Her right hand touched her belly and felt the baby kick. Archer’s offspring had the blood of a unique man and one crazy woman. There’s no way her life would be dull. Ever.
“Come on. Let me in. It’s freezing. You’re freezing. Can’t you offer me a nice cup of tea for old time's sake?”
He was Archer’s brother, the king of stubborn. And it’s not like shutting the door on his face would make him go away. Plus, her back was killing her, and her ice cream was melting, a capital offense.
“You can come in, but I have one condition.”
“Name it.”
“What you see inside, you can never repeat to anyone.”
His curiosity was piqued, but he solemnly crossed his heart. “You have my word.”
Zoe moved to open the door, letting him in.
Lazarus filled the room, taking it all in, looking around as she closed the door.
“You have a very nice ho... Whoa!” The word cut when his eyes fell on her midsection. Surprise didn’t even begin to describe his expression. “You...”
“Gained weight? Look fat? Am so beautiful, your eyes hurt?”
“Pregnant. Damn it!”
“Oh, that?” Rubbing her extended stomach and waddling past him, she let herself fall on a sofa with a groan. “I think I caught this bug in Chicago. Nasty water there.”
Without looking away from the bewildered and bearded man, she grabbed her ice cream bowl and balanced it on top of her bulging stomach. After a couple of spoonsful in silence, with Lazarus’ eyes fixed on her, Zoe sighed. “Are we going to have the talk about birds and bees or are you going to sit?”
Seemingly getting hold of himself, Lazarus came to sit on a chair before her, searching for words.
“I would offer you tea, but I fear you’ll have to do it yourself. Once I’m seated, I need a crane to get back up again. Feel free if you want one.”
Lazarus nodded, but instead asked. “If you want one, I’ll make a pot.”
Shaking her head, Zoe licked the spoon. “Nope. I have a miniature bladder nowadays, so I’ll pass. But thanks. I’m pretty sure you didn’t come all the way here to make me some tea. What can I do for you, Lazarus?”
“Call me Oz, please. And you’re right. Something pushed me to come and see you. Talk to you. I owe you an apology.”
“An apology for what exactly?”
The man looked truthfully contrite as he leaned forward and clasped his hands on his knees. “After all that happened, I feel that not only did I put you in a bad situation, but I left you alone to cope on your own. I didn’t provide the protection I promised Beatrice for you. Not only did you fear for your life, but you had to deceive and lie to us in order to survive. I feel responsible. For both of you.”
At first, Zoe thought he was talking about the baby, but she soon realized he was referring to Archer. Putting the bowl aside, Zoe sighed. “We were both adults, Oz. Your intentions were good, still are. I can’t say that I didn’t owe a lot to Beatrice, and I was glad I could repay her by helping you. But the rest, I’m fully responsible for my actions. I may be crazy, but I’m not stupid. Each time I made a decision, I truly believed it was for the best.”
“And what about not telling Archer that you are with child?”
The old expression made her roll her eyes. “We’re in a modern society. Women can have children as single mothers without being ostracized.”
“And you still think it’s the best decision? To hide this from him.”
Sadness flooded through her. “I lied and deceived him. In many ways. I often think about what I could have done differently, and I don’t see any other path. I can’t judge the way I acted by the way I am right now. Archer hates me. I understand why, and I won’t force him into a situation he doesn’t want.”
“Who on earth told you he hated you?”
Eyes flooding, she fought against the surge of loneliness invading her. “He told Lance after I had drugged him and bound him on the chair. He said that he wouldn’t be able to forgive me for that. It’s self-explanatory.”
Lazarus got to his feet and started pacing, hands on his head. “And that’s why you asked Beatrice and me to block him. What a mess! Nothing of that would have happened if I had found a way to kill the son of a bitch in the first place! Fucking Finch! Everything he touches turns into shit and rust.”
Caressing her belly, Zoe didn’t quite agree. After the surprise and the panic, this little miracle inside her had pushed away the darkness of losing Archer. And even if she would have preferred the ideal image of the perfect family in her mind, with Lucas and the baby, she would have another type of perfection. And would cherish it with all her heart.
