Violet frowned. "Tell my brother to stop being such a slave driver."
Andrea released a cynical laugh. "That would be like telling a cowboy to give up his spurs," she said as she headed out.
As soon as Andrea left, Violet shook her head and sighed. "I'll be so glad when those two finally admit they want a relationship beyond business. Mac is so stubborn he can't see the forest for the trees. I really want to shake some sense into him."
"Most men are stubborn," Nasira said. "My husband included."
"But he's coming around, right?" Violet asked.
"Yes, he is." Nasira wanted to delve into more detail but decided not to burden her brother's bride with her problems. "How have you been feeling with all the wedding stress?"
Violet took a sip of water and leaned back in the chair. "Better than I expected. The morning, noon and night sickness has subsided for the most part. I could still fall asleep on my feet at times, which I've learned is typical."
Nasira recalled the fatigue, along with the overwhelming sadness after her loss. "It is normal."
"I'm so sorry for being insensitive, Nasira," Violet said, her tone laced with sympathy. "I know how difficult it's been since your miscarriage."
"It's all right, Violet. Enough time has passed where I no longer fall apart around pregnant women."
"Are you sure?"
"I am sure. I would never want you to feel you have to be guarded around me when it comes to your pregnancy. In fact, I am thrilled to have a new niece or nephew. And I would enjoy living vicariously through you until I have my own child. After all, you can give me advice when that happens." If that happened.
"I'm personally looking forward to the next phase," Violet continued. "I have a friend who claims she couldn't get enough sex, and I know that will thrill Rafe. Of course, the best part about being pregnant is..." She leaned forward and whispered, "No period."
No period...
The comment prompted Nasira to grab her cell phone from her bag and retrieve the calendar app. After she scanned the dates and did a mental countdown, she was overcome with panic when she should have been overcome with joy.
"Are you all right, Nasira?"
She raised her gaze to Violet. "I... I think..."
"You think what?"
"I might be pregnant."
And if that were true, she could only imagine what that possibility would entail. Perhaps stress had been the cause of her missing her period. Perhaps it would be best to wait a bit longer to find out the truth.
Nine
"You're definitely pregnant, Nasira."
A short while later, Nasira found herself at Rafe and Violet's home, holding the second of two positive pregnancy tests in one hand, steeped in shock. "I cannot believe this."
Violet wrested the plastic stick from her grip and set it on the vanity. "Believe it. I think taking a third is a bit of overkill."
Nasira pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. "How am I to tell Sebastian?"
"Easy. ‘Sebastian, you're going to be a daddy.'"
If only it were that simple. If only he would embrace fatherhood. If only... "He will not be happy about this."
"What makes you believe that?"
Nasira opened her eyes to Violet's concerned expression. "It is very complicated. My husband is complicated."
"I can do complicated, Nasira. Now let's go into the living room and you can explain."
Nasira aimlessly followed her future sister-in-law into the parlor and settled in beside her on the sofa. After taking a cleansing breath, she began the arduous explanation by recounting Sebastian's concerns for her safety, his bittersweet memories of his mother, his reluctance to be like his father. She ended her explanation in a haze of tears, saying, "I am worried he will never accept the news at this point."
"He has no choice," Violet said with certainty. "It might take some time, but after he sees you're totally healthy and happy, he'll get used to the idea. And as soon as he holds your baby the first time, he'll wonder why he wasted so much energy worrying over nothing."
Nasira wished she could be so confident. "I hope you are right, Violet."
"And on the off chance I'm not, what are you going to do?"
Nasira had yet to make any solid decisions in that regard. "I suppose I will wait and see how Sebastian reacts when I deliver the news."
Violet took her hand. "I know it's tempting to put it off as long as possible, but the sooner you tell him, the sooner you'll know how to prepare for the future."
"I would rather hop a plane to Bermuda and bask on the beach."
"And I wish I could wear normal jeans again."
They exchanged a smile and a quick embrace before Nasira came to her feet. "I so very much appreciate your counsel. Please wish me luck."
"Good luck." Violet stood and drew her into another embrace. "That's what family is for. And if your husband acts like a jerk, you know you always have a place here with us."
"I would never want to impose."
"You wouldn't be imposing. I'm sure Rafe would be thrilled to have his pregnant little sister and wife hanging around, driving him insane with sporadic hormonal outbursts."
Nasira tried to laugh yet it sounded hollow. "That would be the last thing my brother would want, having his younger sibling residing under the same roof while he is in the honeymoon phase with his new bride."
Violet's expression went suddenly serious. "He's very protective of you, Nasira. I'd hate to think what he might do if he knew about Sebastian's attitude toward fatherhood."
The thought made Nasira even more anxious. "Promise me you will not tell him."
"I promise," Violet said. "And you promise me you'll call as soon as Sebastian knows. If he throws a fit, get in the car and come here so he can cool down."
Nasira sincerely wanted to believe that would not be necessary, yet she found comfort in the offer. At least she would not be alone should Sebastian decide to walk out on their marriage. "I will, and thank you for being such a grand friend. I suppose I should go now and face the music."
"Nasira, in my heart of hearts," Violet began, "I believe everything will work out well. Sebastian might be snake-bit in the baby department, but it's obvious he loves you very much."
Nasira wanted to have faith in that as well, but her concerns only increased as they walked out the door into the warm May night.
"One more thing, Nasira," Violet said when they reached the sedan. "Every child is a gift and if Sebastian can't see that, then he's a fool. Don't let him allow you to think this is all your fault."
Nasira touched the place that housed her unborn child. "You are right. This baby is all I have ever wanted." And could be all she would have if her love for Sebastian, and his love for her, proved not to be enough to overcome their differences.
As she drove toward the ranch, Nasira recognized she would need a good dose of courage, and perhaps ammunition, for the upcoming debate she would surely have with her husband. On that thought, she pulled the sedan to the side of the road to make a call that could provide her with the information she needed. A fact-finding mission that could possibly hold the key to the past, and perhaps the fate of her future.
She withdrew the cell to input the number and waited. When she heard the familiar voice, she drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Stella, this is Nasira. I am in dire need of your help."
"What ever is wrong, dear?"
Everything. "Nothing really. I simply need to know all the details of Sebastian's mother's death."
She was met with momentary silence before Stella spoke again. "I am not at liberty-"
"Please, Stella. This is of the utmost importance. I need to know. Sebastian needs to know."
"Then you will need to speak to James about it."
That posed a grave dilemma. "Do you believe he's able to tell me?"
"Oh yes. He often leaves the present, yet he is very much suspended in the past."
"I do not want this to upset him."
"I assure you, it will. It does every time he goes back to that time, and he does so often."
"I would never want to cause James any distress, but this is very important." Even though going behind Sebastian's back could incur his wrath, and only make matters worse. Still, she had to take that chance in light of learning she was pregnant.