Page 97 of Snowbound with the Santas

Archer holds me against him, winding his arms and legs around me while Frankie subdues Ashton.

Maybe now, it is finally over.

“I’ve got you,” Archer says over and over again. “I’m right here. I’ve got you.”

Archer doesn’t wantto leave me even as I arrive at the medical center, but the doctor insists and quickly sends him packing. On the walk over, I hoarsely explained everything that happened while Frankie and security took care of Ashton. I scared myself. I’ve never thought myself capable of killing someone until that moment, but Archer did the right thing in stopping me. It would have brought me a few seconds of relief and then I never would have been able to live with myself.

No matter how terrible a person Ashton is.

Sitting in the doctor’s office, I let her examine my throat and hand. She’s gentle and efficient, talking to me about the snow, Christmas, and her son. It’s nice to listen to as she takes some blood and runs through any allergies I might have.

“Okay, I want to prescribe you some anti-inflammatories and some painkillers,” she says, moving behind her desk. “They will help with the swelling of your throat and keep the pain levels down.”

“Thank you.” Each time I talk, his hand feels like it's still there, and my heart rate spikes slightly.

“You’re not allergic to any medication, are you?”

“No.” I shake my head. “Nothing I know of, at least.”

“Alright. And you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding, are you?”

“No, I…” I pause. “I don’t think so. I have the coil, so… y’know.”

She looks at me over the top of her monitor. “Are you sexually active, dear?”

I nod.

“No problem.” Her smile is warm. “Let’s take a test just to make sure. Better safe than sorry, yes?”

I nod again. It seems standard, but suddenly, I’m nervous for an entirely different reason. The IUD has never failed me, but this past month has been unlike any other month in my entire life, second only to the night of the accident.

The doctor hands me a test and shows me to the bathroom. Then she stands outside and tells me how excited she is for the New Year’s party while I squat and pee on the stick. I know she’s trying to keep me calm, but there’s something strange about listening to her talk.

Parties and celebrations? They seem too alien when I’ve just had my crazy ex try to kill me. As I pee, there’s a distant knock and the doctor excuses herself.

By the time she returns, I’m back at her desk with the stick sitting in a glass, awaiting the results. She pats me gently on the shoulder as she passes.

“The authorities would like to speak to you when you are ready,” she says as she sits back behind her long desk. “I told them not to rush you. Your uncle also appears to be dealing with them.”

I roll my eyes. I don’t have the patience for him or my mother. I don’t want to see anyone. I want to be back in Archer’s arms. I want to cry about how scared I was and how certain I was that murder was my only way out.

The doctor picks up the glass and examines the test, then her face breaks out into a warm smile.

“Well, my dear, it seems you are pregnant.”

A small gust could easily sweep me right off my chair as every nerve in my body freezes solid.

“Wh–What?”

“You’re pregnant! I can use your blood tests to confirm, but it looks like you are going to have a baby! What a lovely Christmas surprise!”

37

NICK

“So, what’s going to happen?”

Two days later, Rayne stands in her hotel room watching Frankie lazily stretch out on the bed. Archer stands next to me, damp from his shower and a towel loose around his waist, while I hurriedly undress.

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