An Apartment in Venice (30 page)

The following Wednesday after making love, Giulia snuggled closer into Chuck’s shoulder. “I’ve been thinking,” she said. “Maybe we ought to set the wedding date back a bit.”

“Whatever you say.” He wasn’t focusing on her words so much as enjoying their comfortable sound.

“It’d be good to have it sooner to avoid autumn rains. They start in early September, don’t they?”

“October,” he said absently.

“And also because I’m pregnant.”

“That’s nice,” he said lazily stroking her breast. Then he raised up to look at her, “Pregnant?”

Her smile was hesitant as he stared at her. He wrapped his arms around her, rolled onto his back, pulling her with him and rolled back and forth, back and forth on the bed. “A baby.
My baby.
You have my baby inside you?”

She nodded. A grin now spreading across her face.

“Our baby,” he said. “I can’t believe it. How did that happen?”

“Probably because you put your—”

He roared with laughter. “I did, didn’t I? But which time?”

“I’m thinking around the time you noticed the missing patch?”

“Ah yes. And I’m thinking your sweet bod doesn’t like pills
or
patches.”

“Maybe.”

“Whatever the reason, I’m glad. Our baby, you and me. Fantastic. But wait. Are you glad, too?”

“Oh yes I am. I do so want this baby.”

“When?”

“February.”

After a few moments, Chuck said, “So our August 23rd wedding would put us at about three months, right?”

She nodded, loving that he said “put us.”

“How long have you known?”

“Since two o’clock this afternoon. I’ve been suspecting for a few days, but with the patch, it can be iffy. The doctor estimates the first or second week in February.”

“February. I’m going to be a father in February!”

“Guess I’ll be a mother, then, too,” she said softly.

“Ah Micina. I’m being a selfish oaf. Sorry. But it’s… I’d begun to think I’d never be a Dad.”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m thrilled you’re happy about it.”

“Beyond happy.”

“Chuck?”

“Yeah.”

“Will the military allow me to continue to teach next fall?”

“Don’t know why not? Pregnant service women stay on the job until they choose to take leave. Of course you can teach. Back to our wedding. Why change the date? Who cares about such things? Haven’t people made flight plans?”

“Some have. It could be a hassle to change. I don’t mind if you don’t.”

“Micina, all I care about is that she arrives safe and sound.”

“Or he.”

“Or he,” he said, gently laying his hand on her belly and holding her closer. “But I’m pulling for a baby girl.”

FINITO

Marlene Hill, author of
Last Fling in Venice
, the first book in her Venetian Waters series, was born in Nebraska. She first discovered the wonders of Italy when her third-grade teacher sent her to the library for a report on Ancient Rome. After living off and on in Italy for many years, Hill now lives in Portland, Oregon.