Chapter 6
It was confirmed. She was carrying triplets. The news should have been good, but as soon as it was announced, she noticed that her husband was far from being enthused.
“What can we expect?” he asked the doctor soberly.
“We will be monitoring you carefully, my dear. Every two weeks we will be seeing you, whether here or at your home.” He divided a glance between the two. A thorough examination had been done to ascertain the number of embryos that had been taken as well as to find out how healthy she was.
“There is nothing stopping you from having a fairly good pregnancy, but like I said before, there will be complications. What we require from you is that you try to be as stress free as possible.” He unconsciously looked at Beau, who returned the look with raised brows.
Clearing his throat, he continued, “You will start to gain weight rapidly of course. I am prescribing some extra prenatal vitamins and folic acid.” He frowned thoughtfully. “Your iron level is a little under what I would prefer it to be, but it’s not detrimental or a concern at this time.” His expression turned sober.
“I am preparing you for what lies ahead. You are going to be getting acid reflux on a regular basis, and I am sincerely hoping that you will not experience any abnormal amount of nausea. How has your stomach been behaving?”
“Pretty decent,” she told him with a slight laugh.
“The first trimester is generally the most difficult period, because your body is preparing itself for the enormous changes. You will experience intense stages of emotional upheaval.” He looked at Beau again. “Her hormones will be raging as the pregnancy progresses. I am just preparing you for periods of highs and lows.”
Beau nodded without saying anything.
“Well then.” Lucien cleared his throat again. “The prescription can be filled by our pharmacy here. I have written down some instructions for you to follow.” He glanced at Georgie. “You were asking about exercise and for now, you can go on about doing what you normally did. Keeping active for as long as possible is a very good idea.”
“Thanks, Lucien.”
Beau rose, holding his hand out to help her up.
“Your next appointment date is on the note.”
*****
They made the journey home in silence. He had not even bothered to request music, so the silence was profound and absolute.
She resented the fact that he was putting a pall on her happiness, but she had to admit that she was scared. It had hit home that there was no turning back. She was carrying triplets, and she had filled in the blanks of what the doctors had been careful not to say.
She could lose all three of them or end up with just one baby surviving. She knew her husband was thinking along a similar line. There was also the risk where she was concerned. She could lose her life.
Which led her to the agonizing question of whether she had really thought this through. She knew she had not given Beau a chance at all. It had been forced on him and because he loved her, he went along with it. It was not fair to him.
Turning her head slightly, she viewed his profile and noticed the strain around his sensuous lips and the slight frown etching his brow. His long, slender fingers were gripping the wheel, the knuckles turning white.
He was internalizing and she did not like it.
When she shifted into the soft leather seat, he turned his head to look at her. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “Are you?”
“I am fine. I am going to have to drop you off and head back out.”
“You have a meeting.”
He nodded and concentrated on making the turn that led to the private road of their home.
“I had to push it back because of the doctor’s appointment.” He was not complaining, but he might as well have been.
“You didn’t have to be there.”
He slid her a glance that spoke volumes and did not deign to respond. Driving through the electronic gates, he traveled the length of the cobbled driveway and came to a stop right in front of the porch. Pushing his door open, he came around to open hers and helped her out.
Making sure she was all wrapped up against the icy weather, he took her hand and led her carefully up the porch steps. She could not fault him for his attentiveness. He was never lacking in that direction. What she could not stand was the polite way he was treating her.
She had expected a happy kiss on the lips, a hug, anything. But instead, he was silent, and his silence was bearing heavily on her. It was making her feel guilty.
He saw her inside of course. Her husband was the perfect gentleman and would never leave her standing on the front porch. “Get some rest," he said briefly, giving her a perfunctory kiss on the cheek.
“And try and eat something. You just had some tea and crackers this morning and I am guessing you did not eat before you left for the appointment.”
She shook her head.
“What time will you be home?” It was two days before Christmas and the housekeeper was already gone on her holiday and would not be returning for a full week. Georgie had hired someone from the agency to come in and do some cleaning up.
“I am not sure," he hedged. “I will call and let you know.” With that, he turned and bounded down the stairs. Without looking back at her, he entered the vehicle and was gone.
She was still standing in the open doorway even when the taillights of his vehicle had disappeared. It was the icy fingers of the wind slashing through her clothing, galvanizing her into closing and securing the door.
She stood there in the wide hallway for a few seconds before shrugging out of her jacket and hanging it on the intricate looking coat tree. Right before the wedding, Beau had asked if she wanted a full complement of household staff, and she had told him a resounding no.
“One is enough and even so, I am going to have a difficult time telling a grown woman what to do.” But fortunately, Mrs. Greene needed no direction from her.
The house was run like clockwork, without her having to intervene. The housekeeper consulted her on the menu a few times a week and Georgie would alert her to the times they were dining out.
But for the first time, the lovely home that had been first his mother’s and now theirs, felt empty and lonely.
The first time she saw it, she decided then and there that it should be filled with the sounds of children laughing and racing along its parqueted floor. She vowed to fill the six bedrooms with sounds of her children playing or seeing them taking naps in their beds.
Walking into the spotless kitchen with its ultra-modern appliances and bright yellow and blue wallpapers, she stood at the sparkling counter and felt tears burning the back of her eyes. He should have taken the day and spent it with her. She had expected him to do just that.
Yes, she knew they were meeting with officials from the FDA concerning the drug, but she comes first, dammit! They had just discovered she was carrying triplets, and her emotions were veering near to the surface.
She felt weepy and confused. She was also scared and would have liked to feel his strong arms wrapped around her, assuring her that they were going to get through this together.
But he couldn’t wait to unload her and had not said anything at all on the subject. Taking a deep breath, she went to make herself some tea.
The hunger pangs reminded her that she needed sustenance. She was carrying precious cargoes and would not allow herself to wallow in self-pity. So, her husband was still sulking, and was still not on board, but that’s his problem.
Placing a protective hand on her flat stomach, she murmured. “It’s just us, darlings. Mama is going to make something scrumptious for us to nibble on and I am prevailing on you not to disgrace us by making me get rid of it in the bowl. Let’s get to work, shall we?”
*****
“You seem like a man who has a lot on his mind.” The sound of his father’s voice had him jumping slightly. He had been so lost in thought, he had not heard the doors opening. The meetings were over and most of the staff had gone for the day. He had called earlier to check on his wife and she said she was okay and was taking a nap.
“Dad.”
Blake stepped into the room and closed the doors behind him. Moving forward, he sat on a padded chair in front of the desk. It always amazed and pleased him to see his son sitting behind the massive oak.
For years, it had been his desire to have Beau running the company alongside him and so far, he had not been disappointed. “You were distracted. Even at the meeting, I could tell you were not all the way there.”
“Didn’t I make my contributions?” His tone was unaccountably sharp and had his father’s eyebrows lifting.
“It was not a criticism.”
“Of course not.” Pushing his chair back, he walked swiftly over to the recessed cabinet and pushed a button. The shelves then slid out silently to reveal rows of liquors and other beverages fully stocked. “Anything for you?”
“I just had a glass of scotch earlier and I promised Cynthia I would take her out for the evening. There is an off Broadway show at the Palladium she wants to see.”
Beau poured a measure of scotch and decided to skip the ice. “Is the relationship progressing?”
He turned just in time to see his father shrugging.
“She is really a wonderful woman.”
“Are you in love with her?” Beau settled behind his desk and cradled the drink between his palms. He really should be getting home. The staff party had been thrown just two days ago and the corporate office would be closed until the New Year. His wife needed him.
Blake rubbed his palms up and down the leg of his immaculately cut ash gray trousers.
“You already know the answer to that question. I respect her and admire her wit and her determination.” He smiled slightly. “But the only woman I will ever love has been dead for five years. There is no changing that.”
Leaning back in his chair, Beau sighed. “Love is damned complicated, isn’t it?”
His father eyed him shrewdly. “Had a fight with Georgie?”
He shook his head. “I left this morning, remember? I told you I had to be somewhere.”
“And?”
“We went to the clinic. She is carrying triplets.”
Blake’s face split wide in a happy grin. “You should have led with that. Son, that’s wonderful news.”
“Is it?” Pushing forward, he picked up his glass and took a sip.
His father stared at him with a frown. “Of course it’s good news. Son, I hope you did not show that face when you received the news.”
“I am afraid I did. I could not very well pretend that I was happy about it.”
“Why on earth would you not be?”
Beau gave him an incredulous stare. “Are you kidding me? Have you read about the risks? The symptoms are horrible. And she is already feeling them. My wife has this romantic notion that everything is going to be perfect.
She could lose all three babies. And even if by some miracle, she manages to carry them to term, the babies could have complications.”
“We are living in modern times now and I am certain that both Lucien and Gerald, who happen to be the best in their fields, will ensure that she is getting excellent care. Your wife is highly responsible, and she is going to make certain to take care of herself," he glowered at the younger man. “This is the time she is going to need you the most.”
“I know that.” Beau smiled bitterly. “I keep telling myself to stop thinking about the risks. That this can very well turn out to be a blessing, but I keep thinking about everything that could go wrong.”
“Yes, it will be a long and rough road, but you have each other and the best care, money can buy. If it means she must have someone—a private nurse at her beck and call, then so be it. I am here to lend whatever support I can as well.”
His expression softened. “Son, you are in love with your wife and being in love the way we tend to be, makes us vulnerable and afraid.
Hell, when your mother was pregnant with you, I almost drove her crazy with my hovering. It became so bad that she threatened to divorce me if I continued that way.” A smile touched his lips and for a moment, he seemed lost in thought.
“She had a hard time with it. She would get sick every morning that God sent. Nothing would stay down, but she was a trooper, and she bore it well.
She ate what she could stand, even if it was something she had never liked in the first place. Georgie reminds me of her. She is a determined young woman, and she is strong. Go home and show her that you are in her corner.”
*****
She was propped up in bed with a bowl of fat red grapes on a tray in front of her when he went into the bedroom.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” She eyed him warily as he came forward. “I thought you were going to be late.”
“I decided to wrap things up. How are you?”
“I am great. I ate a bowl of homemade chicken soup, filled with vegetables and drank some tea. My stomach did not rebel, and I am hoping that will last.” She watched as he came closer and moved his hand from behind his back.
“Flowers. What have you done?”
“Nothing except being an ass. They are your favorite.” Sitting on the edge of the bed, he handed her the fragrant cabbage roses.
“So, they are. You haven’t brought me flowers in a long time.”
“True.” His eyes scoured her face hungrily. “All through the drive here, I was thinking of words to say how sorry I am. This is hard for me.”
“I know.” Putting the bouquet on the elegant cherry wood side table, she took his hand.
“And I also owe you an apology.”
“For what?”
“I forced this on you.”
“Still–”
“No. Just let me finish.” She linked their fingers together and stared at the smattering of dark blonde hairs on his flesh. She had spent several hours examining her motives and the way she had gone about getting pregnant. She had used his devotion for her to get her own way.
“I wanted children to the point where it crowded everything else out of my mind.” Her expression turned pleading. “But it has happened darling, and this is an occasion for us to be happy. For us to celebrate. I am not burying my head in the sand and not confronting the risks.
I know they are there, and I am going to do my best to minimize them. I am going to follow the doctors’ instructions to the very letter. I want to live to a ripe old age with you.
A hundred years will never be enough. I want to sit on the porch when we reach our hundredth birthday and admire the sunset. Even if we don’t have anything much to say to each other by then, I just want to sit and hold hands with you. I want to live long enough to enjoy our lives together.”
His eyes bored into hers intimately and she was reminded of the first time they met. He had looked at her that way too and made her weak. Was it any wonder she had fallen in love at the very beginning?
“I do think we will have a lot to say to each other.” His deep voice was slightly amused, his smile softening his lips. “You will probably berate me over some nonsense. The toilet seat, I left up, the spots of urine on the floor. My inability to please you in bed.” He grinned at her wickedly.
Her tapered brows lifted. All was forgiven, he was making jokes and that was all that mattered to her. “You do realize we both will both be incontinent by then, right? And we certainly will not be thinking about sex at all.”
“No?” He tilted his head as he contemplated. “I don’t agree with you. At one hundred years old, you are still going to be as sexy as hell. Probably the sexiest centenarian around.”
“That I agree with," she murmured, inclining her head gracefully. “And you will probably be the only one to be racing me around the living room, demanding sex.”
“More like limping or pushing my mobile.” His expression turned sober. “I love you darling.”
“I know. Make love to me.”
“No.” He drew his hand away from hers and jumped to his feet. “Please don’t do this to me. I mean it, Georgie.” He stood still as she climbed slowly off the bed and came toward him. “We cannot–”
“There is absolutely no reason why we can’t. I am not an invalid, you know, and I need you so much, here.” Taking his hand, she pressed it against her breast. Her moans fired his senses and sent him spinning. “They are super sensitive, and I need your mouth on them, please.”
“Oh Christ!” he whispered.
“I want you to make love to me.”
“Darling–”
“I am not taking no for an answer," she told him raggedly.
With a muttered oath, he took her in his arms with careful restraint. “I will be gentle.”
“Don’t be.”
“You are my pregnant wife; I am going to practice self-control.”
“Good luck with that.” With an impish smile, she shrugged out of her robe and words failed him as usual.
“Two boys and a girl.”
“Hmm?” His head was burrowed on her stomach as he blew soft kisses on her flesh. He was flushed from the lovemaking that had shaken them to the very core. His body was still tingling. He had tried to be gentle, but she made it impossible.
“Our babies. Two boys and a girl.” She combed her fingers through the tousled silk of his hair.
His head lifted to look at her. “Is that a prediction?”
She nodded, her eyes dancing merrily. “I have the gift.”
“Do you?”
“Hmm.” Her fingers trailed over his firm jaw. “You need a shave. I could do the honors.”
“The last time you did, you mutilated my chin.”
“That’s because you kept moving.”
“Your bosom was in my face. You were wearing next to nothing.”
“I was in a robe.”
“Next to nothing.”
“You started rooting in my bosom.”
“I was hungry.” He grinned at her, and she arched her brows at him. “You fed me.”
“You are very funny.”
“Hilarious.” He continued to blow kisses on her stomach. “Back to the original topic. Two boys and a girl, huh?”
“Uhm.”
“How are you?” He stared at her anxiously. He had been like a greedy child with her. She had told how sensitive her nipples were, and he had gorged on them. Her cries had fired his passion and whipped into a frenzy so much that he could barely stand it.
“I was rough," he said gruffly.
“I wanted you to be. I am not fragile.”
“You are pregnant–”
“So, you keep saying.” Her fingers gripped his hair. “Please don’t start treating me like a fragile piece of glass. I would hate that.”
“I will try and remember that," he said solemnly.
“Come up here," she ordered.
“There is something I have to do first.”
“Beau!” her back arched off the bed, when he pressed his palm over her womanhood.
“Sensitive too?” His fingers massaged her mound and sent her flying.
“Yes. Oh Beau, don’t stop.”
“I won’t.” He inserted a finger inside her. “You are ready for me; you are always ready.”
“Oh God!” the cry was ripped from her throat when he added his mouth. Closing his teeth over the swollen flesh, he nibbled until she could swear, she was going mad. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as the movement of his fingers increased. She came violently, her cries echoing around the room.
When he climbed on top of her, she was still sobbing!