by Sara Clancy
“It could be the demon’s?” Marigold asked.
Ma gave her a sweet smile as she came forward. “Hush child,” she said with motherly affection. “There is no way it could be the demon’s.”
“It’s Cypress,” Louis promised with a reassuring squeeze of her hand. “I promise you, it’s Cypress.”
Marigold looked between the two, her brow furrowing slightly. Eventually, she managed to ask the question she wasn’t sure she wanted Ma to answer.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but you like me now? I got the feeling that you didn’t.”
“That was before you became the mother of her grand-baby!” René called in from the hallway.
“René!” Cordelia snapped even as she laughed. “Hush.”
Louis playfully winced and leant closer to whisper. “Full disclosure, legally, they were going to completely lock me out. So, I kind of said the baby was mine.”
“I’m not sure I can do this.”
His smile was as soft and gentle as his hand stroked through her hair.
“You don’t have to decide now. We’ll back you up, whatever your call. But let me say, you’re Marigold La Roux. You can do this. And you’re not alone. We’re right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
She giggled, “You’ll be my baby-daddy?”
“On one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“There is no way on this earth that we’re calling him René.”
“And we’re no longer friends,” René called in.
Cordelia’s threats lost their edge as she laughed and rushed from the room to confront her husband.
“Louis.”
“We can do this,” he said. “If you want.”
She couldn’t help but laugh, even as every muscle in her leg felt like they were about to crack and tear. Still, she kept her attention focused on Louis and his easy smile.
“I always wanted a family.”
“I know.”
She placed her free hand over her stomach and felt peace flood through her. That night her family had died, she had felt like she had died, too. There had been no hope for a future, nothing beyond pain and fear. A living nightmare that would stretch out until she finally entered the grave. But now. She spread her fingers out over her stomach and smiled.
“I’m doing this.”
Ma cleared her throat loudly. Marigold laughed as Louis shook his head.
“We’re doing this,” Marigold corrected.
“Better,” Ma said.
Louis was still chuckling as he placed a hand over hers. His touch eased the slight trembling of her hand and somehow made all of this real. She spread her fingers wide, protecting the life within her as much as possible. Louis mirrored the movement.
“Are you ready to lose your title?”
“Title?”
He kissed her knuckles. “In a few months, you will no longer be the last La Roux.”
Marigold returned his smile. “I’m ready.”
* * *
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
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