Countdown To Baby (Merlyn County Midwives #2)
Page 20
“What if I tell you it’s because I love you with all my heart and soul, and I want to make a real family with you?”
After a brief, taut pause, she whispered, “That might make a difference.”
He lifted one hand to cup her flushed cheek. “I’ve been aware for some time that there was something missing in my life. A hole I tried to fill with business successes and occasional minor rebellions—like the motorcycle. And then I saw you at that reception. I know now that leaving you would tear a hole in my life that no amount of work or financial success would fill.”
“Are you sure, Geoff? Because we haven’t really known each other very long. And you were so positive that you didn’t want this.”
“I was an idiot. And a coward. And it doesn’t matter how long we’ve known each other. We’ve hardly done anything the usual way so far, have we?”
She couldn’t help but smile at that. “No. I suppose we haven’t.”
“You haven’t answered me, Cecilia. Will you marry me?”
Nerves gripped her again. “We’re so different.”
“Don’t start with the age thing again,” he groaned. “How many times do I have to tell you that doesn’t matter to me?”
“It might matter to your grandmother and your father if it turns out that I can’t produce another little Bingham,” she muttered.
“I don’t care. We’ll adopt. We’ll get a puppy. Just say we’ll be together.”
Her eyebrows rose. “A puppy?”
His mouth hovered just above hers. “Whatever you want. I love you, Cecilia Mendoza. Tell me you’ll marry me.”
She waited until he had released her from a tender, knee-melting kiss before speaking again, “I won’t be a submissive wife. I tend to be the independent type.”
He kissed her again before replying. “You’ll have to be. I’ll still have to travel a lot, at least for the next couple of years. Since I doubt that you’ll want to leave your job, we’ll probably have to spend some time apart, but we’ll make the most of our time together.”
This time she was the one who pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “I can handle that.”
He drew back, his eyes searching her face. “Is that a yes?”
“It’s a yes—if you’re absolutely sure. I love you, Geoff. I think I fell in love with you when you smiled at me and offered me a bite of your strawberry at the reception.”
This kiss lasted so long that they were both gasping when it ended.
“I can’t believe we’re engaged,” Cecilia said when she could speak again. “Eric is going to faint.”
“Think he’ll approve?”
“I’m sure he will. What about your father and Mari?”
“They’ll be delighted that someone is willing to take me in hand. And since my grandmother already loves you, we shouldn’t have any trouble with family.”
“Oh, heavens. Speaking of family.” Cecilia looked anxiously toward the bathroom doorway.
Geoff took her hand. “Let’s look together, shall we? And Cecilia—if it’s negative, I’m willing to keep trying to make a baby until we both collapse from exhaustion.”
His exaggeratedly noble tone made her laugh, albeit a bit nervously. They crossed the room slowly, and she suspected that Geoff was as nervous as she was when she drew the plastic stick from its holder.
“Well?” he asked, when she took a moment to get her emotions under control.
The look she gave him must have said it all.
“It’s positive?”
She nodded. The planets were definitely out of alignment, she thought in a daze, but this time she wasn’t complaining.
Looking disgustingly proud of himself, Geoff grinned and swept her into his arms. “Maybe we should keep working at it, anyway—just to make sure.”
Her head spinning with the realization that she had just been given everything she had ever wanted—and so much more—she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love the way you think.”
“And I will love you,” he murmured, tumbling her onto the bed, “for the rest of my life.”
“I’ll expect that in writing,” she warned.
“A woman after my own heart,” he whispered as his hands and his lips began to roam.
This time, she didn’t bother to argue with him.
Special thanks and acknowledgment are given to Gina Wilkins for her contribution to the MERLYN COUNTY MIDWIVES series.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-3272-3
COUNTDOWN TO BABY
Copyright © 2004 by Harlequin Books S.A.
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