White Ginger

chapter 12



Lucy was nothing like Amelie had imagined her to be. Petite and olive-skinned, she’d arrived on Kauai from northern Italy with one suitcase and the determination to succeed in business. Landing a job with Jimi, she had proven her abilities and found the love of her life. “And soon we will have our bambino and our lives will be complete, no!”

Jimi’s tender look tugged at Amelie’s heart. A buzzer sounded from the kitchen.

“Now you will taste a real northern Italian dish. This is a recipe from my nonna.”

The four cheese baked pasta dish was followed by salad and veal scaloppini, and for dessert, gelato in two different flavors. Arne stretched back in his chair, patting his full belly. “Lucy, you are the best Italian cook in these islands!”

“That was delicious but I don’t think I can fit another mouthful in.” Amelie added her praises. “Grazie.”

Lucy’s eyes lit up. “Oh, you speak my language?”

“Sorry, that’s the extent of it. But I’d love to learn more.”

“Then I shall teach you.”

They moved out to the balcony with the rest of the wine, chatting about inconsequential things once the events of the past few days had been inspected and dissected. The moon was high in the sky and the evening well advanced.

Lucy pushed to her feet. “I shall make coffee. Who wants…” Suddenly she hunched over, groaning and wrapping an arm around her stomach. The others jumped to their feet.

“The baby?” Jimi asked anxiously. “But it isn’t due for a fortnight.”

“Si, si. Mio bambino.”

Amelie moved in to offer support and slipped. Lucy was standing in a puddle of water. She turned to Jimi. “You’d better phone the hospital and tell them you’re coming in. Her waters have broken.”

“I’ll phone. You help Lucy.” Practical as always, Arne gave Jimi a push toward his wife.

Amelie supported Lucy on one side and Jimi wrapped his arm around her waist. Lucy gasped as another contraction hit and she grabbed their arms fiercely. They held her until her breathing evened out again.

“This bambino, he is in a rush to be born. Per favore, Arne, my suitcase is in the wardrobe, second door on the right.” Amelie helped her to sit, and then offered to get fresh clothes. Lucy arched with another contraction as Arne returned, suitcase in hand.

“I think we should go to the hospital now.” Jimi took Lucy’s hand in his. She looked into his eyes and gave him a sweet smile.

“Don’t leave me.” She groaned with another contraction, grabbing Jimi’s hand.

“I’ll drive. Let’s go.” Arne picked up Jimi’s keys and held the door open as Jimi helped Lucy down the stone steps to his car. Jimi climbed into the back seat, gently holding Lucy in his arms. Amelie raced around to the front passenger seat, disconcerted to find herself on the wrong side.

“Oops! Sorry.” She hurried to the other side, springing in as Arne put the car into gear.

Although the hospital was only a fifteen-minute drive, Lucy’s baby was in a hurry. Her contractions came quickly. Arne drove skillfully, pulling in to the emergency doors just as Lucy emitted another cry.

With difficulty, Jimi and Arne eased Lucy from the back seat and onto a gurney brought by two paramedics. Jimi held Lucy’s hand as she was wheeled swiftly through the automatic entry and then they disappeared through a set of double swing doors.

Amelie pushed her bangs out of her eyes and grinned at him. “ Every outing with you is an adventure.”

“Should we go back to their place and wait?” Arne checked his watch.

“The rate Lucy’s contractions were coming, I reckon we might as well wait. Coffee?”

Barely two hours later, Jimi walked out to the waiting lounge, beaming. “Giuseppe Keanu has arrived–Joe for short. Both are fine.”

Arne shook his hand and then embraced the big man, slapping him on the back. “Congratulations!”

“I have a son.” Jimi grinned and enveloped Amelie in a bear hug.

“It’s wonderful. Congratulations.” Tears pricked her eyes. She blinked furiously and sniffed turning away to search for a tissue.

“It’ll be a while till they take Lucy to her room. Why don’t you go to the house and get some sleep? Come back in the morning to meet my son.” Jimi edged toward the ward. “I should get back to her–them.”

“Give Lucy our love.” Arne patted Jimi’s shoulder then led Amelie out into the starlit night and they drove back to the house. What an amazing night. She felt privileged that Joe’s birth occurred during their visit. Like being part of the family.

And like family, they cleaned the house and put the remains of dinner in the fridge, then flopped onto the sofa. She rolled her shoulders then closed her eyes, snuggling against Arne. It was almost dawn.

“Why do babies decide to be born so early in the morning?” Arne yawned.

“Maybe because what starts at night, ends at night.”

Arne chuckled. “Come on. Let’s grab a couple of hours sleep while we can.” He led her to the spare room. “I stay here when I visit. I’ll take the bed in Joe’s nursery.”

“Arne–I don’t mind sharing if you don’t?” He raised an eyebrow.

“It won’t be the first time I’ve slept with you.” He chuckled.

And not the last, I hope.

Amelie stripped off her blue dress and curled up under the blanket. Arne tugged off his shirt and trousers then slid into bed beside her. His arm slipped around her waist, his body warming hers. Within seconds, his regular breathing puffed gently against her neck. She snuggled in. This was so much nicer than sleeping alone.

* * * *

“Arne? Wake up, buddy. It’s nearly noon. Arne, get your lazy self outta bed and–”

Amelie blinked awake and tried to roll toward the sound of the voice. Trapped by Arne’s arm across her waist, his body spooning hers, she raised her head and peered back over his shoulder. Jimi stood in the doorway, a huge smile across his face.

Caught in bed with Arne! Again. This is getting to be a habit.

Sheepishly, she smiled at Jimi. “Hi. Have you just got home?”

“Yep. Just gonna shower and shave, then head on back for visiting hours. Wanna come?”

“Sure.” What else was there to do but smile? She shook Arne until he mumbled something about wanting to sleep in. “Hey, wake up, Arne. Jimi’s here. We’re going to see Lucy and Joe.”

“Hmmm–wassup?”

God, even tousled and sleepy-eyed he was gorgeous. “Arne–Jimi’s here.”

Arne rolled onto his back, half dragging the sheet with him. She grabbed at it to preserve some dignity. “Hey, Jimi. We’ll be ready soon.”

An hour later, they looked on as Jimi cradled his son. The baby had a shock of dark hair and a lusty pair of lungs that made his proud father smile even more. “A voice to command men. Say hello to your godfather.”

Arne held his godson as he’d probably held Lani. A lump formed in her throat. He looked so at ease with the baby, he’d be a natural with children of his own. And she wanted to be the one to give them to him.

“Here, your turn for a cuddle, Amelie.” Arne placed young Joe in her arms. She blinked furiously and sniffed, concentrating on the baby’s blurry face. Tiny fists rested on the baby blanket. Lowering her head, the milky scent of contented baby wafted across her face. Softly, she rubbed her cheek across his fine hair. Arne’s babies would have this beautiful olive skin and dark hair too.

If only…

She kissed Joe’s forehead and handed him to Lucy. “He’s gorgeous. Congratulations.”

* * * *

Madonna-like, Amelie had cradled Joe as though she’d protect him from the world. A surge of emotion crashed through Arne.

Could she love him?

He’d try very hard to convince her. Their strong physical attraction for one another was a good start. Heck, he’d wanted to make love to her when she’d fallen into his arms and looked up at him with her incredible sea-blue eyes that day in the grocery store. Had she guessed?

At least he knew she had no leftover feelings for Victor. But was she on the rebound? Did she really like being with him?

Or was he just–available?

He needed to be sure his attraction wasn’t just because he was an obliging shoulder. Nor gratitude for saving her life. He would wait until he was sure he’d claimed her heart.

They returned to Kaleialani in the late afternoon. Jeff texted an all clear for her to move back into her cabin so he drove her there. He could tell she tried to disguise her disappointment when he said he had to work. But he needed time to know if her feelings for him were real. He knew now, because when he looked at Amelie–she was his other half. His soul mate.

Worth waiting for.