“What’s wrong, baby?” I slipped my hand beneath the soft curls falling over her shoulders. “You’re not having second thoughts, are you?” I knew I would have no problem leasing the space to another tenant, but I was so sure this was her dream.
“I got some news today.” She set her hands on my chest. “I think it might affect our plans for the studio.”
“What do you mean?”
She raised her head slightly, looking up at me through a veil of thick, dark lashes. “I went to the doctor today.”
My heart thumped wildly under her hand. “Please don’t tell me you’re sick, Ti.” I knew we could face almost anything together, but I’d never be strong enough to face the prospect of losing her.
“No,” she reassured me, patting my face. “It’s nothing like that. This is good news. At least I think it is.”
“Good news?” My heart started pounding for an entirely different reason. Hope. Excitement. Expectation. “Are you telling me you’re…?”
“Pregnant,” she whispered.
“Yes!” I picked her up and spun her around, much to the amusement of our guests. “Oh sorry,” I said, putting her down quickly. “I didn’t make you feel sick, did I?”
“No, I’m fine.” She giggled. “I haven’t even experienced any morning sickness yet. I just went to the doctor because I was late. I did a home test this morning and it was positive, so—”
“Why didn’t you tell me? I would have come to the doctor with you.”
“I wanted to surprise you.” She smiled. “Surprise!”
I kissed her far too passionately considering our families were in the room, but I couldn’t help myself. This woman had given me everything I’d ever wanted, and I couldn’t wait to show my gratitude.
I only tore myself away when I heard someone clear their throat. I was pretty sure it wasn’t my best friend because he would have led with a smart-ass joke about getting a room. Of course, our witness would have to be my father-in-law.
“Demi,” I said, stepping back as I wiped my wife’s lip gloss off my lips.
“What’s all the excitement?” he asked.
Tiana and I shared a look before I nodded, inviting her to share our good news.
“Dad, I’m—I mean, we’re—going to have a baby.”
He looked as though he’d been slapped and I fully expected a verbal beating. Instead he stunned us with a smile.
“Good.” He gave me a pointed look. “I’ll call the priest in the morning. We’ll have your confirmation ceremony. Since you’ve already been baptised, it will be a simple process.” He gestured to his eldest son. “Deacon and Mia will sponsor you. Then we’ll have a proper wedding ceremony. Nothing fancy, just family and a few close friends. We’ll have another small reception at the house—”
“Dad,” Tiana said, touching his arm, “stop. Blake and I haven’t even talked about him converting.”
We hadn’t talked about it since the wedding, but I’d known it would come up again when she got pregnant. Her family would expect her to baptize our children and raise them in the Greek-Orthodox faith.
I kissed her hand. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Let your father make his arrangements.”
“Are you sure?” Tiana asked, looking uncertain. “That’s a big step, and I don’t want you to feel pressured into—”
“I’m sure.”
Demi extended his hand to me, his smile spreading. “Congratulations, Blake. And welcome to the family.”
I had to admit, I never thought I’d hear him say those words, but I was grateful. As I shook his hand, I realized his acceptance mattered more to me than I’d thought it did. “Thank you, Demi.”
“I’m counting on you to take care of my little girl.”
I put my arm around Tiana’s waist and drew her into my side. My lips brushed the top of her head. “That I can promise you.”
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