Claire nodded. “I love you so much.”
Tony took her hand and walked them back into the suite and toward their bed. “Mrs. Rawlings, I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat it until the day I die. I love you. You’re my life, my drug, my anchor. You’ve made me into a man who deserves to have you in his life.”
Claire shook her head and put her finger to his lips. “No, Tony. I didn’t make you into anyone. You’ve always been this man. People don’t change: they hide. The man you were was a shell hiding the man you are today. The woman I was, when you first took me, was a shell hiding the woman I was afraid to be. I didn’t make you. You didn’t change me. And I thank God that once our shells were broken that the two people we really were fit together so well.”
“Oh, and we do,” he reassured with a grin. “I think we fit together very well.”
Claire sighed. “I don’t fit very well right now.”
Lying down, Tony pulled her close against his side. It was true that as their son grew, they fit together differently than they had a day or week before. With Claire’s belly resting against Tony’s side, Nathaniel made his presence known.
Feeling their son move, she asked, “Did you feel that?”
“I did,” Tony replied with a lighter tone. He reached for her midsection, his large palm covering their son. “I love this. I’m sorry your back is hurting, but I love the sensation of him moving within you. I remember sitting for hours on the island’s lanai and feeling Nichol. It’s truly an amazing thing.”
Claire swallowed. “I love it too, and I’m ready to be done.”
“I know now isn’t the time to ask, but do you think you’d ever be ready to have another?”
Claire awkwardly moved to a sitting position. “I know you’re smarter than that,” she said with a smirk. “I mean, if you’re asking if I want to have sex, I’m game. If you’re asking if at almost forty weeks of pregnancy I’m ready to try again, well, my answer is not right now.”
Tony gently pushed her shoulders against the pillow and towered over her, his dark eyes penetrating into her soul. In mere seconds, she found herself lost in the sparkling gleam in front of her. “Oh?” he asked, “You’re game? After that emotional outburst in the nursery, you’re game?”
Giggling, Claire nodded. “It’s the hormones. I’m all over the map.”
“I think you said the other night that you read that sex can induce labor. Should I feel used?”
“Hmm, Mr. Rawlings, forgive me if you feel used. I just want to be with my husband before we can’t.”
He kissed her lips. “Damn, how could I forget about the can’t part? Then by all means…” His lips teased her neck while his skillful fingers removed the straps of her nightgown. “…I’m all yours. Use me to your heart’s content.”
“That’s a pretty big order. As you may have noticed, food isn’t the only thing I crave while pregnant.”
“Why do you think I’m asking about number three?”
Claire smiled. “Ulterior motives. No wonder you’re so successful at business. I didn’t see that one coming.”
“No rush. I’m all for waiting a month or two until after Nate’s born.”
Claire reached for his cheeks and brought his lips to hers. “New rule: no talking about future pregnancies while I’m pregnant. For now, let’s concentrate on the task at hand.”
“At hand?” His brows quirked upward. Sliding her satin gown over her head, Tony’s lips found her sensitive breasts as his fingers wandered lower.
“Yes, Mr. Rawlings, at hand is a good place to start.”
A FEW DAYS later, Claire walked about the kitchen retrieving the ingredients Madeline requested for their dinner. “Madame el… Claire,” she corrected, bringing a smile to Claire’s face. “I can do this alone or with your cook’s help. She’s very nice to allow me access to her kitchen. You should be resting.”
Claire shook her head. “Honestly, I don’t know what it is. I feel great, like I could hike to the lake and back. Well, if it weren’t snow covered and frozen.”
Madeline grinned. “I’d love to see this lake, when warmth returns to your home.”
“Oh, Madeline, I’d love for you to stay long enough to see spring. I know this all looks desolate right now, but once the green returns… it’s not as lush as our island, but it’s a renewal, a time of new birth. I’ve always loved the springtime.”
“Time will tell of our departure. Now we’re happy to be here with you and Monsieur and of course your bébés.”
Claire rubbed her belly. “Babies! Soon.” Her bright eyes looked up to find Madeline’s caring gaze. “Can you believe it? I can’t believe he’s almost here.”
“Why do you not tell his name?”
Claire made her way to a tall stool and sat. “I guess we’re afraid people will try to talk us out of it.”
“Come now, do you believe that anyone could talk you or Monsieur out of something? I do not.”
Claire smiled. “I guess we don’t want them to try.”
“Though I don’t understand, I’m glad this time you have a name. Last time…” She looked up and shook her head. “…my heart nearly stop when Monsieur say he wait to name your daughter.”