Ch 61

Ch 61
One morning, in mid-August, Ian found her with her hands clutching her round belly and her gaze lost in the void.
“What's the matter?" he asked, kneeling down beside her. Is something wrong? Would you like me to send for the doctor?”
In reply, Eden took his hand, placed it on her belly and smiled at him, his face beaming with joy.
“Can you feel it? It's moving.”
And under his hand, indeed, something gave a little shock. 
Eden’s baby. Ivan’s son. An ordinary little miracle, welcomed with joy and gratitude by all the parents in the world.
He, on the other hand, felt on the verge of nausea. 
He didn't want this child, and hated himself for it. He tried to maintain a neutral expression, but Eden had felt the slight withdrawal of his hand and asked.
“What's the matter?”
“Nothing's the matter.” He couldn't admit anything to her. 
Eden needed serenity, not the obnoxious rejection of her unborn baby. 
“I was just worried. Does it hurt?” He felt another little tap under his palm, as if the child were reacting to his rejection.
“No, but it's a strange sensation. It's very strong. I suppose it'll be even worse when he's older.
“Do you still think it'll be a boy?”
“I don't know.” Eden didn't really turn pale, but seemed to suddenly shut down. 
“I'm sorry," he murmured. “I wasn't tactful. Given your feelings, I shouldn't have.”
Eden looked at him with tenderness.
A tenderness equal to the one she already seemed to feel for the child. 
What on earth was his wife’s feelings towards him? 
What was Eden hiding behind those big amber eyes? 
Ian heard a noise in the courtyard and got to his feet, glad that this pretext allowed him to escape Eden’s intense, scrutinizing gaze.
“I think it's Lucas.”
His omega rose to join him at the window. 
Eden slipped her arm under his, soothing him a little. 
“His presence always made him feel better.” Eden mused
“Maybe I could get him an omega," Eden said thoughtfully.
Ian watched Lucas leap limply out of his pretty new phaeton. 
He liked his cousin, who was also good friends with Eden.
The omega always seemed more relaxed when he was around. 
Ian was surprised he wasn’t too jealous. 
Wasn't he a bit? When he saw her like this, beaming at his cousin's visit, he felt a vague unease and his heart pinched slightly.
“Cupid..." he said, trying to chase away this painful impression.
Eden laughed and shook his head. 
Ian put his arm around his omega's shoulders and didn't let go as they stepped forward to welcome Logan. 
As Lucas proudly showed them his new convertible, Ian thought it odd that he should feel so possessive of Eden. 
Probably because he was responsible for her.
The omega was petting the carriage horse, a pretty gray mare, and laughed when the beautiful animal rubbed its muzzle in her palm to check that no treats had been placed there.
“How sweet and pretty she is, Lucas How long have you had her?”
“A few weeks. Would you like a ride, Eden?”
“Oh, I'd love to, but…”
She looked at Ian , her face lit up with joy. 
Ian realized that he'd never offered to take her for a ride in one of his cars. 
The alpha made her ride in a sedan or a horse-drawn carriage, but he hadn't imagined that Eden would find it pleasant to ride in something lighter and faster.
“I'll give you a ride in my cabriolet tomorrow," he promised. 
Not today, alas, as I promised Henderson I'd go and discuss the Hundred Acre Wood plots with him.
“Thank you," Eden said with a smile.
But Ian saw her petting the mare again, as if with regret.
“However, I see no reason why you shouldn't go for a ride with Logan today.”
Why play the censor? His cousin knew how to drive a carriage and the mare seemed perfectly docile. 
He was rewarded with a bright smile.
“Thank you, Ian.”
Eden planted a kiss on his cheek and the alpha felt absurdly happy.
“Just enough time to get my cape and shawl”
Ian waited for Eden to return, Toby barking at her heels. 
He helped her into the light phaeton, watching the mare's reactions, then waved his hand as he watched the light carriage set off, and headed for the stable to have a horse saddled. 
Reflectively, he reproached himself for not taking her out often enough. 
It wasn't right that Eden should have to turn to his cousin for company.
Paradoxically, it had been easier to widen their circle of relations than to stay one-on-one with Eden. 
Of course, in bed, it was a different matter. 
He smiled as he thought about it. But he told himself that he'd definitely have to learn to make friends with his omega.