Two very long, exhausting hours later and Imogen was dead on her feet.
“I’m sorry,” she shook her head as another yawn escaped. “I’m just tired all the time lately.”
“What, are you growing a baby or something?” he grinned and she nodded.
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“Carpet picnic?” He prompted, his eyes smiling as he stopped walking and linked his arms behind her back. Oxford street was, as always, a teaming mass of shoppers, and yet they stood like an island.
“Carpet picnic,” she nodded. “There’s a Pret just around the corner.”
“Sandwiches?” He moaned.
Imogen pulled a face. “What would you prefer?”
“Food.”
“Sandwiches are food.”
“Yeah, yeah. You’re the pregnant one. If it’s sandwiches you want…”
“It is,” she winked up at him.
“Lead the way,” he sighed exaggeratedly, the perfect impersonation of ‘hard-done-by’ ruined by the wink he gave her as they turned and began to walk, cutting through the crowds.
“Are you happy with the furniture?”
“Yeah,” she nodded. “If only slightly appalled by the cost.” Theo had insisted on top of the line everything, and when it came to babies, ‘top of the line’ meant eye-wateringly expensive.
“It’s nothing.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close to his body. She inhaled deeply, savouring his masculine fragrance.
“It’s so not nothing,” she shook her head.
“Were you worried about that?” He asked, the words carefully muted of emotion.
“About what?”
“When you found out you were pregnant, I guess the expense of it all seemed kind of onerous.”
“Not really,” she smiled up at him but it felt a bit wooden on her face. “I guess I wouldn’t have gone for that brand though.”
“And I want the best for this baby,” he said with a determination that didn’t strike her as strange, at the time. “There’s nothing I won’t do for it.”
No, in that moment, his declaration filled Imogen with pleasure. Because she felt just the same.
CHAPTER NINE
“OH MY GOD.” She spoke at the exact moment the doorbell rang through the apartment, so Theo paused, mid-way to striding towards the entrance way.
“Are you okay?” His face drained of colour as he spun, his look intense. Instantly, he crossed back to Imogen, his eyes running over her face. “What is it? Is everything okay?”
“Yes, yes. Here.” She grabbed his hand and held it on her stomach.
“What? What is it?”
“Wait,” she bit down on her lip, tears sparkling on her eyes.
“Imogen,” he said with a shake of his head after a moment. “I don’t…” He froze and his eyes met hers, an enormous grin crossing his face. “Hell! Is that our baby?”