The Epilogue (Trinity Academy Book 5)

by Michelle Heard

  Glancing down, I stare at her face.

  Until Kingsley, I didn’t know it was possible for me to love another person so much.

  Kingsley

  On Saturday, Mason won, and I let him take me to the doctor's office. Now it’s Monday, and the medicine hasn’t helped at all, so I’m back to see the doctor again.

  I had to promise Mason a hundred times that I’ll call him after my appointment with the doctor before he went to work.

  Doctor Barnes comes into the room and gives me a warm smile. “Miss Hunt, I take it you’re not feeling better?”

  I shake my head. “I still can’t keep anything in, and no matter how much I sleep, I feel exhausted. Maybe it’s stress from the exams?”

  “It could be,” he says as he looks at my file. “When last did you have your period?”

  I blink a couple of times, not liking where this is going. “Last month.”

  “Did you try having peppermint tea? It will help with the nausea.”

  “I’ll get some on my way home.”

  He closes my file and gives me a comforting smile, which has the opposite effect on me. “We should do a pregnancy test just to be sure.”

  My head starts shaking while he’s still talking. “I’m sure it’s just a bug. Maybe it hit me harder because of all the studying.”

  “Okay. Finish the medicine I gave you and see if the peppermint tea helps. If you still feel sick in three days, come back to see me.”

  “I will.” I get up, needing to leave the room. “Thank you.” I let myself out and don’t make any eye contact with the other patients or staff as I rush toward the exit.

  Once I’m in my car, I stare blankly at the steering wheel.

  It’s not possible.

  Besides the time I was in the hospital, I never skipped my birth control pill.

  The ringing of my phone startles me out of my thoughts, and I have to dig through my bag before I find it. Seeing Mason’s name flashing on the screen, I suddenly feel like crying.

  Swallowing hard, I answer, “Hey.”

  “Are you done at the doctor’s?”

  “Yeah, he said I should just finish the medicine he gave me. If I’m not better in three days, he’ll run some tests.”

  “That’s it?” I can hear the anger simmering in the two words. “What if this is something serious? Three days is a long time. I think you should get a second opinion.”

  “Dude, I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”

  “Hunt, don’t tell me not to worry,” he barks, and it has me rolling my eyes.

  “Didn’t your mother teach you never to fight with someone when they're sick?”

  “God help me,” he growls. “I’m not fighting. I just want you to get better.”

  I let out a breath. “I know. I’m going to try some peppermint tea. The doctor is sure it will help.”

  “I’ll come by after work.”

  “I’ll probably just sleep.”

  “Then I’ll watch you sleep,” he states, still sounding pissed as hell.

  “Mason,” I say, my tone soft.

  “Yeah?”

  “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”

  There’s a moment’s silence before he answers, “Not nearly as much as I love you.”

  I close my eyes as a wave of emotion hits. “See you later.” I cut the call before he hears the tears in my voice.

  If I’m pregnant, will our love be strong enough to survive this?

  Chapter 5

  Kingsley

  “Shit.”

  My eyes dance over the three tests I did. They all show positive.

  “Shit.”

  My breaths start to come faster, and I sit down on the side of the bathtub.

  “Shit,” I gasp, and then I stand up again and stare at the tests.

  Still positive.

  My body begins to shake as emotions bombard me.

  What am I going to do?

  I’m only twenty, and I still have another year of school left.

  How am I going to tell my dad?

  “Shit.”

  I sit down again and cover my face with my hands.

  Just breathe, Kingsley. You’ll figure something out.

  My worries keep multiplying, but then they come to a screeching halt when a thought shudders through me.

  How am I going to tell Mason?

  Sure, things are going well between us, but he’s still adjusting to being president of CRC and moving out on his own.

  As if my nightmare can’t get any worse, I hear Mason call from my bedroom, “Hunt, are you in the bathroom?”

  I quickly look at my watch and seeing it’s his lunchtime, I get up and gather the three sticks. There’s a quick knock on the bathroom door, and I’m trying to get my lips to form words, but all I manage is a dry croak.

  When the door opens, I shove my hand behind my back and stare wide-eyed at Mason’s frowning face.

  “Are you okay?” he asks, taking a couple of steps closer to me.

  My mind is blank with the fear of how Mason will react to the news, and all I can do is stare at him.

  “Kingsley?” He takes hold of my shoulder while worry blooms over his features.

  “I… I…” I stammer, unable to say the words.

  He brings his hands to my face and touches his palm to my forehead. “Hunt, you’re starting to scare me. What’s wrong?”

  I shake my head, and when I try to take a step backward, I bump against the side of the bathtub.

  “I’m not sick,” I manage to say with a voice that sounds as dry as the desert.

  “Then why do you look like death warmed over?”

  Slowly, I lift my eyes back to his face. I stare into his brown eyes that’s dark with worry.

  Unable to say the words, I close my eyes as I bring my hand forward so he can see the tests. Silence begins to stretch until it’s unbearable. I take a shaky breath to keep the tears back and look down at my feet as I open my eyes again.

  “I’m sorry. I never skipped my birth control. I don’t know how…”

  “Fuck, you’re pregnant?” The disbelief colors his voice dark, and I almost flinch away from the words.

  Not wanting Mason to think that I tried to tie him down by getting pregnant, the words begin to spill from me. “I don’t expect anything from you. It was really an accident. I won’t even tell anyone. I’ll… I’ll…” A sob cuts through my rambling as my new reality begins to sink in hard and heavy.

  I might lose Mason.

  Mason

  I stand frozen, my eyes never leaving the tests.

  Kingsley’s not sick. The relief I feel is immense. My mind started to conjure up all kinds of shit because she wasn’t getting any better.

  Holllleee fuck.

  I so didn’t see this coming.

  Kingsley’s pregnant.

  With my child.

  My child.

  When Kingsley stops talking, and I hear her crying, I pull my eyes away from the tests.

  My world is rocked for a second time when I see the fear on her face. She looks more scared than she did when she found out Serena tried to kill her.

  “Hunt,” I breathe, and I quickly wrap my arms around her trembling body. Hugging her tightly, I press a kiss to her temple. “We’ll figure this out.”

  She begins to ramble through the sobs, “I meant what I said. I don’t expect anything from you. I wasn’t trying to tie you down.”

  It’s only then I realize I didn’t take in a word she was saying while I was staring in total shock at the tests.

  Pulling back, I bring a hand up and wipe the tears from her cheeks. “I know, Kingsley. We’ll figure this out together.”

  She stares up at me with a world of uncertainty, swimming in her blue eyes. “You’re not angry?”

  The corner of my mouth lifts, and I shake my head. “I’m not gonna lie. I’m shocked out of my mind, but I’m not angry. It takes two people to make a baby.”

  I’m caught b
y surprise when a warm feeling begins to spread through my chest.

  Kingsley Hunt is carrying my child.

  I really didn’t think I could love her more than I already do, but as I stare into her eyes, what I feel for her far surpasses love. Kingsley is my everything.

  “Fuck,” I try to breathe past the emotion and take a step back from her as the lump in my throat keeps growing. My eyes begin to well with tears as I lower them to her abdomen. A smile slowly begins to form around my lips. “We’re having a child.”

  Kingsley sucks in a shaky breath, and it draws my eyes back to her face. Cautiously she stares at me before she asks, “Aren’t you scared?”

  I think about what she just asked and search through my feelings. “I’m nervous as hell but not scared. My dad survived raising me, so I’m pretty confident I can do it as well.”

  The little color Kingsley has drains away from her face. “My mom didn’t survive having me.”

  Chapter 6

  Mason

  ‘My mom didn’t survive having me.’

  The words keep playing over and over in my head as we drive to Mr. Hunt’s practice.

  “I don’t know how to tell my Dad,” Kingsley murmurs from the passenger seat. “I haven’t even had time to process this.”

  The moment Kingsley reminded me that her mom died during childbirth, I dragged her out of the dorm and stuffed her into my car.

  “I’ll tell your dad,” I bite the words out. “Right now, it’s important to find out everything about your mom’s death so I can make sure you get the best care.”

  I won’t lose Kingsley.

  I can’t.

  By the time we pull up to the building, I feel sick to my stomach. I park the car and quickly get out. Jogging around the front, I get to the passenger side as Kingsley opens the door. I place my arm around her and pull her closer as we walk inside.

  When the receptionist sees Kingsley, a wide smile spreads over her face. “Hey, Kingsley, you’re in luck. A patient just left, and your father has ten minutes. You can go through.”

  We walk down the short hallway, and Kingsley slowly pushes open the door to the office. “Hey, Dad.”

  Mr. Hunt’s head snaps up, and a smile instantly forms around his mouth. He gives us both a puzzled look. “This is an unexpected but nice surprise.”

  When he gets up from behind his desk, his eyes lock on Kingsley’s face, and the smile around his mouth becomes a frown. “What’s wrong?”

  I’ve never been one to beat around the bush, and I’m not about to start. “Kingsley just found out she’s pregnant.”

  Shock registers on his face, and he opens and closes his mouth a couple of times. He sits back down and then asks, “Is this good news or bad news?”

  “Dad?” Kingsley asks, a look of confusion settling on her face. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, do you want the child? I don’t know if I should congratulate you or not.”

  “Ahh…” Kingsley glances up at me, and I can see she’s at a total loss.

  “It was a good thing until Kingsley reminded me her mother died giving birth to her. I don’t want the same thing to happen to Kingsley,” I explain.

  “Oh.” The word is a mere whisper, but then Mr. Hunt’s eyes widen with understanding, and he darts up from his chair. “Tiger, no.” He closes the distance to Kingsley and takes hold of her shoulders. “Your mom had lupus, and it caused preeclampsia.”

  He pulls her into an embrace, which has me stepping back so they can have the moment.

  When he lets her go, he adds, “You’re healthy, Tiger. The world has also advanced a lot. I would’ve told you sooner if I knew you’d be worried.”

  Kingsley manages a trembling smile through her tears. “It’s a relief.”

  Mr. Hunt begins to smile. “Is congratulations in order then?”

  Kingsley’s face crumbles again, and she quickly covers it with both hands, while groaning, “I don’t know.”

  I place my hand on her shoulder and turn her to me. “Hey, as long as you’re healthy, we have nothing to worry about.”

  She nods, but I can see she doesn’t believe a word I’m saying.

  There’s a knock on the door, and then the receptionist peeks into the room. “Sorry for cutting your visit short, but the next appointment is here.”

  “Give me five minutes, Georgia.” Mr. Hunt pulls Kingsley into another hug. “Come over for dinner tonight so we can talk some more.”

  “Okay.”

  I take Kingsley’s hand and weave our fingers together. “Sorry for bursting into your office like this,” I apologize.

  Mr. Hunt gives my shoulder a squeeze. “I’m glad you did.”

  When we leave the office, Kingsley’s eyes glaze over, and worry tightens her features. I let her be as I drive to my house.

  Kingsley

  It feels like my life exploded into unrecognizable pieces around me.

  How am I going to finish school? The students will gossip if I stay. I can’t study and take exams with a newborn baby.

  How will Mason’s parents react?

  What kind of mother will I be?

  “Hunt.” Mason’s voice is soft as he places his finger under my chin, lifting my face so I’ll look at him. “Talk to me.”

  He’s so calm.

  “Why aren’t you freaking out right now?”

  Mason takes a step closer to me and frames my face with his hands. His eyes soften until they look like melted chocolate and the corner of his mouth lifts.

  “Because I’m happy.”

  The three words wreak havoc with my already turbulent emotions, and my bottom lip begins to tremble as I try to hold the tears back.

  Mason leans down, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. He only pulls back enough to make eye contact with me. “The woman I love is carrying my child. The thought is mindblowing, Hunt.”

  Mindblowing is the understatement of the decade.

  “You’re happy, and I’m freaking out. Just shows who’s the sane one between the two of us.” I glare at him because I don’t think he’s taking this seriously.

  My snapping only makes his grin widen. “Why are you freaking out?”

  Rolling my eyes, I snap, “Ahh… I’m pregnant, dude!”

  As calm and collected as ever, Mason says, “Tell me what you’re worried about so I can take care of it.”

  “How am I going to finish my studies? I’m going to blow up until I look like a beached whale. The students are going to talk. How will I take exams with a newborn?”

  Mason pulls me deeper into the room, and it’s only then I notice we’re at his house. He pulls me down onto the couch before he asks, “Have you ever cared about what the students think of you?”

  I drop my eyes to my lap as I mumble, “No.”

  “As for how you’ll write exams with a newborn…” He places his finger under my chin again, nudging my face up. “I’ll be here to help, and I’ll hire a nanny if we end up needing one.”

  “You can’t be at the dorm every night,” I mutter.

  Mason tilts his head to the side, and he gives me one hell of an intimidating look. “Hunt, do you seriously think I’m going to let you stay at the dorm?”

  My left eyebrow pops into the air. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying we’re moving your shit here.”

  I blink a couple of times before his words sink in, and then my mouth opens and closes like a gaping fish caught on dry land. It takes a good couple of minutes before I can manage to utter the words. “You want us to live together?”

  Chapter 7

  Mason

  Kingsley’s shocked reaction catches me off guard.

  Frowning, I ask, “Why are you so surprised? You would’ve moved in here once you finished with school.”

  “We’ve never talked about us living together.”

  I gesture around the room. “Why do you think I had you go house shopping with me? We chose this place together for when you finished your
studies.”

  Kingsley shakes her head. “Again, we never talked about anything remotely close to us living together. I just looked at houses with you because it was fun.”

  Confusion floors me because we’re not on the same page like I thought we were.

  As the realization sinks in a new worry ripples through me. “You don’t want to live with me?”

  A disgruntled look settles over her face. “Hold up.” She glares at me until I’m about to start squirming. “Dude, did you seriously just asked me to move in with you in the most unromantic asshat way humanly possible?”

  Fuck. Did I?

  Yep, I fucking did.

  I school my face into the most apologetic expression I can conjure up. “It’s the shock of the news. Forget I just asked. I’ll do it better next time.”

  Kingsley rolls her eyes at me. “You can’t undo it now.” She glances around the living room, then says, “As long as you know, I’m redecorating this whole place with your money. I’m not living in an oversized man cave.”

  I don’t care if she pulls half the place down. “So it’s a yes? You’re moving in?”

  She lets out a deep breath, then the smile I love so much begins to stretch across her face. “Yes, Mason.” Seconds later, the smile vanishes, and her eyes widen again. “Shit, we’re having a baby.”

  On the way back to the dorm, we decided to tell our friends before going to Mr. Hunt’s for dinner.

  Sitting in the living room, Falcon watches me like a hawk while we wait for Lake and Lee to answer the video call.

  “Is it bad news?” Layla asks Kingsley.

  Before she can say anything, Lake finally answers. I stare at the screen, watching him chew on a bite he must’ve shoved into his mouth before accepting the call.

  “Take your time. We can wait,” I growl, feeling annoyed.

  Lee’s face pops up behind Lake’s shoulder. “Hey, guys.”