Page 85 of Duke of Seduction
She smiled as she lifted her arms, loving the way Morgan’s body swallowed hers in a tight hug.
“It appears so,” Helena replied, then burrowed her nose into Morgan’s chest, inhaling deeply. “Though I fear it was the news of our engagement that shocked her into labor.”
Morgan chuckled as he shook his head. “You know Ezra was worried about that,” he teased. “How did they take it?”
“They were surprised,” Helena admitted, “but as always, they are supportive of my happiness.”
Morgan gave her a genuinely loving look and leaned down to place a warm kiss on her lips.
“Is she frightened?” he asked next, smoothing his hand down her back.
Helena hesitated. Of course Lydia was frightened. After what had happened to her mother, she had feared having children of her own for a time. Ezra had also feared the idea of children after his own upbringing, but — as their relationship deepened — their idea of parenthood had slowly started to shift.
“She will be well,” Helena said definitely. “She and the babe will be well, and we will have another beautiful child in the family.”
“Lydia will make an excellent mother,” Morgan stated, rubbing his chin on top of her head.
“And Ezra will make an exceptional father,” Helena said, then grinned. “Albeit a little overprotective, I would imagine.”
“Yes,” Morgan chuckled, pulling away just enough so that he could look down into her eyes. “I think all of us are going to be over-protective.”
Helena’s brow perked as she looked up at her husband-to-be.
“All of us?” she asked, a slow grin forming.
They had yet to discuss children. At one time, Helena had despised the idea of having children of her own. But now, when she imagined her future with Morgan, she not only saw the two of them, but a family. Is that what he also imagined?
“All of us,” he agreed, moving his hands up to cup her cheeks. “If, of course, that is something you want?”
Helena’s smile grew wider, and she raised up on her toes to kiss his lips. Just as they were about to touch, a piercing wail from above filled the air.
“We had better get upstairs,” Morgan stated, laying a quick kiss on her lips as she stared up at the ceiling.
“Yes, we should,” Helena agreed, the two of them holding hands as they left the office. “Our friends need us.”
Fourteen Hours, Three dozen screams, and one bruised Ezra hand Later.
“Look how gorgeous she is,” Helena gushed, her heart overflowing with love as she held the newborn baby in her arms.
Surrounding her were Barbara, Ambrose, Morgan and Teresa, all of them looking down at the newborn. Lydia, exhausted but smiling from ear to ear, was now reclining in the freshly cleaned bed. Ezra was to her right, nursing the injured hand Lydia had held onto during the birth. He looked happy, relieved and nauseated. Alice and Duncan were to her left, looking Lydia over with both concern and love.
“You did amazingly, sister,” Alice whispered to Lydia, leaning down to kiss her temple.
“Thank God she looks like her mother,” Morgan joked over Helena’s shoulder as he peered down at the child.
“Watch it,” Ezra warned, glaring at Morgan.
“Oh, come now, old boy, you must admit, your wife is far more attractive than you,” Morgan teased back.
Ezra stopped massaging his injured hand, and smirked before he looked down at Lydia with absolute love.
“Well, I cannot argue with that,” he retorted. “She truly is the most beautiful woman in the world, is she not?”
“Stop it,” Lydia whispered in an exhausted voice, but she smiled lovingly at her husband as Ezra took her hand and leaned in to kiss her forehead for the thousandth time.
“She is so tiny,” Teresa breathed, looking over Helena’s shoulder at the baby.
“Fear not, she will grow to be big and strong, I promise you,” Barbara whispered, reaching down to stroke her knuckle gently across the sleeping child’s face.
