Ch 76: Hell, not heaven?

He paused again. "What is it?" "You're breathtaking." He muttered while shutting the door behind him without taking his eyes off of her.

He doubted he could ever get used to that glorious flush she developed with his compliments. "Quit it, Owen." She said shyly. He sat on the bed and gave her the glass, "do you feel better?" "I always feel better when I know you're near."

He reached up and caressed her cheek with two fingers, "I think I have a way to make those nightmares stop." She looked at him with confusion then widened her eyes, "Owen—I can't possibly." He threw back his head and laughed.

"Lord Abigail, I'm not a machine." He continued laughing. "You certainly could have fooled me." She said keeping her eyes wide.

He grinned and ran his eyes over her, then settled them back on her. They were smoldering, "Well, now that you brought it up—" She giggled and held up her hand, "Oh, no you don't—I'll end up having twins if you don't—" Her muffled squeal cut off her own words as he practically leaped on her covering her mouth with his.

***

The next morning Owen was coming down the stairs when the sound of shattering dishes reached his ears. "Oh hell." He broke into a run forgetting about Miss Bennett.

Joseph was probably in the kitchen looking for food. He had an appetite that bested his own and that wasn't easy. When he got there Elena was standing with a shocked look on her face, with several broken plates at her feet.

Joseph was at the other end with his hands splayed on in front looking as though he was trying to explain. "It was a mix-up."

Owen said to Miss Bennett, "Everything is fine." Her eyes darted back and forth, then her gaping mouth snapped shut and she suddenly placed her hands on her hips, "Well for god's sake, that was a very stupid mix up." Joseph stood up straight looking relieved, "damn woman, you scared the hell out of me."

"How do you think I feel? A dead handsome man in my kitchen making coffee. I didn't know if it was Christmas or if I was in hell." He cocked his head, "Hell, not heaven?" "Don't push your luck." She said with a smirk and knelt to clean up the shards. "I can see you haven't changed one bit."

He scoffed before adding a gregarious grin. Her answer was an indignant huff. "did someone say coffee?" Owen interjected making Joseph chuckle. He nodded "On its way. Where's sis?" "She's been quite tired lately. She'll probably sleep for another hour or so."

"Tired? How so?" he cast him a suspicious look as he was retrieving mugs out of the cupboard. "She's pregnant." Joseph froze in mid-retrieval and turned his head toward Owen, "The hell you say?" "We're not sure how far along she is, but I have a suspicion that—" He narrowed his eyes.

"Stop talking Owen, this subject is bordering close on me busting out your nice expensive even teeth. Remember you told me that you just got married the day before."

He grinned, "All right, all right. Anyway, you are going to be an uncle." "Now that's how you tell someone," he said returning the grin. He turned around and shook Owen's hand, "Congratulations."

"Now comes the next thing. How do we tell Abigail?" "Leave that to me." Joseph said, "I owe her from all the pain I've put her through."

"Fair enough. Now to finish off our conversation from last night. Please explain why you are still breathing."

***

It was almost noon when Abigail awoke and stretched her sore muscles. She glanced at the clock and shook her head, "wow, that man can certainly put someone to sleep."

She laughed to herself. She sat up on the edge of the bed and looked down while simultaneously covering her abdomen with her hand. This baby was going to be her savior.