The Biker's Fate Chapter 317

Lily

Two weeks later...

SO... PREGNANCY SUCKED. Big time. I could barely stay awake, even if I'd slept for what felt like forty-two hours. I couldn't keep anything down, but I couldn't take the anti-nausea drugs the doctor prescribed while I was on shift because they made me sleepy.

I was also grumpy as hell, and I was pretty sure I was pushing Maverick to the brink of insanity. It was about two weeks away from our wedding day, and I didn't think I'd make it that far into the future. The world knew we were pregnant now, and if I thought my protection detail was stifling before, it was downright claustrophobic now. Flea, I could handle. Flea and Train were a pain in the butt.

"You doin' okay, chickie?" Alana asked, and I bit back a yawn.

"Yep, I'm great."

She giggled. "You look like shit."

"Thanks?"

"Are you interested in getting off the night shift?"

"Is that an option?" I asked, hopefully.

"Day shift just opened up in labor and delivery, but it's only two days on five off, so you'll take a major hit to your paycheck."

"Yeah, that might be a little tough. Let me talk to Maverick. Can I let you know next shift?"

"Sure. But I can't wait any longer than that."

"Thanks, Alana. I really appreciate you looking out for me."

"You're a great nurse, Lily. They'd be lucky to have you."

I burst into tears.

"What did I say?" she asked, her face falling.

"Nothing. I'm just hormonal, and that was really sweet."

Alana giggled. "Oh, honey, it gets better. I promise."

"I hope so." I grabbed a tissue and blew my nose. "Because if it doesn't, I'm never getting pregnant again."

Alana hugged me... then we were back in the thick of an emergency. By the time Maverick picked me up, two days a week sounded like a vacation.

"How are you feeling, baby doll?" Maverick asked as we drove.

"I feel great," I deadpanned. "Like I could run a marathon."

He lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed the palm. "Sorry, honey. I'll rub your feet when we get home."

"Thanks, Möosh."

We arrived home, and I discussed the option of working part-time with him while he did incredible things to my feet. I swear it was almost better than sex... almost.

"I think it's a good idea, Lil."

I licked my lips, suddenly thirsty. I grabbed my bottle of water next to me. "But it means we're going to have to wait to move."

"We're going to have to wait to move anyway," Maverick said. "Until there's no threat, we're staying put... and it's working, right?"

"Yes, it's working. I just want to be a little more independent."

Maverick chuckled. "Even if we weren't living in the basement of your parents' house, we'd still be here every day. We probably wouldn't really be more independent; we'd just be paying more rent for the illusion of it."

I sat up, crossing my legs in front of me so I could scoot closer to him. "Is this okay?"

"Is what okay?"

"All of this." I waved my hand around the small apartment. "Most days, I feel like I'm an imposter... like I'm still a little kid, and I can't possibly be someone's mom. Other days, I feel like I have everything figured out and will rock the hell out of it... but those are less. And then I worry that I'm not giving you everything I—"

"Enough," Maverick said gently and pulled me onto his lap. "I love you."

"I love you too, but—"

"Babe," he admonished. "Stop. You're perfect, Lil. You give me everything and more, and you're going to be the best mom on the planet. Give yourself a break."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, baby doll, I'm sure. Now, text Alana and tell her you'll take the new schedule." He stroked my cheek. "If we could afford for you to quit entirely, I'd want you to. Baby steps." He smiled. "Pun intended."

I sighed and buried my face in his neck. "Thanks, Möosh."

"You're welcome. Now, off to bed with you." He stood with me in his arms and carried me to the bedroom, settling me on the mattress. After making me take my nausea meds, he kissed me gently and said, "I have to get to work, but I love you."

"Love you, too. Have a good day."

"I'll set an alarm so you can keep your sleeping schedule."

"Okay, baby, thank you."

He kissed me again and then closed me in the dark.

I woke before my alarm and felt amazing—better than I had in weeks—so I showered and put on a little makeup before heading upstairs to see what my family was doing. They were all in the family room watching some football game.

"Hey, baby girl," Dad said, craning his neck to smile up at me.

"Hey."

"Are you hungry?" Mom asked, scooting away from Dad, but he pulled her back.

"I'm good, Mom, thanks. I had some saltines, and that's about all I can handle."

"Take a load off," Dad ordered.

I flopped onto the sofa, purposely jostling Hunter who raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. It didn't matter that I was carrying a baby; I was still a big sister driven to irk her little brother.

Rex jumped on the sofa beside me and laid his head on my lap. When the commercials came on, Dad muted the television (he didn't believe in DVRing games of any kind). "How are you feelin'? Really?"

"I'm good... right now," I said and smiled. "I was offered a lighter schedule, actually."

"That's great," Mom said and I nodded. "It's not great?"

"How old is too old to be living in your parents' basement?"

"Forty," Dad said, at the same time, Mom said, "Fifty."

I giggled. "Okay, so you're both okay with me and Mav living in the basement a little while longer?"

"Yes," Mom said at the same time Dad said, "Absolutely."

"Glad we had this talk."

When the game came back on, Dad un-muted the television, and I relaxed into the sofa, enjoying some much-needed family time.

Soft lips and a scruffy chin had me blinking my eyes open, and I smiled up at Maverick who had a freaked expression on his face. "Hi. Are you okay?"

"Not really."

Rex growled, and I scratched his head and asked, "What's wrong?"

"My pregnant woman wasn't where I left her, but it's weird because I didn't get a text saying she wouldn't be where I left her."

"Ohmigod." I bit my lip. "I'm so sorry, Möosh. I totally planned to, but I must have fallen asleep." I glanced around and noticed the family room was empty, even though the television was still on.

Maverick sighed, pulling me up off the sofa. "Come on. We'll talk about it downstairs."

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and followed him to the apartment. He closed us in and grabbed a beer, heading to our sofa and settling his body on it. I was still standing by the door and trying not to freak out by the rage pouring off him. He turned so he could stare at me over the couch.

"Technically, I didn't go anywhere," I rushed to say. "I just went upstairs."

"I know. I texted Hawk."

I threw my hands in the air. "Then why are you so mad?"

"Because you didn't tell me you were leaving the apartment... or have your phone, Lily! I couldn't find you."

"For how long?"

"What?"

"How long until you texted Dad once you couldn't get a hold of me?"

"Not the point," he ground out.

I crossed my arms. "How long, Maverick?"

"Three minutes," he grumbled and took a swig of his beer.

I shook my head. I could argue—I could tell him he was being ridiculous—but I could also put myself in his shoes. His pregnant woman was missing, albeit for three minutes, but enough to worry him, and I was sorry for that. "I'm sorry I didn't text you. I should have. My only excuse is pregnancy brain, but I totally get why you were worried. I will be better about keeping my phone with me in the future."