CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Six months later
– LINA –
“So, us going dress shopping for tonight’s party is actually a cover for going to the drugstore to buy a pregnancy test?” Norie asks, eyes wide.
I quickly glance around to make sure no one heard her. “Shush. And yes, I might be freaking out over nothing and want to make sure I’m not going nuts.”
Norie crosses her arms over her chest and tilts her head.
“Explain. Why would you freak out when I clearly overheard you two whispering about kids by popping them out of your vajayjay, or letting them hop into your arms another way? I know for a fact Heart would buy tampons if you need ’em.
So, buying a pregnancy test won’t make him blink twice.
The man has no shame or limits when it comes to you. ”
My chest warms when I hear Norie talk this way about my old man.
It’s true. Heart has no shame or limitations when it comes to me.
Even if he sometimes likes to smack my ass and looks pissed off, but then simply fucks me hard until we both feel better.
Arguments and disagreements are a part of growing, just like discussions and doing things together.
It doesn’t matter how long we’ve been together.
It matters how you feel in a relationship.
Heart has shown me his true self from the start.
The moment he gave me a knife, even after Karev specifically told him not to, showed me he wanted to see the real me as well.
And when he did? He didn’t hold back but claimed me without a second thought.
Norie keeps staring at me and I know she’s waiting for an answer. She’s been a true friend from the start. A real one, and not the way Rob sneaked his way into my life for his own benefit.
Which is why I throw out my insecurities on a whisper, “I don’t know if I’m pregnant or how to deal with the mere thought.
All my life I’ve believed it wasn’t possible.
Karev mentioned it was a birth defect. When I was born I got stuck in the birth canal and suffered excessive pressure on my belly and neck.
He said I was dead when I came into the world. ”
Norie’s eyes start to water and I reach out to grab her hand and give a little squeeze.
“Remember, I’m here now and dealt with some shitty things growing up, but it led me to where I am now.
I’ve never taken life for granted and it’s due to everything I experienced I damn well know shit can blow up in my face at any given moment.
No relationships was for my own protection.
Not being able to get pregnant is due to my period which I only have twice a year and I should have had my period by now.
No relationship is off the table with all of you guys welcoming me with open arms and showing me the warmth and dedication true relationships can hold. ”
Norie covers my hand with hers. “And now you’re freaking out about the other limitation in your life that might be proven wrong. I get it. But, sweetie...dogs go in heat twice a year as well and still throw out a whole litter in one go.”
“I’m not a dog,” I tell her with a chuckle.
She giggles. “Not the point I was trying to make. I meant to say that no one’s body functions the same as someone else’s.
Take me for example. I can hold my breath longer than anyone else in the clubhouse.
Weird? Maybe. It’s just something I can do and thank fuck because I wouldn’t be standing here if I couldn’t. ”
I bob my head, remembering what she told me a few weeks ago. One of the members betrayed the club and tried to drown Norie. Thank fuck Sevrin found her in time in the lake.
“Come on.” Norie tugs my hand. “Let’s grab a pregnancy test and find a restroom so we can go from there, okay?”
My nerves are all over the place and my heart is racing by the time I’ve peed on a stick. I place it on the counter of the bathroom of the diner we went to after we bought the pregnancy test.
“I don’t want to check,” I grumble.
Strangely enough I’ve been getting my hopes up between spilling my guts to Norie and standing right here.
What if I am pregnant? Another limitation in my life obliterated.
Having your dreams realized, or at least experiencing good things always comes with a truckload of bad shit.
At least, that’s what my life has felt like.
Balance. Good and bad. While it seemed the bad outweighed the good for a long damn time...can it be possible for my life to take a turn? It sure feels like it ever since I met Heart.
Norie reaches for the pregnancy test and a huge smile slides across her face. “Nothing wrong with you, hun. Or Heart has some series super sperm because you missy, are pregnant.”
I gasp and snatch the pregnancy test out of her hand to see it with my own eyes.
“I’m pregnant,” I croak.
“Yup. Knocked up. Bun in the oven. Baking a mini Heart. Multiplying love spawn. Creating...”
I point the pregnancy test in her face. “I get it.”
“Yeah.” Norie grins. “You sure did get something. Congratulations. I’m so freaking happy for you.
And thanks, friend. For taking the test run.
I’m going to stick on you like glue to see how you handle it all.
Sometime in the future Fatal and I would like a family of our own.
Though, not right now...too much going on and we’re enjoying our time together.
So, I’m going to be enjoying the hell out of how you two will experience everything.
I missed lots with my first cousin, but with you being my friend and all... ”
“Front row seat.” I grin, happy to know I’m not alone anymore.
Norie smiles. “Come on. We’re going to get something to eat and chat for a bit. Then you need to get your ass home and tell your husband he’s gonna be a daddy.”
Pure happiness flows through my veins as we walk to the booth. Pregnant. I can’t believe it.
“Is it okay if I message Fatal? He could bring Heart along so we could eat together,” Norie asks, phone in hand.
Figuring Norie already knows and Heart will probably tell Fatal the first chance he gets, I nod. She fires off a message while I order a strawberry milkshake for both of us. I tell the waitress we’re waiting for our men to order and she gives me a smile and walks away.
I’m slurping the last sip of my milkshake when Heart and Fatal walk inside the diner. My heart skips a beat at the sight of my husband. Six months ago, we got married at the courthouse with Fatal and Norie as our witnesses.
Which is also why we’re having an extra celebration tonight at the clubhouse.
We’re hosting a barbecue and some of the members of different chapters are also coming.
Sevrin with his old lady, and hopefully my half-brother will show up too.
He’s been through a lot, and our contact has only been limited.
He talked to Heart a few times and he assured me he’s fine and that he’ll come by as soon as he can.
I don’t want to get my hopes up, but at least I know he’s okay.
“What’s worrying you?” Heart asks as soon as he slides into the booth next to me.
This man. I can’t hide anything from him.
“I was just worrying about Karev,” I admit.
He reaches out to grab the back of my neck and pulls me close for a kiss. Closing my eyes, I sink into him and relish in the warmth this man can spread throughout my body.
Someone clears a throat and Heart slowly pulls away to murmur, “Karev messaged to tell me he’s on his way. They will be here tonight.”
Joy hits me and it makes my eyes fill with tears. Hell, maybe it’s the hormones, who knows?
Concern yet again fills Heart’s face and it makes me blurt, “I’m okay. Just happy. Happy, and pregnant.”
His eyes go wide and his jaw drops.
Fatal leans over the table and smacks Heart’s shoulder. “Congrats, brother.”
Heart gives his head a shake as if he needs to clear the fog in his head. “Pregnant? You’re...we’re...yeah?”
“Yes.” I grin. “Clearly, you have super sperm and I’m pretty sure you said something six months ago about liking a challenge...so...tada. You did it.”
Heart grins and pulls me close. “We did it,” he states and shoots me a wink.
“We sure did,” I murmur when his lips touch mine.
My eyes fall shut and I sink into the kiss. Letting the man who changed my life light up my body. Someone clears his throat again and we break our kiss. Heart glares at Fatal.
Fatal shrugs. “What? We came here to eat and the waitress is waiting to get our orders. Kiss and whatever when we get back to the clubhouse.”
Heart flips him off and turns to me. “We’ll talk later, yeah?”
“Yeah,” I echo softly.
He cups my face with both hands. “I fuckin’ love the fact I put a kid in you, and I fucking love you.”
“Yeah, yeah, hitting baby bull’s-eye is a clear statement you love fucking her. Your words in or out of order is basically the same thing. Now give the waitress your order,” Fatal rumbles with laughter in his voice.
Heart’s mouth twitches with a hint of a smile. “He’s not wrong. I fucking love you, and love fucking you.”
“Same on both accounts.” I grin and quickly rattle off my order.
I have no clue what the future might hold, but if it’s anything like the past six months, I’ll be one very happy woman. So, for now I’m going to enjoy every damn second of my life.