Andre swallowed the remaining contents of his glass. “Jim, what do you say we go see what the women are up to?” He laughed and slapped his father-in-law on the back.
“That’s a fine idea.” Jim nodded.
Claudette and Lecie had seen the party guests out, while Camille ushered Tasha upstairs to take a nap. Forty-five minutes later, Tasha awakened, refreshed.
She got up and went to the window. Her and Andre’s bedroom suite wasn’t the largest at Belle Vallee, but Tasha had chosen this one because she could look down on the south garden and see her little Angel’s memorial stone from the window. Tasha couldn’t explain it, but seeing it somehow gave her a sense of peace. She touched her stomach and the baby kicked. Tasha giggled, overcome with joy.
From out of nowhere, arms slipped around Tasha, and she knew in an instant it was Andre. She breathed in a happy sigh and turned to face him.
“I didn’t hear you come in,” she said, sliding her arms around his neck.
“I gathered that much.” He touched her tummy. The baby kicked. Andre pulled her completely into his embrace. “What were you laughing about?”
“I wasn’t laughing. I was giggling.”
“Ah…my mistake.” His lips brushed against hers as he spoke. “What were you giggling about?”
“I’m so happy.” Her heart sang with delight.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For staying. For forgiving me.”
“Thank you for making me want to stay.”
Andre sucked in a sigh. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Ooh…before I forget…” His tone changed, turning serious. “I think your mother wants to stay here until the baby’s born.”
Tasha felt her face skew involuntarily. “My mother…?” She sucked in a deep sigh. “Ooohhhh…” She groaned.
“Look at it like this…” He mused. “Think what it will do to her to have to stay here day-in and day-out, knowing that you are mistress of this house.”
Tasha’s frown spread into a smile. “That will drive her nuts.” Numerous scenarios of her mother having to relent to her subordination filled Tasha’s thoughts. “Yes, we should invite her to stay. And put her in the west wing.”
EPILOGUE
STANDING OVER TASHA’S HOSPITAL BED, Andre leaned down and kissed her sweetly. The baby boy in her arms gurgled.
Nola, who was sitting on the other side of the bed, had been quiet up until now. “He’s just beautiful, sweetheart.” She caressed Tasha’s arm.
During the last two months, mother and daughter had developed a newfound respect for each other. Nola had learned to appreciate the woman Tasha had become, and to let go of the idea that Tasha was simply a vessel to feed Nola’s ego. And Tasha had finally received the love she’d so craved from her mother.
Andre would like to have taken credit for that, but he knew it was all their doing.
“He’s absolutely perfect.” Andre straightened up, his eyes still glued to his wife and his baby. “What shall we name him?”
“Yes, yes…what is his name?” Nola asked. “Andre Junior?”
“God forbid…” Andre groaned.
Tasha shook her head. “Andre doesn’t want his son to feel like he’s forever in his father’s shadow.”
“Wise…” Nola nodded.
Tasha was silent for a bit, then said, “I know…I have the perfect name.” She smiled up at Andre and then let her gaze journey over to meet her mother’s questioning face.
“What, pray tell?” her mother beseeched her.
Tasha looked back at Andre. “James Maurice de Laurent.”
“It’s perfect.” Andre touched the baby’s face and then looked back at Tasha. “I suppose I should go out and tell his audience that James Maurice has arrived!”
Nola stood up. “No, let me.” She looked at Andre, then Tasha. “You three need a few minutes alone together.”
Andre looked at Nola. “Thank you. I think that’s a fine idea.” He gave her a smile and sat down in the chair at his feet.
Nola laid a gentle hand on Tasha’s arm. “I’ll be right outside.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Tasha smiled, tears glistening in her eyes. She watched her mother leave, then turned back to Andre. “We have a baby boy!” A cry of happiness broke from her lips.
“And he’s perfect.” Andre caressed the baby’s cheek. Slowly he lifted his gaze to Tasha. “Just like his mother.” He gave her a deep, loving kiss.
“Wow…” She gushed. “That’s some reward for bearing your child.”
“I was just buttering you up.”
“Oh…?”
“Do you have any idea how hard it’s going to be to pry Papa away from his first grandson?”
Tasha plastered on a stern look that almost hid the smile curving on her lips. “You’re really going to have to think up something good to make that up to me.”
“Well, James does need a little sister.” Andre winked, and pressed his lips to Tasha’s once more. She slipped her free arm up to Andre’s head and brushed her fingers through his hair as they kissed. The baby stretched and cooed.
Life was never so good for the second-born son of the de Laurent family.