"No. There's something else."
"What?"
"Do you remember the first night we made love?"
"Oh, yeah."
"I told you I was protected."
"Yeah." He almost stopped breathing. Was she already carrying his child? Was he to be doubly blessed? Liza and a child?
"I said that because I'd been told I probably couldn't have children. Scar tissue from an earlier operation."
Nick pulled her close. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'm so sorry."
* * *
Liza heard the pain in his voice. She struggled to continue.
"They told me when I was eighteen. But—but I'm pregnant, Nick. They were wrong." She held her breath, hoping he'd be happy.
Instead, he merely stared at her. "You're pregnant? With my child?"
"Who else's child would it be?"
Instead of answering, he kissed her. Then the questions burst out of him: "How are you? Have you seen a doctor? Is there anything wrong? We've got a great man here. I'll call in the morning and get an appointment to—"
"Nick! Nick, I've seen a doctor and everything's all right. But—but I don't know if I'll ever be able to have any other children. You have to think about that. You wanted a big family and—and I don't know if—"
He sat straight up in bed and took her by the shoulders to lift her, too. "Is that what this is all about? You're worried I won't want you if you can't provide me with a dozen children? Dear God, Liza. It's you. I want you. I want to live my life with you. If we're blessed with any children, I'll be thrilled. But you're the one I can't live without."
And he kissed her again.
"Oh, Nick, I wanted you to say that. But are you sure? I'd understand if—"
"Well, I wouldn't! We're getting married as soon as we can get a license."
"I'll want to tell Emily. I know she can't come, but I want to tell her."
"Of course. And my family, my brothers and sister. And your parents?"
Liza snuggled against him, finding it hard to believe she was discussing her wedding. "Hmm, let's wait until after we're married. I want to enjoy my wedding."
He grinned. "Agreed. I certainly want to enjoy our wedding. And the rest of our lives. Us and junior here," he added softly, touching her stomach.
"You won't mind if the baby's a girl?"
"Of course not, as long as you don't mind if I teach her to fish," he teased.
A knock sounded on the door. Liza pulled the sheet up to her chin. Nick made sure he was covered too. "Yes?"
"Nick, I have Liza's soup ready."
"Did you bring it up?"
"Yes."
"Then come on in." He knew how anxious Bonnie was to find out what was going on.
When she discovered them both in bed together, Bonnie grinned. "I guess I don't have to ask if she's going to stay?"
Nick grinned in return. "She's more than just staying. We're getting married."
"Hallelujah!" Bonnie set the tray on a table by the door and rushed to hug them both.
"Bonnie?" Nick said after he'd received his hug. "There's one more thing."
"What's that?" she asked, her face covered with a beaming smile.
Knowing how much his housekeeper would celebrate with them, like the mother she pretended to be, he said softly, "We're having a baby."
Bonnie screamed with joy as she started the hugging all over again. "Oh, lovey, I prayed and prayed. This is wonderful. I'm going to be a grandma!" Then she backed away from the bed. "I mean, um, I'll be a stand-in grandma."
Liza grinned. "I think you'll be the best grandma ever, Bonnie. I'll need your help. I don't know much about being pregnant or having a baby."
"Oh, lovey, I'd be so proud to help you. Now, the first thing is you need to eat your dinner and get your rest. Nick, don't you be bothering her. Let her sleep," she ordered sternly, backing toward the door. "I've got fresh milk for in the morning, lovey. We're going to take good care of our baby." She beamed at both of them and left the room.
"Uh-oh, I think we're going to regret telling her so soon," Nick said. "She's going to hover over you like crazy."
"No, I won't regret it," she assured him. "I'm going to love every minute. It'll be like having Aunt Meredith back. Like having a family." She kissed him. "There's just one problem."
"What's that?" Nick asked anxiously.
"I'm not the least bit sleepy. Can you help me with that?"
"Are you sure? What about dinner?"
"Nick, I've been gone too long. I'll eat later. Bonnie will never know."
He pulled her close, reveling in her soft skin. "Oh, yeah, I think I can help."
Both their dreams were coming true.
Special thanks and acknowledgment are given to Judy Christenberry for her contribution to THE COLTONS series.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-8411-5
THE DOCTOR DELIVERS
Copyright © 2001 by Harlequin Books S.A.
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Table of Contents
About the Author
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
The Doctor Delivers Page 17