Chapter 16

He monitored her closely, and in doing so, drove her crazy. They were not telling anyone yet, not even his mother and her sister. The housekeeper was apprised, of course, but Ms. Hall’s loyalty was never in question. Richard had her stocking up on healthy food.

Their first big fight came when she woke up feeling ill one morning, her stomach heaving. February had given way to March, with the weather getting ever drearier. Winter was dragging its feet and dumping snow every other day.

“Call in sick," he said firmly, his tone brooking no argument. He held her against him as she puked her guts out and felt guilt swamping him.

No matter what she said, he was aware that she was in her forties, and it meant that the risk was greater for her than for someone younger. The past few weeks had been a breeze with her suffering little from the baby she was carrying.

But the doctor had warned that it might not be that way for long.

“I will be fine in a few minutes.” She leaned back against him and pressed her hands to her empty stomach. “The doctor said it’s nothing to worry about.”

“You are staying home for the rest of the week.”

“Women get pregnant every day–”

“They are not you.” Swinging her into his arms, he carried her back to bed. “I have to be in the studio for most of the day, or I will stay with you. Ms. Hall will see to your needs.” “Richard, I am not staying home.”

She raised herself up on her elbows, her expression mutinous. She was almost three months pregnant, but still not showing, except for her breasts. And he had stopped making love to her, much to her frustration. “I have things to do–”

“Do them here. Use my office; I have told you that I would have someone come out and outfit one of the rooms for you to work from.” There was an uncompromising look on his face she was beginning to recognize.

“I have several meetings–”

“Cancel them.” His autocratic tone had her hackles rising.

“I don’t want to.” She started to get up when he rushed back and stopped her.

“What do you think you are doing?”

“Getting up to go and make myself some tea and get ready for work. I feel much better now–”

“You are not going anywhere.”

“How are you going to stop me?” She pushed against him, but it was like pushing at a mountain. “Richard, please be reasonable–”

“I told you that I was satisfied with just us, didn’t I?” his jaw was tight, his eyes blazing.

“What is that supposed to mean?” she demanded.

“It means you insist on getting pregnant, I would like you to deal with the consequences. You don’t need to work because you are more than provided for. Furthermore, you are a mature woman who is now carrying a baby.

The risks to you are greater than it would if you were in your twenties or thirties. I would like you to think about that and be responsible.”

She felt as if he had slapped her. Ever since it was confirmed that she was pregnant, he had been behaving differently.

He was still her loving husband and would check on her every day, but he was aloof, and when they were in bed, he would hold her in his arms until she fell asleep, but they had not made love for a week now, and that was not like him.

Richard McBride was a virile male who made love to her no less than twice a night, sometimes three times. It made her wonder if he was getting it elsewhere.

Seeing the wounded expression on her lovely face, he relented. “I am just looking out for you.”

“Is that what you are doing? Please let me go.”

“Collette–”

“Ever since that night when you behaved as if having a baby was the best news you ever received, you are not yourself. Were you just pretending to be happy? Trying to placate me? Do you even want this baby?”

It was his turn to look incensed. “What the hell kind of question is that? Of course, I want the baby. I am concerned about you because–”

“I am a woman in my forties. Are you regretting you are not married to someone younger? Is that what this is all about?”

She felt when he withdrew, not only physically but emotionally as well. Sliding off the bed, he went to finish dressing. “I suspect that’s hormones talking, so I will not grace that with a response.”

His deep voice was cool and sent shivers of fear inside her. She was not used to him speaking to her like that and was wondering if he was regretting being married to her.

“I am going to work.”

The look he turned on her could have turned her into stone and had her shrinking back against the pillows.

“If I find that you have disobeyed me on this, I am not against marching into that agency and carrying you out of there, kicking and screaming. And if you continue to put work before your condition, well– I have a mind to purchase an ad agency, and I might just start with yours.” His eyes drilled into hers. “Am I clear?”

“Go to hell,” she whispered hoarsely. Turning her back to him, she pulled the sheets over her head and blinked back tears.

Standing in front of the huge closet, Richard sighed harshly and wondered what the hell was wrong with him. Why had he spoken to her like that? He had never done so before, but he had been reading up on pregnancy in a woman her age, and the risks were frightening.

She was so damned excited about this baby that she was not thinking of all that could go wrong. She could die, the baby could die, or worse, be born with certain conditions, such as down’s syndrome.

He had told her that he was okay with it just being the two of them, and he had spoken the truth. He missed their closeness, and not making love to her was driving him crazy. He could not be in the same bed with her and not want her. Hell, he could not be in the same house with her and not want to drive himself deep into her.

But he had discovered when his passion was unleashed, it couldn’t be contained, and he was terrified of hurting her. Sleeping next to her was a torture of the worst kind and was making him grouchy and hard to deal with.

He owed her an apology, at the very least. Plucking out his phone, he called Rodney.

“Cancel my session for this morning.”

“Right away, sir.”

Hanging up the phone, he took off his clothes and put them away before approaching the bed.

She felt when he slid in next to her but remained stiff and unyielding. What he had said to her had hurt to the core.

Pulling the sheets off her, he determinedly turned her to face him. “I suppose saying I am sorry is not going to do it?” he asked quietly.

“No.”

His hands cupped her cheek. “There will never be another woman, and I would like to think you know that. I love you completely, but I am afraid, and because of my fear, I am behaving like an ass.”

His thumbs wiped at the moisture that her tears had made on her cheeks, and he felt his heart constricting because of the hurt he had caused her. “I made a promise never to hurt you, and here I am, doing just that. Please forgive me.”

Her dark brown gaze held his own steadily. “Do you want our baby?”

His body jerked at that. “Of course I do. It’s just that so much could go wrong and I am scared of losing you. I can face anything except that.”

“You won’t lose me.”

“You cannot guarantee that Collette, and I am unreasonable when it comes to that kind of thinking.” His fingers tightened on her face.

“You are not going to lose me.” She repeated firmly. “And I am not going to close my mouth about your behavior any longer. I got sick; it happens. I am pregnant. Deal with it. I want to be treated like your wife, Richard. I want you to make love to me, not treat me like some fragile piece of glass that’s going to be broken at the slightest touch.

I want to feel you driving deep inside me, touching my womb the way you used to. I want your mouth on my breasts, giving me the most wonderful pleasure I have ever known.” She inched closer to him, one knee bending until she was touching his hard thighs. “And I want it now.”

He felt faint with need. It had been over a week since he made love to her, and he was dying. He went to bed hard and woke up with an ache that was designed to drive him crazy.

“Darling–”

“No.” Her hand found the steely length of him, and he almost fainted. When she rubbed the pad of her thumb over his glans, he inhaled harshly, his body splintering. With a tortured groan, he covered her body with his and, in one smooth motion, was deep inside her.

*****

He behaved differently after that morning. He still hovered but tried not to be overbearing. She exercised caution and promised that she would not overdo it. The weather improved as spring finally made its presence felt.

He was required to entertain but insisted on hiring caterers so that she did not have to overexert herself. They were also in demand as a couple, but he would have his assistant sift through the invitations and accept just enough and no more.

They were frequently photographed and then it became necessary for them to tell members of their families the good news.

She wasn’t exactly showing yet but was getting there. She was almost five months pregnant, and it showed in her breasts and the slight mound of her stomach. In her second trimester, she experienced another set of symptoms. Her craving was getting crazy, and her appetite had improved.

Both her mother-in-law and sister were excited over the news, even though Collette detected a certain wistfulness on Janice’s face.

“I am happy for you, really I am, just sorry that I will never be able to have a child of my own.” She had summoned up a smile. “But I am going to be the best aunt in the world, you’ll see.”

It was difficult for Ruth not to tell her friends and take out an announcement in the papers, but she was admonished to keep it to herself.

“Darlings, nothing is going to go wrong,” she protested. “And I want to shout it to the world.”

“No," her son said firmly. “We want to wait. As soon as it’s made known that Collette is pregnant, the press will start to hound her again. I cannot have that.”

Babs was over the moon. “Honey, the Lord has been so good to you. A rich and loving husband and now a baby on the way? What more could you ask for?”

“A house.” She said weakly. “Richard's loft is the height of luxury, but I want somewhere with lots of yard space for our child to be able to run around.”

“Then tell him,” she advised.

But she didn’t have to. Unknown to her, Richard was in negotiations to purchase a house. A former movie producer was leaving the country for a warmer climate and had told Richard about it. “I am selling the place, putting it on the market.”

“I might be interested.”

It was in an exclusive neighborhood, and the property itself was spectacular. The house would need some fixing up, but he was determined to have it ready before the baby was born.

He took Collette to show her the place one afternoon.

“What do you think?”

“I love it!’ She turned to face him. “How did you know what I wanted?”

Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her gently. “I always know what you want.”

*****

Collette rubbed her swollen abdomen absently as she examined the sprawling ranch-type interior of her new home. Her husband had used his tremendous influence to get things moving, and everything was now up and ready.

Her husband’s fears were allayed because he had insisted on a series of tests being carried out to determine if their baby was going to be healthy. All his misgivings were laid to rest when he discovered that they were having a son.

His excitement could not be contained. She had reluctantly agreed to stop going into the office when she reached her eighth month. He had been true to his word and had someone turn one of the rooms into an office for her.

“What is it?”

“Indigestion, I think. I have been having them on and off since yesterday.”

Ruth came forward, her eyes anxious.

“Don’t start," her daughter-in-law warned. “I have enough of it from your son.”

“Darling, you are two weeks away from your due date.”

“Precisely. And I know my body. Ryan is not ready to meet the world yet.” She patted her distended stomach. “Isn’t that right, sweetie?”

“We should call Richard.”

“No! He is working with this new group and does not need the interruption. I am fine. I bet it’s that salami sandwich I ate just before coming here.” She turned toward the large, airy kitchen with the pretty floral yellow and white wallpaper.

“Ms. Hall is ecstatic about her new territory.” She added, trying to distract Ruth from the worry etched on her face. Moving was completed, and the house was ready to be occupied. The press had gotten wind of the fact that she was pregnant and they were going crazy.

Three weeks ago, Collette had stopped going out in public because of the pressure as well as the fact that her ankles were swollen most of the time. Richard was determined to keep her safe and took his job seriously. Her husband refused to go away without her. He was sticking close to home.

He came with her to every appointment and was very attentive. He had gotten rid of the fear that he was going to hurt her, and they made love almost every night. Her nipples, swollen in preparation for lactation, were super sensitive, and only his mouth on them could ease the ache.

“The place is wonderful.” Ruth walked over to the window and stared out at the terrain, a pleased expression on her face. She had hired the best landscaper, and the carpet-like texture of the grass, the brilliance of the different flowers, was a testament to a job well done.

“My dear, I–”A gasp ended the sentence when she saw her daughter-in-law panting.

“Oh, good God! What is it?” she cried.

“Call Richard,” she said agonizingly. “I don’t think it’s indigestion.”

*****

“Shh, darling.” Richard was trying not to show his anxiety as he mopped his wife’s brow. It was approaching six hours since she had been admitted, and still nothing. The doctors kept reassuring them that this was normal.

“It’s her first baby, and because of her maturity, it’s taking longer than usual. But the baby is in a good position; he is just taking his time.”

“She is exhausted," he gritted.

“I am okay, honey.” Collette took his hand and kissed it reassuringly. “Very soon, we will meet our son, and all of this will be worth it.”

He didn’t care about any of that. He just wanted her out of danger. She was not feeling pain because of the epidural, but her body was ragged. He could tell she was weary. The day had bled into the next, and it was early morning, and she was still not fully dilated.

“Baby.” He kissed her moist temple. “I cannot bear to see you like this.” “Want to switch places?” she asked teasingly.

“Happily," he said feelingly.

“You are just saying- Oh!”

“What is it?” His eyes swung to the doctors. “What the hell is going on?”

“I can see the head,” the doctor told her happily. “Get ready to push when we give you the word Collette.”

*****

Three months later…

“Here, let me.” Richard eased his satiated son away from his mother’s breast and smiled at the puckered mouth. The boy looked so much like him with the sable brown hair, eyes between the shades of green and brown, the same determined chin and shape of his face.

Each time he gazed at his son, he wanted to give vent to his pleasure and wonder. His son was healthy, and he was such a good baby; he slept through the night. Their home had become a revolving door, with his mother Collette’s sister, who was now married to Lenny, and Rodney, who had fallen in love with the beautiful baby.

“Tired?” he glanced over at the woman who had changed his life and felt the love bursting out of his heart for her. She had given birth to their son and was now back to her original shape. She had given up her job and was now a full-time wife and mother.

“Our son’s first Christmas.” She yawned delicately as she watched him place their son inside his mobile. The living room was brightly lit, the Christmas tree an enormous project that had taken Collette, Janice and Rodney several days to accomplish.

Outside had been done by professionals and was a showpiece that had been photographed several times.

Richard had gone all out for his son’s first Christmas, even though his wife had protested that he would never remember a thing.

“That’s what cameras are for. We will be documenting every step of his life.”

He stood next to the mobile, staring at his son, smiling indulgently as the baby drew his bottom up in the air, already fast asleep. He turned his head as his wife came to stand next to him, her hand around his waist. Marriage to her was a wonder. He discovered new things about her every single day, and he fell a little more in love with her.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“If I am tired?”

The day had been eventful. They had had Christmas dinner here, with several people on the invite list. Ruth was a frequent visitor and was now staying overnight in one of the guest rooms.

“Not really.” Taking his hand, she led him toward the tree where a blanket was spread.

Lowering himself, he brought her with him, setting her on his lap and cradling her in his arms.

“This tree is ridiculously over-decorated.”

He grinned as she poked him in the chest. “It’s tasteful.”

“Ostentatious.”

“It’s not!” she whispered.

“Darling, there are dancing angels, snowmen, Santa Claus, and the entire North Pole population and enough lights for an entire city.”

“It’s pretty, and our son will appreciate it when he is older. Besides, I never had a happy Christmas until now.”

His mirth faded as he turned her face toward his. He knew of her unhappy childhood and how she had had to settle for second best because her parents had favored her sister. He had learned to accept Janice, but reminders of what the woman had put her through made it difficult for him to really embrace her.

When she told him the story, he had spared no expense to give her the best Christmas she ever had, and he was going to make sure it got bigger and better each time.

“My darling.” Cupping her face between his palms, he worshiped her. “You never have to worry about anything like that ever again.”

“I know.” She smiled at him impishly. “Still think the tree is overdone?”

“I think it’s the most beautiful tree I have ever seen.” He brushed her lips against hers, relishing the tremors that brought on. They had just been cleared to start making love again, and after several months of spending nights in their bed without going all the way, he had been ravenous.

“You are just saying that.” She touched his jaw reverently.

“Woman, you just cannot be satisfied, can you?” he growled.

“I know one way you can ensure that happens.” She was already slipping out of the clingy black dress she had worn for the party.

His mouth started watering as he stared at her full breasts. Seeing his feeding from her nipples did something to his insides.

“Our son–”

“Is fast asleep, and I happen to need my husband right now.”

Without another word, he finished undressing them and settled into what had become his home.

The end…