Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 63194 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63194 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
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.
Nicole
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!
“Yes, absolutely positive. Your going to be parents to three identical babies. They are very healthy, uniform in size and correct for fourteen weeks gestation. If you would like to find out the sex that will be at your next scan. Multiple births are always considered higher risk and although everything looks great I’ll be keeping a close eye. We’ll be seeing each other a fair few times over the next 26 weeks.”
He handed them several photos from the scan and made them another appointment for two weeks time, after explaining everything she needed to do for her own and the babies’ health. He then recommended some books and handed her some pamphlets that Duke immediately snatched from her and put in his pocket. As soon as the doctor left, Duke scooped her from the bed and held her tightly to his chest. She could feel him trembling.
“Three babies…. Three babies…. Fuck Nicole, we’re having three babies!” He chanted into her ear. He drew back slightly before smashing his lips to hers. His kiss was desperate, all consuming and she responded in kind. Her hand lay over his heart and felt it rapidly beating against her palm. “Come on baby, we need to get out of here, fuck knows what germs and shit are all over this place.” He glanced around the room as if expecting the germs to all of a sudden appear and attack her. “You heard the doc; plenty of rest, no stress and healthy eating. You need to lie down, you’ve already done too much.” He all but carried her out of the clinic and into the SUV.