Page 42 of Bad Duke

“I don’t want Barnaby to know. This is private.”

“Olivia.” He races back to me and kisses me on the top of my head. “This isn’t something that can stay private for long.” His hand rests over my stomach and when his thumb strokes against my skin it reminds me that there is, in fact, a baby growing inside me.

“Besides, the chef's going to have to know. There are foods you have to avoid and ones you should eat.” I love how excited and enthusiastic he’s being, I’ve never seen Alex like this before.

“You really have done your research, haven’t you?” I smile at him, suddenly feeling all warm inside.

“I told you before. I want to get this right.” He turns serious again and seeing in his eyes how much all this means to him, makes any sense of fear I had over us doing this fade into the background.

“Well, we’ve made a good start.” I rest my hand over his and after he’s kissed me, I lie back while he rushes off to make that appointment.

ALEX

“Thank you for seeing us so quickly.” I shake the doctor's hand when she invites myself and Olivia into her office. She’s only a tiny woman, but she shakes hands better than most men I’ve met.

“Well, you were very persuasive, Your Grace.” She takes a seat behind her desk while I pull out Olivia’s chair, making sure she gets settled before I take my own. I’ve only known she’s pregnant for a few hours and already I feel immensely protective of her.

“So, you are pregnant, congratulations.” Dr. Stevens looks between us both. “Do you know the date of your last period?” she asks Olivia, who is being so chilled about this whole thing that I doubt she’s even caught up with where we are.

“She’s had some cramping and her tits…I mean her breasts are sore,” I cut in and let her know my concerns.

“All very normal for the early stages of pregnancy.” Dr. Stevens smiles at me as if I’m some kind of idiot.

“My period was around five or six weeks ago, I assumed the cramps were a sign it was coming, that's how it usually feels,” Olivia speaks up, frowning in confusion.

“They are known as implantation cramps, your baby is getting itself nice and cosy in the walls of your uterus, and breast tenderness is very common. I have a leaflet with all the symptoms you can expect.” She starts to dig around in her top drawer.

“So, the cramping is okay? She’s okay?” I hover my hands over Olivia’s lap. Needing to have my mind put at rest.

“She’s fine, like I said, all perfectly normal symptoms. If the cramps get more painful than your regular period pains or you have any bleeding, just give us a call and we’ll get you seen. Other than that, all I can do at this stage is prescribe you some prenatal vitamins and get you an ultrasound booked for around your twelfth week.” She smiles as if it’s just that simple.

“Great.” Olivia smiles at her, taking the leaflet that she offers and scrolling her eyes over it.

“She’s a dancer, is that safe?” I check.

“Many dancers continue to work throughout their pregnancy, just be kind to yourself.” The doctor smiles at Olivia, and it doesn’t go unnoticed that they both share the same amusement.

“And sex? I’ve read that it’s safe but?—”

“Alex!” Olivia grabs my arm and gives me a death stare. Her mouth gaped open and her face bright red.

“It’s okay, that's a commonly asked question. Sex is completely safe, some studies actually show that it’s good for the baby,” Dr. Stevens assures us.

I’m pleased with what I hear, and love the way Olivia blushes. She looks so much different to me now that I know she’s carrying our baby. I thought what I felt for her before was intense, but this is something else.

“If there's no other concerns or questions I’ll get Annie to get you your next appointment booked.” She looks at the clock on the wall and reminds me that it’s 6.45 pm. Barnaby managed to convince her to keep her practice open after hours so she could see us.

“So, you don’t need to check her or examine anything?” I question, feeling Olivia tug at my jacket to pull me onto my feet.

“Not at this stage, Your Grace,” Dr. Stevens assures me as she sees us to the door. She shakes our hands and congratulates us before we leave and once we’re out Olivia slaps me hard in the chest.

“Alex, you need to calm down or you will die of a heart attack before this baby is born,” she tells me as we’re walking back to the car.

I open her door for her and see her inside before moving around to the driver’s seat and sliding in beside her.

“I don’t know what the fuck’s come over me. I knew this was what I wanted, but knowing that it’s happened now has made me realise how much I need you both to be okay. So, I’m going to make sure you get the best doctors, and I’m going to ask them questions. I’m going to be overbearing and probably intolerable but it’s all because…” I almost say it. I almost tell the girl who’s turned my life upside down that I love her.

“You're important to me.” I hold it in because I know it won’t be reciprocated and I don’t want to ruin a thing about today. “And right now, you’re all that matters. I won’t apologise for that.”

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