Part of him wanted her to be pregnant while another part didn’t feel ready. Their marriage had been quick. What if Tess learnt of what he’d done? Miranda had been made homeless because of him. The more he thought about his actions the harder it became for him to justify them.
He closed his eyes waiting for sleep to claim him. All of his worries eased out of him the moment sleep gripped him.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The sickness and aching breasts continued for the next couple of weeks. Duncan kept trying to get her to a doctor, but she refused. She had a feeling she knew what was causing all of her problems. A nine month problem. When he went to work on Tuesday morning Tess saw him off in his car. Once he was gone and she had the house to herself, she grabbed her purse then walked all the way to the nearest pharmacy. The walk helped to clear her head. She spent a great deal of time debating what to do. There was a chance she wasn’t pregnant. The pharmacist gave her an odd look when she bought six packets. She wanted to make sure they were right. It would be her luck to get a duff packet.
She walked home to find three messages on the phone from Duncan. Before doing anything else she pressed play on the recorder.
“Hi, babe, it’s just me. I wanted to check in and see how you’re doing. You didn’t vomit this morning. I think we need to go to the doctor. Anyway, see you soon.”
“Why haven’t you called me back? Are you all right? I don’t like this silence, Tess. Please, call me back.”
“Okay, if you haven’t called me back in an hour I’m coming home.” She checked the time then picked up the phone to call him. She’d learnt his work number off by heart. He picked up on the second ring.
“Tess, this better be you,” he said.
“Yes, it’s me. How are you?” she asked.
“Concerned. Where have you been?”
“I went out for a walk. It seems to have helped.”
“You really should see a doctor.”
“I’m fine, Duncan.” He kept going on about his concerns. She liked his concern as it showed he cared about her. Tess assured him she was fine. He didn’t sound convinced.
Twenty minutes later she put the phone down then went to pee on some sticks.
An hour later she sat looking at the six boxes of all sticks. Each stick showed the same thing. Tess looked down at the stick as it turned a scary shade of blue.
Each stick she picked up said the same thing.
“Maybe something is wrong with my pee?”
Her hands were shaking.
“You’ve had unprotected sex, you silly woman. And now you’re talking to yourself. Great, just another reason to get you sent to the nut house.”
“I wish I had a mom.”
Her head fell into her hands.
She was pregnant.
She was pregnant with Duncan’s son or daughter.
Her breasts were tender, and her tummy was going to get bigger with every passing week.
“I’m going to look like a whale.”
Questions whizzed around her mind.
When had it happened?
What does it mean?
Will Duncan be happy with the news?
That question brought Tess up short. How could she tell him? Would he think this was another way of confirming an income from his wealth? He always saw things at odd angles. She didn’t want any of his fortune. The baby excited her. She’d wanted to make a family of her own for so long. What scared her the most was Duncan. They’d not discussed children. He hadn’t even said he loved her.
There was so much to consider. Her own feelings meant nothing to her. Would he be happy with the news?
She shook her head trying to clear all the negative thoughts whirring around her mind. The news was supposed to be a happy, positive one. She wished Grace was there to help her. She had no one. Not even a mother.
Tess was pregnant, expecting another beautiful human being. The thought wouldn’t sink in. She got up off the bathroom floor then went to look in the mirror. There was no difference in her body. She lifted her shirt to gaze at her tummy.
How far gone was she?”
She should be happy.
Your marriage isn’t the most conventional.
Again she felt the doubts filling her head and her heart.
Well, there was only one way to find out and that would be to tell him. Tonight, she would make a beautiful romantic meal for two, and after they had made love well into the night she’d tell him.
Not after you’ve made love.
You need to tell him before then.
Tess grabbed the used pregnancy tests to dump in the trash. She stared at the phone by the fireplace in the sitting room. Her hands shook as she reached for the phone. She picked it up then dialled his number before putting the phone back down.
“This is stupid. Just tell him. Duncan is not the cold man you thought he was.” The phone rang making her jump. “Hello.”
“You called me, baby. What’s up?” Duncan asked.
His voice calmed her rioting nerves.
“I-I’ve got something to tell you.”
“Are you all right? Do you need me to come home?” His concern made her smile.
“No, you don’t need to come home.” She ran her fingers through her hair. Her mind struggling to focus on what she needed to tell him. “I know why I’ve been ill.”
“Have you seen a doctor?”
“No, no doctor. I’ve suspected for a little bit but put it off.”
Silence was on the other end.
“For fuck’s sake, Tess, tell me.”
“I’m pregnant.”
Tess waited for his anger or anything.
“You’re pregnant?”
“Yes, I’ll need to book an appointment to see a doctor. I don’t know how far gone I am or anything.”
Silence came over the line.
“Are you still there?”
“I’m here, baby.”
“Are you happy about this, Duncan? I know we haven’t discussed this before. This is a good thing. Right?” She twirled a strand of hair around her finger. Her heart pounded inside her chest while she waited for him to answer.
“You have no idea how happy this makes me. I can’t wait to get home so we can celebrate. I’m going to spend the whole night making love to you. I want you so much, sweetheart.” His voice took on the growl she loved to hear when he was pounding inside her. She blushed at the thought of what he might do.
“Do you want me to come to you?” she asked.
“You’ve unleashed an animal. If you come here I can’t guarantee to keep my hands to myself.”
Her nipples throbbed painfully.
“I’d like to put a new memory of myself in that office. I’ll see you soon,” she said.
“I can’t wait. I want you so fucking bad.”
She hung up the phone, her body on fire for him once again. She felt constantly aroused by him. Tess got up to get changed. Duncan had spent so much money on clothes for her. She wanted to see him lose his mind.
The fears she had were gone. The moment she saw him every concern would leave her body. She walked up the stairs to the room they shared.
In the walk-in closet she settled for a knee-length pencil skirt and a white buttoned down blouse.
****
Duncan put the phone down. His cock was thick with arousal. He placed a call through to his secretary to cancel all of his lunchtime appointments.
Tess was pregnant. The second part of his father’s agreement was complete. He smiled, but the happiness wasn’t about his father’s will. Duncan was going to be a father.
“Sir, I’m sorry to interrupt. There is a Miranda James here to see you. She says it’s urgent.”
His happiness was dampened by the mention of his stepmother. Duncan glanced at his secretary.
“She’s refusing to leave, Sir.”
“Send her in. Then get security alerted in case she starts to cause a scene.”
He watched his secretary leave then waited for Miranda to walk in. She was older than he remembered. He knew she was in her late fifties or early sixties. Her hair was grey all over. His mother dyed her hair to keep it the same shade of brown. Instead of a cold looking face, Miranda stared at him with love. After everything he’d done to her she still smiled at him.
Duncan was waiting for the backlash.
“Hello, Duncan,” she said. She walked with her head held high and took a seat across from his desk.
“Miranda. My wife will be here shortly. Please, say what you need to say and get out.”
“Your father warned me you’d hold a grudge even after his death. He hoped when you got married you’d see things differently.” Miranda chuckled then opened her purse.
“Don’t try to pretend you know me. You broke my parents apart. I hope you’re happy with yourself.”