“Oh did he really bring that up again?” Talia’s voice raises with each word she speaks and so does the knife in her hand as she carelessly waves it around. “Well, I can say this much.” She violently returns to peeling the apple. “He better watch the words that leave his mouth before this apple isn’t the only skin being peeled away today. I swear, you save a man's life and try to help him get his strength back by skinning one fucking rabbit and you never hear the end of it.” All I can visualize as she says this is poor Peter Cottontail running for his life and am finding it harder by the second to control the laughter building inside the pit of my belly. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to read that children's book again.
“Honestly, Talia, I don’t think he meant any harm.” I try my best to diffuse the current situation unfolding. “Plus, I think it’s kinda cute that he remembers that. Obviously to him it’s an important part of how the two of you met and now a part of y’all’s story,” I finish off, attempting to add a softer side and way of looking at this.
Peering up at her under the hood of my eyes, I gauge her expression to see if my words have helped any. I watch her shoulders and body relax and she peels the apple less vigorously. She lets out a sigh and a small giggle before declaring, “Yeah, I suppose you might be right. He does love teasing me. And, we have laughed about that numerous times. I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately. I’m just easily irritated at any and everything. Especially Edge. One minute I’m in his arms content and completely head over heels. The next? I can just look at him and I want to rip his head off at the slightest thing.”
Harlow turns her head over her shoulder and my eyes meet hers before she shifts them to Talia. “You sure these pies aren’t the only thing baking in an oven?”
After a brief hesitation and confusion, I catch on to what she’s implying. Turning to Talia, I can feel my eyes grow wide and watch as the color drains from her face.
“Impossible,” leaves her lips in a raspy tone as she clears her throat. She sets the apple and knife down and places her hand over her own shoulder and begins to rub it as if she’s consoling her own self. “Water, I need some water.” She turns around headed toward the refrigerator and grabs a cold bottled water, quickly opening it and taking a large sip.
Harlow rushes to the sink grabbing a wash rag from a drawer, wetting it and running it over to Talia, placing it on the back of her neck. Pulling out a barstool, she orders Talia to sit and she doesn’t hesitate to plop her ass down. “Didn’t mean to scare you, sweetie. It was just the first place my mind went when you said that.” Harlow brushes more of Talia’s hair to the side as she dabs the back of her neck with the cool cloth.
Talia begins to stare off into space before we watch her lift each finger as she counts. “Period math?” I can’t help but ask, prompting an instant glare from Harlow to me. Opening my arms wide to the side with both the apple and paring knife still in hand I mouth, “What?”
Talia nods, answering my question. “I mean, we use condoms...mostly. And even if we don’t he never comes inside of me. And even that has only been a handful of times. We’re extremely careful about that and I don’t usually pay attention to the dates of my monthly cycle because it always makes an appearance.”
“Well, all it takes is once,” Harlow tells Talia, still blotting the back of her neck with the rag.
Talia takes another sip of her water. “Was one of those handful of times that you didn’t use protection within the last month or so? It only takes one of those little suckers to slip out you know? Trust me, I’m living proof as my parents have always reminded me.”
“I can’t remember the date of my last period exactly, but I do know that it should be soon if not a little late. Fuck, I don’t really know,” she says frustrated. “This is not at all how we had any of this planned out.” Her body visibly tenses up again. “Edge will fucking freak, girls.” Her eyes begin to water and I set my own apple and paring knife down to walk over and help Harlow comfort her.
“Don’t stress. No crying because we don’t even know if it’s true yet or not. Back when Sandman and I were in high school I remember being two whole weeks late and turns out it was nothing.” Thinking back on that, I let out a giggle. “Sandman was more stressed about it than I was. I think I pissed on a pregnancy test at least a dozen times. Even got me in to see a doctor. Turns out it was all stress-induced. Once they were certain I wasn’t pregnant, they gave some type of pill that forced my period.” I shrug, trying to make light of the situation and hopefully ease her mind some. “Let’s not jump to any pregnancy conclusions just yet.”
“Any what?” Sandman’s unannounced and deep voice causes us all to jump as we look in his direction. “Who’s pregnant?” His gaze is fixated on me and all I see is the fear behind his eyes he’s desperately trying to hide.
Placing a hand upon my hip, I grow frustrated with not only his spying, but also his assumption. “First of all, not me. So, you can exhale, big guy. Secondly, nobody that we know of. We’re women, and babies are just a topic we tend to naturally gravitate toward. Don’t you have brothers out there you can gossip with?” I gesture toward the door. “Us women have this under complete control in here. The last thing we need right now is you hearing the tail-end of a conversation and starting unnecessary rumors within the club.”
An unimpressed, sly smirk slowly grows on his face. “Keep it up, sassy pants,” he warns. “Later,” he informs me before shooting a wink my way before he turns on his heel, heading back out of the kitchen. I feel a hard lump form in my throat and I force myself to swallow it back down. Part of that excites me and the other part knows better than to get too feisty with him. Sometimes I just get impulsive with my words. He has two personalities in the bedroom and which one I get all depends on me. Or so I’ve come to learn since we’ve been back together. He is definitely a different man both in and outside of the bedroom. One that I’m still becoming accustomed to.
Sandman
My insides burn up in anticipation to bend Aria’s smartass over my knee later. The thought of sliding my cock deep inside of her, reminding her who she belongs to has my dick hardening. She will feel the lingering of my presence every time she walks or sits down. Taking a moment, I adjust myself before I spot Rogue and approach him. I need to know exactly who he plans on sending with the women today as they venture out. Hopefully he was able to switch PeeWee and Shifter’s assignments as I prefer PeeWee over Shifter. It’s nothing personal against Shifter, I just know the lethal potential of each man. Sure, PeeWee doesn’t sound like an intimidating name, but that’s due to his short stature. He’s definitely not a motherfucker to be fucked with, though. He might not be tall, but he’s strong as a bull and moves at damn near the speed of light.
Rogue’s engrossed in a conversation with Edge and Fox as I walk up, but immediately turns to me. “Need to talk with you,” he begins, “I’ve thought about your request, but there is no way in hell I’m pulling PeeWee from his assignment today. We have an important shipment coming in and his presence is necessary along with Pyro and Shadow.” I can feel the blood in my veins begin turning to hot lava as it snakes it way through. Rogue places a hand on my shoulder. “Before you go getting too bent out of shape about my decision you need to understand that there’s no fucking way in hell I’d put any of these women with anyone I thought was less than capable of protecting them. That should go without saying anyway considering one of them is my princess who now has my granddaughter who will need her mother. Stop worrying so goddamn much. Unless, of course, you’re questioning your president’s judgment?” His head tilts to the side, daring me to answer this wrong, but I know better. Still pisses me off, though.
Shaking my head, I answer, “Nope.” I’m not questioning his judgment; I just feel like he’s overestimating Shifter’s ability. Is Shifter a force to be reckoned with who shows a promising future in this club? Fuck yes. Are his abilities and street smarts as developed as PeeWee’s? No.
“Good,�
�� Rogue replies to me. Looking down at his wristwatch he says, “Listen up! Outlaw, Mercenary and my newest princess will be arriving any minute. So, any of you with a lit up spliff or regular cigarette need to put that shit out now. And before anyone starts whining like a little bitch, just know that this was Harmony’s request.” I shift my gaze to Fox and Pyro who are both passing a joint back and forth.
The front doors to the clubhouse fly open just as he finishes that last part. “Actually, we both decided this. But it’s more my request than hers,” Mercenary says sternly as he walks in with Outlaw close behind carrying the baby. He doesn’t hesitate nor blink as he walks right up to Fox, yanking the joint from his mouth, throwing it on the ground as he smashes it beneath his boot. Harmony stands directly behind him showing she has her old man’s back on this one.
“Yo, what the fuck, Merc?” Fox questions him. “I would’ve put it out. You didn’t have to fucking waste some good green like that though, fucker.”
Mercenary steps closer to Fox. “Buy some more and smoke it on your own time when my entire world isn’t around. Or is that gonna be a fucking problem?” he challenges Fox with clenched fists balled at his side.
Outlaw places a hand on his shoulder. “It’s out, babe. Let’s enjoy this day and celebrate our newest member, huh?”
Mercenary is an intense motherfucker and as lethal as myself no doubt. Once he’s angered or feels a threat of any kind, it’s damn near impossible to stop him from unleashing his inner beast. But Harmony has a way of calming him down like nothing I’ve ever seen before. She’s just as fiery, but he does the same for her. They’re a team and balance one another out perfectly. Aria can be feisty at times, but she’s more submissive and a peacemaker. A definite smartass at times, but an angel at heart. And I’m not sure even her halo and the light she exudes can calm my demons. They’re growing stronger by the day and soon enough I’ll need to let them out to play. They are blood-thirsty and nothing less than that will even come close to calming them.
Mercenary turns around and looks at Outlaw and as she nods at him you can tell they’re speaking a silent language only the two of them understand and he backs off.
“Give me my granddaughter,” Rogue says, reaching into Harmony’s arms as he takes the baby.
“Hold her head, Daddy,” she nervously requests.
Rogue looks up at his daughter. “Harmony Aurora Parker, I am not new to this you know? I might be a little rusty, but I did manage just fine with you,” he responds.
“I know, Daddy. Just...her head is,” she begins and Mercenary wraps an arm around her offering comfort. “Okay, fine. I trust you.” She exhales and her body relaxes after Mercenary’s touch.
The women come swarming out from the kitchen and squeal when they see Outlaw, giving her hugs before they quickly focus on Rogue holding baby Melodi. I can feel my eyes threatening to roll in the back of my head as they’re practically salivating waiting for their turn to hold her.
“Just gonna have to wait your turn. Not like everyone here hasn’t already held her anyway. But I have been given the honor and privilege of officially announcing her as a Twisted Iron MC member and nobody will lay a hand on her until I’ve done just that,” he sneers at them and they all back away. “Everyone in here?” he asks, looking around and the rest of my brothers come from the corners of the room and crowd around. “Now that we have everyone’s attention.” He looks at Mercenary who pulls out a tiny Twisted Iron MC cut from inside of his own and holds it up. It has our official logo and a patch that just says ‘Mel.’ It will take her some time to grow into that cut even as small as it is, though. “Brothers, I know you’ve all met my granddaughter, but I’d like to make her official. So, meet Ireland Melodi Parker. Also known now as Mel, short for Melodi in case any of you slower ones get confused.” He eyes Fox specifically who is naturally unaware. The claps of my brothers and sisters can be heard and yet Melodi doesn’t even flinch. Nice. She’s a natural. Not even fazed by the loudness that this place will assuredly always be. “Look at Grandpa’s angel not even giving a rat’s ass about all this noise,” Rogue dotes over his granddaughter.
Merc lets out an exaggerated cough. “Yes, she’s an angel alright. Unless she’s screaming her lungs out at two in the morning.” Everyone laughs except Harmony and Rogue. Harmony bats his arm before crossing her own and Rogue gives his son-in-law a death glare. “Be mad all you want but it’s the truth and nobody in this room loves her more than myself.”
“Parker! You’re skating on thin ice, buddy!” Outlaw chastises her old man. “Wafer-fucking-thin!”
“And of course you, babe,” he replies, trying to smooth things over knowing he’s pushed it one too far.
“So, what do we call her? I’m so confused,” Fox blurts out. “Melodi or Ireland, or Mel? Because I was told earlier not to call her Ireland and to call her by her middle name. Now there’s another one?” He rubs his temple and I can feel my frustrated eyes want to roll back into my head. “But I gotta say, I’m rather fond of Ireland myself.”
“Melodi or Mel,” Outlaw, Rogue and Merc reply in unison.
“When you have a baby, you can be fond of whatever name you and your old lady choose to name your child. She is ours and we make the fucking rules regarding her, Fox. Nothing to be confused about,” Outlaw replies.
“Woah, woah! Chill, Outlaw. Don’t you be cursing and jinxing me with a fucking baby. This bachelor will forever be one. I have no room or time in my life for an old lady, let alone a baby.” Fox shudders before stepping backwards.
“So you understand why your opinion is irrelevant then I take it? My daughter, my rules,” Outlaw declares.
“Your daughter?” Mercenary asks, challenging his old lady as he turns to her.
“You know what I meant. There’s too much testosterone in here for me right now. Ladies, are y’all ready to go?” She looks to the other women.
“My last two pies!” Harlow cries out as she races toward the kitchen.
“Are y’all not gonna eat here with all of us?” I ask her.
“Save us some pie. But, no, I need to get away from him before I snap and my hands find their way around his throat,” she answers me but her eyes are narrowed and fixated on Mercenary.
“Yes, please, take all of your estrogen or whatever female hormone it is that has you all out of whack and go get some fresh air,” Merc fires back.
“Sounds good to me. I’ll grab my things,” Talia says quickly, interrupting an impending battle of the sexes.
“Me, too,” Aria replies and my stomach drops and I can feel my nerves start to go into overdrive.
Harlow walks out of the kitchen. “Pies are fine, thank goodness. All the food is ready. I’ve got an extra pie ready to bake should we need it.”
“Thank you for going to all of this trouble, Harlow. But like I was just telling the others, I need to get out of here before I commit homicide in front of Melodi,” Harmony tells her.
“O-oh, okay,” Harlow stammers out. “No worries. I get it. We’ll grab something while we’re out. The men have plenty to eat here.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? You get it?” Bane asks Harlow.
“Oh geez. Are all of you on your man period?” Harlow asks.
“They must be,” Talia chimes in.
“Hey, what the fuck did I do?” Edge inquires, looking at Talia who just glares at him. He looks around the room at each of us who just shrug. My brothers are getting their balls handed to them left and right and while I don’t want to be next, I know Aria wouldn’t dare.
Shifter steps forward. “Ready. I’ll be your shadow today, ladies. Also your chauffeur. Just lead the way. You’re in good hands.”
I lean into his ear, “They better fucking be. Because if a single hair looks different on their heads when y’all return, you won’t see morning.” He swallows hard and nods at me. “I fucking mean it with every cell of my being.”
They turn and begin to walk out and Mercenary speaks up, �
�What about our daughter, Harmony? Aren’t you taking her with y’all?”
She stops, turns around and responds, “Oh, no, Mr. Parker. That’s your daughter, remember?” Turning around, she continues walking out of the clubhouse as she shouts out, “Diaper bag is still in the SUV. Your daughter will certainly need things from it, so don’t forget.”
3
Aria
Once we’re all piled in the SUV, Harmony gives Shifter the order of where she wants to go to first and we take off. “I really hope my body goes back to normal,” she tells us while running her fingers through her hair. “And I would also like for my old man to do the same while I’m wishing and hoping.”
“You just had a baby a month ago. Your body has been through so many changes. It will get back to where you want it to I’m sure, just takes time, sweetie,” Harlow assures Harmony. “And while it’s not really my place to preach to you about your old man, he’s had to go through a lot of adjustments too. Maybe not physically, but mentally and emotionally. Sweetie, you know better than anyone that our guys are not like most men. They’re built to be mentally and emotionally stronger than most due to the lifestyle they've grown up in and around. It’s as if it’s a part of their genetic makeup to be almost robotic and cold when it comes to their feelings. Mercenary might not show it, but I’m almost certain that part of his behavior is due to watching you endure so much. Their job instinctively is to protect us. So when he sees you tired, frustrated about your body not bouncing back quickly, and adjusting to all of these things—all he wants to do is fix it. Not being able to do so has to be hell on him, too. That man loves and looks at you in such a way that sometimes even I find myself a little jealous.”
Sandman's Awakening: Twisted Iron MC Page 2
