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"I told him it wasn’t an emergency."
" I told him you’re better off here where there are members of staff to see to your needs." Joseph piped in. "You should be resting."
"I’m fine." Stepping out of Maxwell’s arms, she faced them both.
“I’m not spending another moment without you."
"I also told him he’s welcome to stay here." Her father pointed out. "You have to think about her. She’s going through a rough time and you have a business to run."
"I can’t-" He turned her to face him. "I need you with me."
"Can't you stay here for a little bit?" Lifting a hand, she cupped his unshaven jaw. He was suffering as well, she realized. He’d been spending his days and nights at the hospital and it had to be hard on him. "I have a big bed." She added with a whimsical smile.
"I wouldn’t be comfortable-" He drew in a breath. "I want you to marry me. Now. I’ll get the license and we could do it over the weekend."
"That's out of the question-" Her father began.
"You’re not thinking straight, darling.” She told him quietly. “I’m not in a position to go out of the house."
"Then we get someone to come here." He took her hands in his. “I want you to be my wife, I want my ring on your finger. I want us to be legal.”
“Why?” She asked him huskily. “Is it because I’m carrying your baby?"
He gave her an accusing look. "You know better than that. I happen to love you to distraction."
"Then we can wait and do it properly."
"You want a big wedding?"
"No." She shook her head, her expression earnest. "Because of me, our relationship was a secret as if I was ashamed of you."
"I know."
"I want the world to know I’m not ashamed of you. I want a small intimate wedding with members of the press there to witness how much I love and admire you." She walked into his arms. "I want to exchange my vows before God and those we care about and irrevocably bind myself to you. It’ll be my way of making it up to you."
"You don't need to-"
"Are you going to argue with the mother of your child?" She asked him reproachfully.
"No." His expression gentled as he stared down at her. The weight loss made her appear even more delicate and more petite than before. "I’ll stay here on and off." Wrapping his arms around her, he looked over her head at her Dad standing behind them.
“You’re right. There are more staff here than at my place and there are times I’ll have to go in." Easing her back, he tilted her chin up. "Now, darling, what do you want to do?"
"Some work."
"Darling-"
"Just paperwork. And conversations over the phone. And a huge bowl of that vegetable soup."
"I’ll go and tell Mrs. Williams,” Her Dad beamed at her as he left the room.
"What- Oh!" She squealed a little when he lifted her into his arms and went to sit on a sofa. She was as light as a feather and he could feel her bones sticking out.
"I gained five pounds since I was in the hospital." She told him quietly, her eyes meeting his. "I’ll put the weight back on and I’m taking all my supplements.
“Good. I’m not worried."
"You’re not?" She smiled at him. "I know you, darling and I can see how much you’re trying to hide it. I’m getting better. I still feel a little weak, but I’m okay. We’re okay." Taking his hand, she pressed it against her stomach. "And we will be."
