‘It’s fine, truly.’ Miriam patted Jayne’s arm. ‘She did her worst but we survived it and we’re all the stronger for it. Isn’t that so, Jay?’
He tucked her hand in his arm. ‘I wanted to strangle her,’ he admitted wryly.
Miriam laughed. She was feeling light-headed with happiness and she had only had one glass of wine all evening, wanting to keep a clear head in view of Belinda’s presence.
It was then that the knowledge hit her. Mentally calculating, she wondered how the absence of her monthly cycle hadn’t registered before. But there had been so much happening.
That first Monday in December when they had gone to the hotel. She blinked, her heart racing as the noise and laughter around her faded away. And now she was three weeks late. And the odd little feeling of giddiness she’d had in the last few days, and this morning she hadn’t felt too good first thing, although it had swiftly passed…
Could it be? Her hand went protectively over her stomach. But she was, she knew she was. She felt different. She was expecting Jay’s baby.
Two days later Jay came home to the apartment to find a bright-eyed wife and a candle-lit dinner waiting for him. They had agreed it made sense to stay in the apartment until they could move into the house, which hopefully would happen within two months, their offer having been accepted. Miriam didn’t mind the apartment now—wherever Jay was was home.
‘This is very nice.’ He had kissed her until she was breathless as soon as he had walked through the door. ‘What are we celebrating? Not our first day back at work surely?’
‘Something better than that.’
‘I should hope so.’
He took the glass of champagne she had waiting for him, his brow furrowing when she lifted up her glass of orange juice.
‘A toast.’ Her voice was light, joy-filled. ‘To you.’
‘Me?’ He smiled, amused. ‘On orange juice?’
‘To you,’ she said solemnly, looking straight into the tawny eyes she loved so much. ‘And this.’ She held up the little tube she’d purchased from the chemist that day. ‘You’re going to be a father, Jay. We’re expecting a baby.’
The next minute she was in his arms, champagne and orange juice spilling onto the floor as he lifted her right off her feet with a whoop of delight, twirling her round and round before he kissed her until the whole world shifted. But when it righted again he was there. As he was always to be.