Cavalier (Crimson Elite 1)

“A scan?”

“She told Echo she’s having a scan.”

“Oh, of the baby.”

Now it’s my turn to look confused. And how the fuck does he know this? He always seems to know everything.

“Are you going?” He leans forward, clearly seeing I’m still confused. “You get to see the baby, Creed. You don’t want to miss that.”

“I don’t want to miss it—” I say, laughing at his words. “I didn’t even agree to have one. How is that even fair?” I ask him honestly.

“You think she chose to have one? Because from the look on her face she didn’t, and by the current situation she is in I would also guess she didn’t. Tell me—has she asked you for anything? Tried to get money from you?”

“No.”

“There’s your answer then. I’ve seen gold diggers before, Creed, and she isn’t one. She wouldn’t be working and telling you to piss off every time she got mad. She’d keep you around to use you, and she isn’t doing that.”

“I just wanted her,” I tell him honestly.

“Now you have her. Well, you did. So maybe you should go and try to make it better. Or you will lose her forever. She’s a package deal now, and it’s your package unless you want another man to step in. And believe me, it won’t take long, she’s a beautiful woman.”

“Yeah—” I stand up to leave.

“I know you, Creed, don’t take your time with this one. This one doesn’t have time to waste.”

Time, it’s a fickle bitch.28EliceaTracey’s kept me company, and even a visit followed by a shopping trip with Creed’s mother as well. But no Creed, not even at work when Darby told me I’d only be in the bar for one more week before I move upstairs with them—he can’t have a pregnant woman working the bar. I get it, but it was hard to hear.

My foot taps as I wait.

Will he show up?

Or decide not to come at all.

I messaged him the details and he never replied, so the waiting game is on. Looking at the clock again, my appointment is in two minutes and he still isn’t here. I didn’t want to do this by myself, not this anyway. Will I be left to give birth by myself, too? I can’t handle that if it is the case. Maybe I should have taken Tracey up on her offer to live with her and let her be there for me.

“Elicea Beckham.” My name is called and just as I turn to look around one last time he walks in the door like a breath of fresh air. People turn to look, hell, even I turn to look and stare longer than necessary until he reaches me.

My name is called again, and before I can say a word to him, he grips my hip as he starts to push me forward so I move. The room is cold and not what I thought it would be, a machine and a bed plus a chair. I was expecting more, something to help calm my nerves, but it all feels very sterile.

“Is this your first viewing?” My head snaps up at her words. I nod as she looks over my shoulder. “You’re the father?” I tense at her words, but she smiles so I’m guessing he nodded as well. “It’s a beautiful thing. Now if you don’t mind changing into the robe, we can check out your baby.”

“Why do I have to wear a robe?”

“It’s just in case we need to do a vaginal sonogram, but I’m hoping we get some good pictures today for you to take home.” She leaves the room. Reaching for the robe, I turn my back to him so he can’t see me as I remove my top and slide my jeans down before I pull on the robe.

Turning back to him, he’s watching me as I get on the bed. Before he can say a word, the door opens, and the operator walks in and lifts the robe before she places the gel and ultrasound probe on my stomach. The screen lights up and she points to something and then the sound comes on.

“That’s the heartbeat. Very strong,” she says.

It’s real now. Realer than it has ever been as I look at the screen with my baby on it. Until this very moment, I didn’t know I wanted a child.

“I’ll print off a few photos, but everything looks good. You’re about sixteen weeks along.” She hands the photos over and wipes my belly then tells me I can pee. I get straight off the bed and run as she walks out. When I finish, I come back out and see Creed leaning on the bed looking at the photographs closely.

“We created that,” he states looking up at me. It’s the first time I’ve seen real emotion evident in his eyes. Walking over, I look down at the photograph, and it makes my heart swell. I move away to get dressed.