When they arrived at the hospital, the sense of protection that started to form at the house strengthened. Whatever it took to help, he would do it.
Chapter Four
They soon arrived at Gisele’s room to see both children nestled on the bed beside their mother who looked weak and distressed. As soon as the woman saw Jaqueline, her eyes begged for help. Instinctively knowing she wanted to talk with the adults, Jaqueline made a decision. She quickly helped the children change from their damp clothes and then taking money from her purse, she approached the volunteer worker in the hallway.
Before she could speak, the lady started the conversation. “I’m glad you’ve come to visit that poor woman and her children. She’s been fretting terribly.”
Reading the kind woman’s identity pin attached to her pinstriped blouse, Jaqueline smiled. “We had to go to her house and get changes of clothes for the children and Gisele’s handbag. Now I believe she wants to talk with us without the children in the room.” Holding out some money, she continued, “Bettina,would it be possible for you to take the Maisie and Charlie to the cafeteria and get them lunch while we visit with her?”
“Of course.” She leaned closer to whisper, “I’ll keep them away for as long as I can.”
Free now, Jaqueline joined in the conversation being carried on between Gisele and Colin and picked up on the woman’s distress. What is it, Gisele? We can see you’re ill. Is there anyone we can contact to look after the children? A family member or their father?”
Colin cut her off by answering her question to save Gisele from having to talk. “She says there’s no one. She already asked her only sister to take the children, but she can’t.”
Speaking haltingly, Gisele muttered, “It’s true. She has three kids herself and a rotten man. Won’t take my kids. Can’t. Their father’s dead. No help from his family. Old folks in a home now.”
“Did they say how long you’ll be in the hospital?”
“Dying. Ischemic heart disease. Knew it was happening. Thought I’d have longer.” Tears gathered at the sides of her eyes and dripped down her thin, pale face. “My beautiful children. They need to stay together. Charlie c-can’t be away from Maisie. He adores her.” Crying hard now, Gisele’s hand shot out to snatch Colin’s. “Help me. You take them. You and your wife. I’m dying. Please help.”
Jaqueline swiveled toward Colin, her jaw hanging open. “What did you tell her?”
“Nothing.” He turned back to Gisele. “We’re not married. In fact, we just met this morning.”
“Then you. Children need you. Y-you’re kind. Both of you are kind. They’re wonderful babies. Won’t cost much. They know how to work.”
Before either of them could answer, the door flew open, and the children rushed forward. Bettina looked sadly toward Jaqueline, her expression regretful. “I’m sorry. They refused toeat in the cafeteria. Insisted we bring the food back to the room so they could be with their mother.”
Jaqueline watched as each child climbed on the bed, carefully maneuvering so they didn’t nudge or kick Gisele. “Mom, we brought you a sandwich too. And some milk. You need to eat.” Charlie held out a small bag toward his mother, his expression filled with worry and glowing with love.
“Thank you, baby. You always take such good care of me. I need to sleep now. You must listen to Colin. He’s promised to look after you until I wake up.”
Jaqueline’s eyes flew to Colin, and she watched as a curtain fell over his expression. “Yes. Eat up children. Then we’ll go for a walk while you mother sleeps.”
He gestured with his head for Jaqueline to follow him to the other side of the room.
“What is happening here? You told me you weren’t married, and you’re a professor in a British Columbia university. How can you care for two children?”
“Hell if I know. But I promised to bring a lawyer here to the hospital later today so she can sign a form, making me their guardian.” He watched Jaqueline for her reaction, making her believe it truly mattered what she thought.
She held the shock back and kept her face neutral. “What are you doing, Colin? I mean why? So she’ll die peacefully? I don’t understand.”
Both Colin’s hands filtered through his hair, and the paleness of his features was unmistakable. “Christ, my mom always said I was a bleeding heart, and this proves it. I’m sorry. I just can’t stand by and see that poor woman going through the hell of worrying about her kids when she’s in such pain and dying. If I get control over them, we can work things out after the fact.”
“Colin, you have to be crazy to even think of taking on such a huge responsibility without really considering everything. Thoseare little human beings with feelings and fears. Their lives will be disrupted enough with Gisele gone.”
“You think I don’t know that?” He stared into her face, his own showing the stress of his decision. “But what can I do? Who will take them? The foster system? That’s more terrifying to me than knowing I can provide a good home where they’ll be safe… and-and together. Will you help me?”
“Lord above.” First she glanced upwards and then stared into his eyes, thankful he didn’t look away. In fact, the beseeching gaze he sent her way became impossible to ignore. “Of course, I’ll help you. I’ll do everything I can. But it won’t be easy. Trust me. I’m a pediatric nurse, and I’ve seen my share of heartache. I work with children of all ages who are incapacitated and unable to leave their homes. Taking care of older people is one thing, but the kids break my heart. You gotta know that bringing up another person’s offspring… well, that’s a whole different kettle of messy fish.”
Listening closely to her rationalization, he kept a straight face until the end. “Of messy fish. Hmm. A strange way of describing my commitment, but I get your point. Look, I can afford the costs that go along with bringing up a family. I also live in a large, older home with a good-natured housekeeper who comes in every day for a few hours to take care of the place. Dina’s middle-aged with a heart of gold. She’ll take to those kids, and they’ll be well looked after with her.”
“You’ve thought it all out, haven’t you?”
“Truth is, I’ve always seen myself with a large family. Kept trying to get Amanda, my ex-fiancée, to set a date so we could start with baby number one, but she wriggled out of it every time. Now, I can have my dream and help poor Gisele at the same time.”
“Did you have a chance to ask her about their medical background and schooling, etc.”
