“He’s goin’ ta be shocked. I doubt he ever saw himself as a father, but I know he’ll be a grand one,” Sully tells me with a smile. He’s like the big brother I never had but always wanted. There’s safety in his arms as he pulls me into a bear hug. “The two of ye will make the most amazing parents. I know you will.”
He has been supportive since I told him. He found me sitting in the living room near the fire one night a couple of weeks ago. I was lost in thought; my concern about telling Monster I’m pregnant was worrying me. Not because I didn’t think he’d be happy, but it was unplanned. I knew Cathal was out with the boys, so I was able to ponder how to tell him. Sully offered me advice; he told me I should be honest and allow Monster to decide. He said that things will work out because he knew the man behind the cut and patch, and he’d love having a family. It was that night I realised if the question came up, I would say yes to marrying Cathal without a doubt.
“When is dinner? I’m feckin’ starvin’,” Racer complains as he walks into the room. He’s one of the newest members who patched in at twenty-two. Even though he’s my age, sometimes he comes across as much younger.
“Should be soon,” I tell him with a smile. “I thought you’d just eaten?”
“Aye, but I could do with something more. Growin’ boy and all.” Racer laughs out loud as he rubs his flat stomach, causing us to laugh at his antics.
“Enough,” Rebel growls as he pushes by Racer and Tye who are just entering the room. The distant sound of a door slamming confirms he’s not happy. I know he’s angry because we’re laughing, and Callia is gone. I understand the reasoning behind his anger.
“Eejit, he needs to realise family are here to support him. We must try to stay positive in the darkest of times,” Sully bites out. “I need to get to work.” He turns back to me and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek. “Good luck,” he tells me with a wink.
“Wee fox,” Monster’s nickname for me is murmured in his voice as he enters after Sully leaves. “What’s going on here?” he asks when he sees everyone in the living room. A few guys are on the sofas, others at the tree, trying to pluck the ornaments from the needles.
“Not much,” I tell him. “Rebel is in a bad mood, Racer is making his life hell, and Sully is offering me advice on something.”
“Nothin’ new then?” He kisses me, and I forget that everyone can see us.
It’s only been a few hours without him, and yet it feels like weeks, months. Whenever we’re apart, I miss him. There’s an ache deep inside me that reminds me I’m his and he’s mine. I still can’t believe we’re here, after the rough start we had.
“I need to talk to you. In private, please,” I whisper in his ear, and he takes my hand without question and leads me up to our suite.
I love living in the clubhouse, and I am thankful we have our own wing, our own little apartment, but we’re still within walking distance of our family.
Cathal turns to me the moment the door shuts and pins me against it. His body heavy, commanding, as his voice rumbles, “What’s wrong?”
The concern in his eyes makes my heart leap into my throat. The gentle way he cares for me is the complete opposite to how he looks. Tall, strong, brooding. He looks like the Monster he’s named after, but he’s far from it.
“Well,” I say as I push him away and escape his prison. “There’s something I wanted to make sure was final and confirmed before I told you. So, it’s been a couple of weeks since I found out and even though I know—”
“For feck sake, wee fox,” Monster grumbles. “What the feck is wrong?”
Spinning on my heel, I pin him with a glare while I curl my lips into a small smile, so he knows I’m joking.
Then the words fall from my mouth before I have time to stop them. “If you’re going to talk to our baby like that, I don’t know if I want you around him or her.”
I never thought I’d see a man stumped. But he is. His mouth falls open for a long moment, and I’m pretty sure he’s stopped breathing. Seconds tick by, and the only sound I can hear is the thrum of my pulse in my ears.
When he finally says something, it’s only one word. “What?”
I want to giggle, but I refrain. “You heard me.”
Cathal rushes to me and drops to his knees in front of me. His hands hold my stomach, even though I’m far from showing, and he lays his ear against me.
“I’m sorry wee one,” he whispers softly. “But I’m a biker, and I’m goin’ ta curse like a feckin’ sailor. Best tell ye ma she’ll need ta get used to it.”
My heart pitter-patters against my ribs at the sweetness of the moment. The bedroom door flies open, and Rebel stops dead in his tracks when he sees the scene in front of him. His mouth drops open for a split second before he curses, “Shite.”
“What the fuck do ye want?” Monster doesn’t turn to look at his VP, and I’m aware that he’s still holding onto my stomach.
My cheeks heat with a blush when Rebel looks at me and smiles.
“Good lord, would both of you stop cursing like that?” I tell them while shaking my head.
“I’m sorry for bursting in, just wanted to confirm the next shipment is coming in tonight. I wanted to make sure Racer and Sully will be going with me.” Those olive-green eyes that remind me of a serpent’s flick between us.
“Aye, that’s right,” Monster says. “Now feck off.” Rebel disappears quickly and shuts the door behind him. The moment we’re alone, Cathal looks up at me. “This is perfect. Our lives may not be perfect, and they certainly didn’t start out that way, but this wee one will have everything he or she wants.”