Page 43 of Daigo

"Stop this nonsense or you're going to piss me off even more."

"All right. Can you hold me, please?"

His brows lifted. "I thought you were doing paperwork."

"Oh, screw that! I want to feel your arms around me."

Sliding in next to her, he wrapped her around him and breathed in her exotic scent. She burrowed against him, closing her eyes in contentment.

Sighing softly, he felt all the anger draining away. This was his wife, for better or worse, the woman he was in love with, the one he adored, the only woman he was ever going to love. She was a treasure he never expected, one he was not looking for. He had been brought up in a loveless home with a father who taught him that emotions such as love in marriage were frivolous and should not be entertained. How wrong he had been! And how much he had missed out on.

He kissed the top of her head and settled against the pillows, the documents inside his office forgotten.

*****

"I'm sorry to disturb your work. Mrs. Bailey told me to come straight up."

Shelby-Anne forced herself to stop the small flutter of panic as her mother-in-law came into her office bearing a tray. They had been getting along much better, but she was still wary of the woman who had caused her so much misery for more than two years.

"And no doubt my husband called to tell her to make sure she fixed something healthy." Wrinkling her nose, Shelby started to ease up from her chair, only to be waved back down.

"You're right. I'm not sure I can get up anyway."

"How far along are you now?" Yuna set the tray in front of her and went to take a seat.

"Five months." With a grimace, Shelby leaned back to ease her aching back. "I feel like a stuffed elephant and like I've been pregnant forever. Would you like some tea?" she asked politely as she lifted the delicate teapot.

"No, thanks. I'm just coming from a luncheon myself. The spring benefit, as you recall."

"Oh, yes. I'm planning on attending." She looked over at the woman. "As you know, Leesa and the others have gotten me involved in the organization, and the cause is worthy: providing affordable homes for veterans. I've added a section to my store that's dedicated to selling knickknacks and military memorabilia, and the proceeds will all go to the veterans wounded in the line of duty."

She took a brave sip of her herbal tea and tried not to complain. Her pregnancy had been going well so far, and the checkups, weekly ones, had the doctors nodding in approval.

Of course, she had cut down on her outings, going into the store just three times a week and barely leaving the house. Her ankles were not so swollen, and the queasiness came only every now and again. That could change at any time now, according to the doctors.

And bonus! Their sex life was great. She was horny all the time, and as soon as her husband had stopped worrying that he was going to 'jiggle' something loose, he had gotten on board.

"My dear, don't you think you should be slowing down now?"

"Have you been speaking to your son?" Shelby asked wryly. Lifting the dome cover, she stared at the skinless chicken and the seasoned rice. She was also supposed to be eating healthy, so no burgers or pizzas, unless she found a way to sneak them in without Mrs. Bailey noticing. The woman had eagle eyes that saw everything. And her husband was worse.

"As a matter of fact." Yuna settled back in the comfortable chair and eyed the office curiously. She knew her son had transformed an extra room to accommodate his wife, and she had managed to stamp it with her interesting, eclectic taste in décor. There were splashes of color everywhere. The sofa tucked under the wide window had an infusion of red, green, gold, and blue cushions. There was a small fireplace, which had logs glowing brightly, giving the room a cozy feel. Shelves were stocked with books, and there were flowers everywhere.

"I was with him when he went to supervise the addition."

"I saw pictures. Of course, I haven't been back for the last two days because it so happens that I was running a temperature and my ankles were swollen. Your son took that to mean that I must stay at home."

"He loves you." The woman's abrupt tone had Shelby looking up from her chicken.

"Pardon?"

Yuna shrugged. She hadn't meant to say anything; it had just come out.

Folding her hands in her lap, she stared at Shelby. "You're a fortunate young woman. My son, your husband, is absolutely dedicated to you."

"I know. It's-"

"Haruto, my husband, was a very difficult man. He believed that women and children should be seen and not heard. He was a tyrant. I was in love with him, you know. Even though the marriage was arranged, he dazzled me. He was so handsome, so elegant and authoritative. I thought we could find a way to make things work.