“Great. You guys okay?”
They looked at each other. A blush spread across Marci’s cheeks.
“Yeah. Things are good. Incredible, actually.” Anton smiled and stood behind her. He wrapped his hands around her, settling them on her stomach. “Can I tell him, kitten? I’m dying to tell someone.”
Marci giggled. “Go on.”
“Marci’s pregnant,” said Anton, his face lighting up. “We’re going to have a baby.”
“For real?”
Marci nodded, bouncing in her place with excitement.
“Yes!” Connor hugged them both. “Congratulations.”
“You’re the first to know,” said Anton. “We just found out and wanted to tell Jani and Fleur, but we saw you. My cousin will probably kill me for not telling him first.”
Connor laughed. “Knowing Jani, he just might do that. Don’t worry. I’ll keep it under my hat for now. Do you mind if I tell Elaine, though? She won’t say anything.”
“Of course not.” Marci nodded. “Tell her.”
“Does this mean you’ll head back to Hungary soon?”
As prince of his court, Anton was needed at home, and he’d already taken a lot of time away to help the Ursa friends deal with their various struggles.
“Yes,” said Marci. “It’s time. Things are settled here now, and it’s important for us to have the baby in Budapest.” She elbowed Connor. “But we were hoping everyone might join us for a little visit in a few months to meet the new addition to the Gaspar court.”
“As if we’d stay away,” said Connor. “Listen, I’ve got to meet Elaine, but I’m so happy for you guys. You’d better go find Jani. If he cries, please record it.”
“Guaranteed,” said Anton. “Once we’ve told him and Fleur, I’m telling the world.” He drew Marci in for an embrace. “I’ve never been so happy. Thank you, my princess.”
Connor left them to it, a new spring in his step. Another baby for the Ursa family. Kody and Lloyd would have a little playmate. Maybe Anton and Marci’s baby would be a girl. That would be great to see, although he pitied the little one’s future boyfriends. Anton would be a very protective father.
Chuckling, Connor almost bumped right into Jani and Fleur. As they crossed his path, Fleur adjusted the camera strap around her neck. As resort photographer, she was always out in the woods, honing her craft. He should have known he’d run into her and Jani out here. “Hey, Jani. Anton’s looking for you.”
“Anton’s always looking for me,” Jani deadpanned. “He can’t live without me.”
Fleur shook her head. “Please. You two are like conjoined twins who got separated. You can’t live without him either.”
“It’s a good thing I’m fond of this mouth.” Jani plumped Fleur’s lips and gave her a kiss. He turned to Connor. “What does my cousin want with me today?”
“It’s pretty important. You might want to join him and Marci at the lodge. I’ll let them tell you.”
“Is everything okay?”
Connor tried to keep a straight face. “Oh, yeah. Everything is just dandy.”
Jani peered at him. “You’re hiding something.”
“Who me?” He clapped his buddy on the arm. “Go to the lodge. You’ll be glad you did.”
“This all sounds very ominous.”
“Oh, come on,” said Fleur, tugging on his arm. “Now I want to know what’s going on. Bye, Connor.” As she dragged Jani down the path, Jani shrugged in defeat.
Humming, Connor finally made his way to the dock. When he spied his family, his breath caught in his throat. Standing on the planks, her fair hair aglow under the sun, Elaine looked beautiful. He thanked his stars every day that he got to look at that face and experience the passion inside the woman.
She was all his. Forever.
