Page 105 of Cloud Storm

The scent of his cologne immediately calms me down, his skin smells so good.

“What are we going to do?” I sob, clinging to his neck. “We’re not prepared for this, Lancelot, we haven’t even got married.”

He laughs and kisses my hair again, straightening it with his hands.

“Newsflash, my love. At about seven o’clock this evening, we’ll meet in one of the gardens of this hotel, where you will become my wife.”

“Yes,” I screech. “But I’m not prepared, I’m not ready, I thought it would be just the two of us for a while.”

He stretches his hand out to take the plastic stick I’ve been avoiding. After taking a quick peek, he puts it back down where it was.

I can’t even dare to ask what it shows.

“No one is prepared to be a parent, Ariel, that’s something you learn along the way.”

“I don’t want to be like my mother, or like my dad.”

Poor creature, what would a child grow up like with such a disastrous combination.

“Ariel, you’re more than my fiancée. You’re more than my soon-to-be wife. You’re my everything, my forever. As our baby already is.”

That makes me sob harder.

How did I get this lucky?

His arms tighten around me, and here I feel safe. At home.

“Easy now, it’s come as rather a shock, so naturally you’re feeling a bit scared. Guess what? So am I! But prepared or not, it’s happening, and soon we’ll have a bit of you, mixed with a chunk of me, here in our arms. Our very own little miracle.”

“So, it’s true?”

Before answering he takes my face in his hands. We stare at each other and I see my fear reflected in his eyes, but also my love and that is the answer.

“It seems that I’m a baker after all.” A smug smile spreads across his handsome face.

“What are you talking about?”

“I put a bun in your oven.”

“What are we going to do?” My voice is shaking as much as my body.

“It’s time to look forward,” he says, kissing me softly. “And also for you to receive my wedding gift.”

“I’m too worried to think about gifts, Lancelot. Let’s do it later, I just want to be here with you holding me close.”

He smiles, with such tenderness, making my heart melt.

Yes, I’m an ooey-gooey puddle of tears and love. Sue me.

“You will love this gift, Hummingbird, it’s the missing piece.”

He carefully helps me stand, then I rinse my mouth and get dressed. After sending a quick text, we sit in the lounge of the suite to wait for the surprise to arrive.

“Close your eyes,” he instructs when we hear a knock at the door. “And no cheating, Ariel.”

I try to contain my curiosity as much as I can since he’s gone to so much effort, although I’m unable to sit still in the armchair, fidgeting restlessly.

“You can look now,” he finally says, taking one of my hands in his.

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