by GM Scherbert
Before going to bed, I call both Sara and Heather, in turn, to discuss the new developments. Both woman know the whole story of me and Doc, and are nervous for me, being not sure how this will play out. I think that Sara is also a little nervous knowing that Gun might be coming back into her life.
Getting a restless night’s sleep, I am woken early in the morning by my mom dropping Little Vincent off back home with me. As I get his breakfast ready a knock at the front door sounds, I head over to see Country answering the door to Tank.
“Morning Country, is she up? I need to talk with her, the sooner the better.” Walking past him into the house, I notice him looking at the toys and books scattered around as he makes his way towards me.
When he reaches the living room he sees Little Vincent watching cartoons on the TV. Turning to me, Tank stalks over to me and bites out, “Does he know?”
“Tank, what are you talking about?”
“Don’t fucking play games, Ember. Does Doc know that he has a son? Or am I mistaken and you were fucking lots of men that looked so similar to him all those years back?”
My hand connects with his cheek before I could even register what was happening.
Grabbing my wrist, he tugs it down as he looks into my eyes, seeing nothing but fear and regret in them.
“Tell me Ember, does he know that he has a son? Does the boy know about his father?”
“Please Tank, you can’t say anything- I will leave as soon as I can get my shit packed up- I didn’t think that Doc would even know we were in town. I have been laying low for the past year that we have been back. I just needed to see my mom and spend some time with my dad before he passed away.”
“We can discuss that more later, for now you need to know that he is outside and wants to speak with you about your abrupt departure all those years ago. I, however, need to know who was by your car last night, and also what they left in your car to spook you so. Start explaining it to me, now.”
“It is not as simple as you are thinking. When I left it wasn’t because of Doc, I was in love with him, I was carrying his child for fuck’s sake. Of course he didn’t know that, I had just found out a few days before I had to leave.” Closing my eyes, he waits for me to go on with the story.
“My ex was very abusive and when Doc left for a run, he caught up to me. He came into my home and held me hostage for a few days.” The tears were starting to flow, I had to take a deep breath before going on, “When given the chance, I fucking ran as far as I could to get away from the situation, from him. I thought I had to keep hiding from him so I stayed away. I had to come home last year when my dad started to get sick.”
Reaching for my shaking hands, Tank takes them in his and tries his best to comfort me. “Would you like for me to call Pearl, Ember? She is still in Chicago and could be here in a few minutes if you would like? She has been through some shit in her life as well, and I think that she could really help if you let her in.”
“No, don’t bother her. I have relived this shit for the last five years. It never gets easier and the only thing that makes it better is knowing that I didn’t lose the little boy in there when this shit was all happening.”
“Is that who the man was that we caught on camera by your car the other night, this ex of yours?”
“No, he would never be stupid enough to do that shit for himself.” Rolling my eyes as I finish, “It was one of his brothers, I am sure.”
“Brothers, as in an MC? Who the fuck is this ex of yours Ember?”
“His road name is Clutch. He is President of the Knights.”
“I know who the fuck he is, Ember. Are you telling me that you dated him before Doc? How is that even possible? How old were you when you dated him, Ember?”
“Not even close to legal, if that is what you are getting at, Tank. I was barely legal when Doc and I started to hook up.” Running a hand through my hair, I glance towards Little Vincent and go on. “I ran away from home when I was 16 and ran straight into that fucking club. It took me almost two years to realize what was happening in my relationship with Clutch, and what was going on with the Knights in general. When I left, I didn’t think that he would ever do anything to me. I guess he was fucking pissed when he found out that I started seeing a Devil’s Iron brother, and when he got an opportunity to show me his disdain for my choice, he fucking took it.”
“Well Ember, I will need to tell Prez this so that we can come up with a solution. Even if you were not so close with the Devil’s Iron, he came after you on our watch and our property, and we will make sure that you are safe. Country will stay here with you, and either me or Prez will be back by the end of the day to give you an update on the situation.”
“Thanks Tank, that really makes me feel better, but I am sure that Country has other things that he could be doing. I will be alright here by myself for the time being, at least.”
Hearing a rough booming voice form the doorway, we both look over to see Doc. Taking up the majority of the door frame he gets out, “Country can go home, I will stay and watch over her. We need to talk anyway about where the fuck she has been for the last five and a half years.”
Panic takes over my face as I turn and look to the couch through the other doorway, and notice Little Vincent is no longer there. Turning back, I notice that he has made his way into the kitchen, and is now standing beside me looking towards Doc.
Cocking his head to the side, anger is radiating off of Doc. I am worried about what is going to happen. Taking a step forward to block his path, Tank is quickly bumped out of the way as Doc kneels down next to the boy. Looking up to me, asking only one thing, “What is his name, Ember?”
“Vincent,” spills softly from my lips as tears start falling down my cheeks.
“That’s my dad’s name, too,” comes from my little boy’s lips.
“Yes, it is Vincent, yes it is.” Ruffling the little boy’s dark hair while still down on his knees, Doc looks up from the boy to me and back, again and again, for long minutes.
Standing abruptly, Doc turns and walks from the room saying nothing else. As he storms out of my house with little more than a backwards glance at his son and me, my heart breaks, something that I didn’t think could happen, again. We hear the front door slam before his bike starts up, roars down the road, and he is gone.
“That was my daddy, right mommy? He looked just like the picture of the man that you always tell me about during goodnight story time.”
“Yes, sweetheart. That man is your daddy, don’t worry he will be back soon and he will talk more to you then, he was just nervous meeting you for the first time. Why don’t you go and wash up and maybe we can play outside before it is time to have lunch and try to lay down for your nap? Sound good?”
“Yes mommy, it sounds good. I know he will be back, I think that he might have just been too happy to see me and you.”
“Yes Vincent, I am sure that is exactly what happened.”
As the boy walks from the room, Tank looks at me and shakes his head. “Ember, I don’t know what to say. I need to get this info about Clutch to Prez. Country will be here, and I will leave you both mine and Markus’ numbers in case you need anything, okay?”
“Yes, Tank. I will be fine. He actually took that much better than I thought he would have. It was my choice to leave without a word, and I will pay the piper, when the time comes, for that.”
~Chapter Twenty-One~
~Doc
When I first pulled up outside of Ember’s house behind Tank, I knew that I would be in for it from both him and Blaze. I could not fucking help it though, I need to talk with her and find out where the fuck she has been for the last five plus years. She left me with no clue as to her safety or wellbeing. I know that she didn’t leave by her own accord, that she thought she was protecting me, and that she thought she had no other choice, but she was fucking wrong. Especially when Sara took off without a fucking trace as well, I knew that she went to Ember, and I couldn’t do a fucking
thing about it.
After the first few years of looking for her with no luck, my heartbreak turned into anger. And that is where I am at right now, angry as all fuck at the woman who I loved, fuck, still love, and there is nothing more that I want to do than take my whip to her and give back some of the fucking pain she has caused me.
Making my way into the house, I move towards the sounds of her and Tank talking. I pass a TV that has morning cartoons on. Hearing them discussing Country staying to watch over her, I reach the doorway and say, “Country can go home, I will stay and watch over her. We need to talk anyway about where the fuck she has been for the last five and a half years.”
Looking to Ember, I see panic take over her face, as she leans to the side and tries to get a look at the couch I have just passed. I look behind me quickly, before turning back around, then I stop dead in my tracks, looking at Tank and Ember, who have been joined by a little boy who is the spitting image of me. He has dark hair, brown eyes, and olive skin to match mine.
What the fuck?
Cocking my head to the side, the anger is boiling inside of me and I cannot believe that there is a little boy who is the spitting image of me standing next to Ember. Taking a measured step forward, Tank tries to block my path, I quickly bump him out of the way as I kneel down in front of the boy. Looking up to Ember I ask only one thing, “What is his name, Ember?”
“Vincent,” spills softly from her lips as tears start falling down her cheeks.
“That’s my dad’s name, too,” comes from the little boy’s lips.
Looking from Ember to this little boy I answer him softly, “Yes, it is Vincent, yes it is.” Ruffling the little boy’s dark hair while still down on my knees, I look up from the boy to her and back, again and again for long minutes, getting lost in the raging thoughts running through my head.
Standing abruptly, I turn and walk from the room. Storming out of the house with little more than a backwards glance at her and my son, my heart breaks, something that I didn’t think could happen, again. Starting my bike, I take off, heading to god knows where. When my bike finally stops, I am at a cottage, about a half hour outside of Chicago, that my parents had left to me when they had passed away years ago. I have not been here in so long, but it is just the right spot to get my thoughts together.
I have a son. How could she not tell me about my son? What the fuck was she thinking? Maybe that is why she ran away, she didn’t want me to be in my son’s life? Well, she has another thing fucking coming if she thinks that I will not be a dad to that little boy.
Hearing a ping from my phone, I look at the message, it’s from Pearl. Tank must have told her about Vincent. The text she sends is letting me know that she is around when and if I need to talk. Even after my disrespectful and offensive behavior towards her last night, she stills reaches out to me, showing me the care and concern that I have always seen within her.
How do I have a son? A five-year-old son at that, which I have never met? I don’t know how to be a father. What am I supposed to do with him? He looks just as I do, that dark hair and brown eyes. No one would make the mistake in thinking that we were not related. What must it have been like for Ember to look into that face every day for years?
Calling Blaze, I let him know that I am going to head back shortly and will be coming to them. That I have calmed down, but still need to discuss things with Ember to know what the fuck is going on. Mainly, however, I apologize to both him and Tank for my behavior toward their woman last night. I mention to them that she has reached out to me, which they somehow seem upset by, and let them know how grateful I am for it and that I will take her up on her offer to talk, soon.
I know that I need to speak with Ember. I take an hour to calm myself down a little more before heading back to Chicago. I know that I need to try and get some of the answers out of her that I have been searching five long years for. The ride back to Chicago does not keep me calm, with thoughts of the little boy who she has kept from me at the front of my mind. Not to mention why she was at the Dungeon last night, or any fucking night, for that matter.
~Chapter Twenty-Two~
~Ember
After speaking with Tank, I know that the Devil’s Iron will stand behind whatever Blaze decides to do with me. I am hoping that’s keeping me under their protection, until I have a chance to leave, at the very least. Pearl, I know, will be my biggest advocate, already requesting that Little Vincent and I come over to the house to spend some time with her and the girls.
Leading me to my next problem.
Vincent. No, Doc. He knows that we have a son and that I have been hiding it from him for going on five years. The way he looked at me when he found out is a look that I never want to see coming from him again. He still doesn’t know the circumstances of my leaving, or why I had to go, but if that look tells me anything, it tells me that he will not forgive me for keeping his son from him.
Fucking Clutch knows I am back as well, and seems to be hell bent on scaring me, or having me on my knees before him again. Why didn’t I just stay gone when I had the chance? Or leave as soon as my dad passed? I could have returned to the life that I built in New Orleans.
Country lets me know that I will be going over to Blaze’s house at the request of Pearl, and that I will talk with Tank or Blaze, or both, about what they think is the best course of action. As I load Little Vincent up into the truck, I cannot help but think of Doc and the pain that I have caused him.
After arriving at the house and speaking with Tank briefly, he informs me that both he and Blaze want me to get out of Chicago for a while. They think it is best for my safety and protection. After the note from Clutch, I can say that I agree. Heading to Milwaukee with Little Vincent, Pearl, and the girls is just the right answer. I speak with my job and let them know that I will need some time off due to personal circumstances. My job is concerned about me, but shows no worry with me having the time off, saying I should take as much time as I need.
I am not sure if this is the right course of action, seeing that I have already put so much extra onto their plates. Pearl is so kind hearted and I am sure she is the voice behind my little vacation to Milwaukee. Why she has taken to me so, is beyond anything that I can fathom.
Heading outside, to the backyard at Blaze’s house, Pearl and I are talking while the kids are playing on a swing set that looks newly built. Little Vincent is having a great time playing with little Iris and Rose, reminding me of when he plays with Heather’s daughter Sofia. Thinking of Sofia and Heather draws me to remember those women who helped me through some rough times and has me longing to form another one of those relationships.
As we continue to chat about typical boring mom stuff, and I know that Pearl is holding back a hundred and one questions, waiting for the perfect chance to ask about my past with Doc and the reasons for my leaving. Figuring she will get her chance in the upcoming week that we will be spending in Milwaukee, if not before, I know that my past will not be that for much longer. Thankfully, the kids are here now and a little too close to have that conversation, at this point at least.
We hear the roar of a motorcycle out front of the house, and I know Vincent is here and that this will be one hell of a fucking talk. As Pearl and I look at each other, Tank comes to join us, holding a gun at the ready. Looking over the backyard and seeing that there is no threat, he heads over to Pearl and I see the love that he has for her, along with the girls, and long to feel that again.
As Tank strides away from us and around the side of the house, Pearl looks at me and says, “My guess is that Vincent is here.”
“Yeah, I think you are right Pearl.”
“Just remember to be honest with him, Ember. I know that he has a hole from when you left. I am not sure what happened between the two of you. I might not have known who you were when he spoke of you, but when he was watching me in Milwaukee, he would talk of a woman that broke him apart. I am just guessing that he was talking about you, and that you are the onl
y one who can heal his pain.”
Shaking my head at Pearl, I answer in the only way I can, “Yes, it was me. I was the one that walked out on him those years ago.”
Seeing Tank coming around the house again, he stops short in front of us. “Ember, Doc is here to talk with you. He seems to be calm enough and we are all here if you need us.” Nodding towards the house, he goes on, “He is waiting for you in the living room, come on I’ll show you the way.”
As we make our way towards the house I don’t notice that Little Vincent is keeping a step behind us. Neither must Tank, as he points the way to the living room and heads in another direction.
~Chapter Twenty-Three~
~Doc
When I was pulling up to Blaze’s house, I just knew that Ember is here. I reach the front door as it swings open before I could knock, and I come face to face with Blaze. Well, his piece that is. Lowering his weapon, he asks, “what the fuck are you doing here Doc, I thought I told you that we are meeting for Church tonight. Doc, why are you here at my home?”
“I know she is here Prez, let me fucking talk to her about what the fuck is going on. She fucking kept my kid from me and that shit stops now. I need to know where she has been and what the fuck excuse she has for leaving the way that she did.”
“Doc, you need to calm down. This is not the way to approach the situation. She is in the back yard with Pearl. The kids are playing together, so you will not be going back there all fucking jacked up ready to rip her apart. Calm yourself the fuck down.”
“Prez, she fucking kept my kid from me. How the fuck would you feel if that was Pearl, Huh? That stupid bitch would be…”
