Silently, Elena got to her feet, her hands pressed into the small of her back. The contractions were coming strongly now, quickly. But before she said anything about it, did anything about it, she had to know. ‘Are you suggesting we try again—to make this marriage work?’
‘Not try.’ He turned to her, his eyes burning. ‘It will work—if you can forgive me.’
‘Why now?’ she asked thickly, not daring to let herself believe in this sudden change of heart. ‘It’s been almost four months. You stayed away. And even when you made those duty visits we might as well have been on different planets.’
‘You think I don’t know that. You think it didn’t tear me apart?’ His eyes were tortured. He spread his hands. ‘Do you think I don’t know what a fool I’ve been? I can’t bear life without you, Elena. I need to be with you, I love you, dammit!’
This was Jed, her Jed. Showing the emotions he’d battened down. His flaws were all too human, as were hers. His strengths were what mattered, and she would match them with her own. She would find the courage to accept what he was saying. She moved towards him and put her hands on his shoulders.
‘I love you. I never stopped. Loving you hurt, but it never stopped.’
The hands that reached for her, held her, were unsteady, his kiss tender, infinitely loving. ‘I want to hold you for ever,’ he said thickly. ‘I’ve always regarded myself as being ultra-sensible, but with you my emotions rule my head. I’d have said all of this much sooner—months ago—but I was afraid I’d blown it, that you’d tell me I’d had my chance and wouldn’t get another. I want you to promise that the next time I behave like a cretin you’ll hit me with something heavy.’
‘Promise,’ she concurred breathlessly. ‘If you’ll do something for me.’
‘Anything.’
She couldn’t doubt his fervour. ‘Phone Tomás and ask him to bring Pilar up right away. She’s had five babies, and helped deliver dozens more.’
A tiny moment of shock, then he said quickly, ‘The baby’s coming?’
She nodded. ‘A couple of weeks early.’
‘Get your things. I’ll drive you,’ he told her firmly, taking charge. But she knew better.
‘There won’t be time.’ She touched his arm. ‘Phone Pilar.’ She rode the next contraction, sweat dewing her face. She hadn’t thought it would happen so quickly.
He gave her a brief but searching look and strode out of the room. He was back in moments.
‘They’re on their way. Also a doctor and midwife from the maternity unit.’ He took her hand. ‘Everything’s going to be fine. You’re not to worry.’
She clung tightly to his fingers. The doctor and midwife wouldn’t be here in time, but everything would be fine as long as Jed was with her. ‘You do love me?’ she gasped, her eyes darkening with the ferocity of the contractions that were coming so close together now. ‘That’s the only thing that might worry me.’
‘More than my life!’ He cupped her face with his hands. ‘I’ve never stopped. Whatever happens, I’ll always love you. You have to believe that.’
She did, oh, she did! She smiled for him radiantly. ‘That goes for me, too. So the only problem we have is how to get me to the bedroom.’
‘Easy.’ His face soft with loving concern, he lifted her in his arms and carried her there, and laid her gently on the bed.
‘And not even out of breath,’ she teased. ‘A man who can carry something the size of a baby elephant has to be hero material!’ She heaved herself to her feet again. ‘It’s better that I keep walking. Help me into a robe, would you, Jed?’
He did, loving care in everything he did, and she caught the tiny flicker of relief in his eyes when Pilar stumped into the room, carrying an armful of towels. She lifted her hand and touched the side of his face. ‘Everything’s going to be fine.’
‘Naturally!’ Pilar said firmly. ‘It happens all time! Tomás is boiling water.’ Her eyes didn’t leave Elena; she was timing contractions. She nodded her head briskly. ‘I collect things we need. Soon you will want to push. I will be back.’
Soon, very soon now. Elena knew it. ‘There’s something you should know, my darling. About Liam—’
‘Shush.’ He laid a finger across her lips, his eyes soft. ‘He doesn’t matter. If you’re concerned about him, and want to help him get back on his feet, I’ll track him down and return the money. I had no right to take it from him in the first place.’