"Making the acquaintance of your family and gazing with a great deal of awe and admiration at that handsome young son of yours."
Alisha smiled. "He is beautiful, isn't he? Just like his papa." She squeezed Raoul's hand. "We did it, didn't we?"
"I was very proud of you," he said gruffly.
"Thank you for staying by my side."
"I wouldn't have missed it for anything."
She smiled at the others. "I'm sorry I'm so groggy. I finally asked for something to take the edge off toward the end."
Raoul grinned. "Yes. Now the delivery room staff and I have a very good idea what sort of drunk you make...very, very jolly."
Her eyes widened in horror. "Oh, no!"
He nodded, his eyes filled with amusement. "Oh, yes. You serenaded us for a while, in both French and English."
"How embarrassing! I'll never be able to face any of them again."
"Nonsense. They were amused but not particularly surprised. People react differently to medication. Fortunately, what they gave you was quite mild. I had an opportunity to talk with your doctor about your susceptibility to drugs. We're really very fortunate that, you recovered as well as you did from the drugs you received last summer."
Danielle leaned over and said, "The authorities called this morning to say that Mario gave a full statement about what occurred and is cooperating with them, so they won't need to bother you or Raoul anymore with the matter."
Alisha caught Raoul's eye, and he returned her gaze while he kept a firm grip on her hand.
Maman spoke up. "Yvette and Jules are delighted to know that their new brother has arrived. They have all manner of things to show him when he gets home."
She smiled, thinking about the children. "I'm eager to get home to see them. I already miss them."
"Right now you need your rest," Raoul said. "You've had a rather exciting last few days."
Each of the women kissed her on the cheek and left, leaving her alone with Raoul. He pushed a wisp of hair behind one of her ears. "I was thinking as I stood here watching you sleep about the time when I was actually seeing you for the first time. You were lying in a hospital, much like this. You were very pale and wearing a head bandage. I thought I knew you. Then you opened your eyes and my life was never the same again. You turned my thinking upside down... you kept me confused and on edge. You woke me up to my own prejudices and set opinions.-You made me reassess everything about my life and myself."
"I didn't mean to. I was just trying to find out who I was."
"Well, you helped me to find out who I was, as well. Thank you. I thank God every day that He sent you to me." He leaned down and gave her a tender kiss. When he would have stepped away she tightened her grip on his hand. She met his gaze as she said, "I thought of a name for the baby."
"Ah. We never talked about names, did we, thinking we had some more time. So? What have you thought of?"
"Michael Rene. I wanted him to have your name—the Rene. Your mother mentioned once that was your middle name. Michael was my father's name. I always hoped if I had a boy that he could carry part of my father's name, since he never had a son."
Once again Raoul kissed her. "Whatever you want, love, is fine with me."
She looked up at him. "Are you going to always be such a mellow, accommodating husband?"
"If I'm not, I'm sure you can whip me into shape in no time."
She yawned, then laughed at her sleepy state. "I think you're perfect just the way you are. You see? I have wonderful taste in husbands."
Mystery Wife Page 23
