Chapter 157

“Yeah she’s staying.”

“Ok.” She reached for another plate.

“Why don’t you leave this to the servants? You don’t have to cook and set the table.”

“It keeps me busy and Jaden is used to setting the table. Children need stability and routine.”

“So true. Well the man of the hour ran for the safety of his room as soon as he could dislodge himself. Said he needed a shower.” Richie snorted.

“You’re so nasty, you know that?” she couldn’t help but smile at the picture he painted.

“Naaaw. Just telling the truth.”

~~

Walking down the stairs, he heard Megan’s laughter.  It tingled down his spine and settled in his groin. Growling softly he  made his way to the aromatic room, knowing full well Dorothea was waiting but not really giving a damn.

She was dishing the food into glassbowls  when he walked in. Richie had a beer in hand, chattering animatedly to her while she smiled, making eye contact with him occasionally. His eyes dropped to her stomach and stared at the little bump. A baby…there was a little heartbeat growing inside her at the moment. The thought warmed his chest and his love for her grew even more.

“Hey bro! You done?”

“Yeah…I’m just glad to be back.” He looked at her when he said that and her tummy fluttered.

“I think Dorothea might be thirsty, let me hear what she wants.”

“Ok.” He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

Licking her lips quickly she turned away, reaching for the empty bowl.

“How was your trip? Did it go well?”

“Yes, it did but baby I don’t wanna talk about that right now.”

She saw him moving closer from her peripheral vision.

“Oh?”

He didn’t breathe a word, he inched closer and her heart hammered in her chest.

She flicked a looked at him and felt her mouth gone dry.

Wet hair lay wildly, framing his face. His day old growth was gone, leaving a smooth, aftershaved skin. His spicy scent assaulted her nostrils and she breathed in, enjoying the knowledge that he was home and so close to her.  As always her eyes drifted towards the teasing, open shirt displaying her favourite part, remembering how she fell asleep with her face rubbed up against it so many times,  she felt her temperature rising dramatically.

Jon was ready to take her in his arms and feel those warm, soft lips of hers pressed against his but his hand went lower instead, resting his hand on her  stomach. There was just something about a pregnant woman, the glow and the contented look in their eyes. Knowing that it was Megan made the attraction even fiercer for Jon.

It felt like Jon’s hand was burning a hole into her skin, for some harebrained reason was she scared that he might feel her pregnancy. Why did he touch her stomach this way?

“Meg, I know…”

“Mooooom! I’m hungry!”

“Ok grumpy, I’m coming!” He pouted so like his father.

“Let’s eat!” He ruffled the boy’s hair.

“We’ll talk later, ok?” That was a promise his eyes seem to say.

She nodded.

Dorothea’s irritation was apparent when the little family walked in together, each carrying a bowl.

The sneer wiped from her face as soon as Jon smiled at her.

“You are such a lovely cook, Megan!”

“Thank you.”

The two women didn’t have much to say to each other, luckily Richie, Jaden and Jon were there to keep the conversation going.

Richie stood up and filled Jon and his own glass with rich, burgundy wine.  He didn’t offer Megan any and Jon smirked as Richie filled hers with fruit juice. Not thinking anything strange about it he didn’t even realize why Jon was smiling.

“Wine Dorothea?” the bottle hovered over her clean glass.

Widening her eyes dramatically she clasps her hand over the rim.

“Oh no! I’d rather have a glass of fruit juice thank you.”

Knowing Dorothea’s love for fine wine, they all looked at her questioningly.

“Feeling a bit ill there Dot?” Jon asked but as soon as the question was out, he felt cold fingers stomping down his spine.

Jaden excused himself from the table for a moment.

Snaking a hand into his she smiled brightly, a rosy pink painted her cheeks as she stared adoringly at Jon.

“I wanted to tell you in private tonight but I guess now is just as good a time as any.”

Everything happed in slow motion from there on.

“Jon, I’m pregnant.”

Jon turned to look at Megan. She turned ashen in seconds, her fork fell from her hands. Richie dropped the wine bottle and it splattered all over the thick, ivory carpet.

“Oh fuck!”  he grabbed for the bottle with numb fingers, but to no avail.

This couldn’t be happening! Jon faced Dorothea’s blooming face.

“Congratulations, Jon…Dorothea.” Her voice was unnaturally calm.

“I’m so happy!” Dorothea saw Megan’s shocked expression but she didn’t care. Jon was hers. Game, set and match.