Kara

 

Kara awoke to the most intense feeling of nausea that she’d ever experienced. She burst out of Ryder’s bed and ran towards the bathroom. Once there she dropped into front of the toilet and vomited. After a few retches of nothing but water, the feeling passed, and she was left sitting alone on the cold porcelain.

 

What the hell was that? she wondered, still seated. Third day in a row I’ve been puking like that.

 

And as she sat, a light scratching sounded from the door, followed by a weak meow.

 

“Oh, Furball,” she said. “Now’s not the time.”

 

The scratching and meowing continued, and Kara finally opened the door. The kitten slunk into the room and curled up at the side of her leg. Kara scratched the kitten under the chin while she waited for the nausea to subside.

 

She sat there for a while longer. Eventually, a knock sounded out at the bathroom door.

 

“Yo, you in there?”

 

It was Ryder.

 

“Um, yeah,” she said, scrambling to her feet and washing her hands.

 

“Were you sick in here?” he asked. “I thought I heard throwing up or something.”

 

“No, no,” she said. “Just had to go to the bathroom.”

 

“All right,” he said, not sounding entirely convinced.

 

Kara quickly brushed her teeth and made a mental note to make a doctor’s appointment today. She was hoping the nausea was nothing to worry about, but after so many days she knew that she couldn’t ignore it any longer.

 

When she was finally ready, Kara opened the bathroom door. Ryder was in the kitchen making a pot of coffee, and his gorgeous eyes latched onto her the second she entered the room.

 

“Morning, hot stuff,” he said.

 

“Morning,” said Kara.

 

After he spoke, Furball rushed up to him and began curling around his foot. Ryder laughed before bending down and scooping up the kitten.

 

“And good morning to you, you little poop machine.”

 

As she approached him, Kara saw that he was wearing nothing but a pair of black sleeping pants that hung off his hips in a way that she just couldn’t get enough of. Her eyes lingered on his toned abs. And he couldn’t help but smile at the sight of this big, beefy man holding a tiny kitten in his arms.

 

“You there?” asked Ryder.

 

Kara snapped back into alertness.

 

“Oh, yeah,” she said, shaking her head. “Just got … a little distracted.”

 

Ryder smirked as he put down Furball and set the coffee pot to brew. He stepped behind her and wrapped her arms around her waist, pulling Kara in close and tight.

 

“Goddamn, you always smell so fucking good first thing in the morning,” he said, his mouth only inches from her ear.

 

“Oh, yeah?” she asked. “Like what?”

 

“Like … jelly beans. And sex.”

 

Kara let out a laugh. “Such a smooth-talker,” she said, nuzzling her head into his neck.

 

“What can I say? It’s just a gift of mine.”

 

Rich, black coffee poured into the pot. Ryder took his arms from around Kara as he walked towards it to pour himself a cup.

 

“So,” he said, holding the steaming mug to his face. “It’s been a week of you staying at my place.”

 

“Has it?” asked Kara, surprised by that news. The time seemed to have flown by for her in a wild blur of sex.

 

“Yup,” he said. “And I’ve been keeping you here because I want to make sure that none of the Gremlins were gonna try any stupid shit.”

 

“That the only reason?” asked Kara with a sly smile.

 

“I guess one of the reasons,” said Ryder, matching the smirk. “But if they haven’t tried anything yet, I don’t think they’re gonna. It looks like we got ’em whipped.”

 

“That’s good news,” said Kara, the incident with Franco and the others already seemingly like an eternity ago to her.

 

“Yup,” said Ryder. “And it means that it’s probably safe for you to head back to your place.”

 

A sinking feeling formed in Kara. She had known that this was the arrangement, that she’d stay with Ryder until the coast looked clear. But over the course of the last week she’d grown to enjoy staying with him, falling asleep in his arms and waking up with him at her side. Knowing it was about to come to an end sent a wave of disappointment rushing through her.

 

“I guess it does,” she said.

 

“But, ah, I’m thinking that we should do something a little special, you know?”

 

“‘Something special’?” asked Kara. “Like what?”

 

“Was thinking I might take you out for a night on the town. Get something to eat.”

 

“Like, at a fancy place?”

 

“Fancy-ish,” said Ryder.

 

Kara was already picturing Ryder in something a little classier than his usual dark jeans, combat boots, white T-shirt, and leather jacket. Maybe something with a bowtie.

 

“Don’t get any ideas,” said Ryder, seemingly able to read Kara’s mind. “I’m not wearing a damn tux or anything. But I think I’ve got something with a collar lying around here or there.”

 

“I think that sounds like a lovely plan,” said Kara.

 

“Good,” said Ryder, leaning in and giving her a kiss, his taste of coffee. “I’ll get it all planned; you just make sure to look hot as hell. You don’t really have to try for that, though.”

 

With that, he left the kitchen, giving Kara’s ass a healthy swat on the way out. Kara let out a squeal of delight as his hand clapped onto her rear.

 

When she was alone, however, all she could think about was how she didn’t want this time to end, how she wanted to stay with Ryder here. She knew, however, that Ryder absolutely wasn’t the sort of man interested in having a serious conversation about relationships. Bringing it up would likely have the opposite effect that she wanted.

 

“I’m gonna check in with the boys,” said Ryder. “Make sure that everything’s running smoothly. You stay put around the area; I’m still not cool with you wandering off too far.”

 

“So strict,” said Kara.

 

“Just being careful. See you in a bit.”

 

Ryder grabbed his keys and jacket and was gone. After waiting a few minutes, Kara slipped out her phone and pulled up the number for a nearby doctor’s office. Luckily, they’d had a cancellation earlier in the morning and let Kara know that if she could make it in an hour, they’d be able to see her. She let them know she’d be there and hurried to get ready.

 

An hour and a half later, Kara was seated in the small, sterile examination room of the doctor’s office, the gray-haired, paunchy doctor listening to her carefully as she described her symptoms. The doctor listened carefully, and by the time Kara was finished describing her symptoms, he wore an expression on his face that seemed to indicate that he had an answer for her.

 

“And you’ve been sexually active?” he asked.

 

Doc, you don’t know the half of it, Kara thought, doing her best to suppress a knowing smirk.

 

“Yes,” was her one-word reply.

 

“And you’ve been late with your period?”

 

“I guess I hadn’t really thought about it, but yeah, a little late.”

 

The doctor nodded.

 

“Why?” asked Kara. “What do you think’s wrong with me?”

 

But as soon as the question passed her lips, the likely answer appeared in her mind like fifty-foot-tall letters lit up with neon and fireworks.

 

Pregnant.

 

“You think … ”

 

“We’re going to have to do some bloodwork to make sure it’s for certain, but if I were a betting man I’d say that you’re about to be a mother.”

 

Kara felt the blood rush from her face.

 

“I take it from that expression that this wasn’t planned?”

 

“Not in the slightest.”

 

Kara knew that she’d been being careless with making sure that she and Ryder had been having protected sex, but she realized at that moment that she hadn’t seriously considered the possibility that she might become pregnant as a consequence to their very, very active sex life.

 

“Let’s run the tests before we jump to any conclusions,” said the doctor. “False alarms have been known to happen.”

 

“S-sure,” Kara stammered out.

 

With that, the doctor and a nurse ran the necessary bloodwork. Kara spent the next hour seated in the waiting room, her mind racing with the possibility of her being with child.

 

No way Ryder’s going to like this, she thought. No way a man like him has even put the slightest bit of thought into being a father. As soon as he finds out, he’s going to be out the door so fast it’ll leave behind a Ryder-shaped puff of smoke, like in a Looney Tunes cartoon or something.

 

She imagined telling her parents what had happened, that she’d hooked up with some tattoo-covered biker, gotten knocked up, and now she was standing on the brink of single motherhood.

 

After a little more waiting, the nurse finally called Kara back into the room. There, the doctor awaited her, a manila folder in his hands and a beaming smile on her face.

 

“Congratulations,” he said as Kara took her seat. “You’re going to be a mother!”

 

Kara felt the blood rush out of her head once again. This time, however, it was enough to cause her to pass out right where she sat.

 

***

 

Back at the apartment, Kara paced back and forth as she debated what to do, just how to break the news to Ryder.

 

I have to just be blunt, she thought. A guy like him doesn’t appreciate screwing around. Just rip the Band-Aid off and be done with it. If he’s going to leave me, then better to get it over with as fast as possible. I mean, I’ve been alone before; I can do it again.

 

She turned to Furball. The kitten was seated on the couch, absentmindedly licking his still-healing paw.

 

“And I won’t be totally alone,” she said. “I’ve got you, right, little dude?”

 

She bounded over to Furball, scooping the cat off of the couch and holding him above her head. He let out a confused “meow” as his eyes darted around the room.

 

“We’ll be best friends, just you and me. We don’t need a man, right?”

 

Realization struck Kara like a bolt of lightning.

 

“Oh God,” she said, now staring off into space. “I’m already turning into one of those women who talks to her cat like it’s a person.”

 

She set Furball down and went back to her pacing.

 

“Nothing I can do now,” she said, still speaking out loud. “Just gotta get ready for the night out with Ryder and try to enjoy myself. Gotta just try to put it out of my mind.”

 

The rest of the afternoon drifted away on a float of mild panic. Kara found herself continually looking at her reflection in the mirror, lifting up her shirt and gazing at her flat stomach, still in disbelief that there was a little person growing in there.

 

After a time, she decided that it was time to get ready. She only had one nice-ish outfit with her, which was a skimpy black cocktail dress and matching pair of pumps. Putting on a pair of blue lace underwear underneath, she stepped into the dress and set to work on her hair and makeup in front of the mirror. Soon, she heard the front door open followed by the now-familiar sound of Ryder’s boots on the hardwood floor.

 

“What’s up, kittycat?” he asked out loud.

 

Kara’s heart skipped a beat. All the fear that she’d been suppressing about the news she’d learned came back like a flash flood. She felt the tips of her fingers go numb and her eyes widen.

 

“Damn!” called Ryder from the bedroom entrance. “You look hot as shit!”

 

A blush accompanied Kara’s fear.

 

“Oh, it’s nothing,” she said.

 

In Ryder’s hand, she spotted a bag that looked to be from some men’s clothing store.

 

“You, um, do some shopping?”

 

“Yup,” he said, walking over to Kara and placing a kiss on her neck. “Figured it wouldn’t kill me to get something decent for the night.”

 

Kara said nothing, her mind filled with news of the baby. She didn’t want to risk opening her mouth for fear of blurting everything out.

 

“You cool?” he asked. “You seem a little tense.”

 

“I’m fine,” she said. “Just thinking about our night out.”

 

“Fuck, yeah,” he said. “This place is killer. You’re gonna eat good tonight.”

 

Ryder took one last look at Kara, seemingly not entirely convinced by her explanation.

 

“Anyway,” he said. “I’m gonna get ready. Let’s hit it in a half hour.”

 

“Sure,” said Kara.

 

Ryder left the bedroom and Furball entered moments later, hopping up onto the bed and curling up into a tight ball.

 

“Any chance I could get you to break the news?” she asked.

 

But Furball only flicked his tail in a nonchalant manner.

 

Kara put the finishing touches on her outfit just as she heard Ryder step back into the living room. Joining him, her jaw nearly dropped when she laid eyes on his outfit. He was dressed in a stylish off-white dress shirt rolled up just enough to show off his ropy forearms, well-fitted black dress slacks, and a pair of shiny black double-monk shoes. He looked almost like a different person.

 

“Whatcha think?” he asked. “Because I feel like a little bit of a tool.”

 

Kara rushed up to him and threw her arms around his neck.

 

“You look so good that I can’t believe it,” she said, planting a kiss on his smooth-shaven cheek.

 

“You’re not lookin’ so bad yourself, kid,” he said, giving her a firm slap on the ass.

 

Kara let out a little squeal at the spanking.

 

“Let’s hit it,” said Ryder.

 

The two of them rode his bike to one of the skyscrapers downtown. A valet came out to retrieve it, looking over the massive chrome beast with some hesitation.

 

“She’s not as tough as she looks,” said Ryder, tossing him the keys. “Just give ’er a light touch.”

 

The valet nodded and continued staring at the bike as though it were a puzzle he couldn’t quite get his head around. Ryder and Kara stepped into the elegant lobby of the tower and were soon on an elevator up to one of the higher floors. The doors soon opened, revealing an upscale dining room, the walls of the place floor-to-ceiling windows that afforded a lovely view of the city. Soft jazz music played, and the floor was populated with well-dressed diners and black-clad servers darting here and there.

 

“This place is so nice,” said Kara.

 

“Almost too nice,” said Ryder with a smirk. “But I got the best seat in the house.”

 

Ryder approached the host stand and gave them his name. Moments later they were being led out onto the balcony where a private table awaited them. The view was somehow even more incredible out here than inside, and Kara stood for a moment, taking it all in.

 

“Sit that gorgeous ass of yours down!” said Ryder. “Food’s better than the view.”

 

Kara smiled and did just that. A waiter soon brought a bottle of red to the table and poured them both a glass. Once they’d ordered their meal, Kara reached for her wine but stopped at the last second, remembering the big news.

 

“Something wrong?” asked Ryder. “This is some pretty good shit.”

 

“No, um, just, uh, not thirsty right now.”

 

Ryder flicked up his eyebrows. “More for me,” he said, taking another sip.

 

“So, um, how’s the biker stuff?” she asked, trying to take her mind off of the issue at hand.

 

“Fine,” he said. “Things are calming down. Found out that the handful of Gremlins still alive and kicking finally got the damn hint and booked it out of town. There was some talk that a few of the gangs that teamed up with the Gremlins were gonna start some shit, but I think they finally realized just who’s in charge in this city.”

 

“And … that’s you?”

 

“Me and the boys, yup. We’re about to have a killer year; I can feel it.”

 

And all Kara could think about was how she was about to ruin that.

 

“Anyway,” said Ryder. “I bet you’re looking forward to getting back to your normal life. Not having to worry about bikers and shit trying to kidnap you.”

 

Kara couldn’t take it anymore.

 

“I’m pregnant,” she said, the words coming out in a clumsy tumble.

 

Ryder gazed at her impassively for a moment.

 

“You’re … uh, what?”

 

“Pregnant,” she said. “I’ve been feeling weird recently so I went to the doctor’s today and that’s what he told me. I have a kid in me, and it’s yours. So, there’s that.”

 

Ryder sat back in his seat, his eyes going wide.

 

“Must’ve … must’ve been that first night,” he said, nodding his head slowly.

 

His words hung in the air. Kara didn’t know what else to say. All she could do in her mind was to wait for him to drop the ax and tell her that things were done between the two of them.

 

“Come here,” he said, standing up and walking over to the railing of their private area.

 

He’s calm, thought Kara. Too damn calm.

 

She joined him at the railing, the city spread out all around them.

 

“About a week ago, I started to get a weird feeling,” he said, looking out at the city. “About you. Wasn’t sure what it was, or why I was feeling it, but it nagged at me all the same. Drove me fuckin’ bonkers.”

 

“What kind of feeling?” asked Kara.

 

“Just this weird feeling that there was something special about you, that you and I had some kind of future to look forward to. So, I bought something. I mean, I’m not normally the kind of guy to do shit based on weird feelings, but sometimes you just gotta trust your gut, you know?”

 

“And then it hit me,” he said, his eyes turning to Kara. “The feeling was love. That’s all it could be. It was something I’d never felt before, something part of me thought I’d never feel. And here it was, creeping into my heart like I had no control over it.”

 

Then, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small thing. Kara’s eyes latched onto it, and she saw that it was a gorgeous diamond ring.

 

“Part of me thought I’d regret buying this. But another part of me knew that I’d be a damn fool not to. I figured I’d know the right time if I was actually gonna, you know, bust it out. And I can’t think of a better time than now.”

 

Happiness swelled in Kara’s heart. She wanted to speak, but no words formed.

 

“Kara, I love you. And if you’re gonna be having my baby, let’s do this right. Will you marry me?”

 

Finally, a word came to mind. And it was the only one Kara needed to say.

 

“Yes!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him.

 

And there was nothing else to be said. The two of them embraced, and fell into a deep, loving kiss.