A Very Christopher Christmas (A Death Dwellers MC Novella) (18 page)

“Meggie?”
 

“I’m sorry,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady but failing miserably. “It’s just that I can’t lose him.”
 

“Listen to me,” Doctor Will said, taking on an authoritative motherly tone. “You’re further along with this baby than you were with Patrick. You’ve suffered no trauma. This child’s survival rate is pretty good. I’d prefer not to take any chances and hope to get you to thirty-seven weeks if at all possible.”
 

That was about nine weeks away. “I’ll do whatever it takes to get to that point, Dr. Will.” Sniffling, she swiped at her tears. “Did you explain all of this to Christopher?”
 

“My God, no! He…he wouldn’t be happy with Burt.”
 

He’d kill Howerton, something he’d probably expressed to Dr. Will. She was very good at what she did and had a lot of integrity, even though Christopher had convinced her to get on the club’s payroll. She’d withhold a lot, but Meggie knew she’d never go for knowing about outright murder, especially of a colleague.
 

“I don’t trust Dr. Howerton anymore. Please take over my care. I know you’re not a high-risk OB, but the one I have hasn’t done his job.”
 

“Burt still believes there’s not much to worry about.”
 

“I disagree.”
 

“You’re fine,” she stressed. “The baby’s not in any distress.”
 

“Preterm labor is serious, especially with my history. We both know it. He should’ve been honest.”
 

“You’re understandably angry, but please calm down. This isn’t helping you.”
 

She sniffled. “My son’s name is Ryder,” she whispered around tears. “I imagine him with black hair. All of my sons take after Christopher and…and…we’re having no more kids after him and, um, my mother won’t get to meet him because I’ll give birth to him and he’ll be alive.”
 

“You won’t lose him,” Dr. Will said gently. “I’d like you to come in and see me on Friday at one.”
 

“That’s three days away.”
 

“Yes. If you have any problems before then, go to the emergency room, though I don’t anticipate that happening,” she added quickly. “Until then, it’s bedrest for you. No heavy lifting. No sex. No stress. Let your husband do what he’s best at—caring for you.”
 

The thought of Christopher’s reaction dried some of Meggie’s tears. If she fell apart, there’d be no saving Howerton. She’d have to explain it in a way…Who was she kidding? Any way she told him, Christopher would be furious and the doctor would go missing.
 

“Thank you, Dr. Will. I’ll be there.”
 

“Would you like me to call Mr. Caldwell and explain my findings?”
 

“Um, no. I’ll bring him with me. Between you and me, we’ll get him to realize it was an oversight. Tell him that after you read over the records, you’d prefer to err on the side of caution.”
 

“That sounds perfect. Are you sure you’re okay?”
 

“Yes, I’m fine. So’s Ryder.”
 

“That’s what I like to hear. See you Friday. Call me if you have any questions before then. Bye, now.”
 

Meggie hung up and leaned back in her chair, covering her face and having a good cry. She’d known something was wrong just from how she’d been feeling. Why had Howerton not mentioned the dilation? He must’ve seen it and written it in his notes for Dr. Will to have diagnosed her.
 

Since the business day was almost over, Meggie grabbed a tissue from the box on her desk and blew her nose, then grabbed a couple more to wipe the tears from her face. She had to pull herself together. Dr. Will promised that Ryder was fine. Meggie trusted the physician, so she’d have to trust her with this, too.
 

She jotted a few notes down, checked the bank bag again, and then headed to the kitchen to check her beef roast. Diesel walked in from the mudroom, still wearing his hat and coat, his nose and cheeks reddened by the chill of outside.
 

“How was school?” Each day, she asked the same question. Today would be no different. Keeping everything as normal as possible was imperative.  Diesel needed to always know Meggie was interested in him and his education. She hated the thought that both his parents had just abandoned him and knew he sometimes suffered nightmares. “How’s Mindy?” His girlfriend.
 

Shrugging out of his coat, he smiled and his cheeks seemed to redden a little more at the mention of Mindy. “I got ‘Cs’ on all my tests.”
 

He struggled in all areas, so for him to get ‘Cs’ was a big deal. She fist-bumped him. “Good job. Christopher is going to be really proud of you.”
 

“He will?” he asked, beaming at her.
 

Ever since Christopher had rescued him from the streets, Diesel went out of his way to impress her husband.
 

“Mindy’s fine. I was wondering if I could invite her to the Christmas party.” He’d already invited her to the Thanksgiving celebration at the club.
 

Oh God! Thanksgiving. Christopher wouldn’t allow Meggie to help. Biting her lip, she realized that, at the moment, she didn’t even feel like helping.  She forced a smile. “Sure. The brothers are bringing their kids and old ladies so it won’t be a problem.”
 

“Dee!” Rebel screamed as she toddled into the kitchen and bypassed Meggie, heading straight for Diesel. She’d lost her ponytail hours ago and her blonde hair fluttered about her. “Dee,” she said again, raising her arms so Diesel could pick her up.
 

“El,” Rule cried, following behind her.
 

Meggie hadn’t decided if he’d tried to say Rebel when he’d began calling his sister ‘El’ a few days ago or if he’d just decided to shorten her name. Either way, she thought it was adorable.
 

Diesel lifted Rebel into his arms and hi-fived Rule, while Meggie removed the meat from the oven and uncovered it. Garlicky steam percolated in the air and she breathed in the delicious smell.
 

 “Hey, Meggie.” Bunny stopped next to her, a different woman now that Digger was in her life. She’d always been sweet and kind. Now, she seemed relaxed, as if she felt secure in her place in everyone’s lives and content in her own skin.
 

She and her parents were on speaking terms again. Virginia and Walt’s house had been shot up last winter and they’d fled for a few days out of fear for their lives. Since then, the house had been remodeled using money Christopher sent and they’d moved back in. Bunny’s parents had visited the club a couple of times, while she and Digger had gone to spend time with them in Phoenix over the summer. Even Gabe, Bunny’s brother, had gotten over his fear of Christopher after the meatshack episode. Now, Gabe, Walt and Virginia intended to spend Christmas there.
 

Meggie was so happy how things had worked out for Bunny.
 

“What time are we leaving for the photos?”
 

“We still have a couple of hours before we have to hit the road, Bunny,” Meggie answered. CJ and Christopher should be arriving home at any moment. By then, she needed to be completely normal.
 

Diesel sat Rebel on the center island. With Rule dogging his steps, he walked to a cabinet and got three cups. “Can we have pizza?”
 

Rebel swung her legs, following Diesel’s every move. She wouldn’t move from her spot because Diesel had sat her down.
 

“I’ve already cooked.” Meggie nodded to the roast that was surrounded with carrots and potatoes. “Pizza tomorrow, I promise.”
 

“For later,” he pressed. “That roast will be gone by the time dinner’s over.”
 

He was right. Between Diesel and Christopher, food didn’t last very long.
 

“Okay, fine,” she agreed, pain streaking through her lower back and making her gasp. She swore she heard Ryder’s heartbeat and felt it pulsing through her body. She couldn’t, of course. The sensations were just products of her fear and worry.
 

Bunny was at her side immediately. “Are you all right?”
 

She nodded, gritting her teeth as the pain slowly subsided. “Dr. Will called in a prescription for me. I need to have it picked up as soon as possible. Can you call the club and have one of the Probates go to the drugstore?”
 

“Sure,” Bunny answered, grabbing her cell phone from her pocket and doing as Meggie asked.
 

The sound of the door opening cheered Meggie up and she turned toward the mud room, expecting to see Christopher. Kendall came into view and Meggie sighed, until she saw the tears streaking her face.
 

She rushed to Kendall and grabbed her wrist to guide her to a stool. “What’s the matter?”
 

“He shot Johnnie,” she sobbed. “Johnnie’s shot!”
 

“What? Who shot Johnnie?”
 

“Your fucking husband.”
 

No, that wasn’t possible. Christopher valued family too much to attempt to murder his own brother.
 

“What are you talking about? Christopher shot Johnnie?”
 

“And Brooks. And…and…oh my God! I can’t believe he did this to me.”
 

“Calm down and talk to me,” Meggie insisted.
 

 “That barbarian shot my Johnnie,” Kendall snarled.
 

Meggie grabbed a counter. “Stop, Kendall. Before you say anything more, my husband’s name is Christopher.” Meggie was so tired of Kendall’s behavior and fed up with her calling Christopher names. “He’s not a barbarian. I’ll listen to you only if you stop your name calling.” She was as bad as Johnnie.
 

Kendall’s wail hurt Meggie’s ears.
 

“Turn off the waterworks,” she snapped. “It doesn’t work with me anymore.” They had for a long time, but it only made Kendall worse.
 

The tears and sniffles stopped almost instantly. Her glare returned as she stiffly explained what happened. Suddenly, the alarm indicated the front door was opening.
 

“Christopher was generous. Very lenient. You’re still alive when you both know club rules.” She didn’t want to be so harsh, but Kendall didn’t respond to gentleness. “Wha—”
 

“No time to explain.” Roxy barreled to Kendall, yanking her from the stool. “Outlaw heading this way. Come with me, sugar. If he see you, he’s likely to shoot your ass off after what Mort said you did.”
 

She’d barely jerked Kendall out of the kitchen before Christopher and CJ finally walked in from the mud room.
 

CJ ran to her and wrapped his arms around her legs. “Mommie!”
 

“Hey, buddy,” she responded, ruffling her son’s hair, distracted by the cold fury in Christopher’s eyes.
 

“Er, kids, why don’t we go clean-up for dinner?” Bunny advised, clearing the kitchen within moments.
 

Christopher narrowed his eyes. “You okay, baby?”
 

Meggie made a quick decision to not mention anything to Christopher right now, even her bedrest. He needed a clear head for what he faced, and news of her preterm labor would distract him. “I’m fine, Christopher.”
 

“No, you ain’t. I can see it on your face. Doc Will called, ain’t she? What the fuck Howerton missed?”
 

Wincing, Meggie went to a stool and seated herself. “If he overlooked something, what’ll happen?”
 

“That’s a stupid fuckin’ question, Megan. You
know
what the fuck’ll happen, baby. I’ma fuck him up. Cut his cock off, along with his hands. Don’t fuckin’ care much he had a fuckin’ license to touch you. I still ain’t liked it. But since I fuckin’ allowed it and he
still
fucked up, I might as well make him pay for all his fuckin’ crimes.”
 

“Dr. Will wants me on bedrest.”
 

He narrowed his eyes. “Then why the fuck you in the fuckin’ kitchen?”
 

“Her call came through just an hour ago and since then I’ve been busy.”
 

“Since then my motherfuckin’ ass. The lil’ motherfucker shouldn’t be in you in the first fuckin’ place.”
 

Unable to stay seated at seeing how upset Christopher was, Meggie got to her feet and went to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. “I love you. I’m fine and Ryder’s fine. Tell me why you shot Johnnie.”
 

“Megan—”
 

“I’m going to bed and I promise I’ll tell you everything when you get back home. I already know one version of events, so I know what you’re facing. Please, focus on those guns.”
 

He sighed heavily and finally returned her hug, bending to nip at her lips. “I love the fuck outta you, Megan. Just tell me one fuckin’ thing. The news Doc Will gave you real bad?”
 

She swallowed and returned her head to his chest so he wouldn’t see her worry. “It could be better,” she admitted.
 

His body tensed and Meggie waited for the explosion. Instead, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to their bedroom, where he laid her gently on the bed. He slid next to her and pulled her into the crook of his arms.
 

Before Meggie offered any more words, Christopher explained his version of today’s events that took place in Brooks’s office.
 

“My ass ain’t gonna be gone no more than a week,” he finished.
 

Drawing in a heavy breath, Meggie was determined not to show the fear bubbling inside. Yes, Christopher was used to dealing with men like this McCallister, but it seemed odd to her that he was so insistent Christopher be the one to deliver the weapons. Even with Christopher’s reassurances that McCallister checked out, all types of scenarios went through her head. A sting operation with the Feds or a setup by enemies. However, she had to trust Christopher’s judgment. She couldn’t show her reservations and put doubt in his head. He needed complete focus.