Banded Together (Rebel Walking #2.5)

by Storm, Hilary

  "Okay. So go narrow it down and we'll get her opinion when she's out of the hospital."

  "That'll only give me a couple of days, but I think it'll work."

  "We need to get with Taron soon, too; he may need help with the nursery."

  "Yeah, we can figure something out for the nursery."

  "No need to. That's what everyone has been working on today. Taron was a maniac trying to get it all done when I walked in, but that's when he got the call about Ivy so we left right away. I'm just not sure how much he has left to finish."

  "He was working on the nursery?"

  "Yeah."

  "How sweet. He’s really stepped up for Ivy and baby Heaven."

  "Yeah, he kinda loves her." Talon puts his arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer to him.

  "I kinda noticed."

  "Who would've thought those two would make it?"

  "I'm just really surprised Taron tattooed her name around his finger. That's extreme, but then again those two are extreme personalities."

  "He what?" Talon's face is full of shock.

  "I asked him a long time ago if he'd ever have a girl's name in ink and his response was 'HELL NO!' I was teasing him and said I would get my girl's name tattooed around my finger when I found the right one. He teased me for years about that shit."

  "Ivy wasn't happy about it at all. I stepped out to let them talk, but it didn’t take much to tell she wasn't pleased."

  "Girls usually go nuts for that shit."

  "Yeah, well Ivy isn’t your usual girl. She's not going to fall at his feet."

  "Knowing my brother, that right there is what'll keep them going forever." I watch as we pull into a small shopping area and he parks in front of a small cafe.

  "You hungry?" This definitely doesn't look like a place he would normally choose; he must be after something specific.

  "Yeah and we're going to pick our cakes!"

  "You really are planning our wedding aren't you?"

  "I like doing this stuff with you. I mean, why the hell would I miss out on shopping trips like this morning?"

  "And cake?"

  "I like cake and I can practice smearing the frosting on your lips."

  "We are not having sex in there so get it out of your head right now."

  "We'll see," he says as he steps out of the truck. We walk hand in hand into the small cafe. He opens the door for me, as usual, and we enter the sweetest smelling shop I have ever been in.

  "Why haven't I been here before? The smell is incredible."

  "Hello, Miss Bennett and Mr. Walker. We have you set up over here." I look over at Talon with surprise. I don't know why anything he does ever shocks me. Because he’s always working so hard doing promotions and business for the band, he’s a very hard worker and can multitask unlike any other guy I know.

  We’re led to a small, private area set with a table arrangement and very nice tableware. "Please sit here and we'll begin to bring you samples."

  "You amaze me everyday." I kiss him as soon as he sits next to me.

  "What? It's just cake."

  "Thank you for doing this. How did you get this set up?"

  "I planned to steal you back from Ivy this afternoon but that plan didn't work. I called them and they pushed it back until we could get here."

  "How did they recognize us?"

  "Lucky guess? I have no idea how they knew it was us walking in."

  "Mr. Walker, we have twenty different samples for you to try today. I'll bring you five at a time and let you make notes. At the end of your tasting, we'll hopefully have the perfect cakes for your big day."

  We eat a bite of each piece of cake they bring out while the waitress pours champagne into our glasses. Knowing we have twenty cakes to sample, as well as different champagnes, I see some major discomfort in the very near future. He only spreads frosting on my lips twice to 'try' how the cake will really taste on our wedding day. Eating cake his way is much better than the traditional way.

  We narrow it down to the two we want and choose our favorite pink champagne for the reception. We order a decorated bride/groom cake that looks like a drum set and promise to send the Rebel Walking logo to print on the base drum for decor. This cake will be massive and very original. It's perfect for us.

  I feel as though I’m rolling myself out the door when we’re finished. After all that cake and champagne, I’m miserable.

  "Where to now?"

  "We need to go help Luke. He’s trying to help finish the nursery with Lilly."

  "Luke sure has been spending a lot of time with Lilly lately."

  "Yeah, I don't think there’s anything going on with them because Taron and I both warned his ass about her."

  "Why can't you just leave him alone about her? I think they might make a cute couple."

  "Because I know where he's been."

  "You don't think she knows?"

  "She doesn't know all of it. He gets around, Ev."

  "So? Taron did, too. I let my best friend fall for him." I give him my serious look because I want him to know just how important this is to me. "Leave them alone and see what happens."

  "I can do that, but he better keep his dick to himself."

  "You're impossible."

  "Just protective. She's been around us forever and she pretty much has three Walker brothers that would kick someone's ass if she's ever hurt."

  "I get it."

  We arrive at Taron and Ivy's place and I purposely talk loudly to make sure we aren't interrupting anything. There’s only one car and a motorcycle in the driveway.

  "Luke. Lilly. You guys here?"

  "Back here."

  I walk in and see the most adorable nursery for Heaven. Lilly has an awkward look on her face, so I jump in to bring attention to myself instead of the silence between the two of them. Luke moves in to properly greet me. He has always hugged me, and when I say hug, I mean he does it right. Not a slight touching, awkward hug. Wrapping his big, bulky arms around me, he squeezes me tight. He hasn't always been built like this and has really changed in the past year. It must be the Walker influence that’s making my cousin swell up in all the right places.

  "This is amazing! You guys did a fantastic job!"

  "We just finished up the little details. Taron had it all planned out." Lilly moves in for a hug as well. I ignore Talon staring at Luke as we start looking at everything in the room.

  "You guys didn't stay at the hospital long." Luke starts to move into our conversation more while trying to ignore Talon’s stares.

  "Nah. We’re trying to finish the wedding plans and it was pointless to hang around when the grandparents showed up. We're going back to the hospital in a little bit."

  "Yeah, that's what we were thinking, too. We wanted to finish the room for them and get the mess picked up before they come home."

  "Does Ivy know about the nursery?"

  "No, Taron wants to surprise her."

  "Damn, he's just perfect right now." If I hadn't seen most of it for myself, I wouldn't believe Taron's transformation over the past year. "You should've told me, I would've helped you with the room."

  "We didn't have much left." Why do I get the feeling they both wanted to do this together with no interruptions? I'm going to have to quiz one of them very soon.

  "Okay. What can I do to help you finish up?"

  "We're just throwing the last of the bedding on and the curtain rod up and we'll be done." I move to help put the sheet on the mattress and use the opportunity to ask Lilly questions as soon as the guys step out of the room.

  "So.... What's the deal with you and my cousin?"

  "We're just having fun."

  "I hope you do get to have some fun. He's a great guy underneath that whole bad boy exterior."

  "I know he is. I think we...." She's interrupted by the sound of footsteps in the hall.

  "Girls, we brought you the power tools you need to put up the curtain rod." I know exactly what Luke is doing and I'm not about to le
t him ogle Lilly with Talon right here waiting to attack him. I grab the screws and hardware from Luke and begin to climb the stepladder. Lilly assists by handing me what I need as I put up a very solid rod. We finish by draping the sheer, dark pink material up and over it. I look over and see Talon watching Luke who's watching Lilly.

  "We should probably get going, right Talon?"

  "Nah. We need to make sure this is all done here."

  "Talon, it's time to go." I walk over to him and lace my fingers through his. Squeezing tight, I begin to pull on his arm until he decides to follow. "There's a beautiful baby girl that I want to hold again. We'll catch you guys later!"

  "Wait! What about the wedding? Is it still on for Saturday?" Lilly rushes into the hall to ask us before I get the chance to get him out the door.

  "Yeah, I'll call you tomorrow and give you the specific details."

  Luke watches me force Talon to leave and I turn to face him before I close the door behind me. His shit-eating grin tells me that he doesn't give a crap whether the Walkers are going to like him circling Lilly. This is so not going to go well if he fucks up. He loves to be free and enjoys the benefits of being single. I can't picture him settling down with one girl and if he gets with her that's exactly what they'll expect.

  "You need to stop with the barbarics. She is a grown woman and she doesn't need you scaring off all the guys who come around her."

  "I won’t scare off all the guys, just the ones that aren't good enough."

  "And who would be good enough?" His hesitation shows me he has to think really hard to answer my question without sounding irrational.

  "There are guys that'll treat her right."

  "I agree! And it's up to her to find the one that makes her happy without the interference of the Walker brothers." He's hearing me, but is he listening? Only time will tell if I'm getting through to him.

  "Take me to see that sweet baby!" I purposely find stuff to talk about the whole way there to get his mind off of the obvious chemistry between Luke and Lilly. I make a mental note to talk to Luke and threaten him within an inch of his life. He needs to remember how easy it'll be to rock this boat and mess up everything they’ve worked so hard to regain. I can't even begin to imagine the tension in the band if he messes this up.

  Chapter Seven

  Talon

  Every morning I open my eyes to see the most gorgeous woman with bed head that is sexy as fuck and skin so soft that I can't resist waking her by touching it. I've come a long way to find this happiness, but there’s one thing I need to do to leave the past behind me and move forward. I slide out of bed, trying my hardest not to wake her.

  She stirs just slightly then falls back to sleep. Damn she's beautiful. How did I get so lucky to find the one person who can see straight through to the depths of me? A year ago, there wasn't a single person that would try to talk to me about my issues if I pushed them away just the slightest bit. She broke right through to me and I haven't been the same since. I love her more than anything and I will spend the rest of my life trying to make her happy.

  I start the truck and let it run a little in the chilly morning air. This is going to be tough, but I have to do this. I have to say goodbye and forgive her once and for all.

  I pull off the dirt road and park in the same spot I have so many times before. The sound of water rushing fills the air as soon as I open the door. Walking over to the bridge, I stop where her car mangled the steel and see that repairs have been made to secure the bridge. The memories of that night begin to flood my mind. I was so full of anger and hatred for Nicole for taking everything from me once again.

  Everything could’ve ended so differently that night and I've had a rough time letting go of some of the hatred I feel when I think of her or our baby. I'll never have the chance to hold my son or daughter because Nicole took that away from me. How can I ever forgive someone for that?

  I pull out my ear buds and start the music. Songs that I use to purge every emotion by beating the shit out of the drums begin to flood my ears. I sit on the edge of the bridge and watch the water flow for what seems like hours. I cry, cuss, pray, remember and try to forget the entire time I sit there. A few cars go by—one even stops—but I don't bother looking to see who it is.

  She runs her hand up my back and around my neck. There is no mistaking her body when she leans on my back to fully hug me from behind. I leave the music on to finish this song. She doesn't move at all and we just sit there with her holding me. The tears run down both of our faces and I don't even bother to wipe them away.

  "I love you," are the first words that come out of her mouth when the song ends. I choose to kiss her arm since the lump in my throat won't let me speak. She pulls out an ear bud and sits beside me.

  "Talon, I'm sorry." She has nothing to be sorry about, but this is who she is. If someone is hurting she is, too. She loves with everything inside of her and would do anything to take the hurt away from someone she loves.

  "I am, too." We sit there and watch the water some more. "How'd you find me?"

  "Macy saw you out here. She called and asked me if she should stop and I told her I would come talk to you. You going to be alright?"

  "Yeah. I just needed to work through a few things that I never really took the time to do before." When I pulled Ev out of the river that night, the last thing I worried about was me.

  "Want me to leave you alone a little longer?"

  "Nah. I'm gonna be alright." She leans in and gives me a peck on the lips. I see the tears in her eyes that haven't quite dried. Using both thumbs, I wipe her tears away and she does the same for me.

  "From now on, you let me catch your tears." Her serious face and demanding words make me smile.

  "I will, Mrs. Walker."

  "I'm going to go back to work on some of the wedding stuff. You want to stay a little longer?"

  "I'll be right behind you." I watch her leave, letting the glare of the sun bounce off the water a little longer. There’s nothing more to do or say out here. Sometimes, tragedies in life make you stronger and sometimes they break you down. I hate that Nicole lost her life to her struggle with drugs. If only she would've taken the help that was offered to her, she’d be here today.

  I crank up the music as soon as I turn on the engine and head to our house to move forward with my life and try to leave behind the guilt. I'll always feel like I should’ve done something to save the baby. Time hasn't helped that feeling go away, but maybe I can quit blaming Nicole.

  Our little house is a perfect starter house for us, especially since we won’t be spending very much time in it for a few years. Ev will be traveling with me everywhere I go. Her career as a photographer will only grow on the road. We’re going to be more in control of the tour dates and try to enjoy some of the locations we get to visit. The last tour was balls to the walls non-stop. If it wasn't for Ev being there with me, I would have hated every minute of it.

  Taron has plans to bring Ivy and the baby for at least a year. We’ve worked our asses off to get dates at some of the best venues around. Aiden actually managed to get some of the best ones booked. It looks like he'll be going on the road to help us manage all of the details needed as we move from city to city. He’s been vital to getting us the exposure we need and marketing the events to ramp up ticket sales.

  With all of our hard work, we might just actually make it big this time. I'll be happy with just playing with the group and traveling with Ev. Who gets an opportunity like this in their lifetime, let alone as newlyweds?

  Ev isn't at the house when I arrive, so I start to work on the music for the wedding.

  Chapter Eight

  Ivy

  Her little toes and fingers are so tiny. I had no idea how much I really loved this little girl until I met her for the first time. She has her dad's personality until she gets mad. Then it's all me. She has a full head of dark brown hair. One of the nurses brought in a bow and we've managed to have it around her eyes, off to the side and o
n the floor with how much we’ve been holding her.

  Everyone says that she will get spoiled if we hold her. Well then, she'll just have to be spoiled, because I want to love on my baby. Taron has been extremely attentive.

  I keep seeing his new tattoo and I'm struggling with an array of emotions that are confusing me. I want to jump in and follow him into the marriage idea of a happily ever after, but I'm just afraid to give that part of me up. I'm Ivy Adams. Ivy Walker doesn't portray me. I'll consider his feelings in all of this and make a decision of how to respond to his crazy idea to get a wedding band tattoo when we aren't even getting married.

  I'm trying to breast feed Heaven again. She seems to be doing well with feeding, almost too well. She's two days old and wants to eat constantly. My milk hasn't come in yet, so I'm sure it'll get easier when it does. Right now my breasts are sore as hell. Taron seems to enjoy the view a little too much. I can only imagine where his mind is and the plans he has for the girls when I'm cleared for sex in six weeks. Who am I kidding? It won’t be six weeks.

  We get to go home this morning. Both Heaven and I are completely healthy and I'm so ready to get out of here. Taron says he has the important stuff ready in the nursery. I wish I would've had time to get it ready because I really wanted her to go home to a beautiful room even though we'll be traveling. She needs her room and a space that can be hers when we do get to come home.

  She’s a little smaller than we expected, too. She only weighed 5.5 pounds when she was born because she was early. Her clothes are going to swallow her, except for the few that Ev found in preemie size yesterday.

  "Looks like you're ready to get out of here!" The nurse walks in with all of our papers. Heaven is sleeping on me now, so I lift her to Taron who's waiting to buckle her into her car seat.

  "We're going home, baby girl!" His voice is so different with her and I love when he sings to her. It's so relaxing to hear him soothing her cries.

  We finally make it home and Taron runs circles around me trying to get everything in the house. This is the first time our family will be home together. He manages to hold the door for me and carry Heaven inside along with an armload of stuff from the hospital. He quickly removes her from her carrier and starts showing her around the house.