The Sheik And The Pregnant Bride

Maggie slowed, then stopped. “I’ve never been in a baby store before,” she whispered.

“Would you like to go in now?”

It probably wasn’t the shopping he’d had in mind, but she nodded anyway, then hesitated before stepping through the open door.

“Is this okay?” she asked.

“Yes.”

She could see displays set up like rooms, with cribs and tables. Changing tables, she told herself, having no idea where that information had come from.

He dropped his hand to the small of her back and gave her a little push. She stepped through the door.

The space was huge and filled with clothes and toys, supplies and furniture. Maggie walked in a few feet, then stopped, not sure what to look at first.

“I don’t think I can do this,” she murmured.

Qadir came up beside her. “You do not have to do anything today. That should make things easier. We will walk around and get some ideas. Later, you can decide about what you need. Think of this as the first visit to the showroom. You’re not buying a car today.”

The analogy was perfect and helped her relax. She smiled at him. “Did I mention you’re good?”

“Several times, but it is praise I enjoy so feel free to say it again.”

Without thinking, she leaned against him. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. She raised her head for a real kiss, hoping he would-

“Prince Qadir, what an honor. I am Fatima. Welcome to my store.”

The speaker was a pretty woman in her thirties. She beamed at both of them, clasping her hands together. Maggie’s stomach knotted and she instantly regretted the hamburger.

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Qadir said smoothly.

Maggie stepped back and cleared her throat. What was she supposed to say? Her pregnancy had been reported in the newspaper and showing up here, like this, would only cause people to think Qadir really was the father.

“We, ah, were just looking around,” she said, wishing she didn’t sound so lame.

“Of course. Please. Explore. If you have any questions I will be at the front desk.”

Fatima gave a little bob, then hurried away. Maggie watched her go.

“I’m sorry,” she said, feeling awful. “We shouldn’t have come in here.”

“Why not?”

“Because of what people will think.”

“You are having a child.”

“But not yours,” she said, trying not to shriek. “That’s what they will think.”

“We know the truth.”

He sounded so calm. “You’re not upset?”

“No.” He took her hand. “Come on. Let us explore, as Fatima suggested. Based on all I see here, an infant needs far more than his size suggests.”

She thought about pointing out all the potentials for disaster, but knew Qadir would understand them far better than she. If he could be calm about this, then she could, too.

“Just to be clear,” she told him. “I’m having a girl.”

“You are confident about that?”

“Yes. I sense my body would reject boy sperm.”

“Then Jon is weak for not overpowering you.”

“Or sensible for not trying.”

They walked around the various displays. One showed a room done in trains, with everything from an adorable locomotive border print to stuffed train pillows. There was also a car room and one done totally in pink with a ballerina motif.

“If you’re having a girl,” Qadir said, pointing at the dancer.

Maggie glared at him. “Don’t make me hit you in public.”

“You are not as tough as you think.”

“Cheap talk while you’re safely around other people.”

He smiled slowly. “You do not intimidate me in any way, Maggie. We both know how easily I could take you.”

She wasn’t sure if he was referring to his superior strength or the way her body responded every time he touched her and she wasn’t sure it mattered. He was right-he could take her without breaking a sweat. The only news in that was how much she wanted him to.

“Maybe this is better,” he said, pointing to a display done in shades of yellow. The teddy bear theme wasn’t too sweet and she liked the border print with the teddy bears playing different sports.

“I could live with this,” she said, walking around the area, touching the crib and running her hands across the top of the dresser. “The yellow is nice. I’m not a huge fan of green and we all know I’m not doing a pink-on-pink room.”

“You’re going to have some explaining to do if the child is male.”

She smiled. “I know, but I’ll be very smug when it’s a girl.”

“I would have sons.”

“Oh, please. Is this also a prince thing?”

“No. Biology. My aunt is the only female child born in several generations.”

“Oh. I hadn’t thought of that.” But this wasn’t Qadir’s baby, so she didn’t have to worry.

They wandered through the rest of the store. Maggie started to hyperventilate when they stopped in front of a wall of baby items and she had no idea what they were for.

“Do they come with instructions?” she asked in a whisper.

“I am sure they do.”

She pointed to a small container with a cord and a plug. “A baby wipe heater? Their wipes have to be heated?” She hadn’t known that. What if there was a power outage and the wipes were cold? Would that hurt the baby?

Panic filled her. “I can’t do this,” she said, placing her hand on her stomach. “I’m sorry, but I really, really can’t do this. I don’t know how. I’ll do a lousy job. What if I don’t like children?”

Qadir put his hand on her shoulder. “You will be fine.”

“You’re just saying that because you don’t want me hysterical. You don’t actually know.”

“I know you are intelligent and caring and you will love your child. What else matters?”

“Heated baby wipes, for one thing. What else don’t I know?”

“You will learn as you go.”

“Maybe. But what if I don’t? What if my child is the only one with a cold butt?”

His mouth twitched. She balled up her fist and socked him in the arm. “You’d better not be laughing at me.”

He chuckled, then pulled her against him and kissed her. His mouth brushed hers once, twice, then he released her.

“You are a unique woman,” he told her.

“Uniquely unqualified to be a mother.”

He took her hand and led her to the rows of books. “If you do not know what to do, you can learn about it.”

“Oh, right. Books.” She picked up one and scanned the title. “I need one for women who have no experience with children. Something like-‘You’ve never had a baby before, but that’s okay.’ Do you see that title?”

He held up several that weren’t even close, but she grabbed them all. Something to fill her nights, she thought.

Qadir insisted on paying for the books-which was only going to fuel speculation, she thought as they left. When they were back in his car, she turned to him.

“Thank you for being so nice,” she said. “You’re really easy to be around.”

“You are, as well,” he told her. “I enjoyed our outing.”

“Even though there’s going to be an article or two in the paper tomorrow.”