Chapter 16

Two weeks into the Christmas holidays, she realized she was pregnant. Life with Harvey had its ups and downs, and even after declaring his love for her, he was not an easy person to live with. But she could take anything as long as he was with her.

He came to services with her several times without asking him, and she was grateful. She would stand there singing in the choir and notice him staring at her. He wouldn't say anything afterward, but during those times, his lovemaking would take on a gentleness that would have her crying out his name.

She had insisted on helping with the tree's decoration, leaving the rest to the company Julia had hired to do the interior and exterior. Her husband told her bluntly that he did not believe in the season, but she was determined to convert him.

"How can you not believe in Christmas?" she had asked him in surprise. "I understand that you would not have, considering the awful time you went through at home, but what about afterward?"

"I always knew Santa never existed, and to me, Christmas is just a way for commercial businesses to make a bunch of money off unsuspecting consumers by peddling their goods and services."

She had stared at him and shook her head. "It's much more than that."

"Ah yes, Christ is the reason for the season."

"He is. Darling, I love you to pieces, but I will not sit by and allow you to spoil this for me."

He had snatched her into his arms and kissed her until she was clinging to him in mindless surrender.

Now, she was carrying his seed inside her. Two months pregnant, as confirmed by her visit to the doctor.

"You will break your pretty little neck if you continue climbing that step ladder." His deep voice behind her made her heart turn over inside her chest.

Clamping his hands around her waist, he effortlessly lifted her down and removed the ladder out of the way. The enormous living room was made warm by the fire blazing in the hearth, and everywhere, there were colored bulbs and decorations hanging from the roof and draped over the various furnishings.

"It looks like the color fairy threw up in the room." Bringing her closer, he wrapped his arms around her waist, his silver eyes amused. "Where is everyone?" "Out for dinner with friends. Hungry?"

"Starving." He whispered suggestively, making it clear that it was not for food.

"You know what I meant."

"I do. So, we are alone?"

"Except for the servants, who have retired for the night."

"Perfect. I am sorry I am late again."

"You said you wanted to finish up before Christmas."

"I want to take you to Hawaii or the Bahamas. We have places where we could stay." He led her over to the sofa and sat with her on his lap.

"Sounds wonderful." She murmured, wrapping her hands around his neck.

He gave her a quizzical look. "I was not expecting you to be doing handsprings, but I would have wanted a more enthusiastic response."

"I am." She assured him, thinking of the best way to impart the news. "It's just that I have not been feeling too hot since lately."

His gaze sharpened. "Are you unwell?"

Taking a deep breath, she plunged on. "We never really talked about children."

"We might have mentioned the subject one or two times." Understanding dawned. "Is there something I should know?"

She nodded, a smile lurking on her lips. "In seven months, give or take a couple weeks, we will be parents." Her smile faded at the frown touching his brow. "Am I wrong to think you would be pleased?"

"It's not that."

"Then tell me because I am starting to feel as if I am the only one affected positively by the news."

"I want to spend time getting to know you." He began.

"You do know me- "

"Not really." He sighed as he realized that he was making her unhappy. "I don't know how to be a father."

"We will both learn because I don't know how to be a mother either."

"You teach children at the church." He pointed out.

"But they are not mine."

"I am not comfortable around kids."

"Harvey- "

"Just listen, okay?" He shook his head and softened his tone. "I am just starting to get used to the idea of you – of us. I love you in a way that's scaring the crap out of you. I keep asking myself – what if something happens to her? How the hell will I go on?

Things like that – things I never thought of before. And now there will be someone else to worry about."

"I am sure all expectant parents feel the same way- "

"I doubt that."

"Harvey, I love you, and carrying your seed inside me is the most wonderful feeling in the world. I am going to have a family.

I love your parents, and I think of Silas as a brother, but I lost my parents, and ever since that time, there has been a hollow space inside me that refused to be filled. You filled it when you came into my life, and now I will have a family."

Her hands framed his face. "We will learn together. I have already bought books, and Julia has some in her enormous library. I want you to be happy, darling, and I must warn you that I will not stop at just one."

He felt something twisting his heart and turning it over inside his chest. My God! How could one woman make him feel this complete? How could he love someone this much? She always knew what to say and how to make him feel better about himself.

"I don't deserve you." He whispered achingly. "I don't, and I have no idea what the hell I did to have you in my life."

"By just being you." She told him huskily. "By being the only man in the world for me. Please tell me you are happy about the news. Because if you aren't- "

"I am." He said swiftly. "To prove it to you, I will show you how much." Swinging her into his arms, he strode up the stairs and into the bedroom, gently laying her on the bed. He stood there staring at her, his silver eyes gleaming.

"I don't believe in your God." He told her hoarsely as he hastily took off his clothes. "At least, before I met you, I never did." Sitting on the bed's edge, his body hardened; he unbuttoned the short pale pink sweater and took it off. "But something or someone brought you to me."

He had to swallow the lump in his throat as he continued to undress her. "And I am so damn grateful that I don't know what to do with myself." He peeled off her leggings and underwear, dropping them onto the floor. "Kendra."

His voice was thick with need. "Kendra, my love." He climbed in next to her, turning her towards him so that he could use his mouth on her.

He kissed her cheek, the tip of her nose, and her chin; bypassing her lips, he drifted down to her neck, which was arched to accommodate him. Her hands clutched at him as he kissed her breasts, taking his time to roll his tongue over her nipples until she was writhing under him, her fingers digging into his scalp.

Letting go of her breasts, he moved to her stomach, where he stopped and stared as if he could see his seed growing inside her.

"Harvey?"

Bending his head, he kissed the taut skin gently before lifting his head to stare at her.

His love for her was overwhelming, potent, and so powerful that it swamped him completely, so much so that he found himself shuddering, his control slipping away.

"Darling?" Raising herself on her elbows, she stared at him, puzzled.

"You are carrying my child."

"Yes." She whispered.

"I will always be there for you." His hands moved gently over her stomach. "Dad has been hounding me to take my position at the company, and I have flatly refused."

She placed her hand over his and sat up slowly. "What are you saying?" She whispered.

He smiled at her confused look. "I have degrees that enable me to work at the corporate office and contribute to its running. I went into construction, to be the contrary. Now that I am a respectable married man and will soon be a dad, I want to keep regular office hours and come home to my wife at a reasonable time."

She shook her head, tears blurring her vision. "I love you no matter what you do, and I would never ask you to change your life for me. You know that."

"But don't you see, my love," He switched positions so she was on top of him. Lifting her, he placed her slowly over him until she was sheathing him. "The fact that you would never ask that of me made my decision for me."

"Harvey- "Her throat was thick with tears, and she had no idea what to say. Running his hands up and down her bare arms, he smiled at her, his expression indulgent. "You changed me for the better.

I never knew that could happen. I want to be better for you. I feel things, things I have never felt before. My emotions are heightened, and I am more patient; I am not so angry and disillusioned, and that's on you. You saved me, darling."

Bringing her down, he wiped the tears flowing freely down her cheeks.

"Shh, baby." He whispered, kissing her moist cheeks before taking her lips in a kiss that had her clinging to him.

He moved deep inside her, his hands drifting to her shoulders until they were clamped around her waist and then her hips as he tried to slow things down. But it was no use.

The words he had spoken, the confession he had made, the fact that she was the woman carrying his child, a child he never knew he wanted before her, before now, did something to both. It stripped away every shield and every obstacle that had existed before, and now it was just them – and their enormous passion for each other.

She came, and the climax started as a gentle roll inside her before taking on a storm that was practically drowning her in its intensity.

He swallowed her cries, his hands racing over her trembling body. It was not long before he was pouring his seed deep inside her, watering the mouth of her womb, his hands wrapped protectively around her as he surrendered everything: the ugliness of his past, the abuse, the awful memories that had always been a part of him.

He held her against him, his heart bursting inside his chest, a sense of wonder cloaking him as he stroked her trembling body.

"Tired baby?" he asked her tenderly.

"A little."

"I never asked how you are feeling."

Lifting her head, she gazed into the face that meant everything. "Surprisingly upbeat and not at all feeling the usual symptoms that have usually accompanied my current condition." She brushed back hairs from his forehead.

"I was told that might not be true for the next several months. But I don't care. I intend to enjoy every minute of it. Because the child I am carrying is for the man, I am unequivocally and irrevocably in love with."

His hands trembled as he cupped her face, his handsome face taut with passion. "You might change your mind when you start puking your guts out." He whispered.

"As long as you are with me, I can face anything."

"That's easy. I am not going anywhere." He kissed her hard on the lips. "Get dressed."

"Why?"

"There is something we need to tell the family, and the alarm at the gate indicates that they are on their way in."

"Tonight?"

He grinned at her. "No time like the present."

*****

His parents stared at her first and then at him while Silas stood at the mantle, absorbing the news in delight.

"You -you want to start working at the office?" Gregory could not believe he had heard him right. "You want to take up your rightful place at the company?"

"Did I stutter?" He looked at them, a smile curving his lips.

"Two pieces of amazing news can do that to a person. If I wasn't sitting down, I am afraid I would have passed out." Gregory swung his gaze to the woman standing at his son's side.

"My dear- "he rose a little unsteadily and came towards her, taking her free hand in his.

"You have no idea what you have done for this family." Lifting her hand, he kissed the back of it.

"Hey! I could have thought about this for a while and decided it's time." Harvey protested. Ignoring him, Gregory pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. Julia immobilized in her chair, came forward and hugged both before turning to her son, her eyes bright with tears.

"Darling." She whispered, her hands lifting to touch his jaw. "No matter where you chose to be, I have been so proud of you, and now this- "She blinked the tears away. "A grandchild- do you know what this means to me? To your dad?"

"I have a vague idea." He bent from his lofty height to kiss her forehead. "It might be a girl."

"I don't care about the sex." She walked into his arms and hugged him.

Lifting his head, he stared at his brother, who had remained silent. "It's not like you to be quiet."

"Just processing." Silas grinned at him. "And someone has to keep their composure."

Walking over, he clasped Harvey on the shoulder. "Congrats, brother. I am very happy for you."

*****

"She does not suspect anything?" Harvey pressed his brother while looking at his parents.

"She doesn't. She thinks it's just another day at church."

Kendra was now four months pregnant and still not showing. He had been with her to her doctor's appointment and had been roped into reading the pregnancy books with her.

His entire family was getting on his nerves with excitement they were unable to control. He had devised the plan to remarry her, along with all three, and wanted it to be perfect.

"The dress?"

"I persuaded her to let me buy the white wool with the delicate lace overlay because it's women's Sunday," Julia assured him. She was so excited that she could barely control herself. "I am staying back with her so we can get there in time for everything to be set up."

"And she does not know I am attending services. Good." They both disbanded and ended the conversation when they heard her entering the room.

"Anything I should know about?" she asked, looking at them curiously.

"Talking about the soon-to-be new addition to the family," Julia said with a smile. "That's all we can talk about. Your husband is sick of the conversation."

Drawing her into his arms, Harvey studied her face. "Are you okay? You were gone a long time."

"Just a little queasiness, that's all. And I wanted to pee." She pressed a hand to her stomach.

"Our baby is pressing on my bladder."

"Should I apologize?"

"Not at all." Wrapping his arms around his neck, she leaned up to kiss him. "You should go."

"Trying to get rid of me, sweetheart?"

"Never, but I must get ready for services. See you later?"

"Count on it."

*****

"I feel like a bride," Kendra said laughingly as she brushed her hands over the beautiful wool dress. The lace was so delicate and beautiful that one had to look closely to realize it was interwoven into the fabric.

She wore a stunning cashmere shawl over her dress to ward off the cold, and her shoes were patent black heels. Julia would have preferred her to wear white but did not want her to become too suspicious.

"We are late." She fretted.

"We are right on time, my dear." Julia patted her hand as they made their way towards the heavy oak doors, which were swept open for them by two smiling ushers. She had already sent the word that they were en route and when it was time for the organist and the choir to begin.

"Here, let me- "Deftly turning toward her and preventing her from seeing Harvey standing there, Julia pretended to adjust her shawl before stepping back.

"It's so – "Her voice petered as two things happened simultaneously. The choir started singing the wedding march, and she saw Harvey standing at the podium, his hands clasped in front of him, and he was wearing a tux; he heated wearing a tux, she thought dazedly as it occurred to her what was happening.

"Julia?" She whispered, turning towards her mother-in-law.

"Your husband wanted to give you a real wedding." Someone rushed forward and handed her a bouquet, but Julia did not notice; she only saw the man waiting for her, a tender smile on his handsome face. "He knew that your dream wedding was to be wearing white and marrying for love. So, he decided to grant your wish."

Without a word, she walked towards him and felt like she was floating, her eyes shimmering with tears. Taking her hands in his, he gave the bouquet to his mother. "Hi, baby."

"I could kill you." She told him shakily, her hands gripping his.

"I love you too." Holding her hand, he turned them towards a beaming Silas, who asked the congregation to stand. "It is my utmost pleasure and honor to join two people I love in holy matrimony." He looked at his brother. "Ready?"

Harvey's mind drifted back to months ago when they had stood here exchanging vows and thinking it was a farce. Now, he willingly joined himself to a woman he would love with his last breath.

"Absolutely." He said with quiet force.

*****

"I love you. I love you. I love you." Kendra whispered, feeling as if it was not enough. They had rounded off the ceremony by having dinner at one of Kelly Takahashi's restaurants, where her husband had made reservations for the family.

And now they were in the cabin, in front of the fire, where he had spent over an hour worshipping her body.

"And I adore you." He held her trembling body in his arms and felt an inexplicable contentment stealing over him. "Did I surprise you, sweetheart?"

"I never suspected anything." Lifting her head, she stared at him and wondered how on earth this was happening to her. She had been reasonably happy, or so she thought. But words could never express what she was feeling now. He had changed for her; she could never pay him for that.

"I will make you happy." She swore. "I will do everything in my power- "

"Shh, baby." He pressed two fingers to her lips, a smile trembling. "You already do, don't you realize that? What I do for you is so miniscule that it's practically nonexistent. Nothing compares to what you have done for me, and if I could give you the world, I would – anything you want, it's yours because of what you have done for me."

"I just want you." Taking his hand, she pressed her lips against his palm. "Only you."

"You have me." He told her solemnly as he crushed her against him. "All of me. I belong to you."

*****

Their son, Alain Gregory, was born on the fourth of July, one of the hottest days of the summer. The pregnancy was relatively easy, with just a few months of discomfort. But the labor and delivery were long and arduous, almost sending the anxious dad into a spiral of despair and utter fear.

"I promise never to let you go through anything like this again." He told her when they had gone into the twelfth hour of labor, which left her completely exhausted.

Now they were home, and their son was blissfully sleeping in his antique cot that had belonged to his uncle, Silas. His adoring fans, including Gregory, Julia, and Silas, had reluctantly retired for the night, leaving Harvey alone with his wife.

"Thank you." He told her hoarsely, realizing that expression was woefully inadequate.

"You are more than welcome," She melted into his arms and closed her eyes. "That statement about not putting me through- "

"Our son is going to be an only child." He told her roughly, wrapping his arms around her.

"We could give it a year or two- "

"Not up for discussion, darling."

"We'll see." She murmured.

"Do you love me?"

Lifting her head, she gave him a wry look. "Don't you dare use that on me?"

"Answer the question."

"You know I do."

"Then you will not want to put me through that nightmare again." His silver eyes challenged her, and she decided to let it go.

"Good. Now kiss me, and let me tell you how much I love you." And he did, by making promises to her that he intends to keep until he draws his last breath.

The end…