After our talk the day she finally told me she was pregnant, I understand why Hope’s so anxious.
She’s been here before. Heard this before and still lost everything.
When the doctor finishes, Hope reaches for me and I squeeze her hand.
On our way out, I stop the doctor. “What can I do?”
She’s give me a not unsympathetic smile. “Keep doing what you’re doing. It’s great that you come with her to these appointments. She should sign up for a childbirth class soon. If you can go to those with her, it would be good. You’ll learn a lot too.”
“Okay.”
“Keep her exercising and keep her stress down.”
“I’m trying. She seems tired a lot, though.”
“That’s normal. I’ve checked her iron levels and she’s not anemic, but that’s something we’ll keep an eye on. Once she gets into the second trimester she should have more energy.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
Hope’s irritated expression as she’s checking out quickens my steps. “What’s wrong?”
“The stupid insurance won’t cover the ultrasound.”
“We knew that might happen.”
“You can contact the insurance—” the receptionist starts to say, but I pull out my wallet and hand over the cash to cover it.
“Rock.” Hope protests.
“I’ll deal with it later.” The last thing I need is her getting worked up over a couple hundred dollars.
We finish and I get her out into the parking lot. It’s a crisp, cool winter morning. Hope grasps my hand as we navigate the damp pavement.
At the truck, she stops. For the first time since we heard the heartbeat, she smiles and tips her face toward the sun, resting her head on the truck window. I reach out and tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re going to get salt and stuff all over your coat.”
“Oh.” She brushes off her sleeves and shrugs. “What’d you talk to the doctor about?”
“Just asked what else I can do to help.”
“Oh, Rock.” She bites her lip. “You’re already so much… I don’t think many women are as lucky as I am.”
“Well, I’m in the unique position of making up my own schedule.”
She curls her fingers into my leather cut and pulls me closer. “Being the man-in-charge has its perks.” She leans up and whispers against my ear. “It’s also very sexy.”
How this woman lives to distract me. “She said we should find a childbirth class to sign up for.”
Her lips curl into a pouty-smile. “That’s not sexy talk.”
“No, it’s after-the-doctor-visit talk.”
“Swan’s been working on some prenatal yoga with me.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
“Fine. I’ll ask Mara if she knows of one.”
“Speaking of your friend, how do you feel about telling people now?”
“Good.” She smiles even wider. “Let’s do it. Maybe poor Swan will stop worrying she gave me food poisoning all the time.”
I can only describe Rock as giddy as he hoists me into his SUV for the drive home. Well, giddy and more chivalrous than ever.
“Rock, I can get in the car all by myself,” I say, brushing his hands off me.
He grins and leans in to kiss my cheek. “I don’t want anything happening to my girl.”
When he slides in next to me, he pulls out his phone and taps out a text.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. You’re finally ready to tell people. I’m asking Z to assemble everyone who’s at the clubhouse for an announcement.”
It takes me a second to realize the “announcement” is this. Us. Our baby.
Oh my God, we’re really having a baby!
Yeah, I’m still having that freak-out about twenty times a day.
Reaching over, I settle my hand on his arm to grab his attention. “Rock, it’s not club business. They’re going to overthrow you.”
He sets the phone down, and shifts so he’s facing me. Taking one of my hands in his, he squeezes gently. “It’s an addition to the family.”
I open my mouth, but he cuts me off.
“You still got it in your head we’re a bunch of testosterone fueled Neanderthals—”
“Well—”
He smirks, before cutting me off. “While that’s true ninety-nine percent of the time, trust me, they’ll want to hear this.”
He’s right. Also, I’m ninety-nine percent sure he’s already told Z.
“Should we tell Murphy and Heidi first?”
“If you want to.”
We’re almost at the clubhouse, when Rock reaches over, settling his hand over my stomach.
“What are you doing?”
“Want to see if I can feel the baby.”
“You heard what the doctor said. I think it’ll be a few more weeks.”
He chuckles. “You never know. Any baby of mine should be pretty big.”
“Caveman.”
He laughs but doesn’t disagree.
The yard is full of bikes and other vehicles when we arrive. Rock tucks his SUV into its usual spot.
“Did you want to stop at our house first?” Rock asks as he helps me out of the truck.
“No.” Now that I’ve had time to think about it, I’m excited about telling everyone. Nervous, though, because I’m still unsure that the guys really care about stuff like this.
“What’s going on, Rock?” Wrath asks as soon as we’re inside.
“Nothing.” Rock’s gaze skips around the room, taking everyone in. “We have an announcement.”
I catch Trinity grinning at me. Her eyes widen and she mouths “oh my God” at me.
Rock catches me around the waist, pulling me tight to his side. His hand rests over my belly and he gently squeezes. “We’re having a baby.”
The guys whoop and shout. Everyone advances on us for hugs, kisses, back-slaps, and congratulations.
“I knew it.” Trinity squeals and grabs my hands. “I didn’t want to say anything, but I knew something was up.” She glances down at my chest. “Your boobs are bigger than ever.”
I burst out laughing until tears leak from my eyes. Throwing my arms around her, I wrap her up in a hug. “Thank you. I needed to laugh.”
“I’m serious. They’re huge.”
Of course Wrath overhears that and sweeps his gaze over me to confirm his wife’s observation. “How did I miss that?”
Trinity teasingly smacks his arm, while Z answers the question. “You’re whipped, that’s why. I noticed, just figured—”
“Do you want to die today?” Rock growls, pushing Z back.
Z grins and sidesteps Rock, taking cover behind Murphy and Dex.
“This is so good, boss. So, good. More babies means more
good energy. So much good energy in the club,” Sparky yells, taking the attention off Z.
Dex comes over and gives me a quick hug. “No wonder you’re prettier than ever, sweetheart.”
“Thank you. Are you excited to be an uncle again?”
He stares off into the distance for a minute before flashing a smile so confident, it almost hides the sadness in his eyes. “Sure am.”
Murphy grins and playfully points a finger at me. “I owe Heidi twenty bucks, you know.” In a lower voice, he asks, “Why didn’t you say something? We would’ve kept it quiet.”
“After…I…well…I just…we wanted to be sure before we told anyone,” I stammer through an answer unsure of how much information Murphy’s looking for and feeling a little guilty.
He envelopes me in a warm hug, rubbing my back quickly before letting me go. “Whatever you need, tell me, okay?” He glances over at Teller and Rock, who are busy holding their own intense conversation. “If you need us to move out—”
“Don’t you dare. I was just telling Rock this morning how much I’m going to miss you guys when you move into your own house.”
“Thanks, Hope. You and Rock. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for us.”
“Murphy, are you pregnant too?” Z asks. “You look so emotional.”
“Fuck off, asshole.” He turns to me. “Heidi will be home in a bit. She said she’s going to buy a cake so we can celebrate at dinner.”
“Oooh, cake.” I rub my hands together and the guys laugh.
Z moves in, eyeing Murphy as if he’s expecting a gut-punch. He leans down and gives me a quick hug. “You know Rock told me the night you came clean, don’t you?” he whispers in my ear.
I laugh and pull away. “I suspected.”
He runs an imaginary zipper over his lips, which Ravage notices and immediately calls everyone’s attention to. “Uh-oh. Z, you’re not secretly the dad, are you?”
“That’s it.” Murphy growls. He and Teller take off after Ravage, who sprints down the hall.
“Sorry, Hope!” Ravage yells out.
There’s a crash in the dining room, followed by a thud.
Rock shakes his head. “Maybe we should’ve done it by text.”
“Or carrier pigeon,” I suggest, which cracks him up.