Madness: Part 2 – Chapter 84

“What?” I ask. My ears hear her, but my mind doesn’t believe her.

“Don’t lie to him!” her mother snaps from behind me.

“I’m pregnant,” my wife repeats, ignoring her as if she’s not in the same room with us.

“It’s impossible!” Isabella shouts. “She’s lying to you. Trying to trick you. It’s probably someone else’s.”

I’m the only man Charlotte has ever been with. If my wife says she’s pregnant, then she’s pregnant. I place my hands on her flat stomach, and she covers her mouth trying to quiet her sob but fails. “When…? How…?” I have so many questions. It hasn’t been three months since she received the shot.

“I don’t know.” Charlotte sniffs. “I’ve been sick. I thought it was just nerves. But Ashtyn had me take a test, and it was positive.”

I’ve seen her sick. I’ve held her hair, rubbed her back, and bathed her when she was sick. I thought she was just stressed.

I smile at her, and she laughs softly as fresh tears fall from her bottom lashes. The smile on her face is breathtaking, and I wish we were alone so I could show her just how much I love her and how excited I am that she’s having my baby.

“I can answer those questions.” Bill speaks up, joining the conversation once again.

He looks at her mother and then at me. “I’m the reason Anna…Charlotte,” he corrects himself. “Is pregnant with Haidyn’s baby.” The room falls silent, and he looks over at his wife. “And you helped me make it happen.”

“None of you know what you’re talking about,” Isabella yells.

“You had her set up at your spa.” His eyes go to Charlotte. “And when you two got into that argument, Charlotte confessed that she had sex with Haidyn for the first time and that he put her on the shot. I was able to change out her IV bag at her next spa visit and had it filled with a solution to counteract the shot until Gavin administered the next one. It was only a matter of time before he knocked her up.”

Her mother screams, and I watch my wife’s face fall. “What is it?” I ask, cupping her wet cheeks. “Are you okay?”

Charlotte’s wide eyes search mine. “I…I wasn’t thinking.”

“What is it, doll face?” I ask, wondering why she’s panicking all of a sudden. This is great news. I hated the fact that I had Gavin put her on birth control and that Isabella took that opportunity from us.

“Only Ashtyn knew. I haven’t told anyone else…she promised…”

“Calm down. Take a deep breath, beautiful.” I interrupt her rambling. “What is it?”

Taking in a shaky breath, she whispers, “The Lords at my house…you said they gave me something to appear dead…then the adrenaline. I just realized…”

“We’ll have Devin check on the baby,” I assure her. I don’t want her to panic or think the worst. So much is happening. We’ll take one thing at a time.

“I didn’t even think about it,” she rushes out. “I made Ashtyn keep it a secret because I didn’t think you wanted kids. I’ve been trying to think of how to tell you…”

“Charlotte,” I command, stopping her. “It’s okay.” I don’t want her to regret her decision. I understand she felt abandoned and did what she thought was right.

She nods, looking around aimlessly. “Okay.”

I look up at Kash. “Can you…?”

“Go. Go.” He waves us off.

I take her hand and pull her out of the basement and to the elevator. Isabella isn’t going anywhere; the guys can have her tonight. I’ll get everything I need from her another time.

Thirty minutes later, we’re entering our bedroom in the birdcage, and I lie her down on my bed, cuddling up next to her. “Talk to me, doll face,” I urge, pushing her hair from her tear-streaked cheeks. “How long have you known?” As I ask the question, my hand drops to her flat stomach, and I push up her T-shirt. Thoughts of her pregnant belly come to mind. How beautiful she’ll look. Devin did an ultrasound and assured us the babies are fine. And that he’s more than willing to let us see them whenever we want. “Use your words, doll face.”

She sniffs before licking her lips and whispers, “Two days ago. You were still in the hospital. When we got back from Dollhouse and the sedative wore off, I got sick again, and Ashtyn talked me into taking one of her tests.”

I sigh, dropping my forehead to hers. Both of my hands cup her soft face. I hate that I left her tied to her bed all alone and had no clue that she was pregnant. To raise my children. “I’m sorry, Charlotte.” What would Isabella have done to her and my babies if they hadn’t pulled me out of there when they did?

“I’m the one that’s sorry, Haidyn. I promise…” she rushes out. “I swear I didn’t know.”

I shut her up with my lips crashing onto hers. I hate hearing her apologize for something she had no control over. She opens her mouth for me, and I deepen the kiss as her hands go to my hair. She digs her fingers into it, pulling tightly.

Did I want a child? No. Not before she came into my life. But just like Isabella put Charlotte in my life, her stepfather made sure she always remained a part of it. I was willing to give my life up for hers. Now she’s giving me life. Nothing could be better.

I pull away and she sucks in a deep breath. “I love you, Charlotte,” I tell her. I hope she knows that by now, but I want her to hear it. I was taught that words mean nothing, but she’s made me realize they are important.

She blinks, fresh tears falling from the corner of her pretty blue eyes. “I love you, Haidyn.”