“So, you don’t want a divorce.”
Amy’s words were so small I barely heard them. I reached for her hand again, this time bringing it to my lips. I kissed the back of it.
Her skin felt clammy. “I‘ve told you before, Amy,” I said as patiently as I could. “You are my wife, and you will remain my wife.”
She opened her mouth to say something and closed it again with a small shake of her head.
She was going to bring up Violet. And truthfully, that was going to be a whole new situation. Violet would not be happy with the news, but I knew she would be happy for me. She was having her own baby after all, and she knew I always wanted to be a father.
With the right woman. My eyes found Amy’s pale face, and I smiled.
I wasn’t sure if Amy was the right woman or not, but I knew she would be an amazing mother. She was so caring. Even as I watched, I saw her rub her hand over her stomach. Caressing it without even realizing.
Yes, she would definitely be an amazing mother.
“We are going to have a baby,” I whispered.
“Yes,” she murmured back. “I guess we are.”
“Can I take you home to rest now?”
Her lips curved up in a smile that looked more tired than happy. “I’d like to sleep in our bed, but I can’t stay away from my sister for too long.”
“We will discuss that when I’ve spoken to the doctor some more and made arrangements. Let me look after you and our unborn baby, Amy.” I begged, and her eyes softened even more. “For once in your life, let someone look after you for a change.”
She nodded softly and closed her eyes.
“I’ll be back in one minute, so wait,” I paused. “Did you say Nikolai was the one who first suggested you were having a baby?”
She nodded silently.
I couldn’t help it. “I bet the old man is over the moon.”
Nikolai would take the fact she was pregnant as even more proof that we were meant to be together, and I wouldn’t say it out loud, but I was beginning to suspect the old man was right.
Damn him, he was always right.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Amy
“How are you feeling this morning?” Alexei’s voice broke through my half-dream-like state before I had fully come awake. And I smiled with my eyes still shut. But just for a second, before all of the memories of the last few days came rushing back.
For just a second, I had thought I was back in bed with my husband and about to have one of our passionate breakfasts in bed, but no. Sure I was in bed, and he was here as well. But it wasn’t the same anymore.
It wasn’t like he shared the bed with me. The doctors had put me on bed rest, and Alexei was taking it literally. That meant he slept in a different room and only came in to wait on me hand and foot.
Which was sweet but—
Violet was still in the house. In the four days since I had found out I was pregnant, I heard her high-pitched voice and giggles as they talked together.
“Beautiful?” his voice was even closer, and the bed dipped as he stretched out next to me on the bed. I kept my eyes closed.
“Amy?” Rough fingers stroked down my cheek. “I know you are awake. Your breathing has changed. How are you feeling?”
Slowly, I opened my eyes to find him only inches away, his eyes glued to my face. “I’m fine, Alexei. What are you doing here?”
For a second, he looked confused. “I always bring you breakfast.”
