Boss Daddy: Chapter 34

Never before have I felt this kind of fear. Not even in Afghanistan, dodging gunfire and living moment to moment.

I’ve faced death before, stared it in the eye more times than I care to admit, but the thought of Erin hurting or being in danger destroys me.

The tiny ER room feels suffocating. I’ve been pacing the narrow floor for what feels like hours. The air’s thick with the scent of antiseptic. Worry coils in my gut, tightening with each minute that passes.

Erin could be pregnant.

What a goddamn way to find out.

It’s crazy to consider, especially given how little time it’s been since we first slept together. But the timeline doesn’t lie, and it is possible.

I need to stop pacing. That’s not doing a damn bit of good for anyone.

I pause and cross the room, taking Erin’s hand in mine. My thumb brushes her knuckles, and she looks up at me. In that moment, the world narrows down to just the two of us.

I sit down next to her on the hospital bed. My hand stays clasped around hers. “How long have you known?”

She hesitates, her gaze dropping to our joined hands. “That’s the thing. I don’t know, I just feel it. I’m late, if that helps. But it’s almost like a gut instinct.”

“If you feel it, there’s probably a reason.” I intertwine my fingers with hers.

She looks up at me, her eyes heavy with worry. “I’ve only suspected it for a few days,” she admits. “I was planning to tell you as soon as I could sneak away and take a test. But then everything exploded and—”

“Why didn’t you just tell me when you first suspected it? We could’ve gone together.”

Her gaze drops again, and for a moment, she’s quiet. Then she sighs. “Because I wasn’t prepared for this. For a baby. I had no idea how you’d feel about it and I didn’t want to—”

“Stop,” I cut her off. I shift closer, taking both her hands in mine, holding them tightly. “No matter what happens, I’m here. I support you completely, Erin. We’ll get through this pregnancy together.” I grin. “Then we’ll get married.”

Her head jerks up, her eyes wide with disbelief. “What?”

I chuckle softly, leaning in to kiss her forehead. “You heard me. I love you, Erin. And if we’re having a baby, we’re doing this together. All of it.”

A single tear slips from the corner of her eye as she stares at me, her lips trembling slightly. “I love you too.”

I lean in and kiss her, and for a moment, the world completely fades away.

The sound of the curtain being pulled back breaks the spell. Erin straightens, her face flushed as we both look up.

The doctor steps inside, a warm and gentle smile on her face. “Good evening. Sorry to interrupt, but I have news.”

My stomach tenses. I can’t tell from the doctor’s tone or expression whether the news she’s about to tell us is good or bad. All the joy I’ve been feeling from the idea of having a baby could be swept away in seconds.

Erin’s hand squeezes mine so hard I worry for a moment she might break some bones.

“What kind of news?” I ask.

The doctor folds her hands in front of her. “The blood you were worried about is just spotting. Completely normal in early pregnancy. There’s nothing to worry about.”

I hear an audible whoosh of air leave Erin’s lungs at the news.

The thought of Misha hitting her still makes my blood boil with rage. The fucker’s lucky he’s in police custody right now.

Erin and I exchange a look, relief washing over us. Her lips twitch into a grin, and before I know it, we’re both laughing softly. I pull her closer, pressing a kiss to her temple, and she smiles up at me, her eyes shining.

“So I’m having a baby? I hadn’t taken a test yet to confirm.”

The doctor chuckles. “Well, I can confirm that, yes, you’re having a baby,” she says with a smile. Then she pauses. “And as far as your HcG numbers look, the baby is healthy.”

Erin lets out a sob, one of total relief and happiness. I wrap my arm around her as much for her comfort as for my own.

She’s okay. The baby’s okay.

“You’ll need to schedule a follow-up appointment within the next week to start prenatal care.”

Erin nods slowly. “Right. Appointment. Prenatal care. Got it.”

The doctor smiles at us one last time. “Congratulations to you both.” Then she walks away, pulling the curtain for privacy, leaving us alone.

As we look at each other in awe, I get a text from James.

Cops picked up Mark not too far from the club. Little shit’s not getting away with what he did.

“They got Mark,” I tell Erin.

“Good.” That’s all she says, her tone cold.

I text James back.

How are you?

Fine. Just some stitches.

Good. Drinks are on me for the next week.

And maybe a raise while you’re feeling generous.

I laugh out loud before responding.

We’ll talk.

I sit still and quiet for a time, the reality of what’s happening dawning on me.

“You alright?” she asks.

“Just… thinking.”

“The good kind of thinking, or the bad kind of thinking?”

I’d been so wrapped up in the worry that something bad had happened to her that I hadn’t processed the actual news. Now it’s hitting me.

She’s pregnant.

I reach for her, cupping her face in my hands as I pull her in for a kiss. When we pull back, her forehead rests against mine.

“I love you,” I whisper, my voice rough with emotion.

“I love you too.”

Despite everything—the fear, the worry, the danger—in that moment, everything’s perfect.