Lottie licked her lips, and he found himself momentarily distracted by the hint of that talented pink tongue, wanting to kiss her. “I’m afraid we may not be able to wait for longer than early summer.”
He frowned at her. “Early summer is months away.”
She nodded. “Approximately six months.”
Brandon still didn’t understand. “So, you would like to add another child to our family, but in six months?”
“Yes.”
“Well, then I reckon we shall have ample time to ponder the notion and to see what the children think before we make our decision.”
“I’m afraid not,” she said, biting her lip.
“There’s something you’re trying to tell me, isn’t there, Venus?” he asked, using his sobriquet for her as he did often when they were alone.
So often that she didn’t even bother to correct him any longer with nonsense protestations that she wasn’t a goddess. Just as well. They both knew she was, and Brandon wouldn’t accept arguments to the contrary.
“What I’m trying to tell you is that I am having a baby in early summer,” Lottie said.
He blinked, thinking he must have misheard. But no, his beautiful wife was still staring at him in expectation, the gentle rays of morning sun bringing to life the golden hues hidden in her glorious hair.
“You’re having a baby,” he said, his voice sounding rusty.
Feeling rusty, too.
“Yes.”
“But you… I thought that we couldn’t…”
He spluttered, trying to make sense of everything she had said. It had never mattered to him that they might be incapable of physically having children. They had built a family of their own together, one filled with love. He hadn’t considered that her becoming with child was even a possibility.
The notion now seemed astonishing for how very foreign—and terrifying—it was.
“I thought so as well,” she said gently. “But I have missed my courses, and the doctor assures me that I’m going to have a baby come summer.”
“We’re going to have another baby,” he said in wonder.
“Four children in less than three years,” she agreed. “Do you think that’s too many?”
“I think that our family is perfect.” He reached for her hand again, bringing it to his lips for a reverent kiss. “You’reperfect. I’m petrified at the very thought of you enduring what you must for this. But you’re perfect, my love, just as you’ve always been.”
“You will be brave for me,” she said, her eyes glittering with unshed tears.
“You’ve been brave enough for the both of us,” he countered, cupping her face and catching a tear as it fell with his thumb. “What’s this, my love? Tears of sadness?”
“No.” She pressed a kiss to his palm. “Tears of happiness. I never thought I would find such contentment, such joy, as I have with you and our children. And yes, even our cat and dog.”
“I remain firm on no more furred creatures,” he said, feeling the prickle of answering tears in his own eyes. “Cat and Dog are quite enough for the moment. I shudder to think of what will be next. A fox named Hen? A canary named Duck?”
“I suppose it could be anything,” Lottie said, smiling. “Only think of what shall happen when Albert is old enough to make friends in the garden. Or this little one.”
She patted her midriff.
Brandon couldn’t remain where he was a moment more. He stood and, in one graceful move, scooped Lottie into his arms. “For the moment, there’s only one thing I want to think about, and it hasn’t a thing to do with creatures or gardens or our children.”
“Oh?” Her smile turned knowing.
He kissed her swiftly, softly, tenderly before lifting his head again. “It’s making love to my wife.”
