11. Lucy

Lucy waited anxiously for Rose to come pick her up.

Vera smiled and patted her on the back. "It'll be fun. Rose is an amazing person. I don't think there is a nicer person on Earth – besides yours truly, of course."

"You would be pretty hard to beat," Lucy replied. "You are pretty great."

"Thank you. You're just saying that because I cook your meals."

"Yeah. A good rule of thumb is to never upset the person who could kill you with a little pinch of that or a dash of this."

"If I was a violent person, which I'm not… But if I was, it would be very stupid of me to kill someone with poisoned food. It would be too obvious. I would have to strangle them or suffocate them," Vera said. "I couldn't use a knife or gun because I can't stand the sight of blood."

Lucy laughed. "Thanks for the heads up."

Rose bustled into the kitchen a minute later. She had the same beautiful eyes that Micah did. It was clear that he got his good looks from his mother's side of the family.

She hugged Vera and pecked a kiss on her cheek before looking at Lucy. "I'm Rose. I'm so excited to meet you."

"You as well." Lucy offered her hand but Rose pulled her into a hug.

"We're practically family," Rose said. "I hope you're hungry. The Bella Vita has the best Italian food I've ever had and they give huge portions."

"Sounds great," Lucy said.

"Tell me all about yourself," Rose said as they headed toward the restaurant.

Lucy wasn't sure that she could. She was too busy holding onto the oh-shit handle. Rose drove like a NASCAR professional driver. Lucy was certain that they were at least ten miles an hour above the speed limit. Rose cut corners hard. Lucy was afraid they were on two wheels going around one right turn. Stop signs seemed to be just a suggestion, and Rose enjoyed playing chicken with the traffic lights.

As soon as Rose pulled into the parking spot, Lucy unbuckled her seatbelt and jumped out of the car. She wasn't one for theatrics, but Lucy had the sudden urge to kiss the ground.

After they ordered lunch, Rose said, "You were telling me about yourself?"

Lucy told her about her life in the shifter world and her family. She didn't mention anything about Leo or Ashley. It was funny. They had once been so important in her life, but she never even thought about them anymore, as though they never existed.

Rose regaled Lucy with stories about Micah and some of his antics. She confirmed that he had his mansion drawn out since he was a little boy and she never could convince him that he couldn't have a room for a motorcycle and a horse.

"I have plenty of things to tease him about," Lucy said.

Rose studied Lucy's face. "He is a great guy, isn't he?"

Lucy blushed. It was almost as if Rose could read Lucy's soul and see that Lucy was developing feelings for Micah.

"He is pretty amazing. You would think that a man who has billions would be focused on driving fancy cars, throwing lavish parties, and having a yacht somewhere. If a person didn't know better, they would think that Micah was just like everyone else."

"I did a great job raising him," Rose said. "He says that you are going to be a part of the baby's family and that you plan on spoiling the baby."

"That's the aunt's job. To be there as a friend, as a guide, and to spoil the child rotten."

"It's a grandma's job, too," Rose said. "There's no time like the present. Let's go shopping."

"I'm not even pregnant yet," Lucy said. "Isn't it a little early?"

"No. It's never too early."

Lucy was exhausted by the time Rose had dragged her through, what seemed like, a million stores. Rose bought stuffed animals, a mobile, and clothes.

"I got the clothes a little big because Micah was a huge baby. If they are too big for the baby when it's born, the baby will grow into them."

"How huge?" Lucy asked, a little bit of fear creeping into her voice.

"Don't worry about it. You're a wolf shifter. You won't have any problems," Rose said.

"Um, actually, I'm a bear shifter," Lucy said.

"Oh. Micah didn't tell me. Well, you should be able to carry a bear shifter cub easily, too."

"You don't care if the baby is a bear shifter?"

"Why would I?" Rose asked. "A baby is a baby, and it will be my grandchild. I don't care if it's a pink raccoon."

Lucy laughed. "I doubt if it will be a pink raccoon. Maybe blue, though."

Rose giggled. Lucy really liked Rose.

They walked into another store and Rose started pulling loose dresses and shirts off the rack. "You have to be comfortable."

"You don't have to get me these," Lucy protested.

"I want to. I love shopping, and I love shopping for other people."

Lucy left with a huge bag of clothes. Rose assured her were adorable and necessary.

"One last stop, I promise," Rose said, tugging on Lucy's arm.

Rose looked at the jewelry on display and picked out a sapphire drop pendant. When they walked out of the store, Rose handed her the box.

"This is for you. You are giving me a priceless gift. I want to say thank you."

Lucy was stunned. She didn't feel right taking the necklace. She was being paid to have the baby and was still going to be allowed to be a part of the baby's life. However, she knew that it would be useless to try to refuse the gift.

"Thank you," Lucy said.

They made it back to the mansion in time for dinner. Micah laughed at all the bags.

"I should have known," he said. "Mom can never resist the opportunity to go shopping."

Rose sat at the kitchen table while Lucy followed Micah upstairs.

"Your mom bought me a bunch of maternity clothes. She also bought me this," Lucy said, pulling the necklace away from her neck for him to see."

"She likes you," Micah said.

"I don't feel right taking it. We're not a couple. The baby isn't coming because I'm part of the family," Lucy said.

"You are a part of the family now. Accept the gift and enjoy it," Micah said. "Let's go downstairs. I'm starving."

That evening, after Rose went home and everyone went to their room, Lucy stared up at the ceiling. Even though it had only been a few days, she had an overwhelming urge to take the over-the-counter pregnancy test. While the tests for mundane humans are usually accurate around ten days after conception, they are generally accurate two days after conception for shifters since a shifter's gestation period is accelerated.

The test was positive. She took a second test. It was also positive.

Lucy walked down the hallway to Micah's room and knocked. He opened the door wearing only a pair of sweats. The sight of his gorgeous, half-dressed body took her breath away and she almost forgot why she was there.

His sexy grin made the butterflies explode in her belly. "What's up?"

Wordlessly, Lucy handed him the tests. He stared at them for a second and then looked at her.

"Are you sure?" he asked in disbelief.

"As sure as I can be," she said.

He pulled her into a hug and kissed her. "I know what the test says, but you know, we could make sure that everything took right."

"Is that your way of saying that I'm irresistible and you would like to celebrate the potential baby?"

"Yes, and yes."

She put her hand on his chest and pushed him back into his room, shutting the door behind her.

Seconds later, their clothes had dissolved and they melted together onto the bed. Their arms and legs tangled together and their bodies moved together in a sensual rhythm. Fires burned inside of her. Her heart was beating a million miles an hour. His scent flooded through her, awakening every sense. A crescendo of waves crashed together and a volcano awakened inside of her. Micah moaned, loudly, called out her name, and exploded.

He collapsed on the bed beside her and pulled her close to him. It felt so right to be held in his arms.

I wish we could stay this way forever,she thought.

Lucy closed her eyes and Morpheus overcame her as she fell into a deep sleep. Micah was still curled around her body the next morning when she woke up. He must have felt her moving because his eyes fluttered open.

He kissed the back of her neck and smiled. "Good morning, Sleeping Beauty."

"Good morning to you, Prince Charming," she said.

He called the doctor as soon as the clinic opened. Dr. Ratliff told them to come in.

They waited anxiously in the examination room. The doctor and nurse came in wearing huge smiles.

"You are pregnant," he said. "Congrats."

"Thank you," Lucy and Micah said at the same time.

"My lovely assistant will give you some vitamins you need to take and other instructions. Unless something comes up, I don't need to see you for a month."

Vera, Ronnie, and Michelle were ecstatic when they heard the news.

"We don't want to say anything to anyone right now, though," Micah cautioned. "The first several weeks are delicate, and we want to make sure everyone is healthy before we make announcements."

The three of them promised that their lips were sealed.

"I need to get to the office," Micah said. "I'll see you guys later."

Lucy went to her room and got out her journal. She noted that she was pregnant and that she was a little sad that she was. It meant that she and Micah didn't need to have sex anymore. He didn't need to hang out with her to make sure she was comfortable.

This really sucks because this was supposed to be a business arrangement between Micah and me. It wasn't supposed to be a "Lucy falls in love" arrangement.

Lucy called home to give them the news.

"Honey, I'm worried about you," her mom said.

"There's no need. Micah is a really great man. He's going to be a terrific father. I will be a part of the baby's life."

"If you're sure," Sophia said, doubtfully.

"I'm sure. I love you, Mom."

Lucy grabbed her computer and headed for the patio door when the doorbell rang. She heard an argument between Michelle and a woman with a high-pitched nasally voice that reminded Lucy of nails on a chalkboard.

"I want to talk to Lucy," the voice demanded.

"No," Michelle said.

"You are just the hired help. Get out of my way," the voice said.

"I'm calling Micah," Michelle said.

Lucy turned around to see a blond woman sashaying toward her.

If she shook those hips any harder, she would break something,Lucy thought.

"You're Lucy," the woman said.

"I am."

"I'm Caroline. I'm sure Micah has told you about me."

"Nope," Lucy said.

Caroline pressed her lips together and huffed out a huge sigh. "Why are you here?"

Lucy wasn't sure what to say. She wanted to tell Caroline it wasn't any of her business and if Micah wanted her to know, he would tell her. However, it really wasn't her place to tell off Micah's friends.

"Micah and I are friends. I'm staying while I'm getting my business started."

"You being here is only hurting Micah. It's making him look bad because he has a hoochie living in his house."

Lucy coughed to cover up her laugh. "I can assure you that I'm not a hoochie."

"Yeah, right," Caroline said, sweeping a lock of hair over her shoulder and sticking her nose in the air. "I'll give you all the money you need to start your business if you move out of the house today. Micah and I are betrothed. We will be going through the mating ceremony together, and I really don't want his name besmirched."

Shaking her head, Lucy replied, "I'll leave when Micah asks me to and not a second before."

Caroline snarled. "We'll just see about that. You'd better watch your back."

She turned around and stormed out of the house, leaving behind her an overpowering scent of some kind of nasty flowery perfume.

Lucy went out to the gazebo. Her heart was heavy. She was devastated at the idea that Micah was going to mate with someone else, especially someone like Caroline.

Then, logic took over and said if they were going to be mated, then Micah wouldn't have needed a surrogate to have a child.

She sighed. Regardless of the situation, I need to put my emotions in check.