AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Is everything okay?” Nicole asks.
“I’m not sure. He sounded different. Actually, he sounded happy.”
“You told him about the baby?” Nicole asks.
“I didn’t get the chance. Whatever he’s happy about, it’s not the baby. I didn’t even get to ask him to meet us at the house. He told me to wait for him here and I just agreed like a dummy.”
Nicole’s Tinkerbell laughter floats around me. “That sounds like my boy. I swear he’s so much like his father it’s a little scary.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready to hear that just yet. Dragon is a lot,” I mutter as we sit on the bench at the bottom of the concrete steps that lead to the clinic.
“Hate to break it to you, Thea, but so is Dom. That’s my point.”
“I guess so,” I mutter. “I would have liked just a little more time to get used to the idea that I’m pregnant before I have to see him.”
“Newsflash, Thea. With Dom, that’s something you better get used to. None of the Savage men give their women time.”
“Are you trying to scare me off?” I mostly joke. I expect Nicole to say something smartass back. When she doesn’t, I look up to see her staring at an angle from me. I follow her gaze and quickly see Gabby walking toward the clinic.
Shit. Shit. Shit!
That’s the one person I truly didn’t want to see today. The happiness that had built up inside of me starts to slide away. Nicole and I stand up together and are rewarded with a gasp when Gabby sees us standing there. For a second, I’m pretty sure I see panic on her face. Does she think the two of us will gang up on her?
“I guess I don’t need to ask if Dom told you I’m pregnant. It’s clear you know if you’re stalking me and bringing his mother into it,” she says, giving me a look that I’m sure is meant to kill me on the spot.
“Gabby, I don’t want to fight with you. We need to be adults here. You might be pregnant, but I’m not giving Dom up. We’re going to have to learn how to get along—if for no other reason than the baby.”
“That’s not happening. You are not a part of my baby’s life. I won’t allow it.”
“You won’t have a choice. I told you, I’m not giving Dom up. We’re all going to have to be adults so we can co-parent. Whatever issues we have, the child is innocent.”
“You’re dreaming. I'm not letting you near my child.”
Nicole laughs. “Gabby, you act like you have power here, and you don’t. You won't be able to stop it. There’s not a court around that will keep a child from the stepmother, especially one like Thea who checks all the boxes the courts demand.”
“Stepmother?” Gabby bites out. Her face flushes with anger. If looks could kill, Nicole would be dead, and I wouldn’t be far behind. “You’re not married to Dom. What lies are you spreading to get his parents on your side?”
I carefully fold my results again and put them in my pocket. I don’t want her to take them out of my hand. Then I hold out my hand, showing the engagement ring Dom gave me. “We’re not married yet, but we soon will be.”
“You stupid cow! You're trying to ruin everything here! I won’t allow it!” Her voice is so shrill that it pierces the air. She reaches out to hit or shove me—I’m not sure of which. “I won’t allow you to ruin this for me, you bitch!” Nicole jumps in between us—trying to protect me from her. She scratches the side of Nicole’s face before she draws back, trying to go around her to get to me.
Nicole slaps the side of Gabby’s face. The sound rings out and immediately stops Gabby’s yelling. “Gabby, stop this. You’re not supposed to be fighting in your condition and Thea shouldn’t be, either. The number one priority here is the babies.”
I hold my head down. Now, I’d like to be the one to strangle my soon-to-be-mother-in-law. The last thing I wanted today was for Gabby to find out I was pregnant. I don’t trust her as far as I can throw her. I wouldn’t put it past her to try to hurt my baby. In reaction to that thought, my hand goes against my stomach.
Gabby’s face fills with shock. “You’re pregnant?” she asks, her voice quieter. I see a pain in her eyes. I can tell how much the thought of me carrying Dom’s baby hurts her. If she were a different person, I could almost feel sorry for her. She’s not, though. Everything that is happening results from her actions and so is the pain she’s feeling right now. If I were a better person, maybe I’d feel charitable toward her. I mean, if she hadn’t fucked up, I’d never have had a chance with Dom. I don’t, however. I’d be more than happy if she would just disappear from our lives—and yes, I know that’s a horrible thing to say since she’s carrying Dom’s baby, too.
God, my life has become a soap opera.
“Yes,” I admit.
“You’re pregnant,” she whispers, and pain fills her voice this time.
Before any of us can say more, I hear the familiar roar of the pipes on Dom’s bike. I look up to see him parking on the street. He immediately scans the area in front of the clinic, jumps off, and makes a beeline for me. He goes around Gabby without looking at her and takes me into his arms. I can’t say a word because his lips are on mine, kissing me hard.
I’m in shock and can’t even fully enjoy the kiss before we’re breaking apart. His gaze goes to his mom. “What happened to your face?”
“It’s nothing. Gabby and I just had a small disagreement.”
