Page 145 of Daddy Sees Snakes

I consider the question.

The sharp pain in my back has dulled to a persistent ache, and my head feels fuzzy. "Like I got hit by a truck," I admit. "But better than before."

He nods, squeezing my hand. "The doctor should be in soon with the results."

As if on cue, there's a knock at the door, and a woman in a white coat enters. "Ms. Ashton? I'm Dr. Patel. How are you feeling?"

I repeat my truck analogy, which earns me a small smile. "That's to be expected," she says. "We've got your initial test results back, but we need to run one more. We'd like to do an ultrasound."

My brow furrows in confusion. "An ultrasound? Is that... for my back?"

Dr. Patel's expression turns serious. "Ms. Ashton, before I answer that, I need to ask—do I have your permission to speak freely in front of Mr. Beckett here?"

I glance at Viper, seeing the concern in his eyes.

Despite everything, there's no one I trust more. "Yes," I say, turning back to the doctor. "Whatever it is, you can say it."

Dr. Patel nods, her voice gentle but firm as she says, "We need to do an ultrasound to check on the baby's condition."

The world seems to tilt. "Baby?" I repeat, the word feeling foreign on my tongue. "What baby?"

My heart races as I try to process this bombshell.

A baby?

How?

When?

My mind whirls, grasping for any sense of control.

I turn to Viper, expecting to see shock mirroring my own, but instead, I'm met with a radiant smile.

His eyes are lit up like I've never seen before, a mix of joy and wonder etched across his face.

"We're having a baby?" he whispers, his voice thick with emotion.

His happiness only intensifies my panic.

This wasn't planned.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

I'm barely holding my own life together, how am I supposed to be responsible for another human being?

"I... I can't..." I stammer, feeling overwhelmed. "I don't know how to be a mother. I'm not ready for this."

Dr. Patel's voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts. "Ms. Ashton, I understand this is a lot to take in. We'll have a nurse take you for the ultrasound shortly. We'll be extra careful due to your broken ribs."

Broken ribs.

Right.

That explains the searing pain in my back.

Viper leans in close, his warm hand enveloping mine. "Hey, baby girl, look at me," he says softly. "We're gonna deal with this together, okay? Don't freak out."

I want to believe him, to feel his confidence, but fear grips me tight. "Viper," I choke out, "we can't keep hiding anymore. We can't wait for Allegra to leave. We need to tell her... about us, about this. And I... I want to be the one to tell her."

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