was far more depressing. Jack was in his usual seat in the circle. The meeting was just about to start when the door opened. Every head turned. They hadn't got any new people in over two months. It was all the same people all the time.A very pregnant woman stood at the door. Jack thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen- no offense to his Elizabeth. Her skin was glowing, her strawberry blonde hair flowing down her back, and her breasts so large they rested on her large belly. She was small-framed and stood about five feet tall. Without thinking, he jumped to his feet and greeted her at the door.She was nervous, hated meeting new people, and felt uncomfortable and out of her element. The baby could sense her stress and started rolling and kicking. She was about to turn and run, but a very tall, very handsome man with beautiful emerald green eyes approached her."Hi. I'm Jack," he said, putting his hand out."Umm. Hi. I'm Carol... do we use last names?"He smiled and let out a little laugh."You can if you like. Phone numbers are allowed, too."He couldn't believe he had said that.Am I flirting with this woman? That is so wrong. Say you're sorry."That was so inappropriate of me. I am sorry."She was utterly flushed with embarrassment."It's okay. It's kind of an ego boost. Not many men say that to a woman who is eight months pregnant," she looked down, but she hasn't seen the floor in six months. "My last name is Brasher. Carol Brasher.""Why don't you come and sit down, Ms. Carol Brasher," he said.He put his arm out, and she let him escort her over to the group."My last name is Driscoll. Jackson Thomas Driscoll. Please do not call me J.T.""I won't call you J.T. if you don't call me Carrie. Deal?""Can I call you beautiful?"Good God, Jack, really? You need to call a meeting of the commonsense committee. You do not hit on a grieving woman two minutes after you meet her."Here. Have a seat." He offered her his chair."Everyone, this is Carol. Carol, this is everybody."He got himself another chair and set it up beside her. It was a tight fit, but he was determined to sit next to her. She smelled incredible, like vanilla.Carol introduced herself and told a short story about why she was there. Jack's heart broke for her. She had been alone and pregnant for the last six months. Her husband had died of a heart attack. He was young, and it was very unexpected. She didn't say anything else for the rest of the meeting.As they were filtering out of the meeting, Jack helped Carol out of the chair. Her foot was asleep, and she stumbled a little. He caught her and helped her back upright. He had his hand on her belly and felt the baby kick."Oh God. I am so sorry. I shouldn't have touched you. I didn't want you to fall down," he said. "That was amazing, though. I love the feeling of a kicking baby. It reminds me of when my wife was pregnant with our son. He's three now. His mom died a year ago. Horseback riding accident.""I am so sorry about your wife. And it's okay. I know it wasn't intentional." She looked down at her belly. "You know you are the only man to feel her kick. I was eight weeks along when my David died. He never got to experience..." Her sentence trailed off, and her voice cracked.He wanted to say something to change the subject, so he said the first thing that came to his mind."Would you like to go get a milkshake? There is a great place right around the block. I have a car waiting outside.""I love milkshakes. I crave them all the time. But why don't we walk? We can start to get to know each other with a longer conversation. And I would like to walk with such a handsome man."She took his elbow, and he walked her out the door, and they went to get milkshakes. *********They saw each other twice weekly and went for milkshakes after the meetings. Even though Jack had put on five pounds, he would not miss milkshakes with Carol. They also talked every night before bed.One day, Jack's phone rang at three o'clock in the morning. He was jolted awake. "Hello?""Jack, it's Carol. I think I'm in labor. I can't get ahold of my sister, who is my ride. Can you, if you don't mind? I know it's a lot to ask, but...""I'll be there soon. Just don't have the baby till I can get you.""I'm not really in control of that, Jack.""Cross your legs or something."She started to laugh, and then another contraction hit her.Dean was asleep when Jack came into his room. "Hey, Bean. I need you to go somewhere with Daddy."The little boy was half asleep when Jack put his coat on and his teddy bear slippers. "Where are we going daddy?""Daddy's friend is having a baby and needs someone to take her to the hospital.""Oh. Okay."When he arrived, Carol was in very active labor. Her contractions were three minutes apart. He helped her into his car. When she turned around, she saw a little boy with long legs and black hair sitting in a car seat."Hi.""Hi.""I'm Carol.""I'm Dean, but you can call me Bean. My daddy does, and since you're his friend, you can too.""Nice to meet you, Bean.""This is Mr. Bear. He's the toughest bear in the world. He keeps me safe. From what I am not exactly sure." He looked inquisitively at the bear."Nice to meet you too Mr. Bear.""He can't hear you. He's a stuffed animal," Dean said matter-of-factly.Jack got into the car and started off to the hospital."I thought your son was three.""I am three," he said, holding up three fingers. "This many.""He's big for his age. It's in the genes."Another contraction. She grabbed Jack's hand and squeezed. She let out what sounded like a growl."Daddy, is she okay? Is she hurt? Is that why we are going to the hospital?""No, buddy, she is having a baby.""A boy or a girl?""A little girl.""Good luck with that," Dean said.It made Jack and Carol laugh."He's funny Jack.""Funny and smart beyond his years.""Studies have shown funny people are more intelligent.""Daddy says I'm a genius." Dean was mindlessly kicking his legs."He's full of energy too," Jack said watching him in the rearview mirror.When they arrived at the hospital, Carol's water broke. They put her in a wheelchair and started to hurry her up to labor and delivery. Jack stood there, Dean holding his hand.The nurse turned around and said, "Well, let's go! Pick up the pace, Dad. The little guy is about to meet his little sister."Oh. No, you have---"A hard contraction hit Carol."COME ON JACK YOU HEARD THE WOMAN!"Jack picked up Dean, and they hurried behind the nurse.They took her into a room. Jack stood next to her, holding her hand. Dean stood in the corner, watching.The doctor came in. "Okay, Carol. Let's see if you are ready to get this beautiful little human being out of your body so you and Daddy can start the spoiling.""Oh, I'm not the father," Jack said.The doctor looked confused."I'm just a friend.""A very good friend and I want him to stay. Can he stay?""You're allowed one person in the room. Mickey Mouse could be here if you want as long as everything goes smoothly. Is that your son Ms. Brasher?""He's mine," Jack said."Unfortunately, you must be this tall to stay in the room." The doctor extended his hand. "Even though he almost looks like he's close.""Okay. Carol, I will be right out this door.""No, please. I need you here."Jack looked at Dean. "Come here, buddy." He led Dean out the door. "I have to help Miss Carol. I need you to guard the door. Can you do that for me?"A nurse walked by them and entered the room."I will not let you down, Daddy.""You can sit in this chair and don't leave your post.""Yes, sir!" Dean said with a little salute.Jack walked back in and closed the door behind him.Dean got off the chair and started to march back and forth in front of the door, guarding it for his dad. His teddy bear slippers skidded against the floor, Mr. Bear tucked under his arm.After twenty minutes, Dean heard a baby crying. The nurse opened the door. "Hey, little man. Why don't you come in and meet your baby sister."The nurse did not get the memo.Dean followed her into the room. "So, the nurse said this is my baby sister. Is she my baby sister now, Daddy?"Jack and Carol smiled. "No. This is not your baby sister," Jack said."Why not? I will share my toys with her and give her bottles, and she can even have Mr. Bear, so it's okay. I won't be jealous.""He's a smart little boy," Carol said."You have no idea."He climbed up on the foot of the bed. He leaned over to look at the baby. He felt love. He felt a connection. She was the cutest baby that he had ever seen. Not that he had seen a lot of babies in this little lifetime."Wow. She's small. She looks like Tinkerbell. She's tiny and has blonde hair.""Her name is Sarah Grace.""Yeah. I like Tinkerbell better. You can call her Tink.""I do like Tink. You can call her that if you would like," Carol said."When does she get to come home me?""No, Bean. She's going to live with Carol. We can visit.""But I love her. I said I'm not jealous," he said. Well, then, I have no choice. I have to give her Mr. Bear. She needs protection if I am not there.""I know. But she has her mommy. I don't think you need to give her Mr. Bear. She will be okay. And besides, your mommy gave you Mr. Bear.""Your friend can be my mommy too. I want Tink to live with me so I can guard her. I'm the big brother. You heard the lady. My mommy can be her guardian angel. She won't know to unless she has Mr. Bear. So mommy can find her. She always knew where Mr. Bear was. Even if he was under the couch."Jack tousled his hair. "You're something else, Bean.""Here," Dean said. He reached out with Mr. Bear in hand."Oh, Bean, that is sweet, but she can't take your bear.""Mommy won't mind. She's not coming back. She's in Heaven if there is such a place.""I wouldn't argue with him, Carol; chances are he'll win."She took the bear and showed it to the baby. "Thank you, Bean. I think she is going to love it forever.""I think I am going to love her forever too."She became his world, and he never left her side. He would sleep on the floor in front of the crib. Finally, they moved his bed into her room. He fed her, he changed her diaper, the best he could. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her. His love for her was almost obsessive. It only got stronger the older they got. He was overprotective of her. Not controlling, but always on the lookout for trouble or a broken heart.Carol and Jack married shortly after Sarah turned one and Dean turned four.They were best friends. Their parents were so happy that they were so close. They never heard them argue like siblings often do. They loved each other deeply and unconditionally. He used to french braid her hair. He taught her how to drive. He went with her when she bought her first car so the salesman wouldn't rip her off. He helped her with her homework. He went to every gymnastics, cheerleading, and riding competition. He was her biggest supporter. She went to every football game, baseball tournament, basketball games, and theater performance, and she was there every time a girl broke his heart. They were each other's comfort and support system.