Strong (Book 2 in the No Control series)

I have to tell Liam tonight. Rosa helps me with some plans. Antonio will keep him busy, then bring him to the gazebo when I’m ready.
Rosa helps me prepare a dinner for us to enjoy at the gazebo first.
“How are you feeling, Liz?”
“I’m good, Rosa. Just a bit nervous. I’m pretty sure Liam will be happy, but there’s a little part of me that’s worried.”

I stand at the gazebo waiting for Liam, wearing a simple white dress.
Liam approaches the gazebo looking incredible as always. He’s wearing dark jeans with a white henley. He gives me a big hug and kiss. “You look beautiful. Should I have dressed nicer?”
“No Liam, you look perfect as always.”
He grins. “What’s this for?”
“Just a little surprise for my handsome husband.”
“Thank you, Beautiful.”
I try to control my nerves/excitement during dinner. We talk about the villa, and about how we’ll be going back to England soon. All I can think as I look across the table at this amazing man, is how happy I am to have his baby. How very much I love him.
After we finish eating, I can wait no longer.
“I have something for you, Liam.”
He looks surprised. “You do?”
I hand him the gift bag.
He smiles, looking a bit confused. “Did I miss an occasion? I didn’t get you anything.”
“Actually you did give me something.” I say quietly. “Open it.”
He pulls out the tissue, then the book, reading the title out loud. “My Boys Can Swim. The Official Guy’s Guide to Pregnan...cy.” He looks up at me. I’m grinning.
“Liz? Really?”
“Yes Liam, we are having a baby.”
He jumps out of his chair, pulling me into his arms, lifting me up and spinning me around. He suddenly puts me down. “Are you ok? I shouldn’t have done that.”
“It’s fine. I’m not that fragile.”
He puts his hands in my hair. “I’m so happy, Liz. Everytime I think I can’t love you more, something happens to prove me wrong.”
Looking into his gorgeous eyes, I tell him. “Same, Handsome.”
Liam suddenly gets down on one knee, his hands on my hips, talking to my stomach. “Hi, baby. I’m your daddy and I love you already.”
My heart skips a beat.
He stands up. “Do you know how far along we are?”
My breath catches. He said we. “The doctor will tell us for sure, but I’m guessing it happened on our honeymoon.”
Liam looks into my eyes with more love than I’ve ever seen. He puts a hand on my stomach. “I love you so much, Beautiful.”
“I love you more than I ever thought possible, Handsome. I’m so happy.”
We walk back to the house, heading straight to the bedroom.
We lie in bed together. Liam lifts my dress so he can see my stomach. I watch as he touches it gently. He leans in, kissing my stomach and whispering something I can’t hear to the baby. When he begins singing to the baby, I feel as though my heart will burst.
When he finishes and looks up at me, I tell him. “Come here.” He moves up to kiss me.
“I want you now, Liam.”
He looks concerned. “It’s ok?”
I smile. “Yes, we don’t have to avoid sex for nine months.”
He looks relieved. “Oh thank God.”
I laugh, kissing him.
Liam makes love to me gently. After, we fall asleep wrapped in each other’s arms, his hand on my stomach.

Notes