I couldn’t even clean the rooms in the morning because I was hunched over a toilet. This bug had rendered me useless until late afternoon, when I felt better. By then, most of the work had been done. It was frustrating, to say the least.
Benedict ran a hand over my back as I shuffled backwards and leaned my head back against the bath.
“I hate being sick,” I complained.
“I don’t blame you; it’s not pleasant,” Benedict replied as he picked me up from the floor and carried me back into thebedroom. After tucking me in, he headed downstairs to do the morning routine.
This bug needed to do one, and as soon as possible.
Benedict
“Is Mariah okay?” Rina asked, concerned, on seeing me enter the bar.
“She’s picked up a bug,” I replied. “She’ll be fine.”
“A bug that only makes her ill in the morning?” Rina asked with a note in her voice. I snapped my head towards her, wondering what she was getting at.
“Pardon?” I asked a little icily. I didn’t like people questioning my care towards my wife.
“Benedict, Mariah is sick in the mornings,” Rina said pointedly and was distracted when a child shouted. “Excuse me.” She hurried away.
Stunned, I stared after her. Sick in the mornings. Morning sickness!
“Cat!” I roared as I headed towards the office.
“Benedict, one does not bellow at a lady like that!”Cat scolded, appearing.
“Is Mariah expecting?” I demanded.
“How rude!”Cat exclaimed and began to fade.
I ground my teeth and took a deep breath. “How are you today, Cat?”
“I am fine. However, The Black Cat has a blocked gutter.”
Momentarily, I was distracted. The upkeep of the inn was something I took very seriously. “Where?”
“The side wall where the sign hangs.”
“I’ll get a ladder later. Now, would you happen to know if Mariah is with child?” I asked patiently. Cat would know; she knew everything within these walls.
“There is life within her,”Cat said obliquely and disappeared.
I sat down heavily in my chair. Mariah was pregnant. This would mean the world to her. I was going to be a father. A wealth of emotions rushed through me. I felt weak as a sudden rush of love washed over me. A smile crossed my lips as I finally felt the emotion my brothers had. The joy and fear of suddenly being responsible for a child. The Norton line would continue through my bloodline, which was incredibly amazing.
Now I just had to get Mariah to do a test without upsetting her, especially after I informed her not to do any more. That had come back to bite me.
I heard laughter and saw our guests outside having a snowball fight and building a snowman. Cat watched them from the shadows, a smile on her face as she took in their joy. I smiled in return. Cat loved having happy guests, and this would strengthen her. Now I had to face my ownand get Mariah to take a pregnancy test.
???
“No.”
I winced. That had been adamant. Mariah crossed her arms in bed and glowered at me.
“Darling—”
“No.”
