She hesitated, just a second more, and then let the words slip free. “Because I’ll be busy. Very likely waddling about and craving cherry jam and fainting at the sight of boiled eggs or something. Emma loathed hard-boiled eggs when she was busy too.”
Valentine blinked. “You’ll be...”
“With child,” she whispered, watching his face closely. “I’m with child, Your Grace.”
For a heartbeat, he said nothing. Then his eyes widened and something joyous and unguarded broke across his features. “You’re certain?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Cecilia,” he breathed, and in a rush, he was pulling her into his arms, holding her tight and laughing against her hair. “A baby? We’re having a baby?”
She nodded again, laughing now, and blinking away the tears that pricked behind her eyes. “Yes, darling. We are. Abigail is getting a sibling.”
Valentine pulled back just enough to look at her, his hands cradling her face. “I love you,” he said, reverently, suddenly so serious. “More than I ever imagined I could love anything. You’ve given me everything, Cecilia.”
“And you’ve made it safe to want everything,” she whispered, hugging him back.
“A baby?” a voice came from behind them.
They turned to see Abigail standing a few paces away, a biscuit in hand and her eyes as wide as saucers. “You’re having a baby?”
“Where did you come from?” Cecilia laughed and opened one arm. “Come here, goose.”
Abigail ran toward her and threw herself into Cecilia’s side. “Does this mean I’ll be a sister?”
Valentine looked at her solemnly. “Yes, and I have no doubt that you will be a very good one.”
Abigail beamed. “I’ll read to her. Every night.”
“Her?” Cecilia asked with raised eyebrows. “How are you so certain it’s a little sister?”
“I know!” Abigail giggled. “I just know!”
Cecilia kissed the top of Abigail’s head and then turned back to her husband. His eyes were still fixed on her with the same awestruck tenderness she had grown used to seeing over the last six months. He leaned in and kissed her slowly, fully, as if they had all the time in the world.
When he finally pulled back, his voice was low and sure. “You, Cecilia Price, are the very best thing I have ever done with my life.”
She smiled and touched her fingers to his cheek. “Then let’s do one more brilliant thing together.”
He grinned. “Oh, we will. Just you wait.”
The End?
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EXTENDED EPILOGUE
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