Saving Ayden

by Muriel Garcia

  “Why?” He looks at me confused.

  “Hold this little one for me please.” I hand him my little fur baby and head upstairs.

  It takes me a couple of minutes to get it down the stairs but it was all worth it. The look of pure happiness on Ant’s face when he sees the Rottweiler puppy is heaven.

  “I knew you wanted her since we visited the kennel, she wasn’t adopted so I went in today and got her for you.” I smile shyly.

  “I know you don’t like big dogs, thank you for doing this for me.” He kisses me passionately holding both puppies. They look at each other and sniff each other and end up cuddling in Ant’s big arms.

  “Looks like it’s not going to be that bad.” He chuckles and sets them down on a big comfy chair while I lock up everything around the house.

  “I have one more thing for you.” I look through my bags. I seriously need to sort out my stuff.

  “What’s that Sweet Cheeks?” He chuckles stripping to his boxers.

  “No you’re not getting any.” I glare at him and stick my tongue out.

  “Grinch!” He chuckles and comes to me.

  “Ha-ha! There it is.” I grin and hold up a square package up as if it was something sacred. Well it kind of is.

  “You going to keep holding it over your head or give it to me?” He chuckles and shakes his head.

  “Greedy fucker.” I grin innocently and hand it to him nibbling my lip.

  “And proud.” He winks and starts to open it slowly. He opens the box and looks at me confused. He takes what’s inside the box and holds it up. “Uh I love you Sweet Cheeks but I’m not sure what I’m going to fit in this tiny leather cut.” I can’t help but shake my head.

  “Not for you.” I grin hoping he will understand.

  He looks between the tiny jacket and me then his eyes fall on my tummy and he stares at it for a minute. I can tell the moment everything clicks for him because he looks back up at me with tears in his eyes. “Y-you’re pregnant?”

  “Yes I am Big Man.” I whisper as he wraps his arms around me and kiss me passionately. No words are needed in such a moment. We spend a long time in each other’s arms kissing, our happy tears falling.

  This is our saving grace. What we needed to bring us where we needed to be, where we both wanted to be years ago and were robbed of.

  “Best Christmas present ever.” He whispers against my lips.

  “I’m glad you are happy love.” I whisper kissing him softly.

  “Couldn’t be any happier.” He sighs happily and leads me to bed, helping me in it and scoots down to kiss my tummy. “I can’t wait to meet you Beanie.” He strokes my tummy and I melt.

  “Beanie?” I smile.

  “Beanie.” He looks up and smiles, that content smile, the one only I get. The best smile of all.

  “I love you.”

  “And I love you.” He kisses me softly. “I love you too Beanie. I can’t wait to meet you.”

  We lay in bed cuddling and I think back on our first Christmas together. It was perfect—I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.

  My family and closest friends were here and it was a blast. I’m so blessed and grateful to have such an amazing extended family.

  “Merry Christmas Sweet Cheeks.” Ant whispers.

  “Merry Christmas Big Man.” I whisper back and kiss him passionately before falling asleep.

  Epilogue

  Ayden

  Eleven Months Later

  November 18, 2015

  This past year has been crazy. After Christmas, Ant and I decided to get a place together and create our home. He bought us a house in a nice neighborhood. This led to our first real fight. He refused to let me pay for the house with him. I could get whatever I wanted to decorate it and make it homier but I was never going to pay any bills, anything electrical or the bigger furniture. He was taking the fun out of decorating our house.

  He was a big ass when it came to all things that were supposed to be manly but I let it go. I learned that arguing with Ant always ends up with me under him and him making sure I remember that he’s the boss and always wins in the best way possible—if you know what I mean. I do love to rile him up though. It’s fun and it always end up with us making love. So really it’s a win-win situation for both of us.

  The best part about being in this neighborhood is that Charline and I are now neighbors, which is awesome. Whenever Ant is at the compound or on a run, I can hang out with her and he always knows we are either at her house or in ours.

  Since the incident, I quit my job and I’m helping my mom at the bakery. It’s awesome to be able to work with her and not have the pressure of having to deal with other people for a long period of time. The clients are in for five minutes tops, which is perfect for me. Ant likes me being there even more, no other men around, it’s close to the compound, and he gets baked goods every day.

  He insisted I kept the tracker he implanted in my phone, which led to another fight. At first, I felt like he wasn’t trusting me but he said it was to make sure I was okay. What happened to me really messed him up and in the end I gave in for the both of us.

  He’s had a lot on his mind after what he witnessed that day. He’s had a couple of nightmares about it and was starting to shut down on me but I always managed to reassure him and bring him back to me.

  Kayla, the Rottweiler, is getting quite big but she’s still super friendly and adorable, unless you are a stranger, then she’ll bark your ears off. The first time Bennett came to the house, she chased him down the neighborhood, it was fucking hilarious. They are best buds now but we don’t let Bennett live down the fact that he got chased by a Rottweiler and was screaming like a girl.

  Kayla and Mina, my Corgi, are always together, they never fight which is good. They have their own room which is crazy but they enjoy that room. We were always finding them cuddled up in that room so instead of it being a spare room, we turned it into a room for the dogs.

  After what happened, it took me a couple of weeks to be able to be intimate with Ant again. Not that I didn’t trust him, it was hard for me to get past what happened and I would always think back on that day. What really changed us was our first Valentine’s Day together.

  We went to the cabin in Grand Isle for the weekend. He had everything planned—dinner, music, and flowers. It was beautiful. We talked all night and had such an amazing time. He promised me he wasn’t expecting sex out of it—he just wanted us to get together, just us for a weekend. I’ve never felt safer than when I was with him.

  Knowing he wasn’t expecting sex and just wanted to make me happy and spend some time alone with me without anyone interrupting us made me realize how much I loved him and needed to live my life, needed to be with him fully and not let the past hold me back anymore. That night was amazing. Our first time was pretty special but that night? It was magical. I’ve never felt so alive since then.

  I’m still struggling to get over what happened but I’m working on it. I’m not seeing a therapist, but Ant and I talk a lot about how we feel. It’s not always pretty, it often ends up with me crying because I’m pouring my heart out, but I feel so much better after. He’s also talking about how he feels and his nightmares a lot too. I’m glad he is. It’s really helped the both of us to get over some issues we had with what happened.

  I’m still having nightmares more about me killing Michael than about what he did to me. I often wake up in the middle of the night, sweating and screaming, hearing gunshots. They are in my head but still, it happens. I used to have them more frequently. I only have one every couple of weeks now so it’s getting better. Only time will heal what happened. I’m grateful that when that happens, Ant is always by my side helping me through it. He could just say fuck it and leave or kick me out of bed but no, when it happens, he tries to soothe me and help me back to sleep or listen to me talk for hours. I’m so lucky to have him.

  What really helped both Ant and I deal with what we had been through is our l
ittle Cameron coming into our worlds three months ago. It didn’t take us long to get used to having him at home. Ant was spending loads of time with us besides having to deal with club business and work.

  My parents, his parents, and loads of our friends were coming over to help us out and relieve us for an hour or two when we wanted some private time.

  Today is our one year anniversary. It should be our eighth but we decided to focus on the date we made love for the first time. My parents are watching Cameron—it’s the first full night we are going to be away from him. It’s going to be really weird but much needed.

  Ant told me to be ready at six-thirty and that he would come pick me up. It’s currently six and I’m still not ready. Nothing new here.

  I head to our bedroom and find a big box on the bed. I walk to it and pick up the card that’s on top.

  Sweet Cheeks (Both sets really),

  I hope you like this pre gift. It’s not your real present but I wanted you to wear something special for our anniversary.

  I love you.

  See you in a couple of minutes (Yes I know you’ve left changing until the last minute.)

  Yours always,

  Ant xxx

  I can’t help but giggle. He does know me very well. I smile to myself and open the box. My jaw drops seeing what’s inside, a black leather skater dress, boots and a leather jacket. He really did think of everything. I beam and get ready. I wonder what else he has planned, already this is amazing. I spray on some perfume and apply some light make-up, just some mascara, eyeliner, and peach lipstick. I tame my hair a bit and go downstairs.

  Just as I reach the last step, someone rings the doorbell. I open the door and I’m met with a huge bouquet of white roses.

  “Happy anniversary Miss Monroe.” Ant beams from behind the bouquet, leans over and kisses me.

  “Happy anniversary Mister James.” I smile kissing him back and take the bouquet. “I’m going to put these in water, be right back.” I smile and go to the kitchen, putting them in a big vase and setting it on the table.

  “You’re breathtakingly gorgeous.” He smiles and leans down to kiss me again.

  “So are you.” I blush.

  “Everybody knows you’re the gorgeous one.” He grins proud of himself and leads me outside. He locks the door and we walk to his bike.

  “How do you expect me to get on the bike with a dress, I’m going to flash everybody!” He chuckles seeing the look of horror on my face.

  “I picked a dress long enough so you wouldn’t, we don’t have far to go and I want you pressed against me.” He waggles his eyebrows.

  “Cocky bastard!” I giggle and walk with him to his Harley.

  “You love me.”

  “I do.” I grin as he helps me with my helmet and helps me on the bike. Not an easy task with a dress but I manage. “Where are we going?” I ask him excitedly.

  “That’s for me to know and for you to find out when we get there little Miss Impatient.” He chuckles.

  “Dickhead.” I mumble and hold onto him.

  “You know it!” He chuckles and starts the bike, bringing us closer to the mystery location.

  The ride isn’t long, to my despair, I love riding with him. Being pressed against him combined with the vibrations of the bike? Yep, heaven!

  He slows down after a while and stops. I immediately recognize the spot.

  “Our spot.” I whisper.

  “Yes Sweet Cheeks. Bringing it back where it all started.”

  “Thank you.” I beam up at him and hug him tightly.

  “My pleasure.” He smiles and leads me to the blanket he has laid out by our tree.

  “This looks quite familiar. Did someone recycle their idea from my eighteenth birthday?” I tease him giggling.

  “Yes, no shame in that.” He smiles and helps me down on the blanket.

  “It’s perfect.” I smile seeing the food containers from our favorite Chinese place. “Haven’t been there in a long time. We should go sometime. Reminisce about our winter formal.” I can’t help but laugh.

  “Don’t remind me of the suit I was wearing. You on the other hand were so beautiful.” He says dreamily.

  “You looked handsome, Love.” I grin wide. “I remember being grounded for staying out too late and forgetting my phone. Was so worth it though.” I giggle.

  “And the shit your Dad gave me the next day. Don’t think my Dad ever yelled at me that much. And once he chewed me a new one it was like nothing happened.” He chuckles and hands me my favorite, pineapple glazed chicken and fried rice.

  “This is going to be so good.” I smile and inhale the scent coming from the container when I open it.

  “I still know your favorites.” He grins proud of himself and takes his container.

  “You do.” I smile and take a bite. “Heaven.” I sigh happily.

  “Yes, you are my little piece of Heaven.” I stop mid bite, my chopsticks hanging in the air, totally melting at his word.

  “You’re going to kill me with your words one of these days.” I whisper and lean over kissing him softly. “I love you.”

  “And I love you.” He beams.

  We enjoy our food resting against the tree, facing the beautiful scenery of the sun setting above the lake. It’s picture perfect, this moment is beyond perfect. I did a lot of reflection on my life these past couple of months and I have to say, as fucked up as some parts of my life were, it made me stronger.

  Sure I’d like to erase those dark patches but it wouldn’t have made me who I am today and I’m not sure Ant and I would be here today. I’m still damaged from it all but I’m getting better.

  “Where did you go just now?” Ant brings me back to reality.

  “Just thinking about how life tore us apart and brought us back together in the most fucked up way possible but weirdly I wouldn’t change it. I know what happened was fucked up and we both are still damaged by it, but I’m happy where we are. I’m madly in love with you. We have our little Cameron, two fur babies, an amazing house, and extended family. Things couldn’t be any more perfect.” I smile at him.

  “I know what you mean and I feel the same way. Things aren’t always perfect but nobody is perfect and nobody has the perfect life, if they say they do they are lying. We’ve been very lucky and very unlucky in life but it made us who we are. I’m madly in love with you too Ayden. I’m living my perfect life with you, with the good and the bad. We can get through anything together.” He kisses me softly, stroking my cheek. “Want to go for a walk by the lake?” He whispers against my lips.

  “Sure.” I smile kissing him softly.

  He helps me up and we walk to the edge of water, enjoying the cool air and the beautifulness of this magical night. He’s standing behind me, arms wrapped around me, resting his hands on my tummy, resting his head on my shoulder.

  “This is perfect,” I whisper.

  “It is.” He kisses my head and takes a fortune cookie from his pocket and hands it to me. “Open it.”

  “Okay?” I giggle and take it. I look up at him before cracking it and read my fortune out loud. “Tonight is the beginning of your Happily Ever After.” I look up confused as he’s getting down on one knee. “What are you doing?”

  “I’ve been in love with you for years. Before I even realized I was in love with you. You are my best friend, my light, my Sweet Cheeks, my everything. Without you in my life, it’s is not the same, it’s boring and not worth living to the fullest. I’ve missed my best friend and my one and only for so long. I know things haven’t always been perfect but I can promise you that from now on you are safe and I will always protect you no matter what. You mean the world to me. I can’t imagine my life without you and I don’t want to. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, grow old with you, have a lot of kids with you and watch them grow old and have kids of their own with you. Have a life filled with happiness, laughter, joy, memories and when we are all old and wrinkly and look back on our lives, we don’t
regret anything from the times we’ve had together. I’ve told you all of this to ask you one thing… Ayden Rose Monroe, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  I’m in tears not even midway into his proposal. I’m only able to nod as no words will come out of my mouth. “Aw Sweet Cheeks don’t cry please.” He beams and gets up, kissing me passionately. I wrap my arms around him and deepen the kiss not wanting to ever let go of him. “You are my little piece of Heaven Sweet Cheeks.” He whispers and I wipe the single tear that’s rolling down his cheek.

  “You are my everything, my lifeline, my light. I cannot nor want to imagine my life without you. You are the best friend, confident, soon-to-be husband and old man a woman could ever want. I’ve never been happier and it would be an honor to be your wife.” I beam and manage to say through tears, “I’m so hating you right now for making me cry.” I giggle through the tears.

  “Now I know that’s not true.”

  “Maybe.” I kiss him deeply and he slips the ring on my ring finger. A simple band with a single small diamond in the middle. Very simple, yet stunning. I can’t help but smile.

  “It’s good to see you smile again.”

  “I’ve been smiling.” I smile at him looking a bit confused.

  “Never like when you are truly happy, like now Sweet Cheeks or when Cam was born.”

  “It’s all thanks to the two loves of my life.” I beam at him.

  “I know, I’m awesome.” He grins and stands up, kissing me passionately.

  “Cocky bastard.”

  “I know and I was right.” He smirks, clearly pleased with himself.

  “About what?” I look at him confused.

  “You wearing my name someday.” He smirks.

  “Piss off Ant.” I giggle and kiss him passionately.

  Anthony

  We drove back earlier because Josie called us saying Cam wouldn’t settle down. He’s been sick for the past week and is finally getting better, but doesn’t seem to be tired tonight and it kind of sucks because Ayd and I had planned some fooling around.

  We were messing around by the lake like high school kids when her mom called—talk about embarrassing. Ayd was laughing, I wasn’t. Serious case of blue balls right here!