Carl: Caveman Instinct series 2.5 by Hazel Gower

you. The last month has been amazing. I can’t believe I fell for you so quickly, but I have. I love you.”
    My squeal turned into a laugh when Carl picked me up and threw me over his shoulder and ran towards the boat ramp.
    * * * *

Carl
    I shouldn’t be smiling laid back in bed and happy at the noises I was hearing. Since we arrived in Vanuatu Annabelle had mentioned that her stomach and body felt off, she thought it was the time difference and jet lag. After we’d been here for a week, she put it down to all the sex we were having and being in the sun and activities. I didn’t know if I should tell her the real reason why she was sick or let her figure it out on her own.
    I hadn’t used any protection with Annabelle and that had been intentional. I wanted my woman tied to me in as many ways as I could. I know to some I may sound like an arsehole for using anyway I could to get my woman to stay with me. I was ready for children. I couldn’t wait to see Annabelle round and full with my child.
    Today was special, or it would be if everything went right. First, though, I had to get up and help Annabelle. Sitting up, I got out of bed, stretched and went into the bathroom. Annabelle sat on the floor, her arms around the toilet, head hanging over the bowl. Going to her I knelt and patted her back. “Honey, what can I do for you?”
    “Mmm, nothing,” she groaned. “I don’t know what I’m eating that keeps making me sick.”
    “Honey, I don’t think it’s anything you’ve eaten.”
    “Do you think I’ve caught something? Quick, get away from me. You better leave so you don’t catch it too.” Oh, she’d caught something all right, it just wasn’t something I could ever get. She gazed up at me and right then I knew I had to tell her. She had black bags under her eyes. Her skin, usually a healthy porcelain white, was now a deathly pale.
    Lifting her, I helped clean her up, wiping her mouth and brushing her hair. I pulled it in a loose bun out of her face. I laid her on the bed and sat next to her taking her hand in my own while my other caressed her cheek. “Honey, I need to do tests to make sure I’m right, but you’re not sick because you’ve eaten something bad, or because of jet lag, time difference, or all our activities. You’ve got morning sickness.”
    “What!” She bolted up and then moaned, covering her mouth and running to the bathroom. I followed, rubbing her back and soothing her. When she was finished I cleaned her up again, grabbed her toothbrush, and filled the cup with clean water. When she was done, I lifted her up and placed her back on the bed.
    “Yes honey, I think you’re pregnant.” I leaned down and kissed her forehead. “We’re going to have a baby.” I eased back in time to see her gaze widen, and watched as she tried to figure out if what I said could be true. It didn’t take her long though, she closed her eyes, held her hands over her face and then my heart sank when I heard a sob escape. Why was she crying? Didn’t she want children? Or did she just not want children with me? Was she mad that I knew before her? What was wrong?
    “I’m pregnant,” she hiccupped out. “I missed my period. I’m pregnant.” Her sobbing became louder and I started to feel sick myself. Had I done the wrong thing? I shouldn’t have believed in the stupid gypsies’ curse.
    “I’m sorry.” I brought her up against my chest and hugged her tight repeating over and over how sorry I was.
    She pushed at me and I was scared to let her go. I was terrified to hear what she’d say. Her hands captured my face and pulled me down so we were face to face. “Why are you apologizing?” She stopped her crying, but her body still shook. Her hands clutched my face, not letting me look anywhere but at her. “Do you not want children?”
    “Of course I want children. You’re the one who’s crying.” I pulled my head out of her hold and eased off the bed. I gazed down at her with my arms