Page 68 of Tomas

His eyes flew to hers and for a few seconds words failed him. "I adore you." He murmured something else in Spanish, his accent thickening. "Mi Vida. Mi Cielo."

"Does that mean you're happy?" she prodded. His arms came around her, and he drew her in carefully, his hand drifting down to her flat stomach.

"I don't need to tell you how overwhelmed I am." Tilting her face up, he brushed his lips over hers.

"You've made me the happiest woman in the world."

They turned as if just remembering that the queen was standing there. Her hands were clasped around her throat, eyes moist. Laughing shakily, Antoinette reached out a hand to draw her into the circle.

That night when he made love to her, there was something different about the way he touched her. He spent time worshipping her body, his hands spanning her waist and drawing circles around her navel.

"I spent a long time thinking that my life was empty because it was. You have shown me something so different from what I was accustomed to." He cradled her face gently. "My one and only love. My heart, my being, thank you."

"Muy Bienvenido," she whispered huskily as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

*****

The royal pregnancy…

"As if the fabulous wedding between African-American Antoinette Carter, now Perez, wasn't enough to let us sit up and take notice and cheer for the former employee turned princess, we just received news from a reliable source inside the palace that the couple is pregnant! Yes, people, she's carrying the royal heir to the throne. The same source whispered that the queen is over the moon and the nursery has already been decorated. We were not able to establish the due date because that is being held close to the vest, but we've seen the princess up and about on her daily rounds and traveling with her prince and there's no sign of a "baby bump," which means it is early days yet.

Our efforts to get a comment or two from the prince and his princess proved fruitless. Others close to them are tight-lipped. Of course, if you've signed an NDA, it's usually advisable totake that stance. But photos of the lovely princess at the winter social and then again at the premiere for a new movie by a famous actress, from that area, showed her immaculately and fashionably dressed as usual. We are all waiting with bated breath to see if it's a future prince or princess who will be making his or her appearance in whatever month the baby is due. Please stay tuned for further updates."

*****

Their prince, Thiago Javier Luis Garcia-Perez, was born on a particularly windy day in September. The squalling infant weighed in at six pounds five ounces and was perfect according to his parents and his very proud grandmother.

After twelve hours of labor in the private clinic, Antoinette was ready to go home. Her husband was true to his word and was there for every doctor's visit. When he had to go on official business, he would make certain that he did not stay more than two days if he could help it.

"He's so beautiful." The queen took the baby in her arms, rocking him gently and watching the golden eyes staring at her fixedly. "This is your grandmama, darling," she murmured. "Yes, I am." Looking up, she smiled at her son, who was reclining on the bed and cradling his wife on his shoulder. "He looks so much like you when you were a baby." Her throat moved rapidly as she tried to get rid of the lump that had lodged itself inside her throat.

"Sleepy, mi amor?" he asked, turning his head to see his wife's eyes closing.

"A little." She roused herself enough to smile at him. "I guess popping out an almost seven-pound baby has taken its toll."

Bending his head, he kissed her forehead and then the tip of her nose. "Thank you," he whispered.

With a smile on her lips, she closed her eyes and drifted off.

*****

One year later…

Their daughter, Gabriella Sofia Elena, was born three days after her brother's first birthday and looked so much like her brother they could pass as twins.

"Are we officially finished building our family now?" Prince Tomas asked his wife huskily as he stood staring at his daughter. Both mother and baby had arrived home from the hospital just yesterday.

"I think we are. Oh, but we make such beautiful babies," she murmured, putting her daughter inside her cot. Her brother was in the throne room with his grandmother learning the ropes of running the palace.

"We did settle on two," her husband reminded her gently. "She's sleeping," he added, reaching out a hand to touch the satiny cheek.

"We'll see."

Stepping back from the cot, he caught her around the waist and drew her towards him. She had gained weight after having the babies back to back. But he did not mind. He loved her and had proven to her time and again that she was the only woman for him. Tilting her chin up, he brushed his lips on hers. "You make me so bloody happy," he said gruffly.

"The feeling is mutual." Linking her hands around his neck, she leaned into him, breathing in his scent. She had arrived in the country, distraught and thinking her life was over and had found that the best was yet to come. Lifting her head, she cupped his face between her palms and kissed him softly. "Thank God for you."

The end… or not!