by Colbie Kay
Swallowing my food, I tell him, “Gunner, we just made up from a huge fight we had. I’m not going to marry you because we are having a baby, but let’s see how it goes.”
“I can deal with that for now.” A cocky grin plays on his lips. He knows he’ll get what he wants eventually.
We finish eating and Gunner tells me to stay where I’m at, so I do. He wheels over to the stereo system and turns on the music. When he wheels himself back over to the table, he stops in front of me. “Dance with me?” When I nod with a smile, he takes my hand and once again pulls me down onto his lap. We go over to the dance floor, where he spins us in circles and rolls us around in the best dance I’ve ever had.
Later into the night, I go get the sonogram pictures while Hanger helps Gunner into bed, and then I join him. They moved Gunner into Hanger’s old room so that it would be easier with having the attached bathroom, a decision I’m glad they made. We lie there, looking at our baby, me in his arms, and feeling complete now that I have Gunner back. It doesn’t take long for me to fall asleep in the arms of the man I love with almost my whole heart. That one little piece I have saved for Ripper.
*****
The following week I had my second doctor’s appointment with Sierra, and everything looks good with the baby, but I still have the lining of blood. It hasn’t gotten any better, but it hasn’t gotten worse, so that’s good, I guess. I will continue with two-week visits until the bleeding stops, and I will have sonograms done every visit. The baby’s heartbeat is strong as ever, and the measurements are perfect.
Today is the Fourth of July, so the club has planned a family BBQ with fireworks. That means no hang-arounds and no club girls. I always love when we have the family gatherings because when we all come together it’s fun, no drama, and no worries of what may be happening with the club. Everything is left to tomorrow for these special occasions.
I sit on Gunner’s lap as we watch the fireworks light up the sky and I realize how happy I am. I don’t think about the past too much anymore. Ever since I went to visit Ripper’s grave, I have stopped needing to grieve. Gunner told me one night while we were lying in his—our—bed that he keeps having dreams that Ripper came to him. He vividly remembers that Ripper told him that he is happy that we are together. He thinks it’s a dream, but I wholeheartedly believe it is true, from when he was in the hospital and we were waiting for him to wake up. But if Ripper said that, it gives me a peace of mind that he is watching down on me and he is happy. I guess it’s kind of like having a bit of closure for me, and maybe that’s what I needed all this time.
“You good?” Gunner whispers against my ear.
Turning my head to face him, I smile. “I’m happy.”
He kisses my temple. “Marry me?”
“Someday.” Laughing, I lean in and give him a chaste kiss on the lips. This has been an ongoing thing for us now; he’ll ask me and I give the same reply. I’m happy to have him back and our baby doing so well, but I don’t want to rush into getting married.
“I got somethin’ for you.” He takes a pull from his beer, then leans over his chair, grabbing a box. He hands it to me and his eyes stay glued on me as I open it.
Holding the leather cut up, I look at the front. Instead of it saying Chatty like my old one, it says Chat and the back has Property of Gunner. It’s perfect! “I love it!” He helps me put it on, and I ask, “How does it look?”
“Fuckin’ sexy!” he growls as he leans in close, biting the side of my neck. Kissing him again, everyone around us starts cheering and hollering. “I love you,” I say against his lips.
“I love you too.”
Chapter Twenty
Gunner, Bear, and I sit on one side of the table with Snake, Spike, and Dodger on the other. “It’s been a month since we killed those bastards and still no word,” I state, looking around the room.
“Maybe it’s time we stepped up the search,” Snake says from his seat, with his arms crossed.
Narrowing my eyes, I ask, “We? What part did you or your club play in takin’ out The Four Kings? Now you want to step up and get involved?” I mimic his position.
“Told you my club had shit goin’ on also. Don’t forget he shot me; I want him dead just as much as the rest of you. I got big fucking trouble comin’ and I’m gonna need all of the reinforcements I can get. Can the Satan’s Sinners help?”
“What kinda trouble?” My brows pull down. If they are comin’ for the Cobras’ they could move our way.
“Mob and cartel shit.” He deadpans.
“Fuckin’ really? How the fuck you get involved with the mob and cartel?” I sit up straighter, hangin’ my head while shaking it. The fucking mob and cartel!
“We didn’t get involved, but some shit was brought our way. I’ll give you more details later. I wanted to talk to you about a proposition I have.”
Lifting my head back up, I stare at Snake. “What’s that?”
“Combining the clubs.” He looks completely serious right now.
“Combining the clubs?” I repeat his words. I feel like that’s all I’m doing. “Have you lost your fuckin’ mind?” I laugh. I can’t help it, and the laugh is double-over belly-laughing.
“Hanger, listen to me for a minute before shutting the idea down. We work together already, Bear is married to my daughter, and your…” My phone rings quieting him from speaking more nonsense.
Lookin’ at the screen, I answer. “Yeah.”
“We gotta problem at the gate, Prez,” the prospect tells me.
“Fuck! I’ll be right there.” Hanging up, I look at Snake. “We’ll have to continue this later.
Standin’, the six of us move to the parking lot. The Cobras head to their bikes while Bear and Gunner trail behind me to the gate. “What’s goin’ on?” I question, but I see the guy standin’ on the other side, waving a gun around.
“This cunt’s back lookin’ for someone named Tinsley. Told him we don’t know nobody by that name. Now he’s actin’ like he done lost his mind, wavin’ that gun around. Threatening to start shootin’ unless we bring her out.” The prospect drops his head, shaking it, hiding the smile he’s wearing.
“That true?” I question, already knowing the prospect is tellin’ the truth.
“Yes!” He growls like a rabid dog, spit flying out of his mouth, eyes as big as saucers. He’s fucked up on somethin’. “I’ve been watchin’—I know she’s here and you can’t keep her from me. He shakes the gun in my direction.
Bear and Gunner, two of my best hitters, already have their guns out, aimed at the guy; one on the chest, one right between the eyes. “I don’t know what you think you saw, but we ain’t holdin’ no one against their will, and if you keep flingin’ that gun around, you better use it—and make the fuckin’ shot count. But let me give you a little piece of advice: my two guys here will have bullets in your head and heart before you even have a chance to steady your gun, so unless you want to die and make us clean up your body, I suggest you get the fuck off my property.” Folding my arms over my chest, I wait.
He looks around. “This isn’t over.” He turns, walking off.
Laughing, I say, “Pussy.” They join in, and we leave the prospect at the gate as we head inside, going back to our church room.
“What do we do with that little bit Snake had to say?” I ask, lookin’ at Bear and Gunner.
“The mob and cartel shit; do we really want to get involved in that?” Gunner asks the same question I’m asking myself.
“If we did, it would be puttin’ a hit on our backs,” I state, looking at the other two. Running a hand down my face, I mutter, “I guess we can have another meeting at some point and find out more details.”
“As for joining the clubs it would make my life a hell of a lot easier,” Bear chimes in, laughing.
> “I don’t have a fuckin’ clue how he would even think that shit would work,” I respond, baffled.
“We can discuss it later on at church get the other brothers’ input,” Gunner announces.
Guess I got some thinkin’ to do, but right now I need to get home to my woman and kids. “Alright, let’s leave it right now, and when we have all the information, we can discuss it further, and bring the others in. We need to keep someone on Tinsley at all times.”
“Sounds good,” They reply in unison.
“I’m sure Romeo would be up for the job with Tinsley.” Gunner gives a knowing smile.
“I’ll get him on it tomorrow. Right now let’s get back to our Ol’ Ladies.”
Leaving the room, we go our separate ways and I smile, thinking about Gunner finally getting everything he’s ever wanted. I’m fuckin’ happy for my best friend and if anyone deserves, it he does.
Chapter Twenty-One
Two amazing months have gone by since Chatty forgave me that night in the bar. She’s five months along now, and lookin’ sexier than ever with her growing belly. The bleeding has continued, but everything else is going perfectly with the pregnancy and the baby. My soul has been restored and my heart is complete now that I have Chatty back in my arms and our baby on the way. Half her, half me made up into this little person we created…it’s everything I’ve wished for; the only thing missing is getting her to be my wife.
Chatty moved into the room with me the day after we made up, giving Tinsley their room. I refuse to spend one more night away from her since I got her back. As much as we like the clubhouse, we can’t stay there forever, and with the baby coming I’ve been thinkin’ a lot about buyin’ a house, so I reached out to my mom. The house that Mark had put on the market is still available and the price has dropped, so I think it might be the perfect opportunity. I’ve set up a time later today to go check it out, and since I’ll be payin’ cash, it shouldn’t be an issue with us movin’ in quickly. It even has enough rooms if Tinsley came with us, but I’m not too sure Romeo will be lettin’ her out of his sight anytime soon. Especially now that he has to keep eyes on her every minute of the day.
Chatty’s name is called, pulling me back to the present. We follow the nurse and she weighs Chatty before takin’ us back to one of the exam rooms, where she goes over the usual questions: are you still having bleeding, are you having any pain, how is the nausea? It’s the same questions she gets asked every two weeks.
Yes, she is five months along, and still has to see Sierra every two weeks because, up until a week and a half ago, she was still bleeding. Some weeks it was worse than others, and on those weeks, we would rush here. A sonogram would confirm the baby was fine, and we would go back home. For her to make it a week and a half without so much as spotting is fuckin’ amazing. I have been not only scared shitless for her and the baby, but worried out of my mind that one day we would wake up and the baby would be gone. I don’t think either of us could take that kind of loss after everything we’ve been through.
This pregnancy has been rough for her, though; she’s still exhausted all of the time, so Drifter has taken over the bar until further notice. She’s still takin’ her medication, but if she misses even one pill, she’s vomiting in no time, and about a month ago she started having what she called round ligament pain. When she’s hurtin’ I go outta my mind because I can’t fuckin’ help her. I’m gonna lose my shit when she goes into labor. I’ve been told by the guys all about how these women turn into evil creatures during labor, especially from Bear. He told me all the threats Lil Mama made. Chatty’s tough, though, and I have no doubt she will handle it like a champ.
Sierra checks her over and performs the sonogram, taking the usual measurements, heartbeat check, and checking for the lining of blood. “Good news. The lining is gone! You can start monthly visits now. All of the baby’s measurements are perfect, and the heartbeat is strong. Would you like to know the sex?” Her gaze goes between the two of us.
Gazing over to Chatty, we both smile and nod at the same time. Watchin’ the screen, Sierra moves the curser around until she finds what she’s lookin’ for. “Congratulations! It’s a girl.”
A girl. I’m going to have a daughter.
“A girl,” I say, staring at Chatty.
“A girl,” she repeats with a dazzling smile.
“She’s gonna be just as beautiful as her momma.” Running my hand over her forehead and brushing a few stray hairs back, I lean close and kiss her temple.
Returning my attention back to Sierra, I see that she is smiling, but it doesn’t reach her eyes and it looks fake. Her green eyes tell a story of sadness, loneliness, and longing. Standing, she hands Chatty the printed pictures, grabs the napkins to clean up the jelly, and tells her to make her next appointment for one month before she leaves in a hurry.
“What’s wrong with her?” I question. Sierra has always been nice and she’s there when the club needs something, but she’s quiet about her personal life. I don’t even think the girls know anything about her.
“No idea,” Chatty states while eyeing the door with a concerned expression. After we leave Chatty’s appointment, she drives us over to the hospital for my therapy session.
“You’re getting those transfers down!” Spike excitedly tells me.
“I had enough of the guys seein’ my cock, so I kicked my ass in gear.”
Spike laughs while shakin’ his head. “Looks like your balance is getting better, too,” he states as he has me balancing my weight on my hands. At first, I was shaky when I tried this exercise, but as my strength increases in my arms, I have become steady.
“I think so. I no longer need help with anything except gettin’ dressed; that’s still a little hard for me.” Spike hands me the weights and I start doin’ my normal reps while he does the range of motion on my legs.
“It’ll get easier, just like everything else has.”
Once we’re done practicing my transfers, range of motion exercises, and lifting the weights, Spike pulls out that same tool Doctor Guthrie used when checking to see if I had feeling in my feet and legs.
“I’m going to check the feeling and see if there has been any progress since Doctor Guthrie checked.” Spike takes off my ridin’ boots and socks. “I’m going to start at the heel—stop me if you have any type of sensation.”
“Got it.” A few seconds in, and I feel a little something. “Wait, do that again.” He goes back over the spot across the bottom of my toes, and sure enough, it feels like pins and needles poking at me. “I feel it!” My eyes widen with excitement.
“Awesome!” Spike replies happily.
Lookin’ over at Chatty, I see her smiling and coverin’ her mouth as her eyes shimmer with tears. Smiling at her, I mouth I love you then turn back to Spike. He’s now runnin’ the tool up my leg, which I have no feeling in. He does the same process with the other, and I have that same poking sensation in my toes as I did the other foot.
“You’re making great progress, so let’s hope it continues.” Spike draws his attention to Chatty. “How’s the pregnancy going?”
“Better. I’m on monthly visits finally, and we found out today the baby is a girl.”
He smiles, places his hand on my shoulder, and squeezes. “Congratulations!” He gazes between Chatty and me.
“Thanks,” we reply in unison.
“Same time tomorrow?”
“I’ll be here.” In the last two months, my gunshot wounds have completely healed. Doctor Guthrie released me from anymore visits with him and gave the all-clear on physical activity within my ability to perform. I still do physical therapy five times a week and occupational three times a week. It’s a lot, but as long as I am makin’ progress, I will continue to do what I need to. We say our goodbyes to Spike and head to the address of Mark’s old house.
“Gunner, this is amazing!” Chatty spins in circles, lookin’ around with her mouth hanging open.
“You like it?” A grin appears on my face; I know she does. Who wouldn’t, though, it’s fuckin’ perfect. And my first thought when we pulled up is I won’t need any help gettin’ up and down any stairs. The black-tar driveway leads up to a two-car garage, but you can park next to the front porch. It’s completely flat leading to the door, and I knew in that second I wanted this house.
“No, I love it, but isn’t it a little too expensive?” Her wide gaze meets my eyes.
“Don’t worry about that. Do you want it?” My brow arches, waitin’ for her answer. I already know she wants it, just by her reaction when we first drove up.
Biting down on her bottom lip, her head starts to slowly nod. “I want it.”
The 2,000-square-foot stone home has four bedrooms with 3 full bathrooms. The vaulted ceilings and hardwood floors make the open layout appear enormous, and everything is up-to-date and modern. The master bedroom is practically the size of the bar and the master bath is big, with a Jacuzzi tub, separate stone shower with a waterfall showerhead, heated flooring, and his and her bowl sinks sittin’ on top of a dark granite countertop.
The kitchen is a chef’s dream, with endless marble countertops, white cabinetry, all-black appliances, and the built-in stove with the six gas burners.
The backyard is my favorite, with the huge deck area with a small outside kitchen made up with a gas grill, two electric burners, and a mini fridge. When you walk down off the deck, there’s a nice sized ground pool with an attached hot tub that already has an iron fence surrounding both. Some landscaping has been done, but there is enough yard left for our baby girl to run around and play.
“Do you want some time to discuss it?” Mark asks from the barstool he’s perched on at the kitchen island.
