There's still time in this happy ending

Good news

Anthony was dressing up that morning, with the feeling that something was amiss. But no idea of what. He had been married to Kate for several months now, and everything was perfect. Beyond perfect. He was now a great advocate of marriage. A champion of weddings. Now he perfectly understood why his mother wanted her children to marry so much. If with the right person, there was nothing better in the world.

But still, something was amiss and he couldn't quite place his finger on what it was. As he buttoned up his shirt, he looked at Kate. She was still in her sleeping chemise, combing her hair. She also seemed distracted. She had since yesterday, although she had assured him that nothing was wrong. And he believed her. Her direct, honest ways hadn't changed after marriage. And for that, he was grateful. The funny thing was, her straightforward personality didn't bother him at all, as he once thought it would. That was before he fell in love with her, of course.

He looked as her dark hair fell over the chocolate skin of her chest. It was a modest chemise, but still, he felt the need to take it off her and have his wicked way with his wife. He knew she wouldn't complain. Hell, she would have her wicked way with him, as well.

Anthony smiled to himself. Oh, yes. She totally would. She had had many times. That direct, straight forward way of Kate, being an excellent skill when sharing her body and soul with him. And demanding the same in return. As if he could ever deny anything to his Viscountess or had any other option than giving her all of him.

He walked to his wife, rested his hand on her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.

"Is everything alright?"

Their eyes met in the mirror placed on Kate's boudoir, and she looked at him as if lost for one brief second. Just one brief second, but it was enough. He made her turn around gently and kneeled at her feet taking her hands frantically.

"What is it, Kate? What happens?"

Only now, with her guidance, he had learned to overcome – more or less – his engraved idea of dying young in the future. After Kate's accident, he had decided to leave it all behind and just live the present. Besides, his wife was positive he wouldn't die at 38, as he had predicted.

But now, as he stared into her eyes, he felt something was wrong. And it was putting a knock on his stomach.

"I think I'm pregnant".

He gasped, took a deep breath. 

But of course. That was it! It was hard to miss, when you're sharing the bed and the room with your wife every night. At first it had been a little weird. Fine, very weird. But then he got used to knowing when she had her courses. And she was clockwise. Always 29 days. Always. Anthony made quick calculations in his head. It should have happened yesterday.

Kate was looking at him with a mix of happy expectation and worry in her face.

"You know... well, you know I'm never late, never been one day in my life since I became a lady. And well, you and I... we're quite busy during our nights". 

He thought it was adorable that she still blushed after all they had done together in that bed. And the chair. And the floor. And against the wall. 

But anyway, a baby? A baby?

"Anthony?". Now Kate looked kind of worried. He was just there, kneeling, open mouthed, his hands still cupping hers.

"Pregnant?"

"Yes. That's what I heard that happens when a man and a woman-"

But she had no time to finish her sarcastic explanation because he was already on his feet and taking her with him, right into his arms.

"Pregnant??" And there was no way to mistake the excitement in his voice this time.

Kate let out a little scream that sounded more as a laugh as she put her arms around his shoulders.

"Yes", she laughed some more as he rained kisses all over her face. "I'll visit the doctor today, just to make sure, but I'm almost positive".

"I love you. I love you so much. I love you".

She laughed and he looked at her as if she was the reason the sun came out every morning. The dark eyes, the full lips, the smell of soap and lilies. His wife. The mother of his child. And he found himself laughing out loud as well, twirling with her still in his arms until he made it to the bed and they both fell onto it, giggling and kissing and trying to get Anthony's clothes out of the way.