After dinner, Calum, Jenny, Fergus, Liam, and Mrs Doyle sat down to discuss their next move. "I've got Jenny's birth certificate," Mrs Doyle said. "That should prove that I am her mother beyond all shadow of doubt. It's a pity her father isn't alive, but that is not the immediate concern. What matters is squashing my sister so she can't make good on her threat to have Jenny committed."
"I've a psychologist friend," Liam said. "It's a conflict of interest to be referring Jenny to him, but he can name a few names of colleagues who'll be more than happy to declare my cousin of sound mind." He flashed Jenny a smile which warmed her heart, and she nodded gratefully.
"Any other things we need to do?" Fergus asked.
Mrs Doyle looked at Calum, who shook his head. "We've got two solid points," he said. "Let's start with those and build on them. At the very least, we're able to counter two of the Lady Roisin's arguments. The rest, we trust, will fall neatly into place after that."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbcQBE7ugv
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Once the meeting had broken up, Calum and Jenny retreated to the poolhouse. It was a warm summer's night, and Jenny was looking forward to some alone time with her husband, sensing there'd be little of that to go around once the court case truly got underway. "You've never felt the baby, have you?" she said, as they sat in the shallow end, taking quiet comfort in each other's presence. "They're dozing now, but you might be able to wake him or her up."
Calum's face lit up. "I'd be honoured," he said. "But are you sure, dove?"
"You might not have fathered him or her," Jenny said, "but you're still the father. It's your right."
"Well, I'd be delighted," Calum said, helping her to her feet. "But I've a better idea." He gently guided her down the stairs until she was standing chest deep in the water, and then, taking a deep breath, he disappeared beneath the surface. Moments later, Jenny gasped as she felt his lips on her belly, and she closed her eyes, thrilling to her fingertips at the intimate sensation of Calum's unique introduction to their unborn child. And as she'd hoped, her baby did stir at the presence of his or her father, and Jenny gasped, tears stinging her eyes as the baby moved eagerly in her womb, almost as if he or she were desperate to get out to meet the man who'd chosen to be their father, first out of a sense of protection, and now out of love.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30qVLsC5Gu
After several moments, Calum came up for air, grinning widely. "The wee one is strong," he said, embracing his wife and kissing her soundly. "I truly cannot wait to meet him or her. By the way, have you a preference?"
Jenny shook her head, still overcome at the incredible experience they'd shared. "Have you?" she asked, a little worried now.
Calum kissed her again, dispelling her fears. "No," he said. "Boy or girl, I'll love them as fiercely as ever a man loved his child."
"Thank God," Jenny confessed. "I was worried for a moment."
"I'm not that type of man," Calum assured her. He paused, and then a madcap gleam entered his eyes. "Have you ever kissed a man underwater?"
Jenny blinked, and then a smile spread across her face. "No," she said.
"Would you like to find out?" Calum asked, eager and shy all at once. "I've never kissed a woman underwater, so perhaps you and I could be finding out together?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuHoUotsxY
Life was too short, Jenny decided. "You'd better be letting us up when I tap you on the shoulder," she teased.
Calum chuckled. "So long as you promise to let me up when I tap you on the shoulder," he said, and Jenny laughed.
"I can agree to that," she said, still giggling as Calum pressed his lips to hers.
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Mrs Doyle sighed as she made her way out to the pool. She knew her daughter and son-in-law were after some vital alone time, and she didn't intend to stay long. But she craved a few moments to draw comfort from in the dark days ahead. Roisin would not rest, even when presented with evidence proving her lies were just that; Rosaleen Doyle had learned very early on not to underestimate her sister, and not for the first time, she wished George was here. His presence was the rock she desperately needed, to guide her through the troubles facing them all, and she reflected with a small, grim smile that seeing her late husband in the flesh would've given Roisin enough of a fright to scare her into submission.
Stepping quietly into the poolhouse, she was just in time to see Calum and Jenny engage in a passionate kiss, before they slipped below the water's surface. Rosaleen didn't blame them (although she did hope Calum would have the sense to come up for air after a few moments - which he probably would). The surface world was still too painful for the moment, so if refuge could be found underwater, Calum and Jenny were more than welcome to it.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD6NMMYmUc
With a small, sad smile, Rosaleen Doyle left the poolhouse as quietly as she'd entered. Her hope, more than the defeat of her sister, was that the three of them - Calum, Jenny and their baby - would one day be able to live on the ocean, whilst overseeing the potential squidding empire Calum still hoped to found. Rosaleen didn't blame him for focusing on his family, but even so, she knew the desire to be at sea was still strong in his breast, and she prayed that that desire would one day come to fruition. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW33vxlk8U
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