Chapter 20
CHAPTER
TWENTY
Doc
“We’re gonna take out Karev and O’Malley,” I say as we approach the stables. At her raised brow, I grin. “Apparently, Issy was in the middle of a Grey’s Anatomy binge when both were born. They’re interns on the show.”
“I know, I’ve watched it as well. I need to catch up, though,” she replies. “Did I tell you how much I like that cowboy hat?”
“Several times, but I think my favorite was when you were bent over the side of the bed taking my cock like the good girl you are,” I tell her.
“Honestly? You in scrubs does it for me. When you’re dressed in your biker stuff, with your leather cut, your worn jeans, and your boots?
That does it for me too, honey. Finding out you’re also a cowboy at heart?
Well, you’re all of my book boyfriend fantasies rolled into one fine specimen of a man,” she states.
“I’m in a constant state of arousal when you’re by me, Doc, and that’s no lie. ”
“You’re not going to want me to bring this up, but the day we found you and I carried you out of that warehouse?
You never looked more beautiful to me, Gretchen.
I know what you think I saw, and yeah, it was hard to miss, but what I was actually seeing was a warrior, a survivor.
I love you, down to the marrow of my bones, baby.
You’re always going to do it for me, whether you’re naked, in a nightie, in your scrubs, or jeans and a T-shirt. ”
“Honey, I smelled like the bottom of a sewer that had been sitting out in the hot Texas sun,” she protests.
“No, you smelled like the woman who was thrown into the pits of Hell and came out a victor. You’re my kryptonite, sweetheart, and I’ll decimate the world to keep you safe and whole.”
“You have to stop being so sappy, Doc, because I want you again and there’s no place we can hide out for a little while.”
“I’ve got just the perfect spot,” I reply, leading her over to the ladder that goes up into the loft. “We may have to get creative, but we’re good at that.”
If a person can die from being sexually sated, then we’re both knocking on the door. As I help Gretchen clean up after our impromptu trip to the hayloft, it dawns on me that she hasn’t had a period.
“Sweetheart?”
“Hmm?” she replies. Her head is down as she slips her boots back on.
“I need you to look at me,” I instruct, which has her head snapping in my direction, a look of concern replacing the euphoric, sated expression she had just moments ago. “When was your last period?”
Her head tilts back and her eyes close as she tries to think about what I asked.
I suspect I already know the answer, but I’ll be confirming it as soon as possible.
Part of me wonders if we should still go riding, then I realize that if I’m correct, it’s still early enough to not be cause for concern.
“Doc?” she calls out, redirecting my focus. “It was the week before I was taken, so I’m definitely past late and entering into the I-probably-need-to-take-a-test phase. I told you if we kept playing with fire, we were gonna get burned.”
Shrugging I tug her close until she’s in my arms. Kissing her temple, I say, “And I told you that it wouldn’t be an issue. I’ve always wanted kids, and you’re mine, so I’m okay with it, Gretchen.”
“We can’t stay in the clubhouse, though, that’s not really appropriate to raise a baby,” she murmurs. “But I like being here surrounded by everyone.”
“I’ll talk with Rio and see if there are any available plots we can build a house on, sweetheart. For the time being, we can stay in my room at the clubhouse which will give us time to get it constructed,” I reply.
“Should we still go riding?” she asks, her hand reaching down to gently cup her stomach.
“We’re not going to be racing, the most we’ll be doing is a slow trot, so we should be just fine,” I tell her. “Both horses are spirited but gentle.”
“Then let’s go, cowboy, because I’m ready for another ride,” she teases.
We gallop through the property, and I show her where the rodeo is held, as well as the barns that house the bulls that the ranch studs out.
Issy’s quickly becoming known in the circuit for breeding stock that’s highly coveted.
Several are even gaining notoriety because no one has been able to last eight seconds.
“The property is beautiful,” she says as we head back to the stable. “A lot of forethought went into building this up into a viable business.”
“Paps was definitely ahead of his time. The ranch is so compartmentalized that many have no clue that it also has a motorcycle club living on the premises. Many of us started out as ranch hands, actually, and Paps asked us to prospect after seeing what we were capable of doing.”
“I wish I could have met him, he sounds like he was a great guy,” she replies as Luis grabs the reins of Karev so she can dismount.
“What, no help for me?” I tease, causing Luis to smirk as he leads Karev over to his stall. I know he’ll brush him down then make sure he has plenty of food and water to compensate for the ride.
“I think you’ve got it,” she says, walking over to me. “Can we go to the clinic?”
“That was gonna be our next stop,” I admit.
“I know you should take it first thing in the morning, but I suspect it’s not going to matter what time of the day you pee on the stick,” I say as I hand her a kit.
“Great, looks like we’re getting all the mystery out of the way,” she sasses as she walks to the employee bathroom.
When I attempt to follow her, a grin on my face, she throws her hand up and says, “No. Absolutely not. It’s bad enough if this is positive that somewhere down the road, you’ll be seeing my poor vajayjay stretched big enough to push through a small watermelon, you’re not watching me pee on a stick, Doc! ”
I burst out laughing as she slams the door in front of my face. Since that’s going to take a few minutes to process, I gather the supplies I need to draw some blood. So, when the door opens much sooner than I anticipated, I turn to see her standing there with a shocked look on her face.
“Gretchen? Baby, talk to me,” I urge as I stalk in her direction. Instead of answering, she shoves the stick, wrapped in a paper towel, at me. “Holy shit,” I murmur, looking at the two very solid blue lines. “We’re going to be parents, sweetheart.”
“I know,” she whispers as her hands cup her belly.
I immediately go into overprotective mode.
“I don’t want you to come back to work here, too many germs and the last thing you need is to get sick,” I command.
“You can do online continuing education to keep your license active and once the baby is born, you can decide then what you want to do. I bring in more than enough income that if you want to stay home, have babies, and make your sweet treats, you can do so. The choice is yours.”
“Is it really though?” she asks. “I mean, you just basically put your foot down about working here.”
“How do you think you’ll feel if you pick up a GI bug and have morning sickness on top of that?” I question. “Or, what if we get someone in here who is combative and you get hurt?”
“That happened one time, Doc!” she exclaims.
“Which is one time too many as far as I’m concerned,” I growl out. “Please, Gretchen, see it from my perspective. You’re my ol’ lady and it’s my privilege and duty to protect you and provide for you.”
She sighs and melts into my arms before saying, “Fine, fine. I’ll sit at the clubhouse and get fat carrying your baby.”
Grinning, I lean down and kiss her. “Somehow, I think you’ll find plenty to do to keep you occupied. Not only that, but you’re going to need your rest as well, since your body is still recuperating from your abduction.”
“Daily naps? Food made with love by Constance and Maria? Chats with Issy that always breed new ideas for me to try? Learning about babies from Livy? You’ve given me a dream I never thought I could attain, Hanson,” she says, tears in her eyes.
“All my life, I just wanted some close friends, someone who would love me no matter what, and the ability to use what I’ve learned to teach others.
You’ve given me that. You and the Kings. ”
“Whatever you want, whatever you need, if it’s in my power to give it to you, then that’s what I’m gonna do.
Now, let’s go ahead and draw your blood so I can make sure you’re as healthy as possible.
We’re going to need to find you a good obstetrician as well, baby.
In a pinch, I can deliver our baby, but I’d rather have someone who’s had the schooling necessary to handle any issues that might arise. ”
“So, so bossy,” she teases as she moves to sit on the table and extend her arm. “Go ahead, Sir Vampire, and take my blood,” she says in a horrible Dracula impression.
As I prepare her skin to draw the blood, I tell her, “You find a way to make me laugh every single day, did you know that?”
“I had no clue,” she admits, wincing slightly as the needle enters the vein. It doesn’t take long to fill two tubes which I’ve already labeled. I’ll put them in the temperature-controlled box along with the tests I want to run as they’ll pick it up first thing in the morning.
“Should have the results back in a few days. For now, let’s head back to the clubhouse. We need to share this good news with our family,” I say.
“Great, I’ll be wrapped in cotton wool and bubble wrap before the night is over,” she grumbles, which makes me laugh again.