Page 142 of 12 Months of Mayhem

Rem nods, her lips pressed into a thin line. I can see the wheels turning in her head, probably already planning how to run her business and the club from a hospital bed.

“What about after that?” I ask. “Can she go home?”

The doctor hesitates, and I feel my stomach drop. “We’ll reassess after 48 hours, but I’m going to recommend bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy. It’s crucial we keep that baby inside as long as possible.”

Her hand tightens around mine, and I hear her sharp intake of breath. Bed rest. For Remington Laveau, the woman who never sits still, who runs an MC and a business with an iron fist. It might as well be a prison sentence.

“I’ll be back in a few hours to check on your progress. For now, just sit tight, try to relax, and let the medicine do its job.”

As the doctor leaves, the silence in the room becomes oppressive. Rem’s hand is still gripping mine, her knuckles white with tension. I can almost hear the gears turning in her head, processing this new reality.

“Bed rest,” she finally whispers. “Rex, how am I supposed to—”

“We’ll figure it out,” I interrupt, my tone firm. “The club, the business, the kids – we’ll handle it all. You just focus on keeping our little one safe.”

“But—”

“No buts,” Linny chimes in. “You heard the doctor, sugar. This isn’t just about you anymore.”

I watch as Rem’s free hand moves to her swollen belly, her fingers splaying protectively over our unborn child. The fight seems to drain out of her, replaced by a vulnerability I rarely see.

“I can’t lose this baby,” she murmurs, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears as she looks up at me. “I can’t, Rex.”

My heart clenches at the raw fear in her voice. I lean in, pressing my forehead against hers. “You won’t,” I promise, willing it to be true. “We’re gonna do everything in our power to keep both of you safe. You hear me?”

Linny gives us both a gentle squeeze before excusing herself. “I’ll go update the others,” she says softly, closing the door behind her with a quiet click.

I watch as she takes a deep breath, her chest rising and falling, her hand still protectively cradling her belly. The fetal monitor continues its steady rhythm, a constant reminder of the precious life we’re fighting for.

“Rex,” she starts. “We need to talk about Meredith.”

The name hits me like a sucker punch to the gut. I feel my jaw clench involuntarily, my body tensing at the mention of my ex. “We don’t have to do this now. You need to rest, to-”

“No,” she cuts me off, her eyes flashing with anger. “We need to talk about it. Now.”

The fluorescent lights overhead cast harsh shadows across Rem’s face, accentuating the dark circles under her eyes and the worry lines etched into her forehead. God, she looks exhausted. More so than she did earlier if that’s even possible.

“Alright,” I concede.

I take a deep breath, bracing myself for the conversation ahead. The consequences of my actions, or rather, my inaction, sits heavy on my chest.

“Why didn’t you tell me you saw Meredith before we left for the parade?” Rem asks, but I can hear the hurt beneath the surface.

“I had planned to tell you after we got home. The kids were having a good time, and I didn’t want to spoil it for them.”

“Considering she stole them out of a crowded funhouse, I’d say the evening was ruined, Rex.” The heart monitor behind her beeps, drawing my attention to it as her heart rate climbs.

“Rem, you need to stay calm.”

“Stay calm?” she fires back as the monitor beeps even louder. “Beaux and Birdie were snatched off the street by your ex. Staying calm is not happening.”

“You have every right to be pissed at me, but your heart rate is jumping. The baby and I both need you to take a fucking breath, babe.”

Rem takes a deep breath, visibly trying to calm herself. The monitor’s beeping slows slightly.

“You’re right,” she says through gritted teeth. “I don’t want them coming back in. But Rex, you have to understand how scared I was. How scared I still am.”

I nod, guilt gnawing at my insides. “I know, baby. I’m sorry. I should have told you immediately.”

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