Billionaire's Defiant Mistress (20 page)

After the pregnancy scare Sarah had spent almost six months resting. She had discovered what a great help Elaine was, and had often spoken of how she kept her sane. Nevertheless, once Emily was born she had been determined to have a family home, with no live-in staff. So they found Elaine a flat of her own, nearby, and she continued to help out on a more casual basis. Elaine had got married to a widower in the village and was happy to have more time of her own, along with the security her job with less hours gave her.

Sarah's mother had taken over her daughter's job in the shop. She had gotten more involved in community activities and in the winter, when things got quiet, she loved visiting her daughter and granddaughter for extended weekends. Carlos would always spoil her and she teased him back saying his generosity wasn't necessary because she liked him anyway.

Raul and Rafaela did get divorced. Gabriella lived with her father, and her mother quickly remarried. Her new husband was someone in films so she lived in plenty of style, in Hollywood. Sarah was always concerned that Gabriella was missing her mother, so she insisted she come and stay with them as often as possible.

Carlos's friends, it turned out, really did like Sarah. Once she gave them the chance to get to know her, and she'd stopped judging them, they all became good friends. In fact, Sarah thought of Carolyn as her best-friend and had made her godmother to Emily, her husband being godfather.

Gareth still kept in touch and had accepted that Carlos was perfect for Sarah. He had started an adventure activity holiday centre in the Lake District and offered hang-gliding, windsurfing and rock climbing to visitors, along with anything else he could fit in. He had fallen madly in love with a French ski instructor, so they shared their time between the Lake District in summer and the French Alps in winter.

Sarah was always smiling. She thought life was as perfect as could be, well almost. Her relationship with Carlos was open and communicative, but she had a secret and she needed to tell him. But she would wait until after Emily's nativity play.

Later, they walked home through the snowy, quiet streets, singing a robust version of Ding Dong Merrily On High. Carlos put their daughter to bed and read her a story whilst Sarah produced a paella, which she had learnt to cook at a Spanish cookery class.

She was standing in the kitchen when she heard the sound of footsteps followed by his warm breath against the back of her neck. She spun round and wrapped her arms around her husband's waist. Carlos had allowed himself to fall in love and now there was no stopping him. They talked; they respected each other and the passion, which had always been there, was as strong as ever. All that was missing was another addition to their family. They had decided two years ago that it was time for another baby, but it hadn't happened. The doctor had told Sarah that everything seemed okay, they just had to keep trying. And they tried regularly. But as the new baby hadn't made an appearance they had become philosophical and were grateful for what they did have.

But Carlos could tell. He pulled his lips away from hers and studied her closely. ”Have you got some news for me, Sarah?”

“News? Whatever do you mean?” She tried to be serious but her mouth was smiling so broadly, it was impossible.

“Well. Your eyes are glowing and your skin is even more radiant than usual. You keep biting your lip, the way you do when you want to talk to me. And...” He glanced down her body and gave her a mischievous smile. “I can't help noticing your breasts have become curvier.”

“Carlos.”

“Am I right?” he asked. “Are you –?”

“Yes, I am.” She moved back slightly so she could see his face clearly. “I saw the doctor this morning and she has confirmed what I already knew. But there's more. You'd better sit down.”

“Sit down? Come on, tell me,” he demanded.

“It's twins.”

“Twins?” he was dazed and pulled out a chair from the table to sit down.

A few moments passed and Carlos sat there shaking his head. “Wow, wow,” he repeated. He stood up and took his wife in his arms. “Oh, Sarah,” he said, as he held her close. “
Te Amo
.”

Sarah now knew enough Spanish to be able to recognise the very same words he had spoke to her that night in Madrid. The first time she heard them she was insecure and confused. Now, there were no negative emotions – she was able to love him as she'd always wanted to. “I love you too, Carlos.”

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