Emma slowly opened her eyes and frowned at him. “What’s that look for?” she asked in her creaky morning voice he loved so much.
“Did I have a look?” he asked. “I was just admiring how peaceful you seemed.”
She smirked and rolled over to tuck herself against his side. “You looked anything but peaceful. Are you worried Ariana won’t go back?”
Truthfully he hadn’t given Ariana a thought yet that morning, but his mood darkened now that he did. Emma laughed, reaching up to smooth her hands over his face.
“Now you really look tortured. Tell me what’s bothering you so I can cheer you up. I never gave you your anniversary present, you know.”
“I was thinking what a lousy stepfather I’ve been to Dahlia. Do you think I somehow drove her to all this rebellion?”
“You haven’t been lousy, you’ve been marvelous. Dahlia’s a handful is all. We’ll have to tighten the reins now that she’s taken to actually breaking the law, but she’ll come through. I ran off with an Australian surfer when I was only a bit older than her, mind you, and I turned out all right.” She frowned and swallowed hard. “I do hope she doesn’t follow in my footsteps, though. My road wasn’t exactly an easy one.”
“True, but you did turn out wonderfully,” Dexter said, dropping a kiss on her brow. “Being a single teen mum and still accomplishing all you have. I am in awe of you.”
She rolled her eyes at his gushiness and her frown deepened. “Perhaps we should forget about tightening the reins altogether and just lock her in a barn for the next six or eight years.”
“By barn, I hope you mean her room. And by six or eight years I hope you mean a month or two? What’s the punishment for stealing?” He sighed deeply. “Being a parent is hard. I say we ship her to my mum and dad and take a cruise.”
Emma pulled away from him and raised herself onto her elbow, looking paler than usual and as alarmed as if he’d suggested burning the girl at the stake.
“You’re not having second thoughts are you?” she asked, lip quivering. “About us as a family?”
“What?” he yelped. “Are you serious? Of course not. It’s you, me, and Dahlia forever. What’s got into you to ask such a thing?” It wasn’t like her at all and he felt her forehead to see if she had a fever.
“Ah, well, it’s just that this little conversation of ours has made me less excited about the anniversary present.” Her cheeks turned crimson. “It’s silly. I shouldn’t make such a big deal about it.”
He sat up, truly alarmed now. “I hope you didn’t spend a massive amount. Especially since we’re saving for a house. Honestly, I know we agreed no presents and I shouldn’t have got you those earrings but they weren’t that expensive. They were only forty quid, Em. If you bought me something outrageous you’ll have to return it.”
“I’m pregnant,” she blurted, face turning the color of a beet. It took him a moment to process the words. He blinked several times and tilted his head to the side as if a change of perspective would help him understand. “It’s awful timing,” she blathered on. “I know we agreed to wait until we were in a house. But…”
“It’s amazing news!” He pulled her into an embrace, dragging her off the bed so he could whirl around the room with her. “Oh my God,” he said, putting her on her feet. “I can’t believe I’m flinging you like a ragdoll in your condition.”
She laughed anxiously. “You’re sure you’re happy about this? You just wanted to flee parenthood on a boat.”
He knew he should feel the gravitas of the situation. Surely a new baby would drive Dahlia to rebel more. Their apartment was far too small for another person. Their savings account was nowhere near full enough to purchase a house anywhere in London. But all he felt was pure and utter joy. Unable to help himself, he picked Emma up again and held her tight.
“I’m ecstatic about it. And babies don’t take up much space. It can bunk with us for at least a year if need be, right? And we’ll give Dahlia more attention, maybe get her into a new sport or hobby. This is the happiest I’ve ever been.” He put her down again, feeling lightheaded. He grabbed his knees and breathed until it passed. “Okay, it’s scary. But seriously, I thought I was pretty happy when you agreed to marry me, but this—” He laughed and wiped away tears he hadn’t noticed gathering in the corners of his eyes.
She sat down on the edge of the bed and wiped her own eyes. “I feel daft for being so nervous about telling you.”
“You should feel daft,” he said, plopping down beside her and taking her hand.
“I guess I was traumatized by Dahlia’s father’s reaction. He tossed a can of cola at a tree when I told him.”
“Well, it’s been proven time and again he’s an idiot of the highest order. I do believe you’re lucky to have found me.”
She punched him playfully in the thigh and sighed. “Annoyingly true. Now I have to get ready if I’m going to take Dahlia to school.” She cast a more serious look at him. “And you have to take Ariana… somewhere.”
He scowled that his parade was getting rained on by his second cousin’s appearance in their lives. “I’m going to show her the very worst of modern society. She’ll be begging to go back by the
