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“Do not stand on such formality with me, Doctor,” Alexander answered. “I hear you’re almost family.”

“I’ve known the Duchess since she was a wee girl.” Doctor Fraser laughed. “She was always getting into scrapes.”

“Was she?” Alexander asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh, yes, she was. Unlike her sister.”

“Well, good news, Doctor Fraser. Maggie is getting married,” Helen announced.

His face broke into a wide smile. “Your father must be over the moon with excitement.”

“I don’t know if her letter has reached him yet.”

“All right.” He nodded. “Now, what are your symptoms?”

She sat up at his serious tone.

“I wake up with the need to empty my stomach. The smell of eggs and custards nauseates me. I-I haven’t gotten my monthly cycle for a month now.”

At her words, Alexander’s eyebrows rose, as he knew what that could mean.

“I think you already know what your diagnosis is,” the doctor observed. “Congratulations to both of you. The Duchess is expecting.”

They were both stunned to hear it and looked at each other and then back at the doctor.

“Are you certain, Doctor?” Alexander asked.

“Quite certain, Your Grace.”

“I’m going to be a father,” Alexander said slowly, and then turning to her, he smiled broadly. “I’m going to be a father!”

Helen’s heart, which had been pounding violently in fear, calmed at the joy in his voice. “Yes, you’re going to be a father.”

“Oh God, thank you!” he exclaimed, and then he turned to the doctor and shook his hand. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome, Your Grace,” the doctor replied. “I’ll leave my list of instructions and bill with your butler. Congratulations once again.”

Once he shut the door behind him, Alexander was on her again, hugging her from behind, with a hand on her stomach.

“I’m going to be a father,” he stated calmly now, and she could sense his mood change. He was slowly receding to the dark recesses of his mind.

“Yes, and you’re going to be a good one,” she encouraged. “The best one there is.”

“How do you know that?” he asked softly. “I don’t…”

“I know because I know you, and I know you would never do anything to hurt anyone you love.”

“For all you know, I could change. I could hurt my child.”

“I’ll be right beside you to talk sense into you if that ever arises.”

“We’re going to have a baby,” he said again.

“Yes, we are.”

“And we’re going to be good parents,” he said with conviction this time.

“Indeed, we will.”

He stayed silent, and so she chose not to fill it, finding solace in the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

A few months ago, she’d been thinking that she’d probably spend the next few years of her life trying to find a match for her sister, but now she was happily married, and her sister would soon be married too.

The future really was a fickle thing one could only see by living. She heard Alexander’s gentle snore and smiled. He’d never believed her when she said he snored, and it was honestly something she found adorable about her beautiful husband.

She was really happy she had chosen to give love a chance when it looked like nothing good would come out of it. She only hoped they continued to experience more beautiful moments ahead.

The End?