by E. C. Land
Standing, I make a quick decision to show her the other surprise first. I look to Ryder and ask, “Can you watch Owen while he finishes breakfast?”
“Yeah, I’ve missed this little man.” Ryder nods.
Nodding, I take Nora’s hand and help her to her feet. “Come on, Spitfire, I wanna show you something.”
Nora stands and silently lets me guide her back up the stairs. At the top, I cover her eyes and walk her to the door to one of the other rooms. Opening it, I take two steps guiding her inside.
“I love you, Nora, and so do my brothers,” I whisper and remove my hand from in front of her eyes. “They wanted to do something special for you, for us, for our little man.”
Nora gasps, tears filling her eyes, and her hand comes up to press the tips of her trembling fingers to her lips. “Orion,” she utters, eyes scanning over the room my brothers not only painted but set up for us. Light blue walls surrounded us with a painting of a set of motorcycles on one wall with our baby’s name over it.
Oaklen.
When we’d found out Nora was pregnant with our second child, we already knew what names we’d go with if it were a girl or boy. With her leaving telling me the baby was a boy, I was able to tell my brothers what name to put up there.
There was a crib set up in one corner, a rocker in another with a dresser and changing table set up. By the crib, there’s also a toy motorcycle for when Oaklen is old enough to play with it.
“Orion.” Nora turns to look at me and I am filled with so many emotions when she launches herself at me. “I love you so, so much.”
“I told you, Spitfire, you’re my fuckin’ world. I can’t live without you in it,” I tell her, clutching her to me.
Because what I tell her is the truth, no matter how much I’ve fucked up in the past, I’ve always known she’s it for me.
Chapter Seven
Nora
Two hours after Breaker showed me our baby’s room, I’m still surprised.
I didn’t think he’d remember the names we’d picked, but he did.
Sitting in the living room, I smile as I watch both Owen and Lucy play on the floor with each other. Brielle and I have spent the entire morning together after both men left the house to do whatever it is they wouldn’t tell me.
The front door opens all of a sudden and in comes the rest of the ol’ ladies.
“Finally, you’re home,” Tiny declares, coming in childless, and walks straight to me and wraps her arms around me. “I’ve missed you. Don’t leave like that again; otherwise, I’m going to kick your butt.”
Smiling, I hug her back. “I promise there won’t be a next time.”
“Good, now let’s get you ready for today’s events,” she announces as Angelina comes forward.
“How are you feeling? Breaker told me about the fainting spell when you first saw him,” Angelina murmurs softly.
“I’m okay,” I say, nodding.
Nodding, Angelina doesn’t say anything else about it. I’m sure she’ll want to have me see my OB soon, though.
Lyrica steps forward and takes my hand in hers. “Come on while Tiny gets stuff ready in here. Let’s go get you dressed. We don’t have much time.”
“Time for what? What are we doing?”
“You’ll see,” Brielle calls out behind us. “I’m grabbing Owen’s clothes to get him ready and then I’ll get dressed.”
“Sounds good,” Lyrica states.
I didn’t miss the others besides Brielle were all in pretty sundresses.
Following Lyrica into my bedroom, I stand there in the middle of the room while she pulls out a beautiful dress for me to put on. “Here you go.” She smiles and places it on the bed for me. “Once you’re dressed, come back down and we’ll be ready to do the final touches.”
“Um, okay,” I mutter nervously.
“Oh, and let me give you this,” she states, pulling out a folded sheet of paper from the pocket in her dress.
“Thank you.” I take the paper and wait for her to leave the room. Sitting on the bed, I unfold the paper and immediately notice the handwriting as Breaker’s.
Spitfire,
I haven’t been the best husband to you lately, and after you left, it sank in like a thousand knives to my chest. I don’t know how else I can tell you I’m sorry, but I intend to spend the rest of my life apologizing to you.
Starting with now. I didn’t do the right thing when we first were married, so today, I’m giving you everything you deserved back then.
Marry me again and let me love you forever.
Orion
A sob hitches my breath and the tears spill down my cheeks as I reread his letter over and over again. This is his surprise. He’s giving me a wedding.
Oh my God.
Placing the letter on the bed next to me, I strip out of my clothes and put the dress on. It’s not your typical dress for a bride, but all the same, it’s perfect for me. The blushing pink color suits my complexion after being at the beach for nearly a month. The fabric complements my bump and doesn’t make it stand out fully but shows I’m carrying our second child.
With one last look at myself in the mirror, I head downstairs to where the other ol’ ladies are waiting for me.
“She’s smiling. That means she read the note,” Tiny announces, clapping her hands together with a beaming smile on her face.
“You guys didn’t have to do all of this,” I say, making my way to where there’s a chair pulled out for me to sit in directly in front of Tiny. I’d taught her how to style hair, and she’s a natural at it.
I thought about her and I opening a salon together after she finished getting certified, but only if she wanted to. I miss working in one and think after Oaklen is born, I might go back to work. It would give me something to do besides just being a mom. Not that I haven’t loved being here for Owen, watching him grow.
Shoot, if I open my own place, I could bring them to work with me.
While Tiny does my hair in swooping loose curls, Lyrica does my makeup.
By the time they’re done, there’s a knock on the front door.
“That’s our cue,” Angelina declares and helps Brielle with both children.
I stand and my friends surround me.
The door opens and to my surprise, Dash, Flynn, and Levi step through.
“What are you three doing here?” I ask.
“You didn’t think we’d miss the chance to give you away, did you?” Dash smirks.
“Oh my God, you knew about this the whole time, didn’t you?” My heart skips a beat as I think of all Breaker’s done so far for me.
“You know it, baby sister,” Levi states, coming to wrap an arm around my shoulders.
“I love you three. You’re the best big brothers I could ever ask for. If it weren’t for you three, to begin with, I wouldn’t be where I am now,” I say, doing my best not to cry.
Love ya too, Nora,” Flynn mutters, coming to my other side and pressing a kiss to the side of my head. “Let’s get you out there to your ol’ man.”
Smiling, I follow them all out of the house. Dash plucks Owen from Angelina as he goes.
Surrounded by everyone who means the world to me, I head to the man who means everything. Music plays not too far away and that’s when they finally move to the side so that I can see in front of me.
Standing at the end in front of me under a gazebo is Breaker. I smile and take in the rest. By Breaker is a man dressed in a suit, holding a bible. Chains, Tyres, and Brake stand not too far away from them. There are also members of the Devil’s Riot MC here to witness me marrying my ol’ man for the second time.
My smile widens as I get closer to Breaker. He finally moves when I get close enough for him to take my hand and help me up the steps.
The music volume goes down and the preacher speaks. He asks who gives me away. Not only do my brothers answer but every man in attendance does too, causing me to giggle. He then proceeds with the ceremony and when it comes t
ime for vows, I’m surprised when Breaker doesn’t go with the traditional vows.
“Nora, the first day I saw you, I knew I wanted to marry you. It’s why I claimed you the first chance I got and married you as quickly as I did. I love you more now than I did then. You’re the most beautiful woman in my eyes. No one compares to you and could ever take your place. You and our boys, you own all that is me. Heart, body, mind, and soul.”
Hitching a breath, I fight the tears from falling as it’s my turn. “Orion, you are the only man who could ever consume me in the way you did. I know I’m stubborn and I’m not easy to be around, but you’ve put up with me. More than that, you thrive off my sarcasm. Marrying you the first time was the best thing I ever did. Well, besides giving you Owen and soon Oaklen.”
The preacher finishes the ceremony and when he brings it to a close announcing Breaker could now kiss his bride, he drew me into his arms and captured my mouth in a kiss of a lifetime. I knew it was one I would forever remember for the rest of my life, even when I’m old and gray.
Chapter Eight
Breaker
Three months ago, I married my ol’ lady for the second time. Each day seems to get better than the one before. I’ve enjoyed watching her grow round with Oaklen and now we’re only a month away from his arrival.
It’s hard to imagine how time has flown by. Fall is around the corner, but it doesn’t feel that way outside.
Things around the club have been quiet for the most part. The strays have been leaving the men who have ol’ ladies alone. In fact, Tricks alone hasn’t been around since then. I’m guessing this being due to Emerson and Kenny both threatening them with their lives when Tricks and another one tried to hit on Hades and Horse. The shit those two pulled had been hilarious. Nora told me about the time Emerson dragged a clubwhore through the clubhouse by her hair while in a towel. No wonder the two women are close.
Twister and Horse caught us up on some things that were going on up there at their club, along with their other locations. Brielle’s brother is a member of the Devil’s Riot MC and is caught up in an ordeal none of us saw coming. Just thinking about the whole thing gives me a headache.
Shaking my head, I work tightening the last spark plugs into place on the car I’m working on. The shop is busier than it’s been in a while, and I need to get this car finished so I can get to the next one.
Doesn’t help that I’m dealing with the blistering heat of the day, making me sweat more than I’ve ever done.
“I knew I should have put baby powder on my balls,” Pipe grumbles from where he’s working a few feet away.
“Fucker, I don’t wanna hear about your balls,” I mutter.
“Too bad, Breaker, it’s hotter than it’s been in a long time and my balls are chafing. You can’t tell me you ain’t dealing with the same shit,” Pipe states.
“I’m smart enough to have put baby powder on, knowing it’s gonna be hot and the AC isn’t working right.” I shrug.
Pipe continues to grumble about something, but I ignore him as my phone starts to ring. I pull it out of my pocket to check who’s calling. I frown at the unknown number.
“Hello?” Answering it just in case it’s the hospital. Nora had an appointment this morning and told me she’d call me after. I wasn’t able to go with her this time because the garage had been backed up with orders to get filled.
Whoever it was hung up, causing me to furrow my brow.
I pull the phone from my ear only to have it start ringing again. Glancing at the screen, I notice the same unknown number again.
Fuck me.
Swiping a finger across my screen, I answer it again. “Hello.”
Heavy breathing comes through the line and then nothing.
What the fuckin’ hell?
My stomach knots. Something’s not right here.
Pulling up Nora’s number, I call her to check-in.
“Hey,” she says sweetly when she answers on the third ring.
“You okay?” I ask, my heart feeling as if it’s in my throat.
“Yeah, I’m okay. I’m just at the hospital still waiting for the doctor to come in and see me,” she informs me.
“Okay, well, I’m finishing up here. I’ll meet you there,” I declare, deciding not to worry about getting to the next car. Something about that call doesn’t sit well with me, and from past experience, I’m not taking shit lightly.
“You don’t have to, but okay, I’ll see you when you get here.” She agrees, thankfully without arguing with me.
Hanging up with Nora, I slide the phone in my front pocket and turn to look at Pipe, who’s still working on the car next to me but had heard me answer both calls then call my ol’ lady. “Wanna ride out with me?”
“Yeah,” he responds without hesitation. That’s what brothers are for. Dropping the wrench, he wipes his hands on his rag and tosses it next to his tools. “Let me just tell Shock and Steel we’re heading out.”
My gut’s still tight and I need to get to my woman. Heading out of the shop, I make my way to my bike, swing my leg over, and straddle her. I miss having Nora at my back and I’ll have to remedy that the first chance I get once Oaklen is here.
Starting my bike, I look up to find not only Pipe joining me but Steel and Shock as well.
“We locked up for now. If something’s wrong, it’s better to have more than one of us with you,” Pipe declares.
“Thanks, brother,” I mutter and push my kickstand up and slide my sunglasses in place.
With my brothers at my back, I roar off out of the parking lot and onto the road heading for the hospital.
By the time we turn into the hospital parking lot, I’m anxious to see my ol’ lady. I find her SUV in the parking lot easily. It’s easy to find when you have an ICMC logo sticker on one side of the back windshield, a Salt Life one in the middle, and those fuckin’ baby shark characters on the other bottom side.
How she got me to put those on the back of her SUV beats me. Oh, wait, I know. She bribed me with a blowjob. It had been one hell of a blowjob at that.
Fuck, even thinking about her mouth around my cock now has me getting hard for her.
Shaking my head, I mentally tell my cock it’s not the time for that shit right now.
Thankfully there are a few spaces near Nora’s SUV available. My brothers and I park our bikes and stand.
“You guys just hang here. I’ll be back soon as I can,” I tell them as I head for the entrance into the hospital.
The tightness in my gut is still there and I know it won’t let up until I see my woman.
I make it to the third floor and into the doctor’s office. Marla, the receptionist, knows me and smiles.
“Hi, Breaker, what can I help you with?” she asks.
“I’m just here to join my wife for her appointment,” I say, giving her a grin I know always gets the women to do what I want them to.
“Oh, did you not see her on your way up?” Marla frowns.
“No, last time I talked to her, maybe ten, fifteen minutes ago, she was still waiting on the doctor to see her,” I mutter and pull my phone out. It hasn’t rung in the time it took me to get here.
“I’m sorry, she’s already left. Maybe five minutes ago, I believe.”
“Thanks, Marla,” I say quickly and rush out of the office and out into the hall, pulling my phone out of my pocket and dialing Nora’s number.
It goes straight to voicemail.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Not this shit again.
Chapter Nine
Nora
Hanging up with Breaker, I smile at Owen from his stroller. Normally I don’t take him to the doctor with me, but I promised him I’d take him to do something fun once we left here. I didn’t want to have to go back to the clubhouse to pick him up from one of the ol’ ladies. He’s been good the entire time, which is great for me.
There’s a knock on the door before it opens.
“Afternoon,” my doctor says, smiling. �
��How are you doing today?” She then turns her attention to Owen and smiles at him as well. “Hey, little man. You decide to join Mommy today?” This is why I like seeing Dr. Borde. She always makes her patients feel welcome.
Switching her focus back to me, we go through the steps of my appointment. She checks to see how far dilated I am and listens to the baby’s heartbeat.
“You’re about two centimeters dilated right now and from what you’ve said about feeling as if he’s dropped. I would say you could make it to your due date, or you could go into labor tomorrow. Depends on your little guy. I would prefer to see him stay in there another week at most, but at this stage in your pregnancy, we won’t stop it.”
Nodding, I let Dr. Borde’s words sink in. Oaklen could make his debut any day. Warmth fills me at the thought of our second child joining us soon.
We wrap up the appointment. I readjust my summer dress into place, guide the stroller to the receptionist desk, and make my next appointment with the ladies up front.
Leaving the doctor’s office, I head for the elevator. When it opens, I push the stroller in and turn to press the button for the first floor that leads to the parking lot. A woman in scrubs comes in behind me, and I give her a smile that she returns.
She sees the button is already pressed for the first floor and sighs. “I’m so glad to be getting off shift right now,” the woman murmurs.
Something about her seems familiar, but I don’t know where I’d seen her before.
“I can imagine.” I laugh.
The nurse looks from me to my son and back again. With the way she looks between us, I start to feel uncomfortable in the small space of the elevator. I sigh when the door pings and starts to open, I push the stroller through and head for the exit. I pull out my phone as I make my way through the sliding glass doors and start to walk through the parking lot.
I know he should be here soon, but I can at least try to reach him.
The phone rings and goes to voicemail as I get to my SUV. “Hey, I’m done with my appointment. I’m going to take Owen across the street to get lunch if you want to meet me over there. I love yo . . .” I don’t get the rest of my sentence out as a hand comes over my mouth and I feel something prick the side of my neck. The last thing I hear before everything goes dark is Owen’s screams.
