One Love by Lynn Emery

mountains to climb before we settle
in love-land for good.” Lanessa took a sip of coffee in one of
Clarice’s fine porcelain cups.
    “ Be serious. If you can find
each other after everything that’s happened between you, then you
can make it.” Jade patted her arm.
    “ Oh yeah? He wants me to
meet his twins.” Lanessa felt a flutter of anxiety. “Girls, age
eight.”
    “ Humm, better you than me,”
Jade quipped then recovered at the grimace her words brought. “I’m
teasing. They’ll love you.”
    “ I don’t know anything about
children, Jade.” Lanessa stared at her sister’s rounded stomach.
“Being an aunt was intimidating enough.”
    “ Well get ready, because I
expect you to do lots of babysitting.” Jade rubbed her
tummy.
    “ We’re talking two smart,
probably unfriendly little darlings. The apple of daddy’s eye. I’m
cooked,” she muttered.
    “ Now I’m new at this
parenting business, but children can’t rule adults. We have to
respect their feelings, but guide them.” Jade sat down gingerly on
the love seat. “Do you think really think Alex would let them
decide the fate of his love life?”
    “ His children are everything
to him. They could tip the balance.” Lanessa sighed. “And I’m not
all that certain our past is behind us.”
    “ That’s nonsense. You’ve got
good love stamped on you like a tattoo.”
    “ Come on.” Lanessa’s hand
came up to her face. She whirled to stare at herself in gold-framed
mirror on the wall.
    “ I haven’t seen you grin so
much since... Shoot I can’t remember. That could only mean one
thing, y’all did the old horizontal slow dance,” Jade said with a
wiggle of her eyebrows.
    “ Is it that obvious?”
Lanessa turned back to her sister.
    “ To me it is, sis.” Jade
slapped the cushion beside her. “Sit down. Let me tell you what’s
going to happen. Those girls will be a bit territorial when it
comes to their daddy. But they’ll get over it.”
    “ You really think so?”
Lanessa dropped next to her on the sofa.
    “ Yes, because Alex will know
how to handle it. Don’t forget, he’s been their father for eight
years.” Jade shrugged. “And a darn good one I’ll bet.”
    “ That’s the truth. It makes
him even sexier, you know? The thought of that big strong man being
so gentle and patient with his children.” Lanessa felt a tingle up
her spine.
    “ Tell me, honey. I’m
pregnant, but I’m not numb from the waist down. The other day Damon
was being so sweet fixing up the nursery and we...” Jade let out a
long slow breath.
    “ In your condition? Jade,
really?” Lanessa’s mouth hung open.
    Jade laughed. “There are ways, yes
indeed.”
    “ I don’t need to hear more,
thank you.” Lanessa put up a palm to stop her.
    “ Seriously, don’t get all
worked up. Love will find a way.”
    “ You’ve been an incurable
romantic since you found Damon,” Lanessa gazed at her with
affection.
    “ He made me a believer. And
you know I had the love life from hell before we met.” Jade shook
her head.
    “ Your first husband topped
mine, and that’s saying something!”
    Both of them giggled and traded
memories of the days when they were going through tough times. They
could look back at laugh at what hurt so much at the time. Lanessa
began to feel better just talking to her sister. Jade was right.
She and Alex could take a steady approach. Alex would know best how
to deal with any problems with his children. Jade and Lanessa were
still swapping funny stories with the others joined
them.
    “ Your dad was showing me his
new boat, Jade. It’s really something.” Damon came in with the
excitement of a boy who has seen a wonderful new toy.
    “ It’s a beauty. Motor runs
smooth as silk, son. Come out with me next week. Wednesday or
Thursday.” Alton Pellerin, tall and the color of coffee with just a
hint of crème, slapped him on the back.
    “ I don’t know. I’ve got so
much to do...” Damon’s brow furrowed. It seemed