“Baby girl is growin’ fast, Mia. Only about eight weeks to go, maybe sooner. You guys think of a name for her, yet?” Doc questioned, looking from me to Noah, and back to me again.
“I have a name in mind. Actually, it was your momma who gave it to me,” I informed Noah. “What do you think about Madison? Can we call her Maddie for short? It means gift of God.”
Noah sat on the bed, placing his hand over my bare stomach, gently rubbing it all around. I didn’t have to look over at Creed to see the sad expression that would be staring back at me. I could feel it.
“What do you think, baby girl?” Noah leaned in, placing his lips close to my belly. “You like the name, Madison?”
As if on cue, she kicked Noah, making us both laugh. She was already so smart. He smiled, looking down at my belly with nothing but a loving look in his eyes.
“I think that was a yes.”
“Madison it is then. I can’t wait to meet you, hold you, and be your daddy,” Noah addressed, talking to her. Following her movement with his hands.
He crouched down further, leaning in closer, with his lips inches away from my skin. His breath stirring the same emotions inside of me as he did that night. I swallowed hard, overcome by the sentiment from his simple touch. Fully aware we weren’t alone this time. Something made me peer back at Creed.
We locked eyes.
Knowing he could feel it, too. He knew.
“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Maddie,” Noah added, bringing my attention back to him. “You and your momma.” With that he kissed my stomach, allowing his lips to linger for a few moments. “I already love you, so much,” he murmured to my belly before he pulled away, standing up beside me again. His eyes were glossy with tears, but he quickly blinked them away. Shaking his head and clearing his throat.
The room fell silent for what felt like forever. Suddenly there was a huge elephant in the room, no one was going to address.
Especially me.
Doc pulled my shirt back down when he was done. “Pregnancy suits you, Mia. There are very few women who are still glowin’ at this point. It’s a good sign, means Madison won’t be too much trouble. Which is surprisin’ considering her bloodlines,” he joked, trying to break the strain in the room.
I couldn’t have been more appreciative of him for that.
“It’s been easy for the most part,” I sincerely answered, caressing my belly. “Other than being a little more tired than usual, she’s been good to me. I’m going to miss having her in my belly, though. Feeling her kicking inside me, flipping around. It’s the most amazing sensation.”
“Just means I gotta knock you up again, Pippin,” Creed vowed, speaking for the first time since my check-up started.
Noah narrowed his eyes at him, earning him a grin in return.
“How about we let Mia get dressed,” Doc ordered, winking at me. He gathered up his things and placed them in the black doctor bag by his side he always brought with him.
Since I was in my last trimester, he started stocking up the safe house with everything he’d need to deliver the baby. Including medications, fluids, and a bunch of weird looking instruments.
The boys nodded, walking toward the door and following Doc out. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath when I heard the door close behind them.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
My eyes flew open, startled by Creed’s voice. Instantly looking in the direction it came from. He was leaning against the closed door, his arms folded over his chest. Eyeing me with a broody regard. I sat up, flinging the sheet off my body, reaching to grab my panties and yoga pants off the dresser.
He pushed off the door, walking over to me. Snatching my clothes before I could, he kneeled down in front of me and took a hold of my foot. I smiled as he helped me get dressed, knowing I was getting too big to do so by myself.
“Thank you,” I let out when he was finished. Standing face to face.
He grabbed my chin, making me look up at him. “Asked you a question, expectin’ an answer.”
“Sounded more like a statement to me.”
“Mia...”
I pulled away. “I have to take the chicken out of the oven before it burns. Doc is staying for dinner, and I told your brothers they could come inside to eat, too. I don’t want to feed ten people burnt food. And since you like to remind me that my place is in the kitchen, cooking your meals, then you should probably let me go do that,” I stated, giving him a curt nod. Sidestepping him to leave, but he caught my arm.
“This ain’t over.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He let go but spanked my ass hard as I walked by, causing me to yelp.
We all sat around the dining room table, eating dinner together, for the first time since I had been there. It was a nice change from dining alone most nights at the kitchen island. Creed and his brothers, including Noah, had such a family dynamic to them. Reminding me so much of my own, making me miss them even more. He once told me that the MC was considered a brotherhood. They looked out for each other. Had one another’s backs, no matter what. Reminding me often, I was a part of their family now, because I was his woman.
And they protected their own.
I could finally see what he meant just by watching them together, and this was only a few of the brothers. I couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to have the whole club in the same room.
Diesel cleared his throat, bringing everyone’s attention to him. Raising his beer in the air, uttering, “I’d like to make a toast to Mia. For puttin’ up with us foul-mouthed bikers, makin’ this kickass fuckin’ meal, and for handlin’ this situation like a fuckin’ pro. Not being a little bitch or a pain in our fuckin’ asses.”
I laughed, smiling wide. “And here I thought you didn’t know my name.”
He knowingly nodded, giving Creed a smart-ass look. “We were told to treat you like a lady, and even God understands, none of us know what the fuck that is. So, we decided to keep our mouths shut, instead. Wouldn’t want to piss off lover boy over here.”
Creed flipped him off.
They spent the next hour, telling me funny stories about the club, shooting the shit, and filling me in on the good times and fond memories. It was one of the best nights I had in the last two and a half months. I loved every second of it and was sad when it came to an end.