Born to Ride

by Kasey Millstead

  “Lacey?” He walks the short distance between us and tilts my chin up, so I’m looking into his concerned blue eyes. “What’s wrong, darlin’? Was there another incident?”

  “No, no, nothing like that,” I shake my head. I hate that he’s worried that I was in danger again. “We just need to talk about something.” I swallow hard.

  “Okay,” he agrees cautiously. He takes my hand and we walk over to some makeshift chairs. He sits down, then pulls me down beside him.

  “What’s the matter, sugar?”

  “Umm. This is hard,” I mutter to myself.

  “What’s hard, darlin’? You need to talk to me. Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.”

  “Well, uh, you know when I was sick a few weeks back?” My heart is beating so hard I can barely hear myself concentrate. My hands are shaking as they rest on my thighs and my feet are so cold, I can hardly feel them.

  He nods.

  “And then I felt good for that night and morning so we, you know...”

  He nods again.

  “Jenn took me to clinic the next day to get some medicine and they said that my Pill may be ineffective because I was sick. They gave me another pill to stop pregnancy. I took them and I thought everything would be fine but then I started feeling nauseous again. Jenn got a wild hair and bought me some tests. They came back positive but I didn’t believe the results so she took me to the doctor. They did a blood test but they think I’m pregnant because I was still vomiting after I took the Morning After Pill.” The words rush out of my mouth like verbal diarrhea. It’s almost as if I’m thinking the faster the words come, the better his reaction will be.

  “I see,” he says tersely.

  Oh god. Here it comes.

  “I’m sorry, Roam. I didn’t want it to happen. The results should be back by tomorrow, and the doctor said we can discuss my options, then.” I feel my throat tighten and my eyes sting as tears threaten.

  “Options?” He almost spits the word.

  “Yes,” I whisper.

  “And what sort of options are you looking into?”

  “Um, well, I imagine the usual ones – keeping it, adoption or abortion,” I say meekly.

  “What the fuck, Lacey?” He booms. I jump at his outburst and immediately cower. I know what happens when a man gets angry. I know they hit.

  “Run, Lacey,” I hear my mom whisper the words in my ear. I try to stand, but my legs feel like they’re filled with lead.

  Roam spins around and sees me with my hands held up to my face.

  “Fuck darlin’. No. No! I would never, ever, lay a hand on you in anger.” He kneels before me and pulls my hands down. If I wasn’t so scared, I would have noticed his blue eyes glistening with wet.

  “I’m sorry. I know you don’t want this, and honestly, I’m too young to have a child. I know nothing about raising a child. I’m scared, Roam.” I sob. My tears fall. I can’t contain them. I don’t even want to. I let it all out and he holds me in his arms, whispering words I can’t make out and he kisses my temple occasionally.

  Eventually, I sniffle and wipe away the tears. I look up to him, prepared to see the worst in his eyes. But, all I see is blinding love. He tenderly looks into my eyes and then kisses each one. They’re swollen and puffy – that much I can feel. I also imagine they’re an unflattering shade of red, but he still presses his lips to them, as if to heal them.

  “Darlin’, I don’t know what you’re thinkin’ my reaction would be, but whatever you thought, you’re clearly mistaken. Nothin’ would make me happier than to have my baby growing inside you. How you could doubt that, I have no idea.”

  My mouth falls open. “Seriously?” I breathe, incredulously.

  “Jeez, sugar, what is it you think we’re building here? I want kids with you. One day I want to marry you, too. So prepare yourself woman, things are moving forward.”

  “I think I’m in shock,” I remark.

  “Get used to it. Just don’t ever doubt my love for you again, woman. Now go inside and fix me some dinner.” He grins when I raise my eyebrows at him. “I’ll be in shortly. I just gotta put this socket back on and tighten some nuts.”

  “Ok, you lost me at dinner. I’m starving. Don’t be long.”

  I walk out feeling lighter. I still don’t think I’m ready for a baby – but is anyone ever really ready? Roam’s acceptance of the situation makes me feel a lot more positive about the idea of bringing a child into the world. He’s already got a son, so he knows what he’s doing. Everything will be fine....I hope.

  The next morning, Roam wakes me up early so I can get ready for my appointment. Once I’ve showered and thrown on a light blue summer dress and a pair of wedge sandals, we go out to his truck and he drives us to the clinic.

  Thankfully, the waiting room is almost empty and we only have to wait around fifteen minutes until my name is called.

  “This is my partner, Roam,” introduce them.

  “Roam, nice to meet you. I’m Doctor Michelle Bray. Now, Lacey, we have your blood tests results. As suspected they came back positive. You’re pregnant,” she looks between us, gauging our reaction.

  Roam’s face spreads into a wide grin and I can’t help but do the same.

  “I take it you’ve had time to talk and come to terms with the idea?” Doctor Bray laughs.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Roam and I answer at the same time.

  “Okay, well, now I’d like to suggest that we give you an ultrasound to determine how far advanced the pregnancy is.”

  I climb onto the bed and lie down. Roam stands beside me, holding my hand.

  “I’ve never been to an ultrasound,” he confesses in my ear.

  “Really?”

  “I missed out with Jasper. I was always doing club business. Not gonna miss out this time, sugar.”

  I smile and kiss his cheek. “Love you.”

  “Let’s get started. We’ll start off with an abdominal ultrasound, but if the pregnancy is too early, we will have to use a vaginal Doppler.”

  Lifting my shirt to expose my stomach, she squirts a large amount of cold jelly just above my pubic line. “Sorry – it’s a little cold.”

  The wand makes contact with my belly and I look at the screen. I have no idea what I’m looking for though. It’s just a bunch of grainy black and white shapes that I can’t make out. Doctor Bray quietly takes some measurements and then begins to point out the pictures on the screen. Suddenly, it all becomes very clear. I can make out my little jelly bean.

  “It looks as though you’re about ten weeks pregnant,” she smiles.

  “Wow.” I’m not sure if I say the word out loud or not. I can’t believe what I’m seeing. A beautiful little piece of me and Roam. He squeezes my hand and we both continue to watch the screen, enthralled.

  “Let’s see if we can hear the heartbeat.” She maneuvers the wand and then presses a button on her computer. Suddenly, the room is filled with the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard. Ba boom, ba boom, ba boom. It’s so loud and fast. I look to the doctor, who is smiling at us. “Sounds perfect,” she tells me.

  Doctor Bray manages to get some clear shots so she prints them off for us and even though they’re not perfect, they are to us. Our baby’s first picture. My heart swells and I slide my arm around Roam’s waist. He throws one arm over my shoulders, while the other instinctively comes to rest on my stomach. We shake the doctor’s hand and she gives me scripts for prenatal vitamins.

  “Let’s get out of here,” Roam helps me into the truck and then rounds the hood, climbing up into the driver’s seat. He turns the key and we head for home.

  I feel so exhausted from the stress of the last few days that I curl up on the couch and doze off.

  I rouse half an hour later when I hear voices in the kitchen. I recognize Jenn speaking to Roam, so I get up and make my way to them.

  “Hey, sleepy head,” Jenn nudges me with her shoulder.

  “Hey, sorry I’ve been so tired lately.”


  “What do you expect? First you were sicker than sick and now you’re pregnant. Of course you’re going to be tired.”

  “I guess. Do you want to call Switch and stay for supper? We can grill,” I grin at Roam cheekily. He loves that damn grill I brought him.

  “Sounds great.” Jenn takes out her phone and dials Switch. “He’ll be here shortly,” she tells us when she ends the call.

  “Super. I’ll get a potato salad started.” Jenn helps me peel and chop the potatoes, while Roam goes about preparing the meat.

  We spend the night laughing, chatting and stuffing ourselves full of good food. It’s a great night.

  Chapter 16

  Six months later

  “Come in, come in. Take a seat. I’ll get y’all some drinks. Sweet Tea?” Jenn ushers my guests inside and pours their drinks.

  Veronica, LuAnn, Sal & Brie are here, along with Jenn’s Gran, Candy, and even Barbie came over for the day. It’s my baby shower. Jenn insisted on throwing one, and who I am to argue? I lay back on the lounge and watch Jenn fuss over everyone, making sure they’re comfortable before the games begin.

  Jenn and I have spent the last few months transforming one of the bedrooms into a nursery. We painted the walls pale yellow and stuck jungle theme stickers around the walls. Since we opted to leave the sex as a surprise, we had to decorate in a neutral theme. It was a toss-up between jungle and baby animal. Obviously, jungle won out.

  With Jenn’s encouragement, I spent way too much money on baby furniture and clothing, as well. I’ve got a stroller, a high chair, a bassinette, a crib, a rocker, plus a ton of baby clothes – half of which I’m sure our child will never get a chance to wear. Roam also made additions to the clothing stock – he found a Harley children’s clothing outlet and bought some tiny tees and onesies with the Harley Davidson logo on them. He also had a mini leather jacket custom made with the Mayhem logo on the back – matching his. He also got the baby little biker boots while he was at an expo with his brothers. Sometimes, I have to wonder who the worst between him and Jenn is! When it comes this baby, they’re as bad as each other most days.

  Today, everyone brought gifts, which means I am going to have more baby paraphernalia and nowhere to put it!

  Roam appears, looks around horrified, strides over to me, kisses my lips quickly and then walks out the door as fast as he can.

  ROAM

  Fuckin’ women. They were everywhere inside my house. All clucking over Lacey’s belly. Jenn had balloons and shit everywhere. It look liked Babies “R” Us had vomited through my living room. The only thing that looked good was the massive cake sitting on the counter.

  I slide onto my girl and start her up, then I hit the road. I think if I stayed around much longer, I might have grown a pussy. That would piss Lacey off, cause she sure loves my cock!

  I ride through town and pull into the clubhouse. We’re expecting a delivery of custom made bike parts within the hour and I want to make sure I’m around to check them and sign off on them. These parts on their own are worth a fortune, but when they’re attached to a classic Harley, their price is almost unimaginable.

  “How’s the chick party goin’?” One of my brothers asks.

  “Don’t even fuckin’ start. I think I’m damaged for life.”

  “Not long now, brother, and you’ll be holdin’ that precious baby in your arms.”

  “Yep. Can’t wait, man.”

  “You still get pussy when they’re that full of kid?”

  “Serious as shit, you’re askin’ me that?”

  “Nah, brother, I’m only stirrin’ you up.”

  “Roam, truck’s here,” Switch calls across the yard.

  We walk over and check the boxes, making sure the parts are in perfect condition. Thankfully, they are. We unload them into the storage shed and leave the two Prospects to sort them.

  I spend the rest of the afternoon brainstorming with my brothers about who could be behind the attacks on Lacey. Things have been quiet for a few months now, but that doesn’t mean I’m not always hyper alert, waiting for the next attempt at hurting to come. Now, with a baby on the way, it’s on my mind even more than before, if that’s at all possible.

  “We know for sure it’s not her ex, we’ve known that for a while. The problem is figuring out the next suspect. The police aren’t doin’ jack shit and we need to find the person responsible.”

  A grunt of agreement sounds around the table, but we’re all stumped. We have absolutely no clue who could be behind it.

  “We just need to keep doin’ what we’re doin’, and that’s keepin’ our ears and eyes open. Someone will slip up, one day, and when they do we’ll be there.” Switch says.

  I go into my room and sit on my bed. I’ve been thinking so hard about this whole situation that most nights I end up giving myself a headache. It’s getting on my nerves so much because I don’t want anything to happen to my girl. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’ll be damned if anything is going to take her away from me.

  My phone rings and I look down to see Jenn’s name flashing across the screen. My brow knits in confusion. Why the hell would Jenn be calling me? If they want me to participate in some of those fucking games they’ve got planned, they can jump off a fucking bridge.

  “You got Roam,” I answer.

  I hear a wail in the background and I jump from the bed.

  “Jenn, what the fuck was that?”

  “Oh, um, yeah, Lacey’s in labor, I think. I’m not sure, but I’m pretty sure.” Jenn rambles and stutters, clearly in a panic.

  “I’m on my way,” I say, before snapping my phone shut and getting the fuck on my way.

  I make it home in record time. Lacey’s on the couch, beads of sweat spread across her forehead, dark hair matted with damp.

  “Babe,” she cries, holding her hand out to me. I rush toward her and lay my hand on her stomach. It tightens beneath my palm. I feel my eyes go wide and my jaw drop open as I look up at Lacey. “Holy fuck,” I whisper.

  She grunts as the pain ripples through her stomach. “How far apart are they?” Lacey asks when the contraction eases.

  “Eight minutes,” Jenn replies. “It says in this handbook to go to hospital when they’re about five minutes apart, so we have some time.”

  “Do you want me to get you anything, sugar?” I offer. Fuck, I need to be doing something. God, I hate seeing her in so much pain. I missed Jasper’s birth by about thirty minutes, so I have no idea what to expect, but I really didn’t imagine there to be a searing burn in my chest at the image of the woman I love being in indescribable pain and there being nothing I can do for her.

  “Ice, please,” she pants. Before I can let her hand go, she squeezes me in a death grip. Her eyes clamp shut and her face scrunches up as she alternates between breathing and panting throughout the contraction.

  When it passes, I race to grab her a glass of ice. When I return I hand her a cube and she sucks it, gratefully.

  “Why is this happening now? You said forty weeks. You said women were pregnant for forty weeks. You’re only thirty seven weeks that means we’ve got three more weeks. This shouldn’t be happenin’ now. It’s too early. What if the baby isn’t ready yet?” I pace the floor, rambling in my panicked state. I’ve never been so fuckin’ scared in all my life.

  “Roam. ROAM! Calm the fuck down,” Jenn slaps at my cheek. “The baby will be fine. It’s not early and clearly it’s ready to come, because it started the process – no one else did! Pull yourself together and let’s get Lacey out to the car, so we can take her to hospital and have a baby.”

  “Yeah, yep, I’m on it. Right, come on, sugar, I’ll carry you out. Jenn, you grab her bags. They’re on the floor in the bedroom.”

  “Don’t forget my toiletry bag in the bathroom,” Lacey’s voice gets shrill towards the end as another contraction takes over her body.

  “Oh fuck, sugar. Fuck. Don’t have the baby just yet. Wait ‘till we get to hospital
.”

  “It’s not coming yet,” she snaps. “Do you think I’m that loose that the baby is just going to fall out of me, Roam Cooper?”

  Oh fuck. That was the wrong thing to say.

  “No, darlin’, I just want to get you to the hospital,” I try to placate her.

  “I know, I’m sorry,” she cries. “It just fucking hurts.”

  “I know, I know. It will be over soon and we’ll have our beautiful

  baby in our arms.”

  “You’re so beautiful,” she coos.

  “Beautiful?” I scoff. “Sugar, I am far from beautiful. I prefer ruggedly handsome.”

  I get a laugh from her beautiful lips, and I smile down adoringly at her. She really is something else.

  We make it to the hospital in record time. I stop the car in the emergency bay and carry Lacey out and inside while Jenn parks the car in the designated area.

  A male nurse sees us coming and pushes a wheelchair toward it.

  “Thanks, man,” I say, sitting Lacey in the chair. Another contraction rips through her as I hurriedly tell the lady at reception how far apart her pains have been.

  The male nurse grabs the handles of the wheelchair and begins pushing Lacey down the hall toward Labor and Delivery. I run after them, desperate to keep her in my sights, petrified that if I take my eyes off her for a minute, I’ll miss the birth.

  A midwife directs the nurse to a room and they push Lacey in there. They help her out of the chair and onto the bed. The nurse leaves and the midwife takes over, asking Lacey questions, while I stand off to the side.

  My eyes go wide when the nurse puts on some gloves and slides her fingers inside Lacey.

  “You’re doing really well, sweetheart. You’re about six centimeters dilated at the minute. You can get up and have a shower or a bath, if you’d like. It might help with the pain. If you need anything stronger, be sure to give me a yell.” She snaps the gloves off and tosses them in the trash before walking out. “I’ll be back in shortly to check on y’all, okay?”

  Jenn comes bursting through the door. “No baby yet?” She jokes...well, at least, I hope she’s joking.