Chapter 100 Chapter~100~Every dog has its day.

Chapter 100 Chapter~100~Every dog has its day.
Harley~

"Meaning my body is adjusting to being pregnant?"

"That's right," Ponzie spreads my legs, "You may feel some pressure." He pushes his thick fingers inside me. "The cervix becomes much more sensitive during pregnancy."

Tears streamed down my face as I closed my eyes and turned my head. Nick brushed his knuckles across my face with our adjoined hands. My core muscles tensed as he moved all around, poking here and there.

When he pulled out, his glove had several small smears of blood on it. "Other causes include stress, overexertion, and intercourse."

All three of which I'm guilty, I dropped my eyes to my lap as a knot formed in my throat. Ponzie removes his gloves and goes into the bathroom. He comes back, wiping his hands with a paper towel.

"Everything feels secure," he looked between us and settled on Harley, "but your situation is still precarious; I would classify yours as a threatened miscarriage pregnancy."

Nick's jaw tightened as he spoke. "Is that just as it sounds?"

"Yes, while the term indicates a higher risk, after the first trimester, the threat significantly decreases. In fact, most women with a threatened miscarriage diagnosis go on to deliver healthy babies with proper treatment."

"We will do whatever is necessary," I clutched at the sudden tightness in my chest.

Ponzie pointed a finger at me. "For the next two weeks, young lady, you are to take it easy. Avoid stressful situations whenever possible and practice abstinence. And I want to see you in my office next week."

Then he pointed at Nick, "and it's your job to see to it." He opens his bag again and hands Nick a prescription bottle. "These will help you relax, Harley. Nick, may I speak to you a moment?"

Ponzie finished repacking his bag, and he and Nick exited the room. The two go down the hall, out of earshot. It must be bad if he didn't want me to hear. Flashes of our affair in the kitchen came to mind, and dread flooded my heart.

'Etta isn't giving me any reason to believe she's in distress, Harley, so don't go jumping to conclusions.'

'You think Ponzie would try to hide positive news to spread, Rae?'

Nick's scent gets stronger; he's coming back. 'There's only one way to find out.'

Nick comes in and sits on the side of the bed. His face is a mask, but I feel his racing pulse. "What did he say, Nick?"

He rubbed my leg, "Nothing for you to be worried with, Amante."

"You know, Nick, all this trying to keep from getting upset is making me upset. And I think I have a right to know."

Nick looked away from me. "It wasn't about you." He scrubbed his hand down his face and ran his fingers through his hair. "Ponzie said Sean is sick; he's been in and out of the hospital for weeks."

"Oh, Nick, I'm so sorry. What's wrong with him?"

"Ponzie doesn't know; he suggests I call Titus."

"That's not a bad idea."

That's where I lost him; he pushed up on his thighs. "How about some breakfast?"

"It's more like brunch; I'd love some lake pie."

After a quick peck, he's out the door, so I swing my legs over the side of the bed. My bare feet meet a plush, multicolored rug, and I wiggle my toes into it. 'What does Zeek think of his father, Rae?'

'As any young Alpha should, he idolizes Titus. He says he and Nick are so much alike, but neither will admit it.'

My eyes scan the room; talk about a flora escape, this is it. Peaceful paintings on bright yellow walls depict a variety of lovely blooms. The atmosphere is set off by a strong yet pleasant fragrance released into the air when the AC clicks on.

On the other side of the room, double doors leading to a covered porch facing the lake draw me. I'm up and moving toward it. 'Has Zeek told you why Nick believes their father hates him?'

'No, Zeek would never betray Nick in that way. Harley, I can appreciate that you want to help your mate, but this isn't your fight. It's Nick who needs to wave his white flag.'

'Rae, have you met Nick? If it hasn't happened in 10 years, it isn't going to now. Not without some assistance anyway, and it will also benefit Etta to come into a united family.'

Nick returns and joins me on the porch. He has a tray of pie, French bread, and a pitcher of sweet tea. "You should have waited for me," he said as he set it down on the picnic table and slid onto the bench beside me.

"Ponzie didn't say I couldn't move," I gave him a wink and his shoulder a push with mine. "Nick, I feel fine. Rae assures me Etta is healthy, and the fresh air is nice."

He growls at me. "For the next 14 days, I am Harley Reins, and you are in 'do not disturb' mode." He unloads the tray and hands me a fork.

Sausage and vegetables load the plate he gives me. "Really? Have you forgotten that I have a date on Monday? If I don't show, the court will issue a warrant for my arrest." He sliced me a piece of bread.

"No, I haven't," he finished serving us and took a deep breath. "If the Judge orders the amniocentesis, you will disappear; simple as that." He shrugged his shoulders.

My head shakes in disagreement, "and leave you here?"

"I'm a big Alpha, I can take care of myself, and I won't risk either of my girls."

There's no point in arguing with him; I can show him better than tell. Across the way, an afternoon sun floats in a cloudless sky with its rays bouncing on the waves.

I'm starting to like lake life. "It's beautiful out here."

"Yeah, it is. Would you like a place like this of our own?"

"Is there more land available around the lake?"

"Yes, our parents bought the two adjoining lots for Sean and me." He took a break, forking his food and pointing to the forest on our right. "That's ours; it doesn't look like much now, I know."

"It's wonderful, they must have wanted you boys close to stay close to them."

He chuckled, "What they wanted was a mini village full of grandkids with them in the middle."

"Isn't that what all grandparents want?"

He rises to his feet and clears the dishes, putting them back on the tray. "Maybe," he gets a cloth from the tray and wipes the table.