Chapter 17
“Savage, I’m going to be sick!”
I ran from the bed and dashed into the bathroom just in the nick of time. My head was over the toilet as Savage came into the doorway, bare-chested, and well-rested.
When I was sure I wouldn’t throw up again, I flushed the toilet and rose. Glaring at him, I went to the sink and brushed my teeth.
“You weren’t supposed to see that,” I said.
“I’m going to see it all,” he said quietly. “Every moment. I’m not missing anything.”
Tears gathered in my eyes, but I turned away from him to hide. But darn the man, he saw anyway and pulled me to him.
“Better?” he asked when the storm of my emotions had passed.
“Yeah.” I sniffed.
He took my hand and led me out of the bathroom and into the kitchen. “Sit.” He pointed to a stool.
I sat.
Savage went to the front door and opened it. He turned back to me and closed the door, a paper bag in one hand and a pastry box in the other.
“What’s that?” I asked in confusion.
“I texted a prospect to pick you up some things.”
“You’ve mentioned prospects before, but you never explained what they are.”
“Prospects are club bitches. They gotta prove themselves before they patch in. They’re at our beck and call. I texted Roads this morning before you were even awake to bring me what I wanted. Wasn’t gonna wake you when you were wrapped around me, humping my leg.”
“Humping your—are you kidding?”
He grinned. “No. Let me show you what I got you. Or what Roads got you.” He opened the pastry box and held it out to me. “Home-made croissants from Pie in the Sky which will be easy on your belly. And pickles.”
“I’ve heard of weird pregnancy cravings, but pickles first thing in the morning is a little too much for me.”
“The croissants are for you. The pickle juice is for the baby. It’s good for hydration.”
I shook my head.
He nodded. “You get a croissant and then you’re taking a shot of pickle juice. Willa swears by it.”
“Willa?” I asked in confusion. “Waverly’s sister?”
“Yes.”
“She’s got a baby?”
“She’s still pregnant. Third trimester. She’s making Duke’s life hell. Come on, babe. Eat the croissant, you’ll feel better.”
I took a croissant and tore a piece off. It melted in my mouth. I hummed with pleasure.
Savage’s gaze heated. “If you keep making those kinds of noises, I’m not going to be able to keep my hands off you. And we’ve got an appointment to get to.”
“Appointment?” I asked after I swallowed.
“Doctor’s appointment,” he clarified. “Doc was able to squeeze you in this morning before work.”
“Oh.”
Savage unscrewed the pickle jar. I could smell the vinegar immediately and my nose wrinkled. He got me a glass and poured a shot’s worth into it.
“Plug your nose,” he suggested as he inched it toward me.
With a sigh, I picked it up. I lifted it in a silent cheer. “Bottom’s up.”
We sat in the waiting room of the clinic. I bounced my knee in nervous agitation. Savage placed a hand on my thigh and gave it a squeeze.
“You’ve got nothing to be worried about,” Savage stated. “Doc’s great. You’ll like her.”
“I don’t have much experience with doctors,” I admitted.
“What about when you were a kid and got sick?” he asked.
“My family prayed over my bedside if I got sick. If I broke a bone . . . well, let’s just say you didn’t want to break a bone.”
Savage looked at me like he wanted to ask more questions—but thankfully, a woman in a white lab coat and cropped blonde hair strode into the waiting room.
“Savage,” she greeted with a wide smile.
“Doc.” Savage stood up, and I followed suit. “This is Evie.”
“Evie.” Doc smiled and turned a shrewd blue gaze to me. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too,” I murmured.
“Shall we?” Doc gestured to the hallway. “Savage, we’ll see you after?—”
“No,” I interrupted. “He’s coming with me.”
“Oh. Okay. That’s your choice. Let’s get you and the baby checked out,” Doc said, once again gesturing to the hallway.
Nodding, I walked a pace behind her with my hand clasped in Savage’s. We arrived at the end of the hallway, and she pushed open the door, gesturing for us to go in first. She closed the door behind her.
“Sit,” Doc said, patting the exam table.
Savage let go of my hand and I scrambled up onto the padded table, the crisp white paper crinkling under my bottom.
“Savage said this is your first prenatal visit.” Doc picked up the tablet.
“Yeah.”
“I’m gonna ask you some questions and then I’ll do an ultrasound, but you might not be far enough along to see anything yet. Okay?”
I nodded.
“What was the date of your last period?” she asked.
I thought for a moment. “I don’t remember exactly.”
“Best guess?”
I gave her an answer, glancing at Savage. He shot me a smile and I relaxed.
She had me step on a scale, take a urine test, asked about my medical history, and if I was allergic to any medications. I was ashamed that I didn’t have a lot of information, but Doc wasn’t judgmental, and Savage had been correct about her bedside manner.
“Now for the not-so-fun part,” Doc said. “I’d like to do a pelvic exam. Perhaps Savage should wait in the?—”
“He’s staying,” I interrupted.
Doc nodded, her expression blank.
I shucked out of my jeans and tank before putting on the dressing gown. Then I took off my underwear and shoved them into the leg of my jeans.
After I climbed back up onto the exam table and placed my legs in the stirrups, I looked at Savage.
He came to stand beside me and took my hand and gave it a squeeze. He immediately calmed the nerves in my belly.
Thankfully, Doc’s touch was gentle, and it was over quickly.
She stripped off her gloves and set them on the silver tray. The tablet device on the counter beeped. Doc picked it up and pressed the screen, her expression not changing.
Doc looked at me and smiled. “Now for the sonogram. Because you’re so early, I have to do a transvaginal ultrasound to get the best results. Hopefully we’ll get lucky and be able to see your little peanut.”
“Okay.”
Doc glanced at Savage. “I’m guessing you’re staying for this part, too?”
“Yep,” he replied, his hand still clutching mine.
She maneuvered the sonogram machine close to the exam table. She fiddled with a few knobs, put on another pair of gloves, and then gently inserted the wand.
A moment later, I heard a whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, like a galloping horse .
Doc smiled. “Well, look at that. We got lucky. That’s your?—”
She suddenly stopped talking and her brow furrowed.
“What?” I asked, panic rising in my throat. “What is it? Is everything okay?”
Doc peered at the screen and moved the wand. Then she looked back at me with a wide smile. “Everything is perfect. But actually, I think you’re further along than we thought. The gestational sacs are bigger than they’d be at five weeks.”
“Wait, did you say sacs ?” Savage asked. “As in more than one?”
“I did indeed,” Doc said. “Your urine test came back with high hCG levels. I wanted to wait to confirm with a sonogram before I said anything, but I was right.”
“Right? Right about what?” I asked.
“Congratulations, Evie. You’re having twins.”