“I think we’ve done it,” Lena said as she stared at the newly painted wall.
I nodded. “This looks great. You know, I had so doubts during the project, but I’m really glad you encouraged to do this.”
Lena grabbed my arm. “This is just the first step. Xander is already planning a party to announce what this wing of the palace will be used for.”
“Oh, I didn’t know you had a plan already. I could have changed my plans based on what you wanted to use this place for.”
Lena grinned. “Don’t worry, you’ll love it. I know you will. Xander is planning an evening gathering for the announcent. That ans you have the rest of the day off. Just be back here by dinner ti.”
I headed back to my suites and relieved the nanny early. She promised to be around to watch him while I went to the announcent event tonight.
I got Hunter’s stroller and took him for a walk through the courtyard. He was very alert and active, kicking his feet and making all kinds of sounds. I talked to him.
He was such a handso baby.
Everywhere we went, people stopped to peer in the stroller and comnt on how beautiful and engaging he was.
I loved hearing the praise, but I still wished Lucas could be there to enjoy those monts with .
When I got back from our walk, I fed Hunter and rocked him until he fell asleep, then I hopped in the shower and washed my hair. Sighing, I massaged my scalp and worked out all the tension.
The nanny ca back a few hours later. I had already changed into a nice dress, and I fed Hunter again. Back at the restored wing, Lena, Xander, and several other people were already gathered. They had drinks and servers walking around with trays of appetizers. It was a much nicer gathering than I’d thought.
I went right over to Xander and Lena.
“Congratulations, Sasha. The work you’ve done here is absolutely wonderful. This place was a complete dump and now... it is perfect for what we had in mind.” Xander grinned and handed a glass of champagne.
“Thank you.” My cheeks ward as I accepted the champagne, the first I’d had since switching to Hunter’s bottles. “What is it you plan to do with this wing of the palace?”
Xander and Lena exchanged a look and Xander slung his arm over Lena’s shoulders. My heart clenched, and I wished Lucas could be there with .
“It’s a surprise, Sasha. I’ll make a formal announcent later. Oh, and the best news is, Lucas left work early, so he should be here soon.”
My heart swelled and I grinned like a complete goof. That was the best news I’d heard all day.
“Oh, I can’t wait for him to see this,” I gushed.
Lena giggled. “He will be very proud of your work, just like we are.” She touched my shoulder before she and Xander were called away by other attendees.
I mingled a little and spoke to so people about the architecture, anyone who was interested. As I walked around with the champagne, I noticed that every ti I caught a whiff, it turned my stomach slightly.
Eventually, I set the champagne down without taking a sip. I had no idea what was going on, but I didn’t want to risk getting sick before Xander’s big announcent. I was probably just nervous, or stressed.
Every ti the doors to the wing opened, my eyes flew over, hoping to see Lucas. Whenever I saw that he wasn’t there, my heart sank slightly. I really wanted him to be here so we could share this accomplishnt together.
“Can I have your attention please?” Xander clinked a knife against his wine glass.
The murmur of voices echoing around the wing stopped and everyone looked at Xander. I sought Lena with my eyes and mouthed ‘Lucas?’
She shrugged and shook her head. Apparently, she didn’t know where he was either, and from the looks of it, she had expected him to be there already.
He probably got caught up with sothing at work, I thought.
I sighed and nodded to myself. What could I do? Lucas’s project was a lot bigger than mine.
“Thank you, everyone, for being here. First of all, I’d like to extend my gratitude and praise to the woman who made all this possible–Sasha Wentley.” He held his arm out to and everyone at the party looked at .
I bit my lower lip and looked down.
“It was through her vision, dedication, and hard work that we now have a place for our new school. Lena and I have long talked about opening a school for gifted young won and thanks to Sasha, we now have the space to do it.”
Everyone cheered and clapped and Xander pulled Lena to him for a quick kiss. Lena stepped back and addressed the crowd.
“This is a very important occasion for us, and we’d like to officially unveil the new site of our school.”
I watched as everyone else was so happy and excited by the announcent. I couldn’t deny that is was an amazing use for the space. But without Lucas, the victory seed hollow.
More appetizers were passed around and when a server walked by with a tray of food, my stomach turned. I clamped a hand over my mouth and ran into the corner, breathing heavily.
Lena was at my side in a mont. “What’s wrong, Sasha?”
“I think I need so fresh air. I’m not feeling too well.”
“Why don’t you go to the healer? Xander and I can cover things here for now.”
“Yeah, that might be a good idea,” I nodded.
I was grateful that Lena had given an excuse to leave the party. It felt so awkward to be there by myself.
“If Lucas shows up, will you tell him where I am?”
“Of course.” She gave a sympathetic smile.
The healer gave a quick exam. She checked my throat and ears and checked my lymph nodes.
“Hmm, I’m not finding any sign of an infection or virus,” she told . “Lie back, and let take a look at you.”
I lay back on the exam table and she poked and prodded at my stomach. She made a face.
“Your stomach walls seem rather thick.”
“That makes sense. My stomach has been bothering most.”
“When you had food?”
I nodded.
“Okay, I’m going to run a pregnancy test.”
“What!?” I sat bolt upright.
Even though Lucas had been busy, there were a few mornings we found ti to be intimate, albeit quickly, which was never as satisfying. It was possible I was pregnant, but I hadn’t considered it with how crazy everything had been.
“We’ll have results in a few minutes,” the healer said. She brought a needle over and quickly drew so blood.
My heart raced as I waited for the test results. Pregnancy should be a good thing, but I had no idea what to think. Lucas and I had talked about having a big family. I knew it was sothing we both wanted, but with how busy he was... was it the right ti?
I rubbed my hands up and down my thighs and chewed the inside of my cheek as I waited for the results.
When the healer ca back in, she had the paper that told whether or not I was carrying another child.
“It looks like the pregnancy test ca back positive.”
“Oh...” I sighed. Was this a good thing? I wasn’t sure how to feel.
“I take it this wasn’t a planned pregnancy?” she asked.
I shook my head. “I have a young son already. My mate and I have talked about having a big family, but we hadn’t planned on starting it this soon....”
I looped my arms around my stomach.
The healer nodded compassionately. “Talk to your mate. I’m sure he will be excited.”
“Thank you.”
A little dazed, I headed back to the party to see if I could find Lucas. The healer was right. I needed to talk to him and we needed to make a plan. Maybe the pregnancy was exactly the news that was needed to make Lucas reconsider his priorities.
Lena was waiting for . She creased her brow and took my hands. “Hey, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I need to talk to Lucas. Is he here?”
She frowned. “I’m sorry, I haven’t seen him co in yet. Maybe Xander knows. You should ask him.”
“Thanks.”
Xander was animatedly entertaining a small group of young won, probably future students at their school for the gifted.
As soon as he saw , he nodded and motioned over. “If you want to know the genius behind the new school wing, it’s this woman right here. It was her vision that made this place a reality.”
“You’ve done such an amazing job. I can’t wait to be a student here!” one of the girls gushed.
“I’m glad you’ll be attending. A gifted program for young won is long overdue,” I told her with a smile. “Xander, can I have a word?”
“Yes, of course. Excuse , young ladies.”
Xander followed away from the crowd.
“Do you know where Lucas is? I thought he got off work early to co to this party.”
“Well, that was the plan. I haven’t heard from him about any change in plans. Honestly, I thought he’d be here sooner. He was really excited to share this accomplishnt with you.” He frowned a little and sipped his champagne.
“I’m going to go look for him.”
I left the party again and walked all the way across the palace to Lucas’s office. The door was locked and I could see that the light was out from under the door. He wasn’t here.
From what Xander said, the whole site had been shut down, so it wasn’t worth going all the way to the airport site to see if he was there.
Sighing, I headed back to the suite. It was ti to check on Hunter and relieve the nanny, anyway.
I went to the nursery first and took care of Hunter. I changed his diaper and sang him to sleep. He was such an easy baby most of the ti.
I watched him sleep for a mont and rested my hand on my stomach. As shocking as it was, I was happy about the baby. Starting a big family was important to .
A soft grumble ca from the other bedroom. I went next door and looked inside. Lucas was passed out on the bed, snoring. He hadn’t even taken his shoes off.
I sighed. My heart sank as disappointnt gripped .
He hadn’t even tried to make it to the party.
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