Charity Rising (Charity Series Book 2) (19 page)

everyone together.”

“That would be great. I’d hate for Ash to learn from someone other than me. I inserted my straw and took a careful sip of my milk only to spit it

out seconds later. “Levi! What do I tel my mother?! She’s going to kil me! She doesn’t know we’re married! Oh, Levi!”

“Calm down, baby,” he said, grabbing a napkin and wiping chocolate milk out of my hair. He thought for a minute. “We’l have that pretend

wedding ceremony right away. You can’t be but a few weeks along otherwise I would’ve sensed it by now. We’l go to see your mom tomorrow and

I’l ask her permission.”

“What if she doesn’t give it?”

He looked at me incredulously.

“Hey, it could happen. But maybe we should wait until my face is better.”

“Good point. I don’t want her to worry about you. She does that enough. I’l get Mom to start working on the wedding arrangements.”

“Won’t Irena ask why the urgency?”

“I won’t make it sound urgent. I’l just tel her that we’ve decided we want to go ahead and marry for the public, that way we can relax and get

on with our lives.”

“Okay, that sounds acceptable. She shouldn’t be suspicious about that, right?”

“Right.”

When I woke the next morning I felt good. I stretched and got up and walked sleepily into the bathroom to take my shower. When I emerged,

Irena was sitting on my bed waiting for me.

“Oh, good morning, Mom.”

“Don’t give me that. What’s going on?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Charity, are you pregnant?”

I laughed nervously. “Why on earth would you think that?”

“Oh, Charity!” She bounded over to me and hugged me until I turned red from lack of oxygen.

“Irena.”

“It’s okay, dear, I won’t tel anyone. I’l let you and Levi do that. I’m so happy right now! I’m going to be a grandmother! I can’t wait! How are

you feeling? How’s your fa—” She froze.

“Irena, what’s wrong?”

“Charity, your face.”

“What’s wrong with it? Cripes, does it look that bad?” I walked into the bathroom, turned on the light, and gasped. “Irena, could you go get

Levi right away, please.”

“Of course, dear.”

Levi bounded through the door only minutes later with Irena, Joseph, Eli, Hector, and Doc right behind him.

When he was close enough to see me he froze in shock. “Charity, your face.”

“I know,” I cried. “What does it mean?”

He took me in his arms and held me reassuringly. “It’s al right, baby. I’m sure there’s a logical explanation. Doc?!!”

Doc approached me, took my face in his hands, and turned it this way and that. “Hmm, I’ve never seen a human heal so fast in my entire life

—or heard of it. I’m not sure what it means, but I’m sure it’s a good thing. I’l do some research and get back to you. In the meantime, enjoy your beautiful face, Charity. This can only be good, okay?”

“Great! I’m a freak!”

“Hey!” al the Wookies said in unison.

“Sorry, but it’s natural for you guys to heal quickly. You’ve always been freaks, but for me it means something’s wrong.”

Levi turned me toward him. “Are you sure you haven’t been drinking Grandmammy’s moonshine again? That would explain the healing.”

“That’s not funny.” I pouted.

He snickered. “You’re right. I’m sorry. But this could be a good thing, like Doc said. Let’s not start worrying yet. He’l find out what this

means.” He smiled, wiping my tears from my face. “Are you ready to tel them?”

I nodded.

We turned to face the crowd, each face but Irena’s brimming with curiosity. “Guys, Charity and I are going to have a baby!”

I cringed at the noise as each slapped Levi on the shoulder and congratulated us with heartfelt tenderness. Levi turned to me and said,

“Wel , it looks like we can go see your mom today after al .”

Just as I suspected, Mom’s initial reaction was to assume we were pregnant. We assured her that wasn’t the case, praying the entire time

that God would forgive us for lying. We explained that we’re in love and eager to begin our life together. She seemed to relax a bit, even becoming excited about the idea.

“I don’t want anything fancy so it shouldn’t take too long to plan. Irena’s making my dress and they’re paying for everything, so al you have to

do is get a dress and show up looking beautiful.”

“Oh, honey, that sounds lovely. I’m happy for you. The two of you wil be very happy together. I just know it.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Hansen. Your approval means a lot to me.”

“Levi, please cal me Mom.”

“Yes ma’am—I mean Mom.”

She and I both laughed. If he weren’t so adorable I’d sometimes think he was a dork.

Once we left Mom’s, I dropped Levi off and headed to tel Ashley our good news. We threatened Josh with pain of death if he told her before

I got to her. I was fairly confident she’d be surprised.

“Charity—your face!” she greeted me. “How’d it heal so fast? Is there something you’re not tel ing me?”

“Yes, actual y, there is something.” I was beaming.

“Charity, are you pregnant?”

Geez, is it written all over my face or something?

“Yes, I am!”

“Oh, Charity!” She ran to me and jumped into my arms. “I’m so happy! When’s the due date?”

“I have no idea. It’s too early to know yet.”

“If it’s too early then how do you know?”

“Raven told us.”

“I’m confused.”

“Okay—wel at the graduation dinner I did something real y stupid—I let Raven feed on me. I know—I know. I guess I was curious. I don’t

real y remember, but somehow he knew I was pregnant through my blood. I must just be a few weeks along because I haven’t even missed my

period yet.”

“Wel , that’s good. If we can get you guys married fast, no one wil know you were pregnant first. I know that’s always bothered you. But about

this healing thing, what could that be about?”

“We’re not sure yet, Doc is looking into it. But I should probably be getting back. I have a lot to do.”

Later, back at the Drake House, Levi was relieved to see I’d made it back in one piece. Did he think I was gonna pass out at the wheel? By

the look on his face—probably.

“Was Ashley excited?”

“Yes. She can’t wait to be a godmother. I was thinking that maybe she and Josh could be the godparents. What do you think?”

“Hmm, that sounds like a great idea.”

I strutted past him on my way to the kitchen, stopping to kiss him and shoving a piece of paper at his chest. “Oh husband, by the way, can

you take care of this for me?”

He looked down and groaned. “Charity! Ease up on the lead foot!”

“Hey, it’s not my fault you bought me the coolest, sexiest, fastest car on the planet.”

“What happened? Didn’t your sexy charm work as wel on this guy as on the first one? Or was the officer a female?”

I looked at him in shock.

“Yes, I know about the last one. You can’t keep as much from me as you think. The officer happens to be a pack member who lives in town.”

“Great,” I grimaced. “Actual y, my charms were working just fine until he read your name on the registration. This officer happens to be an

east pack member, and seeing your name insured me a ticket, so you should take care of it. And just so you know the females like me too.”

“I don’t doubt that. I’l take care of this, but please slow it down, or I’m trading your new, cool, sexy, fast car in for a Buick Electra.”

I gasped. “You wouldn’t.”

He smirked. “Try me.”

Considering the fact that I was so early in the pregnancy, I’d been suffering from some very odd side effects. Ashley bought me the book,

“What to Expect When You’re Expecting” but it didn’t say anything about the side effects I’d been experiencing. For one thing I was ful of energy

most of the time then hit a wal and almost crumble from exhaustion. Second, I seemed to be stronger. Why just the other day I was helping Chef

Barney in the kitchen, okay—wel he didn’t see it as helping, when I tripped and almost fel , with Barney catching me before I smashed to the floor. I held onto him so hard he actual y cried out in pain. I thought it was nothing until he showed me the bruises before they healed. And I felt stronger too.

Also, during my workouts I’d normal y struggle to go fifteen minutes on the treadmil but was suddenly going for thirty without breaking a sweat. Levi said it was the pregnancy, but al the women I’d talked to said they never experienced anything like what I described. For another thing they al said they weren’t even interested in lovemaking during their pregnancy, but that was al I could seem to think about. It was a good thing we were married or I’d feel like a skank.

It was almost lunchtime and I’d been thinking about Levi al morning, so instead of fighting it any longer I headed to our bedroom in ful plan-

mode. I pul ed open my lingerie drawer and withdrew my sexiest piece, put it on, and appraised myself in the mirror
. Hmm, not bad
. I brushed out my long, dark hair and added some lipstick. I then put on Levi’s robe and headed out the door. No one even noticed me as I darted around corners

and in and out of doors like a secret agent man, while chuckling mischievously the entire time. I decided to surprise Levi and ambush him with a

memorable, intimate encounter. I hid behind the door of the library, peeking out every time there was a passerby. Levi always came this way on his

way to the dining hal . I waited patiently. Final y I spotted him. As he passed, I grabbed his hand and pul ed him into the library, slamming the door shut behind me. I pushed him onto the sofa, ripped off my robe, and climbed into his lap. Once his initial shock wore off, his response surprised me.

“Holy….” He threw his hands over his eyes, covering them tightly—too tightly. “Bel , it’s me, Eli!”

I gasped, and jumped off him so fast I tripped over the coffee table, knocked over a stack of books, and landed on my back.

In a flash he was to his feet, helping me up, while covering me with the robe al in one fluid movement.

“I-I’m sorry, Eli. My mistake.”

He started laughing. “No problem, real y. I’m going to go find my brother and remind him of what a lucky man he is.”

“Yeah you do that!” I snapped. “And afterwards send him in here, wil ya? And get a haircut, or color a red streak in it!” I yel ed out to him, but he was already out the door. I could hear his laughter al the way down the hal .

When Levi arrived, only minutes later, he too was smiling, anticipating what was coming, no doubt.

“You wouldn’t be laughing if you knew what he saw.”

That got him. He stopped dead in his tracks, al traces of humor gone. “And what was that?”

“Come here and let me show you.”

“You’re not gonna hurt me, are you?” But he was smiling again.

“With every bit of strength I possess.”

Later at dinner everyone was amused as they talked about how I had mistaken Eli for Levi.
Everyone in this place needs to get a serious

life
. I seemed to be the only one struggling to tel the two apart. Maybe it’s because my nose worked like it was supposed to instead of being able to smel something one hundred miles away. But then I smiled as Eli entered the dining hal . He had a long, red streak in his beautiful, wavy, brown hair.
Finally, someone who listens to me
. I won’t be mistaking him for my Levi again.

Levi brought me a plate of food and sat down beside me. Ashley was joining us for dinner and Josh had requested a special meal.

Something told me tonight would be a little different than other nights. Our tables were in a separate, more intimate setting than the others, and

when Josh stood and asked for our attention. I was beaming, as was Ashley.

“I would like to have everyone’s attention please,” he began, “as you al already know, Ashley and I’ve been dating for a little while now, and I

think she’s the best, most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. She has honored me by accepting my proposal of marriage.”
A man of few words.

I jumped up and ran to her, took her in my arms, and hugged her senseless. “Since when are you good at keeping secrets from me?”

“Oh, Charity, it’s been kil ing me. Josh asked me to wait until this dinner to say anything. I’m so glad you know.”

“And just how long has it been?”

“Only a few days.”

“In that case, I forgive you.” I smiled. “I’m so happy for you. I knew it wouldn’t be much longer. Hey! Maybe we can have a double wedding!”

“Charity, do you think we could?”

“Levi?” I looked at him with the sweetest look I could come up with on such short notice. He bought it.

“I live only to make you happy, my kitten.” He smiled.

I ran to him and threw my arms around his neck and squeezed. “Thank you.”

It was then that I went limp as a dishrag as a daze swept over me, taking my equilibrium with it.

Levi sensed it immediately. “Charity, baby, are you al right?”

I couldn’t answer. Then, without warning, I became sick, grabbing a nearby bowl and vomiting in it. The table, and everything on it, was

saved. Sadly, I can’t say the same for the bowl of salad.

Levi picked me up and took me to Doc, taking the bowl with us.

“I’m puzzled by this,” Levi said, “she hasn’t been sick at al until tonight. She’s actual y felt great.”

“What did you eat tonight, Charity?” Doc asked.

“A salad—before I puked in it, that is. I’m trying to be conscious of what I’m eating.”

“Hmm. I wonder if that had anything to do with you getting sick.”

“What do you mean, Doc?”

“Wel , with the other human pack members, they can usual y eat whatever they want.” He turned to address Levi. “Some get sick—some

don’t. But Charity is the first human alpha female in history, aside from Mia. Al of her children were female, and we have no record of how her

pregnancies went. What if Charity is pregnant with a male child? That would explain why she’s acting so unusual. She’d be the first human ever to