Page 4 of Royal Surrogate 2

Caspar shrugs. “I’ve always had marvelous self-control.” His grin goes a little crooked. “Or maybe it just hasn’t sunk in yet.”

“Yeah, it’ll probably hit you when you least expect it.” My hands drop to my belly again, my fingers splaying against my body even though there’s nothing to feel yet. If you can hear me in there, I promise I’m not this crazy all the time.

“Maybe.” He gives another shrug, as if he’s perfectly confident in his ability to handle this life-changing news.

“Should we…tell your parents?” I ask, wondering what the next step will be. I haven’t really let myself think this far ahead in our arrangement.

Caspar hesitates, then shakes his head. “In good time. There’s no reason we must tell them immediately. We can enjoy this for ourselves for a little while.”

I nod. Honestly, that will make things a little easier—it’ll give me a chance to settle into this new reality without the intense scrutiny of my intimidating in-laws.

“I have an idea,” Caspar says suddenly. “Let’s walk down to the bakery in town. Get something sweet to celebrate. What do you say?” He offers his arm to me.

“That sounds great.” I slip my hand through the crook of his elbow. The fresh air will probably do me good.

And I’m glad that Caspar has turned out to be such a calm, steady presence. Honestly, given all the hoops he’s jumped through—and dragged me through—to become a father, I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d been a little overwhelmed by this news, too, but I can’t say I’m not grateful that one of us has managed to keep our heads. Or maybe he’s just really, really good at bottling it all up inside.

But I’m not going to let myself think too much about when the huge reality of this will sink in for Caspar. It’s hard enough to keep myself together. I just have to keep breathing, one deep breath and then another. One day at a time.

After all—I’m not the one whose life is about to be changed forever.

CHAPTER 4

Caspar

I’m going to be a father.

The words ring hollow in my mind for some reason, as though they can’t really be true.

I hold tighter to Renae’s hand as we walk through the town, somehow hoping that I’ll feel connected to the child growing inside her.

This is what I wanted,I remind myself.And Renae will make a fine mother. Reminding myself ofthatparticular part makes my stomach twinge—there is still plenty of time to convince her that she belongs here with me of her own choosing, of course. And after that kiss she just gave me, perhaps she’s already beginning to see the light.

Yes,I tell myself.Yes, of course she’ll want to stay here with me. How could she not?Once she feels our child growing inside her, once she sees the kind of father I’ll be—the kind of mother she will be—she’ll choose to stay of her own accord. I won’t have to tell her anything. I won’t need to convince her.

She’ll choose me.

We finally find our way to the bakery, but before my foot touches the cobble-stoned entry, I’m greeted with a loud, “Caca!”

Another squeal follows. “Uncle!”

My niece and nephew climb into my arms and place sticky kisses on either side of my face.

My brothers and their wives stroll leisurely out of the bakery, and each of my sisters-in-law takes their child out of my arms after their children have covered me in some sort of berry jam.

“Brothers,” I say, trying to gingerly wipe away the sticky mess. “I didn’t know either of you was in town.”

“Caca go park?” my nephew asks.

“Your uncle looks rather busy,” Xavier grumbles. “And we’re not officially in town. Just picking up some supplies.”

“Go park,” my nephew reminds him.

“And to go to the park,” Xavier acknowledges.

“Nay-nay go park, too.” Noah begins to jump up and down and his cousin joins him. “Caca and Nay-nay go park!”

“Aww, I’m sure they’re too busy.” Benedict picks his daughter up, giving her a kiss on her jam-covered cheek. “Besides, we have to get home so you and Noah can go swimming.”

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