Page 113 of Stone

Still, I finally felt a little peace. Most of my day was spent sitting on the soft, pale sand and looking out at the sea while I murmured words of love to my baby.

I told her about her Grandma Connie—the fine woman she was named after—and her Grandpa Jerome. I mostly told her about her beautiful daddy and how much he would’ve adored her.

Reliving our story was painful but, in a way, comforting. It wasn’t like I was trying to keep John alive. I just wanted to pass on his legacy—or our legacy. I didn’t want something that meant so much to die with him. Love like we had was so life-changing, so soul-deep, that it needed to be acknowledged because it was real, and it was ours, if only for a while.

Robert kept his word and never touched me.

He often went out at night, probably for sex, but I didn’t care. Our marriage was an arrangement, and Robert wasn’t mine. Also, I wanted that for him because he wouldn’t get it from me.

In other ways, he was a good husband. I never wanted for anything. Flowers, jewelry, and small gifts appeared around the house. If I mentioned a book I like the idea of reading, it would turn up the next day. He wasn’t overly generous, but he didn’t need to be, seeing as I wasn’t overly materialistic. But the little things made me smile, albeit fleetingly.

Though I lived in a fog, I got by, which was more than I thought I would. One day at a time became my mantra, and slowly, I began to feel again. My stomach popped, seemingly overnight, and I looked forward to the day I birthed her.

Which came sooner than I imagined.

“We’re going home tomorrow,” Robert announced from behind his newspaper.

My fingers began to tremble so hard that coffee sloshed from my cup. “Tomorrow?”

He folded his newspaper, rested it on the stark white tablecloth, and stared at me. “Don’t you want to?”

A hand automatically went to my rounded stomach, and possession roared through me. “I want to have the baby before I move back to town. If Bandit knows when I give birth… the dates…” my voice trailed off. “She might not be safe.”

Robert leaned forward. “Elise. My son’s due any day now. I need to be there for him.” He took my hand gently in his. “I’m sorry.”

“Can you go back, and I stay here until I’ve given birth?” I implored.

He shook his head. “I’m not letting either of you out of my sight, but I need to be close to Mapletree.”

I swallowed down the bile rising in my throat. “There’s got to be another way. Please, Robert.”

He sat back, studying me contemplatively. “Maybe I could find somewhere for us to stay in Mapletree. It’s not ideal, but if you stay indoors and hidden, I can keep you safe.”

My heart sank. “It’s too close for comfort, Robert.”

“What if I hire a security team?” he suggested. “I could put a guard on you at all times. Nobody could get to you.” His eyebrows drew together, and blue eyes bored into mine. “I need to be there.”

My shoulders slumped.

Of course he needed to be there. I did, too. We’d made a deal, and thankfully, Robert had kept his promises. If we were going to make a go of this, we both needed to be there for both our children or what was the point of going through with the marriage in the first place?

I smiled. “You’re right, Robert, Mapletree will work. We need to get back to your son. I’m sorry if I lost sight of the fact.”

His thumb stroked over mine. “He’ll beourson, Elise. I couldn’t dream of a better mother for him than you. As far as I’m concerned, the second he’s born, he’s yours as much as mine. I can’t wait for us to be a real family. I’ll give you a good life, Elise, if you let me.” His hand stilled. “I want to run something past you.”

I looked at him expectantly.

“For generations, the Henderson family have passed down the name Robert to each first-born son. I’d like to do the same, if it’s acceptable to you.”

“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” I breathed. “Legacy means everything.” My hand went to my belly again, and I stroked it lovingly.

Robert dropped my hand, rising from his chair. “Excellent,” he decreed. “Robert Junior, it is.” He gave me a slight nod. “I’ll go and start making the arrangements. Could you tell the staff to pack?”

Smiling my assent, I watched Robert leave the room, deep in thought.

Maybe getting back to reality was what I needed, or at least to take a step toward it. Babies being born waited for no one, and it had been selfish of me to keep him away from the mother of his son. I knew the circumstances between them weren’t ideal, and they weren’t together, but he still should’ve been there to support her, and I should’ve helped facilitate it.

Looking back now, the signs were already there, but I was so deep in my depression that I couldn’t see the wood for the trees.

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