Free The Sheikh's Twin Baby Surprise by Holly Rayner Page A

everything was settling, and the reality that a baby was growing inside me was beginning to take hold. “I think I’m just tired,” I said—not entirely untruthful.
     
    Omar seemed to understand that, and readily accepted that the pregnancy was already doing things to my mood and body. “What do you need, my love? Ask for anything and I will bring it to you.”
     
    “The only thing I think I want right now is some chocolate ice cream,” I giggled at him, running my hand through his hair.
     
    He smiled at me. “Then you shall have it. I’ll call the kitchen.”
     
    “With sprinkles!” I called after him as he moved across the enormous bedroom to the telephone.
     
    As Omar made the call, I fretted over whether to burden him with my worries about staying or going. Everything had seemed so simple before, when I was providing a service to him and saying my goodbyes.
     
    But now everything was different, and I didn’t know what I was going to do.
     
    I couldn’t tell him, not now. The joy on his face at knowing he was finally going to be a father was too much. I couldn’t strip that joy away from him so quickly; I couldn’t break up the dream he clearly had of us being one big, happy royal family.
     
    I didn’t know what I was going to do when the baby arrived. I only prayed the coming weeks and months would light a path for me that made some sort of sense.

ELEVEN
     
    Four Months Later

Omar squeezed my hand and pulled it into his lap, sitting next to me on the plush limo seat. I looked over at his loving face and smiled.
     
    “You look absolutely stunning, my love,” he told me, pulling my hand to his lips and giving it a soft kiss.
     
    “I can’t say I feel very stunning,” I replied, only half-joking. Already, our son was proving to be a healthy, growing boy. My belly felt like it was getting bigger and bigger every day, and he was quite an active little thing, doing summersaults and kicking his tiny little feet into my ribs every chance he got. As I thought about him, he moved again, and I instinctively put a hand on my belly.
     
    Omar repeated the gesture and grinned, his whole face lighting up when he felt the baby move. Even though he’d felt it dozens of times already, it still never failed to amaze him. “You are stunning, Carrie. Pregnancy is kind to you; your skin is absolutely glowing. You look like a goddess.”
     
    I blushed and planted a kiss on his lips. “You’re too sweet to me.”
     
    “Nonsense.”
     
    From the other limo seat, Rafiq chuckled to himself, making both Omar and I look over with curious surprise.
     
    “What’s so funny, Rafiq?” Omar asked lightly.
     
    “Nothing, sir,” he answered quickly, looking suddenly shameful and self-conscious.
     
    “Come now, out with it.”
     
    Rafiq looked at me with a warm grin. “It is only that I remember teasing Dr. Green months ago, in this very car, saying that she needed to tell you about her feelings, and she promised me there was none to speak of. And now, here we are.” He followed up in a speedy voice. “I do not mean to speak out of place.”
     
    I squished up my nose and gave Rafiq a playful little glare. “Yes, yes, you were right, Rafiq. Happy now?”
     
    He chuckled again and nodded before turning away from the conversation.
     
    “Well, his job is to be observant,” shrugged Omar with a laugh.
     
    “Maybe he’s observed enough to tell me how your family will react to the news tonight,” I said, biting my lip with worry. “I’m still very unsure about this. I think you should tell them without me around. I don’t think they’re going to react well.”
     
    “But why? You are the mother of my child and I love you.”
     
    “I love you, too. But your mother scares me.”
     
    Omar laughed loud and long at that, kissing me warmly when he’d calmed a little. “She is not as scary as she seems—that’s only her queenly demeanor coming out to take over when she needs it to do so. My mother