Page 71 of Richard

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Vitamins? Iron– hell, I don’t even know what I am supposed to do. Was I too rough?” His expression turned anxious. “I shouldn’t have made love to you that second time. What if I did something to hurt the fetus?”

“Stop.” Clasping his beloved face between her hands, she kissed him. “We are encouraged to have as much sex as we want. And I happen to love when you make love to me, so don’t you darestop.”

“Oh darling.” He rubbed his lips on hers. “How the hell did I get so lucky?”

“I think I am the lucky one.” Her eyes were moist. “I thought there was nothing left for me except my career. Oh Richard! I love you so much.”

Removing the tray, he pulled her against him, and for a long time, they stayed like that.

Chapter 16

He monitored her closely, and in doing so, drove her crazy. They were not telling anyone yet, not even his mother and her sister. The housekeeper was apprised, of course, but Ms. Hall’s loyalty was never in question. Richard had her stocking up on healthy food.

Their first big fight came when she woke up feeling ill one morning, her stomach heaving. February had given way to March, with the weather getting ever drearier. Winter was dragging its feet and dumping snow every other day.

“Call in sick," he said firmly, his tone brooking no argument. He held her against him as she puked her guts out and felt guilt swamping him.

No matter what she said, he was aware that she was in her forties, and it meant that the risk was greater for her than for someone younger. The past few weeks had been a breeze with her suffering little from the baby she was carrying.

But the doctor had warned that it might not be that way for long.

“I will be fine in a few minutes.” She leaned back against him and pressed her hands to her empty stomach. “The doctor said it’s nothing to worry about.”

“You are staying home for the rest of the week.”

“Women get pregnant every day–”

“They are not you.” Swinging her into his arms, he carried her back to bed. “I have to be in the studio for most of the day, or I will stay with you. Ms. Hall will see to your needs.”

“Richard, I am not staying home.”

She raised herself up on her elbows, her expression mutinous. She was almost three months pregnant, but still not showing, except for her breasts. And he had stopped making love to her, much to her frustration. “I have things to do–”

“Do them here. Use my office; I have told you that I would have someone come out and outfit one of the rooms for you to work from.” There was an uncompromising look on his face she was beginning to recognize.

“I have several meetings–”

“Cancel them.” His autocratic tone had her hackles rising.

“I don’t want to.” She started to get up when he rushed back and stopped her.

“What do you think you are doing?”

“Getting up to go and make myself some tea and get ready for work. I feel much better now–”

“You are not going anywhere.”

“How are you going to stop me?” She pushed against him, but it was like pushing at a mountain. “Richard, please be reasonable–”

“I told you that I was satisfied with just us, didn’t I?” his jaw was tight, his eyes blazing.

“What is that supposed to mean?” she demanded.

“It means you insist on getting pregnant, I would like you to deal with the consequences. You don’t need to work because you are more than provided for. Furthermore, you are a mature woman who is now carrying a baby.

The risks to you are greater than it would if you were in your twenties or thirties. I would like you to think about that and be responsible.”