Page 104 of Forbidden Dark Vows

“Harry, will you stop talking?”

I stop.

“This isn’t about baby pickles. Well, it’s notjustabout baby pickles.” She takes a deep breath and moves away from the mirror.

I follow her gaze to the row of plastic sticks propped up against the glass like soldiers. I glance back at her, and her eyes are fixed on mine, hesitant, eager, waiting for a reaction.

“What are they?” I pick one up, spot the two faint lines across the middle of the tiny panel in the center, and turn it around to show her. “What does this mean?”

“I’m pregnant, Harry.” She chews her bottom lip with her two front teeth. “We’re going to have a baby.”

“We’re… You’re…” My heart races as I stare at the other tests, each one showing the same double blue lines across the center.

“A baby.” She nods.

The thumping inside my rib cage finally subsides long enough for me to process what this means. I toss the plastic stick into the basin and throw my arms around Ruby, spinning her around, her feet above the floor.

“We’re going to have a baby.” I set her back down, step back, and place my hand over her abdomen. “Oh my God. There’s a baby in there. How far…? When…?”

She laughs out loud, and it will always be the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. “Not far. I’ll make an appointment with the gynecologist when we’re back from our honeymoon.”

“Will it wait? I mean… Shouldn’t you see them sooner?”

“Harry, it’s fine. You might just have to call ahead and make sure we can get baby pickles wherever we’re going.”

“I’ll have some shipped over if I must. I’ll get you whatever you want, Ruby.” I inhale deeply, trying to calm the thump-thump of my heart. “You’re having my baby.”

“Are you happy, Harry?”

“Do you really need to ask?”

“I thought you might’ve wanted to wait.”

I pull her into my arms. “What for? You’ve honestly made me the happiest man alive. I’m so happy I could burst.”

“Don’t do that,” she mumbles against my chest. “You’ll spoil the next surprise.”

I stand back and hold her at arm’s length. “There’s more? I’m not sure my heart could take it.”

Her smile lights up her face. “I felt bad that you’re not having a bachelor party, so I kinda arranged one for you.”

“Ruby, you didn’t have to do that.”

“I’m coming too though. You’ll need thick gloves and a warm hat.”

I match her smile. “Do I get another clue?”

“You get more than that. Ronnie and Sumaira should be here any moment now. We’re going ice skating at Rockefeller Plaza.”

This time, when I pull her into my arms, I hold her there, breathing in the citrusy smell of her shampoo, and asking myself how I got so lucky. What did I do to deserve so much when so many people in the world have so little?

I only hope I never ever let her down.

35

RUBY

“You look beautiful, Ruby.”My dad comes into the hotel room where I’ve been getting ready, his eyes gleaming with tears.

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