Page 95 of Vengeful Lies

Keeping hold of Gabriella’s hand, because he felt she might flee the second he let go, Cade guided her into the living room and onto the couch. Sitting beside her, Cade maintained his hold on her hands and brushed his thumbs across the inside of her wrists, hoping to soothe her.

“Talk to me, baby,” he urged. “Something is wrong.”

Her gaze met his, then skittered away, only to return again. He could sense her gathering her courage and wondered what could be so upsetting to her that she felt she needed courage to tell him about it.

After dragging in a long breath, Gabriella tugged her hands free and stood up. “Wait here for a moment, please?”

“Of course.”

With a nod, she turned and hurried up the stairs. His anxiety grew, but when she returned less than a minute later, she looked like she had composed herself a little.

“I was going to give this to you tonight, but since you brought it up, here.” She crossed to him and held out a small rectangle of paper.

As soon as he took it in his hand, he knew what it was. His mouth dropped open in shock and his gaze landed on her flat stomach where her hands were absently stroking.

“You’re …”

“I am. For now at least,” Gabriella said in a small voice.

Right then it all clicked.

She’d told him about the miscarriages she’d had, how angry her ex would get, that she had to grieve those losses alone, and how her inability to carry to term was why her ex had divorced her.

Surely, she had to know that he would never do that to her.

Already he’d told her that he didn't care if they never had more kids, if they had biological kids, or adopted or fostered. He already had Gabriella and Essie, and they would always be enough for him.

“Come here.” Grabbing hold of her wrist, he tugged her down into his lap, then placed his hands over hers, wondering at the tiny life growing inside her. He’d missed a lot of Gretel’s pregnancy because of his job but he would try to be there for asmuch of this pregnancy as he could. “I’m guessing it was that first night before I messed up.”

“Yeah. I don’t know how this little one survived me being so sick, but somehow the little peanut managed it.”

“Strong like his or her momma.”

“I wasn't trying to keep it from you, Cade. I swear. I found out in the hospital, but I didn't think there was any future for us. If I didn't wind up losing the baby, I would have told you. Even if we weren't together, we would have figured something out. I swear I wouldn't keep your child from you because I was hurt and angry.”

“Never entered my mind that you would,” he assured her, dropping a kiss to her forehead.

“I didn't expect it to last, that’s why I didn't say anything,” she explained. “But today it’s five weeks, that’s as far along as I've ever gotten. I know it’s not really very far, all things considered, but it felt important. Like a milestone. So I was going to give you the sonogram picture tonight after we put Essie to bed, then after we talked I thought tomorrow we could have given her the locket.”

Cade froze.

Was she saying what he thought she was saying?

When they’d finally talked in the hospital, Gabriella had said they could give Essie the locket when she was ready to make things official and allow him to propose.

A slow smile slid over his face. “You sure?”

“If you are.”

“Why the hell wouldn't I be? I think I've wasted enough time as it is.”

“Because, Cade … you know there's a good chance I’ll miscarry … right?”

Anxiety rolled off her again, and he pulled her against him and locked his arms around her. “Then we’ll grieve togetherbut it doesn’t mean I won't want you. We’re already a family, sweetheart. This.” He brushed his fingertips over her stomach. “Is an addition to our family, not the glue that will hold us together. I want to be with you, I love you. This is just a little something extra that is going to turn all our lives upside down in the best way possible.”

Finally, she relaxed and snuggled into him. “I really hope that winds up happening.”

“Me too, sweetheart, but if it doesn’t, we’ll be there for one another, it won't be something you have to go through alone.”

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