Duke: Fallen MC #1 (14 page)

“Are you serious?” She asked. He simply nodded. “I can’t be pregnant Slam, I’m on the pill and I haven’t missed any. I’ve even run my packets together while I’ve been here. There’s been no gap.” She wanted to see the worry leave his eyes.

“You’re wrong. I’ve been giving this a lot of thought. You’ve been more tired for the last few weeks and feeling nauseous at times. Your swollen abdomen must be you starting to show. You’ve had no bruising and no pain there at all and….”

“Whoa there! I’ll have you know it was
nine months
before I came here since I had sex. There’s no way. No way!” She was starting to panic.

“Just let me finish. You say there’s been no gap in your pill, but I made you have one.” Now he looked guilty.

“What the fuck are you talking about? What are you saying?”

“The night you were brought here you slept for twenty hours straight. Remember when we first met, I told you. You didn’t realise you’d missed a day until the Sunday barbecue and that night……”

“I had sex with Duke,” she whispered to herself. The world seemed to start spiralling around her. Could it be true? She was stuck between being terrified and disbelieving. She felt someone pick her up. She tried to slow her breathing. Her chest was tight and she started to sweat. When she eventually opened her eyes Slam was sat next to her on the bed.

“Take deep breaths, Nic. You were having a panic attack.” Slam was rubbing her back and holding her hand.

“What if you’re right? Duke says he doesn’t want a normal family. He’ll hate me! I couldn’t get rid of our baby, I just couldn’t!” Her eyes pleaded with Slam to give her the answers because she sure didn’t have any.

“Look, before we go sounding off any alarms, I’ve got four different brands of pregnancy test. The best time to do them is in the morning. Go into the bathroom now and then at least you’ll know for sure.”

All she could do was nod. Slam was going to have to guide her through this, her brain had stopped working. She sat on the toilet and peed on the sticks. Her hands were shaking as she rested them on a strip of toilet paper. She let Slam in and they waited three minutes. Her heart hadn’t calmed yet, she felt like she was running a marathon. She allowed herself to secretly hope as her hand kept drifting to her rounded stomach. If she’d got pregnant that first night she would only be 13 weeks along. There was no way she’d have a bump already. Her brain kept conjuring pictures of a little girl with Duke’s brown hair and her green eyes. Her eyes strained to focus on the results panels. Slowly each one gave the same answer….. Positive. She was pregnant. Oh fuck.

“Nic, you’re gonna have to ease up on my hand there, it’s getting no blood.” She didn’t even realise she was squeezing his hand. “Look at me Nic.” She looked into his reassuring gaze and felt herself calm. “You okay?”

She quickly realised she was. She was more than okay. A smile stretched her cheeks until they hurt. Her eyes teared and overflowed, wetting her face. A warm feeling started in her belly and spread until happiness seemed to radiate from her. “I’m having a baby… I’m really having a baby.”

Slam embraced her in tight hug. She wished Duke had been here for this. Her wish to have a family was becoming a reality. But the dream had always included the father. She had absolutely no clue how Duke was going to take the news. She was dreading telling him. Hope and terror swirled around inside of her. Duke would make a great father and she could finally get everything she’d ever hoped for. On the other hand, Duke could hate her for trapping him or turn away from her completely or God forbid demand she get it taken care of. There was no way in hell she would give this baby up, not even for Duke. Her mind raced with everything she needed to do and get. Then guilt swamped her completely as she realised something.

“Oh my god, Slam! I’ve been drinking, having the occasional smoke and them bitches beat me! It could have harmed the baby. What am I gonna do?”

“Calm down. I’m gonna call the family centre and get you an appointment for later today. You sit up here and wait for Duke. He shouldn’t be long now. Don’t worry, everything’s gonna be fine. You’re not gonna be on your own, no matter what! You hear me?” Something inside her sagged in relief hearing those words.

She nodded at Slam. He was such a great friend to her. Everybody here was. She knew they’d have her back and she couldn’t help but imagine their little family at the monthly barbecue. Slam left not long after to make arrangements for her. Now all she had to do was find a way to tell Duke….

Duke stopped at the bar before going up to his apartment. He had a quick shot of scotch while gripping the box in his other hand. It was early but he needed it dammit. He’d never done anything like this before and he was glad he would never have to again. Taking a couple of deep breaths and reminding himself he wasn’t a pussy, he made his way upstairs. Opening the door, he spotted Nicole sat on the couch, looking out of the window as if she was in a world of her own. She jumped when he shut the door. She seemed as on edge as him. Had she been crying? Her eyes seemed red and her whole body was rigid with tension. He sat next to her and pulled her onto his lap, where she fit perfectly and placed his box next to him.

“Hi baby, you feeling ok? You’re looking a bit pale. Have you had your tablets?” He couldn’t help but worry over her, she meant everything to him.

“I’m fine. You’re gonna make your hair fall out if you keep stressing.” She stroked his arm and he felt her shaking. Fuck, she wasn’t getting enough sleep. “Duke, I need to talk to you about something.”

He couldn’t think what that could be and he had bigger things filling his mind right now. “I’ve gotta talk to you too, baby. You go first.” This would give him a couple more minutes to compose himself or so he thought.

Nicole placed her hands on either side of his face, keeping his attention. “Duke….. I’m pregnant.”

He must of misheard. She had spoken too softly and quickly that he must of mistaken what she said.

“Baby, you’re gonna have to repeat that. I didn’t hear you right.” He watched her swallow and she struggled trying to pull away from him, tears filled her eyes but he wasn’t letting go. He tipped her chin up, forcing her eyes to meet his.

“We’re going to have a baby, Duke.”

Yep, he definitely heard her that time. His lungs seized and his grip on her tightened. Was it possible? Looking into her beautiful eyes he could see all her emotions. She was happy, wary but mostly scared. He knew she was waiting for his reaction. It seemed to take him forever to process what she had said. He put his hand over her rounded stomach. His whole body jolted. Fuck, it was true, he was going to be a father. His kid was going to have this amazing woman as its mother. Joy, pure and simple, exploded inside him. She couldn’t leave him now, they were tied together. Always. The words that seemed impossible to say earlier, now rolled off his tongue with ease.

“I love you, Nicole. Your mine, now and forever.”

She gasped and more tears flooded her eyes as she said, “I love you too, Duke.”

Nicole flung her arms around him and cried into his neck. He buried his face in her silky hair and held her as close as he could. Tension eased from his whole body. She loved him back. He knew he loved her on the very first night they’d spent apart, all those weeks ago. She was the other half of his soul and he’d keep her safe for the rest of their lives. It was a vow he had every intention of keeping. It was sacred. He lifted her head and smashed his mouth to hers. Pushing through her lips, they started to twist and turn their tongues together, always trying to get closer.

He became overwhelmed with a desperate need to be buried inside her. He spun her around and lowered her onto her back across the couch. Tearing his top off and then hers, he started to kiss down her neck and nip her collar bone. He peppered wet kisses over her breasts and stomach. Stroking her stomach with his hands, he sucked and teased her puckered nipples. A guttural groan from Nicole had him ripping her yoga pants down her shapely legs and tearing open the fly of his jeans. He didn’t even manage to get his jeans fully off before he plunged himself into Nicole’s perfect pink hole.

He set a frantic pace and moaned every time he drove into her. He was going to finish too quickly, it felt too good. He withdrew, sat up and pulled her onto his lap, sinking back into her and letting her set the pace. As they built to ecstasy, they clung to each other, whispering words of adoration and love. He put his hand between them and worked her clit, she arched her back driving him deeper still and instantly went over the edge. He followed straight away as her tight pussy pulsed around his cock with every ripple of her orgasm. Neither let the other go as they wound down. They sat like that for a while, just absorbing each other. Eventually Nicole broke away and gifted him with a smile brighter than any before it. Her fingers played with the back of his hair.

“God, you’re amazing. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted for myself and more. I’m so relieved you’re happy. We’re gonna be a family. A real family.” She was beaming.

“Baby, you’re gonna be the best mama a baby could ask for.” He thought about family and started to laugh. Nicole look confused. “Not laughing at you baby, just looking forward to telling
Uncle
Razor!” Nicole giggled with him. He loved that sound. He shifted his weight and his knee knocked into the box that was now pushed right into the corner of the couch. “Oh, I almost forgot. This is for you. It’s what I was doing this morning.”

Duke passed her the box and watched her tear into it. He was still nervous about her reaction. For him this was huge. He’d never imagined doing this before meeting Nicole. He’d decided yesterday he couldn’t put it off any more. He’d battled internally about this for weeks. He was worried. She had grown up around so much instability and ended up in bad situations due to her father, he wasn’t confident she’d want to tie herself to the VP of a motorcycle club.

She froze when she saw the contents and slowly pulled it out. His heart paused in his chest, waiting for her reaction before it worked again. She unfolded the vest he’d had made for her. The back had the large Fallen MC patch and a bottom rocker with ‘
Property of Duke
’ clearly sown, declaring his ownership. She cradled the cut to her chest like it was the most precious gift she’d ever been given. He hoped that it was. Relief swept through him. She fell forward, face-planting into his chest. He pulled her up, bring their faces millimetres apart.

“You’re my old lady now. No turning back,” he said pressing a kiss to her lips. “Mine.”

“Yours.” Damn right she was.

Pulling up at the clinic, Nicole was taking deep even breaths trying to calm her racing heart. She was a bundle of nervousness and excitement. Slam had driven them so that she and Duke could sit in the blacked out back seats of the SUV. They were still on alert, as Riot had yet to make a move. All the brothers were certain that Wrath would of heard of her association with them by now. Duke helped her down from her seat and cradled her under his arm. She was glad the appointment was only an hour after their talk. She was sure, given more time, Duke would freak out. This way any anticipation would be gone quickly and they would know everything was fine. Then they’d start coming to terms with becoming parents. Or so she hoped.

The waiting room wasn’t overly busy, just a few families and couples. They all at some point cast sidelong glances at them, taking in Duke’s cut and heavily tattooed arms. She had wanted to wear her vest but decided to save it for the next barbecue, showing it off to her new family. The peace that had taken over her soul since Duke said he loved her put her in a constant state of euphoria. She had found her place in the world and the perfect man to share her life with.

“Miss Fletcher?” A young nurse called into the room.

Duke quickly stood and keeping a firm grasp of her hand, led her to the room the nurse indicated. He paced as she gave a urine and blood sample. When she hissed at the needle entering her arm, Duke had growled loudly and the nurse had seemed far more skittish since. Changing into a gown and laying on the table she reached for Duke who was
still
pacing. He was starting to make her more nervous with every pass he made.

“Duke, come here.” She held her hand out to him. “I’m sure everything is fine. The doctor will be here any minute.” Just as it left her lips, the door opened to a middle aged doctor who looked really friendly. He shot her and Duke a smile.

“Miss Fletcher, nice to meet you, I’m Dr Scance.” Nicole introduced a Duke and he shook hands with them and then sat next to her bed where the ultrasound machine was. “We’ll get the results from your bloods in a couple of days but for now, the pregnancy test was positive so I’m going to give you an ultrasound to see how far along you are and check the baby.”

He squirted a cold gel onto her stomach and moved around a wide wand, pressing into her bump. She was staring at the screen but couldn’t tell what she was looking at. She’d seen scan pictures before but it looked totally different on a screen when things were moving around. Duke’s hand was gripping hers so tightly her fingers were starting to ache.

“Well, well, well. Look what we have here.” Nicole couldn’t speak, if it wasn’t for the smile on the doctors face she’d be having a heart attack. He pointed to the screen. All she could make out were funny shaped blobs. “Congratulations, everything looks perfect and you’re gonna be the mother of not two but three babies.” He pointed at each blob as the computer labelled them A, B and C.

Overwhelmed and not quite believing what she’d heard, tears started to flow down her face as she stared at the screen. Three babies! Shock must be making her hysterical as giggles bubbled up and she couldn’t stop.

“Are you sure?” Duke’s voice was so raspy she hardly recognised it. She pulled her eyes from the screen to look at him. He looked very pale and stood transfixed unblinking at the screen. Oh God. This could change everything. He’d been thrilled at having a baby but having three was a very different prospect. Hell, they’d be outnumbered!