‘I STILL can’t believe we’ve been married for a whole year,’ Demelza said, as she moved a couple of anniversary presents from the living-room table into the bedroom. ‘Everybody has been so kind today at our lunch party, but I thought they’d never go!’
She flung herself down onto the bed and kicked off her shoes. ‘These shoes are killing me. Far too posh for a wedding anniversary, but I thought I ought to look the part. Likewise this dress! Do you think we can duck out of the evening session at Giorgio’s?’
Nick climbed on the bed beside her. ‘Not a chance! Wedding anniversaries are nearly as prolonged as weddings. Remember how ours went on for the best part of a week?’
Demelza laughed as she began unbuttoning the lowcut silk bodice of the dress Katerina had designed and made for her. ‘This dress is utterly exquisite but far too hot, even for October.’
‘Let me do that for you, darling,’ Nick said, leaning over her as he finished off the final silk-covered buttons.
Demelza smiled up at him. ‘A dangerous move for me to start taking my clothes off if I’ve got to go out again.’
Nick gave her a wolfish grin. ‘We’ve time for a short siesta. When is Katerina bringing the children back?’
‘She begged to be allowed to keep the twins at her house for a couple of hours so that her own children can get to know them. And Ianni, of course, wouldn’t let them out of his sight so he’s gone, too.’
Nick leaned back against the pillows and put his arm around Demelza’s shoulders. ‘He’s so proud of his little sisters.’
‘I was pleased that he found Lucy and Anna interesting when they were born in June but he’s delighted now they’re four months and beginning to become real individuals. The best is yet to come.’
Nick sighed. ‘You can say that again! My mother would be so proud her granddaughter’s her namesake.’
‘And Anna is over the moon every time she holds little Anna!’
Nick rolled onto one side. Poised on one elbow, he looked down at her with that tender expression that always melted her heart.
‘So, all in all, we’ve made a good start on our family,’ he said softly. ‘When you’ve recovered from the twins we could have one or two more, couldn’t we?’
Demelza smiled up at him. ‘Oh, I’m sure that could be arranged, Doctor. In fact, I’ve made a start already.’
Nick’s eyes widened. ‘You mean…Demelza, what are you saying?’
‘I did a pregnancy test this morning, but I wanted the twins to have pride of place today before we announce there’s another baby on the way.’
He pulled her gently into his arms and kissed her lovingly on the lips. ‘You’re amazing!’
She smiled. ‘I had some help, didn’t I? I particularly remember that the twins’ conception was fun. I think it was that evening last September when we went down to our deserted beach for a swim and afterwards…Good thing nobody was counting dates when we were married.’
Nick laughed. ‘Oh, I think they probably were, but who cares?’ He looked earnestly into her eyes. ‘Do you still have the same medical theory about pregnancy and making love?’
She gave him a languid smile. ‘You mean my tried and tested theory that if the mother is healthy, making love can be beneficial, Doctor?’
Nick ran his tantalising fingers over her skin. ‘Exactly that, Sister!’
She snuggled against him. ‘Why don’t we find out…?’