Double the Pleasure

By Beej

"Could someone put the kettle on?" Angie asked as she pushed Jake towards his office. "Jake’s had a bit of a shock."

Jenny jumped up from her desk and hurried along to the staff room. She was soon back with two cups and a mug, all steaming. Angie and Jake were sitting on one of the two sofas in his office, and Jenny put the tray down on the coffee table that sat between them. As she handed Angie a cup of green tea, and Jake a mug of English breakfast, she noted his hand was shaking as he took the mug from her.

Sitting down opposite them, she looked across, wondering which one she should ask. "May I ask what kind of shock?"

Angie smiled, "We’ve just been to see Drew for my scan."

Jenny looked worried. "There’s nothing wrong is there?"

"Oh, no, far from it, Jenny. Everything’s 100%."

"That’s a relief. Did Drew say anything about the babe's sex?"

Angie nodded. "Can I ask what it is?"

"Of course you can."

Jenny waited a couple of minutes before asking again. "Well, is it a boy or a girl?"

"Yes," Jake answered.

"I see you’re going to make me work for this. Come on, Jake, have a heart! Boy or girl?"

"Both," he replied quietly.

Jenny sat and stared at them for a second or two before her face lit up. "TWINS!!" she squealed in delight.

"Thanks, Jenny. When Jake asked Drew the same question and got the same reply, he decided that our child was a freak, and when Drew said he could clearly see two heads, my darling husband almost fainted."

Jenny got up and walked over to them, kissing Angie and hugging Jake. "Well done, both of you. Trust you to make an instant family, Jake."

Angie giggled at that remark as she eased herself up off the sofa, kissing the top of Jake’s head as she walked towards his private bathroom.

Jenny sat next to her boss and held his hand. "Have you told the family yet?"

"No, love, you’re the first."

Jenny felt a tear fall down her face as he said that. "Oh, Jake, I’m honoured."

Jake put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into an embrace. "You’re family, Jin. There’s no way we wouldn’t tell you." He was still hugging her when Angie came back from the bathroom. She smiled and ruffled his hair as she went round to sit next to Jenny.

"Jenny, it’s early yet, and we won’t be having a conventional christening, but we would both be thrilled if you would agree to be the Maori version of a Godmother for the twins."

Jenny’s eyes nearly popped out of her head and she nodded in agreement, kissing both of them in turn.

Okay, I want you to have the rest of the day off and come home with us. We need a plan of action for the nursery, and have to think about doubling up on things. As soon as I let Emily and Sam know, I dare say they’ll be down. Emily will want to help. Between you both I’m hoping that you can make sure that my Angel doesn’t overdo it. She’s already been told by Drew that she has to start taking things easy. She’ll tire more easily with two little ones growing inside her."

"It’s a good job there’s a lift up to the penthouse, or Jake would never let me leave the place until the babies arrive," Angie laughed.

"I still can’t get used to you living there. I bumped into John Laws the other day. What a lovely man. Of course I’ve seen him eating at Otto’s, but he actually said good morning to me."

"Aw, Jin’s getting star struck," Jake chuckled, then grunted as Angie elbowed him in the ribs.

"I’m the same, Jenny. I’m dreading bumping into Delta one day, and as for that Kiwi who lives underneath us… swear that Jake only bought the place because the owner of his beloved footy team lives there."

Jake cleared his throat and reached over to pull his chair closer to the sofa. He let Jenny help him stand up, and he held her arm to take the few steps before seating himself and unlocking the brake. "Come on then, ladies, let’s get outta here."

They were soon back at the penthouse and once Jake had made sure Angie was comfy out on the terrace under the awning, he swapped his chair for his crutches and followed Jenny into the kitchen.

"You’re walking a lot better, Jake."

"Yeah, slow but sure. Maybe I should get back in the chair and help you take that out to the terrace," he said, nodding to the tray Jenny was filling.

"Don’t worry, Jake, I can manage. Just make sure the table is close enough to Angie, or she’ll just be jumping up and down to get things."

"Ah, you know her so well. I’m banking on your help to make sure she doesn’t try to do too much. You know how wilful she is. Have a word with Star about taking over some of your work so that you can spend more time her."

"I’ve got interviews lined up for the next couple of days, Jake, but after that I’m all yours."

"Interviews?"

"Yes, for the new receptionist, remember?"

"Of course I remember," Jake replied, grinning at Jenny.

"Yes, of course you did," she laughed.

"Can I sit in with you? I‘ll send the jet up to get Emily and Sam this arvo. I’ll give them a quick call to let them know to get ready."

"Okay then, but you have to promise you won’t take over."

"Of course not. Will you allow me to voice my opinion on the candidates, though?"

"When they’ve gone. After all, you’ll be paying their wages."

"It’s a deal, luv. Now, let’s go out and enjoy the sun."

Emily and Sam arrived at 6:00pm. They were both thrilled about the news of the twins, and the family was soon enjoying a meal at the China Doll on the boardwalk, Emily fussing over Angie the entire time, much to Jake’s amusement. She even made sure they didn’t hang around too long when the meal was over, insisting that Angie needed to get back to the penthouse and rest.

They made their way back down the boardwalk, chatting as they went. As they reached the lift, Jake stopped. "You ladies go up first. We don’t need to squash up." He and Sam watched the doors close as Angie, Emily and Jenny made their way up to the fourth floor.

"So, how do you really feel about the twins, Jake?" Sam asked as they waited for the lift to descend.

"Once I got over the shock, I was stoked. My girl is so clever, isn’t she."

"It takes two, mate. Do twins run in her family?"

"Dunno. Haven’t thought to ask her yet. Only found out a few hours ago."

Jenny had coffee ready by the time they walked into the apartment, and they all settled down for a chat.

"So, Angie, I was asking Jake if twins run in your family," Sam said.

"I’m not sure, Sam. Maybe when I let mum know she can tell me."

"Do you think the news will please her, darling?"

"I’m sure it will, Emily. As for my dad, I dare say he’ll not want anything to do with them. He still hasn’t gotten over the fact that I married Jake. I doubt he’ll want anything to do with any ‘mongrels’ we produce."

"Don’t upset yourself, Angel. He’s not worth it," Jake whispered, wrapping his arm around his sobbing wife and kissing her cheek.

"I’m okay, really I am," Angie sniffed, trying to smile. "I have the most wonderful family and friends a girl could ask for," she paused, resting her hand on her baby bump," and we’ll soon be blessed with two more." Jake unconsciously placed his hand on top of hers and smiled. "Gran, we’ve asked Jinny to be the twins Maatua Atawhaingia along with Kevin, and we’ll also be asking Mike. Do you have any objection to our choice?"

"Not at all, Aaron. Thank you for asking. Will you be having just three, or do you plan on another girl to even things up?"

"It’s been on my mind. I think that Star would be ideal. Do you agree, Angel?"

"Oh, yes, AJ, I think that would be an excellent idea. We can invite her and Drew for dinner one evening and ask her."

"One night next week, then. That okay with you, Emily?" he grinned.

"Yes, dear, as long as you either have it catered or let me cook. Angeline isn’t to lift a finger."

"Well, I think I should be going. I’ve got some paperwork to finish before the interviews," Jenny said, reluctant to leave.

"Sam, will you take Jin home, please?" Jake asked, never wanting her to use the bus or a taxi.

"No worries. Come on, Luv. I’ll get you home safe," Sam winked.

"Thanks, Sam. Jake, I’ll see you in the morning. Goodnight all." Kissing Emily, Angie and Jake, she followed Sam out of the apartment and down to the garage.

"Are you going to work tomorrow, dear?"

"Not all day, Emily. Jin said I can sit in on her interviews…as long as I behave myself," Jake laughed. "That means sitting still and keeping my mouth shut I think, but she said I can give my opinion after the candidates have gone."

"All right, I’ll keep my eye on Angelina while you're gone, make a fuss over her and everything."

"Thank you, Emily," Angie replied. "Perhaps we can work on a couple of lists together. Now that we know we’re having two, I need to work out what extras we need. Jenny is going to become my personal shopper after she finds a new receptionist, and hopefully we’ll get most of it done and dusted in the next couple of weeks."

"What’s the rush, darling?"

"Oh, we’re going to Chicago. Mike wants us there for the anniversary of the move from New York."

"What about the babies?"

"Drew says it will be fine as long as Angie takes it easy. We’re taking the jet so that she can lie down when she needs to, and we’ll stop off for a break in LA before going on to Chicago. Star is coming along as well so she may even persuade Drew to take a few days off and come with us.

Emily nodded in agreement at the thought of a doctor going along on the trip. She wanted Angie to stay fit and healthy in her pregnancy, and told herself that she would stay in Sydney for as long as they would put up with her to make sure her granddaughter-in-law got enough rest when they returned from America.

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