"One of the benefits of being the boss means I can work anywhere." He made a notation on his iPad, before focusing on her. "We should get married. I'm having the personal things you need brought to my place. I was thinking December."
He took a look at the calendar on the device. "More to the end of the month, which will give you ample time to recover and to plan. We won't have anything big, just a few friends and family of course."
She gaped at him, eyes wide. "I'm sorry, what?"
He had spoken casually without any pomp or ceremony as if he was saying they should order pizza.
"I'm sure I did not stutter."
"You want to get married."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Isn't it obvious."
"Not to me."
"You're carrying my child and there is the matter of your son."
Her eyes glittered and she had to fight to keep the disappointment from her voice. "I don't need you feeling sorry for me and his name is David."
A muscle ticked at the corner of his jaw, the only indication that he was not so calm after all.
"Sorry for you?" He surged to his feet and sent the folders on his lap tumbling to the floor. She reared back against the pillows when he bore down on her, eyes molten. "Sorry for you?"
His hands were clenched into fists. "I've spent the past two days watching you lie in that bed, looking like a goddamned stick! Youwere pregnant and did not see the need to share that vital piece of information with me."
He eased out a breath and made a visible effort to tamp down the anger. "So, forgive me if I'm not in a charitable place right now. You did things your way, now it's my turn. We're getting married as soon as you're strong enough and both you and David are moving in with me."
"I've made arrangements to have a suite tailored to his taste. He told me he's a dinosaur and a football fan. I've asked the decorator to bear that in mind."
He turned to retrieve the documents and his iPad.
Turning to look at her, he resisted the urge to go and haul her against him. He was aching for her but seeing her like this was making him so angry, he could not stand it. "I'll send the doctors in. I'll be in the waiting room as I have some calls to make."
He almost mowed down her grandmother who was making her way into the room, with a stuffed bear.
"Ms. Eloise." Giving her a curt nod, he continued out.
She gave her granddaughter a curious look, before going to the table which was already filled with flowers and stuffed toys to put hers down.
"It seems as if I was interrupting." Taking the chair he had abandoned, Eloise stared at her granddaughter and felt a pang. She was looking much better than death warmed over, but the girl was still very thin and looked tired.
"We had an argument." Melanie plucked at the sheets restlessly, avoiding her eyes. "He said we should get married."
Her grandmother's eyes brightened. "That's wonderful news." Her eyes narrowed as she noticed the lack of enthusiasm on her face. "Or isn't it? I thought you were in love with him and it makes sense to have a wedding before the baby comes."
She shook her head. "He's angry with me. Oh, damn these tears!" She lifted a hand to wipe them away. "I'm not sure what is hormones or just plain anger and fear. I'm afraid he still has not forgiven me for what I did, and I don't want him to feel as if he has to marry me, because I'm pregnant."
"And David." She shook her head. "I certainly do not want him to feel obligated to bring up another man's child." She sank wearily back against the pillows and closed her eyes.
"Oh grams! Why does everything have to be so messed up? It would have been great if he said he loved me, but he hasn't. When I first woke up, he held my hand, held it long enough for me to feel the numbness. Since then, he hasn't touched me."
"He's here all the time." Her grandmother pointed out gently. "And he strikes me as the kind of man who wouldn't be if he didn't want to. You have to give him time honey. You did break his heart and his trust."
"And he told you originally that he loved you, I'm sure that hasn't changed. And this is a good thing."
