The Mistletoe Mistress (Saints & Scoundrels)
Page 13
The most overwhelming sense of wonder and joy filled him, and for a minute he couldn’t move. He was going to be a father. The thought was both terrifying and thrilling.
She bit her bottom lip. “Are you pleased?”
“Pleased? I’m beyond pleased, my love. I’m ecstatic.” He cupped her face with his hands and brushed his thumbs across her cheeks. “You have made me and continue to make me the happiest of men, my darling Holly.” He softly pressed his lips against hers with such tenderness and love. “Though I will admit, the idea of being a father is somewhat frightening, particularly after the example my own father has set.”
“He’s rather critical of you,” Holly agreed. “Though he has gotten somewhat better since we’ve been married.”
It was true, his father had always been so exacting, that nothing Michael did was ever good enough. Until he’d married Holly. His father adored Holly and finally thought Michael had done the family proud. Which had been a shock to Michael initially as he’d assumed that because Holly was not an earl or duke’s daughter, that his father would have considered her unacceptable to marry his son.
But as soon as the man had met Holly, she’d bowled the curmudgeon over. Of course, Michael should have known she would. Everyone who met Holly adored her. She was just so loveable that even now he couldn’t believe it had taken him so long to realize how much he loved her. “He’s gotten better because he finally agrees with me on something.”
“And what is that?”
“That I made the best decision of my life when I fell in love with you.”
“As did I, when I agreed to marry you,” Holly countered as she kissed him back. “You will make a wonderful father, Michael. You are so kind and caring. The best person I know.”
“You’re an optimist my love.” Michael smiled. “But I hope you’re right.” He rubbed his hand across her belly again, marveling that his baby was growing inside her. “I shall try to be the very best father and I’m going to love our child fiercely.”
“I know you will, my love.”
He rested his forehead against her own and breathed in deeply. “Damn I love you Holly, more than I ever thought I could love someone. The strength of my feelings are sometimes overwhelming.”
“Oh, Michael, I love you so very much too.”
“If it’s a boy, what do you think about naming him, Edward?”
Her eyes filled with further tears, but there was such happiness sparkling in their depths that it filled his heart with joy.
“I think that would be perfect,” she whispered, before leaning over and kissing him with such breathtaking softness, that it stole his breath away.
In that moment, he felt complete. And with Holly by his side, life would be a journey he would cherish, always.