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“We’ve moved from Ersovian history to French history,” I said, helping her sit down.
“I love history. I’ve been getting into Ersovian history more. I learned a little French history in school. But our lessons, however, were more heavily English based, you can imagine why.” She went on as if nothing at all was wrong.
“For the life of me, I do not know what Napoleon was thinking with that Louisiana Purchase deal.” The Prime Minister shook his head in disgust.
“Probably about the slave revolt against the French power in Haiti,” Josseline answered quickly as our meals finally were brought out now that Odette was here.
His eyes widened as he looked at Odette for some reason and then looked back at his wife.
Josseline shifted quickly and also looked at Odette before adding, “But I could be wrong. Is that how they teach it in the United States?”
“No, you aren’t wrong at all,” Odette said, lifting her napkin. “It’s called one of history’s greatest bargains. Napoleon needed the money to squash the people seeking freedom on their own lands…when France had abolished slavery. So he gave it up to America…”
“Which then ironically, the land was used for…slavery.”
“Slavery.” They both said it at the same time.
They spoke back and forth, proving Josseline was clearly the more educated and personable one of the two of them. It sounded more like she was the prime minister and her husband was the tagalong. And you wouldn’t have ever thought anything was wrong with Odette, either. That was probably why she got sick, and no one noticed.
Finally.
After such a bloody long day, we were at the door of the car, waving goodbye. I helped her get in before closing the door quickly. The moment I turned around to demand answers, she hugged me and sighed, resting her head by my chin.
“What happened?” I asked gently. “How did you get food poisoning? Was it the brunch?”
“I don’t have food poisoning, Gale,” she whispered.
“What then? What did the doctor say? Should we go to the hospital—”
“I’m pregnant.”
For the second time that night, it felt like my heart stopped. I didn’t say a word, and so she lifted her head and looked at me in the eyes.
“I was thinking maybe I should tell you in some fancy, sweet way, not the back seat of a car, or wait at least until your birthday, but I’m…really too emotional to think right now and so—”
Pulling her into my arms, I hugged her tightly.
“Oh my God…!” I laughed, but then at the same time, my eyes ached. Kissing the side of her face, she started to cry in my arms.
“Good tears? Bad tears? What all are you feeling?”
She just sobbed more, gripping me tighter.
That explained everything.
Oh my God.
I cried as if my tears were solely responsible for filling the Seine River. I knew I had been more tired today than any other day and a bit nauseous. But I just figured it was because of all the excitement, festivities, and people; I thought I wasn’t eating enough. But not only had the royal doctor taken two tests while at the ambassador’s home, but he had also taken my blood and other samples from me. My blood test hadn’t come back yet, but when Gale called the doctor because he wanted to make sure I got a much more thorough check now that we were back in the privacy of our apartment and didn’t have to move in secret, he was able to confirm I was, in fact, pregnant.
When he told me the first time, I flipped out in the upstairs bedroom. I was happy, and I wanted to rush and tell Gale, willing time to pass so we could be alone. Now, as I lay on the bed, staring out at the illuminated Eiffel Tower, I realized…I was also terrified and regretted telling him. What if I lost it again? I should have waited until everything was a little more stable, right? Thelma and Iskandar were in the front seat, and there I was, rambling and crying on the king in the back seat.
I would have liked to have planned something.
I placed my hand on my stomach…was there a tiny person growing in there? What?
“How are you feeling?” He came up behind me before I realized he was on the bed. He placed his hand over mine on my stomach, resting his head beside mine. “Still haven’t sorted it out?”
“I’m happy really, but I’m also…terrified,” I whispered.
