"Mint."
Putting away the cloth, he rose and dragged on his trousers before leaving the room.
Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. She hated fighting with him and hoped fervently that they had made some kind of a breakthrough. Putting her hand on her belly, she could almost imagine that she could feel the life growing inside her. She wanted this baby badly enoughto endure the sickness and the discomfort. She had a piece of the man she loved more than life itself growing inside her. And she strongly believed that they would be able to put aside their differences to make it work.
She opened her eyes when she heard him coming back into the room. A smile touched her lips when she saw that he had included a plate of saltines as well.
"I'm told this helps." He put the tray over her lap and sat down at her hip. "When was the last doctor's appointment?"
"Two weeks ago." Picking up the cup, she took a fortifying sip of the tea.
"Who's the doctor?"
"Dr. Miranda Bailey. She's very good and I much prefer an older woman. She has a private practice on Hanes Street."
"Her credentials?"
She just managed not to roll her eyes at the question. "Impeccable."
"I'll make that judgment for myself. I'm accompanying you on the next visit."
"I would appreciate that."
"We should get married." It was said in a matter-of-fact tone as if he was suggesting they take in a movie or have coffee.
"Is that what you want?"
He shrugged. "You're carrying my seed inside you, so naturally I want us to be a family."
"Your romantic side is showing."
He gave her a level stare that had her looking away. "I'm not in the mood to be romantic right now. I'm still trying to process things you told me, still reeling from what you didn't say to me that could have changed the way my life turned out. So, forgive me if I prefer practicality. I suggest you come up with a date. Sometime in January will do. The ending to the beginning of February. I'm sure Mother and Jacklyn would love to lend a hand with the planning."
"Just like that?" she asked, bristling. "It doesn't matter what I want?"
His mouth twisted. "Isn't this what you always wanted? To be with me?"
"Not if it's an obligation. I damn well love you, but I have been living with that for years and I'm still alive."
His eyes blazed. "I don't want to argue with you."
"Then go away and leave me to wallow in my misery and drink my tea."
"Not going to happen and a proposal of marriage is supposed to be cause for celebration."
"Strangely enough, I don't feel like celebrating. Just leave, please."
"No. Damn you!" His eyes flashed. "I love you! Is that what you wanted to hear? You consume me." He rose jerkily. "It's worse than what I felt for Lizzie. What I felt for her is tame in comparison to what you bring out in me."
He started pacing. "You consume me. Every waking moment, I think of you. Every time I close my eyes, I see you. You!" He whirled to face her and had her rearing back. "And I'm so damned scared of losing you, I cannot stand it. Losing you would destroy me completely. Don't you get that? I'm bloody scared, so don't tell me about romance or misery. I'm in hell!"
The silence that followed that impassioned speech was profound. Picking up the tray, Althea started to set it aside when he moved forward with the intention of stopping her.
"You're not finished."
"I am," she told him quietly, putting it on the side table. "I have to consume a little at a time." Reaching for his hand, she tugged him towards her.
"I'm going to be fine," she assured him.
