Tangled Temptations

Chapter 359

Harvey walked Eloise to her door, a gentle gesture that wrapped up the evening's warmth. He had no real desire to head to the office; the thought of spending the day with his wife was far more appealing. Nonetheless, Eloise wouldn't have it.

"It's hardly a new concept. You are going to work." She chided with a smile that didn't quite hide her affection.

He settled her onto the couch, turning the heating up to ensure she'd be comfortable before he could leave without worries. The staff, sensing the joyous news, offered their congratulations, to which Harvey responded by generously handing out bonuses.

The winter sun cast a cozy glow through the windows. Clutching a mug of steaming cocoa, Eloise watched Harvey instruct the help with practiced ease. He strode to the car, but as he opened the door, he glanced back, catching her gaze. Their eyes met, and though no words were exchanged, the shared secret of the child growing within her was sweet enough.

...

As dusk fell, Harvey returned with Linda and Luca. The kids stepped out of the car one after the other with familial synchronicity. He watched silently as they entered the grand foyer together.

The foyer was filled with an array of precious gifts and tokens of well-wishing. Eloise was busy overseeing the inventory and directing the staff with ease.

Shedding his coat, Harvey inquired casually, "Do we have many visitors today?"

Eloise shook her head. "Just your Mom and Dad, and Orlena. They brought a whole bunch of stuff."

She then whispered, "Let's keep the pregnancy between us for now. No need for a fuss."

Catching her affectionate look, Harvey couldn't resist wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, whispering, "My lady's right. A pregnant woman shouldn't overexert herself."

Eloise was slightly flustered. With three kids around, Harvey's demonstrative affection was something she fretted might set a too-romantic example. Harvey simply chuckled at her concern. He picked up Darrien, marveling at how well the little guy was growing, all plump and rosy-cheeked.

In his heart, Harvey wished for a daughter - one who would look like Eloise and, hopefully, inherit her temperament as well.

Sensing something in the air, Linda approached and gently touched her mother's belly, and then kissed it with the utmost care.

Eloise gazed down, affectionately stroking Linda's auburn curls. Linda beckoned Luca with her little pale hand. "Come here, Luca."

Luca moved closer hesitantly.

Linda guided his hand to Eloise's belly and whispered, "Luca, you're going to be a big brother. Aren't you excited?”

Luca pressed his cheek against Eloise's tummy. Eloise stroked his hair. The little boy smiled, but his eyes held tears; his young life had been marked by his parents' constant quarrels and the loss of his mother.

Luca never shared his emotions, but he longed for festive days, hoping Uncle Harvey would invite him to stay with the Horigan family for a while.

Eloise empathized deeply with Luca. She bent down to kiss him and said softly, "Luca, you can call me Mom, too."

But Luca, at seven, was too shy for such declarations. His cheeks flushed.

Eloise didn't press him as she was always respectful of the children's feelings. That evening, she had planned to cook dinner, but Harvey insisted she rest. She protested, "It's just pregnancy, it's not that delicate."

Harvey wrapped his arms around her, murmuring, "For others, it probably just is a pregnancy, but for me, it's a first. You rest. I'll take care of dinner."

His culinary skills might not have rivaled Eloise's, but with the kids pitching in, it turned out to be an enjoyable affair.

In the night, hunger nudged Eloise awake. She turned to Harvey, her eyes pleading. He awoke, his voice sounding husky with sleep. "What time is it? Is my wife hungry?"

The bed was cozy and warm, and ordinarily, Eloise wouldn't dream of disturbing him, but this pregnancy left her with an insatiable appetite. She rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm craving beef soup."

With a playful pat on her backside, Harvey chuckled, "You just have to crave those delicacies."

He dressed quickly and headed downstairs to prepare the soup, leaving Eloise in the warmth of their bedroom. She couldn't sleep, so she got up to check over Linda and Luca's schoolwork, dedicating herself to each child with equal seriousness.

She knew adding another child meant putting career ambitions on hold, but with Encore Soundworks and the restaurant thriving, perhaps she'd occasionally invest in a film or two.

Contentment softened her. In the still of the night, she reflected on the past, finding peace in letting go.

brought the beef soup, a chill in the air

a try." He set the tray on the coffee table in the living room, watching Eloise eat with grace. She was

just smiled. After a while, he pulled out a cigarette, whispering, "I'll step outside for a smoke. I've

his obligations, after all.

the warmth of the day was but a memory.

but there had always been a blank in their shared memories. To the outside world, Harvey was a pillar of strength, either as Attorney Horigan or Mr.

after Max's passing,

on the way, Harvey felt an overwhelming gratitude. From now on, those

his last smoke ring, closing the window and stepping out of the study, back to

soft glow of her bedside lamp illuminated the pages of her novel as she waited for him. The tender aura in

...

Eloise rose from

Linda and Luca up. The two munchkins were now tucking into their breakfast, and their little backpacks

Harvey held a delivery

Eloise asked, "Is that for

"Nope."

stow the package away in the

"I want to see

his throat, "Wrong

Eloise wasn't convinced.

sure enough, it was something

signature made Eloise pause, and a mix of emotions welled up inside her. She faced Harvey. "And

"I didn't want

began to open the package, she said quietly, "There's nothing to be upset

own doing. Other people really weren't that important. What bothered her about Monika was simply

Rossland countryside,

maid to store it in the kitchen - perhaps it would make a comforting cup on

from behind, whispering, "Eloise, I never

"Mhm, I know."

help but remember the lipstick mark

then, things with Harvey wouldn't be the same now. It was his testing

irked her.

glance. "I've decided we should sleep in separate beds

in that sort of mail. He persuaded her gently, "If we're apart,

and conceded his

grin, then called out to the kids, "Let's get in

their backpacks secured, held hands as they climbed into

stood at the front door, watching the black family car pull away from the villa. The sunlight warmed on her skin. The

watched as Darrien was brought downstairs by the nanny. She planted a loving kiss

noon, she received a call from

Brett's

Brett was swamped, and it seemed he wouldn't

Peterborough for quite a

her sobs, Orlena confessed on the phone, "Maybe it's for the best. I hadn't really figured things

words about Orlena being stubborn, Eloise could now truly relate.

as he was, Brett seemed in high spirits, suggesting the issue wasn't too serious. Upon learning of Eloise's pregnancy, he spoke with tender affection, "Next time I come to Peterborough, I'll bring you something

and

...

and Eloise's belly began to swell. Three months in,

whispered, "These past few years, Riley and I have

chuckled, then shifted to a more intimate topic.

a moment of thought, she quietly said, "This baby

with envy. She didn't just pick out

couldn't resist buying two tiny pink outfits, hoping she might need

both exasperating and amusing, remarking, "Kids need looking