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He saw color flush her cheeks, and he heard her gasp almost inaudibly. She watched as he lavished kisses on her hand, all the while gazing up at her.
She closed her eyes for a few moments. Perhaps she was thinking how she could respond to his reaction. Again, he wondered if she'd expected harshness, even arrogance from him. That simple thought made him feel a moment of shame that she could have even considered he'd react like that. Had that been the reason she'd left him? The hard, untamed parts of his character?
All of that was going to change, he told himself. The reality of their child would force Qazim to change. He knew that, and he wondered if Grace also understood that.
Qazim released her hand. "How do you feel?" he asked eagerly.
She smiled at him. "I feel fine. It's still early days."
"But you came to see the doctor," he continued. "Something must have prompted you to come."
She shook her head. "I was just being cautious. It's a long trip back to America."
Qazim felt himself freeze. He peered at Grace. "What do you mean?"
She tilted her head. "I'm going back tomorrow," she stated bluntly.
Qazim frowned and shook his head. "But, you can't. Not now that we know about the baby."
Her features tightened into a rigid mask. She peered at him. "What are you saying?" she asked slowly.
Qazim leaned back and ran a hand through his hair. "You're not seriously thinking of leaving," he exclaimed, trying to control his voice. He felt his muscles tensing, sensed the sudden need to exert self-control.
She looked puzzled. "Of course, I am."
"But the child!" he snapped. He gestured toward her belly. "This changes everything. Surely you know that."
Grace shook her head. "How?"
Qazim gasped, incredulous. "Isn't it obvious. We are about to become parents."
Grace frowned and folded her arms. "And?"
Qazim swallowed and paused, trying to find the next words. He knew they had to be the correct words, given the circumstances. Perfect words. But, did he trust himself to say what needed to be said? The truth.
And what was that, exactly?
Even as he asked himself that, he knew there was only one option. And it did not include letting Grace leave him. Not again. Not now that they both had a child to consider.
He could see she was still waiting. He saw her foot tapping and her gaze was steady.
"This child will be my heir," Qazim said evenly. "He is the bond which connects us, now. He is what will always bind us together."
Grace tilted her head and gazed at Qazim. "What are you talking about? We have no future, Qazim. Haven't you forgotten that?"
He felt the blow of her words like a physical contact. He dragged in a calming breath, considering his next words carefully.
"And the baby makes no difference?" he asked.
He saw Grace flinch slightly at that question. She bit her lip, a gesture he'd always found oddly alluring.
"Of course it makes a difference," she said. "I know that."
There was a sharp edge to her voice now, he noticed. Any moment now she might snap at him, ask that he stop the car and let her out.
Grace sighed. "What do you expect me to say, Qazim? That everything is just perfect now? That you and I can just carry on like before?"
"By being together again?" he prompted.
