This was going to be a short transitional chapter, but it took on a life of its own.
Chapter 3
Phryne wakes to the movement of the baby – babies she mentally reminds herself and Jack draped around her. Reveling in the warmth of Jack's embrace she wonders at how heavy her limbs still feel. Phryne's stomach growls sounding loud the quiet of the room; the only other noise Jack's deep even breathing and Phryne grimaces hoping she didn't wake him. She strokes the arm Jack has around her the feel of the hair on his forearm beneath her fingers sending little shivers through her. Jack breathes more deeply, snuggling into her with a soft grunt. As she continues to stoke Jack's arm ravenous hunger for more than food courses through her.
Phryne pushes against him with a soft moan of need her hand tightening on his arm. "Jack wake up."
"Hmm" he mumbles slowly awakening, but not opening his eyes.
"Jack, I want you," turning in his arms she runs her hands from his chest all the way to the aim of her explorations. "My, my Inspector," and taking him in her hand she strokes him her warm fingers enjoying the hardness she finds, but also the silky feel of him as well. Jack's eyes snap open, sleep definitely no longer on his mind.
"Jack, please," her hands tightening on his erection as she implores him her eyes locking with his lust for him clearly evident.
"Tell me what you want Phryne," he breathes. His voice is thick and low, his hands ghosting over her skin, his eyes shining hungrily into hers.
"I want you filling me, loving me, making me forget everything but you and how much I love and need you."
"Like this?" He pushes her gently onto her back moving beside her to better access her body his hands moving over her, his lips burning her skin everywhere he places a kiss. He claims her lips the hunger in her response spurring him to plunder her mouth while his fingers find her more than ready as they tease her.
"No…," she moans breathlessly moving slightly against his fingers whimpering as he kisses along her jaw and down her throat to hover over her collarbone.
He moves over her then holding back – still teasing her, waiting.
"Jack, are you going to make me beg?" Her eyes large and deeply purple now close briefly as she arches up attempting to capture him, but he holds himself just out of reach.
He can't really tease her or make her beg anymore as his need for her is just as strong as hers. "Like this?" Jack slowly fills her savoring in the sensation of their joining.
"Yes," she whispers her face a study of concentration now.
Jack growls softly, "love you, so lovely my Phryne, so warm." He kisses her with a desperation born of his love for her.
She matches his kiss with her own desperate response, her tongue tangling with his, her limbs pulling him closer to her. They lose themselves in their lovemaking giving and taking in timeless rhythm until they both fall together into the bliss they create each calling the other's name.
"I love you Phryne," Jack mumbles against her neck gathering her close and rolling them on their sides so his weight is not on her.
"I love you more," her voice catches and he sees tears in her eyes.
"What's this?" he asks and brushing the tears gently with his thumbs he brings the moisture to his lips tasting her saltiness, his eyes filling with concern.
"It's just that everything is changing – the baby, babies rather, sharing Janey with you, Jane growing up, selfishly wanting you all to myself, and you know my motherhood fears. What if I can't cope? What if I disappoint you…," trailing off and placing her hand on his cheek she gives him a soul searching look trying to assess his reaction uncertainty flickering in the blue depths.
Brushing her hair back and tucking it behind her ear Jack is silent for a moment. "Oh my darling, loving you, being married to you makes me so very happy." He turns toward the hand on his cheek and kisses her palm, "I don't think what you are feeling is out of line. I want you all to myself as well and yet I look forward to the future with you and Jane, and his hand falls to her rounded belly, the babies. I am humbled that you would trust me with Janey's memory. We will cope together, Miss Fisher. I won't let you walk this journey alone. We are partners you and I. Most certainly we will disappoint each other, but love and commitment will guide us through those inevitably rocky times. I won't ever give up on you and our family – all of them. Phryne you are incredibly lovely, intelligent, loyal,…words fail him as he takes her face in his hands kissing her fiercely willing her to believe and igniting their passion once again.
Later Phryne gets up to get dressed truly needing food now and feeling almost faint. She decides on just her robe, but does brush her hair. She wants to breakfast here in their room, but she knows Arthur is waiting to see them. "Jack I'm going downstairs to see Arthur."
"No you aren't" the authority in his voice causing her to stiffen defensively and turn to him.
"Who do you think you are to tell me…?" her hardened voice stops abruptly at the frozen expression on Jack's face. "Jack what is it? What's wrong?"
"There is blood on the sheets," his stricken guilty tone speaking volumes.
"Let me see," she moves to the bed. There are indeed spots of blood on the snowy white linens. Her stomach roils slightly, "Hang on Jack, you didn't hurt me. This isn't your fault. If anything it is my fault for riding yesterday." She moves to place her arms around him. He hugs her fiercely to him and she can hardly breathe. "Jack, darling, I can't breathe."
"Sorry," he immediately relaxes his grip.
"Let me check to see what is going on. Could you get me tea and toast please? I am quite peckish."
Jack nods rising to do her bidding. Phryne moves to the bathroom to assess the situation. Blood is evident. She is definitely spotting. Closing her eyes, her hands move protectively to her stomach, "Stay put little ones" a note of real concern in her voice. She returns to the bed and calls for Aunt Prudence.
A few minutes later a bustling Aunt Prudence knocks lightly and sweeps into the room. Seeing Phryne still in the bed looking anxious she pauses just short of the bed, "What is it Phryne?" Aunt P's concern is palpable as she rarely sees Phryne with such a look on her face and the times that she has were fraught with trouble – a madman hunting Jane, Janey's disappearance, some childhood incidents came immediately to mind.
"I'm spotting," is the quiet response. Aunt Prudence's eyes widen, "I'll call for Dr. Macmillan immediately.
"May Arthur come and eat with me? I could use the distraction while we wait and I want to see him. I really didn't get to speak with him yesterday."
"Yes, just don't let him see any blood. You know how it upsets him."
"I'll be careful." Phryne reaches out her hand to Aunt P who takes her small hand in both of hers, giving it a squeeze. "Thank you Aunt Prudence," a small smile touching her lips. Prudence smiles briefly back, leaving the room with a sigh, her brow furrowed calling Arthur. Phryne pulls the covers up and brushes out the wrinkles covering the blood and making a spot for Arthur and Jack to sit.
Jack returns with Arthur in tow each carrying a tray with tea and an assortment of food. "Cook wants you to have choices Phryne, not just toast" Arthur says carefully placing the tray on the bed, "Mother said I need to visit quietly, he adds a tinge of disappointment coloring his voice.
Jack also places his tray on the bed and then pulls up chairs so he and Arthur can sit beside the bed. "Phryne," Jack begins. She shakes her head very slightly glancing at Arthur. Jack inclines his head ever so slightly to acknowledge her silent request.
Phryne pats the bed "Sit by me Arthur. You don't have to be quiet. I am feeling a bit under the weather so can't go outside with you. That is the kind of quiet Aunt P meant." Arthur joins her pushing pillows up so he can sit against the headboard grinning with pleasure. Jack takes a chair not wanting to intrude on Arthur's time with Phryne.
Phryne pours tea for the three of them and they begin to eat, Arthur carrying the conversation as Phryne knows he is wont to do when not under the rules of proper society. Phryne eats with gusto her appetite returning and nausea retreating as she puts the deliciously prepared food into her mouth. Arthur and Jack also enjoy the food and tea, Arthur telling them all about the baby birds he discovered yesterday in the garden.
When they finish eating, Jack moves the trays away placing them on a dresser and searches Phryne's eyes. She smiles reassuringly though he can still see the hint of concern in the set of her lips and the darkness of her eyes. "Jack, Arthur come here," she beckons pushing the duvet away and smoothing the sheet across her stomach. "Feel here," and taking one of each of their hands she places them on her stomach. "Now wait, be still," her voice soft is almost dreamy as she looks expectantly at the two men.
In a moment Arthur pulls his hand back in shock, looking questioningly at Phryne. Jack hand stays put wanting to feel every movement of the babies.
"Everything is ok Arthur you can put your hand back if you want to. That is the babies moving around."
"That is really a baby moving?" wonder fills his sparkling eyes and voice. He returns his hand to Phryne's abdomen gently waiting for more movement.
"Yes," Phryne giggles lightly at him. "I'll need your help with the babies Arthur. I'm counting on you." Beaming Arthur nods silent and intent on the small kicks he feels.
There is a small knock at the door and Aunt Prudence peeks in, "Arthur, Inspector I need your help with flowers in the garden."
Arthur's face falls causing Phryne to grin. "Go help; I will be here when you are done." Arthur acquiesces reluctantly moving his hand from Phryne's stomach and he and Jack leave the room.
After Aunt P leaves with Jack and Arthur trailing behind, Mac slips into the room. Her expression is serious and Phryne gives in to her distress for a moment the tremble in her voice evident, "Mac, I am so glad you could come." Mac inclines her head and prepares to examine her.
Mac asks questions as she examines Phryne. She feels the kicking movements of the babies. She listens with her stethoscope moving it to various locations on Phryne's belly. "I definitely hear two heartbeats, I can't tell for sure about a third, but I hear something different.
As she checks Phryne further her serious expression solidifies into a frown. After she washes her hands she calls Jack into the room. Noting his stricken look Mac allows a slight smile to cross her lips. "Don't worry Inspector, the babies are strong. I definitely hear two heartbeats and the movements are consistent with twins as well. I still can't tell for certain about a third baby, but I think there is one."
Jack's eyes widen in shock, "Triplets? You're not serious?" He looks askance at Phryne, seeing she is unusually serene given the situation.
"In for a penny, Inspector," Phryne quips giving him a soft, but very serious look, "We may as well do things right the first time as I do not see an encore in our future." Jack's gobsmacked expression has not lifted. He continues to stare at her mouth agape.
Mac snaps her fingers. Jack jerks and looks at her. "Back to the issue at hand, Inspector. Phryne is definitely spotting. I believe it is happening because during her exam I found her cervix is softened and she is slightly dilated."
"And?" Jack asks not totally understanding but knowing it could be serious just based on the fact that there are multiple babies. His breathing quickening and his heart rate accelerating he waits for Mac to explain.
"In simple terms when a baby is ready to be born, the mother's cervix softens and as the body works to push the baby out the cervix dilates to allow the infant to pass through. In Phryne's case this process that shouldn't be happening for another four months is already starting."
Both Jack and Phryne's eyes widen in shock, "What does this mean?" they both burst out at the same time.
Mac looks at the two of them her usual cockiness absent, "Hospital Bed rest," she says simply.
"What?" the look of horror on Phryne's face causes Mac to smile at Jack. "Better you than me Inspector." Jack gapes at Mac, not really comprehending yet.
"Let's get her to St. Kilda. I am going to ask Dr. Arthur Wilson to consult on her case. He is a tremendous doctor. His reputation in obstetrics is impeccable. I have seen him work at the Women's Hospital."
"But Mac, I thought you would," began Phryne, "I don't want anyone else."
"Once I heard the second heartbeat I felt it was only a matter of time before I would need to consult with a true obstetrician. And with the possibility of a third baby, we are going to need help to keep you and the babies safe. And Phryne, I expect you to follow instructions to the letter.
Jack and Mac fill Aunt Prudence in on the situation while Phryne spends a bit more time with Arthur. Once Aunt Prudence is appropriately informed, Jack carries Phryne to the Hispano and places her in the back seat giving her a soft car blanket to wrap around her. They make the journey to St. Kilda in near silence each of them lost in their own thoughts. Each feeling like they are on the Great Scenic Railway with no way to get off.