"What do you say we grab two cones?"
Lifting her head, she circled her gaze to where the cheerful sound of an ice cream truck doing brisk business in the summer heat stood.
"Double mint chocolate. And a dash of chocolate syrup."
His chuckle had her smiling reluctantly.
"All right."
Lifting their joined hands, he kissed her fingers. He delighted her by buying cones for the children gathered around the truck and charming them with smiles and comforting words.
He was very good with children, something she had discovered from the early stage of their relationship. She had no doubt he would make an excellent dad. He came from a very loving family, so naturally, he was very loving.
He held hands, something she was not used to. Oh, her dad had hugged her frequently, kissed her, read her bedtime stories, but she had longed for the same from the woman who had given birth to her.
"Another one?"
He asked softly as they strolled along the winding path that led to several benches.
"I'm bursting."
He refused to release her hand, forcing her to lick the ice cream one handed.
"You're the one who will complain about me getting fat and out of shape."
"You will get fat and out of shape."
His grin turned to a grimace when she plowed their joined hands into his flat stomach.
"In a very good way. You're going to be the most beautiful pregnant woman this world has ever seen."
"Really?"
Her tapered brows lifted as he led her to a group of benches and nudged her down.
"I hope you'll be saying that when I look like I swallowed an elephant and his young one."
She tipped her head to his shoulder when he sat and wrapped an arm around her.
"Thanks."
She added softly.
"For the ice cream? You're welcome."
He grinned when she poked him in the ribs.
"You've a terrible habit of damaging the man you're in love with."
"She pissed me off."
Her eyes glided over where the ducks were gliding gracefully, skirting the lily pads and felt the calm saturating her heart. The drive in the car had been one of pure unadulterated misery with a combination of rage.
"Nothing I ever did was good enough. I'm tired of trying."
He had finished his ice cream and carefully wiped his fingers off on the napkin that had been provided. Shifting on the padded bench, he tipped her face up.
"I'm sorry for it. When you first told me about the situation between you and your mother, I couldn't believe it. I grew up in a very loving home as you'd see."
