by Tl Reeve
I snickered then snapped myself out of the daydream. I’m pregnant. I wouldn’t ask the stupid fucking question of how did that happen, because I knew. Mack and I had agreed we both wanted children immediately, but this was immediately—like within the next eight to nine months. As much as I wanted to scrub my face and have a complete meltdown, I didn’t. First, I had to get a move on. Second, I had a full face of makeup, and yeah, doing anything now would cause me to look like the creature from the black lagoon. Third, because I should’ve known Mack was potent.
A knock came at the bathroom door of Mack’s apartment over Flame. I shoved the test strip into my purse before opening it. Hunter stood there looking a bit harried. He fidgeted with his tie then slipped his finger between the collar of his shirt and throat. “Mack sent me to get you. Said you’d be late to your funeral if someone didn’t keep you on schedule.”
I laughed. “True. So, what do you think?” I spun around in the powder blue polka dotted vintage dress. “I picked it up at a steal.”
Hunter’s features softened. “You look beautiful, Ire. Mom and Dad would be proud of you.”
“Yeah, I’m marrying rich,” I teased, trying to lighten the mood. After everything Mack and I had been through, I could have really used my mom. I missed her desperately and now even more so, since she wouldn’t be here to see her grandchildren.
“Shut up,” he quipped. “You don’t care about the money. You care more about the D.”
“Oh, gross,” I muttered, pushing past him while he chuckled. “You’re such a neanderthal.”
“A truthful neanderthal, nonetheless.” He got to the door first. “Have everything you need?”
I paused. “Why wouldn’t I?”
He shrugged. “You were a little off back there.”
Well. Duh. I’d found out a few seconds before he pounded on the door that I was pregnant. I was allowed to experience pregnancy brain. Or, whatever. “Sure. Right as rain.”
“If you say peachy keen, then I know there’s a problem.”
I laughed. “Asshole. Come on. We don’t want to keep the guests waiting.”
The guests consisted of my family and Mack’s, along with our friends. After the last couple of weeks, we deserved to let our hair down and have fun. Edgar was sitting in a federal lock up on warrants I hadn’t even known about. Plus, his name wasn’t Edgar Lux. That was an alias. His real name was Sergio Guerra. He was also married and had four kids back in Mexico. Of course, the wife was taken care of and so were the kids, however, she probably didn’t know why her husband wasn’t coming home anymore.
Them’s the breaks.
Also, all of the boosted vehicles had been returned to their rightful owners, including the Alfa Romeo Mack had bid on. All in all, we’d done good. I was only sorry I hadn’t acted sooner. Although, I had my suspicions none of this would have been possible without Mack, Cobi, and Jax’s help. If I’d gone straight to the police like I’d been tempted to, I’d probably be buried six feet under somewhere in the backwoods of Tennessee.
“There she is,” Mack said in greeting. He met me at the bottom of the stairs with a drink in one hand and a sinful grin on his face. “You look ravishing.”
I took his outstretched hand then allowed him to spin me in a circle. “Why, thank you.” I wrapped my arm around his middle, allowing him to tuck me into his side. “You look delectable yourself.”
“This old suit?” He motioned to it. “I just happened to put on it this morning.”
I rolled my eyes. His suits weren’t old and cost more than my entire wardrobe put together. “Sure.”
“Let’s get you a drink.” He ushered me toward the bar.
“Uh, about that, can we talk for a second?” I drew the corner of my bottom lip between my teeth. “Privately?”
Mack stared at me for a moment. His gaze traveled every inch of me, as if he were trying to detect whatever was going on. He nodded then led me to one of the offices behind the bar area. Once we were inside, he pinned me to the door, stealing my breath with a scorching kiss. I threw my arms around his neck, sinking into his embrace and thanking whatever deity helped create smudge-free lipstick.
“Much better.” His breath caressed my sensitive lips, and a thrill shot down my spine.
I took a second to compose myself, straightening out my dress before picking up my clutch where I’d dropped it. “I have something to show you, but you better not make a sound when you see it. I don’t want anyone else to know this yet.”
His eyes narrowed as he took a step closer to me, his big body looming over mine. “I can’t make any promises. You know that.”
I did. But, for this, he’d listen. “It’s the only time I’ll ever ask.” Okay, that might come back to bite me in the ass, but I wanted to keep my pregnancy quiet for now so we could bask in the excitement without all the questions and preparation.
He stood there for a moment then nodded. “Okay, just this once.”
I let out the breath I’d been holding then pulled the pregnancy test out of my bag. “Surprise, you’re going to be a daddy.”
Mack’s features screwed up momentarily as though his brain was having a problem processing what I’d said. Then, as if his vision cleared, he realized what I was holding. His gaze darted from me to the test then back again. “You’re... You’re pregnant.”
“Yes.”
“You’re going to have a baby.” He took the test from me and stared at it.
“We’re going to have one, yes,” I agreed.
“Holy shit.” His features lit up. His cheeks were pink, and his eyes sparkled with excitement. The smile on his face was brilliant, showing truly how ecstatic he was. “Holy shit. You’re going to be a mom.”
I laughed, not at all surprised by his display. “I am.”
“I’m going to be a dad.” He ran his fingers through his hair and blew out a breath. “We’re getting married tomorrow. I don’t give a shit.”
I knew it. “Oh? And where are we going to get a marriage license and officiant on such short notice?”
“Where we’re going, we won’t need that. It’ll be provided for us.”
“Vegas?” I said with a small chuckle.
“Damn straight. You got a problem with that?”
I shook my head. “Not at all. In fact, I was just thinking about the perfect place to get married.”
“Little Chapel of Love?” Mack wiggled his brows.
“Little Chapel of Love,” I replied with a grin.
“I love you, Ireland Banks,” Mack said, gathering me in his arms.
“I love you too, Mackinley Redman III. Always and forever.”
* * *
Sixteen years later...
“Congratulations, Mrs. Redman, you’re pregnant.” My gyno grinned as she showed me the results of the test. “I know this must come as a shock...”
A shock? No, a shock would be finding extra money in my wallet or waking up to see that all three of the boys had cleaned the house. This... This was life changing. I was forty-two for fuck’s sake. The baby factory closed twelve years ago when we had Calhoun—Cal for short. I didn’t have anything left to prepare for another baby. What the fuck is going on?
I held up my hand, cutting her off. “First of all, I’m going to need you to back the fuck up. Second, didn’t you just tell me a few months ago, I was pre-menopausal and that I’d need hormonal supplements to help me through this ‘fantastic’ transition in life?”
Her smile faltered as she flipped through my chart. “Well, yes.” She scrubbed her forehead. “When you came in, you were complaining of not having a period for two months, feeling rundown, and even when you had your periods, they were sporadic. So, we removed your birth control and replaced it with supplemental treatments for pre-menopause.” Then her smile returned. “I should have done a pregnancy test that day, but I’d figured there was no reason to, considering your advanced maternal age and the birth control. Can you tell me if you were on any other medication
at the time? Or if you remember when you started feeling unwell?”
“Two weeks after I began the hormonal treatment. I thought it might be a side effect of the hormone pills,” I said drolly. “So, are you saying this pregnancy could be halfway through and I didn’t even know?”
Yeah, I’d heard about those stupid television shows where the woman was rushed to the hospital complaining of abdominal pains and thinking it was food poisoning, only to find out she was pregnant and about to deliver. I didn’t believe them. Now, I questioned my skepticism.
“Well, an ultrasound will tell us an approximate due date and then we can figure out the rest counting backwards,” she said before opening the door to the exam room. “I’ll have the portable ultrasound brought in, and we’ll go from there.”
Fifteen minutes later, my belly was covered in blue goo, and a picture of the baby I was carrying appeared on screen. I stared at the image, scared shitless. I’d been on hormone therapy. Mackinley IV was getting ready to graduate high school. Rory was graduating eighth grade, and Calhoun was about to join the all-star football team for the city. We were a flurry of activity in our house, not to mention the garage and Flame. I think I’m going to be sick.
“Well, this little peanut is measuring at twenty-three weeks and five days and is weighing one pound two ounces. It appears you’re almost six months pregnant with a very healthy baby. Would you like to know the gender?” It was as if she was trying to soothe me while also control the situation. I wasn’t having it. “Wait... Hold up a second.” She narrowed her eyes, peering at the screen as if unsure of what she saw. “Well, I’ll be.” She turned to me then and grinned. “Congratulations, Mrs. Redman. Twins.”
“Excuse me?” I didn’t think I heard her right.
“You’re having twins.” She turned the screen so I could see them. “There’s baby A and baby B.” She pointed to each of them.
“Holy fuck.” I stared in shock as she rubbed the wand around my belly once more, taking measurements of the second fetus. Twins? Twins? What the fuck were we going to do with twins? I couldn’t stop saying the word.
“I know this must truly be a shock for you, but—”
Fuck it, I went for broke. I was already sick to my stomach with worry and confusion, so why not add a little anger to the mix to really get me going? “Six months? How the fuck is that possible?” My tone, though loud, was deceptively calm. I shook in disbelief. The corners of my eyes burned with unshed tears. I will not break down in front of my gyno. I will not break down in front of my gyno. “No. Mack and I have never known the sex of our children before they were born, and we’re not starting now.” Okay, maybe I needed to breathe a little because that came out way bitchier than intended. Then, I consoled myself by telling myself I was pregnant and allowed to be a bitch.
The doctor printed off several sonograms pictures then handed them to me. “I can call someone for you, if you need them.”
I waved her off. “I’ve got this.”
“Okay.” She cleaned off my stomach. “Look, Mrs. Redman, I know this is a huge adjustment. I can’t even imagine how you feel right now, but from everything I saw on the ultrasound, there is no reason to be concerned or alarmed about your babies health. If you’d like to schedule an amnio test to be assured there is absolutely nothing wrong, we can do that. You’re far enough along to reduce the risks of the procedure. However, if you don’t want the amnio test, we could do an NIPT. It’s the less invasive option.”
One, fuck that.
Two, I didn’t care if there was something wrong with my babies. They were ours, and they would be loved forever and ever.
Three, ain’t no one sticking some sixty-foot long needle into my belly.
“I’m good. Honest. Just tell me what to do so we can schedule the NIPT.”
“Well, I’d like to see you every week. Due to your age, we do it out of an abundance of caution. Also, I want you to take your prenatals every day. If you begin to feel unwell, i.e. headaches, or loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting or a combo of all of those symptoms or something else, I need you to come in so we can monitor you for pre-eclampsia, since the risks for such are higher now. On the flip side, I want you to relax and enjoy the experience again.” She wrote out a prescription for prenatal vitamins then handed over my slip. “I’ll see you in a week. The ladies up front will schedule your next appointment and your labs.”
After I’d arranged everything, I exited the office. I had to tell Mack. There was no getting out of it. He’d been concerned about how much I’d been dragging ass, but we’d both figured between home and the shop, which was growing in business, I was exhausted. Not pregnant. But, then again, the asshole did have a pregnancy fetish. I figured since we had the boys, he’d have settled down. Ha, who was I kidding? If Mack could knock me up every chance he got until we died, he would. The smug bastard.
I glanced down at my stomach and frowned. Why hadn’t I noticed the changes, especially since I was carrying two babies? Over the last sixteen years, I’d put on some weight. It was only natural since I’d pushed three humans out of my vagina, but I wasn’t fat, nor was I super skinny. I should’ve noticed the changes in my body, right? Had I been that oblivious? My vision blurred as I got in behind the wheel of my Custom. This beast had been through everything with me. She brought home all three of our boys and taught them how to cruise. Now, she would carry me and baby number four and five to Flame so I could tell Mack the news.
I drove on autopilot mostly, trying to make lists of everything we’d need, only to find myself jumping from subject to subject. Unable to focus. A quick glance at the time showed the boys would be home from school soon.
The boys.
Shit.
They would be excited for us. They were good kids with level heads on their shoulders. I wasn’t worried per se, but I also knew this would change their lives too. They would go from being a pack of three to a pack of five in less than four months. Like us, they literally had little to no time to prepare.
I’m such a bad mom.
Again, my vision blurred as the first tears began to fall. No. Stop. Get your shit together. You will not fall apart. You are the baddest bitch around. You helped take down a car theft ring. You have a successful classic repair shop and an amazing family. You’ve got this. But did I really have this?
Pulling up in front of Flame, I questioned everything while finding a parking spot. Once I did, I shut off the ignition then got out. The warm spring day greeted me with the scent of wildflowers and food. My stomach growled. At least I still had an appetite. I started for the front door then paused to collect my thoughts. If the staff saw me being a weepy bitch, they’d run and tell Mack something happened before I could do it.
Shaking off my erratic emotional state, I lifted my head and stepped inside the building. I was greeted by a new hostess who had a warm smile. “I need to see Mack. Is he around?”
She nodded. “Right away, Mrs. Redman.” She pointed to the stairs. “He’s in his office. He said I should be expecting you at some point today.”
“Thank you.” I climbed the stairs, willing my knees not to knock while also trying to pep the hell out of myself for the coming conversation. Yes, Mack would be over-the-moon excited, but we were old people now. This... This baby would change everything.
I knocked once at the office door then opened it. There Mack sat, going over the numbers for the restaurant. His head popped up the minute I closed us in his office. His gaze locked on me, and I swore he still had the ability to take my breath away. He was older now, distinguished. Handsome as fuck with all his tattoos and his crazy-ass silver fox beard. I wanted to jump him then and there. Unfortunately, I threw cold water on the idea when I reminded myself I was six months pregnant.
“Hey,” Mack said, crossing to me. “You don’t look so good.”
I snorted. “Oh, I’m peachy keen.”
Mack’s face grew serious. “We haven’t used that term since you found out about Cal.”<
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Ding, ding, ding. “Oh? I hadn’t remembered.”
“Cupcake,” Mack growled in that sexy voice of his. “What happened at the doctor’s today?”
“I think you should sit, Mack,” I said, guiding him back to his chair. When he sat, he took me with him, placing me on his lap. “The doctor and I figured out why I haven’t felt well. It wasn’t the hormone pills.” I took a deep breath then pulled the sonogram from my purse to show him. “We’re pregnant—more specifically, I’m pregnant with twins.”
Disbelief colored his features. He stared at the strip of photographs as though he’d never seen them before, even though we had three boys. “Pregnant? With twins? But h—”
“I swear to fuck, if you ask how, I am going to beat you, Mackinley Redman!” I crossed my arms, hoping to cover up the tremble in my hands.
“I know how,” he said, wiggling his brows. “But what I meant was how when your doctor said you were pre-menopausal.”
“Guess my oven wasn’t as done as we thought.” I sighed. “Six months would be around the time I transitioned to hormone supplements.”
“Wait.” Mack dropped the sonograms. “Repeat that phrase again?”
“Which part?” I glanced at him, watching the color leech from his face.
“The beginning,” his voice cracked.
“Yes, Mack, I am twenty-three weeks and five days pregnant with these two peanuts.” Boy, no one would ever guess I’d been the one freaked out only a short time ago. Now, I sounded like I had my shit together.
His hand went to my belly. “Shouldn’t we have noticed the changes in your body?”
“I thought the same, but obviously not.” I shrugged.
“And everything is okay?” he pressed.
“All good, according to my doctor. She said I could do a NIPT to make sure, but I told her no matter what, the babies would be loved.” I tipped his chin up. “Are you okay with this?”
