We ride back to the palace in silence, Andrew’s arms wrapped around me. I’m sure he’s having the same mix of emotions I am—joy, excitement…terror. Every time I let myself feel any of the happy emotions, the thought of how this is all too good to be true creeps in.

He presses a hand to my abdomen, almost as though he can read my mind. I glance up at him, giving him a small smile.

Andrew responds by pressing his lips to mine for a moment, before he pulls back with a laugh. “I still…I can’t believe it.”

“Me either.” I slide my hand over his so we’re both holding my belly. “I’m not sure we should…”

“You’re not sure we should believe it? I’m going to go shout it from the roof of the palace. I’m going to tell every living soul—”

“Even if…” I shake my head. “I mean, even if things were…normal, we’d want to wait. It’s still really early.”

“The doctor said—”

“I know what the doctor said. I just…I don’t want to get my hopes up. And…and…even if things do turn out, how do we do this? Leo and Elle…” Because we couldn’t have children, their new son is the heir to the throne after Andrew. But if Andrew and I can somehow have a child, there will be a new heir. And everything will change.

Andrew stares down at me for a moment. “Things are going to turn out for the best. The universe wouldn’t be that cruel—”

“Really?” I give him a wry look. “It’s been pretty cruel already.”

“It brought me you.” He kisses me again. “I’d say that proves the universe is on our side.”

I can’t help but smile. Somehow, my husband always knows just the right thing to say to break me out of my negative thoughts.

“I’ll handle the issues with my family. And…” He turns his hand to take mine into his. “It doesn’t matter. The laws of ascension are very clear on the matter.”

“Yeah, I’m sure leading with that is going to make Elle jump for joy.” It was difficult enough for them when they found out I couldn’t have children—and that their son was going to be the heir. Leo’s wife never really wanted to live the royal life, but she was pretty much forced to when they found out their little son was going to inherit the throne someday.

“Matthew will always have his rightful place in our family.” He kisses the top of my head. “And our child will have his.”

“His?” I turn to look up at him, lifting a brow. “You’re assuming it’s a boy?”

He grins. “Well, I have always wanted a son.”

I can’t help but return the smile. I haven’t allowed myself to think about it—whether I’d rather have a girl or a boy. Not that it matters in the least—I never allowed myself to think I’d ever have a baby, let alone what gender it would be.

A baby. I’m really going to have a baby. I still can’t really believe it, and part of me knows I shouldn’t—not yet. Just like I said to Andrew, it’s early. Even if this wasn’t a high-risk pregnancy, plenty of women miscarry in the first trimester. So many things could go wrong that I don’t want to let myself get carried away with thoughts of genders or names or how we’ll decorate a nursery…

“My parents are going to be thrilled. Mother, especially.” The awe in his voice warms my heart, and it’s difficult for me not to allow myself to go on this flight of fancy with him. “She’s going to be over the moon. So many grandchildren in such a short time.”

I say nothing. Leo and Elle had Matthew several months ago, and he’s become a darling little baby boy. And of course, William and Justine, another of Andrew’s brothers and his wife, are expecting their twins in only a few more months.

It’s why I’ve almost wanted to spend so much time away from Montovia, if I’m honest about it. Being around all this baby stuff has been enough to send me over the edge. It’s been difficult being away from Andrew, but being away from the hype over the babies has been the only way I’ve been able to deal with it all. I don’t think I would have chosen to go back to work if it hadn’t been for all the pregnancy stuff going on around me—and knowing I’d never really be part of it.

“We never heard the due date.” Andrew breaks me out of my thoughts. “I didn’t even think to ask.”

“Hm.” I pull out my phone and type into the search box. “It shouldn’t be too hard to figure out.”

He looks over my shoulder as I enter the information. Andrew and I have only slept together once in the last several months—we’ve both been far too busy, even when we’ve been together. I enter the date of conception, and the website spits back the due date almost immediately.

Andrew grins down at me. “Can that be true?”

“I guess…I suppose we can ask the doctor when we get home.” I stare down at the date myself, almost in disbelief.

He shakes his head, his grin widening. “I can’t imagine a gift more wonderful.” He sighs, pulling my back against his chest as he wraps his arms around me. “A Christmas baby. A royal Christmas baby.”