“Hannah’s with child,” Christopher said.
“Congratulations!” Clayton shook his hand.
“Thank you.”
“No wonder you’ve been so cranky,” Emma said.
Hannah rolled her eyes. “Nice.”
“Well, it explains a lot. And now I’ll feel better about being nice to you, even if you’re not to me.”
Hannah wagged a finger towards her. “I’m going to remember this, you realize that right?”
“No doubt. Still, I’m enjoying teasing you.”
The couples spent dinner discussing babies, but by the time dessert arrived, Hannah was already fading and found herself yawning uncontrollably. Christopher leaned over and patted her hand. “Do you want to go home, sweetheart?”
She smiled up at him tiredly. “No, I’m fine. I’m not going to have Em in a week, so even if I’m half asleep I want to spend as much time with her as possible.”
Emma laid her napkin down and pushed away from the table. “Let’s adjourn to the parlor, shall we?”
Christopher assisted Hannah from her chair and she leaned against him as they made their way out of the dining room.
“What’s the plan for Saturday?” Hannah asked as she sat on the sofa.
Emma settled into one of the high-backed chairs by the fireplace. “We’re taking the eight o’clock train. We’ll get to Harrisburg and have one night, and then Clay will come back on Sunday.”
Christopher sat next to Hannah and linked his fingers with hers. “How long will you be gone?”
“Sophie’s due in about three weeks, but I have a feeling she’ll be late.” Emma slid a lock of hair behind her ear.
Hannah sat forward in alarm. “That’s over a month! I didn’t realize you were going to be gone for that long.”
Emma shrugged. “It’ll fly by.”
Hannah burst into tears.
Emma glanced over at her in concern. “Han-Han? I’ll be back before you know it. You probably won’t even notice I’m gone.”
“I don’t even know why I’m crying.” Hannah wiped her cheeks angrily. “I’m such a sook! If this is what I’m going to be like for nine months, I’m never getting pregnant again.”
Emma smiled. “Look on the bright side. It’s less than nine months now, right?”
That made Hannah sigh, but it was in the midst of the tears, so really came out as more of a hiccup.
“Maybe you should have Gwen come and stay while I’m gone,” Emma said.
“That might be a good idea, Hannah,” Christopher said.
Hannah shook her head. “I would devastate her in ten seconds.”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “I think that girl is stronger than you think.”
“I don’t know if I want company,” Hannah grumbled, and then, “Who am I going to talk to?”
“Your husband?” Christopher piped in.
“You’re not home during the day, Knight!” Hannah snapped.
Clayton shot Christopher a look of sympathy.
“Devastation to pissed off in zero point two seconds,” Emma observed.
“Could we go back to the crying?” he grumbled.
Hannah dragged her hands through her hair. “I’m so bored right now!”
“You never were good at sitting still.” Emma stood and made her way over to her. “You could always come with me.”
Hannah glanced up. “To Harrisburg?”
“Yes, Sophie would love it. You know what she’s like. She wants her entire family around her at all times.”
“I can’t leave Christopher.”
“Excuse us.” Christopher stood and pulled Hannah out of the room, dragging her down to Clayton’s office before pulling her into his arms. “Hannah.”
She burst into tears again. “What am I going to do all day? I’ll have no one to talk to.”
“I’m sure Gwen would love to come and stay if you would like her to.”
“I know, but I really would be worried I’d snap at her or hurt her feelings. With Sophie and Emma, it’s different, you know? They’re my family.”
“Do you want to go to Harrisburg, sweetheart?”
“Kind of.” She fiddled with one of the buttons on his shirt. “But I don’t want to be away from you, so pretty much the whole thing just sucks.”
Christopher chuckled. “Sucks is a bad thing, right?”
“Unless I’m sucking your cock, yes,” she quipped.
Christopher hissed through his teeth. “Hannah.”
She giggled. “Well, it was right out there, honey.”
“I suppose it was.” He smiled. “Maybe it would be a good idea for you to go.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I don’t think I could live without you for that long.”
Christopher gave her a gentle squeeze. “Let’s talk to Emma and Clayton.”
“Okay.”
They walked back into the parlor. Emma stood to hug Hannah. “You okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Sorry.”
Emma smiled. “You don’t need to apologize, Han-Han.”
“Emma, how would you feel if Hannah came with you?” Christopher asked.
Emma’s eyes widened. “I would love it.”
“I don’t know,” Hannah said.
“Hannah, we’ll work it out.” Christopher squeezed Hannah’s hand. “It’s obvious you need to be with your family.”
Hannah frowned. “But, you’re my family.”
“I know, sweetheart.” Christopher handed Hannah a handkerchief. “But I’ll be there with you every weekend.”
“I’m going to see if I can work out more time next week,” Clayton said.
“Do you think that’s even a possibility?” Emma asked.
He shrugged. “You never know.”
“Well, let’s see what you guys can work out first and then I’ll decide.” Hannah blew her nose and then yawned.
“Why don’t you sleep on it?” Emma suggested.
Hannah sighed. “I am tired.”
Christopher pulled her close. “Let’s get you home.”
He led her out the door to their buggy and drove her home. She was asleep by the time they arrived. He lifted her out of the buggy and carried her into the house.
“I can walk, Knight,” she said sleepily.
“But, I enjoy having you in my arms.”
“Charmer.” Hannah yawned, too tired to argue.
He chuckled and kissed her forehead. “Let’s get you into bed.”
Carrying her up the stairs and into their bedroom, he assisted her out of her corset and into a nightgown and then she climbed into bed and promptly fell asleep. He removed his clothes and climbed in beside her, pulling her close.
Shaken awake at three by Hannah’s scream, he pulled her close and stroked her back. “Shhh, sweetheart, wake up. It’s just a dream.”
Hannah dragged herself from her slumber and then jumped out of the bed and threw up. Christopher pulled her back onto the bed and held her close.
“I thought these stupid things were over.”
Christopher stroked her hair. “As did I. Do you remember the dream?”
Hannah shook her head. “No. Just blackness.”
“You’re overwrought and exhausted. Perhaps it might be a good idea for you to go with Emma.”
“Why?”
“You’d have people around all day, and you’ll be there for the last month of Sophie’s pregnancy. You’d be in the midst of your family, awaiting a blessed event, not stuck here alone.”
“I’ll think about it,” she grumbled.
Hannah woke up several times during the night, but tried her best not to wake Christopher. Her anxiety and sadness didn’t help her nausea, but she seemed destined to live with it. The thought of leaving Christopher terrified her, which she tried to make herself understand was perfectly normal with her raging hormones. But the thought of not having Emma close by also made her anxious. She felt like she was between the proverbial rock and a hard plac
e.
HANNAH WOKE LATE the next morning to an empty bed. She sighed and tried not to move as the nausea hit her full force. Her door opened and Christopher came into the room a few minutes later, carrying a tray. Hannah smiled. “I thought you left.”
“As you can see, I haven’t.” Setting the tray on the dresser, he came around to her side of the bed and kissed her cheek. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I have a parasite sucking the life from me.”
“I brought you some toast and tea.”
“Ta.” Hannah sat up and leaned against the headboard. “What I wouldn’t give for some Marmite.”
“What’s Mah... mite?”
“It’s the yummiest thing ever invented, although you would probably hate it. It’s a yeast extract that we put on toast, and whenever I had a tummy ache, mum would make me Marmite on toast.” Tears pricked her eyes at the memory. “It always made me feel better.”
Christopher smiled gently and handed her the toast. “Well, I’m not your mother, but I’ll try to make you feel better.”
She took a small bite. “Thank you.”
He set the tray on the bed, and she continued to nibble on the toast, laying it down when the nausea returned. Christopher sighed.
“What’s wrong?”
Sitting on the bed next to her, he stroked her face. “I wish I could take the fears away.”
“The fact that you are here, loving me, does take all my fears away.” Hannah turned her head and kissed his palm. “You’re my favorite person in the world.”
“Is that my wife being romantic?”
Hannah grinned. “It’s the pregnancy. Don’t get used to it.”
Christopher stood and started to pace.
“Knight?”
“Hm?”
“Come and sit down, love. You’re making me dizzy.” He sat down on the bed and she took a closer look at him. The worry covered him like a blanket, and her heart turned over. “I’ll go with Emma.”
His eyes widened. “You will?”
She laid her hand over his. “Yes, I will. But you better figure out a way to visit often.”
“I will, sweetheart, I promise.”
“And I’m coming home in six weeks, even if Sophie hasn’t had the baby.”
“I can live with that.”
“Does it make you feel better?”
Christopher sighed. “You’re a little too intuitive, Hannah.”
She shrugged. “So I’ve been told.”
“Yes, you will most definitely be safer in Harrisburg.”
Hannah sighed. “Forever my knight in shining armor.”
“Forever my damsel in distress.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead.
* * *
Christopher and Clayton escorted the girls to Harrisburg on Saturday morning. Jamie picked the group up from the train station and they made their way to the Wades’ home, since Clayton and Christopher had to leave the next day. It made sense for everyone to stay there until the baby came.
The carriage pulled to the front of the house and they saw Sophie waiting on the porch for them. Christopher helped Emma from the carriage, and then held a hand out for Hannah.
While the men took care of the bags, Emma rushed to greet her sister. “You’re huge, Soph.”
“Ugh, I know. He moves around constantly. I feel like a whale.”
Jamie carried bags to the porch. “Baby, you don’t look like a whale, and it’s good to know that she is active.”
“He is most definitely active,” Sophie retorted. “Hannah! I’m so glad you’re here. It just wouldn’t seem the same if you weren’t.” Sophie hugged her and then the group moved into the house.
“I think we should take bets on what you’re having,” Emma said.
Sophie raised an eyebrow. “We’re having a boy.”
Jamie shook his head. “I’m not sure our little girl would like to hear that, sweetheart.”
“So, what’s the plan, Soph?” Emma asked.
“Stephen and Christine have spent the past month preparing a room, and I have a feeling they will spend even more time over the next few days.” Sophie showed them the “birthing suite” before walking them to their bedrooms.
Emma linked her arm with Sophie’s. “That room is amazing! Stephen and Christine outdid themselves.”
Sophie nodded. “I know. I feel very spoiled.”
Hannah followed the girls to the parlor, but a bout of nausea had her stepping back into the foyer. She ran into Christopher and he frowned in concern. “Are you all right?”
She patted his chest. “Yes, I just need a minute. Go inside. I’ll be back in a second.”
He nodded and walked into the parlor followed shortly by Clayton and Jamie.
Emma squealed when Clayton snuck up behind her and kissed her neck. “Fabio! I told you never to come here.” She looked up at her husband. “Oh, Clayton, it’s you!”
“Who is this Fabio character?” Clayton pulled Emma off the chair and then settled her on his lap.
“He’s a model, made famous for his romance novel covers. He has long hair, big muscles, and women swoon over him,” Sophie answered.
Clayton raised an eyebrow. “And who is this Orlando person everyone makes reference to?”
“Orlando,” the girls said in unison, sounding like love-struck teenagers.
They started giggling, which made Sophie’s tummy wobble, which then sent them into an even worse laughing fit.
Jamie shook his head with a groan. “Orlando Bloom is an actor. Sophie thinks you look a bit like him.”
Sophie clapped. “Yes, I have my very own Pirate’s cast right here in this room.”
Jamie rolled his eyes. “She thinks I look like Johnny Depp, which is ridiculous.”
“You do,” Emma said.
Clayton laughed. “I’m so confused.”
“Okay, there is the movie trilogy, based on a ride at Disneyland, which is an amusement park.” Emma waved her hand in the air. “Sorry, story for another day probably. But, anyway, this movie series called Pirates of the Caribbean stars Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom.”
“What’s a movie?”
“I’ll explain later, Clay.” Emma rubbed her temples. “My brain hurts.”
“Why does your brain hurt?” Hannah asked as she walked through the parlor door.
Sophie laughed. “Her brain hurts because she’s trying to explain who Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom are and then she said movie, which requires more explanation.”
“Well, Johnny Depp looks like Jamie and Orlando looks like you, Clay.” Hannah took the hand Christopher offered and moved to his side. She leaned against him when he pulled her down next to him on the sofa. “And let’s not forget about Andrew. He looks like Christian Bale.”
Emma nodded. “Ooh, yes, he does!”
“You’re all crazy,” Jamie said.
Sophie squeezed his hand. “Maybe. But it’s cool to think I get to sleep with Johnny Depp every night.”
“And if we ever need saving, we can send out the Bat Signal,” Hannah added. “Or call Legolas.”
Emma frowned. “You think my husband looks like an elf? I prefer him as my very own Will Turner, thank you very much. And what about yours, Han-Han? Brandon Routh anyone?”
Hannah cocked her head in question. “You think Christopher looks like an installment of Superman?”
“Of course he does. That would go perfectly with your Sandra Bullock good looks,” Sophie retorted.
“You’re all smoking crack,” Hannah muttered under her breath.
Christopher raised an eyebrow. “Do I want to know what any of that means?”
Hannah smiled. “Probably not.”
“I personally think Christopher looks more like David Cassidy,” Sophie said.
“Which means, when the pirates and Batman come to save the day, everyone could be singing ‘C’mon Get Happy.’” Emma dissolved into giggles.
“We could paint a carriage to look like the Partri
dge bus and that could be how our heroes rescue us!” Sophie said.
“I think he loves you, Hannah,” Emma sang.
“Oh, funny,” Hannah retorted, but it didn’t take long before the girls were all in fits of laughter.
Once everyone got themselves under control, Emma turned back to Hannah. “How are you feeling?”
Sophie’s head whipped up. “Are you sick?”
“Hmm, how do you answer that one?” Hannah looked at Emma.
“No!”
“Um, yes,” Hannah smiled.
“Another baby! Congratulations,” Sophie said. “I’d get up, but I’m too fat.”
Hannah stood and hugged her. “You look amazing, Soph.”
Jamie congratulated Christopher and hugged Hannah. The couple sat back on the sofa and Christopher settled his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.
“How are you feeling?” Sophie asked.
“Tired and cranky, but otherwise fine,” Christopher put in.
Hannah squeezed his knee. Hard. She felt vindicated when he grimaced and pulled his leg away.
Sophie raised an eyebrow. “Nausea?”
“Yes, it’s terrible.” Hannah laid her hand on her stomach.
Sophie frowned. “Mine started immediately as well. I have some pills that might help. How far along are you now?”
“I think about six weeks.” Her hands shook as she placed them on her stomach.
Sophie smiled. “Han, you’re going to be a wonderful mother.”
“I hope so,” she mumbled.
Christopher took her hand and kissed her palm.
“What time are you two leaving tomorrow?” Jamie asked.
“We’re taking the four o’clock train,” Christopher said.
Clayton nodded. “We’ll return on Friday night. You don’t need to pick us up. We can rent a buggy.”
“Nonsense.” Jamie waved a hand in the air. “It’s no problem.”
“It’s almost lunch time.” Sophie shifted in her seat with a quiet groan. “Jamie, could you please get my anti-nausea pills for Hannah?”
“Sure. I’ll be right back.”
“Any updates on the happy couple?” Emma asked.
“Stephen and Christine have finally set a wedding date for June,” Sophie answered.
“Will it be big?”
“No, it will just be close friends and family.”
The Bride Spy Page 25