Chapter Twenty-Four

Surprises and Revelations

Ella

“I just need to make a quick stop on the way home.” Ella leaned forward to speak to the driver as they pulled away from the front of the restaurant.

She’d had a fabulous time with her best friend, but her rising nausea had focused her mind in another direction.

Something’s wrong.

She’d known it for a couple of weeks. The funny taste in her mouth and the odd tenderness in her breasts had been an indication, but she’d managed to ignore them. The sickness, though, was something she could no longer ignore, and it was getting difficult to hide from Tucker.

“Certainly, Miss,” the driver replied. “Where do you want to stop?”

“I need a pharmacy.” Even as she settled back in her seat, her tummy lurched at the realization. The fact she wanted a pharmacy and not a doctor revealed everything she needed to know. She already knew what was wrong. “Any one will do.”

She wasn’t ill.

But she might be pregnant.

Fastening her safety belt, she glanced out of the window. Her period hadn’t come for the last few weeks, but she hadn’t immediately panicked. Ella’s menstrual cycle hadn’t always been like clockwork, and she was often a little earlier or later than expected.

However, when combined with her most recent symptoms, her late period presented the shocking probability that she and Tucker might have conceived.

It can’t be shocking. She closed her eyes as the thought ricocheted in her head. I’ve been having sex with Tucker without contraception on and off for weeks. What did I think would happen?

“Shit.” She mumbled the word, clutching her purse to her belly. There could be a baby growing in there, and she didn’t even know how she felt about the idea. But it was about time she decided.

“There’s one just up here on the left, Miss.” The driver raised his voice. “Will that do?”

“Sure.” Her gaze flitted open as she met his stare in the rear-view mirror.

The sooner she discovered the truth, the better.

***

“How was lunch?” Tucker leaned on the kitchen counter, looking devastatingly handsome. Her breath caught as she paused in the doorway.

He’s so gorgeous.

The kitchen in this home wasn’t quite as large as the one where she’d shot Collins, but it still provided ample space for the enormous island. Gripping the doorframe, she ran the words she wanted to say through her mind again.

“Lovely, thank you, sir.” Her throat dried as she compelled her feet to move toward him.

She’d played this part of the conversation through mentally a dozen times after she’d left the pharmacy, but after using the two pregnancy tests in the customer bathroom, it had been difficult to think straight.

“So?” His back straightened. “What’s wrong?”

Of course, he sensed something was wrong. She was notoriously easy to read, and anyway, few people knew her better than Tucker.

“I have something to tell you, sir.” She reached the other end of the counter.

“Okay.” He wandered in her direction. “Do you want to sit down?”

Did she?

Holding tightly to the pristine counter, she wasn’t sure if she could even make it to the nearby chairs without either vomiting or passing out.

“I think I’d just like to tell you.” She swallowed, placing her purse on the island. Inside that purse was the plastic answer to the question that had been on her mind. That was what she needed to tell him.

“Okay,” he repeated, coming close enough to wrap his hand over hers. “I’m listening, little girl.”

“I’m pregnant.” She blurted the announcement out with all the grace of a rampaging elephant.

“You’re pregnant.” His brow rose. “I’ll be honest, little girl. I didn’t expect you to say that.”

Her heart was hammering so fast, the edges of the room were starting to blur around her. Gasping for air, she grappled to stay upright.

“I think I need to sit down now.”

“I’ve got you.” He whipped around the edge of the counter in seconds, wrapping an arm around her and guiding her to a chair. He eased her into the seat and crouched down in front of her. “Is that better?”

“I think so.” She pulled in a deep breath. “I don’t feel great.”

“I can tell.” He squeezed her knee. “You’re as pale as a ghost, little girl.”

“If this is pregnancy, I wouldn’t recommend it.” She chuckled, finding the amusement helped abate her dizziness a little.

“Are you sure you’re pregnant?” There was no disapproval in his voice, only concern, but still, the question niggled at her.

“Why? Don’t you want me to be?” Her brow furrowed. “Don’t you want our baby, sir?”

“Ella.” He nudged between her legs and knelt forward to kiss her forehead. “If you’re pregnant, then you’ve given me one more miracle than I could ever have hoped to have. I love you, sweetheart, and I’ll love this baby.”

“Thank you.” She smiled, aware of the tears welling in her eyes. “I’m sorry, I’m just emotional.” She wiped her eyes with the heel of her hand.

“Understandable.” He nodded. “Nothing’s going to change the way I feel about you, and that’s the truth.”

“I love you.” She could hardly believe how much she adored him. Before she’d met Tucker, she’d doubted love like this truly existed. “I took two expensive tests, and both say I’m around seven weeks pregnant.”

“Seven weeks.” His lips twitched. “Yes, I think I remember what we were doing then, little girl.”

“Me, too.” Her smile grew at the mischievous glint in his gaze. “And I guess this little guy is the product.” Her hand shifted to her tummy. “We could have used condoms, but we didn’t.”

“You’re right.” His hand moved to cover hers. “We made our choices.”

They both glanced at her stomach, imagining who their child would be.

“So, you’re not sorry?” She couldn’t help the anxiety in her voice. Somehow, the idea that he didn’t want the baby was her worst nightmare. She and Tucker had found heaven in the weeks they’d shared together, and she couldn’t bear the thought of popping their bubble of bliss.

“No.” His tone was emphatic. “Only surprised. I’ve never really thought much about being a father. I think at my age, I’d all but given up on the idea completely.”

He’s not sorry!

It was all she could think as he drew her hand from her belly and kissed her fingertips.

“I want this baby, little girl.”

Her tears fell harder as his words resonated.

“Just like I want you. I promise I’ll do my best to look after you both.”

“Thank you, sir.” She reached around his neck and hugged him. “I’m so happy!”

“Good.” His warm breath tickled the side of her face as he eased her gently to her feet. “Let’s get you to the lounge and put your feet up. You need to rest.”

“Put my feet up?” Her head cleared as he helped her cross the kitchen. “Does that mean I won’t be your footrest anymore, sir?” She was only teasing, but in truth, the idea of not being dehumanized by her lover anymore saddened her. She’d learned to love his objectification.

“You don’t have to worry about that, little girl.” His dark laughter reverberated straight to her clitoris. “I’ll always find ways to make you mine.”

“I hope so.” She hesitated, turning to face him in the doorway. “Because I always want to be.”

“Don’t worry.” He rested his head gently against hers. “You always will be.”

The End