Catching Forever (BlackPath MC Book 2)

by Vera Quinn

  “Love you, Andrew. You’re my happily ever after that I never wanted.” Dra stares at me.

  “Say it again.” I look at him like he is crazy.

  “What do you want me to say?” Something is making him fill up with emotion.

  “Say my name. No one calls me Andrew. I usually don’t like it. It sounds different coming from you. Please, say it again.” Men and their names, but I do like Andrew.

  “Andrew, I love you.” Dra pulls me in and kisses me with a touching softness like he is treasuring me.

  “I’m going to love you the rest of my life. You’re all I need. Well, you and the house full of kids you’re going to give me.” Sounds great to me. The more the better.

  “Just how many children are we talking about?” We’ve never really discussed it. We both just said we wanted a house full.

  “Well, this little man.” Dra rubs my belly. I’m still not very big but they say you usually gain a lot of weight the last two months, which I’m getting there. “I would say at least five more. Yeah, six sounds right. Are you good with that?”

  I look at him and if our babies look like him I am more than ok with that. “Ask me again in about three more months. Sounds good though, if not more. How about nine? “

  “Why nine?” Dra is really puzzled.

  “Why not? Just a number.” I really have no reason why. I just want a lot of children running crazy in our home for a long time.

  “If you can do it, so can I. How about we make love all night and practice?” That’s the spirit.

  “I need a nap first. Been a long day. We have the rest of tonight and the rest of our lives.” I want Dra, but I keep fighting yawns.

  “Ok with me. Let’s climb in that big comfortable bed and get to napping. I owe you some sweet and slow.” Dra is always sweet, but that sounds great. He doesn’t have to ask me twice. I am probably asleep before my head hits the pillow and Dra is true to his word. We make love many times that night, sweet and slow.

  Chapter 34

  Callie

  3 months later…

  It doesn’t seem like we should be almost to Dad’s already. Actually, we are a few weeks late. My doctor in Colorado, Dr. Singe, said it was either now or never. I am right at nine months pregnant. I have three weeks left. Things kept coming up. Dra still had to stay behind. Blake is going to drop me off and drive back in a day or so. A lot of things are happening in the club right now. Things I can’t know, but I know Dra is worried about. Grams was feeling bad, so she isn’t coming until Dra makes the trip. Fortunately, we have everything set at our house. We are settled and the nursery is set. Had my baby shower already and we need nothing else I can think of, except the baby.

  The BlackPath MC is giving me a shower tomorrow. After my doctor’s appointment. Devil is setup at his house. His mom assured me of this. She has backup at her house, too. We are having pregnancy pictures tomorrow as well, right after the doctor and before our shower. Devil and I are getting the ones for him. It is for the baby book. Dra and I had some done and now I want some with Devil. It’s what is fair.

  Blake has been quiet during the ride, so I have been able to sleep. I never get enough sleep. I thought I was hitting my stride and getting accustomed to being pregnant, but this third trimester has kicked my butt. I’ve still only gained twenty pounds, but it is all baby. I am carrying it all in my belly. My problems with my thyroid have plagued me. As long as Kellan is healthy, I am good with it, and the doctor has assured me, he is. Yes, we are naming our son Kellan Thomas Steel. I can’t wait to hold him in my arms. It seems like I have been pregnant forever. At least April in Texas will be warm. I don’t know about all the snow in Colorado. Definitely more than I am used to. It’s also colder. Not too bad, though. The snow wouldn’t be so bad if I wasn’t pregnant and everyone always worried I will fall. I would love to go outside and play in it, but that’s not happening around Dra, Hawser, or Krill. They are worse than my dad.

  I finally see my dad’s driveway and I feel butterflies of excitement. It has been three and a half months since I have been here. I saw Devil last month at my doctor’s appointment, but I haven’t gotten to see anyone else. I miss everyone. I see Kat’s SUV and Devil’s bike. Dad, Jeb and Ty’s bikes are there and so is Fe’s car. Blake shakes my leg, I guess he thought I was still sleeping. I raise my head to look around.

  “Are you tired, Baby Girl? I can tell everyone to clear out to give you rest.” I know Uncle Blake would, too, but I am excited to see everyone. It’s so good to have Uncle Blake back in my life. I missed him when he was gone for those two years.

  “I’m good. I have missed everyone, so I want to see them.” I pat his hand and he shakes his head in understanding. He and dad have patched up their differences and I am happy about it. Now I have all my family back.

  As we park in the driveway I see Fe running out the door. I knew he would be the first one out. We talk nearly every day on the phone, but I still wished I lived closer. We have skyped, but it is just not the same. Ty and Jeb followed by Sarah and Hanna are the next ones out. This is my welcoming party. Fe flings my door open and is trying to help me out. Do they really think I need help just to get out of the SUV? I may be tired a lot, but I still do practically everything I did before.

  “Girl, I have missed you! Come on we have a lot to catch up on. Do I have the dirt for you!” Fe is being his exuberant self.

  “Good, I need some new dirt. Let’s get in the house so I can see everyone.” I hug Fe and then am passed to Ty.

  “Love you, Sis. My nephew still baking?” Ty has been so sweet when I have talked to him. He is amazed with my stomach. He’s always wanting me to send him pictures. Little weird, but at least he cares.

  “Hey girlie. You are beautiful darling.” Jeb is being his normal kind self.

  “Thank you Jeb. Are you patched in yet?” Jeb smiles.

  “Soon darling.” He is swoon worthy.

  Then both my girls are there hugging me and rubbing my belly. It’s good to be here, but I already miss Dra.

  “Help me with her bags, Ty.” It’s not like I brought a lot. Two bags for me, one for Dra, and one for the baby. I went ahead and brought Dra’s so he didn’t have to pack.

  Ty and Jeb reach in and take some bags and Uncle Blake takes the last one. Fe gets the stuff out of the front. I grab my pillow. I go nowhere without my pillow or I don’t sleep. I may not be very big but I still can’t get comfortable and I feel huge to me.

  We make it in the house and dad meets us at the door. He hugs me like it has been years since he has seen me. I hug him back just as big. I miss my dad. Just as he lets go I feel a little twinge in my lower back and I grab it. “You ok, Baby Girl?”

  I try to smile, but it really hurts. I rub until it subsides and then make my way into the living room and I find the couch. “I’ll be fine, just traveling pains.”

  “Are you sure? I could run you to the ER just to check it out.” Devil is over beside me before I know it.

  “Pretty sure. Just need to stretch out.” I know he was nervous about me riding so far this late in the pregnancy.

  “Look at you. Pretty as a picture.” Kat comes over and gives me a hug.

  “Thank you, Kat. Where’s Kim?” Kat looks at Dad. I see the uneasiness in his face.

  “She’ll be here when her dad and Keifer get here next week.” I look at them both. I am going to get it out of one of them, but later.

  Devil never leaves my side all night until it’s time to get some sleep for our long day tomorrow. Dad, Ty, and Jeb left earlier for the club. Hanna and Sarah left at the same time. Blake is in his room. Now he and Dad have made up, he has his room back. Kat is in one of the guest rooms. I go to get up and Devil helps me. They all think I’m helpless.

  “Goodnight, Devil. I’ve got to get some sleep. Fe is already asleep in my bed and I have to claim my part or he’ll take the middle.” Fe is a bed hog.

  “Darling you forget, I slept with you before, I know who the bed
hog is.” He is standing close and looking down at me. “Only time I’ve known a king size bed to be too small for two people.”

  “I’m sure you are mistaken. Blanket hog.” He laughs at me. I know I take my half out of the middle and I wrap and roll in the blankets.

  “You are too funny. You even swiped my pillows. Sleeping with you is a full contact sport.” Oh well. I love my sleep and I love to be comfortable. I stick my tongue out at him, just like a spoiled brat.

  “I have missed you.” Devil bends down and kisses my cheek and rubs our baby through my tummy. All of sudden this seems a little too intimate for me so I step back.

  “Going to bed now. See you in the morning. Dad is cooking breakfast before the doctor’s appointment. I set my alarm or I would sleep through it.” I need distance. I get up from my comfortable spot on the couch. Just as I turn Devil catches my hand and gets my attention.

  “Thank you for coming back to Texas to have the baby. It means a lot to me. You mean a lot to me. It’s hard to believe our baby will be here soon. I’m glad you are going to be the mother to my child.” He kisses the top of my head and rubs my baby bulge. If I only had a dime for every time someone did that.

  “You are welcome. Night.” I turn and leave for my bedroom.

  Chapter 35

  Devil

  I didn’t get much sleep last night. All I could think about was Callie a few doors down. I wanted to go to her, but I know that would be a bad idea.

  It’s hard for me to keep my hands off her. I don’t know how I thought I would ever be able to walk away from Callie and our child. It’s never happening and seeing her ripe with my baby is driving me crazy. I don’t want her out of my reach.

  I hear Chief busy in the kitchen and I might as well get on with my day. I take care of my morning routine in thirty minutes and wander to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. There at the table Callie sits with a glass of juice. Chief and mom are busy cooking and I take the chair next to Callie. There has been something I need to talk to her about.

  “I’m glad Dra said yes about being the godfather for Kellan. We need to decide soon about the female.” It was the best decision, but I need to thank him personally.

  “He was honored. I’m glad you two can get along for this.” She looks at her watch and back to me. “He should be calling soon.” Apparently he does that regularly.

  “Do you have anyone in mind for Godmother?” I couldn’t think of a woman and if we pick one of Callie’s friends over the other they may get their feelings hurt.

  “No it doesn’t have to be a woman. It’s up to who you want.” Mom lets us know.

  “What about Felix? If we pick Sarah or Hanna, there will be an argument.” Callie is shaking her head in an affirmative way. Felix is a good person and he’s very close to Callie.

  “You’re right. Are you sure you don’t have someone else?” Callie is trying to be considerate, but I like Felix. He will be a great uncle for our son. Callie can’t keep the excitement off her face.

  “Yes, he is sure. What Callie, you trying to knock me out of my spot?” Felix is up and he likes the idea of him getting the job.

  “No silly. I think you’re perfect. I just want to make sure I play fairly. If he has a friend to use, also.” Callie is trying to make Felix feel better.

  “Settled then, Dra and Felix. We’ll let Dra know as soon as he calls who the other person is.” It’s a done deal in my head. My son will be protected and taken care of. About that time Callie’s phone goes off. She looks at it and smiles. “I need to thank Dra.”

  “Were your ears burning? Let me put you on speaker phone. Devil wants to tell you something. I love you, too, and can’t wait for you to get here.” Callie puts the phone in the middle of the table. Chief and mom are bringing food out now.

  ‘Morning Dra.” My mom puts in. She genuinely likes Dra.

  “Morning Kat. Is my girl behaving? I know you’ll keep her in line. Be sure she eats.” Dra addresses my mom.

  “She is and we are going to feed her in about ten minutes.” Mom loves Callie so she will make sure she takes care of herself.

  “Good, now why am I on speaker phone?” He is an impatient asshole this morning.

  “I wanted to thank you for agreeing to be Kellan’s godfather. You are the best fit and I know you will protect him with your life. You and Felix.” Dra laughs.

  “You mean no godmother? Well, I am honored. I will always protect him and put his best interests first.” I can tell he will. “Devil, I need you to promise me something though.”

  “What do you need? Name it.” I am being honest. As long as he protects Kellan and Callie I would do anything.

  “If anything ever happens to me, promise me, you will take care of Callie.” I look to Callie and I can see she is on edge now and not comfortable at all. “I mean it. She is with you. This is hard for me to say, but I am serious. I want your word. I want everyone’s word they’ll make sure it happens.”

  “Baby, nothing is going to happen to you. You’re being silly.” Callie doesn’t like this conversation. She seems on edge. I see the worry in her eyes.

  “I promise, Dra. I will take care of her.” I would anyway, but this cements it.

  “Ok then. Callie I know you don’t want to think about this and we won’t anymore. It’s taken care of. You just promise me you will listen to him.” Dra is being persistent.

  “Promise I will take orders from another man. Not likely.” Callie is being stubborn.

  “Callie Cheyenne Draven!” Dra is serious and you can tell in his tone. I wonder if something is going on.

  Callie looks like someone stole her puppy. “Fine, I promise.” Now she’s pouting.

  “Ok. Settled. Does everyone understand? Babe, I love you. It’s for your protection. I have to go.” Callie grabs her phone and talks into it softly so no one can hear and then she disconnects and looks directly at me. “Ok Devil. Don’t let this go to your head. Dra just worries about his club ties now we’re married. He’s a worry wart.” He should be worried with the news I’ve been getting from Colorado. The marijuana growers want the Troubled Fathoms’ land. There’s a war brewing and I don’t want Callie and Kellan anywhere near it.

  At least Dra and I have settled some of our differences. He trusts me with Callie and I trust him with Callie and Kellan. We’ll never be friends, because he has the woman I love, but we’ll co-exist.

  Now to get on with our day.

  Chapter 36

  Callie

  My doctor’s appointment went off without a hitch. The twinges in my back, labor pains. I’m dilated to one centimeter already, so bedrest as much as possible.

  Pictures done and proofs might be here before Kellan decides to make his appearance. Baby shower was a success. More stuff than I will ever use.

  Now I’m laying here in my bed watching a movie with Devil and Fe. Have no idea what it is. My mind is on the conversation with Dra this morning. I am worried now. Dra has never let on about any worries before. But I knew. Maybe he is just being cautious. No, that’s not Dra. I need to talk to him and I look at the clock. It is after ten and he hasn’t called since this morning. Now I’m worried, I pick up my phone and call him. He picks up on the third ring and I breathe a sigh of relief. “Is everything ok? I love and miss you. You have me worried.”

  “I’m sorry, baby. I’m busy with club business or I would have called. I love and miss you, too. Is Blake still there with you?” Dra has a strain to his voice. He’s really scaring me.

  “Yes. He decided to stay the rest of the week.” Dra seems satisfied with that.

  “Ok. Stay close to him or Devil or your dad. I love you to the moon and back. You are my life. I have to go. Night darling.” Then he was gone. He said he loved me to the moon and back. Tommy used to tell me that. I have a cold chill run up my back. I have a bad feeling and I try to call Dra back but there is no answer. I will get no rest until I talk to him again. Devil grabs a hold of my foot and lightly shakes it.
/>
  “It’ll be ok.” He tries to reassure me. If we only knew that in the next twenty-four hours my life was going to drastically change.

  I must have fallen asleep during the last of the movie. I look around and Fe is to my side and Devil is at my feet. Apparently we all fell asleep. I get up to go to pee. Something I do all during the night, and I see where Dra called me back. I am making my way to the bathroom and I feel a gush of warm water leave me and I am shocked. Oh crap. My water just broke.

  “Devil!” I yell. He and Fe both jump up from the bed. I look at him. “My water just broke. I need to go to the hospital I think, or at least call the doctor.” Devil is in full panic mode with Fe right there with him. They run into each other and knock heads. I start laughing and more water comes out. I finally move towards the bathroom. I go inside and then I go back and grab some clothes. I throw some dirty towels over the mess on the floor. Devil has gone to get his mom and Fe probably my dad. I step into the bathroom and strip down and step into a warm shower just to rinse off. I hear a knock on the door. I towel off and quickly dress. I take the precaution of putting some pads on just in case. I step out to the very pale faces of Devil, Fe, Dad, Uncle Blake, and Kat. Apparently either Ty left or they left him asleep.

  “Are you sure your water broke? It’s still early.” Kat ask.

  “Well, considering I’m still leaking a little, it’s a safe assumption. I need my phone so I can call my doctor and then Dra.” Dad is trying to help me.

  “Doc said come to the hospital. I tried Dra and got no answer. I called his dad and Betsy. No answer.” That’s strange. Gram always answers her phone. Dad will get back in touch with them. I just need the hospital right now. It is chaos here so I do what I do best. Take control.

  “Fe get my hospital bag by the closet door and call Sarah and Hanna. Dad can you get the SUV out front? Devil grab the bag in the kitchen to take, and Kat can you stay with me and make sure they don’t run off and leave me? Uncle Blake, please, keep trying Dra. Can you bring your SUV also? Kat you may want to call Kim. I am going to try and call people on the way to the hospital. Let’s move people.” They scatter. By the time I finally make it to the living room everyone is getting things done. We all make it safely to the vehicles and now it’s just a quick ride to the hospital. I am having labor pains about every fifteen minutes. I have been timing them. I know everyone else is too frazzled. Aren’t I the one that should be freaking out? I have to say I am nervous, and I wish Dra was here, but a sort of calm has come over me. I know I will get to hold my son soon and that’s all I want to focus on.