Chapter 21 - Lena

Over the next week, I watch Sam and Jack continue to get closer. It touches me deeply that Sam is learning the same thing I did—what it means to have a true family.

Even though I'm happy and energized, every day that goes by leaves me feeling tired and irritable until one morning I simply can't get out of bed. Since it's become routine to meet in the kitchen for breakfast with the boys, Jack comes back to check on me.

"Are you awake, my love?" he asks.

I manage a muffled groan, but I don't emerge from the blankets. I feel Jack sitting down on the bed and patting my shoulder.

"You're usually the first one up. Seriously, are you okay?"

I peek out from the blankets, looking up at Jack.

"I've just been run down this week. Feeling very ick this morning. I just need to rest today, I think."

"Okay," Jack says, pulling the blankets up around me. "I'll check on you later."

After he leaves, I snuggle down in the warm, soft bed and try to relax. I hear the boys leave for work, and after that, I just drift off.

Around midday, I hear the car in the driveway and sit up, knowing it's Jack. When he comes into the room with a big paper sack, I almost bounce up and down.

"You got me chocolate cake, didn't you?"

"Yeah," he says sheepishly. "I know it's probably not the best thing for a sick stomach, but I wanted to tempt you with your favorite food."

"Consider your mission a success!" I hold out my hands, and Jack passes me the bag. Suddenly, I'm starving, and I pull out the thick slice of cake and demolish it in a matter of minutes.

"Whoa, you were hungry!"

"Yeah. Well, I was the second I smelled the cake. Thank you so much for coming out here to drop it off in your lunch break."

"No problem at all. I had to come back and check on you. Is there anything else you need?"

"Ugh," I mutter, stretching my shoulders. "I think I slept at a bad angle. I have a nasty ache in my neck."

"Let me help out," Jack says, taking off his shoes and climbing onto the bed. He settles behind me and runs his fingers firmly down my neck. Just that light touch sends tingles running through me, and I sigh with pleasure.

"I haven't even done anything yet," he laughs.

"Your touch just feels so good," I mutter, leaning back into him.

Jack uses light pressure until he finds the knot, then eases it away with circular motions of his fingers. As the muscles in my neck relax, the effect spreads to my whole body and I sink back against Jack, leaning on him. He puts his hands around my waist and whispers against my cheek.

"Do you feel better now?"

"Yes, much."

"I should probably go and let you get some rest."

"No." I grab his hand, turning my face towards his. "Don't go yet. I'm feeling… a lot better, actually."

"Oh, really?"

He grins as I lean over and kiss him. He kisses me back as I turn around to face him and wrap my legs around his waist. I'm only wearing a thin nightgown, and I can see Jack's eyes devouring me as I writhe in his lap. With a cheeky smile, I slip the straps off my shoulders.

"That's not fair," he whispers, his voice low and strained. I giggle and lean back a bit, squeezing him with my knees.

He pushes me back on the bed, kissing me deeply as he settles between my thighs. I start to thrust against him as his hands explore my body, sending shivers across my skin as he pushes the nightgown out of the way.

When my arousal starts to build, I reach down and grab his belt, trying to get it undone. Jack stops me.

"You're not well. I don't want to—"

"I want to," I whisper, breathless. "Fuck me, Jack!"

Jack stares at me for a few seconds, then lets me undo the belt. He wriggles his pants down a bit as he wraps his arms around my waist, kissing me again.

"I can't refuse a direct order," he whispers. I giggle, writhing against him as I tease him.

He reaches down, and I feel his hard cock pressing against me. With a quick twist of my hips, I slide him inside. Jack lets out a load groan as our bodies come together, joining us as one.

For a few seconds, both of us are still immersed in the magic of the moment. Then he looks into my eyes, and I feel my body clench tightly around him. My hands, my thighs, and all the inner muscles I never even knew I had. Jack moans, responding to the pressure, and rocks his hips forward.

I gasp as I feel him thrust into me. That deep aching starts inside, and I grab his shoulders so I can writhe underneath him. For a few seconds, Jack enjoys letting me control the motion, then he begins to thrust back.

We set up a rhythm, a steady pace that starts slow and gets faster and faster. Pleasure streaks through me, waves that crash and roll from that deep core inside and spread to every inch of me. I can feel Jack's cock getting thicker and harder as the pace increases, and I hang on as tightly as I can while my body thrashes between him and the mattress.

The ache inside me intensifies, and as Jack keeps pounding into me, the sensation hits a point of extreme tension, then explodes in an extreme release of pleasure. It's stronger than any orgasm I've had before, and I can feel my deepest inner muscles spasming around Jack's cock.

He gasps and clings to me as his own release follows, clinging to me as the waves of pleasure crash through him. I know this was an exceptionally powerful orgasm for him, too.

When our breathing dies down, Jack gently moves back and settles by my side with his arms around me. For a little while, we just drift, our bodies humming with shared pleasure, both of us knowing the other feels exactly the same way.

"I had better get back to work," Jack says. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes," I mutter, wrapping myself up in blankets. "I'll just nap some more."

"Okay," he says, kissing my forehead. "Call me if you need me."

I hear Jack leaving the house, and I drift off, slipping into a peaceful, light sleep. When I hear the door again, I expect Jack and try to get up, but I get hit by another wave of nausea.

Maybe chocolate cake on an empty stomach was a bad idea.

"Lena, are you home?" Sam calls.

"Yeah, hold on," I answer, getting up and quickly pulling on loose pants and a baggy sweater. I head out to the kitchen, where Sam is anxiously waiting for me.

"Are you okay? It's not like you to miss breakfast. Or work, for that matter."

"I was feeling a bit better earlier, but now I'm a bit down again. I think I should see someone."

"I can take you. Do you want to go right now?"

I hold my stomach as it lurches again, feeling like a closed soda bottle being shaken until its insides are pressurized and bubbling.

"Yes, I should. I have no idea what's wrong with me."

Sam drives me to the nearest doctor, who orders me to get a urine sample and blood test. While he waits on results, he does a brief check over of my vitals before returning to check the initial readings.

"Well, congratulations, Mrs. Holt. It looks like you're pregnant."

"What?" my voice is soft. Sam takes my hand and squeezes it, grinning.

"I'll have to wait for the bloods to come back, but all the symptoms and results are pointing at a hard yes right now. I'll schedule another appointment for you in a week's time, and we'll get you an ultrasound and see how far along you are. Do you have any questions?"

I shake my head, feeling numb and detached from the situation. Sam looks overjoyed, and I wish I could share the feeling.

My whole life is about to change! What do I tell Jack? I know he wants kids, but with me? I'm only just learning how to be his wife. How can I be a mother, too?

The doctor gives me some information to read and lets us go. Sam is puzzled but waits until we get back to the car before asking me what's wrong.

"Lena, are you okay?" he asks. "I thought you'd be pretty happy about this."

"I am," I whisper, tears beginning to prick at my eyes. "But soon, all my energy and time will be focused on my little one… not on you. Who is going to care for you, Sam?"

"Lena," my brother turns to me and takes my hand, looking into my eyes with a gentle expression. "I'm almost out of high school. No one needs to take care of me. You protected me from Father and ultimately got me out of that situation. I'm free now to go to school, to study and shoot for the best grades so I can get into a good college."

"But—"

"No buts. You've done enough by letting me crash with you and Jack and showing me what it feels like to have a real family."

He leans over and pats my cheek, and for the first time, I realize my baby brother is practically grown up.

Maybe it's time to let him go…

"I want you to be happy, Lena," he says. "You've spent your whole life looking after me. You deserve happiness. You deserve to fill your life with love—your husband, your child, your new family. I can take care of myself, sis."

Tears run down my cheeks now. I understand now that Sam wants his freedom, and he's happy that I have a new family to be with when he leaves for college. He's telling me he's thankful for my care… but now he's ready to go.

I touch his cheek, shaking my head.

"Okay then, baby brother. If you're ready to go it alone, then so be it. I'll never stop being scared for you, though. You have to talk to me every day after you move away and tell me what's happening with you, or I'll never be able to focus on my new life."

Sam laughs softly. "I doubt that very much, but okay. I can check in every day and tell you how it's going. No problem at all."

I feel like a huge burden has been lifted from me, and the new responsibility I've been given isn't a burden; it's a gift. Suddenly, I'm full of love for my baby, and I can't wait to meet this little person I'm about to bring into the world.

"I think that's the biggest smile I've ever seen on your face," Sam says, laughing. "Thinking about your kid?"

"Yes," I answer, stroking my belly. "I don't think I'll be able to stop thinking about it."

Realizing how much I want the baby reminds me that I have no idea how Jack will react. He will be tied to me, then, for good. After my family have caused so much trouble within the pack, maybe he won't want me to be the mother of his child.

"Take me home, please," I say to my brother. "I have to tell Jack."

Maybe by the time we get there, I will have figured out what to say.