Page 85 of Conail

"It's enchanting," she whispered, reaching for his hand. "I love it."

Gathering her close, he inhaled her scent and closed his eyes. "I'll leave the decorating up to you."

"Naturally."

*****

Three months later she was pregnant.

"When are you going to tell him?" Eleanor was beside herself with happiness. Three months old Christopher was thriving and looking more and more like his daddy each day. And she could swear he was already teething.

They were at the pool house at her newly decorated home, having lemonade and lemon cake Maeve had brought with her.

"Tonight." Yasmine rubbed her belly absently, her expression a little troubled. "He's going to be pissed."

"Nonsense!" Maeve leaned over to wipe the drool off her grandson's face before beaming at a very pregnant Maddy. "He's going to be so delighted."

"After he strangles me. Ah well." She sighed philosophically and reached out to touch her son's cheek. "It's already done, and I am very happy."

"And so will he be," Eleanor told her decidedly. "This pregnancy might not go as badly as before."

"I really don't care." She grinned at her sister-in-law. "I suspect my brother is driving you crazy, now that it's almost time."

Maddy rolled her eyes and pressed her hands to her stomach. "You have no idea. There are times when I feel like strangling him."

"Another boy." Maeve shook her head and glanced at her daughter. "This time we're hoping for a girl."

*****

There were times when she wished she could read his expression, like now. He simply stared at her, an inscrutable look on his face. She had waited until after they had eaten the delicious meal the housekeeper had prepared and settled Christopher for his nap before she broke the news.

Her palms were damp, and she could feel her heart racing. Damn him for making her feel as if she was under the microscope!

"How far along?"

"Six weeks. The doctor examined me thoroughly and everything is fine." She started to rise from the deep cushioned armchair when he pinned her with those eyes of his. "It's going to be different this time. I can feel it."

"Can you?"

Rubbing her palms over her loose gown, she sent him a wary look. "I would also point out that it takes two people to do the deed."

His glare had her closing her mouth.

"I thought you were going on contraceptives."

"Maybe after this." Her look was pleading. "Please tell me you're happy."

"Then I would be lying." He broke off a sigh at the crestfallen look on her face. Crossing to her, he hunkered down and took her hands in his.

"I worry. The months that you suffered as a result of carrying our son into the world was devastating. You were constantly ill. You ended up in the hospital." His hands gripped hers. "I cannot go through that again."

"You won't," she promised tearfully. "Don't ask me how I know, but I do." She squeezed his hands. "I want this baby, Conail and I want you to want it too. I want you to be happy."

Rising, he nudged her aside so that he could wrap his arms around her. "I love you," he told her stormily. "I love you excessively and because I do, I never want to see you suffer."

"I won't. I promise."

Their daughter, Catherine Maeve-Eleanor was born on a windy day in April and was an easy pregnancy as well as an easy birth.After spending nine months bracing himself to suffer along with her, the proud father stared at his newborn daughter with love pouring from his eyes.

"Dada." Feeling very near to tears, he sat on the edge of the bed and hoisted his almost year-old son who was a startling replica of him so that he could see his baby sister.

"Baby," he pointed to her.

"That she is. My little princess." He kissed his son's forehead before the boy could wriggle out of his arms and raced towards his grandmothers.

Later when they were alone, he held his wife and whispered his gratitude for his family.

The end… but wait: