Page 51 of Ivy

“I’ve got you. The ambulance is close by. Let’s get you two outside, shall we?” I nod and take a hold of Carter’s hand. I take one more look at Tim and see that he has turned over and is looking at us with pure hate in his eyes.

“You will pay for this, you fucking bitch.”

“Hey, that’s enough,” Officer number two says as he cuffs Tim’s hands together. We are lead through a small cottage and out to the waiting ambulance. Two paramedics come rushing to us and help us into the back.

They poke and prod about, checking Carter and me, connecting me up to a drip for the pain. Carter sits on the little seat next to the stretcher, holding my hand tightly. The last thing we see before the doors close is Tim being walked out by an officer.

*****

Sitting in the emergency room with Carter, my heart rate starts to regulate. I know we are safe, but I won’t truly relax until I see Luke and my brothers. Carter is colouring on the bed at my feet. The nurses have been spoiling him rotten. The police came and took a brief statement before leaving the doctors and nurses to tend to my injuries. I have three broken ribs, two broken fingers, and bruises all over my body. The room they have kept us in is quiet, the only sound the beeping of the heart monitor they have connected me up to.

I hear my name right before the door is pushed open and a beast comes charging in. My heart skips a beat as Carter yells at him.

“Luuuuuke, I knew you would come for us. You love us, right?” I take a long look at Luke as Carter keeps his attention. It means so much to me that he isn’t ignoring Carter and coming straight to me. It proves that my son means a lot to him also.

“I’m sorry I’m late, kiddo. I wish I could have gotten to you sooner. I wish I could have protected you and your mum. God, I love you, Carter. Always, little man.” I sniff and give up trying to stop the tears running down my face. Beast turns his head and looks at me. I swear I can hear his heart breaking right in the room.

“Peaches.” His voice is full of anguish. The emotional dam breaks, and I do a full-on ugly cry and bury my head in his chest when he reaches me. I’m wrapped up in his arms and held safe. He holds me tight to him, but not tight enough to cause any more pain to my ribs. His smell hits my senses and I start to feel calm, like his scent soothes me. I grip the back of his thin jumper when he goes to pull away.

“Stay.”

“I’m not leaving you, babe. Never will I leave you—either of you. You are mine. My family. My fucking world.”

“Family,” I say between sobs. I turn my head and see Dex and Jay standing at the foot of the bed with Carter.

Dex steps towards me first, and Luke moves to the side, not taking his hand from my shoulder.

“I’ll fucking kill him,” Dex growls when he touches my face. He leans in and kisses the top of my head. Jay steps up next, saying his part, before he goes back to colouring in with my son.

“The doctors ran some tests on me and we’re waiting for the results. My injuries will heal in time. I’m used to them.”

“Well, you willneverfeel those injuries ever again, do you hear me?” Luke growls next to me. I smile up at him and nod.

The doctor comes in the room, blushing when she sees the three strapping men. I giggle at her face.

She coughs and gets to the results. “Okay, Miss Castle, all of your blood tests came back clear, except one. Do you want privacy for this or can they stay?”

“They can stay. Luke is my boyfriend and those two,” I motion towards Dex and Jay, “are my brothers.”

“Well, okay, then. The one test came back positive for—”

“Positive for what, Doc?” Luke cuts her off, making her jump.

“Beast, really. Let her speak.” She offers me a smile of gratitude.

“The one test that came back positive was a pregnancy test. You are pregnant, Ivy.”

I gasp and Luke sucks in a breath. Pregnant? How the fudge did that happen? Well, I know how it happened, but I’m on the pill. Oh, hell.

“Pregnant?” Luke repeats.

“Yes. From the blood work we would estimate around twelve weeks along.”

“Pregnant?” I repeat this time.

“A baby. Will I be a big brother?” My gaze snaps to Luke. He’s staring at my stomach, where the tiny human is growing inside me. My heart stills, waiting for his reaction. I reach out and touch his hand. His body jerks and he looks at me, his gaze devouring my face.

“We’re going to have a baby?” he whispers. I nod.

---