Page 98 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

‘You’ve been reading about pregnancies?’

He frowned. ‘Of course. This is important to me too.’ He’d even started dipping into parenting books.

She nodded then turned away to pour more tea. ‘Even so, I want six weeks. Then, all being well, you can tell whoever you like.’

He looked at her determined profile and knew there’d be no budging her. He understood her determination hid nervousness. The last thing he wanted to do was stress her more.

‘All right, though I have conditions of my own.’

She looked at him over the rim of her cup, brown eyes wide. For all Portia’s inner strength he saw her fragility. It made him more than ever determined.

‘First, if you’re going back to work in London, take one more week’s holiday first. You said you were owed leave. Take it now in Greece and have a good rest before returning to work. We can fly back to my island and you can relax there.’

After a second she nodded. There was even a tiny smile playing around her lips as she said, ‘That’s a condition I’m happy to accept.’

‘Good. And I’ll be there to make sure you’re okay.’

‘And that I get plenty ofrest?’

He knew by the glint in her eyes she too was thinking of the night they’d just spent together.

How much better to see that than her hunched tension thinking about the pregnancy going wrong. He’d do whatever he could to take her mind off the possibility.

He waggled his eyebrows ‘You can count on me, Portia.’

‘And your other conditions?’

‘Just one. I’ll come with you to London and we’ll live together.’

‘But I share a tiny flat and—’

‘But now we’re a couple.’ Lex paused to let that sink in. ‘We’re in this together.’

He understood her caution about telling the world she was pregnant. But he refused to be set aside for the next six weeks, coming back into her life again only when she passed the fourteen week mark. His childwouldsurvive. Portia would carry it to term. They’d marry and raise it together, perhaps have several children. He refused to countenance the alternative.

‘But your work is based in Athens.’

‘I have a great team. I can work from virtually anywhere with a bit of planning. Anyway I’ve got interests in the UK as you know. So I propose this. I’ll rent somewhere for the pair of us. Somewhere convenient to your work. We’ll spend next week on my island and then five weeks in London. Together.

‘In that time you can talk to your obstetrician about any concerns. If any issues arise, or if you’ve got any worries at all, we’ll stay in London through the whole pregnancy. I can arrange excellent support for you here but I want you to be comfortable and confident in your care.’

Portia put down her cup and twisted to face him fully. ‘You’d do that? Work out of London all that time?’

Lex reached for her hand, curling his fingers around it and stroking his thumb across the soft skin.

‘I’ll do whatever it takes, Portia. Trust me. I won’t let you down again. Ever.’

He felt a tiny shudder pass through her and caught a glimpse of emotion flit across her face. She’d already agreed to marry him yet somehowthisfelt more momentous. Knowing he had her trust.

At last she spoke. ‘Good. I’ll hold you to that.’

He heard the gravity in her voice but he also saw the warm glint in her eyes.

‘Excellent. Now we’ve agreed to terms we need to seal the bargain.’

She arched an eyebrow. ‘With a handshake?’

‘In the circumstances I believe a kiss is more suitable.’

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