Chapter 15
He wiped the tears from her cheeks tenderly.
“You are destroying me, baby. Please stop crying.” His lips trailed down her cheek and used his tongue to capture the tears leaking between the seams. “Forgive me.” He eased the tip of his tongue between her lips and toyed with hers. His laser blue eyes were wide open and bored into hers.
He kept his touch light, his arms rubbing her back in a silky soothing motion. She tilted her head back, her throat arched, her tears dried up. He had the power to make her unravel and forget what that she had been mad. That she had suffered greatly seeing him with his ex.
Lifting his mouth from hers, he searched her face. “Baby, I adore you.” He whispered thickly. She was pressed against him, her swollen belly touching his stomach.
“She’s beautiful.”
“I suppose she is.” He touched her cheek tenderly.
“I am fat.”
“You’re pregnant and exquisite with it. I don’t want anyone else. I was surprised to see her.” He smoothed back loose tendrils of her curls. “She is my past, an important part of it. You’re my now, my present, my future.”
“Am I?”
His eyes flared and for the first time in his life, he was about to do something he never saw himself doing. He was about to propose. He loved her, God knows he could not envision his life without her in it. He wanted permanency and this nonsense about not being sure about what that future holds was over and done with.
He needed her. She was his light at the end of the tunnel. Hope to combat the despair that had plagued him for what seemed like forever. He had found peace with her, the ability to deal with the past and move on. She had torn something inside him, removed the steel gates he had erected.
“Yes.” He whispered throatily, eyes glittering with the sudden revelation. “Yes. You are my one. My only.” His throat became thick with emotions and for a few seconds, he could not utter a word. Just stared at her.
He took in the delicate features, the dark brown eyes that he always found so beautiful. The flawless complexion, made even more so by her pregnancy.
And wondered if she had any idea how beautiful she was.
“I want a life with you.” A faint smile touched his lips. “A future. My ring on your finger, my name – I want to marry you.”
She went still and found that she was having a difficult time breathing.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why do you want to marry me?”
Instead of getting impatient, he answered her question because he knew where she was coming from. And why she needed to know.
“I love you.” He said simply. “I was talking with Gayla tonight and hearing her tell me how she thought we would have ended up together made me realize that I was afraid for nothing. Don’t get me wrong…,” his expression had turned whimsical.
“I’m still as nervous as hell.” His hands framed her face. “But I want to be scared with you. For the first time in my bloody life, I can open myself up.” His eyes smoldered.
“You did that. Somehow, you found a chink in the armor I put on my emotions.” He used the pad of his thumb to stroke her cheek. “For the first time in my life, I feel like I have a family.” His expression was intense.
“I will hurt you. Things I say, my actions or lack thereof will end up hurting you. I’ll probably forget your bloody birthday and I’m no romantic. I’ll balk at celebrating something stupid and completely unnecessary like Valentine’s Day, but I promise you that I will love you until I draw my last breath.
There’s no doubt about the way I feel. Complete transparency. I will forget to say the words and I’ll end up pissing you off more often than not. But there will be no doubt about my feelings for you. And that’s why I want you to marry me.”
Tears blurred her vision, and she felt the ache inside her chest, the heat spreading. She knew it took a lot for him to say what he just did, and it warmed her heart and had it overflowing with love.
“Yes.” She whispered huskily. “Yes. Yes. Yes!”
His sensuous lips curved as he lowered his head to take her lips in a kiss that had her clinging to him.
“A small ceremony. You can invite that fruit cake…”
“Bobby!”
He grinned at her. “I will get around to saying his name,” he hesitated a minute. “And that David guy.”
Her brows lifted. “I am not certain I want bloodshed at my wedding. No.” She shook her head. “I’m absolutely certain I want the day to be perfect and without any sort of drama. So, no – I will not be inviting David.”
“I’m over it.” He told her mildly.
“You are so not. Even one look at him has you going crazy.” She touched his face, trailing a finger down the shadows of his jaw, to the indentation on his chin. “Just as I would never ever invite that bitch who was draped all over you into my home.”
“She was not…,” he stopped at the look on her face and shrugged sheepishly. “I guess we both have our hangups and tolerance level.”
“I guess we do. ”Am I forgiven?”
“That depends.”
His brows lifted. “On?”
“How large the diamond will be.”
“That’s easy.” He grinned and had her heart flipping right over. “I happen to be loaded.”
“That you are. Oh Bobby.” She sighed and melted into him.
*****
“What’s wrong?” Harry, who had been watching the doctor’s face, asked abruptly. Once he had decided that he wanted to marry her, he had gone ahead with the plans. “Something simple right here at the pool house. Just my mother and your friends and a few of mine.”
He had acquired the license and the ring – a stunning white gold setting with a square cut diamond. The ceremony was planned for the first Saturday in the New Year.
Dr. Reed jolted slightly at the sound of his voice. She had been afraid that he would persuade Janelle to take her business elsewhere and had been grateful that she was sticking.
Aside from the fact that she had a silly crush on the gorgeous man, she happened to like Janelle a lot and having such a famous patient was good for her practice and reputation. She just had to ensure that the woman got through the pregnancy in one piece and deliver the two babies.
Harry McGibbon had been coming with her to the appointments and insisting on being in the room while she was being examined. Which was not very relaxing.
“Her blood pressure is high,” she said lightly, “and her ankles are swollen.” She smiled at Janelle reassuringly. “I’m afraid I’m going to recommend something you’re not going to like.”
“What is it?” Janelle clung to Harry’s hand tightly.
“Bed rest.”
“For how long?”
Dr. Reed directed her attention to him. “For the duration. Janelle’s pressure keeps fluctuating, and the spotting is of concern – not a major one.” She hastened to assure the couple. “But enough for me to recommend that you take it easy. No stress at all.”
“We’re getting married next week.”
Dr. Reed felt the twinge of envy again and had to tamp it down. “Congratulations.” She smiled at Janelle.
“Will that be a problem?”
“As long as it’s a small ceremony.”
“It will be. And since there is a bit of a worry where Jan is concerned, we would appreciate you attending, in case.”
“Darling, I think a more gracious invitation would have been in order.” Janelle smiled at the woman apologetically. “he’s not known for his tact.”
“She knows me so well.” He bent a tender smile on her before turning to look at Dr. Reed. “Well doc? What do you say?”
“I would love to attend.”
“Good.” He nodded briskly before turning to lift Janelle’s hand to his lips. “Okay baby, here’s the deal. I will work mostly from home to keep an eye on you. When I have to take off, I’ll get Rosie or someone else to stay with you in case you need anything.”
“I feel like an invalid,” she complained.
“You kind of are.” He grinned at the dark look she threw at him.
“You can always call me if you feel there’s something wrong.” Dr. Reed had a feeling they had forgotten her presence.
“Thanks.” Harry told the woman absently.
*****
It took two days of complete bed rest to get her frustrated and weepy. She was not allowed to do anything, except make her way to the bathroom every five minutes, it seemed like to pee. Her blood pressure was still a problem, and the dizziness and constipation were ongoing issues.
“Perhaps we should put off the wedding,” Harry suggested worriedly as he sat on the bed. He had had to rush out earlier to attend a few meetings, but made Rosie promised that she would call if there was anything wrong.
“No.” She shook her head. “It’s the only thing that’s keeping me sane.”
He gave her a shrewd look. “I’m not going to change my mind.”
“I wouldn’t let you.” She responded lightly, avoiding his eyes. “I’m doing everything I’m supposed to do. And still, it’s not enough. We’re getting married on Saturday.”
Tugging at her hand, he brought it to his lips. “At least you’re eating.”
“Like a pig and putting on so much weight.” She was being a complaining bitch, but she could not help it. Everyone was catering to her. She was the most indulged pregnant woman around. She had all her needs anticipated. Before she even uttered a word, things were being done.
The only contribution she was making to her own wedding was picking out the dress, that’s it. And that had taken her less than ten minutes because she had help. His mother was also very attentive and would come around every evening to check on her.
She had taken over the planning of the small ceremony with pleasure.
Janelle had watched enough daytime soaps to last her a lifetime and speaking of which, she had tuned into the romance network to try and get some relief from the drama. That had turned out to be a mistake as she ended up getting more frustrated at the sappy lines and the stupidity of the female characters.
Now she was watching crime dramas and reality shows as well as designing the nursery, by putting things on paper.
“Then we go ahead with it.”
“Are you trying to appease me?”
His brows lifted. “I am trying to make things as comfortable as I can for you. Want me to stop?”
“No!” She shook her head with a sigh. “I’m scared, Bobby.”
Kicking off his shoes, he slid in next to her and pulled her against him.
“There’s nothing to be scared of.” He kissed the top of her head, a concerned frown on his brow when he felt her trembling.
“Baby, what is it?”
“I keep having these dreams.”
“Tell me.”
“It’s silly and I shouldn’t be burdening you…”
“Who else is there?”
She buried her face in his throat for a second and took comfort in the warmth of his skin and the scent of his cologne.
“I keep dreaming that we have a boy and a girl and the boy who was delivered second had the cord wrapped around his neck and could not breathe.”
Her fingers dug into his sweater. “And I started bleeding. I somehow knew I was going to die and it is as if I was watching myself from across the room. You were frantic with worry and blasting the operating team.”
“Sounds like me.” His hands soothed her back and tried not to think too hard on what she just told him. He had his own worries.
Of losing her. He could stand to lose the babies, but not her and it was twisting him up inside. What she just told him was going to send him straight into panic zone, but he could not give into it – not while he was around her. He had to be calm and remain so for her sake.
“Was I throttling any of them?”
She laughed shakily and blew out a breath. “I’m becoming paranoid.”
“That’s the word for it.” He tilted her face up. “You don’t need the stress. “We’re getting married on Saturday and that’s enough excitement. You’re going to be fine darling. I want you to repeat after me. I will be okay; nothing is going to happen to me or our babies.”
“I will be fine. Nothing is going to happen to me or our babies.”
“I said “okay”.
“What?” She blinked at him.
“You were supposed to repeat everything I said. Nowhere in the sentence did I say fine.” She simply stared at him until he grinned. “But that is also accepted.” He brushed his lips against hers and felt her responding.
“No.” Lifting his mouth from hers, he tucked her face on his chest. “We cannot indulge in anything like that.”
“I know.” She sank into him and closed her eyes. “And you’re right. I will be fine. We will be fine.”
“That’s the spirit.”
But later that night after making sure that she was fast asleep, he slipped out of the room and donning workout clothes, he took to the gym. The stress was inside him and he was bottling it up.
Using the weights and the heavy boxing bag hanging from the roof, he worked up enough sweat that by the time he was through, he was almost dropping from exhaustion, his clothes sticking to his wet body. The sweatband around his forehead was soaked, enough to have the water dripping down his face.
Steadying the bag, he winced as he pulled off his gloves and saw that his knuckles were swollen. Pain radiated along his shoulders and his arms felt like rubbers. He had overdone it, but at least, he felt marginally better.
Grabbing a bottle of water from the mini fridge, he sat on the bench and guzzled it down in one go, tossing the bottle into the recycle bin and just sat there with his hands loosely clasped between his thighs.
Her dream had disturbed him because he keeps seeing her laid up in bed and looking still. He had his own dreams of her dying and leaving him alone to take care of their babies.
“Bloody hell to all of it. That is not going to happen. She would not dare leave me.” With that affirmation, he went to get another bottle of water and a shower. It was time to go back to her.
*****
The snow was drifting dreamily from the sky the day of the ceremony. But with the couple comfortably ensconced inside where there was warmth, it was perfect. They had decided to have the wedding at the manor at Madelyn’s insistence.
“It makes more sense darling.” She told her son. “There is more room. We could use the Great Drawing room for the occasion and have it decorated accordingly. It would serve to chase away some of the awful memories and replace it with something wonderful.”
Janelle had agreed wholeheartedly, so he had reluctantly succumbed.
Besides, she had been on her best behavior leading up to the day. Staying in bed and getting some much-needed rest.
The hearth took up one entire side of the wall and was heaped with firewood. The glow from the fire chased the darkness away and turned the massive room with its antique furnishings into something almost akin to cozy.
Madelyn had been true to her word. The decorations were simple – champagne and baby blue balloons, yards of ribbons draped over the chairs- flowers (in winter – no less), were everywhere- giving the space a summer look and atmosphere. It managed to look natural instead of contrived and delighted the eyes.
The bride was wearing a champagne-colored wool dress with a cape-like top and loose skirt that had been designed for her and suited her perfectly. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, the curls dark and glossy. Her makeup was flawless and as she had told Rosie earlier, “She did not look like a whale for a change.”
The woman had beamed at her, with a suspicious brightness in her eyes and assured her that she was a beautiful bride.
The groom happened to agree.
His first sight of her had his chest expanding with pride and overflowing with love. He had not been with her physically for close to a week and the banked passion and desire was becoming more than he could bear.
But seeing her walking towards him looking radiantly beautiful more than made up for the lack of sex. She was his or would be his completely as soon as they said their vows.
The ceremony took fifteen minutes and before long, they were husband and wife. With the formalities dispensed with, they were able to enjoy the remainder of the afternoon.
“Am I going to be able to dance with the bride?”
Michael had come with a date and the man seemed to be dazzled by the surroundings and uncomfortable at the same time.
“Of course!” Janelle had set down her bouquet of orchids, baby’s breath, and petunias aside with the intention of taking them with her. Dr. Reed, who looked stunning in an emerald, green gown had given the go ahead for her to participate in everything. “As long as you do it in moderation.”
“Who’s he?” She nodded subtly to the man who was standing by the buffet table and heaping his plate with the delicacies that had been provided.
Michael grimaced slightly as he twirled her slowly in time to the music. “No judgement. We can’t all have the gorgeous coupled with the wealthy like you.”
Tilting her head to look at him, she quirked a brow. “But can’t we at least have the sensible and not quite so obvious? He looks extremely out of place.”
“He’s someone I met when I went to the opera. I have tried dating men in my circle, and they all turned out to be either too jaded or too slutty. Edward is sweet and eager to please.”
“Oh Michael, you’re going to be bored in a week.”
:For your information, we have passed the seven-day period.” He declared triumphantly. “Now be quiet and let me tell you that you are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen.”
“And the fattest.”
“Darling, I have seen fatter.” He grinned when she threw him a dirty look. “You’re radiant. When your man decided to do the right thing, he did it with panache and haste.”
She glanced over to where her groom was being entertained by some of his friends and let her eyes lingered. He was wearing a dark blue suit and had dispensed with the red and blue striped tie, right after the ceremony. His hair was loose around his face and gave him a darkly dangerous look that had her heart quivering.
As if drawn to her by her gaze, he looked up, their eyes connecting and sending a clear message that had her taking a deep breath. A slow, lazy smile curved his beautiful lips and made her breathless.
“Darling are you still with me?”
Tearing her eyes away from him reluctantly, she focused on Michael. “Yes.”
He looked at her and shook his head. “I don’t blame you for losing concentration. “He’s the most beautiful man I have ever seen and to his credit, has eyes only for you. The women in the room are also staring at him longingly and not giving a damn that they are here with their people, including your own doctor.”
“But he belongs to me.” Lifting her hand, she stared at the rings he had placed on her finger. “And I will fight any woman who wants to behave otherwise. Pregnant or not.”
Michael chuckled at her fierce expression. “David sends his love and best wishes.”
Her expression sobered. “It would not have been prudent to invite him.”
“He knew that much.” His fingers touched her soft cheek. “I am extremely happy for you darling. You have your man, and he has come around and you are now married. I never thought I would see the day.”
She looked over his shoulder and stared at her husband, shaking her head in wonder. “Neither did I.”