“Jess. You’re so sick it’s scaring me. Please stop being so tough and lean on me. I’ll take care of the bill. Let’s just go and get you feeling better.”
“No hospital.”
Hawk’s heart fell. “Doc? Can we do anything for her?”
Stone nodded.
“If we can’t convince you to go to the hospital, we can at least treat what I suspect is dehydration, which might helpyour nausea. Let’s get you up to Hawk’s apartment. I’m going to call Jake to see if he can make a house call. He’ll be able to set you up with an IV, maybe even some anti-nausea medications as a prescription. It’s unfortunately outside the scope of what I’m able to do for a few more weeks until I pass my paramedic certification.”
“Birdie. She can help. I’ll see her, if she’s free.” Jessie looked fucking wrecked. “And she won’t be able to tell Beau about the baby. Because she’ll be doing something medically for me, right?”
Hawk growled as he stood. “We need to tell your family about our baby soon. You’re going to be showing before long.”
A small smile spread across her face as she looked into his eyes. “I can’t wait for that.”
“Me either, sweetheart. You think you’re done getting sick? At least long enough for me to carry you upstairs?”
“Yes. But you don’t have to carry me.”
“What did I just say about being so god damn stubborn? Knock that shit off. Me taking care of you is the least I can do after my incredibly strong and virile sperm knocked you up.”
“And on that note,” Stone chuckled, “I’ll check around and see who’s available to make a house call for your IV.”
Hawk scooped Jessie up, but not before seeing the smile spread across her face. She snuggled against his chest and he didn’t waste any time walking out of the office and over to the elevators.
Mae hovered nearby, but gave a reassuring smile to him as he walked out of the office. Once inside his apartment, Hawk walked Jessie straight down to his bedroom.
“I don’t have to rest here. I can just take the couch.”
He settled her back against his pillows, removing her shoes before tucking her legs under his comforter.
“This is our date day, remember? You don’t have to worktonight, and I get to spend the whole day with you. You’re right where I want you.” Her jeans looked tight, so he undid the button and froze, looking at the gentle swell of her belly.
“It’s just bloat right now. Not sure how I can bloat when I can’t eat anything, but that’s hormones for you.”
“What?”
She squeezed his arm. “My belly. Like I told you the other night. It’s just bloated. It’s not the baby. They’re still too little.”
“Just when I think my mind is wrapped around everything, something new happens and my heart feels like it’s going to fall out of my chest. It just… it feels so real.”
“The vomiting did that for me,” he cringed. “Honestly, Hawk, just put me on the couch. That way I won’t fall asleep on you and I can leave once I’m done with the IV.”
“No can do, sweetheart. That wouldn’t be very gentlemanly of me, now would it?” She smiled, but the green coloring was back in her face and she was gagging into her hand before Hawk even had a chance to grab anything for her.
“Shit. Here.” He ran to the en suite and got the trash bin from there. By the time he came back, she looked a little better.
“I think it was just a false alarm that time.” Her head lolled against the pillows. He knew she was exhausted. How could she not be?
“Jessie, close your eyes and rest. I’ll have Doc come in as soon as he gets here and you are not moving from that spot for the rest of the day. So sleep if that’s what you want to do. I’ll ask Lily and Lacy for help figuring out what might be good with your stomach being so upset. They went through morning sickness too.”
“I’m really sorry.” Tears dotted her eyelashes and Hawk’s heart tumbled in his chest.
“Don’t apologize for not feeling well.”
“It’s not just that,” she sniffled. “I’m sorry for putting you in this situation. I know you didn’t want to settle down. Kids weren’t a part of your plan. And now…” Her hand slid up over her belly.
“God, I love Gunner, but he doesn’t know what the fuck he’s talking about. So, listen to me. This,” Hawk’s hand covered hers. “You and me and our baby are exactly what I’ve wanted for years. I’m not that great at letting people in, so my friends only see what I want them to see. They think I’m Mr. Never-Settle-Down. They think I want to spend the rest of forever on my own. But they’re wrong, Jess. So fucking wrong.” His fingers flexed. “You and the baby are exactly what I want.”
