Page 85 of Nigel

“I am sorry,”he told her tensely.

“Why are yousorry?” She stared at him with a frown.

“Twins. Ishould have told you that there was a possibility-“ He draggedrestless fingers through his hair. “Now it’s two and thepressure on your body-“

“Stop. Juststop.” Her eyes glittered. “Did I tell you that I wasworried or displeased?”

He stared at her.“You were quiet.”

“So were you,”she pointed out. “Do I have to keep proving myself to you?”

“No. I-“

“We have beengiven this incredible blessing. Two children in one go. I never daredhope. I knew I would have to settle for just this one and I wasgrateful, because I did not expect to have any.”

Her eyes glitteredwith tears. “I was quiet because I was overwhelmed withgratitude. You have to stop looking for hidden motives, where I amconcerned. I love you so much darling that-“ She swallowed thelump in her throat. “Just stop. Okay?”

“Yes.” Hewas overwhelmed himself and used the time in which he opened his doorto come around and open hers, to compose himself. But he was notquite there. Taking her hand, he hauled her into his arms and crushedhis mouth to hers. The kiss took on the familiar wildness that leftthem trembling and clinging to each other.

“Let’s goin, shall we?” He was not quite steady and his breathing wasuneven and raspy. “You are going to put your feet up and I willmake you some of that tea you have grown to love.” He touchedher face gently. “I cannot find the words.”

“You willeventually. After we are settled, we will tell the others. But fornow, I just want to savor the moment with my husband.”

“I have noobjections to that.”

*****

“Damn, I cannotbelieve you are having twins.” Kyle shook his head as he took aseat next to her on the sofa. She had decided to stay home today andpersuaded her husband to go on in.

“I will befine. The housekeeper is here. I promise that if I am in any sort ofdistress, I will call. I am not going to do anything much.

“I am leakingevery damn minute.” She wriggled her feet to get rid of thekinks. “And Nigel is over the moon. I am going to be as huge asan elephant and I keep thinking that my husband is going to look atme and be turned off. With the hormones, the mood swings and theswollen ankles, he is sure to be turned off.”

Kyle snorted at that.“That man would never be turned off you if you turned into atroll. He hovers like a damn old woman.”

“He is tryinghard not to,” she admitted with a laugh. “Last night thedarling man made me soup after the housekeeper left for the day.”

“Have youdecided where you are going to settle? Here? Or the loft?”

“The loft isprivate and is in an exclusive neighborhood. It has this huge spacewith all these arbors, streams with actual ducks. We want to keepit.” Getting up, she wandered around the comfortable livingroom. “I am just having a hard time getting rid of this place.”

“We might notbe doing that.” He had brought her soup from the nearby diner.“Dahlia and I are thinking of getting rid of our place.”

“And movinghere? Honey, that would be completely wonderful!”

“I mentioned itto Lionel and he is in agreement as long as it is okay with you.”

“More than.”She looked around. “I know that Nigel did not want to upset meby suggesting that we move fully into his loft. He wanted to leavethe decision to me.

That is a big assplace and we are hoping that it is one of each. A boy and a girl.”She passed a hand over her stomach. “I am equal parts scaredand excited. Twins!” She closed her eyes briefly. “No. Ithink the excitement far outweighs the scariness.”

“And you areeating right as well as taking your supplements?”

“I am.”She came and sat next to him. “I owe you so much.”

“Why?”

“You were theone who persuaded me to go to him. And for that favor, I cannot everrepay you.”

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