“I can’t believe it,” I gasped. “Your fangs.”
“Serena left them behind when she went out to feed. Even if she’s never found, she can’t control me.”
Joseph turned to me, his face serious. “Now, why don’t you tell us what your great-grandparents are planning?”
27
“Are you sure? You’repositive, right?”
I’d lost count, but it had to be at least the hundredth time Robert was questioning me.
“Yes, Robert, I’m positive. I’m pregnant.”
Robert sat back on the sofa. He raked a hand through his hair, stunned. “I don’t understand. How? When?”
“It happened while you were human. I’m guessing while we were in Bali. We weren’t exactly being careful, were we?”
“Sure, right, but I didn’t think I could get you pregnant. I’m a vampire.”
“Nowyou are, but you weren’t then.”
He rubbed his chin, a faraway glint in his eyes. Whether it was a look ofI’m so happyorI’m so screwed, I couldn’t tell. It was an expression I hadn’t seen Robert wear before.
Finally, he said, “So . . . I’m going to be a father?”
“Yes, if that’s what you want?” I tried my best to appear cool, but my heart was thudding. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, and my breath hitched.
Robert shot me a look of confusion. He seemed almost hurt.
“I don’t . . .” I shook my head, unsure of how to finish the sentence.
“You don’t what?”
I continued before I lost the nerve. “I just don’t want you to feel pressured. Or trapped. I know we haven’t been together for a long time, and obviously neither of us could have ever foreseen something like this happening. I have money from my great-grandparents now, as I told you earlier. Where are you going?”
“I’ll be right back,” Robert called over his shoulder as he jogged out of the room.
Great. The father of my baby was literally running away from a conversation about parenthood. This could not be a good sign.
When Robert came back, he pulled me to my feet.
“What are you?—”
“Shh,” he whispered.
And then he got down on one knee.
“Olivia Delilah Taylor, the love of my life, the mother of my child . . .” Robert extracted a ring box from his pocket and opened it.
“Oh my God,” I gasped at the brilliant jewel on display.
“I knew on the first night we met that I wanted to spend eternity with you. After all we’ve been through, all the ordeals we’ve endured, together we are unstoppable. Everything else—when or how or evenifyou ever become vampire—is irrelevant.” Robert choked out his final words, his voice husky. “I love you with all my heart and soul, and I will love our child just as much.More. Will you bestow me your heart, my love? Will you marry me?”
I sniffed. “Yes! A million times over, yes!”
I wept as Robert slipped the ring on my finger. He took me by surprise by sweeping me up in his arms. He gazed deep intomy eyes, cocking an eyebrow as he bit his lip. I knew whatthatlook meant. He didn’t need to tell me what was happening next as he carried me downstairs to his sleeping chamber, where plush blankets awaited us to tangle.
Robert didn’t take his sweet time undressing me, which was fine by me. I was wearing an old baggy sweater and jeans Sebastian had let me borrow back at his place. While I appreciated my grandfather’s kindness, his clothes fit me like two flour sacks. How Robert could possibly find me sexy was beyond me.
