He quickly sets the test on the nightstand, grips my waist, and pulls me under him, his lips catching mine.
We’ve kissed before. So many times over the past year, but this is different. More intense. Filled with a raw emotion that leaves me shaking.
He pulls back just enough to whisper against my mouth. “I love you so much. So fucking much. We’re having a baby, Addie... We’re having ababy.”
And just like that, all my fears dissipate. He rises on his elbows and all I can see is the absolute bliss in his eyes. We’ll make this work. He won’t let my dreams slip through my fingers. I know he won’t. He’ll work twice as hard to make sure I have everything I ever wanted.
“Hey, hey...” He gently wipes my cheeks with his thumbs. “Why the tears?”
“Happy tears,” I assure him, holding his gaze.
“Promise? You can tell me if you’re scared. I know you didn’t want this for another few years.”
“I’m not scared, but if you want honesty... I’m surprised how happy I am.”
He pushes a relieved puff of air down his nose. “I wanted you to finish school, have fun, live your dreams, but this... this iseverything. You... mine and pregnant. I’ll be here every step of the way. You’ll finish school and get your veterinary clinic, I promise.” He drops a kiss on my forehead. “How far along are you? And... how? You were on the pill.”
“I don’t know how far along. I lost track of time. Six, maybe seven weeks? I got so busy with exams and work I might have forgotten to take the pill a few times.”
“Your exams were almost three months ago, baby. Why didn’t you tell me? You always tell me when you forget to take it.”
“I... I don’t know. I’m sorry I didn’t run it by you. I just... I see your brothers with their kids, and it’s hard thinking we have to wait two more years.”
“Have you seen a doctor?” He moves down until he’s level with my tummy. “How long have you known?” He presses his lips to my lower belly, caressing my waistline with his fingers, pure awe on his face.
“I’ve done about twenty tests the past three days. All positive. I’ve not seen a doctor yet. I didn’t want to go alone.”
“We need to see a doctor, Addie. As soon as possible.” He hops off the bed, snatches his phone, and heads to the bathroom. “Grab a shower and get dressed.”
Less than two hours later, after a long debate on whether I should wear a seatbelt while pregnant, we enter a private clinic. It took ten minutes of back and forth before Colt caved and strapped me in, triple-checking the seatbelt was as low as possible.
I’ve had no time to process the news, but Colt’s in his element, his overprotectiveness in its highest gear. I’ve had glimpses into that side of him over the past year, and while he’s nowhere near as overwhelming as Nico or Logan, he does have his moments.
Sometimes, I let him get it out of his system. It seems to help if I let him dote over me occasionally. Makes him less prone to going overboard. Other times, when I’m particularly annoyed, I scream that I’m not a child and can do shit myself... That’s when I end up on my knees with his cock in my mouth.
“I want the full workup,” Colt tells the doctor the moment we cross the threshold of his office.
He told me on the way that Dr. Jones has been responsible for every Hayes pregnancy since Cassidy got pregnant with Noah. That might be why Colt’s attitude doesn’t faze him. He’s had to deal with Nico, so I doubt any demand could come as a surprise after that.
I’m on the bed five minutes later, and the doctor spreads cool gel on my tummy while Colt sits in a comfortable-looking chair, holding my hand.
“We might need to do a vaginal ultrasound if you’re only six weeks, but we’ll try this first since Colt thinks it might be longer,” he says, grabbing a wand.
The room fills with the sound of a steady heartbeat. The rhythm oscillates through the speakers, and Colt’s grip tightens around my fingers, his other hand resting on my thigh.
The screen is nothing more than gray static, but the smile on the doctor’s face tells me he can see things I can’t. “You’re definitely not six weeks, Audrey,” he states, his fingers working the ultrasound probe over my belly, poking here and there. “By these measurements, you’re nine weeks along.”
“Is the baby okay?” Colt asks anxiously, gaze fixed on the screen.
“Perfectly fine,” the doctor assures, adjusting the monitor. “Nothing out of the ordinary.”
“What about Addie?”
“They’re both doing well from what I can see, but I want to order Audrey some blood tests, and we need to sort out prenatal vitamins.” He keeps checking the screen, touching the wand to my tummy. “Any questions?”
“Yes,” Colt blurts, features pinched. “When will she start showing? Can she wear a seatbelt? What should she avoid? She’s not been sick even once. Is that normal?”
The doctor cocks an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Your sisters-in-law have had eight babies between them now, and you’re still not an expert?” He chuckles, pulling out a pregnancy pack. “Here’s all you need to know, though I believe an evening with your brothers will be more helpful. Just don’t pay too much attention to Nico. He’s the most out-of-control, overprotective man I ever met. Though I must say... you’re not far behind. And yes, she can and should wear a seatbelt.” He hands me a paper towel to wipe the gel off my belly, but Colt’s on it in an instant.
