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.

hour later, Harvey brought the beef soup, a chill

grace. She was picky

cigarette, whispering, "I'll step outside for a smoke. I've held off all

him to quit; a businessman had his obligations, after all. Just so long as he didn't smoke around

stepped out into the cold study. With the window open, the warmth of the day

there had always been a blank in their shared memories. To the outside world, Harvey was a

Max's passing, he worried that Max held

overwhelming gratitude. From now on,

night wind howled as Harvey exhaled his last smoke ring, closing the window and stepping out of the study, back to his wife and their unborn child

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

...

rose from her

were now tucking into their

the nines, Harvey held a delivery

"Is that

"Nope."

nonchalantly, ready to stow the

him. "I

his

Eloise wasn't convinced.

insisted on checking, and sure enough, it was something sent from Rossland.

emotions welled up inside her.

didn't want

Eloise began to open the package, she said quietly, "There's

bothered her about Monika was simply

from the Rossland countryside, some kind of tuber that was ground into

it for a moment before calling the maid to store it in the kitchen - perhaps it would make a comforting

arms around her slender waist from behind, whispering, "Eloise,

"Mhm, I know."

but remember the lipstick

wouldn't be the same now. It was his testing

irked her.

decided we should sleep in separate beds for a

shouldn't have brought in that sort of mail. He persuaded her gently, "If we're apart, who's going to get up and make you beef soup in the middle of the

and conceded his

to the kids, "Let's get in the car. Daddy's going to drop you off at

backpacks secured, held hands as they climbed

door, watching the black family car pull away from the villa. The sunlight warmed on her skin. The breakfast table still held her favorite breakfast, along with Darrien's mashed potatoes. There was no denying that Harvey

Eloise watched as Darrien was brought downstairs by the

received a

was a hiccup with Brett's

end of the year. Brett was swamped, and it seemed he wouldn't be

visit Peterborough for quite a

"Maybe it's for the best. I

being stubborn, Eloise could now truly relate.

Brett seemed in high spirits, suggesting the issue wasn't too serious. Upon learning of Eloise's pregnancy, he spoke

and hung

...

Three months

past few years, Riley and I have been trying for another one, but we've had no luck. Eloise, how do you and Harvey do it? You'll have four at home now; have

a more intimate topic. "Is it because he won't wear

speechless. After a moment of thought, she quietly said,

envy. She didn't just pick out clothes for

tiny pink outfits, hoping she

found it both exasperating and amusing, remarking, "Kids need looking after. You won't be so free once you