Chapter 24
Mylah
We met the doctor at his office instead of him coming to us. He said he’d like to do things the right way and get an ultrasound. I’m nervous. I don’t know what to expect but Tide hasn’t left my side. He wanders around the room looking at the machine and the posters on the wall.
“Been a long time since I’ve been in a room like this,” he says as he turns back to me.
“Is it weird?”
“A little. I remember seein’ Christian on that little screen for the first time. It’s…I can’t even describe what it feels like to see your child there.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” I tell him.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else. I mean it, Mylah. I’m gonna do it all right this time. There’s nothin’ I can do to fix my relationship with Christian, but I’ll do right by this one. By you.”
“I know you will.” The door opens, and the doctor walks in along with someone else.
“This is Angie, she’ll be doing your ultrasound,” he says as the woman sits on her stool.
She explains everything she’s doing, right down to the cold gel that she squirts on my stomach.
She does a few things, takes a few pictures and then shows us.
The little heartbeat. I gasp as Tide tightens his hand around mine.
“Told you,” he whispers.
“Oh my god.”
“You look to be around thirteen weeks.” My heart leaps into my throat when she says it. That means this baby can’t be Christian’s. I look to Tide with tears in my eyes.
“It’s not his,” I whisper as they fall down my cheeks. Tide looks down at me, and a smile tugs across his face. He leans down and kisses me softly before he whispers, “Thank you.”
“Everything looks good, Mylah. I want you to start prenatal vitamins, and we’ll get some bloodwork, but I will see you back in a month.
” I look back at the doctor and nod my thanks, too happy to even speak.
This baby is Tide’s. There’s no doubt about it.
Tears continue to fall down my face as Tide helps me sit up.
When the ultrasound tech leaves the room, he’s on me.
His lips are claiming mine in a kiss that rivals all others.
His tongue sweeps into my mouth, toying with mine.
I kiss him back, loving the way he kisses me.
When he pulls away, he grins.
“I’m gonna fuck you all over that clubhouse tonight.”
“You’re crazy,” I laugh.
“You think so? For you, maybe. We’re gettin’ married, Mylah.”
“What? No. No, we’re not.”
“Yeah, we are. I told you I’m doin’ this right this time,” he says while he looks at me intently. He isn’t joking. He really wants to get married.
“Tide, come on. We don’t need to rush this,” I tell him as I climb off the table and stand to my feet. He grabs me quickly, pinning me against the wall.
“What daddy wants, daddy gets. You'd better remember that, Mylah.”
“This is different, Tide. This is marriage for fucks sake.”
“I didn’t plan on lettin’ you go anyway. This just seals the deal.”
“Can we talk about this?”
“What did I just say? Daddy gets what he wants.”
“Marriage, Tide. That’s a big step.”
“We live together now, Mylah.”
“I didn’t plan on staying with you forever! It was temporary!”
“Until it wasn’t. You’re not goin’ anywhere. You and my baby are stayin’ with me. End of discussion.”
“You can’t do that. You can’t decide for me,” I protest.
“Sounds like I just did. Let’s go,” he says, pulling away from me and walking out the door. I trail behind him, cursing him under my breath all the way out the door.
“You can stop that anytime now.”
“Stop what?”
“You wanna be spanked, Mylah? Is that what this is? You testin’ daddy’s patience with you today?
” he turns to look at me, waiting for me to answer and I don’t have one.
Tide reaches for me, wrapping his hand around the back of my neck and pulling me closer to him.
“You said what you needed to say, sweetheart, and I listened. But I didn't agree. I said we’re gettin’ married and that’s the end of that. ”
“What if I’m not ready?”
“For what? To be married to me?”
“All of this, Tide. What if…what if I’m not a good mom?”
“Are you kiddin’ me? You’re gonna be a great mom, Mylah. You love people, animals, and children. Don’t do that to yourself, baby. You’re gonna be the best mom.”
“What if I’m like her?” He knows exactly who I’m talking about, and I see the anger in his eyes when I say the words.
“You’re nothin’ like her. Nothin’ at all. Don’t you dare compare yourself to someone that left their child. You would never do that, Mylah.”
“I’m scared, Tide.”
“Of what?”
“Not being good enough for you, for this baby.”
“Are you crazy? I should be the one sayin’ that, not you.
I’m the one whose been a fuck up for half my life.
You got this, darlin’. I know you do.” His words mean everything to me.
I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head on his chest as he holds me tightly.
I want this to work, but I’m scared. I’m scared that he’s going to leave me.
I’m scared that somehow I will mess this up.
Tide presses a kiss to the top of my head before I pull back and look up at him.
“Are you sure about all this?”
“I’m very sure, baby. We’re gonna do this. We’re gonna be great parents.”
“Are you ready for a baby again?” I laugh a little.
“I actually miss those days. When they need you the most. The times that they rely on you for everything. Yeah, we’re gonna do this.”