by Leanne Banks
“How are your wife and new son?” Max asked.
“Kind of you to ask,” Stefan said. “My wife is a bit tired from dealing with our son. He still has colic. Eve says he has an arsenic hour or two every day. The doctor says it will pass. If it doesn’t kill us first,” Stefan muttered.
“I’m sorry the baby’s giving you a rough time,” Max said, thinking about how he would react to his own crying baby when the time came. The thought unsettled him.
“Thank you. We’ll manage. I’m glad Eve will allow the nannies to occasionally help. In the beginning, she insisted that she had to do everything for him. It left her exhausted. I had to insist that she take a break. She was very unhappy with me. She thought I didn’t believe she could be a good enough mother. It’s a tricky line to walk with new mothers. But I’m sure I’ve told you more than you wanted to know,” Stefan drifted off.
“I wouldn’t have asked if I weren’t interested,” Max said.
Stefan nodded. “Thank you, then. The reason I invited you was to ask about the progress on the road construction.”
“Slower than I had hoped or planned. I’ve made a revised schedule that should add another four weeks to the original finish date,” Max said, tamping down his frustration.
“That’s still quite impressive,” Stefan said. “Our last road construction project took over a year.”
“That standard won’t work for me or my company,” Max said and took a drink of water.
“I understand about having high standards. Eve is constantly reminding me that even Superman takes a break every now and then,” Stefan said.
“It’s true, but you’re not just fighting your everyday battles,” Max said. “You’re fighting an image battle, too.”
“Yes, it’s important that people know we’re not a bunch of royals living off the people and doing nothing,” he said.
“The opposite of how Prince Edward presented himself,” Max mused. Even though Max didn’t think of Prince Edward as his father, he could imagine what a looming figure the man could have been to Stefan. “When did you decide to be different?”
“Truth?” Stefan asked. “I think I was born different. My father didn’t like to study. I enjoyed learning, and having a feeling of accomplishment. There was a period of time when I resented my father for his lifestyle, but as I’ve matured, I can’t deny that he did some good things. One of which was to help produce my sisters and brother, who have all turned out very well. Look at you and Coco. Even his infidelities produced good people.”
“That’s forward thinking of you,” Max said with a half grin.
“Better than backward,” Stefan said. “At several points in my life, I came to the conclusion that I didn’t want to be defined by my father’s actions. I wanted to be defined by my own actions. It was—” He paused then nodded. “Liberating.”
“Sounds like it,” Max said. Stefan had given him a lot of food for thought.
“Yes. I’ve gone philosophical on you,” Stefan said and chuckled. “Enough of that. What I wanted to tell you is that I realize that the cost of the road construction has increased. Your company has been quite generous, but perhaps a word with one of our government officials would be in order. Chantaine should be able to contribute more to the cause if necessary.”
“It’s not necessary,” Max said. “I made a promise and I’ll make it happen.”
Stefan gave a slow nod. “If you should change your mind—”
“Would you?” Max asked.
Stefan met his gaze and Max saw a glint of respect mingling with humor. “When you put it like that.” Stefan rose and extended his hand. “Try not to kill yourself, Max.”
“No chance. I like a challenge,” he said and shook Stefan’s hand.
“We’d like you to join us for dinner sometime soon,” Stefan said. “My assistant will call to set up a time.”
The invitation took him off guard. “Okay,” he said. “I work late most evenings, though.”
“As Eve would say, you have to eat sometime. We’ll work something out,” Stefan said.
Max left the palace and returned to his apartment, his mind full of what Stefan had said about his father. Stefan had clearly made a deliberate choice to be different. He wanted to be a better leader for the people of Chantaine, so he did it. He wanted to be a better husband, a better brother, a better father.
Max’s respect for Stefan grew as he thought about how much he had overcome. If Stefan had decided he could be different from the example his father had given him, then maybe Max could be different, too. After all, he wasn’t a complete dunce. He could learn. He thought about Sophie and knew he had an uphill climb trying to persuade her that he even wanted to be the dependable man she wanted and the good father their baby needed, let alone be that person.
Sighing, he raked his hand through his hair. This wasn’t the first time he’d faced a challenge. He would prove to her that he was the right man to be her husband and the father of their child. He was determined.
* * *
Max quickly learned that he might be determined, but Sophie was no pushover in this area. It was as if the knowledge of her pregnancy had turned her spine to steel and while she was polite to him, she’d put up a wall between them. The tables had turned. In the past, he’d compartmentalized, insisting that he keep their relationship friendly but all business. Now she was treating him the same way.
She performed her work duties better than ever, but once she left that work trailer, she tolerated his presence, but not much more. He brought her flowers and meals. She said thank you, chatted with him for a bit then showed him the door.
One night, his frustration got the best of him. “What is it going to take for you to let me back into your life?” he asked as he sat across from her in her den.
She blinked. “You’re in my life,” she said. “You’re just not in my bed. I don’t think it’s a good idea for an expecting mother to be having a no-strings affair with a man, even if that man is her baby’s father.”
“But I’ve told you I don’t want a no-strings affair. I want to marry you,” he said, grinding his teeth.
“And the prospect makes you so happy you can hardly stand it.” She rolled her eyes sarcastically.
Offended by her lighthearted response when he was dead serious about the issue, he frowned. “I’m unhappy because you won’t take my proposal seriously.”
“Do we have to talk about this again?” Sophie asked. “I know where you stand. You know where I stand. Every time you bring it up, it makes us both miserable.”
“So you just want us to continually dance around the subject? You know that’s not my way.”
“Yes, but I’m not going to change my mind just because that’s what you want,” she said.
Impatience chapped at him. “I just want to take care of you and our child. Is that so horrible?”
Her face softened. “Not at all. I’m just afraid that at some point, you’ll come to your senses and resent me or the baby. I couldn’t bear it if that happened.”
“It won’t happen,” he said, but he could see by her expression that he had much more work to do.
* * *
Sophie started taking a yoga class to offset her anxiety. Terri was still hounding her at work and Max was hounding her in the evenings. She hadn’t told anyone except Max about the pregnancy, but she knew she couldn’t hide it forever. At some point, she would need to make plans. It was odd to consider the reality of not working with Max, of choosing a place to live and making a home for her and her child.
Bridget called her after one of her yoga classes. “We’re having another picnic at the palace. Eve, Pippa and I would love for you to join us. I must warn you that all the hooligans will be there. My boys, Stephenia and the babies. No men except for my little ones. Will you come?”
Sophie enjoyed the craziness of the royal sisters and was still surprised by how much they’d included her. If and when she left Chantaine, she would miss them terribly. “I’d love to. It sounds like fun.” A nice escape from her own worries.
Arriving at the palace, she parked her car and walked toward the play area where she’d been told to meet everyone. The twins and Stephenia were already climbing and running. Bridget stood guard, wearing slacks and her ever present heels. Eve had her baby strapped to the front of her and Pippa’s little sweetheart was propped in her carrier.
Eve caught sight of her first. “There you are, you brave soul,” she said with a smile.
Pippa turned and waved. “Come watch the action.”
Bridget shot Sophie a sly glance. “Best form of birth control ever,” she joked.
The comment gave her a jolt and she automatically covered her abdomen with her hand. Did Bridget know? Of course she didn’t, she told herself. She was just being paranoid.
Eve gave a loud sound of disapproval. “You’re going to have a baby someday and you’ll be eating your words.”
“I was just kidding,” Bridget said. “You know I love my hooligans. Travis, stop pulling on Stephenia’s dress,” she called.
“You’re such a natural, Bridget,” Pippa said. “You should have at least a dozen.”
Bridget stared her sister in horror. “Now who’s joking?”
“You two need to stop. We’re frightening Sophie,” Eve said.
“Not at all,” Sophie said. “This is the best entertainment I’ve had all week.” She glanced at Eve. “You’re looking good. If I didn’t know you’d had a baby several weeks ago, I wouldn’t guess it now.”
“I haven’t lost all the pregnancy weight, but I’m getting more sleep. Plus, we’ve used your massage technique on June Bug and also figured out that putting the baby in this little pouch keeps him from getting so cranky. I swear it’s magic. Stefan wants to give the inventor a special royal commendation.”
“Good for you,” Sophie said, mentally taking notes. “He has really grown,” she said and glanced at Pippa who was gently rocking the baby carrier. “I see Amelie is her regular sweet self.”
Pippa nodded. “As good as gold. I have a feeling things may change once she starts moving around, so I’m going to enjoy this easy stage.”
“Everyone ready to eat?” Bridget asked both the children and the adults.
“Yes,” the little ones chorused.
“Let’s wash hands first,” Eve said.
The children ran toward the small building next to the playground that housed a kitchen and restroom. A nanny stood at the door waiting to help them. Soon after, a staff member brought the food to the table. Chicken drumsticks for the children and roasted chicken breast and salad for the adults.
“I understand you and Max have been working very hard on the road project,” Eve said.
“Everyone is,” Sophie said. “It’s taking a little longer than planned and Max isn’t used to that. He takes pride in beating deadlines.”
“It’s a different animal when you’re dealing with an island. I’m sure it’s frustrating.”
“It is, but we’ll work through it and the road will be built. There are usually bumps, just not this many.”
“I don’t like to think about you leaving,” Pippa said. “Do you have any idea where you’ll be assigned once this contract is complete? I wonder if we could find a job for you here in Chantaine.”
“Thank you. I’ve enjoyed my time here, too,” she said and felt the sudden sting of sadness. “I’ll miss all of you terribly,” she said, surprised when her voice broke. “I’m sorry,” she said. “That came out of nowhere, didn’t it?”
Pippa patted her hand. “We feel the same way,” she said. “You’ve become such a good friend to us.”
Eve and Bridget murmured their agreement.
“Well, I say we don’t have to think about this now,” Bridget said. “Not when the staff is bringing chocolate cake for everyone.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Eve said.
The chocolate cake was served and Sophie was pretty sure the children got more of it on them than in them, but perhaps that was part of the plan. More wash-ups commenced and after the nannies took the children up to the nurseries, Sophie took her turn in the restroom.
She saw spots of blood on her panties and fear rushed through her. She stepped out of the restroom and immediately grabbed her cell phone. Her hands shaking, she punched in her speed dial for Max.
“Sophie, what’s wrong? You look live you’ve seen a ghost,” Bridget said.
Max’s number went straight to voice mail and Sophie’s sense of panic nearly went out of control. “I need to talk to Max. There’s blood. The baby.”
Pippa’s eyes rounded. “Baby!” She rose from the table. “Quick, we need to get her in the palace. She needs to lie down.”
“And we need to get to Max. Where is he?” Bridget asked.
“Probably working at the center for handicapped children if he’s not at the office trailer,” Sophie said, so scared. What if she was losing the baby?
* * *
Max continued to saw the wood into the correct dimensions to widen the door frame leading into the center for handicapped children. A tap on his shoulder got his attention and he stopped working. Turning around, he recognized the man as a palace aide. “Gerard,” he said, remembering the man’s name. “Can I help you with something?”
“I’m afraid there may be a problem, Mr. Carter,” Gerard said. “Miss Taylor is asking for you. She’s at the palace.”
His heart fell to his feet. “Sophie. Is she okay? Is everything okay?”
“We’re not sure, sir. That’s why you need to come right away.”
Max immediately left with the aide. His mind was running a mile a minute. “Does she need medical attention?” he hastily asked Gerard.
“The palace physician is on his way,” Gerard said.
“Won’t she need a full-staffed hospital?” Max said. “Do you know what happened?”
“Princess Bridget mentioned something about a baby and spotting. I’m sorry I can’t tell you more. I was asked to bring you back to the palace as soon as possible.”
The drive felt as if it were taking forever. All the while, Max wondered how Sophie was. He didn’t know much about pregnancy, but he didn’t want her life in danger. He wanted her safe and the baby safe.
The terrible thought of losing her stabbed at him. Her accident with the scooter had shaken him up badly, but this, this was different. The prospect of not having her in his life made him crazy.
“Can you go any faster?” he asked the driver.
“I’m over the limit, sir. I’ll get you there as soon as I possibly can.”
The car finally arrived at the palace and Max stepped out before it came to a complete stop. “Where is she?” he asked Gerard.
“I’ll take you,” he said, moving quickly to a side entrance. Max followed the man up a flight of stairs and down a hallway to a room where several people stood outside.
“Please step aside,” Gerard said to the staff members and knocked on the door then opened it. “Mr. Carter.”
Max rushed into the room to find Sophie lying on the bed. The look of fear on her face tore at him. “Sophie,” he said, moving to her side.
“Oh, Max, thank God you’re here,” she said, her voice coming out in a sob.
He pulled her against him. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“I had some spotting and I didn’t know what it meant. I’m afraid I’m losing the baby,” she said as her eyes welled up with tears.
Max felt so helpless he couldn’t stand it. “Where’s the doctor?” he asked, looking around, suddenly noticing that Pippa and Bridget were also in t
he room.
“She’s already been examined,” Bridget said. “The doctor is bringing in an ultrasound machine on loan. It should be here any moment.”
“I don’t want to lose your baby,” Sophie said. “I don’t—” She buried her head in his shoulder and more than anything Max wanted to hold her and protect her. And love her forever.
“I love you,” he said. “I don’t want to lose you.”
She lifted her head, her beautiful brown eyes filled with tears and surprise. “What?” she whispered.
“I love you. I want this baby, too,” he said, feeling as if a vise had tightened around his heart and throat. “But whatever happens about the baby, I love you, Sophie. I need you in my life. I don’t want to spend one day of my life without you in it.”
“Oh, Max.” She closed her eyes and tears spilled down her cheeks. “I was afraid to even dream you would ever say those words to me. I didn’t think it was possible.”
“I’ve been fighting it a long time,” he said. “I can’t fight it anymore. Please marry me.”
She stared at him in wonder and drew a shaky breath. “I believe you,” she said. “I can’t say no. Not anymore. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Max felt relief shoot through him, warming and softening his heart.
There was a knock on the door and Max glanced over his shoulder.
“The doctor’s here with the ultrasound machine,” Bridget said, pushing aside a few tears of her own. “Are you ready?”
Max looked at Sophie. “Ready?” he asked.
“I’m scared,” she said, reaching for his hand.
“We can handle anything if we’re together,” he assured her.
She took a deep breath and nodded. The doctor came inside the room and Bridget introduced him to Max while he set up the machine.
“I’ll put gel on your abdomen and try to get a good picture of what’s going on. Remember, I told you that many women spot and still go on to deliver healthy babies. It’s still worth checking, though.”
The doctor proceeded with the exam, moving the probe over Sophie’s abdomen. “Hmm, hmm,” he said then smiled. “Would you like to see your baby’s heartbeat? Very strong,” he said, swiveling the monitor so that both Max and Sophie could see it.
