Rockstar’s Accidental Marriage (Wild Band Rockstars #2)

11. Eleven

Eleven

Emily

The hospital room is quiet except for the faint beeping of the heart monitor and the muffled sounds of activity out in the hallway. My body feels heavy, weighed down by exhaustion and the lingering haze of everything that’s happened.

I’m pregnant. I’m having a baby… Sam’s baby.

The words keep bouncing around my mind like an echo I can’t silence. How could I not have known? The fatigue, the faint dizziness—it all makes sense now. But still, the realization feels surreal.

I hear the door creak open, and when I look up, Sam is there. His tall frame fills the doorway, his brilliant green eyes locked on me with an intensity that makes my heart twist. He looks worried, sure, but there’s something else in his expression—

“The doctor told you, didn’t he?” I ask softly, my voice hoarse.

He steps closer, his lips curving into a small, hesitant smile. “Yeah, he did.”

I nod, swallowing hard as I look away. My fingers toy with the edge of the blanket, my mind racing with a thousand thoughts I can’t seem to sort through.

Sam moves to the side of the bed and lowers himself into the chair next to me. For a moment, neither of us speaks. The silence feels weighted, charged with the doctor’s news.

When Sam takes my hand, his touch is warm and steady—an anchor in the storm of emotions I'm feeling. His thumb traces gentle patterns on my skin, and I find myself drawing strength from the simple contact. The gesture feels protective, almost reverent, so different from our usual charged interactions.

“Everything’s going to be fine,” he states, his voice low and reassuring, his thumb brushing lightly over my knuckles in an unconscious motion. Then, almost like he’s afraid to know the answer, he asks, “Are you pleased—about the baby?”

The question catches me off guard, and I look up to meet his gaze. His eyes are intense as they search mine, and I see a mix of emotions that seem to match my own.

I take a shaky breath, my heart pounding. “I am,” I admit slowly, realizing it’s the truth. “But I’m scared, too.”

He nods, his grip on my hand tightening slightly. “I get that—because I am too.”

“You are?”

"Yeah," he says with a small chuckle. "I mean, this wasn't exactly what I expected." He looks away for a moment, then gives me a direct look. "When you collapsed like that—" Sam shakes his head with a frown. "I was terrified. I thought something was seriously wrong, so finding out that you're having a baby—my baby. Well, that kind of put everything into perspective. I'm just glad you're okay." He clears his throat.

I give Sam a rueful smile. “Yes, this a temporary condition. It only lasts nine months.”

He laughs, which breaks the tension in the room. “Now, who’s telling jokes?” He says, his tone serious now. “But I am glad, Emily. And I want to be a part of this. I need to be a part of our child’s life.”

The sincerity in his voice takes me by surprise, and I feel my chest tighten. “Sam...”

“I mean it,” he says firmly, leaning closer. “I know I don’t always take things as seriously as I should. But this is different. You and this baby—you’re both important to me.”

I search his face, looking for any hint of doubt or hesitation, but all I see is determination.

“You really mean that?” I ask, my voice trembling.

“I do,” he says without hesitation. “I want to take care of both of you.”

I shake my head, my throat tightening. “Sam, thank you. But I can manage on my...”

“No, Emily. I want to be there for you and our child,” he says in a serious tone.

“Are you sure you’re ready for that, Sam? It’s a lot. Raising a child, being a parent—it’s not easy.”

“I know it’s not,” he says, his voice firm. “My dad raised me on his own." I hear years of unspoken emotion in his voice. His eyes get a faraway look, and for the first time, I see past his usual confident facade to a boy who grew up without a mother. His hand tightens slightly around mine as if drawing strength from the contact.

“He worked his ass off to make sure I had what I needed. I saw how hard it was for him, and I never want our kid to feel like they’re alone. I won’t let that happen.”

His words hit me hard. I’ve never heard him talk about his childhood before. It’s like a part of him he’s always kept locked away, and now he’s finally letting me in.

Before I can respond, he leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. The gesture is so tender, so unlike the cocky, confident Sam I’m used to, that my heart flutters in response.

“We’ll figure this out,” he says quietly. “Together.”

I want to believe him. I want to believe that we can make this work, that he can be the person I need him to be. But a small voice in the back of my mind whispers doubts I can’t ignore.

Before I can respond, the door swings open, and Cass strides in with Kendrick and Cassidy close behind.

“Emily,” Cass exclaims, his face a mixture of relief, worry, and exasperation. “How are you feeling? The doctor said you fainted because you’re pregnant.”

“I’m fine,” I say quickly, my cheeks flushing. “And yes, I… we’re having a baby.” I glance up at Sam for support.

Cass narrows his eyes, clearly not happy with the situation. “Sam told us—hell, he announced to everyone that you guys are married.”

“That can wait,” Kendrick gives Cass a warning look as she moves closer, “For now, we’re just glad you’re well,” Kendrick says, her voice warm. She leans down, giving me a gentle hug before sitting on the edge of the bed.

Cassidy peeks around her mom, her wide eyes filled with concern and curiosity. “Aunt Emily, are you really going to have a baby?”

“It’s true,” I say, my voice barely audible. “It’s all true. Sam and I got married a year ago in Vegas. And now we’re having a baby.”

“A year ago!” Cass explodes, then tries to rein in his anger, and in a quieter voice, “In Vegas?”

“It was... an accident,” I admit, my cheeks burning.

Cass throws his hands in the air. “An accident? Emily, you don’t just accidentally get married!”

“Cass,” Kendrick says sharply, placing a hand on his arm. “Calm down.”

He glares at her, then at me, before finally turning to Sam. “And what, you just decided not to tell anyone? You’ve been walking around all this time pretending nothing happened?”

“I told you earlier—it’s complicated,” Sam says, his tone steady.

“Clearly,” Cass mutters, running a hand through his hair.

Kendrick shoots him a warning look before turning back to me. “What does this mean? For the two of you?”

Sam glances at me, then back at Kendrick. “It means we’re still figuring it out.”

Cass folds his arms, his expression skeptical. “And how exactly are you planning to do that?”

“We’ll be moving into our own place,” Sam says firmly, surprising even me.

Cass raises an eyebrow. “You will?”

“Yes,” Sam says, his gaze unwavering. “Emily and I need space to figure things out. For us and the baby.”

The room goes silent, the promise of Sam’s words hanging heavy in the air.

Cass’s expression slowly shifts from anger to something softer, more cautious. “Emily, are you okay with all of this?”

“I am,” I say, my voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside me. “I didn’t know about the baby until today, but... I’m glad. Excited, but scared.”

Cass exhales sharply, his shoulders sagging. “Well, damn. I don’t know why I’m always the last to know these things. But…” He shrugs, looking helpless. “Alright. I guess congratulations are in order.”

“Thanks,” I say, smiling faintly at my brother.

Cass mutters something under his breath but then slaps Sam on the back. “Congratulations to you too, man.”

Sam grins up at Cass with a grateful nod.

Kendrick reaches for my hand, her eyes shining. “We’re here for you, Emily. Whatever you guys need.”

“Thanks, Kendrick,” I whisper, my throat tightening.

Sam looks at me, his expression calm but resolute. “We’ve got this, Emily. I promise.”

And as I see the resolution in his eyes, I finally let myself believe him.

After a while, Cass, Kendrick, and Cassidy leave, though not without multiple rounds of hugs and reassurances from Kendrick and a gruff warning from Cass to “take care of her.”

“You’ve got a baby to think about now,” he says before he leaves, his voice softer than usual. “Don’t push yourself too hard, Em.”

“I won’t,” I promise, feeling a little guilty.

As the door closes behind them, the room falls quiet again. It’s just Sam and me now and the baby. My hand is resting over my still-flat abdomen.

I glance at Sam, watching as he sinks into the chair beside my bed. His usually relaxed demeanor is still there, but it’s muted, his shoulders tense, and his jaw set like he’s holding something back.

“You’re awfully quiet,” I say softly, breaking the silence.

He looks up, his green eyes meeting mine. “Just thinking.”

“About what?”

“About a lot of things,” he admits, leaning back in the chair. “About you, the baby... everything.”

I hesitate, then decide to ask the question that’s been lingering in the back of my mind since earlier. “You said something about your dad before. That he raised you on his own?”

Sam stiffens slightly, his fingers tapping against the arm of the chair. “Yeah,” he says after a moment. “He did.”

“What happened to your mom?” I ask gently.

He exhales, his gaze shifting to the window. “She left when I was a kid. I don’t even really remember her. Just bits and pieces. My dad doesn’t talk about her much, and I never asked.”

I don’t say anything, letting the silence stretch between us. I can tell this isn’t something he talks about often, if at all.

“It’s been just the two of us for as long as I remember,” he continues, his voice quieter now. “We didn’t have much, but he did his best. He worked hard to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads.”

He pauses, his expression distant. “He’s got a small farm down in Ocala. Cattle, chickens, a couple of horses. It’s not much, but it’s his. He’s been there all his life.”

“Do you see him often?” I ask.

“Not as much as I should,” he admits, his tone laced with regret. “The band keeps me busy, but I try to visit as often as possible.”

“You do?” I ask in surprise.

He shrugs, but there’s a flicker of something vulnerable in his eyes. “Of course. He’s my dad.”

“But, you never talk about him,” I say, with a confused look.

“He gave up a lot for me over the years. He wanted me to stay on the farm, but I, well—music was always my passion. I wanted something different.” Glancing at me, he admits in a low voice, “I haven’t exactly made him proud.”

“That can’t be true,” I say firmly.

He looks at me, his brow furrowed.

“You’re a rockstar. You play in one of the biggest bands in the country,” I continue. “You’ve worked hard to get where you are. He’s proud of you, Sam. I’m sure of it.”

A faint smile tugs at the corner of his lips. “You think so?”

“I know so,” I say, my voice soft but certain.

He doesn’t respond right away, but the tension in his shoulders seems to ease slightly.

“You’ll get a chance to meet him soon,” he says after a moment, his tone casual, but his eyes watch me cautiously.

I blink, caught off guard. “I will?”

“Yeah,” he says, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. “He’s expecting me to visit now that the Jacksonville performance is over. I told him I’d be down once the band is between tours.”

“You did?” I ask, my voice rising slightly in surprise.

“Maybe you’d like to go with me?” He offers, his expression steady. “If you’re up for it, we could drive down to the farm in a couple of weeks.”

The question hangs in the air, and I catch something vulnerable in his expression—a hint of the same uncertainty I'm feeling. This isn't just about meeting his father; it's about letting me into a part of his life he's kept private until now.

“I’d like that,” I say finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nods, his smile soft but genuine. “Good.”

For a moment, we just sit there, his hand holding mine, and I feel something shift between us—something deeper than attraction or obligation. There's still so much unsaid, so much to figure out, but right now, in this quiet moment, it feels like we're finally moving in the same direction.