A/N: Well, thank you all for the reviews! Now, I apologize for the cliffy once again, and Crys, let me know when you want your tennis ball back! Now, some of you believe that the age that I've put Nika at (23), and I haven't yet given Acadia an age, is too young. For those of you who don't know me, I've been through, 23 is old enough to have that attitude in life. I'm only 21, and if I can write this, I can do it. I know this isn't exactly like SOA, but it is a story… so if you're not okay with the way I'm fine with you no longer reading this. Now, I have explaining to do in the story, and to make sure everyone is on the right page, Nika is 23 yrs old, Acadia is 24, and Kerri is 16. Now that's how I have it and that's how it's staying. I do greatly appreciate the reviews, I really do. They help me grow as an author. So on to another chapter… Alli, I hope you like it!

Please read and review as always!

Ti amo

Nicole


"I know those signs. I went through it 5 times. You're pregnant."


Nika had to listen to those words one last time. She looked at her mug of hot chocolate. She nodded. "Yeah. But Chibs doesn't know, and I don't want him to know. Not yet."

"Why? It's his baby." Brea looked at Nika. "He should know."

"He will. But if I were to tell him now… it would distract him from everything that's happening. I love him too much to risk him getting injured or killed because he's worried about his unborn child." Nika reasoned.

Brea knew she had a point. This was going to get messy before it got better. "I won't tell anyone, but you have to tell him as soon as this is over."

"I will. I just don't know how he'll react."

"Why?"

"Because I told him I couldn't get pregnant."

"Uh, you're young. You can get pregnant… anytime." Brea pointed out. The older woman looked at her confused.

"That's true, but because of a hormonal imbalance when I was younger, I was told I would never been able to conceive on my own."

"I see, and you told Chibs that."

Nika nodded and flushed red. "He was mad at himself the first time because he didn't use protection. I've seen that reaction before. It usually means they're not ready for that commitment. Plus, he already has a daughter, she's 16."

"And she loves you." Brea took Nika's hand in hers. "In time this will all work out. Just breathe and be patient. If you need anything just let me know."

"Thank you Brea. I think I'll go check in on Kerri now, and then I'm gonna call Acadia, the friend I left out there to make sure that none of those guys gets hurt because of all this."

"No problem. Sleep tight and I'll see you in the morning. Help yourself to anything in here, and if you need anything, we'll send someone out to get it."

"Thanks again. Night." Nika got up and took her mug with her.

Koz and Happy were shooting pool with a couple of the Lethbridge guys, but as soon as they saw Nika, they followed her. She turned to face them. "What are you two doing?"

"Our job." Koz smiled.

"Your job is to protect me… not stalk me."

"We have to keep an eye on you at all times." Happy said gruffly.

Nika muttered something in French that sounded like she was swearing and stomped off to find Kerri's room. It wasn't that hard. It was the only room with an open door and a Prospect standing against the doorjamb. She cleared her throat. Cael turned to face her.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to talk to her too long."

"No worries. Thanks for keeping her company." Nika smiled, then whispered in his ear. "Go talk to Kozik and Happy. See if they'll let you keep an eye on Kerri, it would be a little less obvious, and be persuasive."

"Yes ma'am." Cael smiled at Kerri. "Night. Sleep well." He waved and took off.

"Hi Mum." Kerri smiled.

"Hey." Nika sat next to her on the bed. "Everything ok?"

"I'm great." Kerri looked at her stepmother. "I'm just worried about Da."

"He'll be fine. I think he's more worried about us more than anything."

"That and he's fuckin' pissed beyond belief." Kerri muttered.

Nika laughed. "I think you're uncles are rubbing off on you."

"Sorry." Kerri looked at her. "What did you mean when you told Uncle Koz that you grew up here? I thought you were from Charming."

"It's a long story."

"We have time." Kerri jokingly pointed out.

Nika scrunched up her nose, causing Kerri to have a fit of laughter. "Okay. Well, to start, I had a twin brother. His name was Nate. He was older than me by an hour. Our parents were killed when we were 13. We didn't have any family here. So, our godmother lived in L.A., then when were about to start high school, we moved to Charming. She wanted out of the big city. So we moved to Charming, I was a little bit younger than you. I met Acadia at that same time, give or take."

"Where's your brother now?" Kerri asked.

"In the Charming cemetery. He was killed in a firefight in Afghanistan. It was his first tour of duty."

"I'm sorry." Kerri whispered.

"Kerri, that was 2 years ago. I miss him but he died doing what he wanted to do. Serve his country."

"So, you were close?"

"Very. He taught me to ride. He taught me to fight. He taught me everything I needed to know to survive."

Kerri smiled. "I only hope I can learn some of that."

"I don't think your Da will approve of you riding. But everything else, you'll learn." Nika hugged her.

"Mum?"

"Hmm?"

"When are you going to tell Da?"

"Tell Da what?"

"Bout the baby." Kerri looked at her, straight-faced.

"How?"

"Me Ma was pregnant… I saw the same symptoms, plus I kinda overheard Brea mention it."

"I see. Well, I was hoping to keep it a secret for a while." Nika said softly.

"You know, I also got a hint when you asked if I'd be alright with brothers and sisters." Kerri smiled. "I'm happy for you." She hugged Nika.

"I am too, but we can't tell your Da yet."

"Why?"

"Because, we don't want him distracted when all of this shit goes down."

"Fair enough. Are you excited?"

Nika nodded. "And scared. I'm not sure how your Da will react."

"He'll probably be happy. He always wanted more than just me." Kerri smiled.

"We'll see. Just keep it between you and me."

"Sure thing." Kerri kissed Nika on the cheek.

"Thank you. I have to call Acadia and check in. I love you. Sleep tight. If you need me, I'm across the hall."

"Night Mum."

Nika stood up, kissed the top of Kerri's head. "Night." Nika walked out the door, and then shut it. Koz was standing not far down the hall. Happy was standing by her door. "You two are going to sleep. We're here. In the clubhouse. It's safe. Capiche?"

"Only if Chibs or Clay clears it."

Nika glared at him. She grabbed her phone and dialed the prepay.

"Darlin? Everything all right?" Chibs asked.

"It will be once you make Happy and Koz go sleep."

"Love, it's only 11pm. Those boys don't usually have a curfew."

"Chibs, it's Alberta, we're an hour ahead of you now, so it's midnight. We've been on the road since 6 am give or take. If they're in charge of Kerri and mine protection, they're sleeping."

Chibs on the other end was shaking his head. "Alright, put one of 'em on the phone."

Nika grinned as she handed Happy the phone. After a few minutes of heated debate between the two men, Happy handed Nika the phone back with a grunt.

"I told 'em to get some sleep, and you're gonna get some too."

"Yes sir."

"I love ya, darlin'. Be safe."

"You too." She hung up the phone. "Good night boys." She waved to Koz and went into her room and locked the door. She quickly changed and got into bed. She picked up her phone again and hit Acadia's speed dial.

"Hey chica!" Acadia's voice was a little too perky.

"What's up?" Nika asked.

"Well other than the multiple bombs you left me with?" Acadia said sarcastically.

"I couldn't tell you in person. Chibs was there, and he can't know about it yet!"

"I don't care. You're pregnant! It's his baby!" Acadia ranted. "You're the old fashioned one… not me."

"I don't care how old fashioned I am! He can and will not find out I am carrying his child!" Nika shouted into the phone.

"Temper woman! Not good for baby."

"Damn Acadia. You called."

"Yeah. You were right to suspect Screw. Something's off about that prick."

"Right, and you know this how?"

"Wow, someone's doubting her big sister?" Acadia smirked.

"This isn't funny."

Acadia huffed. Being pregnant was already taking a toll on Nika's sense of humor. "Fine, fine. I overheard the asshole on his cell. He was talking to someone named Jimmy. Isn't a little bit of a coincidence that Jimmy is the name of the son-of-a-bitch that's after you and Kerri?"

"No." Nika sighed. Damn it! She thought.

"Do Koz and Happy know about the baby?"

"No, just Brea and Kerri know."

"Your stepdaughter knows you're pregnant?"

"Yeah. She's promised to keep it between us, which is what you're going to promise too."

"I promise I won't tell your old man you're preggo."

"Thanks sis." Nika smiled. "Night chica. Love ya!"

"Yeah, yeah. I love you too. Be careful."

"Ditto."

Nika hung up the phone. She curled up with the pillow. She was wishing Chibs were there, arms wrapped around her. She wished she could tell him the truth, but she suspected he wouldn't take it as well as Kerri or anyone else expected him to. Time would tell. She fell asleep as a single tear rolled down her cheek.


*FT*FT*FT*FT*FT*


Back in Charming, CA…

Screw was walking past Juice's room when he heard Acadia's voice get raised. He knew she wasn't talking to Juice because the guys were in Church, again.

"I promise not to tell your old man you're preggo." Acadia said, a little louder than he suspected she wanted to.

Nika was pregnant. Chibs was the father. This was going to play perfectly into Jimmy's plan. Chibs would find out eventually, and he would do everything and anything to guarantee his old lady's and children, born or not, lives. He walked to his room quickly, and dialed Jimmy's number.

"What the fuck are you calling me for at this time of the night?" Jimmy shouted over the line.

"I have an update. You're going to love it."

"I damn well better or I may save Telford the hassle of killing you!"

"His old lady's knocked up."

"What?" Jimmy shouted again.

"She's pregnant. He doesn't know yet."

"I guess I'll let you live." Jimmy laughed. "That is good news. I'll mess with his mind before I kill the bastard."

"Okay. Well that's all I had."

"Well we'll be makin' our appearance day after tomorrow. Let them think it's just a ploy and such."

"Whatever you want. You're the boss." Screw said.

"Damn right I'm the boss!" With that Jimmy hung up and the loud click echoed in Screw's ear.

Screw shook his head. In a way, he couldn't wait to see this all go down, but at the same time, he wasn't ready to die just yet.


*FT*FT*FT*FT*FT*


Nika heard soft tapping at her door. She looked at the clock on the desk next to her. It was 3 am. She sighed. She pulled on the robe she had thrown on the floor by the bed, then went to the door. She peaked through the peephole. She pulled open the door. "Kerri? What's wrong, sweetie?"

"I had a nightmare. I couldn't sleep, and I didn't know what else to do."

"Come in."

Kerri walked in slowly.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"In the morning?" Kerri yawned.

"Sure thing. Um…"

"Can I sleep in here?" Kerri whispered.

"Sure thing. There more than enough room in that bed." Nika laughed pointing at the king sized bed that filled most of the room.

"Sleep over?" Kerri giggled.

"Sure thing. Just us girls. Get our minds off of all this." Nika jumped on the bed.

Kerri joined her. They jumped on the bed giggling. Then Kerri grabbed a pillow and the pillow fight was on. For a few moments, they forgot the mortal danger they were in, and enjoyed the fact they were a family, and in time, that family would be growing. They collapsed into fits of laughter. By 4:30 am, they were sound asleep. Not knowing what danger was going to soon be hitting home.


*FT*FT*FT*FT*FT*


Chibs was tossing and turning. He missed having Nika in his arms. He wished this shit would be over. Jimmy had fucked his family over once, he wasn't about to let it happen again. He got up, and went out to the bikes. Nika's was parked safely next to her slant and Acadia's Fat Boy. Chib's Dyna was parked in front of Nika's Sportster. He worked on his for a bit. Then he looked over the Sportster and changed the oil. He looked at the clock on the wall. It was almost 6 am and he hadn't slept yet. He went back into the clubhouse and collapsed on the bed. He slept fitfully. Nightmares of Jimmy destroying the family he had finally just brought back together. Shit was going to hit the fan and his family was dead center in the crosshairs.


A/N #2: Ok, first off this is not a cliffy! No pitchforks, fruits, torches, pistols or tennis balls (Crys…no throwing anything at me…) Now, there will be an update tomorrow, most likely… unless I lose my internet again. Please read and review… I greatly appreciate them…

Ti Amo!

Nicole