Page 8 of Vengeful Pawn (Adair Legacy #6)

MiaBella

W hen we arrived at Hendrix’s apartment, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was welcoming, with a cream-colored sofa full of throw pillows, potted plants on various shelves, and a dinette to the side of the kitchen, adorned with fresh flowers.

He noticed my shock and explained it was his mom and sister who made it so homely.

That might be true, but I think he likes it, too.

I ordered dinner for us shortly thereafter, and we sat on the couch, a movie playing in the background, but I don’t think either of us paid much attention.

When the pizza was delivered, we ate and talked a bit, shared some food likes and dislikes.

He asked about anything I was having trouble eating and if I suffered from morning sickness.

After explaining that I had to take medication to help with the nausea and watch certain foods, his mood shifted to concern about us.

I won’t lie, it was nice. The first month was spent keeping the pregnancy to myself while navigating my feelings about it and figuring out my limits. This past month has consisted of many hours arguing with my brother about the father.

That all backfired today because now the cat's out of the bag, and I’m sure there will be more fighting to come because neither man believes Hendrix is good enough for me. I can’t quarrel with them both, so something has got to give.

For the last hour, Hendrix has been asleep beside me. The man is both mentally and emotionally exhausted from trying to hold himself together. I have no doubt his family would gladly take as much of his burden as they could, but he won’t share it with them.

Talia spoke about her concerns once we had settled the girls at Sparrow House. She fears she’s losing her only son, and she doesn’t know how to help him.

When he’d confessed that he needed help, I knew, I absolutely knew, this was a man more than worthy of my love and loyalty. He’ll be a fantastic father to our child, and come hell or high water, I’m getting him the help he’s so desperately searching for.

Now, I’m doing some research into therapists who specialize in PTSD, specifically veterans. There are two promising candidates in the area, and after sending inquiry emails to both, I close my laptop and get up to go to the bathroom but stop when I feel a sharp pain in my side.

“What, what is it?” Hendrix is on his feet before I can straighten, one hand on my hip and another on my back. “Mia, princess, what’s wrong?”

Leaning into him, I breathe slowly in and out. “Just a sharp pain. I’ve never felt it before.”

“Should I take you to the hospital?”

Fear tingles up my spine.

“No, I’m fine.” I groan as it hits again.

Hendrix scoops me up in his arms. “We’re going.” He grabs my purse because that’s where I told him I keep my anti-nausea meds.

He’s gentle as we exit his building, and he places me in his truck, grabbing a blanket from the back and draping it over my legs before getting in. Every other minute, he asks how I’m doing, and I feel so foolish because I haven’t had any other pain again.

Reaching a hand over to him, I lay it on his arm as he navigates the quiet night streets. “You’re going to be an amazing father.”

Startled, his eyes meet mine, and he tries to hide his doubt behind a smile before giving the road his attention. We screech to a stop in the ambulance bay, where security attempts to tell him he can’t park, but they stop when his towering frame takes an aggressive step towards them.

“Please be nice,” I say.

He grunts out a response, and that’s as good as I’ll get when he’s this worried about me.

“Maternity,” he barks at a nurse who raises a brow at us. Another pain hits, and I cry out. She hops to her feet and tells him to follow her.

“What’s the problem?” the nurse asks as I curl into myself in his arms.

“She’s four months pregnant, has hyperemesis gravidarum, and started having cramps twenty minutes ago.”

I’m impressed that he remembered the technical term for my morning sickness.

“Medications?” the woman asks as we enter the maternity ward. Another nurse spots us and quickly points towards an empty bed where Hendrix gently lays me down.

“Metoclopramide,” I grit through my teeth. I’m generally not a wimp when it comes to pain, but it feels like my insides are being pinched with lobster claws.

As more nurses enter and then a doctor, Hendrix steps back when all I want is for him to be closer so I can touch his skin. He must see it on my face because he slides in by my head, staying out of the way, as I’m hooked up to IVs and monitors.

It’s a flurry of activity, and after an ultrasound, while the pain was at its peak, they discovered gallstones.

“You’re certain Mia and the baby are safe?” Hendrix asks for the fourth time.

“Positive. They’re small and will pass relatively easily. She’s getting fluids and pain management. We’ll keep her overnight and reassess in the morning.” The woman leaves us alone with the promise of a private room in a few minutes.

A sob breaks out of my chest, and poor Hendrix is on his feet again. “You can’t cry, I don’t do tears, and I can’t handle anything else tonight. Are you okay? Is there something else wrong?”

“No, nothing else,” I reply. “Will you hold me?” I blurt out the question without thinking.

Careful of all the wires and cords, Hendrix slides into bed with me, allowing me to lie my head on his chest. Wrapping one arm around my back, he holds my free hand with his other one.

“Everything will be fine.” His tone is steady in a storm of emotion, making me wonder if I can do any of this alone anymore.

“I want you with us, Hendrix,” I say, tilting my head up to see his face. “I don’t just want you around on weekend visits or sending money if we need it. I want you to be part of our lives. Every single day.”

He inhales deeply, and it’s apparent that he’s fighting a war in his head. Finding excuses and reasons he can’t be with us.

“I have a spare room in my house.” Hendrix frowns, but I forge on.

“I know you don’t trust yourself yet, and I won’t rush you.

” Pausing as a wave of nausea hits, I breathe deeply before speaking again.

“Our night together meant something to me. It wasn’t supposed to, but even before I learned about the baby, I recognized a connection between us. ”

Brushing his fingers through my hair, he tilts my head up farther.

“So did I. I’ve spent the last four months regretting not getting your name and number.

In my head, you’ve just been my princess.

I had planned on asking Castle who you were when I got to the clubhouse today, but there you were. Gorgeous as ever and carrying my baby.”

“I think my heart stopped for a minute.” I honestly hadn’t expected to see him again until I went looking for him.

“Why didn’t you ask your brother who I was when you found out?” Searching his eyes, I’m relieved he doesn’t appear angry about that.

“I feel like I’ve been in a processing mode from the moment the doctor said I was pregnant.

There was denial, then fear, and then, 'Oh, shit, how am I going to do this alone?' Then, when I got around to thinking about you, your note gave me pause.” The comment isn’t meant to hurt him, but we need as much honesty as possible between us.

“I wasn’t sure if it would be the kind of news you wanted, so I decided to wait until Castle cooled down, because a month ago, he was ready to kill you.

And I wanted more time to myself without having to worry about your feelings.

That sounds selfish, but it was my reality. ”

“It’s not. At all. I’m glad to be part of your lives now.” His lips lower to kiss my forehead as he whispers, “I’ll get better for both of you.” And somewhere deep inside my heart, I know he’s going to, and this time next year, we could be a genuine family.

Hopefully.