Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Marie
It’s a beautiful day, and I sigh as a cool breeze helps even out the temperature. I’m slowly waking up from a nap outside on the balcony, and the ocean stretches out in front of me as I lay on the rope hammock that suspends over it.
Since we couldn’t get away when we picked up my motorcycle the first time, Lore explained he wanted to surprise us with a babymoon. We’ve been hiking, seen waterfalls, and snorkeled over the reef. Belize is magical.
There’s a huge sun shield over my head that’s retractable, and is currently protecting me from getting sunburned.
It’s almost four in the afternoon, which is when I usually find myself waking up from my naps.
My first trimester killed my energy levels, and it doesn’t look like the second one will be any better.
I don’t care though, because I know it’ll be worth it.
I have a small baby bump now, and I hold my hand over it as I feel flutters with a smile.
I left my phone in Minneapolis, along with all of the heartache my brother gives me.
I can’t get stressed out about him because it’ll mess with the baby’s health.
I feel a little badly about electrocuting him until he passed out. Arsenal doesn’t fucking play about his toys, and the baton is powerful. Oh well. I know two wrongs don’t make a right, but Tommy has strangled me before. A little electrocution is exactly what he deserves.
My pack’s back tattoos are all completed, and they did end up adding the butterflies, which I love. Seeing these big, bad bikers with their watercolor mate tattoo will never fail to make me smile.
Breathing in the scent of salty air, I sit up and force myself to shake off the last vestiges of sleep.
The slider opens behind me and I can hear Ransom’s footsteps.
He is really enjoying our vacation and the new scenery for his runs.
He even dragged Storm and Wilder out for a sunrise run on the beach.
They said they only went so they could take photos for me, since my internal clock is refusing to wake up before the sunrise this trip.
“Hey, Sugar,” Ransom says, bouncing my body gently as he scoots out on the water hammock to sit next to me. We sit lower with his body weight, and I can see the shapes of fish as they swim below me. “It’s going to be rough going home to snow tomorrow.”
“I know,” I groan, turning to lay my head on his chest. “The weather has been incredible here. Are we going to dinner soon?”
“Mmhmm. Storm has reservations to eat on the beach,” he says. “We figured we’d soak up every last drop of the sunlight that we can.”
“Good,” I sigh, enjoying the massage Ransom is giving me.
“I scheduled a massage for us before we fly back, but it’s at eight in the morning. Think you can get up for that?” he teases.
“I don’t have to be fully awake for a massage,” I giggle. “Carry me out?”
“You got it,” he chuckles. “Being spoiled looks really fucking good on you, Sugar.”
“Mmm,” I moan. “I really love it.”
“Good, because we’re never stopping,” Lore says from where he’s sprawled out on a chair. “You were a good girl, do you deserve an orgasm in the rain shower?”
Grinning, I turn to look up at him. He’s wearing nothing at all, a side effect of being in a private room without any neighbors on the resort all week.
“I think I always deserve orgasms,” I say. “Do we have time?”
“Why do you think I came out here?” Ransom teases me.
“Before we get that shower together, I want to talk about something,” Lore rumbles.
“You may have heard the guys and I talk about our less than stellar beginning with Marie. I’ve thought about telling you about it, Ransom, but I don’t think I should.
We have settled things with her, and bringing it up doesn’t feel… ”
“As if it’ll help things?” Ransom asks. “I get that. I can feel how much Marie loves you all. I don’t need to know anything else.”
Leaning up, I kiss my alpha, knowing he and Lore are right. Bringing up the past will just fuck things up. Some sleeping dogs just need to be left to lie.
The bond sickness is still going strong, but none of us mind that it means I have Lore nearby at all times. It keeps me safe, and the guys all figure out how to spend time alone with me.
My skin feels warm from the nap, a cool shower and orgasms sound fucking perfect.
“Yes, please. Looks like a two for one special on alphas,” I say happily.
I love my alphas, and I try to tell them as often as possible. Oh yes, this little life of mine is crafted just for me.
Four months later
I’m officially waddling.
“Marie, I have to handle something at the clubhouse. It means hanging out there for a few hours while I have church. Are you up for it?” Lore asks, squatting next to me with concern.
I’m only six weeks out from my due date, and it’s making me a little grumpy.
We decided not to find out the sex of the baby, and the little gremlin enjoys pretending they’re a gymnast inside my body.
Their little hand is currently pushing on my stomach, and I wince as I rub the area, reminding them that their mama is a person and to be nice.
“That means you won’t have anyone at the gate, right?” I ask, trying to decide on an outfit to wear.
I’m currently a fan of loose dresses since it’s hot in Minnesota in July. Pants aren’t an option because I hate how the maternity band pinches my skin. I’ve become really sensitive to materials as well, and only have a few safe options that don’t make me want to claw my skin off.
I have a loose linen dress I may go with if I’m going to need to wear my guns. I have one holster that doesn’t irritate me at the moment, so Storm had a few more made. Being a pregnant omega increases all the usual bullshit I have, but my alphas haven’t once complained.
If I want ice cream for breakfast, then that’s what I’ll have. Unfortunately, it’s a very specific brand, but the ice cream store has pints to go that my pack makes sure are always in the freezer. That’s how you become your omega’s hero.
“We actually have a new prospect,” Storm says, crossing the living room to help me up. “He’s a college kid and my eyes and ears in Minneapolis when I need it. We don’t need him for much yet, and his low profile currently works for us.”
“As a prospect, he’s not allowed at church, which means he’ll be at the gate,” Lore explains. “He’s aware you’ll be at the clubhouse today.”
“I don’t need to be babysat,” I groan. “I’m just trying to figure out how many weapons my dress needs to hide.”
I’m currently wearing a low back house dress that would get people shot if I left the house in it. I’m pretty sure you can see my ass crack, but since we don’t have visitors, it doesn’t matter.
Storm started a project in the basement that made me hide in my nest for a month once we got back from Belize.
I’m pretty sure he threw extra money at the contractors to get the safe room built in record time.
I don’t think the damn thing is necessary, but if it gives me time to hide with the baby if anything ever happens, I’ll accept it as law.
Storm promised it was just in case we ever had a home invasion. If I have to get the baby and I to safety, I can do so quickly, not because he’s expecting trouble. We live in a very safe area, but I suppose anything is possible.
“Two guns, your baton, and a knife,” Ransom suggests, holding up my dress and a bra. “Don’t bother with the stairs, Sugar. I have everything you need here.”
“You’re the best,” I say, already breathless at the thought of climbing stairs.
“I have your holsters,” Wilder adds, groaning as I slip the straps off my shoulders. The dress falls to my feet, and I smirk as I walk over to Ransom to collect my clothes.
“Fuck, I forgot panties,” Ransom whimpers.
“No, you didn’t,” Lore grins. “Now all I’ll be able to think about is that you’re walking around commando, Princess.”
“Maybe you all won’t argue like toddlers then and finish early,” I tease him, squealing when he swats my ass.
“Finally, I’m not the one being spanked this time,” Ransom grumbles.
“You decided to add on an extra two months of clinicals,” Lore reminds him.
See? Toddlers.
“I'm finished now. My asshole is so stretched from wearing that plug in the ambulance, I could take a football team running a train on me and not bat an eye,” Ransom grunts.
“Well that’s never going to happen, so I suppose your hole is safe,” Storm snorts. “It’s been awhile since we’ve done that though…”
“Has it been seven months already?” I ask helpfully, hiding a smile as I put my weapons in my holsters. If I don’t hurry, they’ll pick me up and carry me out of here before I’m ready. “Ugh, I have to brush my hair.”
“I know,” Ransom says, pulling my brush out of his back pocket.
“It’s the Mary Poppins of the Knotty Anarchist club,” Storm chuckles. “The storage compartments of your motorcycle are just as bad.”
“I can’t wait to ride again,” I admit, taking the brush to begin detangling my hair.
“Soon you’ll be able to ride on your own,” Lore says. “Ryder is holding onto your bike for a couple more weeks and then driving it out to us.”
“You said he never leaves the Black Hills, right?” I ask, standing in front of the mirror to begin fixing my hair into a top knot. It’ll keep my hair off my neck, and I’ll be able to resist the urge to cut it.
I know it’s only hormones that are making me crave a big chop. I’ll probably hate it if I actually go through with it.
Being a girl isn’t for the weak.
“It’s very rare,” Lore says, sounding odd.
Turning, I drop my hands from my hair to make sure the French pin is secure. “Lore Monroe, please tell me you didn’t tell him Hastings is here.”
“I swear I didn’t,” he says, raising his hands. “It’s been killing me though, and he may be able to tell.”
“Argh. You’re the President of this chapter!” I yell. “Your poker face is fucking impenetrable, you pretended to be dead for months, and you can’t keep this from Ryder? Come on, man!”