Free Our Lovely Baby Bump by Dahlia Rose

doctor said with a smile. “He asked for Charlie, and the nurse said we’ll find him for you soon. Mr. Greyward said, not a he, my girlfriend. Tell her we’re having girls.”
    Charlie laughed between her tears. “He said that?”
    Dr. Kendall smiled. “He bet me fifty dollars on it. We’ll get you to come on back to see him when he’s ready for visitors.”
    “Thank you,” Charlie said gratefully. “Thank you so much.”
    “You’re welcome.” Dr. Kendall patted her hand and got up from the chair.
    Angel hugged her from one side and Caleb from the other. Cocooned between them she let her tears of relief fall, and Angel did as well. Caleb comforted them both, but Charlie heard the husky emotion in his voice as he cleared his throat more than once. They were all scared shitless to lose one of their family foursome and the relief in the room was palpable.
    Much later she sat beside the hospital bed looking at the man lying on it. John filled up every bit of space and with his eyes closed he didn’t look like the big behemoth who could carry a keg of beer on one shoulder. He looked vulnerable, and she was reminded of how fragile they all were. She stroked his knuckles on his big hand and kept thanking God he was alive.
    “Hey.”
    She was so intent in her thoughts she didn’t notice he woke up.  His husky voice was music to her ears.
    Charlie smiled, holding back her tears. “How are you feeling?”
    “Pleasantly numb,” he answered. “Whatever is in this IV bag is freaking amazing.”
    “So you remember everything?” Charlie asked.
    He nodded. “Yeah, outside the club and being shot, never want to do that again.”
    “We should sell the club,” she said firmly.
    John shook his head. “No one is going to chase us away from our dream. We’ll hire more security if it makes you feel better.”
    “I was never so scared in my life.” Charlie squeezed his hand. “I couldn’t stand the thought of losing you.”
    John winked at her. “Sweetheart, I’m not going anywhere, I’ve got too much to live for.”
    “Good. I need you to be here for our girls,” she said with a smile. “The doctor said you made a bet with him that we’re having girls.”
    “That’s because we are.” He grinned and tried to move closer and winced. “Well, that was painful.”
    “Don’t move,” Charlie cried out and stood. She bent over his body and kissed him. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”
    “I don’t plan on it,” he said in a sleepy drugged voice.
    “Girls huh?” she said again with a smile.
    “Most definitely. I’ll have a bevy of beautiful ladies to watch over and love,” John said.
    “Now I’ve got to take care of you,” she said and brushed his sandy blond hair away from his face.  “Homemade potato cheddar soup and warm sourdough bread.”
    “Mmmmm, sounds yummy,” he said and closed his eyes sleepily. “All I need is you.”
    “You got me, honey, always and forever.” She kissed his forehead. “Sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
    There was a long, sofa-like chair in the room. As his breathing evened, telling her he was in deep sleep, Charlie went into the hall to send Angel and Caleb home and ask for a few pillows and some blankets.  No matter how much they cajoled her to go home with them Charlie was firm in her decision to stay by his side.  She’d promised she’d be there when he woke up, and so she would be.  She covered herself with the blanket and lay on her side watching him sleep until tiredness caused her own eyes to close.
    * * * *
    She’d reached the seventh month of her pregnancy and headed into the doctor’s office for another check-up and ultrasound. She had one at every visit now that the babies were growing and moving around. Hopefully, you’ll show us if you’re boys or girls , she thought rubbing her stomach idly as John drove.  He had recovered quickly from his injuries and wanted to go back to work a week after being hospitalized. She