“I’ll bet she also told you that a problem shared is a problem halved.” Her sarcastic little smirk has me smiling, but it doesn’t distract me.
“Tell me what's troubling you.” I slide my fingers between hers and grip her hand.
“I spoke to Polly a few days ago, and she told me that Jonah has a date for his hearing; it’s in three months’ time. Three months and he could be out, Jack,” she sighs helplessly.
“Okay, I get why you're worried, but the girls are going to be fine; security at the apartment is tight, and if it will make you feel better, I’ll increase it. I can have someone with them at all times.”
“You’d do that?” She wrinkles her forehead, like the suggestion surprises her; has she not learnt anything these past two weeks?
“I’ll do more than that, I'll have the security here updated, and I’ll look into the judge who’s making these decisions. Alex knows all the ones that are bent.
“Jack, I appreciate all that, but Jonah is…He’s crazy, and he’s angry. He’s not going to let me get away with what I did.” I glance around the hall to check we’re alone before turning my body into hers and taking her other hand.
“Then I’ll take care of him,” I tell her quietly.
“What do you mean, you’ll take care of him?” Her face screws up with more confusion.
“I mean…If by some miracle he gets released, I’ll kill him.” I know I'm taking a risk making her this kind of offer, but I can’t have her worrying, not at what could be such a crucial time.
“Jack, you couldn’t. I would never ask–”
“Before I was a duke, there were things I did. Things I’m neither ashamed of or regret because the people I did them to deserved it. The way I see it, Jonah is one of those people. He’s athreat to you; I won’t have that.” I can see the shock in her eyes as she pulls her hands away from mine.
“You're serious, aren’t you?” She narrows her eyes.
“I’ve scared you.” I retake her hand, wishing I’d have kept my mouth shut.
“No…you haven’t scared me. I just…I underestimated you,” she admits.
“Which is why you should believe me when I say, you are already pregnant.” I can’t resist touching her stomach again; I feel constantly drawn to it these days, perhaps that's what's got me so convinced.
“I told you?—”
“Around thirty percent of couples conceive the first time.” I give her some actual statistics as I stroke her there, proudly.
“It’s nice to know you’ve been doing some research.” She gives me that same excited little look she gets when I’ve come inside her; she’s going to love how it feels to carry my child. I’m going to make sure of it.
“I wish you wouldn’t be so excited. What if I’m not?” She bites her lip.
“Then, we’ll try again next month. I have you for a whole year, remember?” My own words hurt when they remind me that she’s not here by choice; yes, she's here of her own free will, but only because I made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. “If it’s going to make you feel better, we’ll take the test after the wedding,” I decide to compromise, “But you have to promise to stop worrying about this whole Jonah thing. I want positive vibes only for my little heir.”
I reach down to kiss her tummy, and she lets me, letting out the sweetest little laugh before her body goes rigid and she quickly stands up.
“Cecelia.” She smiles awkwardly, looking past my shoulder and turning red.
“Frolicking on the stairs, how classy.” Cecelia looks at us both like we’re out of place here.
“The perfect place to frolick.” I smile as I drape my arm around Gracie’s shoulders. “What brings you to this part of the house?”
“I also have a meeting with Pandora; she called me to reschedule since she’s coming here anyway. I may not agree with your nuptials, but that doesn’t mean I won’t dress appropriately.” She trots off into the lounge, and when I look at Gracie, we both burst into laughter. The way she clutches the banister as she giggles has me falling a little harder.
“That’s more like it.” I tuck the strand of hair that’s fallen over her eyes behind her ear, and when her laughter stops and fades into a beautiful smile, it physically fucking hurts because I know it’s only borrowed.
“I should probably go get ready.” She turns serious on me, like she can sense what I’m thinking.
“Better had.” I go to kiss her, but back out and stroke her arm instead, moving on past her to head upstairs for a cold shower.
GRACE
