As the words penetrated his brain, Dragan was stunned.
Melinda was so upset that clearly she was speaking from the heart instead of playing a role.
And what she’d just said…
It’s all I have left of you.
She wanted the baby because it was his, not to get her out of being queen of Contarini.
So these past few days of hell, when he’d thought she’d used him and had never really loved him—he’d been completely wrong. Paranoid, stupid and just plain wrong.
Because Melinda loved him.
She really, really loved him.
And she wanted this baby because it was his.
Right now she was vulnerable. Her real self, not hiding. And she needed him to be strong for her. Needed him. Wanted him. After all, when she’d thought she’d been calling Chloe, she’d rung his number. He was the one she’d needed.
He swallowed hard. ‘You’re not going to lose our baby.’ He hoped to hell she wasn’t. It all depended on whether she’d been infected by the bacterium and what stage the pregnancy was. ‘And you haven’t lost me either. I’m sorry. You gave me a hard time—but I’ve given you a hard time, too. We’re as bad as each other.’
‘I never meant to hurt you.’
‘And I never meant to hurt you.’
Again, he reached across to hold her hand. Her hand gripped his so tightly, she was close to cutting off his circulation, but he didn’t care. And he was glad that they were on a straight bit of road right now with no roundabouts or traffic lights ahead—because he would really, really resent having to loosen her hand to change gear.
‘It’s going to be all right,’ he promised softly. ‘And I’m going to be there with you every single step of the way.’
They made it to the hospital with five minutes to spare. Just enough time to get to the maternity department—and Dragan kept his arm round Melinda the whole time.
It was the first time she’d felt warm since her return to England.
Until they reached the maternity ward and Melinda saw the whiteboard with her name on it, in the column marked EMERGENCY. ‘Porca miseria!’ She clapped a hand to her mouth, sounding horrified.
‘It’s written up there because they’re expecting you in and I asked for an emergency scan,’ Dragan said quietly. ‘All it means is that you didn’t have a pre-booked routine appointment. There’s nothing to worry about, cara. I promise.’
He led her over to the reception desk, where one of the midwives was busy writing notes. ‘I’ve brought Melinda Fortesque for a scan and to see Mr Perron.’
The midwife looked up and smiled. ‘Have a seat. I’ll let him know you’re here.’
The wait seemed endless. And Melinda was still shaking even as the consultant came over and introduced himself, then took them into a small treatment room.
‘I understand you’re a vet,’ he said.
She nodded. ‘I didn’t know I was pregnant when I helped out with the lambing. It was a few weeks ago, and my boss tells me the farm’s been hit by EAE. We don’t know the cause yet, but as chlamydiosis is the most common…’ Her voice faded.
‘You’ve done the right thing in coming here,’ Mr Perron said. ‘I know it’s hard, but try not to worry. It’s pretty rare that women are affected by chlamydiosis, and even rarer that the baby’s affected—there are fewer than ten cases a year nowadays.’
‘Because people are aware of the risks.’
‘Even so. Try not to worry,’ he said gently. ‘And this is your doctor?’
‘Her partner,’ Dragan corrected.
‘Sorry.’ The consultant checked the notes. ‘Must be crossed wires. It’s down here that you’re her doctor.’
‘I’m a GP, yes,’ Dragan said, ‘but not Melinda’s. I just rang through to save time.’
Mr Perron nodded. ‘So you know what we’re going to do.’
‘Blood test and an ultrasound to give us some dates,’ Melinda said.
‘We’ll do the nasty bit first,’ Mr Perron said. ‘Can you make a fist for me, Ms Fortesque?’
‘Melinda.’
‘Melinda,’ he said with a smile, checking for access to a vein in her inner elbow. ‘Pump it for me…That’s good. Now, sharp scratch…’ She flinched, and he took the blood sample and then labelled it. ‘The results won’t be back for a couple of days, but do try not to worry. Have you had any flu-like symptoms at all?’
‘Nothing. No chills or fever, no cough, no headache.’
‘How about a sore throat or any joint pains?’ Mr Perron asked. At her shake of the head he added, ‘Any problems with bright light?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Sickness?’
Melinda dragged in a breath. ‘Oh, Dio. I thought it was morning sickness. And it’s only been this week.’
‘Then it probably is morning sickness, and it affects women in very different ways,’ he reassured her. ‘There’s no guarantee if you have morning sickness in one pregnancy you’ll have it in the next—and vice versa. Now, let’s have a look at the scan. Can you get onto the couch for me and bare your tummy?’
She did so, and Dragan sat next to her, holding her hand tightly.
‘I’m going to put some gel on your stomach—I’m afraid this is the portable scanner so the gel’s going to feel cold. The gel’s always warmer in the ultrasound department than it is here.’ He smiled at her. ‘Right. Then I’m going to stroke this over your abdomen—you might feel a little bit of pressure, but it shouldn’t hurt at all. Can you both see the screen?’
‘Yes,’ Dragan said.
‘And…Voilà.’
Dragan gazed in wonder at the screen.
Their baby.
Two arms, two legs, a head. Definitely alive and kicking. And he could see the heart beating.
Mr Perron did some measurements. Without even needing to look at a chart, he smiled. ‘I’d say from this you’re about ten weeks.’
‘And everything’s all right?’
‘Two arms, two legs, a head, a nicely beating heart.’ He moved the scanner round. ‘Your placenta’s in the right place, too, so nothing to worry about there.’
Dragan couldn’t take his eyes off the screen. A little life. Something he and Melinda had created. The beginning of their family. His fingers tightened round hers.
‘Could we…? Is it possible to have a picture, please?’ Melinda asked.
Mr Perron shook his head regretfully. ‘This is the portable scanner and it’s not hooked up to a printer. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until your dating scan. Unless…’ He paused. ‘Do you have a mobile phone?’
‘Yes, and I switched it off before we came into the hospital,’ Dragan said.
‘Does it have a camera?’
‘Yes.’
Mr Perron spread his hands. ‘Well, then. There’s the solution.’
‘But—I thought you weren’t supposed to use mobile phones in hospitals? In case it interfered with the equipment?’ Melinda asked.
‘It really depends on the area. I’d stop anyone using one in Intensive Care, the special baby care unit or where there’s a lot of equipment being used—places where there’s a high risk of electromagnetic interference or where a ringtone might sound like an alarm tone on medical equipment and there’s a chance it might be missed.’ Mr Perron gave her a rueful smile. ‘And I have to admit, it drives the staff crazy if phones are going off all over the place, disturbing patients’ rest or drowning out a discussion about someone’s health-care plan. But you’re taking a photograph of your own scan so it’s not breaching patient confidentiality—and you’re far enough away from any other equipment that it’s not going to hurt anyone. Go ahead.’
‘Thank you,’ Dragan said, pulled his phone from his pocket, switched it on and took a couple of photographs.
‘I’ll be in touch with the blood results,’ the consultant said. ‘I think the chances are that you’ll be fine, but if there is a problem we can start treatment immediately.’ He handed Draga
n some paper towels.
Dragan cleaned the gel off Melinda’s stomach and restored order to her clothes. When she sat up, he held her close.
‘I’ll give you a minute or two,’ Mr Perron said softly. ‘It’s always emotional, the first time you see the baby on a scan.’
Melinda had no idea how long they stayed like that, just holding each other. But when they pulled apart and she looked at Dragan, she could see that his eyelashes were wet, too. The scan had moved him just as much as it had moved her.
‘I’ve missed you so much,’ she said. ‘And I didn’t do this on purpose, Dragan.’
‘I know that now—and I’m sorry. I thought you were using me.’
She shook her head. ‘I’d never do that. And besides, we didn’t make the baby that night. It was long before then. I know we used condoms, but you know as well as I do that the only one hundred per cent reliable method of contraception is abstinence.’ She looked at him. ‘I wouldn’t use you like that. I love you.’
He stroked her face. ‘I love you, too. Volim te.’
‘Do you?’ She wasn’t so sure. He’d walked away from her.
‘Yes.’ He brushed his mouth against hers. ‘These last few days rank among the most miserable of my entire life. When I thought I’d lost you—and the baby—it felt as bad as when I lost my family.’
‘So why did you walk out on me?’
‘Pride. Stupidity, because I let my pride get in the way. I should’ve stayed to fight for you.’
‘Me, too.’
‘Let’s go home,’ he said softly.
‘Home?’
‘To hell with the papers. They can print what they like. You and the baby are the only ones who matter. Before you went back to Contarini, we were planning to move in together. Get married. So let’s do it.’
‘You still want to marry me?’
‘I never stopped wanting to marry you,’ he said softly. ‘But I tried to do the right thing. To let you go back to Contarini so you weren’t cut off from your family.’
‘They chose to do that anyway.’ She closed her eyes.
‘We can sort it out. Because I’m on your side,’ he reminded her.
‘My mother—’
‘Will be fine. She’ll be reconciled with us. I have a plan.’ He stroked her hair. ‘Your official dating scan is…when?’
‘Wednesday.’
‘And your next time off is…?’
‘The weekend after.’
‘Mine, too,’ he said. ‘I’ll book Bramble in with Lizzie and we’ll fly over to Contarini. Pay your family a visit. I think it’s time your mother discovered that family is more important than duty. And, faced with you and a certain photograph, I think she’ll soften.’
Fear tricked down Melinda’s spine. ‘What if she doesn’t?’
‘She will. Trust me.’
‘Because you’re a doctor?’
He laughed. ‘Or so the saying goes. Sve ce biti okej. Everything will be OK,’ he translated. ‘And we’ve got a wedding to plan. Last Saturday of April.’
Her eyes went wide. ‘You what?’
‘Unless you’ve talked to Reverend Kenner to call it all off, the wedding’s booked for the last Saturday in April.’ He smiled wryly. ‘That’s the one thing I didn’t think to do. Speak to the vicar to say it wasn’t going to happen any more. I suppose subconsciously I still hoped it would work out.’
‘It’s going to work out. Because I’m never, ever going to keep anything from you again.’
‘No?’
‘No.’
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
MELINDA’S booking-in appointment and scan went as planned. She’d just finished evening surgery on Wednesday when Chloe dropped into the vet’s.
‘I wanted to tell you in person,’ she said with a smile. ‘Mr Perron just rang your results through. You’re clear.’
Melinda hugged her. ‘Chloe—that’s so…I…’
Chloe smiled. ‘Hey, you’re meant to start forgetting your words a bit later on in pregnancy than this!’
‘I’m just so relieved—so happy.’ Melinda hugged her again. ‘You must come and celebrate with Dragan and me tonight.’
‘No.’ Chloe patted her arm. ‘It’s lovely of you to ask me, but this really should be just the two of you. At least you can relax and enjoy your pregnancy now.’
‘Definitely.’
She locked up the surgery and walked with Chloe towards Fisherman’s Row. ‘Are you sure you won’t come in?’ she asked when they reached Dragan’s door.
‘I’m sure. This should be between just the two of you. Now, go and put him out of his misery. See you later.’ Chloe walked further down to her house, while Melinda opened the door with the key Dragan had given her two days previously.
The key to his house.
Which he’d told her was now their house.
It might be small, but it was home—and she loved it here. Close to the sea, with a little patch of garden. And, best of all, Dragan was here.
Bramble bounded over to her, wagging her tail.
‘Oh, you bad dog—you’re supposed to be taking it easy, still, not leaping around,’ Melinda scolded.
Bramble completely ignored the telling-off and licked her.
Dragan saved the file on his computer, then pushed his chair back and walked over to enfold her in his arms. ‘Good day?’ he asked.
‘Better than good. Mr Perron just rang through to Chloe. We’re in the clear.’
Dragan whooped, picked her up and twirled her round. ‘That’s fantastic. So now we can relax and just look forward to October.’ He kissed her. ‘I’m just so happy.’
‘Me, too.’
They ended up celebrating in bed.
And the following evening they went late-night shopping in Newquay. For just one item. Melinda steered him away from the more expensive jeweller’s shops.
‘I can afford it, you know. The upside of living like a Spartan is that I have a fairly decent savings account,’ Dragan said.
‘I’d rather spend the money on the baby than on me.’
‘There’s enough for both of you.’
She sighed. ‘I love you, Dragan, and I’d happily marry you with a plastic ring from a Christmas cracker. You don’t have to make a fuss about precious metals and gemstones.’
Dragan laughed. ‘I think we can do better than a plastic ring. Just have a look around. And we’re not looking at prices—we’re looking for something you like.’
He knew the second she’d seen the one because her eyes lit up. A plain platinum band with an emerald-cut solitaire diamond.
And when she tried it on, it was a perfect fit.
‘This was meant to be,’ he said, bought it, and slipped the velvet-covered box into his pocket.
He considered giving her the ring over dinner, but it didn’t feel right, getting officially engaged away from Penhally. The place that had brought them together.
‘You know when I asked you to marry me, I said it should’ve been at sunrise?’ he said conversationally when they were back in the village.
Melinda groaned. ‘No. Please tell me you’re not planning to make me get up before dawn tomorrow.’
‘That was plan A,’ he teased. ‘But I’ll settle for plan B. Bramble needs a walk. Coming?’
‘I’m a little tired.’
‘That was a rhetorical question,’ he informed her. ‘And we’ll take it slowly.’
‘Slow? With Bramble?’ she teased. ‘She’s a husky in disguise!’
It was a clear evening, and the sky was full of stars. Better still, there were no paparazzi around as they strolled down the harbour towards the lighthouse. Everything was quiet; there was just the swish of the ocean as the waves lapped against the short.
‘Lie down and wait,’ Dragan told Bramble, who promptly did his bidding.
Then he turned to Melinda and dropped to one knee. ‘Now I’m going to ask you properly. Melinda Fortesque, will you be my wife, my love, for the rest of our da
ys?’
‘Yes,’ she whispered.
He took the ring from its box, slid it onto her finger, then stood up again, pulled her into his arms and kissed her. ‘Thank you,’ he said softly when he broke the kiss.
They strolled back home hand in hand, the dog trotting along beside them. As they passed the church, Dragan said, ‘This is where we’ll be, the last Saturday of the month.’ He paused. ‘Do we really have enough time to organise this wedding?’
‘All we need is each other and a ring.’
He smiled. ‘This is Penhally. Whether we like it or not, we’re going to have a church full of friends. Even if we have the tiniest reception, we’re going to have a huge wedding.’ He looked at her. ‘If it’s too much for you, we can put it back a bit.’
Melinda shook her head. ‘My sister Serena says that everything is simple until people complicate things.’
‘Wise words,’ Dragan said. ‘Though we need to see your family before we can get married.’
‘You don’t have to ask my father’s permission.’
‘No, but I would like his blessing. Families are important, cara. And I want our marriage to start on the right note.’
‘It will.’ She squeezed his hand. ‘And your family will be there in spirit. I hope they would have approved of me.’
Dragan had to swallow the lump in his throat. ‘They would’ve loved you, Melinda. Just like I do.’
His family would have taken her straight to their hearts. But he had a feeling that her family wouldn’t react to him in the same way. After all, she was a princess and he was just an ordinary man.
‘That’s something else I wanted to ask you, Dragan. The baby…If it’s a boy, I’d like to name him after your father. And a girl after your mother.’
The lump in his throat grew even larger. ‘Are you sure?’
She nodded.
‘What about your parents? It’s not fair to name a baby after one set of grandparents and not the other.’
Melinda smiled. ‘That’s one of the things I love about you, carissimo. Your sense of fairness. But I was thinking we’d have more than one baby…’
On Saturday morning Melinda and Dragan caught the early flight to London, then a connecting flight to Naples. The nearer they got to Italy, the quieter Melinda became. And Dragan noticed that she didn’t talk at all during the flight to Contarini. He laced his fingers through hers.
Brides of Penhally Bay - Vol 2 Page 15