Professor and The Pregnant Nanny

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Melissa had barely mumbled a thank-you, which he didn’t appear to hear, and then he was gone. If he’d had a crush on her in high school, as her mother had suggested, there was apparently no danger or sign of the old feelings reemerging.

Crestfallen but grateful for the reality check, Melissa turned to the children and immersed herself in caring for them. She did bake the cookies, though. After all, she did owe Charles for the tutoring thirteen years ago, and he was going over and above the usual duties of an employer by insisting she have afternoon naps.

The children enjoyed helping to make, then eating some of the cookies, and it took up most of the morning. They also colored in some coloring books she’d bought at a discount store last week, did toddler aerobics to a tape with one of their favorite puppet TV personalities, and listened while she read several books. She was hoping to have the kids tired out enough by the afternoon that they’d play quietly while Charles watched them during her nap.

Charles came home just before two o’clock, just as he’d promised. He was polite, but distant, and advised her to use Mrs. Butters’s room for her nap.

“You can use the alarm clock she keeps by the bed, too,” he offered as she turned to go. “Set it for three-fifteen, not three.”

She must have looked puzzled, because he quickly explained, “In case you don’t go to sleep right away. You need at least an hour or you won’t be refreshed. Annette always said less than an hour just made her irritable when she got up, and more than an hour made her feel groggy the rest of the day.”

Melissa thought about this and agreed. “I never thought about it before, but she was right.” She tentatively smiled, but Charles was already walking away, down the hall.

Melissa mumbled, “Guess he’s not going to wish me sweet dreams,” and went directly to Mrs. Butters’s room. Despite her anxiety about Charles’s response to her cookies, and her disappointment over his suddenly distant attitude, Melissa was too tired to lie awake and worry about it. As soon as she’d set the alarm and her head hit the pillow, she was asleep.

CHARLES WAS READY to play with the kids and asked them what they wanted to do. They begged to watch a video and Charles agreed to it when he noticed that they were dragging a little and might even nap in front of the television if given half a chance. Mrs. Butters wouldn’t approve, but what the heck. Daniel’s thumb was in his mouth and Sarah was twirling her hair around her fingers, pre-sleep activities for both.

Once they were settled in the family room, Charles went to his study to put away his briefcase and quickly go over a few papers turned in by students that morning. He was enjoying the quietness of the house and not regretting in the least his decision to demand that Melissa nap every afternoon.

As he reached his desk, he noticed two baskets covered with clear wrapping paper and tied at the top with gold ribbon.

“What the—?”

Upon inspection, he saw that the baskets were filled to the brim with cookies…the cookies Melissa had promised to bake him for his kindness in allowing her to nap, obviously. But why two baskets? He shook his head, pleased but wishing he wasn’t pleased. He had been impatient with and alarmed by his preoccupation with Missy’s presence in the house yesterday, by his vivid recalling of his high-school crush, by his distraction and attraction. There, he’d admitted it. He was still powerfully attracted to her.

The baskets had little notes attached to them. He was ashamed of his eagerness as he opened the first, which read, For the naps. Melissa. And then the second, which read, For saving my GPA in high school. Sorry I’m a little late with this batch. Missy.

Charles was pleased and, yes, touched. She did remember after all and was trying to make amends for being thoughtless thirteen years ago. He was smiling down at the second note, feeling his insides melt like soft butter in the sun, when the doorbell sounded its Westminster chime and he heard quick, childish footsteps—probably Christopher’s—heading for the door.

Charles put away the note and left the study. As he walked down the hall toward the front of the house, he could hear his sister Lily’s voice and the clamor of her three children. So much for a quiet house! He always welcomed Lily’s visits, but this one was ill-timed. He didn’t want Melissa’s nap disturbed.

“Charles! How’s it going, bro?”

Lily’s red hair hadn’t softened to auburn as Charles’s had. And she wore it in outrageous styles, such as her present “do,” which framed her face in rakish angles like an exploding haystack. Her husband, Josh, called the style “Meg-Ryan-on-speed.” But like Meg, Lily’s impish face and outgoing personality allowed her to carry off hairdos and clothes that other women didn’t dare try.

“It’s goin’ good, sis,” Charles assured her in a lowered voice. His twin nephews, Matt and Mark, who were the same age as Daniel, and his niece, Amanda, who was Sarah’s age, buzzed around him like bees around a hive. “But why don’t we herd the kids into the family room and close the door? My nanny’s taking a nap.”

Lily looked incredulous. “Your nanny’s taking a nap? So, who’s watching the kids?”

“Well, I am. But it’s just for an—”

“I told you, Charles, to let me take care of the kids this week. You were worried it would be too much for me, but I told you I could handle it. But, no, you had to hire temporary help and now she’s taking advantage of your kindness and generosity. How are you going to get your lecture ready?”

“Lily, please lower your voice,” Charles implored. “You’re going to wake her.” By now Sarah and Daniel had emerged from the family room and all six children were laughing and talking and running around the living room.

Lily shook her head. “Really, Charles, I don’t understand this. Why does she need a nap? Is she elderly?”

“No. She’s pregnant.”

“Well, pregnancy does tire you out, but—”

“Especially in your last month,” Charles pointed out. “She’s nearly full-term, Lily. She really needs the rest or she’s exhausted by dinnertime.” He waved his hands over his head, trying to get the children’s attention. “Want to watch a video in the family room, kids?”

“But what about your work?”

“I can still get it done. One hour every afternoon is not going to slow me down significantly.”

“Every afternoon?” Lily shook her head again, obviously not ready to let the subject drop. “Doesn’t she go home after dinner? She has all evening to recuperate. I don’t mean to sound heartless, Charles, but you hired her to watch the kids. Lots of pregnant women work, but if she’s too pregnant to do the job, then—”

“I’m sorry to interrupt. I heard the kids and thought maybe something was going on that required the assistance of your…er…nanny.”

Charles turned to see Melissa standing just outside the living room, in the hall. Her hair was mussed and her eyes looked drowsily sexy. Her cheeks were flushed, whether from sleep or embarrassment, he couldn’t know. Had she heard what Lily had been saying? He hoped not!

“Melissa, sorry we woke you,” Charles said with an apologetic smile, determined to carry on as if she hadn’t heard them. “My sister, Lily, came over with the kids.”

While Sarah grabbed Melissa’s leg and her attention momentarily, Lily leaned over and whispered to Charles, “Why didn’t you tell me it was her. Now I understand, big bro.”

MELISSA HAD BEEN jolted out of a deep sleep and she still felt a little disoriented. But not too disoriented to have heard Lily arguing with Charles as she walked down the hall toward the living room. Apparently Charles’s little sister thought Melissa was not up to the job of being nanny to her niece and nephews. What troubled Melissa most was the depressing possibility that Lily might be right.

“Did you two know each other in high school?” Charles asked uncomfortably.

“Everyone knew who Melissa Richardson was,” Lily answered, trying to look and sound friendly, but only managing a strained facsimile. “But I wouldn’t say we actually knew each other. Boy…I haven’t seen you since high school. You haven’t changed a bit…well, except for—” She gestured vaguely toward Melissa’s pregnant belly.

“I haven’t seen you, either,” Melissa offered, trying for the same friendly tone and sounding just as strained as Lily. “Although I don’t suppose we saw much of each other while we were in high school, anyway. It was a big school, and aren’t you three years younger than me?”

“Nope. I was just two years behind you. I was a sophomore when you were a senior…and the head cheerleader and Homecoming Queen.”

By the way she was looking her over, Melissa could swear Lily was surprised she wasn’t holding pom-poms and wearing a tiara. “Well, that was a long time ago.”

“And now you’re pregnant,” Lily finished, too brightly. “Your first?”

“Yes.” Please don’t ask about Brad. Please, please, please…

“And how’s Brad? What is he, a bank president or something by now? Or the world’s greatest shoe salesman? That guy could win over anyone with his charm.” Warming to the subject, she smiled and continued. “I remember once, he—”

“Lily, could I talk to you in the kitchen for a moment?” Charles interrupted.

Lily was clearly confused, but agreed. “Sure. Okay. But should we leave Melissa with all these rambunctious kids?”

Melissa felt her defenses rising. “I think I can manage them for a couple of minutes by myself,” she said stiffly.

“Oh, okay.” Lily looked distressed, as if realizing for a fact that Melissa had heard her talking with Charles, adamantly pointing out that a nearly nine-months-pregnant woman who needed a nap every afternoon wasn’t a fit nanny. Melissa hated to admit it, but Lily was right. She might as well face the truth. She’d offer her resignation as soon as Lily left and she and Charles had a moment alone.

“LILY, MY GOD, what have you done? I think she heard you.”

“I know she heard me, Charles. I’m sorry. I didn’t know your nanny was Melissa Richardson or I would have kept my trap shut.”

“What’s that got to do with it?” Charles asked her, flustered and defensive. “I hope I would have shown the same consideration for any pregnant woman who came to my house to watch my kids.”

“I still think she’s too pregnant for the job, and you probably think the same thing, Charles. Admit it! But because it’s the girl you regularly swooned over for at least your entire senior year, I don’t blame you for making allowances.”

“For your information, little sister, Melissa is one helluva nanny. If she wasn’t pregnant and didn’t have to bring it down a notch, she’d be stiff competition for Mary Poppins. The kids love her. I—”

“Love her?” Lily teased, obviously beginning to enjoy her brother’s discomfort.

“I respect and admire her, particularly given the fact that she’s about to have a baby and is doing it all by herself.”

Lily’s eyes widened. “She’s divorced? Ol’ Brad flew the coop?”

“No, Lily. She’s a widow.”

This fact finally shut Lily up. Her brows furrowed, her eyes filled with sympathy. “Oh, Charles. I’m really sorry. I’ll bet she actually needs this job, huh? What a dumbbell I am!”

“Forget it,” Charles said, his displeasure dissipating at the obvious remorse Lily felt. “But I want you to understand that I’m not keeping Melissa on as nanny because I pity her, or any such nonsense. She’s here because she’s doing a great job. I was the one who made her promise to take a daily nap. I made it a requirement. It’ll get her through the afternoon and safely home without me worrying about her falling asleep at the wheel.”

“Okay, I believe you,” Lily conceded, holding up both hands. “She’s a great nanny! But I still think you’re smitten, Charles. She’s still just as pretty as she was in high school.” She leaned forward and whispered, “And now she’s available.”

MELISSA SOMEHOW MANAGED to get through Lily’s short visit, then the rest of the long day, even though she was more tired than usual because of her interrupted nap. She was also depressed because she was going to tell Charles to request another nanny from the agency. To make matters worse, the children were especially engaging and wonderful to be around that afternoon. She’d only known them two days, and she was already going to miss them.

She made sure she didn’t show how tired she was and fixed dinner and cleared up afterward with all the appearance of cheerfulness and energy. But it took everything in her to fake it convincingly…especially with Charles watching her so closely. She couldn’t read his expression, though. She had no idea what he was thinking. Maybe he’d be relieved when she told him she was quitting. Maybe he’d be glad to see her go.

“Can I talk to you before I go home, Charles?” Melissa requested as she sponged off the counter in the kitchen. He was just going past the door with Daniel under his arm like a football. He’d given all three children baths after dinner and was headed for the bedroom to read them a bedtime story.

“Sure. I wanted to talk to you, anyway.” He tickled Daniel under the arm. “Did you say good-night to Melissa, Daniel?”

Daniel giggled uncontrollably, as his father continued to tickle him. “What’s the matter, Daniel? Cat got your tongue? Why can’t you say good-night to Melissa? Huh? Huh?”