Page 342 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

She nodded absently and stared at her hands. “Are you... happy about Otto? That you have a son?”

“Honestly, Anna. I don’t know how I feel about it. I’m furious at Gretchen right now. If you’re sensing any anger from me, please believe me, it has nothing to do with you, except that I’m furious at her for upsetting you.”

She didn’t respond. He wondered if this would be a good time to tell her she was going to have a baby. Maybe it would lessen the sting of Gretchen’s actions. He took her hand. “Anna...”

She slowly lifted her gaze, her eyes full of sadness. “Yes, Alex?”

He gave her a tender smile. “Schatzi, about you not being able to have children... it’s not true. Under the right circumstances, you can get pregnant.”

She shook her head and pressed her lips together. “Are you just trying to make me feel better?”

He shook his head emphatically. “No. I’m not. I know it’s not true.”

“How?”

He cradled her cheek. “Because I believe you are pregnant right now.”

Her eyes widened as big as he’d ever seen them, then filled with tears. She pulled away and stood. “Why would you tease me about that?”

“I’m not teasing. My mother is convinced that you are. You’ve been nauseous, tired...” He grinned. “Your breasts are definitely fuller than they were the last time I saw you.”

Anna blushed. “I can’t fit into my bras.” She sat down and looked at him, her brows twitching. “Are you sure?”

“My mother has known with each of Gretchen’s pregnancies. And a couple of cousins as well. She has excellent instincts.”

Her eyes sparkled for a minute, but then her face fell again. “But it’s not yours.”

He stroked her cheek. “I don’t care. I will raise it as my own... if you want me to.” He paused. “Do you... well, I thought it might be Ben’s baby. What do you think?”

Her face fell. “It could be any number of men’s. It could be Devin’s for all I know.”

He shook his head. “In order for you to trigger your body into conceiving, there must be a deep emotional connection. I would assume that would have only occurred with Ben. Am I right?”

Anna nodded in response to Alex’s question. “Yes,” she whispered. “He’s the only one I’ve ever emotionally connected with. Until you.” A tear rolled down her cheek and she placed her hand on her stomach. The realization that she might be carrying Ben’s child overwhelmed her with a mix of joy and trepidation. Would Alex truly want to raise this baby as his own?

“Schatzi, please don’t doubt me. I love you. I am thrilled that you are pregnant. It gives me hope we will have children together in the future.”

Her heart lightened at the idea of giving Alex children. She smiled, even as the tears ran down her cheeks. “Ben’s mom would be thrilled.” Would he let her tell Katherine?

He put his hand on hers. “I’m sure she will be.” He pulled her close and kissed her head. “You don’t need to be upset about Gretchen, Schatzi. We will have our own children. Together.”

Joy suddenly overcame her and she flung her arms around Alex’s neck. “I’m really going to have a baby?”

Alex laughed. “Ja, meine Frau. You are going to have ein Baby. Nein, we are going to have ein Baby.” He kissed her firmly on the mouth. “Perhaps we should go practice making them, so when it’s my turn we are ready,” he murmured against her lips.

Anna couldn’t help but burst into laughter. She felt so light. So good. Now she knew why she’d been sick and tired. She wasn’t getting fat. She was having a baby! And now she wanted nothing more than for Alex to make love to her again. And again. And again. “I agree.”

Alex swept her into his arms and carried her to their bed.

Chapter 159

Anna woke with a grin on her face and snuggled closer to Alex. Her beloved husband. The room was cold, but he was warm. He had once again proved what an incredible lover he was. She didn’t know how many orgasms she’d had, but they had all been incredible. And Alex... Oh, she couldn’t believe he fit inside her, but he made her feel so good, once her body adjusted to his size. They’d made love at least four times last night, each time better than the last.

He promised he’d go back to his normal size eventually, and Anna was relieved. She didn’t want him to have to go so slowly every time they made love. She remembered how hard he had fucked her that one night and wanted him hard like that again... once she was satiated with the gentleness.

“What are you grinning at?” Alex’s voice was raspy.

“You.” She traced around his nipple and he shivered. She leaned forward and bit it, making him groan. “Are you feeling better?”

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