Chapter 29

Now

The car dropped them off at St. James’s Park and Ed took her hand as they walked inside. They’d never done anything like this before; he was usually way too busy during the week and what free weekends he did have were usually spent socializing or wining and dining various business contacts.

Time alone as a couple just never really seemed to happen, although Colette got more than enough time alone with herself.

Scarlet oaks and black mulberries were scattered throughout the park, and fig trees bordered the lake, which Ed had chosen as their picnic spot. He draped a light blue blanket on the grass and began to unpack the basket as Colette sat watching him, amazed. He was still unpacking the meal when she noticed the logo on the side of the basket.

“Fortnum and Mason? You really went all out,” she commented with a smile.

“Nothing but the best,” he answered as he lifted out the smoked salmon. Colette’s stomach gurgled afresh. She adored smoked salmon.

Her hunger was soon sated with the selection of mouthwatering delicacies Ed had chosen, each more delicious than the one before. They even shared a bottle of champagne, which they made quick work of before they were ready for dessert.

Colette lay back on Ed’s chest and stared at the blue sky. It had been far too long since they’d enjoyed this kind of thing together. It was moments like these that she held on to. Moments she hoped would last. She knew that soon he’d be back to work and life would return to normal again, but hopefully this would keep her for a while. Food for a starving soul.

“Thank you,” she said simply.

“You’re welcome,” he replied. “I know it doesn’t make up for this morning, but I wanted you to know that I am sorry. I don’t—can’t—truly understand how you feel. I suppose having a child means a different thing to you than it does to me, and I’m sorry I told you to forget it. I had no right. I just don’t know how to handle seeing you in pain. I just want to fix it.”

“You can’t fix this, Ed,” Colette replied sadly. “It’s just one of those things. I want a baby, and we just can’t seem to have one. There’s nothing that can be done about it.”

“Perhaps we could think about adoption...”