Beck pulled us into the driveway and leaned over to unbuckle my seatbelt, kissing up my neck in the process. I pushed him off, jumped out and ran for the door, all the tired in my body leaving. Beck caught me near the door and I squealed when he picked me up and carried me inside. He kicked the door closed and set me on my feet on the first step, “Don’t run from me, Doll. You’re mine now.” As soon as he let me go, I tore up the stairs, using the rail to swing up to the next flight and kept running. I heard him behind me, catching up. My hand touched the handle to his roomour room, he caught me and pressed against me, wedging me against the door. His cock dug into my back, hands squeezing my hips, “What did I tell you, Doll?” I opened the door and we stumbled through.

“That I’m yours,” I toed my shoes off, shooing Sadie off the bed and out the door. Beck turned me to face him and I untucked his shirt, working the buttons. He pulled me to him by the band of my leggings, running his thumb over my bump. Beck eased them down my hips and I kicked them off. I slid the shirt from his shoulders and he pulled mine over my head, tossing it on the floor. He took care of his pants himself and left me standing there to go sit on the bed, sitting back against the headboard to watch me.

“Come here, but leave the panties on the floor,” He demanded, watching me intently. The flush started at my toes and moved all the way up, but I did what he said. I slid them off, taking my time while he stared me down, and crawled up the bed to him. Before I could get to him, he slid the boxers off and threw them toward the bathroom, leaving his cock pointed straight up, begging for me to lick it. I paused for just a second to drag my tongue over the tip, “Holy shit,” A hand tugging my hair made me stop and he turned my head to look at him, “Not yet,” I leaned up and kissed his chin. Beck grabbed my hips and lifted me to his lap, positioning a leg on either side of his hips. He snapped my bra off and tossed it too, grabbing the back of my neck to slam his mouth to mine. Our chests pressed together and all my over-sensitive parts rested right over his cock. He kissed me until neither of us could breathe and slid his hand between my legs to stroke my clit. He licked and bit at my neck, all the way down to my chest, making me hum when he sucked a nipple into his mouth. “You this wet for me?” I nodded, unable to speak, and Beck moved back up to kiss me, replacing his mouth with his hand on my breast. I moaned against his mouth, “Come for me, Doll.” Beck rolled my nipple between his fingers, sucking my lip into his mouth, and pressed his thumb against my clit harder. I fell apart. My hips rolled, shamelessly humping his hand, and rubbing against his dick, riding out my orgasm. Before I recovered or even opened my eyes, he adjusted my hips and thrust inside me, filling me completely. I screamed out, he groaned, and our mouths met again.

Neither of us moved for a full minute, chests heaving against each other, tongues dancing, and me on the brink of yet another orgasm. I tried to move, but his firm hold on my hips held me in place, “Give me a second, or this’ll be over before we get started, Doll. I’ve waited too long to not enjoy this.” He whispered against my lips, sliding his hands up to my neck to move my hair and back down.

Beck gripped my hips, lifting me off him then sliding back in, instantly hitting a spot I never knew existed, “Oh god, Beck.” He chuckled, picking up the pace and rolling my hips over him. Every thrust had me gasping and him groaning. I took over using the headboard for leverage, and his hands were all over me, palming my ass, cupping my breast. Beck kissed me, hard, bruising my lips. I’d never been on top, or really enjoyed sex at all, but loved the freedom Beck had to grope whatever he wanted, and I loved the control of setting the pace. Everything with Beck was different, and I got to keep him. He licked down my throat, sucked my nipple into his mouth, and I came again, riding out wave after wave of bliss. I let the headboard go to grab his shoulders and dig my fingers in. When my pace slowed, Beck took over, slamming into me, prolonging my orgasm.

“Fuck, Doll!” Beck growled, digging his fingers into my ass and burying his face in my neck. My nails scored his back and shoulders, while another orgasm, or maybe the same one, tore through me, sending shockwaves of ecstasy through every part of my body. His body tensed under me, and a low groan rumbled through him. I was overly aware of every tense muscle, every drop of sweat between us, and every tiny movement. We both collapsed back into the headboard panting, our foreheads resting against each other. Beck kissed along my neck, brushing my hair back from my face and shoulder, making me tremble, “I love you, Doll.”

I only hummed and nodded, not willing to move off him, and completely unable to speak. He rubbed my back, keeping me close, and whispering in my ear about waking up the same way every morning, making me breakfast, and taking care of me. When I started losing circulation to my feet, I moved to slide out of his lap, whining at the loss of him filling me, and cuddled into his side, “I love you, too,” I kissed his chest, “Tell me all about how amazing married life is.”

“It is fucking amazing. No pun intended,” He laughed, kissing my hair, “For you? Married life treating you well?”

“It is pretty awesome. My husband is super hot, I mean, he even has that really sexy V at his hips, and his face isn’t half bad either. Maybe when he hasn’t sent me into orgasm hangover, I’ll get the chance to lick all down his abs.” I giggled and a chuckle rumbled through his chest to where my head rested, “Don’t laugh at me. Orgasm hangover is a real thing. I was a little worried that I put all my eggs in one basket. I did marry him before I knew if he was as talented as he claimed.”

“I’m assuming he delivered?” Beck moved to grab the blanket at the foot of the bed.

“He did. I think I won the husband lottery,” I kissed his chest and he hugged me to him, “He’s pretty great, and he’s incredible in bed. I now fully understand sex for recreational purposes.” We relaxed in the silence, curled into each other and I spun the ring on his finger. I listened to the steady cadence of his heart, wondering how the hell I got so lucky. A tear slid down my cheek to his chest and Beck rubbed my shoulder.

“What are we naming this baby?” He whispered.

“We?”

Beck shifted under me and tipped my chin up to face him, “Yes, Doll, we.”

“I get that we’re married, but-”

“Are you fucking serious right now, Meredith?” Beck growled at me, “I thought we were done with this shit. How many times in one day can we have this conversation?” He moved out from under me completely, and a chill ran through me, “I know it just happened today, but you are my wife. You think I’m taking that lightly? This baby will be in my house, loved and supported by me,” Beck threw the blanket back and moved off the bed, snatching his boxers from the floor and slamming the bathroom door. I waited alone in the silence for him to come back, not moving from my spot in the bed. The door finally opened, and I pulled the blanket up to my chin, a little worried about his reaction, “I don’t fucking get why you keep on fighting me, Meredith. When that baby is born, you will be married to me, with me by your fucking side,” Beck started pacing, getting louder with each word, and the tears burning my eyes finally fell, “So don’t you fucking dare say that baby isn’t mine. Don’t you fucking dare put a wedge between me and that child, even in your head!”

“I’m sorry.” I whispered.

Beck froze and jerked to look at me. His face softened, “Damn it. Doll, don’t cry,” He climbed in the bed and pulled me to his chest, “I didn’t mean to get mad. I’m so sorry. Don’t cry.”

I didn’t like being yelled at, but that wasn’t the reason for my tears, “A month ago, only a month, Beck. I found out I was having a baby I didn’t want and I was alone. Completely alone. Men like you aren’t real. Normal guys don’t volunteer to raise children who aren’t theirs. I won’t say anything about it ever again. I get it. I’m sorry.” Beck shushed me while I cried, holding me to his chest. I understood the words, but the idea that he truly wanted the baby was beyond me.

“I shouldn’t have yelled. Watching you struggle through this pregnancy means we won’t be doing it again, and that’s fine, I’m okay with that, but I want to enjoy this one. I want to experience everything and not fight about it. This baby will have my last nameand call me Daddy, and you need to be okay with it all.” Beck tugged the covers from my chin and covered himself too.

“I’d do it again if you wanted,” I wiped my face, “Not soon, but eventually, once I settle in a little more, maybe I’ll get the insulin pump everyone keeps pushing after the baby is born.”

Beck shook his head, “No, Doll. One time is stressful enough. It’s too hard on you,” I nodded and we snuggled into the blankets, “Did you bring your insulin in?”

I yawned, “No, I left it in the car.” I started to get up, but Beck beat me to it.

“Go to sleep. I’ll be right back.” I nodded, doing what I was told and settling in to go to sleep. Beck kissed my head, told me he loved me, and slid out the door, letting Sadie back in. She jumped on the foot of the bed and groaned when she stretched. I listened for the front door and closed my eyes.

I jogged out to the car in boxers and a t-shirt and jerked the passenger side door open. The insulin bag and her phone were on the floor. Maybe we were a little too eager to get inside and consummate our marriage. Definitely worth the wait. Meredith was a fucking goddess, and I get to spend the rest of my life with her. The light blinked on her phone, so I swiped the screen and checked the messages from Cori and Ari. They both wished her happy birthday again and told us congratulations, so I responded and shoved the phone in my pocket. Ari coming around was a huge surprise. As long as I’d known her, she was so arrogant, but people change. I slammed the door, locked the car, and started back up the walk.

“I heard congratulations are in order,” I whipped around to see Zeke standing next to the CRV, leaned against it like he belonged there.

“Don’t you have better things to do than stalk her?” I took a step toward him, ready to beat his ass if I needed, “Stay the fuck away from my woman. You fucked up, she’s mine now.”

Zeke laughed, “I don’t want that whore. You do have something of mine though. I’m gonna need that phone in your pocket,” He held his hand out expectantly, and when I didn’t move, he kept talking, “The phone is my property, I’m not here to be a dick, but if you don’t hand it over, Uncle Dennis finds out all about you and his wife.” The little fucker smiled.

My mouth went dry, “What about her?” I cleared my throat.

“Cynthia has made her way through his client list twice over, don’t act all holier than thou when we both know you fucked her. Dennis has killed men for less, so hand me the fucking phone.” Zeke motioned for me to give it up.

“I hand you this phone and I never want to see you again. Go back to whatever fucking hole you crawled out of, and leave Meredith and the baby alone, got it?” I reached in my pocket, unsure of how to explain the missing phone to Meredith, but stopped when he started laughing, “What the hell is so funny?”

“That baby ain’t mine, any more than it’s yours, asshole. I can’t count the men who fucked her,” Zeke shook his head, “But really, have fun with that train wreck. Just give me the fucking phone, you’re boring me. It has a list I need, and I just want to go home.” I just stared. The fucker was trying to get me riled up and it worked. There was no fucking way Meredith had slept around. Right? “You want the story? I bet you do, I can see it on your face, so here it goes. My buddy, Trav, specialized in rufies, it was his thing, and you can’t sell a product without testing it first. Let me tell you what Trav told me before I took care of the problem. Meredith fell for it and he let his buddies have a go too. Don’t worry about Travis anymore, I took care of him.” Zeke licked his lips. “He fucked with what was mine, and I can’t have associates I don’t trust. She’s all yours now, but no one fucking knows whose baby is it.” At some point during his little speech, I made it to where he stood next to her car and my fist connected with his jaw with a crack. He fell back into the car, shaking his head, “Son of a bitch! What the fuck? I said I fucking killed him!”

I pulled the phone from my pocket and shoved it into his chest, getting in his face, “Stay the fuck away from us.” I waited until Zeke pushed off the car and started down the street, rubbing his jaw. When he vanished, I turned toward the house to see Meredith standing with both hands over her mouth, leaned on the door frame. I planned to go to the grave with what he told me, but she heard every bit.

When I got close, she started shaking her head, “Beck, don’t.” I wrapped my arms around her, but she shoved me off in time to throw up into the bushes. I rubbed her back, holding her hair from her face and waited for her to be finished. Meredith panted with her hands on her knees for a minute, catching her breath, and when she started to stand, I pulled her into me. She tried to push me off, but I backed her into the house and closed the door. We made it to the third step before she collapsed and started crying uncontrollably. Incoherent words came out between the sobs, she grabbed a wad of my shirt in her fist, pulling me closer, and shaking all over.

I held her against my chest, petting her hair, and shushing her until she settled down. I wanted to hurt someone, tear the Travis motherfucker limb from limb, but it wasn’t possible, so I just held her while she cried. After everything she’d been through, all the shit she was already dealing with, there had to be more. It was like life couldn’t just let her pick herself up. Meredith was down and someone had to keep kicking her, “Let’s go to bed, Doll,” She tipped her head and looked up at me from my chest, her breath hitching every few seconds. I wiped her face and forced a smile, “Come on, it’s late.”

“Why are you doing this?” Her voice was scratchy and rough.

“I love you, Doll. Now we need to get to bed.” I helped her up and kept my arm around her waist until we got up to our room. She’d put on a pair of my boxers and a t-shirt before following me out, so she crawled straight up in the bed and collapsed. I put her bag in the fridge and laid behind her, pulling her back to my front and resting my hand on the baby. My baby.

“I didn’t know. I swear I didn’t,” Meredith choked on another sob, “I can’t believe he’d do something so terrible. I didn’t know, Beck. Please believe me. I didn’t know.”

I kissed her hair, “I know, Doll. I wish you still didn’t know,” I let her fall apart again, trying to figure out how she didn’t crack sooner. Meredith was the strongest person I had ever met. Living through the abuse was bad enough, add that to being pregnant and sick. “It’s gonna be okay.”

“How?” Meredith shrieked, “How is it going to be okay, Beck? They raped me and he let them. It was bad enough wondering if he would try to come take the baby from me, but this is… this is so much worse. What kind of whore doesn’t even know who their child belongs to?” Meredith’s voice hit that panicked pitch and her whole body shook with another sob.

“You were raped, Doll, you’re not a whore. And this baby belongs to me and you, no one else. Me and you,” I flattened my hand over her stomach, and closed my eyes. By the time the baby came, she would believe me, but until then, I would reassure her every day, “You have any idea how excited I am about this, Doll?” Meredith shook her head, taking a shaky breath, “I’ll get the guest room cleaned out tomorrow, then we can start getting things together,” Meredith shifted uncomfortably, “This is going to be amazing, Meredith.”

I took her hand and laid it under mine on her stomach and she relaxed just a little, “I think I’ll call in tomorrow. I’m not sure I can go to work.”

“Whatever you want, Doll. We’ll go get you a new phone. If you don’t go in, can we go get some shopping done?” Anything to take her mind off the nightmares she had coming.

“If you want.”

“Well, I assume babies need a place to sleep and clothes, right?” Meredith breathed out a soft laugh, “Diapers, socks, that thing that hangs from the crib and makes noise, and at least a million stuffed animals,” Meredith nodded, sniffling, “So, you narrowed down the names?”

“Samantha Mae. Mae is Cori’s middle name,” I whispered that I loved it, “And if you’re still okay with Alexander, it’s the only boy name I keep coming back to. If not, I can go back to the books. I don’t want to take that from you if you aren’t okay with it.”

“I love it, Doll,” She sniffled, “Middle name?”

“Allen, for Dad. Is that too many A’s?” Meredith glanced back at me with red eyes and cheeks.

I kept talking to keep her mind from the dark thoughts, “No, I think it’s perfect. Do you think it’s a boy or a girl? Griffin said Cori knew it was a girl before they found out,” She shrugged, “Oh, come on. I have a vested interest in a boy now, but Samantha Mae Layton has an awfully nice ring to it.”

“I don’t know. I hate to say what I think, because I’m afraid I’ll be wrong and it’ll speak to my mother’s intuition or something,” I chuckled, “I think it’s a boy though. It was my first thought when I found out.” I buried my face in her hair, hoping her mother’s intuition was right on. Not that a daughter would be a disappointment, but I couldn’t let her go through all of it again, so a son with my name would make my life complete. Alexander Allen Layton. It was perfection.

“I guess we’ll see in a few days, huh, Doll?” She nodded slowly and I glanced at the clock, “It’s late. Get some sleep and we can talk more tomorrow.”

“Just don’t leave me.” She shuttered against me.

“I’m never leaving.” I stayed perfectly still until she fell asleep, snoring just slightly once she was out. I uncurled myself from her and covered her up. I wasn’t sleeping, not after what I found out what she had gone through. The worst part was not knowing how many times it had happened. I didn’t care about the paternity of the baby, if I did, I wouldn’t have married her, but I knew once the baby was born, she would look at him or her, trying to figure it out. I didn’t want something like that haunting her, but had no doubt it would.