Page 81 of Conail

She was about to argue the point when they heard noises coming from the monitor.

"No, let me." He pressed her back when she started to get up.

"He might be hungry."

"If that's the case, I'll bring him to you. Stay there." She made a face at the arrogant tone and watched as he left the room.

Settling back against the pillows, she closed her eyes briefly. She was going to get back to the argument, and this time they were going to finish it. This time she was going to make him understand that the first pregnancy had not really been theirs, but the second one would be.

Chapter 20

It took three weeks in total for them to get together intimately. An emergency came up with an important shipment that had been waylaid on its way from China, and he had to go and sort it out personally.

"I'm not leaving you here alone." The frustration was evident in his voice as he prowled the length of his home office. "Perhaps there's a way out of this--"

"I can stay at the farm or at your mother's house. She's dying to get her grandson in her care. And the place is filled with staff."

He raked restless fingers through his hair and considered it.

"Alright." Crossing to her, he held his hands out for his son, cradling the head carefully. "I feel as if I'm missing out. It might take a week for me to return."

"And we'll be here," she reminded him softly.

He looked over at her, his expression softening. "You look radiant."

She laughed, her heart jumping. "I smell of breast milk and spittle. Your son brought up some of his meal, right on my chest."

"You're beautiful," he murmured. His eyes went to the baby cradled in his arms and he felt the love overflowing. Placing a kiss on the soft forehead, he walked back to put him in the cot.

"Let me place a call to mother."

*****

Eleanor smiled indulgently as mother and son frolicked in the brilliant blue water of the freshly treated pool.

"Are you sure it's not too cold for him?" she called out from the comfort of her chaise lounge. The sun was high in the sky and the slight breeze wafting through the shrubberies and her prized begonias, azaleas and roses perfumed the air. Summer was just around the corner. It had been three days since her daughter-in-law and grandson were staying with her and she loved every minute of their company.

"It's perfect." Yasmine cradled the baby in her arms and dunked him slowly, laughing as he gasped. "I think he's getting used to it."

"Darling, he's probably cold. Let me take him." Rising gracefully, with her silk robe billowing behind her, Eleanor walked to the edge. Stooping, she reached for the baby, wrapping a towel around him.

"Here you go darling," she crooned, kissing the soft forehead and gazing into the swirl of greenish golden eyes. "Mommy is silly to have you in the water when it's not even summer yet."

Pushing back, Yasmine floated on her back, her eyes closed. She had a plan that was going to take a lot of engineering and had brought Eleanor into the planning to seduce her husband.

Flipping over, she waded her way back and eased over the edge. Grabbing a towel, she dried herself before going over to peep at her son.

"He's getting so big," Eleanor whispered as she dried him carefully and put some dry clothes on.

"He eats like a cow." Yasmine tickled his chin and could swear that he smiled at her. Her mother and everyone else said it was gas, but she knew better. "Ready for your meal sweetie?"

"Why don't you eat something. Florence brought out refreshments."

"Good idea. I'm famished."

*****

He had a surprise for her and could hardly wait to show her. It had been a long and very frustrating week with one thing after another going wrong. But it was finally sorted out now and he was home. The flight had been interminable, with just a few bouts of turbulence to have him feeling impatient and jet lagged. But he was not going to let that spoil his homecoming.

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