Page 53 of Twenty Years Later

I wasn't sure what would help the overload of feelings thrumming through my body, but grateful, I took a tiny sip, and it seemed to go down okay.

We both turned to the doorway as we heard noises down the hall. Alex glanced at me. "I'll be right back. Don't move."

I couldn't move a muscle even if I wanted to. Shock held me still. Shock that he knew. Shock at his reaction.

And in a flash, he returned. "They're fine. Just playing together in the guest room."

I smiled as he sat on the edge of the bed, keeping his eye on me like that small movement might set me off again.

"Thanks for that," I said, still overwhelmed with emotion. "So you're really actually happy about this? For real?"

He grabbed my hand in both of his with his strong grip. "Yes, absolutely, one-hundred percent for real. I am absolutely thrilled. But I'm worried about you. Areyouokay?"

I smiled at this sweet man in front of me. "I am. Just having some morning sickness lately. Or all-day sickness really."

Those brown eyes narrowed. "Did you have that last time?"

"Yeah. It's normal. I had it the whole time."

He looked surprised. "The whole nine months?"

"Yep. But it's not that bad. Just nausea and lots of gagging. I don't actually get sick much. Only if I let it get too far."

Shaking his head, he said, "That sounds awful. Is there anything that helps?"

"I have ginger gum that I pop any time the feeling comes up. I just..."

"What? What is it?" he asked, his eyes beyond intense.

"I just haven't been chewing it since you came because, well, because it would have been pretty obvious. And I..." I took a second to straighten the comforter next to me.

"You what?" Alex prodded. "You didn't want me to know yet, right? Is that it?"

"Well, Iwasgoing to tell you last night. I wanted to be alone, you know, just the two of us, where kids couldn't interrupt us. And not do it over the phone."

"I get that. So were you going to tell me tonight?"

I nodded. "I've been so nervous waiting for the right time to tell you."

"Nervous?" He leaned closer to me. "Why on earth were you nervous about it?"

I looked down, unable to meet his eyes. "Because I've never had to tell anyone that I was accidentally pregnant."

He surprised me by laughing. "No? Not a regular occurrence for you, huh?"

Thank God for this man because his laughter had a way of helping me with my crazy emotions right now. "Not exactly."

But he turned serious again. "Were you afraid of how I'd react?"

"Terrified," I admitted.

His eyebrows shot up as he squeezed my hand. "Are you serious? What'd you think I'd do?"

"Honestly, I hadno idea. I guess I assumed you'd be upset about it."

"Upset? In no way am I upset." He paused a second, deep in thought. "How long have you known? Have you told anyone else? Your parents?"

"Well, the only person who knows is Kaileen because she was there on the plane when I—"

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