I rest my hand over my belly. I’m pregnant. With Marc’s child. Holy shit.
Nothing’s ever going to be the same again. So why pretend it is?
Chapter Twenty-Four
Fitz
The door opens to reveal Charlie King, with his usual affable smile and gray ruffled hair. I knew he was here because I saw his car outside. He’d obviously seen Poppy leave the party and wanted to make sure she was all right, too.
I’ve met Charlie a few times at the Ark. He’s like his daughter in a lot of ways—quiet, thoughtful, a lot going on behind his eyes. I’m sure he would have been very like Albie at his age; maybe a little less carefree, a little more serious. He’s obviously highly intelligent, which is intimidating, but he’s so nice with it that it doesn’t matter.
“Hey Fitz,” he says, standing back. “And hey Jack.” He ruffles the dog’s hair where I hold him under my arm. “Come in.”
I walk into Poppy’s house for the first time, put Jack down, and glance around. It’s not at all what I thought. Her office is sparse and businesslike, all chrome and glass, and I’d expected her home to be the same. It’s not. Pieces of stylish wooden furniture stand dotted about, and the place is filled with color—paintings, throws, and cushions, all adding splashes of bright yellows, reds, blues, and greens. She must have picked up a lot of them on her travels, I think, or at least they have an Indian theme to them.
She’s not here, and I give Charlie a quizzical look. “Composing herself,” he says. “I told her I’d entertain you with a song, but you really don’t want to hear me sing. Want a Coke instead?”
I like that he hasn’t asked me why I’m here, or why I’ve left the wake Noah’s holding for my mother. “Sure,” I reply, more for something to do than because I want a drink.
I follow him through to the kitchen, Jack at my heels, enjoying himself sniffing around this new place. Again, this room looks well-loved and well-used, with multiple dog-eared cookbooks on the shelves, racks of half-used herbs, and, when Charlie opens the fridge, multiple cuts of meat, colorful vegetables, and a variety of cheeses.
“She cooks,” I say, with some surprise, I don’t know why.
“She makes a mean Tandoori chicken.” He retrieves two Diet Cokes, passes me one, and pops the top of his own. “Come and sit outside. She won’t be long.”
We go onto the deck and sit under the canopy in two comfortable deckchairs, while Jack goes off to explore the garden. “I didn’t get a chance to see you at Noah’s,” Charlie says. “I’m so sorry to hear about your mom.”
“Izzy and I got your flowers, thank you,” I tell him. “Izzy was very touched by how many people sent them.”
“Well, that’s what they’re for—showing those who are left behind that we’re thinking of them.”
I nod and give a little smile. It’s been a really tough ten days. Izzy, especially, has gone through a whole gamut of emotions. Going through Mom’s house and all her stuff was upsetting for both of us, because she’d kept so many items from our childhood, and so many of Dad’s things—we never realized. It was good in many ways, a chance for us both to put our past to rest, and to reconnect just the two of us, as well. But we’re both emotionally exhausted, and I think we’re both tempted to sleep for a week once the reception is over today.
But first I need to see Poppy. I’ve had to put any notion of sorting out our relationship onto the backburner while I organized everything else, but although I haven’t had much time to see her, she’s always in my mind. I was hoping to catch up with her today once I’d said hello to everyone at Noah’s, but not long after I spotted her, Noah came up to tell me she’d slipped out. He said Charlie had gone after her, and I suspected it was because she was upset. I’m not sure why—I suspect she’s discovered she’s not pregnant. I know I shouldn’t have left the reception—it is for my mother, after all. But I couldn’t let Poppy go through this without me. I was so convinced I’d knocked her up.
“Anyway,” Charlie says, “I’d better get going and leave you two lovebirds to it.”
So she’s told him about us, then? That surprises me. I wonder if he knows all the details.
“Actually,” I say, “I’ve got something to ask you… If you have a minute.”
“Sure,” he says.
I run a hand through my hair. “Er… It sounds as if Poppy has told you that we… ah… are sort of seeing each other.”
He studies me for a moment, then leans back and rests an ankle on the other knee. I can’t tell if he’s wary or amused. “Yeah.”
“Well… I’m incredibly fond of her… and we had a great time in Hawke’s Bay. I haven’t seen her much over the past week or so, but I’ve missed her a lot, and I thought… well, I hoped…” Jesus, I’m making a hash of this.
Charlie meets my gaze and his lips curve up.
“I’m doing my best,” I say somewhat huffily, and his smile spreads.
“What do you want to ask me?” he says softly.
“Mr. King—”
“God, Charlie, please.”
“Charlie… would I have your blessing to ask Poppy for her hand in marriage?”
He smiles. “Of course.”
I feel a swell of relief and happiness. Jack comes back up to me as if sensing my emotions, and I pick him up and put him on my lap, kissing his head. “I haven’t asked her yet, so it’s entirely possible she’ll say no.”
“Well, you won’t know until you ask.”
“I think Daniel did a lot of damage.”
His smile fades and his brow darkens. “I was all for going around to his house with a hammer to smash his kneecaps, but her mother talked me out of it.”
That makes me laugh. “You’d have resorted to violence?”
“Probably not. But I’d like to have given him a piece of my mind. A grown man with a wife and two children seducing a younger woman, treating her badly, and then abandoning her… Yeah. Not impressed.”
“Me neither. If you ever form a posse, give me a call.”
We both smile.
“You’re really serious about her,” he says.
“I am. But I know she’s been hurt, and she’s reluctant to enter another relationship because of that.”
“I didn’t think I’d see her dating again for a long time,” he admits. “Your suggestion you do things the old-fashioned way was very innovative.”
I haven’t blushed since I was about fourteen, but my face grows hot. “Uh…”
He tries not to laugh, and fails. “Sorry.” He glances at the house, obviously sees Poppy coming out of the bathroom, and gets to his feet. “Look after my little girl, won’t you?” he says softly. “She’s pretty sweet on you.”
I swallow and nod. We’re shaking hands when Poppy comes out onto the deck.
“What’s going on?” she asks suspiciously.
“Two men doing manly things,” her father says. “I’m going to leave you to it. Are you okay?”
She nods. Her eyes are bright, and I suspect she’s been crying, but she looks composed now. “Hey Jack,” she says, bending to stroke him as he runs up to her.
“All right,” Charlie says. “Come here.” He gives her a big hug and a kiss on the forehead. “I’ll see you soon, sweetheart. Let me know how it goes, okay?”
“Okay, Dad.”
He nods at me, says goodbye to Jack, then walks into the house, and a few seconds later I hear the front door open and close.
“What are you doing here?” Poppy asks me softly. “You should be with Noah and your guests.”
“I needed to see you,” I tell her. “I was worried about you.”
She studies her bare feet. She’s painted her toenails a dark red. It makes me want to kiss them. “I’m sorry if I made you leave,” she says. “I shouldn’t have walked out without saying something. But I’ve been a bit emotional, and it all got too much for me.”
“It’s okay. It’s not a problem.” I move a little closer to her, slide a hand under her ch
in, and lift it so I can look into her eyes. “I want to apologize.”
She swallows, her throat moving against my hand. “What for?”
“For not having seen you much the last ten days or so.”
“It’s okay, you’ve been busy and you lost your mom, it’s perfectly understand—”
“Poppy,” I say gently, “let me speak.” I lower my hand and shove my hands in my pockets. “You’re right, I have been preoccupied, but that’s not a good enough excuse. I’ve missed you. And after what we shared at the lighthouse, you deserve so much more.”
She drops her gaze and presses her lips together, I think to keep the bottom one from trembling.
“I’m crazy about you,” I tell her simply. “I have been since I met you, and it’s only gotten worse since we slept together. I knew it would. And I know you promised yourself you wouldn’t fall for me, and that you don’t want a relationship because you’re worried about getting hurt again. But I want to tell you right now that if you let me, I’ll treat you like a princess, and I’ll worship the ground you walk on. I’ll be by your side for the rest of our lives, and I’ll love you and support you in whatever you want to do. I’ll adore all the wonderful children I’m sure we’ll have, and I’ll work hard to make sure they have everything they need in life. I’ll love you forever.”
She looks up at me again, her eyes brimming with tears. “Marc…” she whispers.
But I haven’t finished yet. I take my hands out of my pockets, extracting the velvet box there at the same time. I open it, revealing the diamond ring I bought down in Hamilton while I was there with Izzy.
“Poppy King,” I say, “will you marry me and put up with my grouchy ways and make me the happiest man in the world?”
She stares at me, and her jaw drops. “Oh my God,” she whispers.
I take her hand in mine and kiss her fingers.
“Did he tell you?” she asks me.
“Did who tell me what?”
She presses her fingers to her lips. “You really don’t know?”
I frown, puzzled now. “Are you talking about Charlie? He said you were sweet on me. I hope he was right.”
A tear runs down her cheek, and her fingers tremble. “Marc… I’m pregnant.”
My eyes widen. “What?” I get hurriedly to my feet. “Are you sure?”
She nods. “I didn’t think I was—I took a test and it was negative. It’s why I left Noah’s. I just felt so emotional thinking our… connection was over, and that it hadn’t worked. But Dad made me take another test. He said I could have ovulated a day later than I thought, and he was right. The test was positive.”
“Holy shit.” I grin broadly. “We’re having a baby?”
She hesitates, and my smile fades. “Don’t,” I say. “Don’t tell me you want to have it without me.” Oh Jesus. My heart is going to break if she says that.
She takes my hands in hers. “It’s not that. It’s just… If I say yes, I don’t want you thinking it’s only because I’m pregnant. That I’m frightened of having the baby alone. I need you to know I’m not marrying you because I feel I have to, you know?”
“Christ, Poppy, I don’t care. I really don’t. And I don’t care who else knows. I love you, and if you love me, that’s all that matters.”
“I do love you,” she says, tears running down her face. “I didn’t mean to, but I do, I can’t help it.”
I lift the velvet box, take out the ring, and open my other hand to her. She places her left hand in it, and I slide the ring onto her finger.
Then I wrap her in my arms and give her a long, passionate kiss.
I only stop because she’s crying so much. “Hey, come on,” I murmur, wiping her cheeks with my thumbs. “This should be a happy moment.”
“I am happy. Incredibly happy.”
I kiss her again, and then kiss her cheeks, her nose, her eyelids, and back to her mouth. “Are we really having a baby?” I whisper, dropping a hand to her tummy.
“I know, I can’t believe it either.” She puts her hand over mine.
“It was that night,” I say. “In the viewing room. I knew it. I felt it happen.”
“You can’t have,” she scoffs, but her fingers curl around mine, and she presses our hands against her belly. “We can’t tell anyone. Not for a few months. Miscarriages are very common in the early days.”
“Yeah. It’ll have to be our little secret.” I kiss her again. “But you will marry me, won’t you?”
“Yes, Marc. I’ll marry you. But I’d like a quiet wedding. I don’t want lots of pomp and fuss. Not like Izzy and Hal.”
“Whatever you want. We can go away, just the two of us—all right, three of us,” I add as Jack gives a short bark. “Or we could say our vows in a registry office and go for a meal afterward with your family.”
“I’d like that. They’ll be your family, too, you realize.”
“Noah will be happy,” I say, and she smiles.
She examines her ring for a moment. “It’s so beautiful, Marc, thank you.”
“I thought it was pretty,” I tell her. The diamond isn’t ginormous—I got one as big as I could afford, but it’s set in an Art Deco Floral Halo, which I thought was suitable after our time in Napier.
“It’s absolutely beautiful. Very me.” She smiles, slides her arms around me, and looks into my eyes. “I had such a wonderful time at Hawke’s Bay. Do you think it was because it was all so new?”
“No,” I say, meaning it. “I think it was because we’re so right for each other.”
“I’m so sorry about your mom.” She rests her cheek on my chest. “I wish she could be here to see you get married and to hold your baby.”
Emotion washes over me, and for a moment I can’t speak. I hold her tightly, looking out across the garden. I wish Mom could be here, too, and it makes me immensely sad to think neither she nor my father are around. But at least she’s at peace now.
A piwakawaka, more commonly known as a fantail bird, swoops down onto the lemon tree nearest us. It jumps around from branch to branch almost as if it’s dancing for us, displaying its beautiful tail. Mom liked fantails; in fact, I brought back a piece of artwork she had in her garden, made from a steel stencil design. I get the strange feeling she’s trying to tell me she’s still with me. I suppose she always will be, in my memories.
Jack runs down the steps to chase it, and it sits in the tree, as if it’s laughing at his short legs.
We stand there like that for a long time, Poppy in my arms, warmed by the spring sunshine.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Poppy
Two weeks later, Marc and I get married.
There are only twenty-five of us present, including me and Marc. The Three Wise Men are there, with their wives. And all their children, natural or not, and their partners if they have them. And, of course, little baby Ethan, dressed in the cutest outfit of a onesie designed like a suit with a black bow tie printed at the top.
We say our vows at the local registry office, and I wear a simple cream dress and carry a bouquet of white roses, succulents, rosemary and sage, and paua shell, which is just beautiful. Marc wears a smart navy suit, and he has his hair trimmed, although not too much, because I like it long. He asks me to wear my hair up, because he wants to be the one to take it down when we go to bed that night, so my hairdresser braids it and pins it up with more fresh flowers.
Mom cries when she first sees me in the dress, and Dad conveniently gets something in his eye as he walks me down the aisle.
Our vows are simple, the whole process understated, and it just feels so right, I can’t explain. Marc looks into my eyes as he promises to keep me in his heart for the rest of his life, and I believe every word he says.
For some reason, he also makes all the girls at the wedding cry. Nobody’s going to have any mascara left intact by the end of the day.
After we’re married, we have dinner at Between the Sheets on the seafront, and I spend a few hours dancin
g with my family and friends. It’s only toward the end of the evening that I sit in one of the plastic chairs on the beach, where all the girls have finally crashed. The guys are up at the bar at the moment, talking rugby. We don’t usually separate like this, but most of the guys aren’t keen on dancing, and for once it’s nice to spend some time with my girlfriends.
It’s late now and the sun has set, but there’s a beautiful warm November breeze blowing up from the ocean. The sea is the color of a fruit bowl full of plums, mandarins, peaches, and blueberries. We’ve eaten snapper caught this morning, and I’ve had a small glass of champagne, and I feel warm, content, and happy.
“My feet feel twice their size,” Jules complains, circling her feet at the ankles.
“And they weren’t small to begin with,” Nix comments.
“Gee, thanks.” Jules pokes her tongue out and we all laugh. It’s true that, because she’s tallish at five-nine, her feet aren’t particularly dainty, but she hardly needs clown shoes.
I stretch and yawn. “I’m going to sleep so well tonight. I’m knackered.”
“Don’t let Fitz hear you say that,” Clio says. “I think he’s hoping to keep you up for a few more hours.” She smirks, and the others chuckle.
I just give a smile. I have a man of my own who loves me, and for once I can feel smug. “My husband is welcome to entertain me any way he wants.”
Clio huffs a sigh. “I can’t believe you’re all settling down. Jules, we’ll have to found a losers club.”
“Thanks, Clio.”
“No offence.”
“None taken,” Jules says. “I’m happy being single. It’s liberating, and my time is my own, and I don’t have anyone to tell me what to do… and oh my God I’m so desperate to get laid I can’t tell you.”
We all burst out laughing, and she covers her face with her hands. “I miss sex so much,” she says with a sigh. “I’m so envious of you all I could die.”
“I’ve got shares in Duracell,” Clio says, “I get through so many of their batteries.”
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