Chapter 8

Alexa clutched her hands together as she was rolled into a different room, pain sluicing through her. A technician was standing by, and she tried to breathe through the stabbing feeling. The doctor she’d briefly seen earlier came striding in, tablet in hand, a nurse at his side. “We ran some tests on your bloodwork,” he said, his tone brusque. “I think we may know what is causing your distress. You’re pregnant,” the doctor explained as Alexa’s jaw dropped. “Unfortunately, your numbers are low, and it’s likely ectopic. Do you understand what that means?”

“I’m pregnant?” Alexa asked in shock. “But we always used condoms. I can’t be pregnant.”

“Condoms are effective most of the time—ninety-nine percent. The numbers, although low, confirmed a pregnancy. Are you on birth control?”

“No, because we used condoms,” she stressed.

He nodded. “I understand. An ectopic pregnancy implants in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus. With your pain level, it’s likely the tube burst. We’ll do an ultrasound to confirm, but then you’ll need emergency surgery. Once we have a visual of what’s going on, we’ll better know how to move forward.”

“Um, okay.”

“Is the father in the picture?” the nurse asked gently.

“Yeah, we’re dating,” Alexa said, tears smarting her eyes. “He’s on his way. He has no idea I’m pregnant either. This is a total shock.”

“We can offer you some resources on pregnancy loss,” she explained.

“No. No, I’m okay,” Alexa said.

The next half hour passed by in a whirl. Ultrasounds and medical history and goodness knew what else. Before she knew it, Alexa was signing consent papers and being whisked into surgery. While it was a relief to have answers and know she wouldn’t be in pain much longer, aside from her recovery time, she could barely process everything that had happened.

When she awoke later that afternoon, she was groggy and disoriented. Her abdomen felt tender but nothing like the debilitating pain she’d been in earlier. A nurse was moving around, checking her vitals while she remained in the recovery room. Getting the nurse’s attention, she asked for Austin. Much to her surprise, he came striding in only a few minutes later, his tall frame and big shoulders filling the doorway. Austin’s eyes locked with hers, and then he was moving toward her, looking more rattled than she’d ever seen him before.

Sweet relief coursed through her, competing with waves of anxiety. She was so happy he was finally here, but that meant she’d have to tell him what had happened. She’d been pregnant. Despite being careful, Austin had still gotten her pregnant with his child.

Tears smarted her eyes.

“Lex,” he said, taking her hand as he sank into a chair by her bed. His gaze raked over her, and he hesitated, clearly wanting to touch her but also worried he’d somehow hurt her more. “A nurse told us earlier that you were in surgery. Are you okay? Shit. I was so damn worried about you,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “They wouldn’t even tell me what was wrong.”

“Everything happened so quickly,” she said. “I had to sign the papers authorizing the surgery and—” She broke off, blinking away her tears.

“Hey,” he said, leaning closer. One big hand cupped the back of her head, and she sniffled. Austin smelled faintly of the ocean, of sunshine and sunscreen and salty air. His cheeks were slightly sunburned, and she immediately felt better with him close. “Are you okay?” he asked, his deep voice calming something inside her.

“Yeah, I will be.”

He nodded and moved his hand, thumbing away a stray tear as it tracked down her cheek. Austin leaned closer, pressing his lips against her forehead. The gesture was tender and sweet, and she felt her heart swell. They’d never truly discussed what they were to one another. He’d told her earlier he’d want her at his side if he ever got stationed elsewhere, but that had been a fleeting moment. A blip in their afternoon, not a serious, life-changing decision.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice low.

Alexa’s gaze shifted to the nurse moving around the recovery room and then back to Austin. He was watching her intently, and she let her eyes track over his face. It felt so good to see him. She’d been terrified, and despite knowing he was somewhere in the hospital, she’d still been all alone as they’d wheeled her into the OR.

“I’m a little sore from the surgery but doing much better than the awful pain I was in before,” she said.

“What happened?” he asked, searching her eyes.

Alexa reached out with her free hand, and he immediately took both her hands between his. She was still hooked up to the IV, but he held her so damn carefully, fresh tears began to fall.

“Shit, are you okay? Should I call the nurse over?”

She squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head. “I’m fine, just a little overwhelmed.”

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“It turns out I was pregnant,” she said ruefully, blinking away the wetness in her eyes as she looked at him once again. “It was ectopic, and my tube burst. That’s why I was in so much pain.”

Austin had gone still, clearly trying to process what she was telling him. “You were pregnant?” he asked, looking completely dumbfounded.

She cleared her throat. “Apparently so. Remember at the volleyball game a couple of weeks ago? I had some weird twinges in my abdomen then, too. I probably got pregnant when we first slept together, but it implanted in the wrong place. The pain I felt was from my tube bursting. They had to perform emergency surgery because I was bleeding internally.”

“Oh my God,” he said, looking alarmed. “But you’re okay?”

“Yeah, I will be.”

Austin shook his head, still looking surprised. “Damn. I can’t believe this. I mean, of course I believe you, but hell. We were careful.”

“I know. Guess you have some super sperm,” she joked.

Austin looked surprised for a moment but then let out a low chuckle, his entire body relaxing. “I can’t believe you’re joking about this,” he said, but his lips quirked, and he looked at her affectionately.

Alexa shrugged. “I mean, we did give those little guys a number of chances,” she said conspiringly, her voice low. “In my bedroom, in the shower, on the sofa, the hallway, plus that one time in your Jeep.”

Austin’s eyes danced with amusement as he tried to hold back his laughter, and he ducked down for a soft kiss. Despite the fact that she was lying in the recovery room, probably looking like hell, Alexa felt warmth flood through her at his touch. Austin’s big hands still held her own, and the way he hovered over her so protectively made her feel lighter. Safer. She’d be okay now, and she was literally basking in his attention. Austin’s eyes shone with emotion as he glanced down at her. “We did give them ample opportunity, didn’t we? I’m so glad you’re okay. I was fucking terrified when you passed out on the beach.”

“I barely remember it,” Alexa admitted. “I was reaching for a drink, and then I could barely stand. Gosh, that’s kind of embarrassing. Everyone was there watching.”

“There’s no need to be embarrassed,” he told her. “Everyone was worried about you. What do you need?” he asked, lightly rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand. For such a big, macho guy, she loved how affectionate he was with her. Austin would never be the type of man afraid to show his emotions, and she loved that about him.

“I’m not sure,” she said. “I think they have to admit me since I just had surgery, but hopefully I’ll only need to stay one night.”

“I’ll stay with you,” he promised.

“The chair in the hospital room can’t be very comfortable,” she said.

“You think a hospital room is the worst place I’ve ever slept?” he scoffed. “Lex, I’m a Navy SEAL. An air-conditioned building with electricity and running water is hardly a hardship.”

The nurse strode back over, telling Alexa that the doctor would be in soon. A few minutes later, he was giving her an update. Maybe she should feel weird at having Austin here while the doctor talked about her surgery, given they hadn’t been dating all that long, but instead, it just felt right. She’d always been independent, but life simply felt easier with him around.

“You’ll need help for the next few days,” the doctor said. “You’ll also want to schedule a follow up with your physician. You won’t be able to drive for two weeks.”

“But I live alone,” Alexa said, suddenly growing concerned. Callie usually stayed with Wyatt but would no doubt come and help if needed. She had her own busy blogging career, however, and Alexa had several photoshoots lined up. She and Austin spent the night together several times a week, but—

“She can stay with me,” Austin said.

Alexa looked over at him in surprise. They’d always claimed they were casual, but staying with him full-time for the next week or two felt very much not-casual to her.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“Of course, I’m sure.” The doctor nodded and excused himself, saying he’d be back later. Alexa was still looking at Austin in surprise. He leaned closer as the nurse briefly left to assist with something else. “I’m the one who got you pregnant,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “Why wouldn’t I take care of you now?”

“It’s just—we’re just—” Alexa couldn’t find the right words.

“I want you there. It’s no trouble,” he promised, seeming to realize why she was worried. “Besides, maybe I like waking up with you beside me.”

“I can’t have sex until I’ve recovered,” she stammered.

Austin slanted her a look. “You really think that’s the only reason we’re together?” he asked in mock-annoyance. “I know you think I’m just a piece of meat,” he joked, “but I like the idea of you living at my place for a while. It’s only going to be an issue if we get called out.”

She frowned, knowing he was right. If Austin was sent out on an op, there was no telling when he’d return. She hadn’t really seen that side of his career yet. They were new, and she’d gotten used to having him around when she needed him. His missions since they’d begun dating had been quick, but that could change. Alexa turned that thought over in her mind.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

Alexa shrugged helplessly, trying to put the torrent of emotions running through her mind into words. “I’d be really worried if you were gone on a long mission. You could get hurt,” she needlessly added.

Austin’s gaze softened. “There’s always that possibility, but we’re well-trained,” he assured her. “The guys and I have each other’s backs.”

“I know.” She didn’t know the half of it but also realized she never would. Callie had witnessed them in action last year. She’d been on that hijacked plane when Austin, Wyatt, and their teammates had taken out the terrorists and saved her. Alexa would never know the details of Austin’s career, and she’d just have to learn to live with that.

“Why don’t you rest,” he suggested. “I’m sure Callie will want to visit when you get moved to a room, but she’s dying to know how you’re doing. I’ll quick update everyone and then come right back.”

“Promise?”

“Damn straight I promise. I’m not going to leave my girl here alone.” He ducked for a quick kiss and stood, then was striding across the room. His girl. She didn’t hate Austin calling her that. At some point, she supposed they’d need to talk. Really talk. Right now, however, she just wanted to close her eyes and sleep.