Twice in a Lifetime by Rachel Ann Nunes

Author:Rachel Ann Nunes [Nunes, Rachel Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian Romance, Comtemporary Romance
ISBN: 978-1-939203-26-7
Publisher: White Star Press
Published: 2012-05-06T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Rebekka felt as if she were under a microscope. Did the Perrault family think she was dating Samuel? Did they wonder if she planned to move to America again? Maybe she should. Not with Samuel, of course, but on her own.

But she knew she couldn’t. Not with Marc’s child anyway. He deserved to know both sets of grandparents, and the aunts, uncles, and cousins. She wasn’t about to sever that link. Besides, she didn’t know if she could survive without their support. Her mother would especially be devastated to have her grandchild so far away, whether or not they ever found Nadia. No, running away wasn’t an option.

André was the worst of all—she felt his eyes on her each second, perhaps judging her every action. Did he think her unfaithful to his brother’s memory? Or was he trying to silently convince her to tell his family about the baby? Or was he jealous?

Jealous? Where did that come from? Rebekka studied him from underneath lowered eyelashes, but he was talking to Josette. Had she only imagined his stare? She looked away before he caught her watching him.

When dinner was over, the children pounced on the treats, devouring them. Celisse seemed particularly hungry; she sat on Marie-Thérèse’s lap eating anything within reach. Afterward, the older children started to leave the room to play games.

“Wait, everyone.” Marie-Thérèse stood, still holding Celisse. “I have an announcement to make. That is, Mathieu and I have an announcement.” Mathieu, with Raquel cradled in his arms, came to stand by his wife.

“Ah, I knew there was a reason for this gathering,” Jean-Marc said, smiling gently at his adopted daughter.

Celisse buried her head in Marie-Thérèse’s neck at the sudden attention, half of a sweet roll still clutched in her hand.

“Well, Josette thought we ought to let you know that Mathieu and I have decided to become foster parents for Celisse and Raquel,” Marie-Thérèse said. “And if we are allowed, we are eventually going to try to adopt them.”

Amid the chorus of cheers, André asked, “Hey, Celisse, what do you think about that?”

When Celisse didn’t answer, Marie-Thérèse said, “We tried to explain last night, but I don’t know how much she understands. She does seem a little more relaxed.”

“She sure eats a lot,” said Anton, Josette’s second son. At nine he was the family self-appointed tattle-teller. “I don’t see how she fits it all in.”

Josette clamped her hand over her son’s mouth. “What’s important is that she will always have enough food now—as much as she wants.” She stared hard at Anton.

“The medicine the doctor gave her is really working,” said Marie-Thérèse. “We had a rough evening last night as the laxatives began working, but today she’s been perfectly clean.” She tickled Celisse. “Haven’t you, Celisse?”

To everyone’s surprise, Celisse lifted her head and nodded at Marie-Thérèse. Then she buried her face again. Marie-Thérèse patted her back and gave her a hug.

“We’re moving,” Larissa said to no one in particular. “And I’m getting my own room—I don’t have to share at all.

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