Sequel to Maryann

The Twins

Many readers enjoyed the first story to Maryann. Here is the Sequel. Dave is faced with a decision that can be hard on anybody to make. His sister-in-law, amongst his other problems, including an employee, was cheating on her husband: do they adopt the baby or not?

1.

Rebecca James parked her small car in the employee parking area, nearly to the highway and rushed to the front entrance of Luthron Avionics and Aerospace main offices. She wasn't certain whether she was late or not. According to her cell phone it was nearly 6:30 am. She knew she still had to go through a couple additional briefings.

Panting for breath, she reached the first security station. The guard stoically checked his list of visitors for the day.

"Rebecca James," he repeated her name. He looked up at Rebecca: "You'll be reporting to David Bennett of Kent Facilities Services. Step inside and report to the guard at the desk. He'll issue a temporary security badge and call the KFS office. Next…"

"Yes." She wasn't certain what she was to do once she stepped into the lobby. She'd never worked in a place before with so much security.

The guard inside at another desk pressed a button on the first one's signal.

Maryann sat in the custodian's office waiting on her husband David Bennett to make his morning rounds of the facility. They were a husband and wife team in charge of the facility cleaning team. Their supervisor strong armed Dave, with Maryann's consent in to being manager of the account. Maryann grinned thinking he got the job whether he liked it or not. With the baby on the way she knew they could use the extra money.

Dave walked back into the office at a brisk pace tossing the clip board on to the desk. Maryann was sitting at the desk in case the phone rang.

Dave placed his hand on her forehead. "How you feeling, babe?"

"Okay." She leaned back in the swivel chair as three girls poked their heads in the door – two brunettes and a blonde – the Oreo Sisters.

"How are you doing, Maryann?" Jennifer, the blonde of the trio asked.

"Good," Maryann told them. "The ultra-sound is Thursday."

Crystal, one of the two brunettes told her: "If you need a ride to the doctor let me know."

"I will," she assured them. She knew if she had Dave take her, regardless he'd be bouncing for joy, whether the baby was boy or girl, he'd be too happy over the prognosis to drive. This was a long time coming for them.

The three girls disappeared as fast as they appeared at the door.

Dave looked at the place in the open door where they stood. "You know hone, the baby will have more proxy aunts and uncles then the average kid in this town."

Maryann smiled thinking of the day the baby would be born and the happiness it would bring them. Dave pampered her to no end. She felt like a Queen at home.

The phone rang Maryann picked it up answering it. "It's Malcolm, the new girl is at the front security desk."

Malcolm was the day shift supervisor of the guard force at the facility.

Maryann stood from the chair showing her pregnancy. "I'll go get her. You might scare the poor kid."

Dave helped her up then slipped in to the chair as Maryann walked to the front to get the new hired girl.

As Dave waited for Maryann to return with the new girl, Lisa from across the hall stopped to check up on Maryann as well as a couple others. Dave considered that something different was done by Luthron: Something different for a multi-national corporation the size of Luthron – they threw Dave and Maryann a wedding to end all weddings that year.

Despite the fact that they are contract employees, that didn't stop the Oreo Sisters from getting support from the Vice-President of Area Facilities, the Managing Vice President himself and a few other executives from going along with their plans for the wedding.

Six months ago on a Friday afternoon the three girls with their friends turned the company auditorium in to a wedding chapel. The three girls were Maryann's brides maids, several of the men were Dave's best man and groom's men. Maryann's twin sister, Teresa flew in to be her maid of honor. The facility literally shut down at three pm for the 3:30 wedding. It was one wedding everyone was sure to remember for a long time.

Including the priest: The first time I ever officiated at a wedding where the wedding party including myself has to wear a security badge.

A few minutes later Maryann returned with the new girl.

"The guards have a newbie on security desk three," Maryann said as the two women entered the office. "This is Rebecca – my husband, Dave."

Rebecca smiled at Dave as she sat down in front of the desk.

Oh, wow. I wonder … too bad he is married.

2.

Supper time for them was always a quiet time. They talked about everything but work and their past. Their past since the night Maryann moved in with Dave became a taboo subject with them; they did not want to be reminded of a past they both made horrible mistakes that for twelve years cost them their love for each other.

The phone rang. Both hoped it was either a wrong number, a telemarketer which

Dave would hang up on, or family; but worse yet someone from the second shift, and he'd already had that issue.

Dave reached back to a shelf to take the phone from the hook. The caller ID showed the call only as OUT OF AREA didn't immediately recognize the phone number. He shrugged. "Dave…"

"Dave – Teresa, is Maryann there?" She was crying.

Something was odd about Teresa's phone call. It sounded as if she were crying. Now what? He passed the phone across the table to Maryann. "Teresa."

Maryann wiped her mouth then took the phone from Dave. "Teresa, Mary…" She listened for a minute then looked at Dave in shock. "Oh no, Teresa! No, oh…."

Tears welled up in Maryann's eyes. Dave got up to go around to his wife to hold her as she laid the phone on the table. Dave picked it up: "Teresa – Dave … Is everything alright?"

"Yes – no, no Maryann will tell you. I've gotta go."

"We'll call you back later." But Teresa had already hung up.

Dave hung up the phone then went back to Maryann kneeling beside her as she cried. He looked up at her a moment. She became aware of Dave beside her. She put her arm around his shoulders.

"The baby is not Bob's."

Teresa was married the month after Dave and Maryann were, but seemed she had an affair with another man a short time after they were married.

The first thing Dave thought of: What are we supposed to do about it?

He took his wife by the hand leading her to the sofa. He held on to her as he did many evenings. They either watched a bit of television or held on to each other for the love and comfort the gesture gave them.

Dave kissed her forehead and lips. After a moment they began to think logically.

Maryann stared at the cold hearth. Since the weather was becoming warmer they did not need the hearth to keep warm. She had no immediate answers. "What are we going to do to help her?"

Dave looked up at the pictures of their late-sons sitting on the mantle above the

hearth. Maryann waited for an answer. She knew what she could do to help her sister; but the affair would have to be her problem to unravel with Bob.

Dave lowered his head a moment then looked at his wife still waiting for an answer from him. "Adoption."

Maryann smiled. "Thank you. I was thinking that too. We'll raise the baby as our own."

"Agreed." They kissed. They'd made the mutual agreement.

Maryann went to the bedroom to get her cell phone. This is one time Bob would be

left out of the loop, as Dave liked to say. Maryann paced around the living room with the cell phone pressed against her ear. It rang four times then went to a recording.

She glanced at Dave arching her eye brows in puzzlement. "No answer. I wonder …"

Maryann sat on the sofa as Dave reached over the sofa for the phone on the end table placing it between them. Maryann picked up the phone as Dave speed dialed the number.

Bob answered in a surely tone: "Yeah?"

"Bob, Maryann. Is Teresa there?"

"Yeah. Hey, Teresa .. yer sister!"

"And you say I have a loud voice?" Dave chuckled while they waited for Teresa to come to the phone.

Maryann placed her hand over the phone. "What'll I do if he's eves dropping?"

"Tell her in one word adoption then talk for a few minutes about your ultra-sound Friday and Crystal offering to drive you to the doctor."

"Yeah – hi, sis." Teresa was still crying.

The two sisters talked about everything but the subject. Maryann worked in the word "adoption" to the conversation then said good-bye.

"Cleaver," said Dave giving Maryann a kiss.

Maryann laid her head on Dave's shoulder hugging up to him for comfort. "I'm scared, Dave. I scared for Teresa. No telling what Bob will do once the secret is out."

Dave placed his hand on her stomach holding it where the baby was maturing in Maryann's womb. "Problem is, honey, Teresa is eighteen hundred miles away in Pennsylvania – we're here in Colorado. The best we're doing is to give Teresa's baby a good home. We can't help Teresa beyond that part. What she did they have to work out."

She looked up into her husband's eyes. "You're too good to me, Dave. You've

always thought of me first. Nothing for yourself."

"I love you – and our child – children when we adopt Teresa's child. They'll be born close enough we'll raise them as twins."

Maryann smiled through her tears then reached up to kiss her husband.

3.

The next day, close to eight, Dave set his office work aside to call a lawyer he knew. He already was aware of the paper drill involved to adopt a family member's baby, but he needed some background on the legal status to raise the two children, born within thirty days

of each other as twins.

Maryann walked in to the office as Dave hung up the phone. "Everything else but the first floor is done."

"Good. I'll get on the two labs as soon as I get this supply order out to Tyrone Paper."

"Did you call the lawyer?"

Dave nodded his head. "Yes. It can be done, raise Teresa's child with her consent – in writing of course. Ninety days the judge approves it, give it thirty days and it becomes legal."

"Where are we going to have it done?"

"The question is: Where does Teresa want the adoption done? Here or Pennsylvania? Her lover has to consent to this too – Father. If the guy stuck around long enough otherwise it can be done by judge's writ by law."

Rebecca lay in bed that night in her efficiency apartment staring at the images on her cell phone. "I wonder what it will be like to let him have me?"

She flipped through the images she managed to get of him without anyone knowing she had taken the pictures.

"Of course if his wife knew she'd have a fit." She giggled as she set the phone aside. "I wonder what he's doing now?"

She took out her diary to write another entry in it.

Dear Diary,

I now work with this wonderful – no, make that fabulous guy.

Only problem is – he's married – what should I do?

Rebecca set the diary aside and rolled on to her stomach to peer out the window. What's that silly poem we used to sing in school – Twinkle, twinkle little star how I wonder where you are? Something like that.

Rebecca looked at the images again then on impulse she decided to text message him.

She snickered as she read the message back then sent it. I know he'll see it. He'll think it's from that brain dead Team Lead on the night shift.

Dave Bennett's cell phone chimed.

Dave was sitting on the edge of the bed setting the alarm clock, Maryann was in bed watching as he was about to set the alarm clock.

"What?" He picked up the cell phone to look at the display. He looked back at his wife who was now curious what the message was.

"What is it?" she asked reaching for the phone as Dave passed it to her. She looked at the display. "That's from Rebecca? What is she doing?"

Maryann looked sharply at Dave. Dave knew what he had to do to get around Rebecca.

"Save them and make hard copies then drop the hammer." He set the phone aside and leaned over to kiss her. "You'll always get to see them too. I'm not hiding anything from you. She's trying to play a college game with us which isn't working."

Maryann allowed a thin smile. "What is it Michelle tells us?"

"Keep me posted."

The next day Rebecca tried to hide the knowing look from Maryann, but Maryann already knew what was happening.

Friday Dave drove the Impala to work for the first time since he had the car. It was time he did so which made it easier for Maryann to get in out of the car. Later that morning Crystal drove Maryann to her doctor's appointment.

"What are you going to do while I am gone?"

"Building One – the vaults."

Dave gave her a quick kiss before she left. The girl's watched smiling knowing what Dave and Maryann meant to each other.

"Good idea."

In the meantime Dave made himself scares in Building One to avoid Becky. Not hard when half the Building is classified vaults and Jim and Dave had access to them.

Eleven o'clock Dave was in the cafeteria serving line checking out Peggy's idea of humongous burritos. His idea was she could put a Mexican restaurant out of business.

Peggy was serving him then looked around.

"Where's Maryann?"

"Doctor's. Crystal drove her."

"Speaking of which," a voice behind him said, "you owe me, dude."

Dave looked back to see the finance department lead, Bernie Watts standing behind him with a tray and silverware in hand.

"Hi, Bernie. What do I owe you now?"

"Naw, forget it, man. Just kidding. How is Maryann?"

"Doing great. We'll find out when she and Crystal get back."

Peggy dished up Dave then served Bernie. He joined the others in the cash register line.

"Hi, Dave. How's Maryann?" Megan the cashier asked as she rang up the meal.

"Doing good." Suddenly Maryann was on every one's mind that day.

Dave just sat down when he heard a group of women before he saw them. Maryann with Crystal walked into the cafeteria, Maryann waving the digital photos of the baby. Maryann was never happier as she took the chair beside her husband as he stood to seat her.

He asked: "Well?"

Crystal and the others, with the cafeteria staff abandoning their places on the serving line, gathered around Maryann.

Maryann held the pictures for all to see. "Healthy and will be a female soccer player."

Dave almost cheered then kissed his wife. "A girl! Yes!"

Visitors passing through the lobby at that moment wondered at all the laughter and cheering from the cafeteria. Malcolm was signing another visitor in to the facility, he grinned knowing that Dave was cheering over Maryann's good news.

"That's okay, folks, they're harmless. One of the ladies just got some good news back from her doctor's appointment."

Rebecca stopped at the door to the cafeteria. The brief cheering was enough to tell her Maryann was back from the doctor with the good news. She drew in a breath, turned and left to go out to her car for a good cry.

"Why me all the time?" she sobbed hitting at the steering wheel. "Why me?"

4.

Dave and Maryann sat on the couch after supper, the dishes were finished and in the dish washer. Now was the time to relax for a while. Dave took out his cell phone and showed Maryann the latest text message from Rebecca.

"She's getting desperate," said Maryann, disgusted handing Dave back the cell phone.

"That's what I am afraid of," said Dave plugging it into the charger unit. "It's time to get Michelle in to this. I hate to do this but she's leaving me no other recourse"

The next morning as Maryann began her rounds Dave called Michelle. He gave her the specifics of the situation.

"Yeah, I see the situation you guys are in." Michelle thought about what Dave told her. "I'll be there tomorrow. We'll discuss it in more detail then."

Hanging up Dave sat staring at the closed door. Knowing Michelle's method of discipline, Rebecca would be given a three day disciplinary suspension and maybe termination would follow.

There was a light tap on the door then it opened. Maryann stuck her head in.

"Okay?"

"Oh? Oh, yeah come on in, hone."

Maryann stepped in, closed the door sitting in the chair opposite Dave. "What'd Michelle say?"

"She'll be here early tomorrow morning."

Maryann reached across the desk to take Dave's hand in hers. Now she understood part of his reluctance why he was averse to taking on the manager's job.

The next morning Dave went over to the other building making himself scare and Maryann began her daily work with the restrooms. Michelle assured both were away from the office when Rebecca reported in to start.

Michelle was straight to the point. "Sexual harassment." She laid out Dave's hardcopies of the text messages Rebecca sent him plus the fact Maryann had become the "injured" party in this situation. Rebecca was suspended pending termination.

The three met in the cafeteria a short time later, Maryann and Michelle decided on tea while Dave added some of Megan's hot coffee to his luke warm mug of coffee from home.

"How he can drink that stuff is beyond me," Michelle commented as they walked to the far side of the dining area, away from the Luthron people.

"I gave up," Maryann smiled as they sat down.

Dave was quiet. He knew what Michelle wanted to talk to them about looking around to sit with his back to a wall. Old habit.

Michelle thought for a minute before speaking. "Okay, this is the way it's going to be – Rebecca is on three day suspension now. Most likely termination, Casey from HR will be down here Thursday…"

5.

The months following Rebecca's release from the company and until Maryann gave birth to their daughter Teresa, named for her aunt, Maryann's sister it was quiet and peaceful around Lutheron. Dave considered it a pleasure to come to work, greet his old friends, the people of Lutheron, and just deal with the everyday problems of the account.

Four months later the expected finally happened at eleven pm on a Wednesday nearly nine months to the day Maryann moved in with Dave.

The delivery room nurse stepped out to wake a sleeping Dad.

"Mr. Bennett, its blonde, blue eyed girl." The nurse announced as David nodded to the nurse stood before him making sure he didn't faint as a few had before him. She learned to carry a couple vials of ammonia salts in her smock.

The next day the news spread through Luthron, from the Managing Vice-President's office to the Facility Office like wild fire.

As Maryann was recovering from the birth of their daughter David received a call from a lawyer.

"Teresa gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Oh and she's been named in honor of your wife, Maryann or Mary."

David sat on the sofa staring at the television for a minute, said in a weak voice: "Thank you. I'll bet the girls grow up to be twins."

The lawyer's voice came across with a chuckle. "Maybe so. But, there'll be some paperwork involved in the adoption of the child."

"Of course. Thank you." David hung up the phone, still in a trance from the birth of Teresa. "YEAH! Twins! Gotta love it!"

However, David knew without Teresa telling them the marriage ended in divorce. A couple days later he brought Maryann and their daughter home. David was doting Dad helping Maryann with the baby, fussing over her like any first time Dad.

He would spend many evenings in the nursery watching his daughter as she slept. Maryann knew where she could find him most evenings. Sometimes they sat together watching her sleep, or at meal time they took turns feeding her.

Maryann turned the room opposite theirs into the nursery with two of everything. They invited Michelle over to see the baby and let her know about the adoption of Teresa's baby.

"Don't worry – you guys have built up nearly a month's worth of vacation time," she told them. "Besides, these fifteen days doesn't count for Maryann anyway. That's her maternity time."

Two weeks later as tradition around Luthron, Maryann brought the baby to work. There was nearly a mob scene in the lobby as many of the women from finance and contracting, including the Oreo Sisters leading the pack, wanted to see the baby. As David said, the children would have more proxy aunts and uncles than any kid in the city. Then word got around they were adopting Teresa's baby. That raised their status to the greatest parents in the world.

The week of the adoption they packed up, suit case, baby items and all and made the trip east to pick up their new baby.

The sisters had a tearful reunion.

"This hasn't been easy," Teresa told them over and over looking at her baby an identical twin to their own lying beside each other in the basinet. The parents almost could not tell the babies apart.

"Your favorite aunt, Teresa," David assured her. "Always."

"Thanks, Dave," she said as tears trickled down her face. "I don't know what I'd have done if you didn't do this."

They were up late as Teresa and Maryann talked. David managed to keep out of the conversation letting the sisters talk all they wanted that night.

As soon as the court house opened and the judge was in his chambers, the meeting was scheduled to be conducted. The lawyer, Bill Barkly arranged for the final paperwork to be done in chambers because of the babies.

The judge stood over the baby carriers looking at the two girls.

"Identical?" his assistant said awed by the babies.

Maryann and Teresa nodded their heads proud of the babies. Dave sat back letting the mothers have center stage as the court ladies fussed over the babies.

Barkly was able to have Mary's birth certificate match that of Teresa's which in effect made the girl's sisters - twins. Considering there was only two weeks difference between the two, the judge saw no problem with the adjustment.

They finally got down to the matter at hand.

Following the preliminaries, the judge said: "It was to everyone's advantage the documents were signed in a timely manner. Since this is a family issue, I won't go into detail on the matter. Since the Bennett's are willing to take the child as their own, and Miss Gojmer, you are willing to let them adopt the baby as their own, that has been your own desire and wish."

"Yes, your honor." Her voice was strained with emotion.

Teresa struggled to keep her voice as calm as possible. The judge knew of the emotions running high as the woman gave up her baby, but knew that her sister was the one taking care of the child,

The judge went on: "And I see by a provision in the document, you are free to visit the child at any time."

The judge paused looking straight at Dave and Maryann.

"Yes. Your honor," they said together.

Dave added to the judge: "We have the means to take care of the baby."

"Very well. Miss Gojmer?"

"Yes your honor. I don't know what I'll do in the meantime and it won't be fair to the child."

"Mr. Barkly, do you have anything to add to this?"

"No, your honor."

The documents were signed, notarized by the judge's assistant, the group stood to leave. They shook hands then as they stepped in to the hall, Dave gave Barkly the first part of the payment.

"Thank you, sir," said Dave as he handed him the envelope.

"I've handled adoptions, this was the easiest," he said, putting the envelope in his jacket pocket.

They walked out of the court house stopping at the side walk. Teresa turned to the baby: "Bye honey. Mommy won't forget you."

She broke down crying. Dave lowered her to a step. Dave took the other basinet from Mary as she sat beside her sister to comfort her. Dave felt helpless as he watched the two sisters crying together. The emotions overwhelmed the two women as they held each other weeping for the loss of Teresa's child. Yet she knew it was going to a loving home.

People looked at them as they passed, people walked around them like water flowing

around rocks. The three ignored them; Dave hung on to the precious babies as his wife comforted her sister. Teresa grasped David's hand in a vise grip. Looking up at Dave she all but begged him: "Take care of her, Dave. She's your daughter now. I have no one."

Dave unable to speak as he too felt the emotion of the moment nodded his head. Leaning down he kissed Teresa on the forehead. "You will always have a home to come to Teresa. Mary will always be yours."

Maryann could not speak. She nodded her head, saying with a strained voice: "I love you, Sis. And we'll love Mary too as our own."

Teresa stood then turned away from them to walk the short distance to the car. Teresa got into her car then broke down crying for the pain of her loss. Maryann watched after her sister for a moment then the two, each with a baby walked back to their car.

The two were solemn as they drove out of town, Dave picked up the Pennsylvania Turnpike west bound. It was nearly two hours before either spoke.

David spoke first: "Quarter for your thoughts."

Maryann raised her brows in thought. "That's all?"

Dave chuckled lightly reaching over to Maryann touching her hands. "Dollar?"

This was an old game of theirs when either one was silent for a long time. "Okay, I'll settle for a quarter. You know this marks a new beginning for us. We now have two babies to raise. They'll give us the usual childhood problems, we'll have to discipline them, clothe them, school, everything we can think of."

"And boyfriends," Dave added.

"Oh, yes, we can't forget that can we?"

Dave laughed. Maryann turned to look at him smiling. "What's so funny?"

"The girls when they get to be teenagers. Should I keep a shotgun or rifle by the door?"

Maryann grinned. "Neither. I don't want them thinking you're some kind of tyrant."

They laughed at the thought. It was near five when Dave pulled in to a motel in Ohio to get a room so they could take care of the babies.

6.

Five years had passed as Dave stood inside the patio door, Teresa and Maryann standing behind him.

"They are just like we were at that age," Teresa said in a wistful tone as the three

watched the girls, identical girls, identical twins playing in the spacious backyard of Dave and Maryann's house.

Dave sipped his coffee then said in a low tone: "Barbie dolls, stuffed toys, doll

houses. They're beautiful girls. Sisters."

"Mary has everything she needs here," said Teresa as she turned away from the door.

Maryann looked over her shoulder at her sister. She was quiet for the moment as she listened to her sister, hearing the regrets and guilt as she paused in the middle of the living room. She looked around at the house – a home. All the things a child would have were scattered about the otherwise neat house.

"I guess that is something I cannot do, give Mary those things. Her life is here with you guys. I'm better off leaving her here with you guys. She has a good home and the things she needs to grow into a beautiful young lady. Please, see she gets those things. She deserves them. I may never have another child like her."

Dave and Maryann watched as Teresa slipped the jacket on and turned to the door.

Maryann asked concerned, "You leaving, Teresa?"

Teresa did not look back as she opened the door. Looking out the open door, she swallowed hard. "Best this way. I can no longer bear the thought that I gave her up for adoption but I had to at the time. Yes there is remorse and regrets on my part but that is only natural I suppose. Good-bye, Maryann – Dave, give Mary a kiss for me."

Maryann rushed to the door as Teresa closed it, shutting them out of her life. Maryann opened the door to watch as her sister got into the car, started the engine backing out of the driveway.

"Teresa…!"

Dave set the coffee cup down and went to Maryann. Holding her, Maryann cried as her sister drove away toward Drennen Road and away from their lives.

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