Page 85 of Love Me Forever

“Not enough time to prepare,” Moira insisted.

“Her dress is not complete,” Anne added.

“What dress?” Brianna asked, surprised.

“It was to be a surprise,” Anne said.

Brianna laughed. “It is.”

‘Tomorrow,” Royce repeated.

Ian took charge. “I think three days’ time would give sufficient preparation time and be suitable for all.” He waited for objections. Most important, he waited for his sister to object; if she did not wish this, he would not grant permission.

Brianna smiled at her brother and rested her head on Royce’s shoulder with a yawn.

Ian knew that his sister was satisfied, and it was obvious she was tired and wished time alone with her future husband.

Moira realized the same. “There is much to be done; we’d better get started now.”

They hurried to the door, Moira and Anne already making plans.

Ian stopped and looked back to Royce. “We will talk tomorrow.”

“As you wish,” he said, giving him due respect. “I am happy for you, little sister, and pleased that I will be an uncle,” Ian offered with a smile.

“I am pleased you are my brother and have such patience with me. Thank you, Ian.”

Ian nodded and looked to Royce. “Protect her well.”

“You have my word on it.”

“Then I have no need for worry.” Ian closed the door behind him, giving them their privacy.

Royce carried her to the bed and placed her down carefully, then sat down beside her. His hand went to rest on her stomach. “You feel well?”

“Aye, though I eat much too much, grow tired too often, and cry much too easily.”

“Eat as much as you want, rest as much as you want, and cry as much as you want, it matters not to me. What matters is that you are well and happy.”

“I could not believe it at first,” she confided in him. “It took me time and being sick in the morning to completely accept the fact that I was with child. I had so wanted a child but had convinced myself that it would never be.”

“Your husband is the one who had you convinced, and as you see, he was wrong.” His hand rubbed her stomach.

“Our child rests comfortably, and there will be more to follow.”

She laughed. “I have yet to give you one and you ask for more?”

“We are in love and enjoy loving. How can there not be more children?”

She sighed, reaching out to rest a hand on his. “You are right. We love often and I do not want that to end, I want us to always love as we do.”

He caught her hand in his and brought it to his lips, placing a kiss on her palm. “We shall. That is why I have no doubt other children will follow this one.”

She yawned again.

“You should rest,” he said with concern.

She shook her head. “I am hungry.”