"It doesn't, and I cannot believe you're entertaining that nonsense." Clamping his fingers on her chin, he forced her to look at him. "You're meant to be a mother. I've gone to some of the children's homes you dragged me to, and I saw the way the kids rallied around you. Some of them had grubby little hands, but that did not bother you one bit. I've never met a more giving and caring person in my life. You're going to make a terrific mother."
Tears gathered at the back of her eyes and spilled over. "Hormones," she whispered with a watery smile.
"Of course." He kissed the tears from her cheeks. "Drink up. I have some calls to make, and I'll be right back."
"Samuel?"
He turned to look at her.
"I love you."
His expression softened. "You'd better."
Feeling the tension dissipating, she leaned back and proceeded to finish the refreshments he had brought her.
"Good Christ, Olivia! Is that the best you can do?" Samuel shouted. "Your lackluster performance is showing. What the hell is wrong with you? I want to see the creativity you showed me just yesterday. What?"
He whirled to face his beleaguered assistant, who held out his phone. "I said no interruptions. We're in the middle-"
"It's your wife, sir," the man hastened to tell him. "She's calling from the hospital. Said she tried to-" He jumped back slightly as his boss snatched the phone from him.
"Bob-" Samuel motioned to the director. "Take over."
"Of course." The rotund little man hurried forward and started issuing orders.
Hurrying over to his makeshift office, he slammed the door to get rid of the noise. Heart pounding in dread, he answered. "Eliza, what's going on?"
"It's nothing to freak out about," she hastened to assure him. "I was spotting and feeling dizzy, and they told me to come in. I tried calling you-"
"My phone was dead. Are you all right? Let me talk to the doctor."
Shoving his clenched fist into the pocket of his denims, he heard her whisper something.
"Mr. Copeland, it's Blake, Dr. Forsythe. There's nothing to worry about. Like I told your wife, spotting at this point is normal. Herblood pressure is high, and we would like to keep her here for a day or two to monitor her."
"The babies?"
The man hesitated briefly, causing Samuel's own blood pressure to spike. "One is a little more underweight than the others. I know the nausea has been pretty bad, so we're also suggesting inserting a feeding tube."
"Is she in danger? My wife?" he asked tensely.
"Not at all, and I give you my word that we're taking very good care of her."
"Let me talk to her." He waited until the man handed her the phone. "I'll be there as soon as I can. Eliza, were you feeling poorly this morning before I left? And don't bother to lie. I happen to know when you are."
"I was feeling a little dizzy but thought it was the usual. I wasn't spotting, darling; I would not lie to you about that. It's good to know you don't trust me," she chided.
"You've been keeping things from me." He heaved out a breath. "I cannot lose you," he added hoarsely.
"And you won't. Look, you don't have to come. I know you're at a crucial point in the movie-"
"Try and stop me. I'll be there shortly. I love you."
"I love you too."
Hanging up the phone, he walked to the desk and simply leaned on it, his knees going weak. The phone call had shattered his composure and his peace of mind. Lifting a hand, he rubbed the back of his neck and closed his eyes. He was never going to get a moment's peace until those babies were delivered. God help him!
She stirred, her eyes drifting open slowly to see him seated on a chair next to the bed. He had his left ankle over his knee and was balancing an iPad, making notes. She stayed still, just wanting to observe him without him realizing it. She felt the pride swelling her heart as she stared at him. His dense dark hair was slightly tousled as if he had been running his fingers through the strands. A pair of wire-rimmed glasses was perched on thebridge of a nose that was slightly crooked. She had often teased him that with the glasses, he looked like a complete nerd, but in truth, it made him look sexy and highly appealing.
