Chapter Fourteen

Soul

GETTING MARRIED WASN'T in the plans for today. Even knowing the minister was here, proposing and marrying Brooklyn wasn't a well thought out plan, but it's not anything I regret happening at all. I do love Brooklyn with every piece of my soul and know this isn't some short-term fling between the three of us. Wheels is just as in love with our wife as I am. She might not have married him, but she's his wife regardless of what anyone thinks or feels about the situation. This is right in our mind and hearts as we continue to build our life with Brooklyn. As long as she's happy, that's all that matters to either one of us.

"We're almost to the hospital, Love," I whisper to Brooklyn who hasn't moved since we got in the SUV.

"Thank you, Gavin. I love you both so much and it scares the hell out of me. But, I want to go on this journey with you and I don't regret marrying you even if others feel it's too fast," she says, her voice still tinged with the tears that won't stop falling from her gorgeous eyes.

"Why are you thankin' me, Love?" I ask her, using my finger to tilt her head up so she's looking at me when she answers.

"You're both always saving me. There wasn't a single ounce of doubt about you coming for me when I was locked in the cage. I knew you and Jayce would burn the world down on your way to get to me," she says, her voice small and weak once again after being held for hours by Bennett.

"You don't ever have to thank us for comin' to get you," Jayce states from the driver's seat as he looks in the rearview mirror at us. "We love you and there was never a doubt about us comin' for you."

"How's Theo?" Brooklyn suddenly asks, her lip trembling as she thinks of the Prospect.

"He's gonna be okay, Love. He's out of surgery now. His leg was damaged and they had to fix it but feel as though he'll make a full recovery. There was no damage to his spinal cord, though that was a concern when they first got him to the hospital since he wasn't movin' and didn't wake up the entire time. He doesn't have any bleedin' on his brain either. Again, another concern they had when he was first brought in. Hulk has been there waitin' on him to get a room from the second we got the call that's where he was. I don't know who the fuck cleaned up the scene of the accident, but we'll figure it out when we talk to Darren. You're our first concern though," I answer her, keeping my arms locked in place around her trembling body as Jayce races toward the hospital I can just make out in front of us.

"Can I see him once I've been checked out by a doctor?" she asks as I look at Jayce to get his thoughts on this matter.

"As long as the doctor doesn't say you're on complete bed rest or anythin' like that, you can see Theo. If the doctor wants you restin' and away from the hospital immediately, then you'll have to wait. We'll bring Theo to you as soon as he gets discharged. That's the best we can do for now, Little Warrior," he answers her, hurt filling his eyes as he takes in the bruises that are becoming more pronounced against her pale skin with every passing minute.

"Okay," she whispers, her eyes closing as exhaustion takes over.

I really don't want to wake her up, but we need her to remain awake and alert so she can share her story with the doctors. Once they have the necessary information, she can sleep as long as she needs to. Her body has been through hell and needs rest and time to recover.

"Love, you need to stay awake for us just a little bit longer. You need to talk to the doctors before you can sleep. Can you do that for us?" I ask her, gently moving her around in my arms so she's sitting up more than before.

"I don't know if I can. I'm so tired," she responds, not opening her eyes as I look at Jayce and feel him press down on the accelerator harder despite how close we are to the hospital.

Jayce manages to get her to the hospital before she falls asleep. He parks the SUV right outside the doors of the emergency entrance and jumps out before opening the back door. I watch on as he pulls her into his arms and I slide out after them. Then I'm running behind Jayce as he races inside the hospital, calling out for help as a team of nurses and doctors race to the waiting room where we've entered.

"What's going on here?" one of the nurses asks, slowing down to walk with Jayce and I as we make our way back to one of the exam rooms.

"She was kidnapped and held against her will for several hours today. We've just rescued her from the asshole who took her and brought her here to be examined. We aren't sure what happened to her while she was away from us. The man who had her, an ex-boyfriend, is abusive and there isn't a doubt in my mind that he's hurt her. That poofy dress is hidin' the extent of the damage. You can see she has bruises on her face and neck already. She's pregnant. I'm not sure if she was drugged or anythin' either. We've been tryin' to keep her awake so she can answer the questions you'll have. I know her main concern will be the baby she's pregnant with though," Jayce answers as I try to find my voice so I can speak up as well.

Now that we're at the hospital, everything is fucking hitting me full force. The adrenaline is leaving as fear fills me to the point I feel as if I'm going to collapse on the floor before I can take another step forward. Still, I keep putting one foot in front of the other as we make our way into one of the larger exam rooms this hospital has in the emergency department. Brooklyn is surrounded and so many things are being done to her as Jayce and I lean against the wall to stay out of the way so we're not kicked out of the room, leaving Brooklyn all alone after everything she's been through.

We've been in the emergency department for hours now. Brooklyn is currently in a hospital gown with an IV in her arm. Her entire body from her thighs up to her face have various bruises and cuts. There's even a decent sized bruise on her stomach and fear for our baby takes over my body once again. Brooklyn is currently sleeping as we wait for the technician to come in so she can have an ultrasound done. We'll be able to see the baby and tell whether everything is going to be okay based on everything that's been done to our wife.

Brooklyn told the doctors and us what happened to her while Bennett had her. If he weren't currently being held in jail, I'd leave her to go find him. I want to rip him limb from limb and ensure he pays for every ounce of pain he's inflicted on our girl. Instead, I remain in one of the chairs alongside Brooklyn's hospital bed while Jayce remains in the other chair across from me. No one's even thinking about kicking us out because Dr. Crewes has told everyone here that if one of our women enter the hospital her man is to be with them at all times. They've taken his words to heart and that's why we've been allowed to remain back with her while they were examining her and didn't put up a fuss like most other hospitals would have.

"I'm gonna stretch my legs and go let everyone know that we're still waitin' on them to run more tests. I'll see if Hulk or anyone has an update on Theo too," I tell Jayce as the room starts to feel as if it's shrinking in on me.

I hate hospitals and the only reason I'm still here is because our wife is laying in a bed. When I was younger, I vowed never to step foot in another hospital if I could help it. Then, I was put in one myself after the failed mission and had to watch on as my entire team laid in those beds and were tended to for various injuries. Now, I show up for my friends and those associated with the club and leave as soon as it's appropriate to do so. I know they understand; we all have various levels of PTSD, and for me, hospitals tend to trigger mine.

"Okay, Gavin. If you need to take a breather, it's okay. Brooklyn will understand," Jayce states, his voice barely above a whisper as he looks away from Brooklyn for a few seconds. "I'll explain that you need a minute if she wakes up and you're gone."

"Thank you," I mumble before escaping the room and head to the waiting room where our family and friends are waiting for any news.

Cricket, Fee, and Nanny rush up to my side and wait for me to speak as Cricket digs around in her large purse.

"We're waitin' on one more test to be run. It's the one we've been waitin' for since we got the news," I tell the women in front of me cryptically since the guys have all stood and now surround us. "Right now they have her on IV fluids, they've done blood work, and have cleaned up all the cuts and bruised areas covering her body. Bennett really did a fuckin' number on her. Yes, we know it was all him based on what she's said. She's ready to testify against her parents, his parents, and Bennett to make sure they're all put away. Once the doctors have all of the information from the blood work and this last test, we'll find out what has to happen movin' forward. I know a few of you heard some news and we'd appreciate it if you kept that to yourselves for the time bein'. It's what Brooklyn wants and it doesn't need to be repeated so she's upset."

"We got you," Scorch assures me as he pulls his wife into his arms while Goliath does the same to Cricket. "You should know that Brooklyn's parents have been released from jail. They've returned home and I don't know what their next move will be. None of us do. Fetch just went over to keep an eye on them."

"Fuck!" I growl out, raking my fingers through the short strands of hair on my head. "This is the last fuckin' thing Brooklyn needs to hear today. I'll talk to Jayce about this and we'll figure out when to tell her. For now, keep this shit to yourselves please. Anyone got news on Theo?"

"Yeah. He's out of surgery and Hulk is in his room with him. Theo's not awake yet, but they anticipate him wakin' up in the next few hours. Hulk ain't leavin' before he does. I honestly don't see him leavin' until Theo does. He told me that he doesn't have a woman and kids at home so he doesn't have a reason not to stay at the hospital with Theo," Scorch informs me as guilt flashes in his eyes and Fee wraps her arms around her husband in comfort.

"Okay. Brooklyn wants to see him. We're not sure if it will happen yet. It all depends on what the doctors say when they get everythin' back. I just needed a little break. I better get back in there," I say, stopping from completing my turn toward the back when Cricket rests her hand on my arm.

"I grabbed these from the cabin before we came here. Goliath told me what you guys did and I thought you'd want them," she tells me, holding out her hand as I hold out mine to her and watch as she drops the bands for Jayce and I into my palm.

"Thank you, Cricket," I tell her, giving her a small smile as she looks at me with tear filled eyes.

"Tell her we're all here and we'll take care of her as soon as she's allowed to leave here. I'll start cooking the second we get back to the compound," Nanny says, taking the attention off of Cricket as she tries to get herself back under control.

"I will. You don't have to do that, Nanny," I try to tell her as she turns a glare on me.

"You're all my family and I will do whatever I want to take care of you all. If that means I spend days cooking and baking, then that's what it means. You'll let me do what I want and keep your mouth shut, Soul. Don't make me send my grandsons after your ass," Nanny threatens me as Goliath starts laughing his ass off.

"I'm sorry, Nanny," I tell her, leaning forward and pulling her in for a hug.

"Go be with your wife and I'll make sure you're okay when you can finally leave here. If you need me, I'm right here, Gavin," Nanny whispers to me because she's one of the few who knows why I hate hospitals so much and how hard this truly is for me.

I finally release Nanny and turn to make my way to the exam room where I follow a woman pushing in a machine. Quickly, I take a seat next to Jayce on my side of the bed as we watch the woman do her job while letting us know she's the ultrasound technician. With a look at Jayce, we wake our wife up so she doesn't miss seeing our baby on the screen.

"Oh. Cricket brought these for us," I quickly whisper to Jayce and hand him over his wedding band as the technician watches us slip it on our fingers. "Love, you need to wake up now. The lady is here to show us our baby."

"Mmhm," she mumbles, trying to sink lower under the thin blankets covering her.

"Little Warrior, do you want to see our baby?" Jayce asks her as he tries to wake her up.

"What?" she asks, her eyes popping open as fear fills them once again as they dart around the room.

"It's just us with you, Love. The technician is here to do the ultrasound. We wouldn't let anyone else but staff and our family in the room," I tell her, my voice soft and gentle as she fully wakes up and calms down.

"Okay," Brooklyn says, turning her attention to the technician as she continues to type away on the machine in front of her.

"I'm gonna need you to verify some information for me before we can get started. And, I'd like to inform you that you'll have to have an internal ultrasound since no one knows how far along you are. Your brothers can step in the hall to wait while it's being done," the technician says, her voice a seductive purr as she bats her eyes at Jayce and myself.

"My husbands won't be going anywhere. I suggest you fucking stop eyeing them as if you stand a chance with either one of them. If you want to keep your damn job at this hospital, I suggest you be a fucking professional and do your job and only your job," Brooklyn says, claiming us in front of this bitch.

"What? Why would they be with you?" the bitch questions Brooklyn as I watch the door open and see Dr. Matthews walk in the room.

"Helga, you're done here. No one in this hospital needs you here any longer. This is the last time you disrespect a patient by showing your slutty side," Dr. Matthews states, anger lacing her voice as she moves Helga away from the ultrasound machine.

"You can't fire me," the technician states with a smirk on her face as she glares at the doctor the ol' ladies use.

"Yeah, I can. I've already been to the board about you and they're in agreement about getting rid of you. You can leave on your own and have time to clean out your locker, or you can be escorted out by security and your belongings will be packed up for you," the doctor informs her as the door opens once again and Jayce and I crowd Brooklyn on the hospital bed with the two large men entering the room with us.

"Fine!" Helga yells, her voice echoing off the walls of the exam room.

We all watch on as she leaves, screaming and tossing stuff all over the place. This bitch is a real piece of shit and I'm glad she'll no longer be allowed around our woman.

"I'm sorry about that, Brooklyn. You've been through more than enough based on what I've been told. I will personally do your ultrasound so we can see what's going on with your baby. I want to ensure your mind is at ease and you're not stressing yourself out with wondering if something happened to the baby. Now, was I correctly informed that you were drugged?" Dr. Matthews asks, concern in her voice.

"Yes. I don't know what they gave me, but it was injected into me," Brooklyn answers, tears filling her eyes when she relives everything that's been done to her.

"Okay. Let's see what's going on and then we'll go from there," Dr. Matthews says, a soft smile on her face as she checks over the information and ensures everything has been put in correctly.

Jayce and I watch on as Dr. Matthews covers some kind of dildo looking thing with a condom and talks us through every move she's making. I want to be sick as I watch her insert the medical device inside our wife. Jayce and I hold her hand and arm as she winces and tries to relax while this is happening to her.

"Okay. It's too soon to hear a heartbeat. You've got a few more weeks at least before we'll be able to hear that. So, we'll move right on to looking at the baby. If you'll put your attention on the screen at the end of the bed, you'll be able to see what I'm looking at," Dr. Matthews informs us as we all move our attention to the screen where a black and white image appears.

I have no clue what we're looking at, but I can't take my eyes from the screen. Brooklyn gasps after a minute and I tear my eyes away to look at her. Our wife has gone even more pale than when we first saw her in that prison. Fear fills me as I try to figure out what's going on. Is she hurt? Does she feel something happening with the baby?

"Am I seeing things right up there, Dr. Matthews?" Brooklyn asks, her voice wavering as she pulls her eyes from the screen and looks at the doctor.

"I think you are, Brooklyn. Guys, do you know what she's talking about?" Dr. Matthews asks us.

"No. I have no clue what's up on that screen," Jayce answers, his voice full of shock and fear.

"Brooklyn is indeed pregnant. She's not carrying one baby, guys. Your woman is pregnant with twins. If you look up at the screen I'll show you," Dr. Matthews says as my heart stalls in my chest and I suck in a deep breath of air since my lungs have stopped working in the last few seconds with her words. "Here is Baby A. And over here is Baby B. You can see they're in two separate sacs so these twins will not be identical. They're fraternal twins. It appears as if you're about four weeks pregnant. When you come in for your appointment, we can talk about your tentative due date and go over any concerns you have. Right now, I don't see any issues. I'd like to do a few more ultrasounds over the next few months to ensure there's no change in that."

"Okay. Thank you, Dr. Matthews," Brooklyn responds as Jayce and I remain silent.

"Um, is there anythin' different we should be doin' or watchin' for?" Jayce finally asks the doctor.

"Not right now. I don't foresee any problems occurring moving forward with the pregnancy. For now, Brooklyn, I'm going to put you on light bed rest. What that means to me is that you're not to work or do any lifting whatsoever. You can either stay in bed or sit in a chair or on the couch. You can get up to go to the bathroom and get yourself something to eat as long as you're not cooking a full meal. When you come in for your appointment with me, we'll re-evaluate the situation and see if anything needs to change. If you experience any pain, bleeding, or something you don't feel right about, call me immediately. The girls have my personal cell phone number and will give it to you," Dr. Matthews responds as I release the breath I didn't realize I was holding and watch as Brooklyn nods her head with tears rolling down her face and a smile showing up for the first time since we got to her in the mansion.

"Thank you, Dr. Matthews," I say, my voice breaking as my emotions threaten to overwhelm me.

"You're all very welcome. I'm going to go get your discharge papers worked up. It says you're already taking prenatal vitamins so I won't need to give you a prescription for those. The nurse will be right in to unhook your IV and then you can get changed. Let the guys help you and don't try to do it all on your own," Dr. Matthews warns our wife before she removes the thing from our woman and disposes of the condom.

We watch as she presses a few buttons and hands us some pictures after a few minutes. Jayce puts them in his pocket as the doctor leaves us alone in the room once more. None of us say anything as we try to process what we were just told. I don't think any of us were expecting to learn we're about to be parents of twins. I can't honestly be mad about it though.

Jayce and I help Brooklyn get dressed in a pair of sweatpants and one of our shirts after removing the hospital gown. We let her know that we'll no longer be staying in the cabin next to Nanny because our house is finally done. We've been waiting on the rest of the furniture to arrive and it finally did yesterday. We left our wife alone to put things where they belong with the help from the guys in the club. Brooklyn nods her head in agreement and I can tell she's out of it with the glazed look in her eyes and her semi-quick breathing. This is going to take some getting used to, but we'll deal with it together as a family. We have an amazing support system in place and we'll rely on them when we need help and someone to talk to.