Читать книгу Desert Rogues Part 2 - Сьюзен Мэллери, Susan Mallery - Страница 19

T ired but happy, Cleo held her newborn daughter to her chest.

“You see,” Sadik said, ever the proud papa as he strutted through the enormous private room in the hospital. “A girl. I said as much from the beginning, and I am always right.”

Cleo looked at Sabrina and Zara. All three women rolled their eyes.

“You said it was a boy,” Cleo reminded her husband, even as she nearly floated from happiness. “I was the one who kept saying our baby might be a girl.”

“No. You do not remember the sequence of events.” He moved to the side of the bed and touched his daughter’s cheek. “She is lovely. Just like her mother.”

Despite the lingering discomfort from the delivery, Cleo couldn’t remember a more perfect moment in her life. After years of never fitting in—of always being on the outside—she’d finally found a place to belong. Who would have thought that would happen in a palace?

It was all because of Sadik. Not a day went by without him confessing his love a dozen times. He could not be more attentive or affectionate or loving. At times he was still the arrogant prince, but Cleo found that part of him kind of growing on her. Princes were not always easy to be married to, but there were plenty of rewards.

He kissed her forehead. “My wife, you are to be honored among women.”

She laughed. “I’d settle for a soft pillow to sit on and some sleep.”

Hassan burst into the room, trailed by two of the princes. “I have congratulated the doctor on delivering my first grandchild. I believe she was relieved.”

Cleo figured Dr. Johnson had felt just a little bit of pressure when she’d gone into labor.

Hassan approached the bed. “My perfect granddaughter.” He slapped Sadik on the back. “A girl—just as we discussed.”

Cleo settled back into the pillows. “Your father and grandfather are big, fat liars,” she cooed to her baby. “Yes, they are.”

Hassan and Sadik chuckled. Then the king turned to Reyhan, his third son. “Both your sisters are pregnant. Sabrina is due in six months, and Zara the following month. You have not yet taken a wife. I believe it is time. I shall arrange a match.”

Reyhan, as tall, dark, handsome and arrogant as his brothers, cleared his throat. Cleo was surprised to see that the prince actually looked uncomfortable.

“That will not be necessary, Father.”

Hassan frowned. “You must be married. We need more heirs.”

Reyhan cleared his throat again. “Yes. I understand. However, there are circumstances…”

The room grew incredibly silent. Even the baby seemed to be listening. Reyhan shrugged. “There was a young woman in college. While I have not seen her in six years, the truth of the matter is that we are…already married.”