“But you’re not mad at me or her?”
Melinda shrugged. “I’m a bit disappointed my daughter didn’t confide in me, but no, how can I be mad? Hopefully, you two are going to make me a grandmother,” she said, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. There was too much worry there. “She’ll be fine. She’s a strong one.”’
Quincy let out a nervous laugh. “I know. She left me so I could take my crown and not lose it because of what we did together.”
“She loves you. That’s what people do when they’re in love.”
“What about my dad?”
“Well, I can tell you right now he’s going to have to change something, because there is no way the isle will want the Pentacrafts to take over.”
Quincy’s brow furrowed when he saw the anger on her face at the thought and a mischievous glint in her eyes. “How would you know that?”
“You think I don’t listen to gossip around the isle?” She patted his leg. “I have been making it a point to see who the people really want, and let me tell you, they all said the same thing. If that family takes over in any capacity, they will do something they’ve never done before.”
“What?”
“Rebel until your father puts you on the throne.”
Quincy laughed with her at the thought of their peaceful island people rising up to rebel. The image was short-lived when a doctor emerged from the end of the hall and made his way towards them. Quincy took Melinda’s hand, and together, they stood to hear the news.
“Olivia is fine. She’s resting now,” the doctor said.
“And the baby?” Quincy asked.
“Just fine, too. They underwent some stress, which caused the bleeding and dizziness, so I’m ordering bedrest for a few weeks, but all three of them are doing just fine. You can see her if you’d like, one at a time.”
Quincy nodded. He paused when the doctor’s words registered. “Three? You said three?”
The doctor beamed and patted him on the shoulder. “That’s correct, Your Highness. She is pregnant with twins.”
Melinda squealed and hugged Quincy tightly before telling him to go to her. “I’ll take care of your dad. Just go and tell her I love her and I’ll see her soon.”
Quincy walked down the hall and into the room the doctor indicated. He took a deep breath and hurried inside to see Olivia sitting up with a huge smile on her face. “Thank God,” he whispered and went to her, kissing her fiercely. “You feel alright?”
“Better, yeah. Did they tell you? Twins, Quincy… We’re going to have twins.”
He rested his forehead against hers and nodded. “I know. I can’t believe it.” He kissed her again and took her hands. “Your mom’s here.”
Olivia’s face paled. “Oh, God. Does she hate you—is she pissed?”
“Surprisingly, no. She was shocked, but she’s not mad.”
“And your dad?”
“Let me worry about him. I have some very good information that the people would not let me lose my crown, no matter what Parliament says.” He hugged her close. “You are supposed to rest and that means no worrying. Everything will be just fine.”
She didn’t look too sure, and when the door opened again, his dad was there, a resigned look on his face. “We need to talk for a moment please.” He glanced at Olivia and tried to smile. “I’m glad you’re doing better, my dear.”
“Perhaps you should apologize to her,” Quincy said tightly.
Lamont straightened and cleared his throat. “I have come to apologize to you both. Olivia, I am especially sorry for my reaction.”
“No,” she said. “I understand, really. It’s a scandal, and we didn’t mean for it to happen. It just… did.”
“I know, and I can’t say that I blame either one of you. The heart wants what it wants sometimes,” he sighed. “You two just happen to be step-siblings. Now, I don’t approve of what happened under my roof and of the fact that you two wed without my blessing, however…” He held up a hand when Quincy opened his mouth to argue. “However, if your mother were still alive today, she would kill me if I tried to tear a family apart.”
Olivia and Quincy glanced at each other and back at him. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that somehow, I will make this work. But,” he said, looking intently at them both, “your children will be raised in the palace, on this isle. They will be royalty, after all, and I will have them raised as such.”
Quincy smiled and took the hand his dad offered him. “Thank you, Dad.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” he said. “This is going to be one hell of a fight with Parliament.”
“You’re the king, remember? Make them hear you,” Quincy said. “And I will stand by your side the whole time.”
Lamont grinned and looked at Olivia. “It took you to change him into the king he has to be. Thank you, my dear.”
Olivia smiled. “You’re welcome. Ready to be a grandpa?”