ANGEL HAD BEEN gone for a couple of hours before my body decided to wake. It had been a lazy morning, and I couldn’t focus on anything but sleep. Waves of nausea had taken over every half an hour or so but they never forced me into the bathroom. I didn’t know what was going on.
A moment of clarity struck.
Shit.
There was no way. No possible way.
I jumped from the bed when another wave hit me. Rushing to the bathroom, I fell to my knees almost missing the toilet. Spewing bile into the basin, the acidic burn made my eyes water.
Fuck.
“Boss?”
“In here.” Under normal circumstances, I would have given Creena shit for being in my room unannounced but right then, I didn’t care.
“What’s up?” she stopped at the door, frowning.
“I need you to do me a favor, and you can’t tell anyone.”
“Of course.” She nodded for added effect. “What do you need?”
“Promise me,” I pleaded. “Please.”
“I promise.”
Knowing I could trust her, I gave her a list of items to buy at the drug store and to hurry back. She didn’t ask questions, didn’t even ask for money.
My heart hurt with what the outcome of this situation could be. What if people found out and used that against us? Could people still see me as being president of a motorcycle club? To take me seriously? Too soon. These questions bouncing around in my mind were too much. I couldn’t deal. I needed Angel.
***
(Angel)
It had been a stressful afternoon of dealing with Asher and his demons. Looked like we all had our own shit to deal with.
When the guys left, I headed to Jay’s room at the back of the club. I needed some comfort that only she could provide.
“Jay?” I called out, stepping into the familiar space.
A muffled sound came from the bathroom.
“Princess?” I knocked lightly. “Are you in here?”
When no response came, I pushed open the door, finding Jay sitting on the floor. Several small boxes littered the area around her.
“Hey,” I said gently. “What’s going on?”
Her shoulders shook, a soft cry leaving her mouth.
Kneeling behind her, I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the side of her neck. “Talk to me.”
She didn’t say anything. She only held up a stick.
My eyes widened when I realized what she was holding. “What … um … Jay?”
She laughed, which came out more like a sob. “I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.”
“Sorry?” I turned her toward me, grabbing the stick from her hand. Two pink lines stared up at me. “Why are you sorry?” I still couldn’t believe what I was looking at.
“Because …” Jay’s chin quivered. “I don’t know.”
“Princess—” I kissed her softly on the mouth “—there is no reason to be sorry. It takes two and …” I looked down at the stick, noticing several more scattered beside her. All with pink lines, plus signs or words stating that she is pregnant. Pregnant. A baby. She was having my baby. “You’re having my baby.”
“I … oh, God.” Her breath hitched. “I am. I’m pregnant. Angel, I’m pregnant.” Her lips curled up into a smile.
“You’re pregnant.” My heart thumped, my stomach somersaulting.
Fucking A.
***
(Jay)
I wasn’t sure why I thought it would be difficult to tell Angel that I was pregnant. After the countless bouts of nausea, it finally made sense as to why I hadn’t been feeling well. The only thing I had to worry about was telling Max. My heart panged. It was hard for her to deal with being pregnant herself when she didn’t have the support from the father. I liked Dale, but he needed to get his head out of his ass.
“What about Max?” I muttered, hot tears flowing down my cheeks. This emotional shit was annoying, and I was over it already. If I had to deal with this for nine months, it was going to drive me and everyone else insane.
Angel picked up the empty boxes, throwing them into the trashcan before helping me to my feet. He didn’t answer, only held my hand and led me to the bed.
“Angel?”
“I love you,” he said, kneeling between my legs. “You know, that right?”
“Of course, and I love you too.”
“And Max loves you.”
My eyes welled, my chest aching as if someone was squeezing my heart. But I didn’t want to hurt Max. Her issues with Dale were hard to deal with. I wanted to be there for her, but I didn’t want my pregnancy to come off as a slap in the face.
“I’m happy. I am so damn happy but I don’t want … I want Max to love our baby and be there for it but I don’t want any resentment.”
“Jay …” Angel sighed, pulling me down onto his lap. “Max isn’t like that. You know that she will love that baby like it’s her own and when hers comes, our babies will grow up together. Be best friends and all that shit.”
I laughed, wiping the tears from under my eyes. “I was so scared to tell you.”
“Why?” he asked, taken aback.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “I know we have had our problems but I love you. I am so in love with you, and it makes me the happiest woman in the world to be carrying your baby.”
“I never thought I could fall in love with you more.” Angel cupped my cheek, staring intently into my eyes. “But I am. I am falling in love with you more and more each day.”
My throat burned. “I love you. My King.”
“I am proud to be your boyfriend, your fiancé, the father to your baby. Our baby.” His eyes shone, glassing over with unshed tears.
“Our baby.”
“And our little prince or princess will have so much love surrounding it, it will make all of the evil we are dealing with worth it.”
“Everything will be worth it.” I wrapped my arms around Angel, clinging onto him until all I felt was our love flowing around us.
I was pregnant.
I would never get used to the fact that I was carrying Angel Rodriguez’s baby.
“I never thought I would say this—” his lips moved to the shell of my ear, his hot breath scorching the side of my face “—but you being pregnant with my baby makes me hard.”
My eyes widened, a warmth settling deep in my belly.
His gaze had moved to my lower abdomen before he turned me in his arms. “Place your hands on the edge of the bed,” his deep voice rumbled over me, sheltering me in a blanket of bliss. “I suggest holding on.”
And I did.
For the rest of my life, I would … hold on.
THE END