Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 121460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Right.
My wife was afraid to tell me she was pregnant because of a stupid unthinking comment I’d made months ago.
Something needed to be done about that.
Walking quietly away from the office, I hurried upstairs and made my way to the end of the hallway. Grabbing the pole hook, I latched it to the attic door and pulled, revealing the collapsing stairs. Using the hook, I pulled the stairs down, stabilized them, and ventured up. The attic space was massive, and we had furniture and all kinds of things up here in storage, including the huge collection of Christmas decorations Regan had amassed over the last few years.
Striding toward the back, I moved a few boxes out of the way to reveal Eilidh’s cot. We had a couple of travel cots stored next to them we used for Vivien and Skye whenever they visited, but Eilidh’s old cot was a classic white wooden frame. It came with a green canopy that fastened to the ceiling above it. We’d need a new mattress, but for my purposes, I had what I required. Spying a box of Eilidh’s old toys and books, I grinned.
Perfect.
Hoping Regan would continue avoiding me for a while, I unscrewed parts of the cot so I could get it down the stairs without making too much noise. It took me just over half an hour and thankfully, my wife didn’t come up to see what I was doing.
Once I was done, I wandered downstairs, hot from my exertions and bloody eager to have this strangeness over between us.
I strode into the office, and she turned from her computer. Noting the dark circles under her eyes, I frowned. Once everything was out in the open, we’d have words about her being afraid to tell me the truth. “Come with me. I need to show you something.”
She smirked. “A please might get my ass off this chair.”
“Please come with me.” I held out my hand.
Curiosity sparked in her gaze and she got up, placing her hand in mine. I squeezed hers tight, staring into her gorgeous hazel eyes for a few seconds. Didn’t she know by now I’d do anything for her?
“Thane?”
“Come.” I tugged on her hand and led her into the kitchen/living room and upstairs.
“Is this an afternoon booty call, because I … I have something to tell you first.”
I glanced over my shoulder and saw her nervous expression. Oh, she was ready now, was she? “Sex with your husband is never a booty call,” I corrected. “And no, this is not an afternoon delight. Yet.”
She snorted, and I was relieved to hear the sound.
“Then what are we doing …” Regan’s words trailed off into a gasp as we entered our bedroom.
Turning, I studied her as she gaped at the makeshift nursery I’d created.
Eilidh’s old cot sat by the window. I’d put a temporary plastic hook on the ceiling and hung the canopy so it draped down the middle and over the sides of the cot. I filled the cot with Eilidh’s old toys and books and placed the armchair and side table we already had in the room by the baby’s bed.
Regan’s eyes flew to mine, her perfect lips parted in stupefaction. Her expression asked How?
“A pregnancy test fell out of the rubbish bag a few days ago,” I explained. “And I just overheard your conversation with Robyn.” Pulling her into me, she stumbled, her arms resting on my chest. “Never, ever, be afraid to tell me anything.”
Hearing the censure in my tone, she stiffened. “You can hardly blame me. After what you said about Vivien and Skye.”
I sighed. “A stupid remark I am deeply regretful of now. But how could you let that stand in your way of telling me you were pregnant?”
“Because!” She pushed at my chest, but I wouldn’t let her go. Tears glistened in her eyes. “I don’t want to change what we have. I want a baby really badly, but I don’t want to force you into this. I don’t want Eilidh and Lewis to feel like I don’t love them because I want a baby.” She cried sore, hard sobs that were completely uncharacteristic of her.
Pregnancy hormones.
Smiling tenderly, I hauled her close and let her cry against me as I smoothed my hand over her hair. “Aw, mo leannan, I could never feel forced into having a child with you. I’m over the moon that you’re pregnant.”
Her head snapped back, tears smearing her makeup. “Really?”
“Of course.” I clasped her face in my hands. “Regan, when will you realize I am happy as long as you’re happy? As long as the kids are happy. Speaking of, there is no way Eilidh and Lewis will feel abandoned. We won’t let them. Eilidh will be ecstatic that she’s no longer the youngest.” Fuck. We were going to have a child. “We’re having a baby.” I grinned at her in realization.