Page 48 of Hot in the City
“It’s pretty early, but there’s already some evidence they are little humans, not aliens after all.” She grinned at him.
He shook his head and snorted. “Good to hear.”
Then he met her eyes, and there was an uncertainty in his gaze that she knew well. He was worried. She didn't blame him, not at all. She’d been worried ever since her regular doctor sent her to the specialist obstetrician. Twins could be riskier than single births, but she was still young, she was healthy, with a wonderful doctor, not to mention a caring husband. They would all be okay.
She nodded at the scans, leaned over and took his hand in hers. “So far, everything looks perfect. My new obstetrician recommended another scan at about twelve weeks to check everything is progressing okay. Come with me and you’ll see them on the big screen.”
“I’d like that, more than anything.” He reached for her hand and then pressed the back of her hand to his lips. She loved it when he did that, like an old-fashioned gentleman.
“You know, I freaked out a little back there.” He pointed vaguely to the bathroom attached to their suite. “It’s nothing to do with how much I want a family with you. I want you to understand, it worries me. I don’t know what sort of father I’ll be. I didn’t have a role model, or any kind of example growing up. It was only Mum and me. I don’t want to stuff this up.”
She knew in her heart of hearts that was what had been worrying Gabriel. He cared too much, in some ways. He wanted to be perfect at everything he did.
“I’m also having blood tests for my iron levels and all that. So, assuming I'm as healthy as she thought, it should be a routine pregnancy. Even though I might have to eat a lot.”
Gabriel grinned and sat back against the leather headboard of the hotel suite’s gigantic bed. “I’m not the world’s best cook, but I’ll learn. I want you eating all good meals, and I’ll serve them to you.”
She snuggled up beside him at the head of the bed, stretching out her legs. The t-shirt that she wore, rode up her thighs. “Really? I do like the sound of that, Mr Anderson.”
His face broke into a sunshiny smile. “I’m glad you approve, Mrs Anderson-Kennealy. Now, onto more pressing matters. I must say, this look suits you.” He ran his fingers up her bare leg, stopping somewhere around mid-thigh. He gave her flesh a little squeeze.
“What? Barefoot and pregnant?” She laughed as she wiggled her toes with the dark red polish. Sexy. He raised an eyebrow and made circles on her skin with his index finger. Delicious tingles ran down her legs and back up again.
She’d rid herself of her leggings and only wore Gabriel’s old university t-shirt. The one that had been washed a thousand times so it was super soft, but it still smelled like him. It felt like home.
She tipped her head to one side and studied him. “Do you want to go to bed early, husband? I could take this off, if you like.” She inched the shirt off one shoulder.
Now, his hand stopped moving. He pulled away and let out a long breath. “Ah, maybe we should get some sleep. You must be tired. No need to take anything off.” He glanced away, refusing to look her in the eye.
“You don’t think we should get naked?”
“Maybe it’s not such a good idea. I didn’t know earlier, or I never would have... I might have hurt you. We can’t risk it.”
“Hmm.”
She had heard enough of that nonsense. Gabriel needed to get with the program. Or maybe, she was jumping ahead. Was he really worried about something? Like the way she might look? “Does the thought of my pregnant belly repulse you? Do we need to see a sex therapist?”
“What? No.” Gabriel’s face creased into a confused frown. Then he sighed, the long, drawn-out sigh of a man about to say something stupid, in her experience. “I only want to make sure I’m not hurting you, or the twins. If we, er, you know . . . exert too much energy.”
And there it was. The stupid comment. Ah, well. At least he was trying to be caring. Even if he was being an eejit. “That is not a problem. In fact, my doctor said I should try to exercise and keep fit.” She beamed at him.
He shook his head and let out a huff of breath. “No, I meant, in the bedroom. Making love.”
“Oh, my love, I understand.” She grabbed her phone from the bedside table and scrolled until she found the number she was looking for. “Don't worry, we're going to sort this out right now.”
“Wait, what are you doing? Sinead? Who are you calling?” His eyes were wide, the liquid blue of the Pacific Ocean in midsummer. Slightly panicked.
Sinead plastered a wide smile on her face and waited as the phone call connected. Gabriel’s composure was obviously ruffled, as he sat rubbing a hand through his hair and frowning in that grumpy way he did, when he was all at sea. It made him all the more kissable, not that she’d tell him at that moment. She pressed her lips together to stifle a giggle.
The call connected and the doctor was on the line. Sinead spoke to her while watching Gabriel’s reaction. “Hello, Doctor Sharma. I hope I’m not disturbing you too late.”
Doctor Sharma replied, “Of course not, I told you to call with any concerns. And call me Alisha.”
She flicked her gaze between Gabriel’s narrowed eyes and her own belly. Smoothing a hand over the gentle curve there, she remembered something important she meant to ask. “Thanks, Alisha. I wanted to ask, do I really have to give up all coffee and chocolate because I’m pregnant? I heard caffeine is bad for babies, but I might die without any caffeine. Not really, but maybe. Did I mention it keeps me alive? Oh, my husband is here with me. Is it okay if I put you on speaker?”
Alisha laughed, the lighthearted sound endearing her even more to Sinead. She loved having a doctor who was super smart and explained things properly but wasn’t a dour lecturing type. “Sure, put me on speaker.”
She hit the speaker button and Gabriel sat up straighter and cleared his throat. “Hello, Doctor Sharma. I’m Gabriel Anderson, Sinead’s husband. I’m looking forward to meeting you.”
