The Prince's Secret Baby

by Christine Rimmer

  Frank chuckled. “Anyway, the minute I arrived, all rumpled and dusty from changing the tire, I was rushed straight to a little room off the church sanctuary where the groom’s party was gathered getting ready to enter on cue. I didn’t have a chance to socialize or meet the other wedding party members before the rehearsal began. Five minutes after I dashed in, I was standing at the front of the church next to my friend Jim. And then the music began and the bridesmaids started their march in. Diana was the third bridesmaid to enter.”

  “Gretchen was first, Bridget next.”

  Ignoring the details Diana inserted, Frank continued, “She was wearing a green dress, the same color as her eyes. The minute she walked into the church, I felt my heart flop like a landed fish.”

  Diana laughed ruefully. “Well, that doesn’t sound very romantic.”

  Frank patted her hand, still lost in his memories. “She stopped halfway down the aisle and informed the organist that she was playing much too slowly and that everyone in the audience would fall asleep before the whole wedding party reached the front of the church.”

  “Well, she was.”

  Frank chuckled and winked at Josh. “That was when I knew this was someone I had to meet.”

  Charmed by the story, Josh remembered the first moment he’d laid eyes on Melissa. He understood that “floppy fish” analogy all too well, though he’d compared his own heart to a runaway train. He could still recall how hard it had raced when Melissa had tossed back her dark hair and laughed up at him for the first time, her green eyes sparkling with humor and warmth. He’d actually wondered for a moment if she could hear it pounding against his chest.

  “So it was love at first sight?”

  Frank nodded decisively. “That it was.”

  “And when did you know she was ‘the one’ for you? That you wanted to marry her?”

  “Probably right then. But certainly the next evening during the ceremony, after I’d spent a few hours getting to know Diana. When I found myself mentally saying ‘I do’ when the preacher asked ‘Do you take this woman?’ I knew I was hooked.”

  Josh sighed. This, he thought, was why he wanted to wait for the absolute perfect moment to propose to Melissa. Someday he hoped to tell a story that would make everyone who heard it say “Awww,” the way he felt like doing now. “You’re a lucky man, Frank. Not every guy is fortunate enough to find a woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with.”

  Three lucky men sat at this table tonight, he thought happily. Like Frank and Greg, he had found his perfect match.

  Melissa dropped her spoon with a clatter and sprang to her feet. “I, uh— Excuse me,” she muttered, her voice choked. “I’m not feeling well.”

  Before Josh or anyone else could ask her what was wrong, she dashed from the room. Concerned, he half rose from his seat, intending to follow her.

  “What on earth is wrong with Melissa?” Frank asked in bewilderment.

  Words burst from Diana as if she’d held them in as long as she was physically able. “Melissa is pregnant.”

  His knees turning to gelatin, Josh fell back into his chair with a thump.

  * * *

  After patting her face with a towel, Melissa looked in the bathroom mirror to make sure she’d removed all signs of her bout of tears. She was quite sure Abby would say she was overreacting and being overly dramatic—just like their mom, Abby would say with a shake of her auburn head—but Melissa couldn’t help it. Every time she thought about her life without Josh in it tears welled up behind her eyes and it was all she could do to keep them from gushing out.

  Abby had tried to convince her she was only imagining that Josh was trying to find a way to break up with her. As much as she wanted to believe her sister, Melissa was convinced her qualms were well-founded. She knew every expression that crossed Josh’s handsome face. Every flicker of emotion that passed through his clear blue eyes. He had grown increasingly nervous and awkward around her during the past few days, when they had always been so close, so connected, so easy together before. Passion was only a part of their relationship—though certainly a major part. But the mental connection between them was even more special—or at least it had been.

  She didn’t know what had gone wrong. Everything had seemed so perfect until Josh’s behavior had suddenly changed. But maybe the questions he had asked her dad tonight had been a clue. Maybe he had concluded that he didn’t really want to spend the rest of his life with her. That only a few men were lucky enough to find “the one.”

  She had so hoped she was Josh’s “one.”

  Feeling tears threaten again, she drew a deep breath and lifted her chin, ordering herself to reclaim her pride. She would survive losing Josh, she assured herself. Maybe.

  Forcing herself to leave Abby’s guest bathroom, she headed for the dining room, expecting to hear conversation and the clinking of silverware and china. Instead what appeared to be stunned silence gripped the five people sitting at the table. Her gaze went instinctively to Josh, finding him staring back at her. His dark blond hair tumbled almost into his eyes, making him look oddly disheveled and perturbed. She realized suddenly that everyone else was gawking at her, too. Did she see sympathy on her father’s face?

  Before she could stop herself, she leaped to a stomach-wrenching conclusion. Had Josh told her family that he was breaking up with her? Is that why they were all looking at her like…well, like that?

  “What?” she asked apprehensively.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Josh demanded.

  It occurred to her that he sounded incongruously hurt, considering he was the one on the verge of breaking her heart. “Tell you what?”

  “That you’re pregnant.”

  “I’m—?” Her voice shot up into a squeak of surprise, unable to complete the sentence.

  “Don’t worry, darling, we’ll all be here for you,” Diana assured her, wiping her eyes with the corner of a napkin. “Just as we’ll be here for you, Abby, after you and Greg split up. Although I sincerely hope you’ll try to work everything out before you go your separate ways.”

  “Wait. What?” Greg’s chair scraped against the floor as he spun to stare at his wife. “What is she talking about, Abby?”

  Melissa felt as if she’d left a calm, orderly dinner party and returned only minutes later to sheer pandemonium.

  “What on earth makes you think I’m pregnant?” she asked Josh, unable to concentrate on her sister’s sputtering at the moment.

  He looked from her to her mom and back again, growing visibly more confused by the minute. “Your mother told us.”

  Her mother sighed and nodded. “I’ve overheard a few snippets of conversation today. Enough to put two and two together about what’s going on with both my poor girls. You’re giving up caffeine and you’re feeling queasy and we’ve all noticed that you’ve been upset all evening.”

  “Mom, I don’t know what you heard—” Abby began, but Melissa talked over her sister.

  “You’re completely off base, Mom,” she said firmly, avoiding Josh’s eyes until she was sure she could look at him without succumbing to those looming tears again. “I’m giving up caffeine because I think I’ve been drinking too much of it for my health. I’m not pregnant.”

  Regret swept through her with the words. Maybe she was being overly dramatic again, but the thought of never having a child with Josh almost sent her bolting for the bathroom with another bout of hot tears.

  She risked a quick glance at him, but she couldn’t quite read his expression. He sat silently in his chair, his expression completely inscrutable now. She assumed he was deeply relieved to find out she wasn’t pregnant, but the relief wasn’t evident on his face. Maybe he was thinking about what a close call he’d just escaped.

  Her mom searched her face. “You’re not?”

  Melissa shook her head. “No. I’m not.”

  “Then why have you been so upset this evening?”

  Rattled by this entire confrontation, sh
e blurted, “I’m upset because Josh is breaking up with me.”

  Josh made a choked sound before pushing a hand through his hair in exasperation. “Why do you think I’m breaking up with you?”

  “I just, um, put two and two together,” she muttered, all too aware that she sounded as much like her mother as Abby always accused her.

  “Well, then you need to work on your math skills,” Josh shot back with a frustrated shake of his head. “I don’t want to break up with you, Melissa. I want to ask you to marry me!”

  Chapter Six

  by Cindy Kirk

  Bedlam followed Josh Wright’s announcement that he planned to propose to Melissa Morgan. Everyone at the table started talking in loud excited voices, their hands gesturing wildly.

  Family patriarch Frank Morgan had experience with chaotic situations. After all, he and his wife, Diana, had raised two girls. When things got out of hand, control had to be established. Because his silver referee whistle was in a drawer back home, Frank improvised.

  Seconds later, a shrill noise split the air.

  His family immediately stopped talking and all turned in his direction.

  “Frank?” Shock blanketed Greg DeSena’s face. Though he’d been married to Frank’s oldest daughter, Abby, for three years, this was a side to his father-in-law he’d obviously never seen.

  Frank’s youngest daughter, Melissa, slipped into her chair without being asked. She cast furtive glances at her boyfriend, Josh. It had been Josh’s unexpected proclamation that he intended to propose to her that had thrown everyone into such a tizzy.

  Even though Frank hadn’t whistled a family meeting to order in years, his wife and daughters remembered what the blast of air meant.

  “Darling.” Diana spoke in a low tone, but loud enough for everyone at the table to hear clearly. “This is our anniversary dinner. Can’t a family meeting wait until another time?”

  Her green eyes looked like liquid jade in the candlelight. Even after thirty years, one look from her, one touch, was all it took to make Frank fall in love all over again.

  If they were at their home—instead of at Greg and Abby’s house—he’d grab her hand and they’d trip up the stairs, kissing and shedding clothes with every step. But he was the head of this warm, wonderful, sometimes crazy family and with the position came responsibility.

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart. This can’t wait.” Frank shifted his gaze from his beautiful wife and settled it on the man who’d blurted out his intentions only moments before. “Josh.”

  His future son-in-law snapped to attention. “Sir.”

  Though Frank hadn’t been a marine in a very long time, Josh’s response showed he’d retained his commanding presence. “Sounds like there’s something you want to ask my daughter.”

  “Frank, no. Not now,” Diana protested. “Not like this.”

  “Mr. Morgan is right.” Josh pushed back his chair and stood. “There is something I want to ask Melissa. From the misunderstanding tonight, it appears I’ve already waited too long.”

  Frank nodded approvingly and sat back in his chair. He liked a decisive man. Josh would be a good addition to the family.

  “If you want to wait—” Diana began.

  Before she could finish, Frank leaned over and did what he’d wanted to do all night. He kissed her.

  “Let the man say his piece,” he murmured against her lips.

  Diana shuddered. Her breathing hitched but predictably she opened her mouth. So he kissed her again. This time deeper, longer, until her eyes lost their focus, until she relaxed against his shoulder with a happy sigh.

  Josh held out his hand to Melissa. His heart pounded so hard against his ribs, he felt almost faint. But he was going to do it. Now. Finally.

  With a tremulous smile, Melissa placed her slender fingers in his. The lines that had furrowed her pretty brow the past couple of weeks disappeared. His heart clenched as he realized he’d been to blame for her distress. Well, he wouldn’t delay a second longer. He promptly dropped to one knee.

  “Melissa,” Josh began then stopped when his voice broke. He glanced around the table. All eyes were on him, but no one dared to speak. Abby and Greg offered encouraging smiles. His future in-laws nodded approvingly.

  His girlfriend’s eyes never left his face. The love he saw shining in the emerald depths gave him courage to continue.

  “When I first saw you at the office Christmas party, I was struck by your beauty. It wasn’t until we began dating that I realized you are as beautiful inside as out.”

  Melissa blinked back tears. Josh hoped they were tears of happiness.

  “This past year I’ve fallen deeper and deeper in love with you. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I want your face to be the last I see at night and the first I see every morning. I want to have children with you. I want to grow old with you. I promise I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy.”

  He was rambling. Speaking from the heart to be sure, but rambling. For a second Josh wished he had the speech he’d tinkered with over the past couple of months with him now, the one with the pretty words and poetic phrases. But it was across the room in his jacket pocket and too late to be of help now.

  Josh slipped a small box from his pocket and snapped open the lid. The diamond he’d seen circled in her bride’s magazine was nestled inside. The large stone caught the light and sparkled with an impressive brilliance. “I love you more than I thought it was possible to love someone.”

  He’d told himself he wasn’t going to say another word but surely a declaration of such magnitude couldn’t be considered rambling.

  Her lips curved upward and she expelled a happy sigh. “I love you, too.”

  Josh resisted the urge to jump to his feet and do a little home-plate dance. He reminded himself there would be plenty of time for celebration once the ring was on her finger.

  With great care, Josh lifted the diamond from the black velvet. He was primed to slip it on when she pulled her hand back ever-so-slightly.

  “Isn’t there something you want to ask me?” Melissa whispered.

  At first Josh couldn’t figure out what she was referring to until he realized with sudden horror that he hadn’t actually popped the question. Heat rose up his neck. Thankfully he was still on one knee. “Melissa, will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?”

  The words came out in one breath and were a bit garbled, but she didn’t appear to notice.

  “Yes. Oh, yes.”

  Relief flooded him. He slid the ring in place with trembling fingers. “If you don’t like it we can—”

  “It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.” Tears slipped down her cheeks.

  He stood and pulled her close, kissing her soundly. “I wanted this to be special—”

  “It is special.” Melissa turned toward her family and smiled through happy tears. “I can’t imagine anything better than having my family here to celebrate with us.”

  “This calls for a toast.” Flashing a smile that was almost as bright as his daughter’s, Frank picked up the nearest bottle of champagne. He filled Diana’s glass and then his own before passing the bottle around the table.

  Greg filled his glass and those of Josh and Melissa’s but Abby, his wife, covered her glass with her hand and shook her head.

  Frank stood and raised his glass high. “To Josh and Melissa. May you be as happy together as Diana and I have been for the past thirty years.”

  Words of congratulations and the sound of clinking glasses filled the air.

  Nestled in the crook of her future husband’s arm, Melissa giggled. Normally her mom knew everything before everyone else. Not this time.

  “You thought I was pregnant because I wanted decaf coffee,” she said to her mother, “but yet you don’t find it odd that Abby hasn’t had a sip of alcohol tonight?”

  For a woman like Diana who prided herself on being in the “know,” the comment was tantamount to waving a red flag in front o
f a bull. She whirled and fixed her gaze on her firstborn, who stood with her head resting against her husband’s shoulder. “Honey, is there something you and Greg want to tell us?”

  Abby’s cheeks pinked. She straightened and exchanged a look with her husband. He gave a slight nod. She took one breath. And then another. “Greg and I, well, we’re…we’re pregnant.”

  “A baby!” Diana shrieked and moved so suddenly she’d have upset her glass of champagne, if Frank hadn’t grabbed it. “I can’t believe it. Our two girls, all grown up. One getting married. One having a baby. This is truly a happy day.”

  Everyone seemed to agree as tears of joy flowed as freely as the champagne, accompanied by much back-slapping.

  “Have you thought of any names?” Diana asked Abby and Greg then turned to Melissa and Josh. “Any idea on a wedding date?”

  Suggestions on both came fast and furious until Abby realized the party had gotten off track. She pulled her sister aside. “The anniversary gift,” she said in a low tone to Melissa. “We need to give them their gift.”

  “I’ll get it.” In a matter of seconds, Melissa returned, cradling the large basket in her arms.

  Josh moved to her side, as if he couldn’t bear to be far from his new fiancée. Greg stood behind his wife, his arms around her still slender waist.

  “Mom and Dad,” Melissa began. “You’ve shown us what love looks like.”

  “What it feels like,” Abby added.

  With a flourish, Melissa presented her parents with a basket overflowing with biscotti, gourmet cappuccino mix, and other items reminiscent of their honeymoon in Italy…along with assorted travel documents. “Congratulations on thirty years of marriage.”

  “And best wishes for thirty more,” Abby and Melissa said in unison, with Josh and Greg chiming in.

  “Oh, Frank, isn’t this the best evening ever?” Diana’s voice bubbled with excitement. “All this good news and gifts, too.”

  She exclaimed over every item in the basket but grew silent when she got to the tickets, guidebooks and brochures. Diana glanced at her husband. He shrugged, looking equally puzzled.