17. WREN
My dream world fades as I slowly wake up. I stretch out my arms and legs and groan at the delightful ache I feel between my thighs. Last night plays around in my head on repeat. I was so nervous about telling the guys I love them. It sounds ridiculous since I’ve already told one of them, but tell them all how I really feel, just felt even more real. What if I told them and this was all a joke? Or a week or two from now, they will get tired of me? But I had to pull up my big girl panties and tell them because tomorrow is never promised. Plus, the way they touched me last night told me more than they needed to say. They have always been pretty good at expressing themselves through my body, and my body doesn’t mind at all.
I reach to the side of me, expecting to feel a warm body, but all I feel is cool sheets. I frown at that because one of my men is always still in bed with me until I wake up. Listening for movement in the bathroom or down the hall, I hear nothing. My frown deepens as I push myself to a sitting position. My feet hover over the carpeted floor for a second until I scoot further to the edge. I almost jumped out of my skin when, instead of the soft plush carpet, my feet hit rough fur. I nearly tumbled off the bed but caught myself at the last second. Ares pops up and starts rubbing his body against my legs, making me giggle.
“Ares, you almost gave me a heart attack. Next, just climb bed with me if they leave.” Once again, proving how smart he is, Ares jumps up on the bed and makes himself comfortable. I shake my head at the silly dog. I swear he understands everything I say.
I shuffle my feet into the fuzzy slippers on the floor. Someone always leaves me a pair in the morning. My guess is Jax, but there’s no telling with these men sometimes. Standing, I take a step toward the bedroom door when the overwhelming urge to vomit hits again. My hand rushes to cover my mouth as I make an immediate U-turn and head for the bathroom instead. The bathroom door slams open with a push, but I barely flinch at the loud sound before I’m rushing to my knee and throwing up. It’s not surprising that barely anything comes up since it’s early morning and I haven’t eaten since dinner last night, but my stomach continues to contract. The painful waves of nausea last for about five minutes before I realize, I’m not alone. Fuck.
“Wren, we’re going to the hospital.” Xander demands as I slump back against the bathtub after wiping my mouth and flushing.
“Xander, I’m fine. It’s a stomach bug. That’s all. I’m sure you’ve been sick before.” The click-clack of nails sounds a second before Ares’ big fluffy head drops into my lap.
“Ares! Get off of her.” Xander’s tone is serious, making me roll my eyes. Not that he notices.
“Don’t yell at him. He’s just doing his job and trying to make me feel better. Now, can you help me up?” Xander wraps his large hand around my biceps before pulling me to my feet. Ares lets out a huff before pressing his body against my legs for support.
“Wren. We’ve been throwing up off and on for over the last two weeks. I don’t think it’s just a stomach bug. What if something serious like a stomach problem? I’m not a doctor and neither are you, so you can’t just keep saying it’s a stomach bug.” I let out a deep breath as he leads me back into the bedroom. Is it possible to love and hate how overprotective someone is of you?
“Can I think about it? I have a lot to do at the shop today and honestly, I feel better already. I’ll get dressed and meet you downstairs in a few minutes.” He pauses us by the bed, so I turn into his body, lift up on my tiptoes, reach for his face and land a big ole kiss on his lips. “I know you care, but I promise you I’m fine. I would tell you if I thought it was something serious. So please give me a few minutes to think about it. Also, could you pretty please ask Marie to make those banana chocolate chip pancakes? Those sound so good right now.” Xander lets out an inaudible sigh before grabbing my cheeks and kissing me with passion back.
“Tell me again.”
“I love you Xander.”
“I love you too, Little Bird. You have ten minutes.” A quick smack to my ass and he’s gone. The quiet click of the door closing is all I hear before I’m alone with my thoughts.
After a minute of really thinking about it, I decide Xander might have a point. The only symptom I have is the random nausea and rushing to the bathroom to puke. No fever, chills, cough, runny nose.
Quickly dressing in whatever outfit Abby left out for me, I slip on my tennis shoes. The outfit feels casual, soft leggings and a baggy t-shirt. Once again, I thank whichever gods sent this woman to me because I swear some days, she just knows what I need and after yesterday’s events, and excitement, I really just need a laid-back day.
“Alright Ares, you ready to face the wolves? I have a feeling the guys are going to want me to stay home again.” Another doggy huff and we are out.
We make our way down the stairs. Ares’s pressed close as we descend. The smell of sweet treats cooking fills my senses as I make my way to the kitchen. I’m practically drooling at the thought of these pancakes. I speed up just a bit in my excitement and realize it was the wrong move as I stumble over my own feet, sending myself flying forwards. There’s nothing I can do but brace for impact until arms wrap around me and pull me up to hit a hard chest instead of the hard wall or floor I was aiming for.
“Woah there, Princess. What’s the hurry?” Jax’s deep voice fills my ears, and I blush before answering.
“Pancakes?” I say shyly, making him chuckle.
“I see, and here I thought you might be excited to see me.” My blush darkens.
“I mean, I am, but pancakes are life.” This time I say the words with all the seriousness I can muster, which isn’t much. Jax lets out a really deep laugh this time before kissing the top of my head.
“Fair enough. Well, let’s get you there in one piece, then.” I grin up at him as he leads me the rest of the way into the kitchen and to the breakfast nook I like to sit at. Other voices follow in after us and I hear the tail end of the conversations.
“…go to the hospital, and she should also stay home until we get the bastard.” This is said from which makes me scowl. He would be the one who wants me to stay home. I understand his concern and I have my own concerns about leaving the house, but staying hidden only proves to Adrian, he wins. He wants me to be scared of my own shadow. Metaphorically now.
“I understand, but she should get a choice t-.” Maverick’s words cut off, probably because he noticed me, but I liked the things he was saying.
“Please continue.” I say, waiting patiently for my food and also trying not to yell at them for talking about my life behind my back again.
“Wren, we are worried about you, that’s all.” Maverick continues coming up to me and kissing the top of my head.
My shoulders slump a little. Me being defensive won’t solve anything, plus I’ve already decided to get checked out.
Letting out a huff, I tell them just that. “Fine. I’ll go see Doc. I trust him, but you all can’t come.” A chorus of what’s, and no’s sound before the click of a plate being set down in front of me catches my attention. “Thank you, Marie, you’re the best.” Feeling around the counter, I find my fork and quickly dig in. The first bit is heavenly as the chocolate and banana melts in my mouth.
“Little Bird, someone needs to go with you.” Xander exclaims, and I smile wide as I hear just the person I was thinking about entering the room.
“Are those banana chocolate chip pancakes? Yumm.” Abby’s sunshine filled voice sounds and I look in her direction.
“Abby can go with me, and after, I plan to go to work.” I hold up a hold to stop any rebuts. “No, if and or buts about it. You can wait outside the appointment or meet us at the shop, but I’m going.” I aggressively shove another bite of pancake in my mouth, proving how serious I am.
Before any more arguing can be done, cell phones go off around the room. I hear at least three, so I’m guessing it’s my men’s. I frown as all three answer their phones. All three talk at the same time, making it hard to understand any one conversation, but I get snippets. Fire. Warehouse. Sighting.
After another minute, the conversations go quiet. “What’s wrong? What happened?” I call out. They are probably having a staring conversation with each other, but I’m not stupid. I know this has something to do with Adrian.
“Wren, we have to go. It seems we didn’t have to wait long for that asshole to retaliate. We will explain more later. I’ll call Doc and let him know you’re on your way. Jax, get a few extra men to escort the women to Doc and her shop.” I’m suddenly spun around in my chair, and I am facing a hard chest. “Little Bird, listen closely. You are to go straight to Doc’s to get checked out. Call us with what he says. Then straight to the shop, no leaving. Listen to my men. One of us will pick you up at the shop as soon as we can. Okay?” Worry races through my body, but I force myself not to show it. Whatever is going on, they don’t need to worry about me. They need to focus.
“Okay. Doc’s shop, then wait for you.” I repeat, knowing Xander needs me to tell him I understand the plan. “If anything happens, listen to our men.” I add, so he knows I’ll do just that.
“We will see you soon, Little Bird. I love you.” Xander kisses me fiercely before he steps away, and Jax steps up.
“Be good Princess.” His kiss is demanding, but filled with so much need. “Love you, baby.” Then he too is gone before my final lover steps up.
“Angel, use your sixth sense. If you feel like something is off, call us.” I give him a small nod. “I love you, Angel.” Maverick’s kiss is soft and gentle and leaves me wanting more, and he pulls away as well. “Abby, keep an eye on her.”
“Aye aye captain.” I shake my head at Abby as I listen to three sets of footsteps leading away from the kitchen. “Wonder what that was all about?” She asks after a moment of silence.
“No idea.” I tell her, but I have this sudden overwhelming feeling that this day is not going to go as planned.
After the guys abruptly left, Abby and I quickly finished breakfast and got ready to head to Doc’s. The guys had an additional four men follow us in a separate vehicle. So me, Abby, Ares and two guards in the SUV and four others in a second SUV driving behind us. I think it’s a bit of overkill, but I appreciate the sentiment.
It doesn’t take long to get to Doc’s office. I’m barely stepping my foot through the front door before I’m being led back to a room. The guards went to follow me, but Abby put a stop to that real quick.
“I’m pretty sure if the boss man found out you saw her naked, they might cut out your eyes.” I’m pretty sure she thought it was a joke to say that but I think Jax might actually do it and the guys must have thought so too because they waited just outside the exam room instead.
The nurse has me change into a grown before collecting blood and urine, then checks me, my temperature, blood pressure and all that routine stuff nurses prepare for. It feels like an hour of wait before Doc knocks. “It’s me, Miss Wren.”
“Come in.” I call, fidgeting with nerves now that Doc is actually going to examine me.
“Sorry it took so long, Dear. I had a few tests run before I came in. Xander told me a few of your symptoms, and I had a hunch.” I’m not sure if that makes me feel better or worse. “But before we get to that, how have you been, sweetheart? I see you’ve made a new friend.”
“Hi, I’m Abby, Wren’s personal assistant, and this is Ares, her other personal assistant.” I giggle at Abby’s definition of Ares and herself.
“Yes, well, they sort of found me. How have you been, Doc? I haven’t seen you in a while. Which, I suppose, is a good thing.” I tell him, but he lets out a nervous chuckle.
“Well, I’ve been good and yes, it has been a while, but I suppose I’ll be seeing you more often now.” I frown at that. Why would he need to see me more often unless something is wrong? Xander was right. Something is seriously wrong. “Wren, you’re pregnant.”