Page 40 of The Italian's Pregnant Enemy (A Diamond in the Rough)

“In an ideal world I would not demand marriage of you, because I would hate to make you miserable.”

“But you’ll make me miserable for what you consider to be the sake of our child?”

“Yes. I will. There will be time enough to discuss logistics later. I am not suggesting that we live a traditional marriage for the entire life of our child. But I am suggesting that I want it as a foundation. I am not suggesting, I am demanding. And I will not be denied.”

“And if I say no?”

“I cannot force you. But I would hope that you’d see reason. And I would hope that this business deal would be enough enticement.”

“If it isn’t, am I to expect threats?”

“No. There is no reason to issue threats. I’m correct. I think with time you’ll realize that, but I do feel that it would be better if you would come to that conclusion quickly. You expect that we are to go to your father and tell him that you are having my baby and that you aren’t going to marry me?”

“Is that your real concern? That my father will be angry at you?”

“It is a concern.”

And he was Dario’s family. She did understand that. But also, they were supposed to be something to each other and what he was proposing just seemed...outlandish.

“What does family mean to you?”

“Why do you need to know this?”

“I feel like I can’t possibly marry you or even enter into a discussion until I know what it means. What is love to you, and what will you give to our child?”

He looked at her, his dark eyes intense. And she could see that he didn’t want to be questioned. It was too bad. Because she was going to question him. She was going to question this.

It was fair. Because...

She wanted to know what she was potentially signing herself up for. It was only fair.

“Family is what your father has done for you,” he said finally. “It is taking care of one another. It is the only place I have ever seen it. My own family did not treat love as if it was unconditional. What I know more than anything is what I don’t want. And what I will not allow.”

“And what about giving more than material wealth to your child?”

“I want to make a family, does that not demonstrate my desire to do so?”

“My father and I lived together in a family. He loves me but he has never known what to do with me. If you think marriage and living in a home can solve these things like a magic trick, then you’re wrong.”

“So if I am not perfect I cannot try?” he asked, his voice fierce. And she went cold at that. Regretful.

“I didn’t say that.”

“You are asking me to tell you all that I can ever be before we have ever even heard the child’s heartbeat. How does that strike you as fair?”

It wasn’t. She knew that. She sighed.

“Love,” she said. “What does it mean to you?”

They weren’t in love. She knew that. She knew there was a difference between sex and feelings. She wasn’t that naive. Yes, what had happened between them was amazing. But it hadn’t been worth it. Not really.

She felt guilty for thinking that. She wanted to put her hand protectively over her stomach. Wanted to apologize to the little life blooming inside of her.

It hadn’t asked to be created. She had to be sure that even though this wasn’t planned she never passed on any resentment. It wasn’t really a child that she resented. It was knowing that she had to solve this. That she had to take control of this and make it right. And standing in front of him right now with his demand of marriage hanging in the air she just wasn’t sure what was right. More than that, she wasn’t sure what her feelings were. But it felt disastrous.

Shefelt disastrous.

Wasn’t this just the same? The same as it always was. He hadn’t wanted her for her.

---