Page 61 of My Highland Fling
Gabrielle swallowed hard, and Ramsay had his arms around her in two steps.
“There’s a chance the baby is mine,” he whispered, every part of him wishing it were so.
Gabrielle sobbed, and when she pulled back, tears shrouded her gaze.“I had my period.”
“How heavy was it?”Gavin asked, reminding Ramsay the shifter doctor was still on speaker.“Ramsay told me he knotted in you twice.There’s still an excellent chance the baby is his.
Gabrielle paused, and this time, when his gaze met hers, he spotted hope.“Is…is there a way of telling?”
“Yes, I can do a test to learn if Ramsay is the father.”
“It won’t hurt the baby?”Ramsay asked.
“No,” Gavin said.“We have to wait until the seventh week of your pregnancy, and it’s a simple matter of taking blood tests from both you and Ramsay.”
“And if it’s not Ramsay’s baby?”
“Then we’ll talk more about your options,” Gavin said, his tone non-judgmental.“Abortion or something else.”
The next six weeks were hell.Ramsay tried to remain upbeat, but Gabrielle’s distress affected him.Saber and Felix, the rest of his adopted family, helped him get through, and they tried to keep Gabrielle busy.London had a ton of work for her, but his kitten wasn’t sleeping well.They shared a bed, but the gulf between them yawned wider every day.
Ramsay was cautious with his affection, but she didn’t reject him.They didn’t make love and hadn’t since the day Gabrielle’s parents had abducted her.Ramsay missed her teasing and laughter, even as he understood.Now, even in death, Adrik Popov was coming between them.
Finally, the day came when Gavin drew their blood for the test.The lab workers would compare the baby’s DNA, which was released in Gabrielle’s bloodstream, with his.This was one test that Gavin needed to send away to another feline group in Australia.The next fifteen days worked on Ramsay’s last nerve.He and Gabrielle snapped at each other, neither getting much sleep and both losing weight.
“How much longer will it take for the test results?”Gabrielle asked.“I can’t take much more.”
“You and me both,” Ramsay muttered.
A knock came at the door.Ramsay tensed since he recognized Gavin’s presence.He stalked to the door and snatched it open.“Please tell me you have good news.”He stood aside to let Gavin inside.
“Is Gabrielle here too?”
“Yeah.In the lounge.”Ramsay led the way.“Gavin’s here.”
Gabrielle leaped to her feet, her face losing all color.
A delighted smile spread across Gavin’s face, his green eyes sparkling.“Congratulations.You were a match.Gabrielle, the baby is Ramsay’s.”
“Ramsay’s baby?He or she will be a feline shifter?”Gabrielle clapped her hand to her mouth and tears sparkled in those brown eyes of hers.
“They will,” Gavin confirmed.
Gabrielle buckled, but Ramsay snatched her up before she hit the floor.
“Put her over here.”Gavin checked her pulse.“She hasn’t been sleeping.”
“Neither of us have.”
“Has she been eating properly?”
“I’ve made her eat.Even if it’s soup.”
Gavin nodded.“Bring her by the surgery tomorrow, and I’ll check her progress.She has been under a great deal of stress, and I want to monitor her.”
“Okay.”
“Congratulations,” Gavin said.“See you tomorrow.”
