Page 65 of Marriage Masquerade

He looked at her with grave eyes.

“If you had been married before with a child and your husband had died or you divorced him, would you expect never to get married again?”

She shook her head.

“Nor would I. If Katrina and I had had a child, and it lived with me, would you come to care for that child?”

“I think I would.”

“That’s what I think about your baby. I believe I'll grow to care for that baby as if he or she were my own. Another man may have sired the child, but I will be its father.”

Tears welled in her eyes, and she tried to absorb the full extent of his statement.

“Thank you,” she whispered, tightening her grip on his hand.

He brushed back some of her hair, his fingers lingering against her cheek.

“Let us have no more doubts, all right?”

She nodded, love overflowing for this powerful man. If she hadn't already tumbled in love with him, this would have caused her to do so. Now his comment strengthened her feelings. But she knew better than to allow a hint of that love to show.

That had not been part of their bargain.

“Then let’s go find the best crib we can for our baby,” she said calmly.

They examined every crib and listened to the salesclerk explain the various safety features, the benefits of one over another. Gemma was pleased to discover she and Nikos both liked the same one, in cherry wood with carved spindles. They bought a matching cradle and a changing table. Then a whimsical mobile—Nikos' idea.

Browsing through the bedding, they selected colorful sheets and blankets.

“We should buy some clothes, too,” Nikos said.

“Not that the baby will need much,” she murmured as she piled the bedding in Nikos' arms.

“You may find things in Greece you’d like to get, too,” Nikos said.

“Mmm.”

She still had doubts and concerns about the impending visit, but she was curious to see his home, to meet his parents and learn more about her husband.

By the time they’d finished shopping, Gemma was glad to return to the apartment. She was ready for another nap. She hoped this fatigue didn't last the entire nine months.

Entering the apartment, she instantly felt at home. What had changed? Knowing how Nikos felt toward her baby was one factor. Was hope another? Would someday her husband grow to care for her as he promised to grow to care for her child?

“If we're leaving at the end of next week, there're a bunch of loose ends to wind up. You can stay home all week and rest. And when the furniture's delivered, you can show them where to put everything.”

“I'm not staying home. We can let Hal know where to put things. I’ll keep the cradle in my room for the first few weeks. But we can set up the rest of the furniture in the yellow room.”

“You need rest.”

“I'll get enough rest, even if I have to go to bed at seven thirty. But I'm not sick or an invalid. I can do my job.”

He looked frustrated.

“Very well. We'll see how the week goes.”

She nodded. “And it'll go fine.”

He looked at his watch. “I'm going to the office for a little while today. I’ll be back before dinner.”

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