Chapter 18
I blinked. “ Twins ?”
“Yes.”
“Twins?” Savage echoed.
“I can’t be having twins,” I protested.
“But you are.” Doc pointed to the screen. “See these two little peanut-looking shapes here? Those are your babies.”
Babies. As in more than one.
“ Doc ,” hysteria rose in my voice, “I was just starting to wrap my head around the idea of having one baby. But two?”
“Twins?” Savage asked again.
“Yes,” Doc said patiently, her gaze bouncing from me to Savage and back to me as she gently removed the sonogram wand. “Look, I know this is scary. It’s scary even when you think you’re ready for it.”
“How would you know?” I snapped, sitting up.
“Because even though I’m married with a stable career, a supportive husband, and a large friend group, I’m still fucking terrified,” she said easily.
She set the probe down and then removed her gloves.
My eyes widened in surprise. “You’re pregnant?”
“Yes. I’m pregnant,” she admitted with a laugh. “Doctor’s coat hides a lot. I’m not even sure I have the maternal gene, but I’m hoping it kicks in at some point. Look, you’re never really going to be ready for this. But you’re not alone.”
She glanced at Savage, and I followed her gaze. He looked completely shell-shocked.
“Savage?” Doc asked.
“Hmm?”
“Sit,” she commanded. “Before you faint.”
“I’m not going to faint,” he said, even though he looked like he was in danger of doing exactly that. He dropped my hand and went to the chair by the wall and collapsed into it.
“You have a support system,” Doc said, addressing me again. “I know we just met, but this clinic is here for you now from this day forward. We just opened up a mother and child wellness center, so the timing is perfect for you. We offer free childbirth classes. One is starting soon and runs eight weeks long. Boxer and I are actually going to take it. So, if you decide to attend there will be at least one familiar face when you show up.”
“Why are you being so nice?” I asked with a sniff, feeling tears cloud my eyes.
“Because I want to help. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.” Doc smiled. “It’s okay to be scared, but you’re going to be fine. I have faith in you.”
“How can you have faith in me? You don’t even know me.”
“Savage cares for you,” Doc said slowly. “That’s all I need to know.”
“Babies,” I repeated. “Gadzooks.”
She nodded and laughed. “Gadzooks, indeed.” Doc patted my shoulder. “You two take a moment. Get dressed. I’ll be outside when you’re ready.”
“Okay.”
I sat on the exam table, my mind a swirling mess of disbelief. Time ceased to exist.
Savage started to laugh.
I whipped my head around, my gaze widening in shock. He was bent over in half, his shoulders shaking with mirth. When he finally sat up, he wiped the tears from his eyes.
“You’re a jerk,” I snapped. “I can’t believe I fell in love with such a jerk. ”
That only seemed to make him laugh harder.
I hopped off the exam table and stalked toward him.
“You’re a heathen! ”
He placed his hands on my shoulders and tugged me to him.
I wasn’t sure what to do, so I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tight.
Savage finally calmed down and rested his chin on my head. “You know what this means, don’t you?”
“That I’m never going to see you again?”
“Such dark humor in one so young,” he joked. He pulled back so he could stare down at me. “No, it just means we’ll have two kids we can teach to be menaces instead of one.”
My smile was watery. “I don’t think they’ll need help with that. I think they’ll be able to do it all on their own.”
He leaned down and kissed my lips. “It’ll be okay. Trust me, it’s all going to be okay.”
I sighed.
Savage released me and I dressed quickly. He opened the exam room door, and we walked down the hallway. Doc was talking to the receptionist at the desk.
She shot me a smile, her gaze darting between me and Savage. “Everything okay?”
I nodded. “Yeah. Everything’s good.”
Doc nodded. She slid a red folder across the counter to me. “Some reading material, my recommended brands of prenatal vitamins, and the baby class schedule. Oh, and of course your first sonogram photo is in there from today.”
I opened the folder and sticking out of a pocket was a black and white picture. I slid it out and looked at it. The shock of the news still hadn’t worn off. I quickly tucked it away and closed the folder and put it in my large shoulder bag.
“Thank you,” I said. “For everything.”
“Absolutely.” Doc smiled. “Sandy can get you scheduled for your next appointment. I’ll see you at class, yeah?”
“You will, yeah,” Savage said.
Doc studied Savage for a moment and then she pushed away from the counter and disappeared down the hallway.
Sandy booked our next appointment, and Savage added it to his phone calendar. Smiling, I took his hand as we headed outside.
“So, this baby class . . .” Savage said as he opened the passenger door for me.
I hoisted myself up and set my purse onto my lap. “Yeah?”
He closed the door and headed to the driver’s side. Once he got in and settled, he picked up the thread of conversation. “Willa and Duke took one.”
“Yeah? What are they exactly?”
“To get new parents familiar with newborns, changing diapers, how to bathe a baby properly. Should be fun,” he said.
“Oh yeah?” I asked with a smile.
He glanced at me and grinned. “Everything’s fun with you.”
I bit my lip as I pondered.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Can I ask you something?” I asked.
“Sure.”
“Why was Doc so surprised that I wanted you at the appointment? It was like she didn’t know we were together.”
He sighed. “She didn’t know we were together. She does now, though.”
“Wait, are you hiding me?” I demanded. “I’m not really your Old Lady, am I?”
“Yes, you are,” he stated emphatically. “But you’ve got to understand . . . I haven’t talked to the club about it yet.”
“Talk to the club, what does that mean?”
“It means when a brother wants to make a woman his Old Lady, they discuss it in Church. That’s what we call our meetings.”
“But why?” I asked in confusion. “Our relationship is about you and me. No one else.”
“You know how I told you being an Old Lady is more than just being a wife? If something were to happen to me . . . the club would take care of you. You and the baby—fuck, babies . You get a family when you become an Old Lady. So that’s why brothers talk about it in Church. It’s a commitment from dozens of people to care for you for the rest of your life, so it’s very much their business.”
“Oh.” I nibbled my lip. “And you haven’t talked about it in Church yet. Why not? You sure you’re not waiting for?—”
“Willa and Duke are my best friends. We’ve been friends since we were kids, long before the club was ever in the picture. I want you to meet them first before I take it to Church.”
“I see.”
“That’ll happen soon. But I . . .”
“What?” I demanded.
He grinned at me. “Want you to myself for just a little while longer.”