Page 98 of Malicious Wedding

Carson arrives ten minutes after me, storming into the room. “What’s wrong?” he says, looking around with a wild, angry expression. “What happened? Did someone—”

“Carson.” I hold up my hands. “Easy, it’s not bad.”

He stands, breathing hard. “I thought you were in danger. You told me to meet you at home as soon as I could. I raced here—”

“Shit,” I say, trying not to laugh. I didn’t think he’d take it literally, but I should’ve known my husband better than that. “Sorry. But I’m glad you got here so fast, because this is important.”

He visibly composes himself. “Next time, make sure you note that you aren’t in mortal danger.”

“Will do. Come sit down.” I gesture at the seat next to me.

He cautiously takes it. “What’s going on?”

“I got some news today.” Nerves jangle down into my belly. What Bernie said plays through my mind—Carson really is obsessed with me, and I really do think he’s going to be happy. But I can’t help feeling nervous anyway. “I’m not sure how you’re going to take it.”

“Say it straight then. No lies, remember? It goes both ways.”

I smile at that. He’s got a good point.

“I’m pregnant.”

The words sit between us for only a moment before Carson gets to his feet. “You’re pregnant?”

“I found out maybe a half hour ago. I took two tests—”

He scoops me out of the chair, grabs me into his arms, and holds me against his chest. “Pregnant!” he screams like William Wallace at the end ofBraveheart. “Pregnant!” He holds me, roaring a jubilant, manic energy. I laugh into his chest, struggling to get away.

“Put me down, you oaf.”

He’s laughing, spinning around. I’ve never seen him this happy before as he smothers me with kisses and hugs. “This is the best day of my life.”

“I thought marrying me was the best day.”

“Oh, no, this is even better. Now we’ll have children I can love, children that are half you. I’ll get even more of you to love.”

“That’s an absolutely insane way to look at kids, you know that, right?”

“I don’t care,” he says, holding me again.

“So long as you love them like you love me, it doesn’t matter.”

I hug him back, grinning to myself, not sure why I worried.

“We have so much to do,” he says. “Doctors, cribs, car seats. Nannies, so many fucking nannies. You’re going to be taken care of and pampered all through this, I swear it.”

“Carson?” I murmur, tilting my chin up.

“Yes, my love?”

“Just be quiet and enjoy this with me?”

“Yes, my angel.”

His breathing steadies as we stand together in our home, a child growing between us.