I took a bite of my Tikka Masala, it was delicious and aromatic. I couldn’t get the next forkful into my mouth soon enough. Before I had realised it, I had consumed the majority of my plate and Henry was gawking at me like I was something out of the Rocky Horror show.
“Hungry?” looking at me amused.
“Ah, yes, sorry. I just… I… “I paused momentarily gathering enough courage to tell him. “Henry..”
“Yes darling”
I found myself nervously fidgeting. My eyes burning into my hands; I couldn’t bring myself to look at him as I let the next few words leave my lips.
“I’m pregnant”, the words sounded nothing more than a mere whisper.
His hand came up to cup my cheek, the warmth from his palm was comforting. Risking glancing up at him I saw his eyes alight. He was happy? “Is that what you have been worrying about?” he smirked.
“A little, I didn’t know how to tell you.” I admitted, exhaling to release the pent up frustration and worry that I had help trapped inside of me.
“Look Evie, I love you, I can see why you are worried. We are not even married yet and you are pregnant. You know I have always wanted children, but this is perhaps a little soon. I agree with you.” Agree with me? I had never said this was too soon.
“Henry, I…” He cut in “Look I think it may be best, especially if you are this worried to perhaps wait. We can always try again in a couple of years or so.”
Confusion gripped me, “Henry I didn’t say I want to start trying for a baby, I said I am pregnant. There is no waiting a couple of years, we are pregnant now.”
This conversation was not going the way I had expected, fear consumed me, my natural instinct to protect had risen.
“But you don’t have to be.” He sounded so matter of fact and cold in his response that a shiver rippled down my spine. My hands automatically clung to my stomach, maternal instinct was protecting my beautiful unborn baby. The need to protect and care for this tiny innocent life was overwhelming.
“No” I snapped.
“No what?”
“I am having this baby Henry. You are marrying me, you want children with me. I know this is slightly sooner than expected but I am having this baby.” Tears spilled from my eyes, “Please Henry, please” I whimpered begging him for the opportunity to have our baby.
“Okay, okay Evie, hey, you know I would never make you get rid of it, if you want it then okay, we will do this.”
“It?” I questioned, was he was referring to our baby as an ‘it’?
“The baby Evie, I said you can have the baby, now drop it okay.”
“Okay, sorry, I suppose it is all new territory.”
We sat in silence cuddled up on the sofa with one another for the rest of the evening. The sound of the television was drowned out by the thoughts of our baby. I caressed my stomach naturally and couldn’t help but smile at the thought of us once again being happy.
Being a family.
Chapter 18
“Evie, open up”
The repetitive thudding of Lucy’s hand against my front door was confirmation that she was here. I had avoided her successfully for three days so far. Waiting, praying for the purple hued bruise to fade and disappear before I could be in the same room as her. I didn’t want Lucy to come between me and my happiness, not now.
The past three days since Henry had found out I was pregnant have been heavenly. I have felt more connected to him that I had in a very long time. He was being more considerate and gentle and for once I felt serene. This was the changing event which has pivoted his personality into being the loving husband I always knew was inside of him. I had waited and the man I once grew to love had returned to me. My love, My Henry.
“Hang on a minute Lucy, just grabbing the keys.”
I ran to the bathroom as quickly as possible. As I looked at my reflection in the mirror there was no way of hiding the four inch yellow and green bruise which encapsulated the whole lower side of my jaw. I reached for my MAC foundation and applied it as efficiently as possible. Two minutes later the bruise had disappeared into oblivion. Thank God for MAC.
“Hey honey, sorry I was so long, couldn’t find those damn keys.”
Lucy air kissed both of my cheeks. The close proximity of her to my jaw made me nervous. I was suddenly questioning my application skills.
“Soooooo?”
“So what?”
“Urgh you are so rubbish! Bridesmaid dresses, we are shopping for them today.”
“Oh of course, I completely forgot! Right, gimmie a sec to grab my bag and we will go.”
Lucy let out a little squeal “Yay.”
Alexis was standing in the doorway of Selfridges awaiting our arrival her glossy raven hair blowing against the bustling Autumn wind.
“Hey Lex”, Kissing both her cheeks.
“Hey sis, hows things?” She pulled back a little, both her hands holding my upper arms. Her eyes glassing over my face, ready to scrutinize my response.
“I’m fine, what’s with the third degree?”
“Well, I kinda know”
I turned to Lucy, furious. “Seriously? Can you not keep anything quiet?”
“Hey don’t be angry at me. I just said Connor crashed at yours, you just kinda dropped yourself in the rest of it” She smirked.
“Oh for fuck sake, Lex really? I’m not five!” I exclaimed.
“Ha I knew it! So, why are we still bridesmaid shopping if you’re getting jiggy with Mr. Sexy-as-fuck-fighter-dude?”
“Nothing is happening with me and Connor so can you both please drop it.” Sheer anger encased each syllable.
“Okay jeez, I was just asking,” Lex sighed.
“Look I’m sorry for snapping, but seriously, can we leave it? Connor doesn’t want to know, it was a one night thing, mistake. Done. Now, let’s go and get my bridesmaids some kick ass dresses.”
Selfridges was, well, tedious. Lex and Lucy couldn’t agree on anything. Two hours, twenty three minutes in the changing rooms, to come up with nothing, zero. Stress and nausea threatened to surrender at any given moment.
We were ready to dispose of the silk remnants and head over to Harrods, I had simply one week to find dresses for the maids. The one part of the day I had asked for control over and yet that was impossibility. I was completely in over my head in every sense of the phrase.
“Evie, look” A squeal of excitement oozed from Lucy.
“They are perfect, even Lucy and her gothic grunge get-up can’t not like these”.
I turned, not sure if I wanted to get my hopes up. Baby bean was urging me to replenish my food stocks.
“Wow”, they were perfect, dark and dramatic yet effortlessly chic. “Try them on, now” I shrieked, sounding a little too overzealous.
The girls looked simply stunning. Jet black lace sweetheart bodices were covered with a sheer tulle which crossed over one shoulder. Pinned with an ornate onyx brooch. The dresses nipped in at the waists and flowed to the floor in a cascade of ruffles. Only Badgley Mischka could design a dress so exquisite.
“Late Lunch ladies?” Lex offered. “I think we earned it”.
We flagged down a black taxi and instructed him to take us to Bella Amio. It was my favourite restaurant in the world. Cozy, warm and full of superb flavour full authentic Italian dishes.