He came to the sofa and sat beside me, taking my hand in his. “She was fine when I spoke to her two days ago. Complaining about roses in the garden, asking when we would be in Greece.” His voice roughened. “I told her soon. After the babies came.”
“Domna understood why you’re here.”
“She did, yes.” He looked down at our joined hands, at the wedding bands we’d worn for only a few hours. “She was happy for me. For us.”
Tears pricked my eyes. “She was.”
“This, it was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, yes. Our day.”
“It still is.” I shifted carefully, my belly making it awkward, until I could lean against his shoulder. “We’re married, Aris. Nothing changes that.”
He wrapped his arm around me. “I am terrified of losing her. Of something happening to you on this flight.”
“I know.” I pressed my lips to his jaw. “But Dr. Bedi is here. The babies and I are fine.”
He held me tighter. When he spoke again, his voice was steadier. “Promise me you’ll tell her immediately if you feel anything. Anything at all.”
“I promise.”
“You will rest, yes. No reading thrillers that will get your pulse racing.”
I smiled. “Yes, Aris.”
He pulled back just enough to look at me, his dark eyes searching mine. “Thank you for coming with me. I know it is risk—”
“You’re my husband,” I said simply. “Where else would we be?”
I felt one of the twins move and slid my hand down my belly to soothe them. It was wild to think I was both newly married and fully pregnant. Wild, but good.
My body was tired, but my heart was full. The babies moved again, reminding me how close we were to everything changing.
“Come,” he said gently, standing and offering me his hand. “You should lie down.”
I let him help me to my feet and guide me the few steps to the bed, where I sank down gratefully. I looked up at him and caught him staring down at me. What I felt for him was too big to put into words.
I leaned up and kissed him, softly at first, then deeper while I reached for the buttons of his shirt.
“Dede.” His hand caught mine. “You should rest.”
“I don’t want to rest.” I kissed him again, working the second button free. “I want you.”
“The doctor said…”
“I’m fine.” I got the third button undone. “And this is our wedding day, remember?”
His resolve was weakening. I could see it in his eyes, feel it in the way his hand loosened on mine. But worry still creased his forehead. “You are supposed to be lying down.”
“I will be.” I freed another button, spreading his shirt open to press my lips to his chest. “With your dick inside me.”
He groaned. “Dede, if anything happens to you because I couldn’t control myself—”
“Nothing is going to happen.” I looked into his eyes. “I need to feel my husband touching me, loving me.”
He closed his eyes briefly, clearly torn between desire and concern. “You will be death of me.”
“Not today.” I looked up at him through my lashes. “Today we’re celebrating. You and me. Our marriage.”
“Dede…”
