Page 10 of Embracing the Consequences

She knew there were tops that she wore to work that would now show that new ink, but she didn’t care. She wanted the world to know that these were her men. And she was theirs.

Kara spent the rest of the weekend either in bed or running to the bathroom to throw up. When Sunday afternoon rolled around, Kara was crying softly on the bathroom floor when Johnny walked in. She had just finished getting sick, hadn’t had the chance to even brush her teeth yet, when he sat down on the floor next to her.

She briefly wondered why the two of them always ended up here together, why all of their major life-altering conversations happened in this bathroom. Something about the space calmed her, though. She only wished Kevin and Derrick were in the room, too, so she wouldn’t have to repeat herself.

Because she knew exactly what Johnny was going to ask. He’d seen her puking up her guts for the last four days.

When he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her against him, she went easily. She leaned against him, feeling weak and lethargic. The sickness was getting worse, not better. She was barely eating. Most smells set her off, and what little food she managed to eat didn’t settle right in her tummy. She even had problems keeping water down at this point.

“I made homemade chicken noodle soup,” Johnny murmured softly as he ran his hand down her back.

She closed her eyes. “Thanks,” she muttered. Her entire body ached; everything hurt. She was probably dehydrated too.

“I sent Derrick to the store to pick up some things.”

“Mmm,” she mumbled, not really paying attention. She was so tired, so weak, and Johnny was so warm. She wanted nothing more than to bury herself in his body and soak up his heat, his strength.

“Some ginger ale, crackers, Popsicles.”

She didn’t reply as her heart suddenly pounded in her chest, her thoughts racing a million miles an hour after his statement. She needed to get up and brush her teeth. She wanted to crawl back into bed but didn’t have the strength to stand up.

Johnny kept talking softly, though. His voice was a gentle rumble over the top of her head. “When is your appointment?”

She froze but didn’t have the strength to fight. “A week from Tuesday.” She sighed.

He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Maybe we should call the doctor tomorrow and make sure everything is still in normal range?” he suggested, running his fingers through her ponytail.

She pulled away to look at him. He didn’t seem upset, just worried. “You’re not mad?” she asked.

He gave her a soft smile and shook his head. “Nah, baby. I told you, I love you. You’re it for me.”

She wanted to smile; the relief that flooded her would have made her smile if she felt better. Instead, tears prickled her eyes. “Do Derrick and Kevin know?” she asked softly.

“Yeah, babe,” Kevin answered from the open doorway.

A sob broke out of her as she turned to see both Kevin and Derrick standing in the doorway. The latter had a plastic grocery bag hanging from his hand. Both men were watching her with worried smiles on their faces.

“I was going to tell you guys.” Her voice was jagged as she sobbed.

Johnny pulled her back against his chest, and she went easily, falling back into him. “Shhh,” he whispered. “It’s OK. I overheard you in the bathroom with Rachel at the clubhouse. It’s why I wanted you inked that night instead of waiting. I told these two when we got home.”

She only sobbed harder against him. She’d wanted to tell them herself. Maybe in a cute way with a baby onesie or something? They’d never discussed kids, but in the last couple weeks they had talked about their relationship and their future. They all had agreed they were in it for the long haul.

Kevin moved into the bathroom and sat down on her other side. He grabbed her hand and laced their fingers together as helifted them to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “We love you, baby. We just want you to feel better and not be so sick.”

She heard boots slapping on the tile before Derrick’s big body crouched down in front of her. “Baby girl,” he said with a smile. His fingers cradled her chin gently and turned her face toward him. “I’m ecstatic that you’re pregnant, but we’re worried about you. Let’s get you feeling better, then I can show you just how happy you’ve made me.”

She finally cracked a smile and nodded slowly. “K,” she murmured.

“Alright, let’s get you up.” Derrick nodded.

Together, the three of them helped her get slowly to her feet. She brushed her teeth for the hundredth time before they helped her back into bed. Someone had changed the sheets, and she was grateful. She only wished she had taken a shower before she crawled in. Maybe later, she thought as she curled up on her left side.

The bed dipped behind her as someone climbed in, and she dozed off. She would deal with the ramifications of their conversation after she woke up.

She woke several hours later feeling a little better. She was warm and felt rested, not so weak and lethargic. She rolled over and was greeted by the sight of Derrick’s bare chest. His torso was covered in tattoos, and when she looked up at him, she could see the fresh ink on his neck with her name.

She smiled and let herself admire the rest of him. His green eyes were closed, and his chest rose and fell gently and rhythmically. He was still sleeping. She was grateful for that. She had learned his breathing patterns in the week after he had been shot. Had that only been a few weeks ago?

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