Chapter 76
ALEX
Istare at Harper, open-mouthed.
“I’m not expecting anything from you, but I want you to know.”
I snap my mouth closed, my eyes wide.
“Pregnant?”
“I know, I’m as shocked as you. We’ve always been so careful, but apparently accidents happen.”
“I’m shocked, yes. But Harper, how do you feel?”
She inclines her head and stares at me.
“It wasn’t what I planned, but now…”
Her hands drop to her flat stomach, covering it in a protective gesture.
I smile.
“We’re having a baby?”
Her eyes meet mine in surprise.
She nods. “We’re having a baby.”
I pull her back into my arms, my mouth meeting hers.
“Oh shit,” I say. “I take it your brothers, sister, and mother know?”
“They do,” she says with a smirk. “Until you arrived, they had no idea who the father was. Your identity was a secret.”
I quirk a brow. “I’m not so sure. I have a strong suspicion your sister had an inkling. When she found out I was in England, she couldn’t get me here fast enough.”
She smiles. “That’s Kat for you.”
“When we walk out of here, is my life going to be in danger?”
“They wouldn’t dare. I might be the baby of the family, but I’m feisty. They know better.”
“It’s that feistiness that I love.”
I rest a hand over hers.
“I can’t believe we’re having a baby.”
“We have a lot to discuss,” she says. “Our worlds are different, but also very similar. We both have responsibilities.”
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way. I love you, Harper Frazer. We will find a way to make us work.”
“I love you too. Are you ready to face my family?”
“Absolutely.”
* * *
I’m surprised that when we leave the room, there’s no welcoming committee. Instead, the hallway is empty. We hear laughter coming from across the hall.
“Diana, no!” A young woman shrieks. “Enzo does not need a kiss.”
My brother’s laughter fills the air.
“That bloody dog,” a male voice says.
“That’s Eli,” Harper says. “He’s struggling with Mum’s latest project.”
“What’s her project?”
“A Hungarian Vizsla that Lottie named Diana after Wonder Woman.”
Before I can say anything, a ruby-red furball comes flying out of one of the doors and heads straight for us.
“Diana, no,” Harper says firmly. “Sit.”
The dog pauses and drops her hindquarters onto the tiled floor, in a perfect, incredibly elegant sit.
“Stay,” she says. “Good girl.”
The tip of Diana’s tail wags, beating the floor as she wrinkles her nose, flashing me a mouthful of perfect white teeth.
“What’s she doing?” I ask quietly, not wanting to break the moment.
Harper turns her head.
“She’s smiling at you,” she says with her own grin. “She clearly has great taste.”
The dog whines.
“I’ve not been around many dogs, what with boarding school.”
“She’s harmless, just a little excitable. She loves everyone.”
“Wow, Aunty Harps, you really do have her under control.”
“It’s all in the tone, Lottie,” Harper says, moving towards the dog and placing a hand on Diana’s head before rubbing her ears. She gives another command, and the dog circles her legs. Harper bends down and catches Diana’s face, dropping a kiss on her nose.
“Good girl,” she says, earning another smile.
“She’s been mugging Enzo,” Lottie says, and I can’t hide my smirk. She looks past her aunt to me. “You must be Alex. I’m Lottie. Elijah’s eldest daughter.”
“Pleased to meet you, Lottie,” I say.
“Where is everyone?” Harper asks.
“In the kitchen. Betsy’s keeping everyone fed and watered.” She winks at her aunt, who laughs.
“That’s code for keeping my brothers happy with her baked goods.”
“Oh,” I say.
Harper takes my hand in hers and squeezes.
“Come on, let’s go and see if they’ve left us anything.”
* * *
We enter an enormous kitchen and find Harper’s mother, her siblings and their wives, and my brother sitting around the kitchen island.
“Come on in. We’ve saved you some,” April says when her gaze lands on us.
Harper’s brothers turn and scowl, but their shoulders relax when she slides her hand around my waist and I mirror the gesture.
“These are so good,” Enzo says.
I roll my eyes.
“Everyone, I’d like to officially introduce you to Alessandro Bianchi. My boss, my baby daddy and the love of my life.”
Enzo chokes on the food he has just shoved into his mouth.
Caleb smacks him on the back.
“Baby daddy?” he says, his eyes flying between us. “Really?”
Harper grins at him and nods before holding up her hand. “You will not growl, you will be polite, and you will welcome him into our family. If you don’t, I shall kick your arses.”
“You can try, you little whippersnapper,” Caleb says.
“And I will succeed.”
“Well, if that’s the case, you better come and sit down and tell us how you two met,” Elijah says.
Kat, standing beside him, squeezes his arm, and I realise it’s probably taken a lot for Harper’s elder brother not to kick my arse.
Harper looks up at me and leads me to the two free stools.
“Well…”