He shook his head and smiled. "Nope. I wanted to wait for you and do it together."I flung my arms around his neck and lost it. I tried to be quiet about it at least. Ethan just held me and stroked my back. He really was too good for me, and I did honestly wonder what I'd ever done to deserve someone like him."Get in bed with me," I said against his shoulder. "Are you sure that's what you want?" "Yes, I'm sure that's what I want!" I answered, blubbering through more sappy tears.Ethan must have liked my answer, because he wasted no time getting ready to join me.I worked on drying my eyes as Ethan slipped out of his jeans. He kept his boxers on, though. Not that they ever were much of a deterrent when we wanted to be naked, but I don't think either of us were capable of much more than sleep right now. We were both treading on ground that seemed entirely made of eggshells.Ethan slipped under the blankets and put his arm beneath me as he did often. I settled on my side and tucked in a

When I opened the bathroom door to come out, test in hand, Ethan was still there where I'd left him when I'd shut it on his smirking face. God love him for trying to tease me and make a stressful situation a little easier. If I had to read him. I would say he was handling the possibility of being a father very well.Actually, he almost seemed to be hopeful I was pregnant. I wondered why. and could certainly tell that he and I weren't in the same place in the head about this at all. Far from it. Ethan was a lot older. Eight years older. Years that made a significant difference when faced with the imminent possibilities of marriage and a family. Life was happening much too quickly and it terrified me. The only thing keeping me from going bat-shit crazy was his attitude about the whole situation that we could do this.I still didn't really see how it was possible for me to even be pregnant at all. I had some major questions for my doctor, I knew that much. Like how in the hell do birth c

"From the records sent by Dr. Greymont, I'd concur with his findings that you're about seven weeks along, Miss Bennett."The doctor had age going for him, and the fact I'd been taught to respect my elders, because I sure did not like where his hands were right now. Dr. Thad- deus Burnsley had a condom-sheathed ultrasound probe up her snatch as he determinedly searched for the beating heart of our baby.Good thing he was focused on the monitor and not her quim. It was rather awkward, but hell, it was part of the process, so I'd better get used to it. I have no idea how anyone did that job, though. Pregnant females all day long with their parts out on display? Good lord, the man had to have the constitution of an ox. Fred had referred us to him, so here we were for the first appointment. Ethan Blackstone and Brynne Bennett, prospective parents of Baby Blackstone, arriving sometime early next year."So that would be the middle of May?" Brynne looked over from where I sat at her shoulder.

I widened my mouth into a smile I could feel. I loved having her like this. Needing me to take care of her and knowing she was going to let me. I really didn't need a lot. Just her love and the acceptance of mine along with my care. She rolled her eyes in embarrassment. "Look at me. I am such an emotional freak mess right now!""I am looking, and you forgot something, baby. You're a gorgeous emotional freak mess." I brushed away the tear with my thumb and licked it off. "I mean. if you're going to go all out and be a freak mess, you might as well look gor- geous doing it."I got her to laugh a little. "Now, do you fancy a sandwich for lunch?" I looked at my watch. "I wish I had longer for something a little nicer than takeaway.""No, that's fine. I have to get back too." She sighed and then smiled at me. "I have an announcement to make at work, it seems." She took my hand and curled hers around it as we walked.We happened to be right across the street from the saltwater aquarium shop

Dr. Roswell's beautiful turquoise fountain pen made the nicest sound in her notebook as she made her notes."So the university cannot really alter the program for me. I'll still have to do the conserving practicum at some point. But they were happy to give me a leave of absence from the Rothvale and have approved my substituting in some re- search work.""And how do you feel about that?" I knew she was going to ask me that."Um... I'm disappointed, of course, but don't have a choice about it." I shrugged. "It's weird, but even though I am scared to death about having a baby, I'm more afraid of doing something that might hurt my baby."Dr. Roswell smiled at me. "You're going to be a wonderful mother. Brynne." Well, that remains to be seen. "I have no idea how to be a mom or how I got into this situation" I held my hands up. "I don't even recognize my life com- pared with what it was two months ago. I don't know if I'll be able to ever get the kind of job I've trained for all these year