"Tell me. Should I expect some infant cries anytime soon?" Eleanor asks through the phone, her voice teasing yet it bears something frightful in my chest. 

My body tenses beside Liam's, and he softly smiles at me.

"Um, no." I laugh nervously, holding the phone firmly.

Liam shakes his head to the sides, amused. He takes the phone from me and asks, "Where do you come up with those plans, Mother, huh?" 

"Well . . ." Eleanor chuckles. She sounds happy that we've called her, and I can't say I'm any different.

I miss her a lot. 

"I had a dream I was holding a baby, and Charlie was right beside me saying 'Look, Eleanor. It's our grandson. Isn't he lovely?' God, Liam, he was so proud to see his grandson." From joy to profound sadness, Eleanor's mood shifts drastically.

I exchange glances with Liam, and my eyes are already watery for some reason. I sniff and compose myself.

"Maybe you're just missing him," I remark carefully.

I still can't imagine what she goes through everyday knowing the man she loves and still yearning for is no longer part of this world. It's the kind of pain I don't even want to think about.

Eleanor sighs soundly. "I always do, dear." Her voice comes out more sadly, and Liam's face turns mirthless. "So, how is everything? Are you coping with England?" she quizzes. 

"Pretty much. I haven't seen much of it, though. My husband is so busy and when I go out on my own he gets haywire." I try to pacify the mood. 

Liam rolls his eyes. 

"Oh. Why am I so surprised?" Eleanor laughs, sarcasm lacing her sweet voice. "He must've inherited all of his father's traits. Control freak!" 

I burst out laughing, and my husband lifts a defamed eyebrow at me.

"You're totally right. He's definitely a control freak . . . like everything needs his patronage before it turns out to be valid." I watch him scoffing while muttering some incoherent words. 

"I know, right?" Eleanor says, and I feel like I'm chatting with my bestie. "Men never understand that we are intelligent enough, but we're just giving them the credits they yearn to have by asking permission on stuff. Oh, this was one of speeches I gave Charlie nonstop." She laughs jubilantly.

"So, is this a women's solidarity day or what?" Liam snorts while adding another pillow behind his back so he lays more comfortably.

"Well, it is, son. And you should take your wife out more often, Liam. Don't keep her locked up inside that huge house of yours," Eleanor enthuses.

Yes! Tell him. My subconscious acquisces wholeheartedly.

"Or he can let me go out on my own, at the very least?" I contrive, because I'm very much aware that he's busy with work so he can't do it as often as I'd prefer him to.

Liam sighs. "But I haven't stopped her from going out, have I?" He glances at me, a serious look on his face. He's worried. "I only said you should be with Mr. Prescott when you do so."

"We are just kidding, Liam. You don't need to feel alarmed," I say, meaning it. 

He's so sensitive; taking everything seriously. Gosh!

"I don't want us to have misunderstandings so we'll discuss this later," he carefully suggests and I think he's not bluffing.

Can't he take jokes? I mentally sigh as I know he's already feeling guilty over something he shouldn't.

"Okay." I nod.

"Now I feel like a third wheel. Should I hang up?" Eleanor asks.

I smile. "Not necessary. How is everything over there? Is everyone okay?" 

"Everyone is fine and apparently I caught Peter and Betty kissing in my kitchen. Those kids!" Eleanor states, a small laugh following suit. 

"What!" I exclaim softly, amazed by this unexpected news. "Betty and Peter?" 

"Yeah. I guess they're dating," Eleanor replies and I'm speechless.

Liam giggles lightly out of the blue, and I sharply glance at him.

"You knew about it, didn't you?" I scold, for his eyes register no surprise on the news. "Traitor!" I grunt quietly. 

"Oh no! I have to go. There's a delivery I need to work on right away," Eleanor says abruptly. "It was sweet talking to you, and I miss you both so much. Kira, I'll be there in three weeks for Christmas and we'll go out more often—worry not, honey." 

"Oh, wow! I can't wait!" I'm already excited for her arrival.

Laughing, Liam remarks, "Okay, Mother. Take care and my regards to everyone." 

"You too, son," Eleanor answers lovingly and the call ends. 

I sit straight on the bed and throw my husband a questioning glare.

"What?" he asks.

"You knew about Peter and Betty and you didn't even tell me?" 

"I wasn't sure, baby. I just imagined it during our wedding day but I was too busy to dwell," Liam prompts. "Well, they're both grown ups so there's no problem if they decide to date or go further than that, right?"

"You're right." I sigh tiredly, a slight migraine taking a toll on me after an eventful day. "They make a cute couple, don't you think?" I lay back in bed, my head finding refuge on my husband's chest. 

And Eleanor's baby talk flashes back in my mind, making me restless.

"Are you shipping them?" Liam asks, and gently my gaze is up at him. "What's wrong?" he asks with a frown.

What? Is it obvious that I'm no longer onto Betty and Peter's story? 

"Nothing." I grin. "You're learning quickly, hubby. And yeah, I'm shipping them wholeheartedly. I just hope Peter won't hurt her. She's too innocent."

"Oh? Why can't it be the other way around? Do men have to wear the villainous sash all the time?" Liam argues strongly.

"Oh, come on! Isn't it obvious who's the pro between the two of them? For all I know, that cowboy can be a heartbreaker with that face and body."

"Pardon?" Liam holds onto my last remark, tightly, squinting his eyes inexplicably at me. "Face and body? Seriously, Mrs. Darcy?"

"Er . . . I meant to say that, he's handsome, and probably more experienced than Betty." I stifle a laugh at the solid look he gives me, his dark eyebrows knitted together inquisitively. "Wait, you're not jealous of your own employees now, are you?" I fail to hold my laugh any longer.

"Jealous? You wish, woman!" Liam snaps and I laugh louder. "I already have you in my territory and I'm confident of my stance, Kira Darcy, and I will not let any man crumble my faith for that matter," he says proudly, wearing a conceited look.

"Jeez! What a bragger." I huff, and his smile broadens.

I turn on some music from my phone and lay comfortably by Liam's side. It's already nine o'clock and I desire nothing but to sleep and forget anything that tortures me inside.

Passenger sings his 'Let her go' and it's one of my most favorite songs.

"Every song is a moment," Liam breathes against my neck, hugging me tighter against him.

I smile. "You remember this song?"

"I do. It was in your vintage car on our way to check the house in Malibu. The very same day you took me to Disneyland." Liam toys with my curls, running his hefty fingers in a smooth manner. 

"My vintage car?" I chuckle after thinking deeper about his statement. "So that's your flowery way of saying my car was a piece of junk, huh?"

"Don't put your words into my mouth, woman!" Liam laughs gently. "Are you happy now that you've seen your period?"

Fortunately or not, I got my period soon after dinner and it was nothing good.

"Kira?" Liam calls gently. 

"Mmm?"

"It's okay. I can wait for as long as it takes, so I don't want you to dwell on this pregnancy issue. We'll be careful from now on," he says curtly, and I know it's a topic filled with sensitivity on his part.

He loves kids. He's dying to be a father. It's something I can easily see in him.

"I won't use any birth control this time," I enunciate while skittling my fingers smoothly over the fabric of his light sweatshirt.

"Meaning?" Liam asks, surprised. I raise my eyes at him, smiling. "Are you okay with having a baby now?" He's stunned, but his gaze is filled with doubts.

"Yeah. We can have a baby, Liam, I don't mind," I answer truthfully, confident of my decision. "I'm going to start looking for a job by the end of December, or in January. I'm sure I'll get a hang of my new life without being scared of a thing, as long as we're together." 

"Wow, I—" Liam stutters. "I don't know what to say. Are you sure about this, Kira? I don't want you to do this for me, or for my mother after the talk we just had earlier. Are you absolutely sure that you're ready for this?"

"I'm sure of it, Liam. I want this." I hoist myself and sit up. Liam shores up on his elbows, staring at me. "Honestly, I'm not sure how things will turn out regarding my career life, but I do want to have a baby with you." 

"We'll figure everything out together. I promise you, my love." Sounding relieved and happy, Liam kisses my head while hugging me tighter. 

I giggle. "Are you that happy?" 

"Very happy. You've no idea how much I want to see your belly getting big and eventually hold our first born in my arms. I have no idea how that feels, but I want to experience it all with you by my side," he says.

It feels like a soft breeze at the bay as I start seeing things in a different light. Maybe it's my chance to regain the family I've lost. The family I truly belong to. 

"Me, too." I lift my head up and claim Liam's lips as mine. 

He holds me closely and our kiss lives shortly so that I don't get carried away. 

"And you don't need to look for a job, Kira. I have many contacts, and you've got very outstanding credentials for any university to want to hire you," Liam tells me.

Why didn't I see this coming? 

I just smile at him. But of course I'd be happy to use my husband's influence to get the job I desire, so long as my experience and academic requirements match. Plus, I've got great references from UCLA. 

"And if you want to go back to school for your Masters degree," Liam proceeds, "just know I'm here to support you in every way I possibly can. Whatever you decide to do next, I have no objection."

"Thank you, Liam." I feel like he's just said everything I needed to hear.

I don't even know what I want to do next, but his countenance gives me strength to move forward.

"I guess I've driven myself to a great bargain, Mrs. Darcy. You look content with the arrangement." Liam drags me beneath him, a wicked smile on his face.

"That you did, Mr. Darcy. A true businessman you are. You're the best," I breathe, my hair scattered on the pillow as I wrap my arms around his neck. "I love you." 

It's hard not to kiss him over and over again, even though I know I'm in no condition to make love to him tonight, and for three days to come. I believe this is our sexual break.

"Let's sleep before I lose my control and forget you're bleeding." Liam tries to move but I hold him still by curling my legs around his waist. "What are you doing, Kira?" He chuckles.

"I can think of plenty ways to please you without you fucking me," I say on a sensual whisper, lingering my lustful eyes on his lips. 

His breath hitches, his smile highly enticed by my seductive speech. Briskly, I push him off and roll over him, so I'm now on top of him.

"Do you want me to please you, Mr. Darcy?" My hands slide off to the fly of his pajama bottoms, and gently I rub the hardness of his erection.

"God," he grunts gently as I sit up, straddling him. 

"Do you?" I smile alluringly while heading for the waistband, watching his chest shoring on and off.

"Oh shit. Yes, Mrs. Darcy," he says, and sex goddess wakes from her deep slumber.

***

After Liam's departure to the office, I give Dr. Adams a call so as to arrange for my next appointment. The plan to have a baby is what takes a big portion of my thoughts since my discussion with Liam last night, and this morning I can't focus on anything else.

"Yes, it's Kira Darcy," I introduce myself while pacing around the garden, hugging the long cardigan I'm wearing.

It's chilly but I don't mind.

"Oh, yes. Kira Darcy, right? How are you?" Dr. Adams inquires. 

Kira Darcy? Okay, I guess it's the English law doing its thing. 

"I'm fine. I'm calling because I think I've made up my mind about something important and I'd love to discuss it with you about it," I say and explain to her with more details.

"So . . . you two are ready to have a baby now?" Dr. Adams asks.

"Yes." I smile auspiciously, rubbing my tummy with mild excitement. "But I still want to be sure of . . . you know?" I can't say it plainly.

Why on earth am I doubting my fertility just because I've never been pregnant before? Am I overreacting?

"Kira, there's nothing wrong in wanting to check our reproductive health. Especially us, women. Just tell me when you want to come and I'll make you an appointment," Dr. Adams tells me kindly.

"Tomorrow," I answer.