Charity Rising (Charity Series Book 2) (21 page)

With that I left his room, happy and hopeful. As a matter of fact, I was so happy that I made a cal to Ashley, planning a day at the pool, and

went to my room and put on my new bathing suit. Feeling playful, I decided to go into Levi’s office and show it off.

He was busy with some paperwork and didn’t look up when I entered.

“So, what do you think of my new bathing suit?” I asked with a huge smile.

He looked up then. “Whoa, mamma! You’re not gonna wear that out in public, are you?”

“Of course. I’m gonna wear it now. Ashley and I are gonna lay out by our new pool.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Oh get a grip—wil ya? It’s summer. You’ve got a tan and I want one too.”

“Yeah, but I was born with one. Your body is for me, and I like it pale.”

“Wel I don’t. I’l see ya this afternoon,” I cal ed to him as I strutted out the door and down the hal , ful y aware his eyes were glued to my

backside.

He was instantly at his door. “You’ve got something to cover up with—right?”

I lifted my cover-up into the air.

“Wel , put it on! Right now, please!”

I rol ed my eyes. “Yes, Daddy.”

Levi keeps texting me to make sure we’re okay,” Ashley said. “This is the third one. You shouldn’t have shown him that bathing suit. We’l

have no peace at al .”

“Yeah wel I couldn’t help myself. Besides, the look on his face is what gave me the confidence to wear it out the door. Hey, you want to go for

a ride in my new car?”

“Um, no.”

“Why not?”

“Charity, are you al right? You’re acting a little strange.”

“Are you kidding me?” I did notice my feet wouldn’t stop tapping. “I feel great, and I’ve got more energy than I know what to do with. I’m

restless. Let’s go.”

“I don’t think so. I think we should stay here and take it easy. Maybe you should eat something.”

“Oh come on. Let’s go have some fun.” I got up and put on my cover-up and slid my feet into my flip-flops. “Wel , come on!”

“Fine, but I have a bad feeling about this.”

“Okay, now who’s been watching
Star Wars
? Relax, it’l be fun.”

“The last time you said that was on our way to have my tooth pul ed—there was nothing fun about that.”

Once in my car, I pul ed out my lip balm and noticed it getting low. “Ash, let’s make a stop at the Westside Drug for some more lip balm. Do

you need some?”

“No, I’m stil good.”

“I don’t understand it. This tube was ful this morning. How could I have used so much in one day?” I saturated my lips, wiped it off, added

some more, and then offered her some.

She laughed, taking the tube from me. “Gee, I wonder how.” She pul ed off the lid and lifted it to her nose, smel ing it once, then twice. “You

know, I think my watermelon smel s better than this raspberry. You should switch.”

“What?! No way. Watermelon is your fragrance and raspberry is mine. Besides, Levi almost counts on it.”

“Yeah, he must be addicted to it too. That’s why he kisses you so much, because it rubs off on him.”

I laughed. “Trust me—that’s not why he kisses me so much.”

“Wel , if raspberry is your fragrance then why do some of the other girls in the pack use it too?”

“They used to, but I made them al pick out their own fragrance. Some use pumpkin, muscadine, or banana, but I’m the only one al owed to

use raspberry. You know, as alpha female sometimes I have to use my authority.”

“Yeah, and I’m glad to see you using it properly.”

Oops.
I whipped into the parking space a little too crazy, scaring Ashley to the point of anger.

“You should be more careful!” she snapped. Then she got out of the car, mumbling something about me acting weird.

After al five tubes of the raspberry ice lip balm were purchased, we were back in the car and on our way. We had only driven a few miles

when we spotted the flashing of blue lights.

“See—I told you we should’ve stayed by the pool.”

“Shut up, and give me that.” I snatched her phone and tried to text Levi. “What? Do you have to have a degree now in texting? How on earth

do you do this?”

“At that rate we’l be out of here on our own before he even knows we’ve been in here. Oh give me that!” She snatched the phone back and

in seconds she was finished.

“Did you tel him where we are?”

She grimaced. “Unfortunately.”

Too soon he showed up at the jail to spring us, and he was not happy. He didn’t even look at me. Though once we stepped out of our cel

and started past the other cel s, guys began whistling and howling, but one look from Levi silenced them instantly.

He waited until we were in front of my car to begin the scolding. “Okay—what were you thinking?! I told you to slow down!”

I opened my mouth to speak but Ashley spoke first. “Oh, it wasn’t her speeding that got us locked up, it was her mouth.”

“Hey! It’s not my fault that al the cops are talking. They recognized my car. Do you think we could trade it in for a different color?”

Levi was uncharacteristical y beginning to lose his temper when Ashley pul ed him aside and began whispering.

“Hey, what’s going on?” I cal ed.

“You’ve got a point, Ash.” He turned to me. “Charity, Ashley and I agree that you’re not acting like yourself. I think it might have something to

do with what you ate for breakfast. Something told me you shouldn’t eat that steak so rare, but I didn’t listen. You’re acting like you’re on speed, or something.”

So that’s why they asked me to pee in a cup
.

“And why do you say that?” I snapped.

“Charity, you told off a cop for cryin’ out loud,” he admonished.

“And what makes you think I wouldn’t have done that regardless of eating a piece of meat oozing with blood. Ick, I see your point.”

“Lets drop Ash off, and then we’l go talk to Doc. Now—can you fol ow me without speeding?”

“Of course. I’m not a total idiot.”

By the time we got to the clinic I was wired beyond control. I had so much energy I was shaking. It felt like the time I was studying for an exam

and drank three cups of coffee to try to stay awake. I didn’t sleep al night, but I passed the exam.

“Doc, what do we do?” Levi asked.

“I cal ed Barney and he’s cooking her some homemade oatmeal. We need to get some good food in her and see if we can counter her

breakfast. I don’t know if it’l work, but let’s start there.”

It did work. The oatmeal was hot and smothered in fresh blueberries. It was delicious. And after only ten minutes I felt much better. Maybe

that Barney likes me after al .

I rose from my seat and approached Levi leaning against Doc’s desk and began to snuggle up to him, burying my face in his chest. “I’m so

sorry, Levi. I didn’t mean to tel off that cop. He was a jerk though.”

“I know,” he said, wrapping his arms around me in a loving embrace. “He probably deserved it. I’ve actual y told him off myself.”

“So, you’re not mad?”

“No.”

I sighed. “Thank you. By the way, I talked to Raven this morning.”

“Now I’m mad.”

“Oh stop. He’s not a spy. I know that for sure now.”

He glared down at me. “You talked to him about that?”

“I believe it was you who taught me to come right out and ask somebody what I want to know, so I did. And he’s not a spy. I remind him of his

long lost love, Rose. And he feels like he’s connected to her somehow when I’m around. He needed to keep me alive, and that’s how he could kil

that vampire.”

“So he’s in love with you?”

“I asked him that. He said he feels a strange connection to me. It’s like he has hope or something. He couldn’t explain it, and I don’t think he

should have to. But he’s not going to betray us.”

“Wel , I guess if you believe in him I should too, so I’l try.”

I smiled. “Thanks. Oh, he said he thought he might be able to tel if I’m carrying a male or not, but he won’t try unless you give your

permission. So can he?”

He was looking at me in shock.

“What?” I reached up and closed his gaping mouth.

“I said I’d think about that, not for you to go behind my back and ask him.”

“Wel , I was already there so I figured why not.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

I snuggled closer. “So does that mean yes?”

He growled and left the room with me hot on his trail. “So, does that mean yes?” He ignored me. I asked again—and again.

Three days passed before he final y agreed.

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” I asked him.

“Does it real y matter?” he asked with a crooked grin.

“Of course…okay no.”

“I thought so.”

Raven was waiting patiently for Levi and me to finish our little discussion. Doc was sitting quietly on the sofa, and Hector was standing at the

door looking like his best friend was about to get the worst news of their life. I guess that friend was me, although I was hoping for good news. The truth was I’d be happy regardless, but I couldn’t help but want our first to be a male child, for Levi’s sake. At the same time I was in uncharted

territory and was a little scared about what it meant for me for the next nine months. If the past few weeks were any indication of what I was in store for—Levi—and this pack, were in big trouble.

“Okay, we’re ready,” Levi said, taking my hand and leading me to where Raven was standing. “Be gentle with her,” he warned.

“Of course.” He took my hand that Levi offered him and pul ed me to him.

Oh boy, this is bad on so many levels. Just keep your head, Charity, and remember that your husband is watching
.

He pul ed my hair to the side.
Hmm
,
something about this felt oddly familiar.
I cringed, waiting for the bite. “Relax, my queen,” he whispered softly in my ear. And—then I did. When his lips touched my skin I had to remind myself that I was a happily married woman and that Raven was a

vicious vampire. His bite was even gentler than I expected it to be. My mind was mush and just beginning to slip into oblivion when he pul ed away.

“Al done. I have al I need.”

That snapped me out of it. “Wel , what could you tel ?”

We al waited in anticipation for the news.

He hesitated.

“Raven if you don’t tel us right now I’m gonna find a wooden stake and pierce you with it.”

He smiled. “Wel , you are definitely pregnant with a male child, but—”

“Oh, Levi!” I jumped up into his arms. “We’re having a boy!”

He laughed and spun me around.

My laughing suddenly stopped short. “But what, Raven?”

“You had better sit down for this. You too, Levi.” When we did he continued. “You are carrying a male child—this is true, but—there is more

than one.”

Levi and I both gasped and stood simultaneously. “Twins, oh, Levi!” I laid my head on his chest, feeling panicked as I remembered how most

twins are separated at birth.

“Um, excuse me, my queen, but I did not say twins.”

I noticed Hector stepping closer.

We both peered at each other before looking over at Raven.

“There are three male children growing in Charity’s womb.”

I laughed…hard. “Wel , at least the pressure is off to have a son.” In the next second I went limp in Levi’s arms—again.

When I came to, Levi was lying on the bed next to me, eyes closed, and Hector was standing over us.

I propped up on my elbows, feeling slightly groggy. “Hector, what are you doing here? And what’s wrong with Levi? I thought he caught me

when I fel .”

“Yes, Mrs. Charity, Levi caught you,” he smirked, “and then I caught Levi.”

I laughed. I couldn’t help it. Levi was the strong one and to think of him passing out at the news of triplets was downright hilarious.

I gasped. “Triplets!” Then I was out cold again.

Levi and I did eventual y come to, though it seemed to take al afternoon. After that, I found that I couldn’t seem to get out of bed. I actual y

stayed in bed for three days, crying and praying. Joseph and Irena had separated Levi and Eli in order to save their lives. How had they been able

to do that? I couldn’t think of anything more horrible. And we were having three. What would that mean for us? Levi was so worried about me, but I

couldn’t seem to think about that. Al I could think about was the fact that we may have to separate our boys from each other when they’re born. If we wanted them to have a future we wouldn’t have a choice. But how could I do that? How could I send any of them away? I needed to talk to Irena, so I sent for her. She came immediately.

“Oh, honey, I’ve been so worried about you. How are you doing?”

“I think I’m starting to come to grips with it a little bit. How did you do it, Irena? How’d you send one away?”

“Oh, honey, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I don’t regret it, not for a minute. A mother does what she must for the benefit of her

child. But just because that was the right decision for us doesn’t mean that you and Levi wil have to make that same decision, and you don’t have to make it right now. Just enjoy this time and be the best you can be for your husband and babies. I love you like my own daughter. I hope you know

that, and if you decide to keep the babies together I’l do everything in my power to help you. You know Levi’s hurting too. He needs you right now.”

When she said that, something clicked inside me, and I knew she was right. I was worrying about something that wasn’t upon me yet. When

the time came, Levi and I would make the right decision, and we’d do it together, but that day was a long way off.

“Thank you, Mom.” I kissed her cheek, threw the covers back, and got out of bed. I went straight in the bathroom and showered. When I

emerged I had a renewed spirit and went in search for Levi. I found him in the meeting room where he was having a conversation with Doc.