“Okay, does anyone care to explain to me what my daughter’s solo projects are or how she’ll be able to cash in like the last one. I’m lost here. Help me out girls,” mom asked the group.
Layla was the first one to sing my praises of course. “Tabby your daughter has a kickass mind. She’s written a few songs for us and has a pretty good portfolio with other songs she has written that have been sold. Your girl is very talented and is paid very well to put the rhythms and words floating in her head on paper. The one she really cashed in on was our number one hit that held the charts for about twelve weeks last year. So far it’s had the highest royalties paid out for something your daughter wrote. Our girl here could live off the music she writes. Hell, she even has a Grammy to prove it.”
The group fell silent with the exception of Demi’s laughter. All eyes were on me waiting to explain. “What are you all staring at me for? So I write music and can make an awesome living at it sometimes. Yeah, I have a Grammy but, if it wasn’t for Break Away’s success with the song it could have easily just been another lost song in my notebook. I’m not rock star famous but, I have made a name for myself outside of being a back-up vocalist. And if you must know I have a pretty decent net worth built up but I don’t do it for the money. It’s just something that I enjoy doing.”
With tears in her eyes my mom jumped from her chair and pulled me in for a hug. “I’m so damn proud of you, girl. I’m proud of each and every one of you,” mom said while looking around the sea of faces. “All of you girls have made respectable names for yourself in anything you have chosen to do. You girls keep doing what you’re doing. The sky is the limit and never ever forget that.” After getting herself together mom addressed the group again, “now enough with the mushy shit. This is our last night on the coast and I say let’s close it out in style. I’m going to head up and get the first batch of margaritas made. You all need to decide whether you wanna drink down here or move up to the pool.”
After my mother took off towards the house everyone decided to move the party up to the pool. It was getting later in the afternoon and close to nap time for Hunter and Tivie anyway. I took over the sober babysitter role giving Carrin the freedom to let her hair down a bit. Layla and I took the kids in for their naps only to return to the music up and party in full swing. Trevor was in the pool with Hyde on his shoulders while she was engaged in a chicken fight with Demi a top prospect Dylan’s shoulders. Ben blinded side all four of them when he jumped in doing a cannon ball right in the middle of them, drenching them all.
Everyone kept the good times rolling throughout the rest of the afternoon. When the light began disappearing from the sky Ben opted ordering in pizza so everyone could have the night off of cooking. The night ended with everyone sitting around the open fire pit while the conversations continued to flow. I was feeling wiped out and decided to take the kids in for their baths leaving everyone else to enjoy the rest of the night. It didn’t take long for the kids and myself to crash once we got settled in with a movie. I don’t even think we made it past the opening credits of the new super hero movie Cali had gotten for Hunter before we were all out cold.
Axle
I sat staring at my phone flipping through the pics that Romy and even Trevor had sent me throughout the day. I saw my son riding waves on his boogie board while Tivie splashed in the water. The last one Romy sent me I saved as my screen saver on my phone. Lord knows if these assholes caught wind of it they’d be calling me a pussy whipped fucker but, I didn’t give a damn. Avery was curled up with Hunter in a lounge chair while they sat around an open fire. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen in a long time. It kept me distracted from the shit creeping back in around the club.
When we strung Yasmin up in the barn she sung like a canary. She informed us that Carmen was close by. He had her and Jewels working out of the truck stops turning tricks to bring in the cash they needed to stay in the next town over. From what we could gather the three of them were just bidding their time waiting to strike. When she started pleading and trying to lure Wall in with promises of what could have been if Madison was out of the picture, I saw my enforcer lose his shit for the first time during an interrogation. Wall snapped and punch the bitch right in the jaw knocking her out cold. I know Wall would rather die than inflict pain on any female but, this was the exception to the unspoken rule. We pulled Wall off before he could strike again, knowing what the bitch said got under his skin but, we still needed her to find the others. That and we decided that Athena and Carrin would be able to get their turn with these bitches. This cunt along with her little friend deserve everything coming to them.
At some point in the night I fell asleep at my desk with my phone in hand. I woke the next morning to the sun streaming in through the broken blinds covering the window. I checked my phone realizing it was after ten in the morning here, which meant a little after seven in California. Without hesitating I called Trevor’s phone wanting to talk to Hunter. When I got no answer I reached out to Ben. Thankfully Ben answered but, informed me that my son was still crashed out with his momma on the couch. I told him not to bother them now, though, I would appreciate it if someone had my son call me when he started stirring.
They were set to fly out around noon pacific time putting them here roughly around nine pm our time. In less than twelve hours my woman, my son and the rest of my family would be home. We’ve arranged for a few members from the chapter outside of Columbia to meet me and Tank to escort the girls home. Once the girls were safely back at the house a new lockdown would be put in place. I’m sure this will ruffle a few feathers. I didn’t care though. I deal with the women’s attitudes until I catch that son of a bitch Carmen and the little skank Jewels. I don’t want anyone staying by themselves til this was over.
I quickly got a shower, not wanting to miss a call from my son, but the call never came. In return Avery sent me a short video message from Hunter. My son rambled for a few seconds about all the fun he had before he told me he missed me, loved me and would see me tonight. It struck me then just how much I missed my son. Nine o’clock wouldn’t come soon enough. In the mean time I’d dive into the matter at hand, finding the last two pieces of this fucked up puzzle. It was time to put this shit to bed once and for all.
Avery
Ben was on the phone to someone when I heard him enter the living room. No matter how quiet the man tried to be he had a voice that carried. “No man, he’s still sleeping. The kids and Avery crashed out on the couch last night. You want me to wake him up for you,” I heard Ben say into the phone.
There was a brief silence before he responded again. “No problem man. I’ll make sure he calls you when he’s up and running around. You’re all he could talk about the whole time he’s been here. Maybe next time he comes out to visit you should join him. That little dude has got mad skills when it comes to riding the waves out here.” Ben chuckled a bit before saying his final goodbye to the unknown caller before hanging up. I waited until I knew he was off the phone before asking who he was talking to about my son.
“Um, you wanna tell me who you were on the phone with. I’m not sure I’m comfortable with you telling someone about our sleeping habits or coming out for a visit with Hunter,” I said in my bitchy voice causing Ben to break into a laughing fit. “I’m not sure what’s so damn funny this morning but, you need to start answering me big guy or I might be forced to kick your ass before we leave for the doctor’s this morning.”
I was beyond pissed by the time Ben got himself under control. I went straight from pissed to shocked when Ben elaborated on who he was talking to. “Being that I know it’s too early for you to be functioning baby girl, I’ll let you get away with your idle threats this morning. To put your mind at ease, I’ll let you in on a little secret, it was Axle on the phone. He called to check in with Hunter but, like I’m sure you overheard I told him he was still asleep. Make sure the little rug rat calls his father when he gets moving. I was just on my way
in here to wake your grouchy ass up when the phone rang. Layla sent me to get you moving being you only have about thirty minutes before we leave for the doctor.”
“Because I love you, big brother, I will let you get away with your ‘grouchy ass’ comment,” I said with a laugh now that my temper had eased. Axle calling to check on Hunter warmed my heart even though it stung that he would resort to calling Ben instead of me. I buried the thought and made a promise to the man I considered my brother. “I promise to have Hunter call Axle before we leave. I’ll be ready in a few but, I’ve got to wake Romy. She’s planning on going with us this morning.”
“Well, you have the honors of waking the fiery red head up. All I said was good morning yesterday and her response was something bout gutting me for talking to her before she had her first cup of caffeine. To be honest that little woman scares me a bit,” Ben yelled back as he exited the living room.
With Hunter still asleep in my arms I decided to shoot Romy a text, testing the waters, to see if she was up yet. I got a quick response letting me know she was already up and ready. Well damn, looks like I’ll be the one everyone’s waiting on today. I carefully slide around Hunter leaving him sleeping on the couch to run upstairs and throw some clothes on. Wanting to be comfortable, I just put on a pair cotton shorts and a tank top leaving my hair down before brushing my teeth. Romy walked in the bathroom before I could finish up, looking me over with questioning eyes.
“You good this morning chick? I haven’t heard you yacking yet,” Romy asked as I was drying my face.
“It feels like it. I’m sure it’s just a bug girl. We’ll know in bout an hour one way or another. I’m not stressing myself over it. I know it’s just a precaution,” I said looking at the time on my phone. “Shit! We’ve gotta get a move on. Ben well be bitching if we’re not ready to leave in five and I still have to wake Hunter up to call Axle.”
“Just record him and send Ax the video once we’re in the car. That way we’re not going to be held up. I take it Hunter’s staying back here while we go anyway, right?”
“Yeah, I wanted to give him as much time with Cali, Demi and Ember before we hauled ass back home. I’ll head down now to take the video of the sleeping monster. I’ll see you in a few chick.” I found Hunter wide awake and at the kitchen counter with Cali. Both of them were munching on a bowl of Applejack’s with a side of orange juice. In between bites, I got Hunter to make the short little video to send to Axle. It was too sweet, pulling at my heartstrings to talk shit out with Axle and make things right. I started formulating a plan of attack on the way over to Dr. Higgin’s office. The news I got shortly after my arrival though blew that all to hell.
“Come again,” I asked the nurse. “It sounded like you just told me that I couldn’t get my shot today. I’ve never had this problem before. I can run down to the pharmacy if need be.”
“Honey, it’s not because we don’t have the depo in stock, it’s the fact that the shot can’t be given to you if you’re pregnant darling,” The older nurse explained. “I’m going to leave you here in the room so the doctor can check you over to verify. As soon as she’s finished with your friend she’ll be right with you.”
When the nurse closed the door I looked at Romy as I started to hyperventilate. Romy didn’t look much better than me though, so I knew I wouldn’t be getting any support at the moment. We were both in shock. You could hear a needle drop in the room it was so quiet. I was finally able to get my breathing under control by the time Dr. Higgins came in with the same older nurse right behind her pushing what looked to be a sonogram machine. The doctor who I’ve seen since that scary night in the emergency room was the first to speak.
“Avery honey how are you? It’s been a while since I saw you last. From the look on your face dear the news Linda delivered wasn’t expected. Want to talk about it,” Dr. Higgins asked.
“Well, it’s definitely something I wasn’t expecting. I have only had sex one time since Hunter and that was roughly nine weeks ago. From my calendar I was in between times for my shot so it’s a bit of a shock Dr. Higgins. I know with Hunter we thought that it was due to my lack of organization of the dates for my shot but, now this has happened a second time. It’s like Braxton has some kind of super sperm or something.”
“Well, I take it from your comment that Braxton is also Hunter’s father then. I’d love to tell you it was due to some kind of super sperm, as you call it, but it’s due to you being slightly unorganized again. You might have everything stored in your phone dear but, you missed your last appointment for your shot. Unless you gave it to yourself, it’s been over six months now since your last shot. The shot ran out a little over three months ago dear. Now tell me about any other symptoms you may have while Linda gets the machine fired up.”
I spoke to the doctor about the last few days. He said that morning sickness can be a fickle thing, it can last all day and it can hit you periodically. Apparently, I wouldn’t be far enough along to have an abdominal ultra sound done, which meant I had to take my shorts off so he could do an internal one. There’s just something abnormal about a rod covered with a condom being shoved in my snatch. I was very uneasy with the whole process until she pointed out two little kidney shaped sacs on the screen.
“Well, hello mommy. It looks like you’ll be blessed with two little ones in a few months. You’re measuring right at nine weeks which meant you got pregnant right around March the third and looks like a due date of November 24th. Both heart beats look strong at 102 and 106 beats per minute. I’ll print a few shots of each one for you to take with you. I know this is the last time I’ll get to see you but take care of yourself darling and make sure to follow up with the new doctor you’ve chosen in your area as soon as you get back. I’ll get you a prescription for nausea, due to your past experience with morning sickness, and for the vitamins to tide you over until you can be seen back home.”
I couldn’t answer or acknowledge anything he just said. I just shook my head in response. I needed to get out of here and figure out exactly what I was going to do. Maybe I could get Layla to come up with a reason for me to stay behind for a few days. It would give me time to work things through in my head before I told Braxton. No matter what I won’t be keeping this from him this go around but, I don’t want us jumping right back into being a couple just because I’m pregnant. Maybe I should talk to him before dropping the bomb. I need to know where his head is at before making him feel like I trapped him again.
With a quick hug to Dr. Higgins, she and the nurse left the room leaving just me and Romy to our thoughts. I slowly climbed off the table to use the make shift dressing room to clean up and put my shorts back on. When I came back out in the room I couldn’t take the silence anymore. I demanded Romy to say something.
“Say something. I can’t take this silence, not from you. I need you to help me figure out how to handle this shit. Not only am I pregnant but I got a set of O’Shea twins growing inside me,” I rambled out.
It must have snapped my best friend out of her stupor. Romy threw her tattooed arm around my shoulders giving me a hug in the process. “It’s going to be fine girl. I can’t believe you’re going to be a mother again. I get to be an auntie and the club’s royalty keeps growing. You going to tell everyone when we get back or do you want to tell Axle first?”
“I’m glad you’re so positive about this whole thing. I know I will be too eventually, it’s just a shock. Plus, the not knowing where I stand with Axle prior to more babies is stressing me out. I don’t want anyone to know yet. I think I need to talk to Axle bout us first then, break the news of being a daddy. I don’t want him to feel like I’m trying to trap him. He’s just getting used to the idea of having Hunter and now I’m going to be throwing two more into the mix. OH MY GOD WHAT ABOUT HUNTER,” I asked frantically.
“Easy girl. One thing at a time. I agree you need to talk to Ax when we get back but, I don’t think he would ever feel like you trapped him. You forget you have a whole
house that can attest to him be a willing participant when you all tangled in the sheets last time. As for Hunter, don’t worry about him too much. He’s the one who’s asked for a little brother or sister remember. He doesn’t have any issues with sharing the spotlight with Tivie and seems over the moon about the little rock star due anytime. Things will work themselves out woman, you’ll see,” Romy reassured me. “Now I’m sure Layla and Ben caught sight of them wheeling an ultrasound machine in and out of here. What are you planning on telling them?”
“I’ll just tell Layla that my cysts are back and the doctor wanted to double check. I’ll ask her to keep it quiet in front of everyone because I don’t want my mom to flip out. It should bide me enough time to get our things together and get on the plane without having fifty questions. We’re leaving in a few hours anyway. I’ll talk to Axle as soon as we get home tonight and go from there.”
“Whatever you want woman. Know that I will be here for you no matter what, just don’t be pulling a disappearing act this time,” my best friend added as we left the room to meet up with Layla and Ben. After a quick run thru of my fictitious cysts, I had Layla sworn to secrecy. She was going to flip the fuck out when she realizes that I lied to her but, I really don’t have much of a choice right now. I needed to get home and have a long overdue talk with my babies’ daddy before I could even acknowledge being pregors.
At least when we made it back to the band’s beach house the world wind of goodbyes kept my mind from wondering too much. It took no time at all before I was being carted off to board the jet for our return flight. My mother was a saving grace keeping Trevor occupied the whole time. Lord knows that if he had focused on me long enough he would know something wasn’t right. Hunter choose to sit next to Tivie and watch movies on the laptop leaving me with my iPod. I found solace in a peaceful flight listening to my favorite playlist during the six-hour trek home. I fired off a text to Axle letting him know we were on our way before switching my phone off. It seemed like the right thing to do considering he worries about everyone.
Coming Home: Dominant Devils Book 2 Page 25
