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She’d joined in instead, cooing over the tiny socks and sleepers, knowing that very soon, their child would be wearing them.
After they’d finished their shopping spree — with instructions to deliver everything to the Lake Forest house — Lyon had taken her to a late lunch at Oriole. She had no idea how he’d gotten them in at the last minute — she’d heard the waiting list was weeks long — and she didn’t care. It was easily one of the best meals she’d ever had, and she’d groaned her way through a sublime series of dishes that included steak tartar, delicate foi gras, smoky squab, and wagyu steak with freshly grated wasabi and morel mushrooms.
She’d protested against dessert, but Lyon had insisted they finish their meal right, and she’d done her share of damage to the lemon and sesame soufflé.
She sighed happily and leaned on Lyon’s arm. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For this day,” she said. “Taking time off is hard right now. It means a lot to me that you did.”
“You deserve it,” he said. “I only wish…”
She lifted her head and looked up at him. “You wish?”
“That I could have given you this your whole pregnancy,” he said.
She shook her head. “I married you thinking it was a business arrangement, hoping we could come to a place of mutual respect. You’ve given me so much more, and every second of it has led us here.”
She wanted to say she wouldn’t change a thing, but it would be a lie. She would change what had happened to Lyon at the hands of Vadim’s men. She would take away the suffering he’d endured, the trauma that haunted his dreams.
But this was not the time nor the place to speak of such things.
They were out for a walk after a happy day, the world vibrant and so very alive around them, children running through the park, couples holding hands, friends jostling each other playfully.
Right now, they both needed to believe there was more of this in the world than there was of what they’d endured the past year.
“You’re far too agreeable,” Lyon said as they came to Buckingham Fountain.
She laughed. “I bet you never thought you’d say those words.”
He joined her, his laughter a distant rumble from his chest that warmed her all the way to her toes. “A year ago, I most certainly would not.”
“Well, don’t get complacent, husband.”
He grinned down at her. “I wouldn’t dream of it.” He led her to a bench some ways away from the activity around the fountain. “Shall we sit?”
“Yes, please,” she groaned, lowing herself to the bench.
She couldn’t escape the feeling that she no longer walked, she waddled, and it was strange to feel her body ache after even a short stroll. By the end of every day, her back was sore from the weight of her stomach.
Plus, she had to pee constantly.
She exhaled her relief and sat back on the bench, looking at the fountain around which everyone seemed to gather.
Inspired by Versailles, it was constructed out of pink Georgian marble and was highlighted with red and purple lights that glowed enchantingly in the encroaching darkness. Four sets of bronze seahorses emerged out of the water in the fountain, lit gold as if by the moon.
She looked up at Lyon, his strong jaw and chiseled cheekbones even more beautiful in the evening light. He was looking at the fountain, but his expression was faraway.
“What’s on your mind?” she asked.
He looked down at her. “You first.”
She couldn’t hide her surprise. She’d been waiting for the right time to tell him about her visit to see his mother. She wouldn’t go into the details — that would only hurt him — but neither would she keep a secret from him.
Not ever again.
She drew in a breath, hoping she wasn’t about to ruin their perfect day. “I went to see your mother.”
