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“Let me.” I rub her back.
She’s stiff and in shock.
I’m not going to tell her I understand, I don’t. I was blessed with three beautiful children and Bella. Not to mention Jamie and Daxon.
“That’s gone through.” The woman slides my card across the counter as if surprised the man in front of her wearing a Rolex Daytona watch and Armani suit can afford a simple medical appointment.
“Thank goodness.” I smirk, unable to help myself despite the situation, and steer Penelope out the door.
“Do you want to go somewhere?” I ask when the elevators open, keeping my hand on the small of her back.
“No.”
“Hey.” I turn, pulling her against my chest. “You’re in shock. It’s okay.”
It’s like hugging a lamppost.
“Penelope, sweetheart.” I pull back and she looks up at me. “It’s going to be okay; I promise.”
She’s not even crying. I thought she’d at least be crying. Shock does crazy things to people and, clearly, she goes numb.
I will do whatever she needs.
“I’ll take you home. Can I ring your office?” I lead her across the lobby and outside onto the sidewalk. “What about your parents? Do you want me to take you to see your mom?”
That snaps her out of it.
“No. Shit no. I can’t tell her about this!”
I guide her into the back of the Bentley. “Shh, she doesn’t need to know. You don’t need to be ashamed. I think it’s great you met with the doctor. I’m sorry it’s not the answer y—”
“I’m pregnant.”
Luke has just shut the door, and it’s just us in the car. Her eyes meet mine and I smile at her. I clearly misjudged her shock. That’s great news. Perhaps she is fertile after all.
Clearly, she’s just overwhelmed.
How and with whose sperm, I will deal with another day. Today I am just going to support her.
I brush her hair from her forehead. “One day, sweetheart. It doesn’t happen quite that quickly.”
Luke climbs in as I smile into her eyes, and he pulls out into traffic.
Penelope bites her bottom lip.
I am happy for her.
Once we have a minute to gather our thoughts and take a breath, we can discuss this in more detail. First, I’m going to take her out for dinner somewhere special.
A date. Like I planned.
We can go on romantic walks through the park in the spring once this snow has gone, and I might even surprise her with a trip to Paris.
I know she’d love France.
I wonder if she skis and has been to Switzerland.
“Ward,” Penelope says, interrupting my thoughts, and I glance down. “I’m. Pregnant.”