I leaned down and kissed her lips. “I know without a doubt I can commit. I’m already committed. And to prove it, I have something to show you.” I rolled off the bed and went to the small safe I kept in my room. I opened it and took out the ring box I’d placed in there earlier in the week. This wasn’t the way I imagined asking her, but I thought now would be a good time to show her I was serious. I laid back down with her and looked into her eyes.
“Madisen Collins, I fell in love with you the moment I saw you. I fought it because I thought you were with my brother. It killed me to think he had you. I didn’t know what I was going to do. When I found out you were just friends, it was the happiest day of my life. Then you made me happier by becoming my old lady. Hopefully, soon to be the mother of my child. Make me even happier and say you’ll be my wife.” I opened the box.
She looked at the ring with a stunned expression on her face. Tears started to run down her cheeks. Shit! Then she looked at me and held out her left hand. I hurried to get the ring out of the box and slid it on her fourth finger. It fit perfectly. She gazed down at it. I’d found a low-profile ring since she baked so much. The center diamond was a one carat D-colored diamond, set all in platinum. To either side was a Celtic love knot with a smaller diamond in it. I pulled up her head and kissed her. I made it short since I didn’t want to get out of control. We still needed Doc to check if she was pregnant. When we broke the kiss, she spoke.
“It’s beautiful, Ronan. I’m sorry I ran off half-cocked. I just couldn’t deal with what I saw. It made old insecurities come to the surface. All I could do was feel hurt and angry. My mind was in a fog. Forgive me. Do you really think I might be pregnant? What if I am?”
“Let’s forget about that shit with CeeCee. She’s gone. You know I love you and want only you. As for if you’re pregnant, well that would be so damn wonderful. I meant what I said when we first slept together. I want kids with you and sooner rather than later. Let’s get Doc back in here so we can find out.” She nodded.
I went to the door and shouted down the hall. Within seconds, Doc and Bull were back in the room. I think Bull was there to be sure I didn’t kill Doc Weeks. The doc sat and talked to her for a few minutes while I talked to Bull quietly in the corner.
“So, it looks like you’ve calmed down and she believes you. Are you ready if this test comes back positive?”
“I’m so damn ready. By the way, we’re getting married. Look at her hand.” He glanced over and back at me. He raised his eyebrows and his mouth fell open.
“Really? Damn, you don’t waste any time. When did you get that?”
“Like you wasted time with Jocelyn. I bought it earlier this week. I was going to give it to her in a romantic way, but thought now was best to show her she is the only woman I want. Now, let’s get this show on the road and find out if I’m going to be a father. Then we can get down to business finding out who is trying to kill my woman.” Bull nodded in agreement.
“Okay, Doc, enough questions, can we do this test or not?” He laughed and pulled a box out of his bag. He told her what to do with it and she sat up. I helped her stand. I didn’t want to risk her falling. I walked her into the bathroom and shut the door. She looked at me.
“Are you going to watch me do this?”
“Yep. Do your thing, babe.” She huffed at me then sat down on the toilet. She held the stick thing she took out of the box in her urine and then laid it on the box on the counter. I heard the doctor say to wait three minutes. While we did, she wiped, washed her hands, and then brushed her teeth and hair. When she was done, I pulled her into my arms. We were both trying not to look at the stick. I looked at the clock on the wall in the bathroom. Two minutes had passed. It felt like twenty. I looked back at her. I couldn’t resist. I took her mouth and gave her the kiss I wanted to give her out in the bedroom. I teased her tongue, sucked on it and bit her bottom lip. She devoured mine back. We came up panting for air. Giving her a quick peck, I looked at the clock again. It had been four minutes. We stepped over to the sink and she picked it up. It was one that said the word pregnant if you were. There in clear English proclaiming to everyone looking was the word, pregnant. I swung her around. She laughed. I sat her down and kissed her.
“Babe, we’re going to have a baby. Jesus, can you believe it?” I asked her in awe. She shook her head no. Taking her by the hand, I led her back out to the bedroom. Doc and Bull were waiting and looking at us expectantly. We both smiled. Bull came over and gave us both a hug.
“Congratulations, you two. Let’s get Doc’s part wrapped up. Am I to assume you want to tell the others or do you want to wait?” I looked at her.
“We can tell the others. How about this, I’ll tell the girls while you guys are in church? You can tell them during your meeting.”
“You don’t want to tell everyone together?”
“No, because I feel like I need to tell the girls separately. They understand what is happening and I need to talk to them about some things. This way, everyone finds out at the same time, but I have time to ask them a few things before talking to the guys. Is that okay?”
“Baby, it’s fine. Whatever you want. So, Doc, what else do you need?”
“Here is her script for prenatal vitamins. She needs to start on those right away. Also, book her an appointment with Dr. Foreman. I assume she’ll use the same doctor as Jocelyn and Devyn. Make sure she gets enough rest, eats nutritiously and drinks lots of water to stay hydrated. Call if she has any problems. Congratulations. I’ll get out of your hair now.” We both thanked him for coming out to check on her. He waved away the thanks. Bull walked him out. I looked at her.
“Ready?” She nodded. We headed out to the common room. As we walked in, all the guys started asking, “Is she okay? Does she need anything? What did the doctor find out?” I halted them. Devyn and Jocelyn were hugging her.
“She’s fine. Let’s go get church over with then we can talk.” I could tell they wanted to ask more, but they all piped down. I gave her a quick kiss then followed Bull and the others into church. When we all got settled, he started the conversation.
“All of you know that someone took shots at Madisen and Rebel. Well, mainly we think it was at her. I would bet my soul it was her stepdad or whoever he hired to do it. This was the first time she’d left the compound alone since the fire. I know Outlaw has been doing whatever he can to find him without any luck. We need to see what else we can do to track his ass down. I’d like to see if Smoke and Everly can use their black web and government contacts to find him. No offense, Outlaw, you do great work, but they are in a class all their own.”
Outlaw shrugged. “No problem. You’re right, they are steps above me. They’re two of the best hackers on the planet for a reason. I’ve gone to them myself. You want me to call him or you?”
“Why don’t you? You can tell him what all you’ve tried. The bakery is probably reopening next week. We planned to have security on her anyway, but we’re going to have to increase it due to the new circumstance.” He looked at me with a twinkle in his eye. He knew me well. My woman being pregnant only made me more of a caveman.
“What circumstance? You mean someone shooting at her?” Joker piped up.
I looked around the room, and they were giving me questioning looks. I cleared my throat. “Because she’s going to be even more vulnerable and in need of less stress.” I paused. I saw Ace look at me like he knew what I was about to say. “You see, we’re going to have a baby in eight months or so. She needs to have peace and quiet. I need all of your help to provide it for her.” After the surprise wore off, the room erupted in cheers and congratulations. They all got up to shake my hand and man hug me. Joker was the last. He shook his head.
“Damn, you didn’t even let her breath, did you? I bet you knocked her up the first time.”
I grinned. “I sure as hell tried. We’ll find out when we go to the doctor. Also, we’re getting married. I asked and she said yes. No way I’m letting her get away from me.” This caused another round of cheering.
Bull waited until the cheering and congratulations quieted down before he continued. “It’s even more imperative we find the threat and eliminate it. I haven’t talked to Rebel about this, but I think when she’s away from the compound, she should have no less than four guys with her. I know she won’t stay away from the bakery, so I wasn’t going to suggest it. If you can get her to use the new person as much as possible, that’d help not only with her safety but her getting enough rest. She’s going to be tired as hell. However, while we wait to eliminate this threat, it’s life as usual. I know you’ve already picked a spot for a house. Did you talk to Tank yet?” I nodded yes.