“I know,” she says, patting my shoulder. “I plan to prioritize making a healthy baby for us above everything else.”
I nod, allowing my momentary panic to subside.
While Nora gets dressed, I call Jasper.
“You’re up early, Jinx. What’s up? Did Nora think of something else that might have a bearing on our situation with the Hyenas?”
“No. She’s pregnant. She told me and I saw the positive pregnancy test strip.”
Jasper’s voice turns warm and pleased. “Congratulations, Jinx. You’ve got a fine old lady and now a baby on the way.”
“Thanks, Prez. But we’ve got a problem that needs immediate attention.”
“Okay, whatever you need we’ll make it happen.”
“She bled a bit this morning. It’s stopped now, but she needs to get checked out.”
“Do you want an escort taking her to the emergency room?”
“I think we should get the doc to take a look at her. If she thinks Nora needs to go to the ER, that’s what we’ll do. I don’t particularly want to risk taking her outside the compound if I don’t have to. Especially if the Hyenas are waiting for any chance to take her.”
“Okay, you go take care of your woman and I’ll call in the doc.”
I chuckle and get off the phone to check on Nora. She’s moving slowly but no longer looks like the world is crashing down around her. I get dressed and text one of the prospects to bring us up some breakfast. Making sure there’s ginger ale and some dry toast and crackers in case she isn’t feeling hungry.
Dr. Marsh shows up within the hour. She sets up in the chapel, although she knows the club officers don’t like her doing that. She’s an older woman, sixty if she’s a day. She’s still alert, sassy, and doesn’t care what anyone says. The second her eyes land on me hovering just inside the doorway, she points at the hallway.
“Get out, Jinx.”
“Doc, I’d rather stay,” I say stubbornly.
“I know, but I want you out. You can hold her hand and worry over her all you want once I’m finished. But right now, I’ve got a bunch of personal medical questions I need to ask, and women can’t always answer honestly with their partners lurking around.”
“I’m not fuckin’ lurkin’,” I tell her indignantly. “This is my baby too and I want to be involved.”
Her voice softens a bit. “You can be involved, just not right now. I’ll come and get you when I’ve finished the exam.”
So, I tuck my tail between my legs and go out into the fuckin’ hallway. Truth be told, I don’t want to make my old lady uncomfortable.
Queenie brings me coffee, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “Everything’s going to be okay, Jinx. You’ll see. Your old lady isn’t the first woman in the world to get pregnant.”
“Did they throw Rock out back in the day when you were pregnant with Jasper?”
“They didn’t have to. Back then men didn’t dare come into the exam room for anything gynecological or pregnancy related.”
Taking a sip of my coffee, I tell her, “Nora was bleeding and cramping. You had four kids. What do you think that means?”
She looks up at me with her hands on her hips. “It could mean something or nothing. The only way to find out is to let Dr. Marsh finish her exam.”
I nod, still not liking the idea of being separated from my old lady. I stand there, right outside the door sipping my coffee, just to have something to do.
Queenie gives my arm one last squeeze and trots off. Queenie isn’t much younger than Dr. Marsh and is about Nora’s size. She gave birth to four boys who turned out to be big strappin’ bikers, so I hope my old lady will be fine too.
When Dr. Marsh finally waves me in, Nora’s lookin’ better with color back in her face and she holds out her hand for me to come and sit near her. I’m guessing whatever Doc found wasn’t bad news. Relief and pride war for top place in my emotions as I stride across the room, take her hand, and squat down beside her.
“Here’s where we are right now,” Doc says, packing her bag while she talks. “Spotting this early is common. The cramping only happened a couple of times, and it’s eased up already. Everything I can check without a full medical set up looks fine. I’ll order an ultrasound just to make sure, but everything’s looking okay.”
“It happened after sex. Did she tell you that, Doc? Maybe we shouldn’t…”
