Expecting the Prince's Baby (Harlequin Romance\Princes of Europe) (13 page)

Her body filled with warmth that had nothing to do with the sun. “Am I lying here on the royal yacht being treated like a princess by none other than His Royal Highness?”

“I think we need to start a scrapbook for you.”

“It will be a pitiful one, since I quit work yesterday. This was it. My one meteoric rise to fame that came and went in a flash. I hope it’s all right with you if I help do research for Carolena at the apartment.”

“Your life is your own, Abby. My only concern is that you keep your stress level to a minimum, for your sake as well as the baby’s.”

“Agreed.”

His eyes played over her. “You’re picking up a lot of sun, but it’s hard to feel it with the breeze.”

“You’re right. I’ll cover up in a minute.”

“Abby—” She could tell he had something serious on his mind.

“What is it?”

“When you hear what I have to tell you, it will cause you some stress, but it has to be said.”

“Go on.”

“We’ve told Gianna about the situation.”

Alarmed, she sat up in the lounger and reached for the beach towel to throw over her. “How long has she known?”

“My sister saw you on the evening news. Since she’s known you for years, too, she phoned me about it. I was with Father when her call came through. Now that you’ve been identified to the public, so to speak, we decided it was time she knew about the baby in case word got out and she hadn’t heard it first.”

“That makes sense, Vincenzo. She’d be hurt if you hadn’t told her.” Her heart pounded so hard, it was painful. “Did she have the same reaction as your mother-in-law?”

He sat up to talk. “No. She thinks it’s terribly modern of all of us—her exact words—but couldn’t believe Michelina would go along with the idea.”

“Because of the queen?”

“No,” he murmured, sounding far away. Abby supposed she knew the real answer deep down.

“Then it was because
I’m
the surrogate.”

Vincenzo’s silence for the next minute told its own tale. “It’s nothing personal,” he said in a grating voice.

“I know that.”

“She’s afraid of how it’s going to look when the news gets out. You and I have already discussed this at length, but I wanted you to be prepared when she and her husband come for a visit.”

“How soon?”

“Tonight.”

Abby’s breath caught.

“If she weren’t coming, we could have stayed out another night. You don’t have to meet with her if you don’t want to, Abby. This is none of her business.”

“But it is, Vincenzo. She’s going to be your baby’s aunt. We’ll face her together like we faced the queen. Was she good friends with Michelina?”

He nodded. “They were very close. I know for a fact Gianna’s hurt because Michelina never confided in her about this.”

“Some matters aren’t for anyone’s ears except your own spouse. Surely she understands that.”

“You would think so.” He threw a towel around his shoulders and got up from the lounger. “Come on. You need to get out of the sun.”

She pulled on her robe and they walked to the covered bar laid out with cocktail tables and padded chairs. Soft rock played through the speakers. One of the stewards brought them iced lime drinks.

“I’m sorry your sister is upset, but I’m not worried about it, if that’s what you’re thinking. I had my trial of fire with the queen.” A smile slowly broke from her.

Vincenzo saw it and covered her free hand with his own. “Then I won’t take on that worry.” He squeezed it, then let her go with reluctance and sat back. But she still felt the warmth and pressure of his after it had been removed.

“How long will it take us to get back to port?”

“For you, about five hours.”

She groaned inside. “But not you.”

“No. Another helicopter will be arriving in a half hour to take me back.” The yacht had everything, including a landing pad. “Before I leave, I want to dance with you.”

Ignoring her slight gasp, he reached for her and drew her into his arms. He moved them around slowly, pressing her against him.

“Do you know how incredible it is to be holding you in my arms while our baby is nestled right here between us?”

Abby couldn’t breathe.

“I’ve needed to feel you like this for a long time. Don’t fight me, Abby.” He kissed her cheek and neck, her hair.

She felt as if she would faint from ecstasy. The last thing she wanted to do was push him away. For a little while she let herself go and clung to him. “I wish you didn’t have to leave,” she whispered.

“It’s the last thing I want to do.” While she was trying to recover from her severe disappointment that he had to go, he brushed his lips against hers before giving her a man’s kiss, hot with desire. It spiked through her like electricity.

Close to a faint, she heard the sound of rotors and saw a speck in the sky coming their way. As it grew larger, she felt her heart being chopped into little pieces. Vincenzo had given her a fantastic surprise, but she wished he hadn’t. She couldn’t handle being around him like this and being kissed like this, only for him to be whisked away. This was torture.

“I’m afraid it will be better if no one sees us arriving together. The paparazzi will be out in full force. Angelina’s going to help you leave with some of the staff from the yacht.”

“You’ve had to go to a lot of trouble for me.”

“How could it possibly compare with what you’re doing for me?” She averted her eyes. “I’ll send for you when it’s time. We’ll meet in the state drawing room as before. It’s the only neutral ground in the palace, if you understand my meaning.”

She knew what he meant. They couldn’t talk to his sister in either of their apartments or his father’s.

Though it was painful, she slowly eased out of his arms. “You need to get ready to go, so I’ll say goodbye now and take a shower in my cabin.”

He moved fast and accompanied her along the deck to open the door for her. But when she went inside and started to shut it, he stood there so she couldn’t. His eyes stared at her. The desire in those black depths was unmistakable. She went weak at the knees. A small nerve throbbed at the corner of the mouth she was dying to taste over and over again.

“I’ll see you tonight,” he whispered in a raw-sounding voice she hardly recognized.

“Stay safe, Vincenzo. Don’t let anything happen to you in that helicopter. Your child’s going to need you.”

“Abby—the last thing I want to do is leave you.”

Then don’t!
she wanted to cry out. “With family coming, you have to.”

His face darkened with lines. “Promise me you won’t let Gianna get to you.”

“She couldn’t.”

Abby had the feeling he wanted to warn her about something, then changed his mind.

“It’ll be all right, Vincenzo.”

His jaw hardened. “I’ll Skype you at ten tonight.”

She’d be living for it.
“A presto.”

Abby shut the door. After the passion in that kiss, this time it had to be goodbye for good.

* * *

When Marcello ushered Abby, wearing her jacketed white dress with the brown trim, into the drawing room, she glowed from the sun she’d picked up on her one day cruise. Her blond hair had been caught back with a dark comb. The newspaper had been right. She was stunning. Vincenzo had never seen her looking so beautiful.

“Gianna and I are glad you’re here, Abby,” he said, welcoming her to come in and sit down.

“I am, too. It’s wonderful to see you again, Gianna.” Since they’d all known each other for years, Vincenzo had dispensed with the pretense of formality, hoping to put Abby at ease. But he needn’t have worried. She had incredible poise. Her self-possession came naturally to her and served her well in her profession.

Gianna, a tall brunette, smiled at her. “Pregnancy becomes you. You look well.”

Vincenzo cringed. His sister wasn’t pregnant yet and had gone straight for the jugular. So far the two women in his life who’d insisted on talking to Abby since Michelina’s death had managed to show a side that couldn’t help but hurt her, though she would deny it.

“Thank you. I feel fine.”

His sister crossed her slim legs. “I told Vincenzo I wanted a private word with you. Do you mind?”

“Of course not.”

He took that as his cue. “I’ll be outside,” he told Abby before leaving the room. For the next ten minutes he paced before she came out of the double doors. Despite her newly acquired tan, she’d lost a little color. He was furious with Gianna, but since their father had insisted she be allowed to talk with Abby, Vincenzo had given in, knowing it wouldn’t go well.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

“I’ll walk you back to your father’s apartment.”

“Please don’t.” It was the first time in their lives she’d ever spoken to him in a cold tone. Gianna had to have been brutal.

“I’ll call you as soon as I know you’re home.” When Abby didn’t respond he said, “We have to talk. I want your promise that you’ll answer, otherwise I’ll show up at your door.”

“I—I need to go.” Her voice faltered before she hurried down the hall and disappeared around the corner.

Tamping down his fury, he went back inside the drawing room. Gianna was waiting for him. He knew that look. “What in the hell did you say to her?”

Ten minutes later he started for the doors.

“Don’t you dare walk out on me!”

Vincenzo wheeled around. “I already did.” He strode rapidly through the corridors to the east entrance of the palace and raced across the grounds to Carlo’s apartment. Once he arrived, he knocked on the door and didn’t stop until Abby answered. After closing the door, he took one glance at her wan face and pulled her into his arms.

“Gianna told me what she unleashed on you. I’m so sorry.” He cupped the back of her head and pressed it into his shoulder, kissing her hair. “You have to know it was her pain talking. She had to marry a man she didn’t love and so far she hasn’t conceived. Though she’s attractive, she’s not a beauty like you and never was. Her jealousy of you and your association with Michelina finally reared its ugly head.”

It was like déjà vu with Abby sobbing quietly against him, the way she’d done after she’d been rescued.

“She used scare tactics on you so you’ll leave, but don’t you know I’d never let you go?”

After she went quiet, she pulled away from him. Her eyes resembled drenched violets. “Maybe I should.”

“Abby—how can you even say that?”

She stared at him, looking broken. “The issues she brought up I’ve already faced in my mind, except for one.”

“Which one?”

“Your child. The thought of it growing up with doubts about who its mother really is breaks my heart.”

Vincenzo didn’t think he could ever forgive Gianna for planting that absurd fear in Abby’s mind. “The baby will be a part of Michelina. Michelina had distinctive genes, like her mother and brother. They don’t lie, remember?”

She took a shuddering breath. “You’re right. How silly of me.”

“Not silly, only human in the face of behavior I haven’t seen come out of my sister since she was a teenager and threw a tantrum because she couldn’t get her own way. But she’ll calm down in time, just like the queen. I left her with the prospect that when Father steps down, she’ll be the new ruler of Arancia.

“As Dr. DeLuca reminded us, this is a nine-day wonder that will be over for her soon. The good news is, you’ve walked through your last fire. From now on, we wait until our baby sends you into labor. Does the prospect make you nervous?”

She nodded and put on a smile for him. “Yes, but I’m not frightened, exactly. How could I be, when hundreds of thousands of babies are born every day? It’s just that this baby is special.”

“After finding out what it’s like to be an expectant father, I’ve learned every baby is special if it’s yours, royal or not. If Gianna had given me the chance, I would have told her you’ve been a blessing to Michelina and me. She would say the same thing if she were here, so never forget it.”

“I won’t.”

“Do you believe me, Abby? It’s imperative you believe it.”

Her eyes searched his. “Of course I do.”

“Thank you for that.” Without conscious thought, he brushed his lips against hers. “I have to go and we’ll see each other tomorrow night at seven o’clock. Right?”

“Yes.”

Before he went back to the palace, he hurried down to their private beach. After ripping off his clothes, he lunged into the water and swam until he had no more strength before returning to his suite.

His phone registered four messages, from Marcello, his father, Gianna, and Gianna’s husband, Enzio.

Not tonight.

Normally he didn’t drink except on certain occasions. But right now he needed one or he’d never get to sleep. However, even the alcohol couldn’t quiet the adrenaline gushing through his system since he’d held Abby. He’d felt every curve of her body.

Tonight he’d felt the baby move against him, igniting a spark that brought him to life in a brand-new way. It was something he’d never expected to feel. The last thing he remembered before oblivion took over was the sweet, innocent taste of her lips.
Abby, Abby.

CHAPTER NINE

W
HEN
A
BBY
COULDN
’
T
reach her father, she left him a message.

“Hi, Dad. I’m just leaving the doctor’s office and wanted to report that my checkup went fine. Can you believe my pregnancy is almost over? I’m meeting Carolena for dinner at Emilio’s, then we’re going to the concert hall to see Aida. Be sure and eat your dinner. It’s in the fridge.”

This was one night she wouldn’t be Skyping with Vincenzo. Last night she’d told him her plans. He wasn’t too happy about her sitting through an opera all evening, but she promised to take it easy during the day.

Since the night when everything had come to a head because of Gianna, he hadn’t surprised her by showing up unexpectedly. For the last little while he’d been treating her like a friend. She was doing the same. No contact except for technology. It was much easier this way and relieved her of a lot of guilt.

Gianna had forced Abby to face up to the fact that she was desperately in love with Vincenzo. When he’d kissed her before leaving the apartment, it had taken every ounce of her will not to return it. That kiss from him had been one of affection, not passion. It was his way of trying to comfort her.

She loved him for it.

She loved him to the depth of her soul.

During the last scene of
Aida,
she came close to falling apart. Radamès had been taken into the lower part of the temple to be sealed in a dark vault. Aida was hidden there so she could die with him.

When the tenor cried that he’d never see the light of day again, never see Aida again, she told him she was there to die with him. As they fell into each other’s arms, Abby choked up. Tears dripped off her chin onto her program because she could imagine a love like that. It was the way she felt about Vincenzo. Before long she’d have the baby and then she’d be gone for good. Thinking of that goodbye was excruciating.

On the way home in the limousine, Carolena teased her that she was full of hormones. Abby attributed her breakdown to the glorious music and voices, but they both knew it was much more than that.

Her dad was at the computer when she walked in the apartment. He lifted his head. “How was the opera?”

“Fantastic.”

“You look like you’ve been crying.”

She smiled at him. “Come on, Dad. You know
Aida
is a real tearjerker.” They both loved opera.

“Your aunt phoned me today. They’ve found a house for us near them and sent an email with pictures. Take a look and see what you think. I like it more than any of the others she’s sent.”

Abby wandered over and stood next to him to check it out. “That’s a darling house. I love the Cape Cod style. Let’s do it.”

Her response seemed to satisfy him. He turned to look at her. “Did you tell Dr. DeLuca about our plans?”

“Yes. He says he has no problem about my flying back to the States within a week of the delivery, provided I’m not having complications. Since Vincenzo is having us flown on the royal jet with a doctor on standby, Dr. DeLuca is fine with it.”

“Good.”

“He told me something else. Though he hopes I’ll go full-term, I shouldn’t worry if I start into labor sooner. The baby has dropped and could be born any time now. He says it would be fine. I was glad for that reassurance. My pregnancy has been so free of problems, it’s comforting to know that if there’s a complication now, the baby will be all right.”

“That reassures me, too.”

“Dad? Are you having second thoughts about leaving Arancia?”

Their gazes connected. “Absolutely not. There comes a time when you know you’re done. How about you?”

“Naturally I’m going to miss it. I’ve spent more than half my life here, but we have family in Rhode Island and you’ll be there. Once I’m settled in a law practice and take the bar, I know I’ll be happy.”

“I do, too. You’d better get to bed now, honey.”

“I’m going. Good night.” She kissed his forehead and left for her bedroom.

While she got ready, her mind was on her father. Abby knew he’d had relationships with several women since her mother died, but he seemed eager to leave Arancia. Since she didn’t think it was all because of the situation with Vincenzo, she wondered if there was someone back home he’d known before and was anxious to see again.

Once she got under the covers, there was no comfortable position anymore. Then she got hot and threw them off. She’d had backache for the last week and looked like that beached whale. The doctor said she was a good size. Though she’d tried not to think about having to give up the baby, it had kicked her a lot since her sixth month and made her wonder if it was a boy with Vincenzo’s great legs.

Abby knew he would have loved to feel it kicking, but by tacit agreement they’d stayed away from each other. She went swimming when he didn’t. He didn’t pick her up in the limo. Being able to Skype made it possible for them to talk to each other face-to-face and design the nursery, but that was it. Those days would soon be over.

Everything was planned out. Once Abby delivered, she’d be taken to a private place away from any staff or media before the flight back to the States. The contract she’d made in the beginning was specific: no contact with the baby or the parents. Abby’s job would be done. That would be it, the end of her association with Vincenzo.

No meetings, no Skyping, no technology to connect them. It had to be that way for the rest of their lives, for the good of the kingdom, for all of them. Vincenzo would be the prince she couldn’t forget, but he could never be a part of her life again.

* * *

Carolena was getting ready to go to court with a big law case. The work she’d asked Abby to do while she waited out these last few weeks was heaven-sent. Every time she started thinking about the little life getting ready to come into the world, she’d get busy doing more research. But she couldn’t turn off her mind in the middle of the night.

Like Vincenzo, this child would be born into that world never knowing anything else. He’d make a marvelous father. She was excited for him, because his whole world was going to change once the doctor put the baby in his arms.

But to never see the baby, to never see Vincenzo again. She sobbed until oblivion took over.

Dr. DeLuca had given her the phone numbers of several former surrogates, but she hadn’t felt the need to talk to them. No matter what, every surrogate’s experience giving up a baby was different. Hers most of all, since she loved this royal heir and its father with every fiber of her being.

About five in the morning she woke up with lower-back pain. This was a little stronger than usual. She knew it could mean the onset of labor. Then again, it might be because she’d been to the opera last evening and it had been too much for her poor back.

She went to the bathroom and walked around the apartment for a few minutes. The ache subsided. Instead of going back to bed, she sat on the couch with her legs outstretched to watch a Godzilla film in Italian. Her feet were swollen. So were her fingers.

The film put her to sleep, but pain woke her up again. Whoa. She got up to go to the bathroom. Um. It hurt. It hurt a lot.

She went into her father’s bedroom. “Dad? Did Mom have a bad backache before I came?”

He shot up in bed. “She sure did. The pain came around to the front.”

“Yup. That’s what I’ve got.”

“I’ll call the doctor.”

“Tell him not to alert Vincenzo and tell him no one at the hospital is to leak this to him on the threat of death!”

“You can’t ask him that, honey.”

“Yes, I can!” She yelled at him for the first time in her life. “I’m the one having this baby and I’m not Vincenzo’s wife. This isn’t my child.” Tears rolled down her hot cheeks. “If something goes wrong, I don’t want him there until it’s all over. He’s been through enough suffering in his life. If everything’s fine, then he ca— O-o-h. Wow. That was a sharp pain.

“Dad? Promise me you’ll tell the doctor exactly what I said! I’ve been good about everything, but I want my way in this one thing!

“And make Angelina swear to keep quiet. If she breathes one word of this to Vincenzo, then—oh, my gosh—you’ll fire her without pay and she’ll never get another job for as long as she lives. I’m depending on you, Dad. Don’t let me down.”

He put a hand on her cheek. “Honey, I promise to take care of everything.” Then he pressed the digit on his phone.

* * *

Vincenzo’s life had become a ritual of staying alive to hear about Abby’s day, but he was slowly losing his mind.

After a grueling session with parliament, he hurried to his apartment for a shower, then rang for some sandwiches and headed for the computer. It was time for his nightly call to Abby. With the baby’s time coming soon, he couldn’t settle down to anything. The only moments of peace were when he could see her and they’d talk.

Tonight he was surprised because he had to wait for her to tune in. One minute grew to two, then five. He gave her another five in case she was held up. Still no response.

The phone rang. It was Angelina. He broke out in a cold sweat, sensing something was wrong before he clicked on. “Angelina?”

“I wasn’t supposed to let you know, but I think you have the right. You’re about to become a father, Vincenzo.”

What?
“Isn’t it too soon?”

“Not according to Abby’s timetable. She didn’t want you to worry, so she didn’t want you to come to the hospital until after the delivery, but I know you want to be there. The limo is waiting downstairs to take you to the hospital.”

His heart gave a great thump. “I owe you, Angelina! I’m on my way down.”

Vincenzo flew out of the apartment and reached the entrance in record time. “Giovanni? Take me to the hospital, stat!”

Everything became a big blur before one of his security men said, “Come this way, Vincenzo.” They took the elevator to the fourth floor, past the nursery to one of the rooms in the maternity wing.

“When did she go into labor?”

“Awhile ago,” came the vague response. Vincenzo wanted to know more, but a nurse appeared and told him to wash his hands. Then she put a mask and gown on him before helping him into plastic gloves. He couldn’t believe this was finally happening.

“Wait here.”

As she opened the door, he saw Dr. DeLuca working with Abby. He was telling her to push. His beautiful Abby was struggling with all her might. “Push again, Abby.”

“I’m trying, but I can’t do this alone. I need Vincenzo. Where is he?” Her cry rang in the air. “I want him here!”

That was all Vincenzo needed to hear. He hurried into the operating room. The doctor saw him and nodded. “He’s arrived.”

“I’m here, Abby.”

She turned her head. “Vincenzo!” He heard joy in her voice. “Our baby’s coming! I should have called you.”

“I’m here now. Keep pushing. You can do it.”

After she pushed for another ten minutes, before his very eyes he saw the baby emerge and heard the gurgle before it let out a cry. Dr. DeLuca lifted it in the air. “Congratulations, Abby and Vincenzo. You have a beautiful boy.” He laid the baby across her stomach and cut the cord.

“A
son,
Vincenzo!” Abby was sobbing for joy. “We did it.”

“No, you did it.” He leaned over and brushed her mouth.

The staff took over to clean the baby. In a minute the pediatrician announced, “The next heir to the throne is seven pounds, twenty-two inches long and looks perfect!”

He brought the bundled baby over and would have placed it in his arms, but Vincenzo said, “Let Abby hold him first.”

The moment was surreal for Vincenzo as together they looked down into the face of the child he and Michelina had created, the child Abby had carried. His heart melted at the sight.

“
Buonasera,
Maximilliano,” she said with tears running down her cheeks. “Oh, he’s so adorable.”

Vincenzo could only agree. He leaned down to kiss the baby’s cheeks and finger the dark hair. Carefully he unwrapped their little Max, who
was
perfect, with Michelina’s eyes and ears.

“Look, Vincenzo. He has your jaw and the Di Laurentis body shape.”

All the parts and pieces were there in all the right places. Vincenzo was overwhelmed.

Dr. DeLuca patted his shoulder. “You should go with the pediatrician, who’s taking the baby to the nursery. I need to take care of Abby.”

“All right.” He leaned down again, this time to kiss her hot cheek. “I’ll be back.”

* * *

An hour later he left the nursery to be with Abby, but was told she was still in recovery. He could wait in the anteroom until she was ready to be moved to a private room. But the wait turned out to be too long and he knew something was terribly wrong.

He hurried to the nursing station. “Where’s Signorina Loretto?” He was desperate to see the woman who’d made all this possible. She’d done all the work. She and the baby were inseparable in his mind and heart.

“She’s not here, Vincenzo.” Dr. DeLuca’s voice.

He spun around. “What do you mean? To hell with the agreement, Doctor!”

Vincenzo felt another squeeze on his shoulder and looked up into Carlo’s eyes staring at him above the mask he’d put on. “We all knew this was going to be the hard part. Abby’s out of your life now, remember?

“Your boy needs you. Concentrate on him. You have all the help you need and a kingdom waiting to hear the marvelous news about the young prince, especially this bambino’s grandfather and grandmother.”

Vincenzo didn’t feel complete without her. “Where is she, Carlo?”

“Asleep. She had back pain around five in the morning. In total she was in labor about fifteen hours. All went well and now that the delivery is over, she’s doing fine.”

“Tell me where she is,” Vincenzo demanded.

“For her protection as well as yours, she’s in a safe place to avoid the media.”

He felt the onset of rage. “You mean she’s been put in a witness protection program?”

“Of a sort. She fulfilled her part of the bargain to the letter and is in excellent health. You once saved her life. Now she’s given you a son. Let it be enough.”