“Uh, yeah, unless I want to get sick. I need to get some ginger ale while we’re out, is that okay?”
“Buttercup, whatever you need, we’ll get, okay?”
“I’ve got money, Elijah,” she tells me.
“Are you my woman?”
“Well, yes,” she says hesitantly.
“Then I take care of you, I’ll always take care of you and your needs. Especially while you’re carrying my kid.”
“Okay. But what about Emma?”
“The club and I got her what she needed. And if she needs more, we’ll get it together.” Damn, she’s stubborn.
“So where are we going today?”
“Well, you’re gonna want to do hair, right?” I ask.
“Yeah, once I figure out what I have to do to change my license from Montana to Texas.”
“We’ll call the cosmetology board. I tried looking it up but don’t know the lingo. Anyhow, we decided as a club to buy another business. We’ll buy a salon and you’ll run it. The Rebel Guardians will take a portion of the profits. Will that work?” I see the look she gives me as her eyes fill with tears. Gotta be pregnancy hormones. I remember how Cara was whenever we were all at the clubhouse. And now we have two women running around who have them coursing through their bodies. I foresee a long few months ahead, at least for myself and Chief. I make a mental note to talk to him so we can commiserate. I know Axe will help as well. Now those two jokers, Smokey and Bandit? Nah, they’ll have no good input. And I swear, if they decide to tease me about purchasing a short bus, I will bust them both in their fucking mouths. I’m so sick and tired of them deciding to give us a hard time when one of our women are expecting. Then again, if they give me too much shit, I’ll just dish it back whenever Hannah gets pregnant. And with those two’s hormones, I see that happening sooner rather than later.
“What’s that look for?” she asks me.
“Oh, just thinking about the shit that Smokey and Bandit toss around to all of us.”
“They seemed really nice yesterday.”
“They are...to the old ladies. Speaking of, you know what you coming here, pregnant with my child means, right?”
“Um, no. Other than I’m moving here, I have no clue.”
“Means you’re going to be my old lady, buttercup. You’re the first and only woman I’ve had on the back of my bike, and you’ll be the last. Also, just saying, while you’re pregnant, that won’t be happening for very long.”
“What...what about your ex? And why not? I love being on the back of your bike.”
“She didn’t like riding. And to answer your question, it’s because it isn’t safe when you get further along. Your balance will be shit and I’m not taking any chances with you or our child’s safety.”
“Can...can we ask the doctor at least? I really like riding, Elijah.” Fuck me. She’s giving me a look that makes me want to promise she can ride up until she pops the baby out. If I’m not careful, I’ll be looking at those fucking trikes with sidecars. I can only imagine the hell that Smokey and Bandit would rain down on me if I did that. Nope, she can’t ride. Period.
“We’ll check with the doctor, buttercup, but I’m telling you that regardless of what she says, I’m making that call for you.”
“What if I end up with a man for a doctor and not a woman?”
“Nope, not happening. I’ve got the information from Chief already for the doctor that Trinity uses. All women in that office. I don’t want any man in my territory.”
“Caveman much?” she asks.
“Not caveman, buttercup, possessive of what’s mine is a better term I’d think.”
“Still sounds like a caveman to me,” she says. I look up at her and see the smirk on her face, if she’s not careful, I’ll toss her over my knee and show her what a true caveman is like. My dick stands at attention as the thought of my hands on any part of her body brings him to life. “Keep it up, buttercup,” I warn her. “Emma can always go down for a nap while I show you caveman.” The flush on her face tells me that she’s turned on and I glance at the clock to see if it’s too early to put Emma down for a mid-morning nap.
My decision is made for me when she starts crying and pointing to her leg, saying, “Hurts, Lah.”
“I’ll grab her medications that were prescribed for her pain,” I tell Cassarah as she tries to sooth Emma. All thoughts of easing my dick’s arousal is all but forgotten when I hear love bug cry about being in pain. I swear, I want that man’s neck in a noose. He needs to hang for what he’s done to her and her mother.
“Shhh, it’s okay, Emma, we’re getting your medicine,” she croons as she holds her. I quickly pull up the dose in the syringe thingy and hand it over to Cassarah. “Here you go, sweetie,” she says as she squirts it into Emma’s mouth. I’m glad they added some kind of flavor to it because otherwise, she’d probably spit it out.
“It usually knocks her out,” I say.
“I’d rather her be sleeping than awake and feel even an ounce of pain,” she says, while rocking Emma in her arms.
“C’mon, let’s lay her down for a while. She’s usually out for two to three hours. We’ll give her a smaller dose when she wakes up and go eat lunch while I show you what I’ve found.”
“That works for me. So, what do you wanna do while she’s sleeping?”
“Well, we could unpack your shit or…”
“Or what, Elijah?”
“Take a nap too.”
“But I’m not tired.”
“Buttercup, neither am I,” I tell her before I pick up Emma and take her to her room.
“Well then, why are we gonna take a nap?” she asks, coming in behind me.
“So I can love on my woman.”
“Oh.”
Cassarah
That man of mine is insatiable! Holy smokes, his touch is quickly becoming my favorite drug. I think I napped for about an hour after several rounds with my bearded caveman. Waking up, I smile at how drastically my life has changed. For better or for worse, I’m committed to giving this relationship my all. Even the sadness of losing Cissy is eased with the love and attention that Elijah is giving not only me, but Emma. When you think of a biker, you don’t think of someone who’d give you every piece of him on a silver platter.
“Let’s go inside this one,” he says, breaking me out of my thoughts. I have no clue how he managed to get keys to some of these properties, but I’m learning that where this club is concerned, the community pretty much opens its doors and says, ‘c’mon in, y’all’, because they’ve managed to give this dying town a brand-new start.
“Okay. D’you want me to carry her?” I ask.
“Nope, one of the prospects got a child’s wheelchair.” Well hell, I didn’t even notice it in the back of the truck. He gets the wheelchair out and then places Emma in it, blowing raspberries on her neck until she giggles. “Now, stay still, love bug,” he says as he buckles her in.
As we walk into the old salon, my mind is already brimming with possibilities. There’s nothing here for women to get gussied up, and I can see where they had a manicure and pedicure station set up, as well as three stylist stations. Oh my, I just thought that I can get myself some partners or employees. I never dreamed that me owning a salon for myself could actually become a reality. “What are you thinking, Cassarah?” he asks me as I stand in the middle of the room.
“Right now? I’m...I’m blown away, Elijah. It really only needs some minor renovations from what I can tell. Let me look in the back, okay?” He nods and I head to the back where I find a small break room, as well as a washer and dryer. There are cabinets above them and I peek inside, stunned to see that there are still towels. “Elijah?”
“Yeah, baby?”
“What happened to the former owner? I mean, they left stock like towels and shampoo and color and shit.”
“Real estate agent said that the old owner died and the family just wanted to sell it all as is.”
“Is any of it
usable?” he asks me.
“I think a lot of it will be, yes. May need new hoses on the washer and dryer depending on how long it’s been empty. But honestly, if they’re no good, I’d rather get bigger machines.”
“I’m thinking front loaders would be more efficient for you and easier to get in and out of as you grow.” He says grow, and I realize I hadn’t even thought about that scenario. I will get huge! I wonder how being on my feet for that many hours in the day will affect my back and my poor feet? I bet they get as big as elephant hooves.
“Buttercup, what’s that look for?” he cautiously asks.
“I’m gonna be a whale!” I cry out. As my tears fall, he looks as though he’s been hit with a two by four.
“No, you’re going to be my sexy, sassy, pregnant woman.”
“I’ll still be as big as a fucking brick house!”
“How long do you think it’ll take to get it ready?” he asks, trying to change the subject. “And I’ll still wanna fuck you until the doctor says we can’t.”
“Fuckin brick house! Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Emma copies us.
“Oh shit...I mean darn.” I am freaking out, because I forgot for a minute she was here with us.
“Shit darn,” Emma states.
“Cassarah, just...hush. Please. You’re making it worse.”
“I need to bury my head in the sand...pregnancy brain sucks ass...I mean sucks big time.”
By now, he’s laughing and he leans down and kisses me. “I love you, potty mouth and all.”
“Big time, sucks ass!” Emma hollers out, and we both laugh into each other’s necks. Maybe we don’t have this parenting thing down after all.
“I’m gonna fuck this one up too!” I cry out.
“Fuck it up!” Emma all but shouts the rooftop down.
“Thinking we need a swear jar,” Elijah says.
“For who? Me or Emma?” I ask, through laughter.
“Both of you, apparently,” he states. “Now, how long do you think it’d take, buttercup?”
“Well, I need to get my license switched, find out about business licenses and stuff, then maybe paint and a deep clean.”
“Fucking lissensse!” Damn, this kid is too much.
“Let’s just ignore her and pretend she didn’t just curse.”
“Wonder if Hannah would like to help?” Law asks.
“Why would she want to help?”
“She’s an artist and pretty good. Bet if you have a vision for this place, she could help make it happen.”
Just about then, Hatch and DJ walk through the door and I nearly die in embarrassment when Emma hollers out, “Fucking Hatchie!” His head swivels and his eyes are wide as he puts together what she just said.
“You guys talking shit about me behind my back?” Hatch asks us. We both shake our heads.
“Shit me!”
“See! I swear she’s picking up the bad words left and right.” DJ smacks him and gives him a death glare only a mother could possess.
“My niece is a parrot!” I cry out. “We’re never gonna be safe again!”
“Chief and Trinity have this same issue,” DJ states. “Shelby said a few choice words at daycare recently.”
“Didn’t she say motherfucker?” Hatchet asks her. She slams her hand over his mouth and we all look down at Emma who’s looking up at us with a huge smile on her face. At least she didn’t repeat that word I think to myself, until she begins chanting it over and over. Someone help me, I’m going to be a horrible mother!
“Sweetie, it’s gonna be fine. Just keep telling her that we don’t say those words, only daddies do. Now, what’re y’all doing here?”
I immediately launch into the plans, eager to get another female’s perspective. She tells me about talking with Hannah to possibly get her to paint a mural or pieces to go up on the walls of the shop.
“You mean we won’t have to make it an all-day trip to get our hair done from now on?” she asks. “I’m totally onboard with this and whatever you need me to do, consider it done.” Yay! I have my first client. Sort of.
“I’ve gotta get my license switched from Montana to Texas, and we have to get the renovations done in here, but there’s really not much to do. New washer and dryer and I bet we can sell the ones back there on one of those social media pages. Plus, even though they left towels and stuff, I want new if that’s possible. Maybe we can donate them to the animal shelter or something.”
“We can do that, buttercup,” Elijah says.
“Motherfuckin lissense,” Emma hollers out.
Having had enough of ignoring the issue, I lean down and say to her. “Sweet pea, those are some bad words you’re saying there. Don’t say fuck, shit or motherfucker...those are grown up words.”
She looks at me contemplating what I said then says, “Okays...I won’t say fuck or motherfucker anymores.” I shake my head, because I have a feeling what I just said to her hasn’t sunk into her four-year old brain.
My stomach rattles and I place my hand on it. “Hungry, baby?”
“Motherfucking starving!” Emma burst out.
“I’m not taking her in public until she can control her tongue,” I say to Elijah.
He leans down and looks Emma in the eyes and says, “No more bad words, Emma, or you’ll get a spanking.” Her eyes grow wide and her lip wobbles and I watch as a tear rolls down her cheek.
“No, Lah. No spank. Spank hurts.”
“Then be a good girl and don’t say grown-up words,” he tells her. Yeah, logic and a four-year old? Don’t think that’s gonna go too far. “Buttercup? Let’s go get something to eat. Y’all wanna come with us?” he asks Hatch and DJ.
“Yeah, we can do that. Kids are at soccer practice.”
“We probably shouldn’t threaten to spank her after all she’s been through, Elijah.” I tell him as we get settled in his truck.
“She’ll learn the difference, baby. But we’re not not going to discipline her because of what she’s been through.”
“I hope you’re right, we don’t want her comparing us to him.”
“There’s no comparison between a swat on the butt that has a pull-up on it sometimes and a beating that leaves a child broken and battered.” He’s right and I know that but still, my instinct is to find another way so I guess this’ll be something we discuss when it’s just us.
Law
After threatening to spank Emma, guilt sets in. I shouldn’t have done that, I should’ve threatened time out or something similar to that. I try to let it go for now, but I know my woman and I will be having a conversation about this later where I will grovel like any man in my position would.
“Elijah?”
“Yeah, buttercup?”
“We’ll figure it out, okay?” And...there she goes, figuring out why I’ve been so quiet since we left the salon and headed out to eat with Hatch and DJ. Reaching over, I grab her hand and give it a squeeze.
“We will, baby. Maybe a spanking wasn’t the best threat, but it was all I could come up with in a pinch.”
“Not saying we would never spank our kids, but there has to be other ways first, y’know? I mean, that may be the last resort. But, like I said, we’ll figure it out.”
We get to the diner about the same time as Hatch and DJ. I feel like I’m on display as they are both watching us with smiles on their faces. I roll my eyes at them and get out and grab Emma from her booster seat. She smiles at me and lays her head on my shoulder, my heart just melted, this big, bad, lawyer just melted into a puddle of goo at a sweet gesture from this tiny person.
“Love, Lah,” she says.
“Love you too, love bug,” I whisper, kissing her cheek. Grabbing my woman’s hand with my free one, I walk toward the couple grinning like idiots at us. I walk past them and let go of Cassarah’s hand long enough to hold the door open for her. I hold it open long enough for DJ to enter then I walk behind her and let the door shut in Hatch’s face.
“Love you too, brother,” h
e says, yanking the door open and walking past me to his woman’s side. He shoots me a glare and holds up his middle finger, I hide Emma’s eyes with my hand, and hope and pray she didn’t see it and won’t repeat it if she did.
“No, Lah,” she says, swiping my hand from her face. “No hide,” she says, scowling at me. I chuckle at her little scrunched up face and tickle her. She giggles and it causes me to laugh out loud at her exuberance. Even with all the challenges she has faced, she’s really emerging as a little pistol and I can’t wait to see what happens once all the casts are removed. I bet she’s gonna be hell on wheels.
“Let me take her to the bathroom,” Cassarah says.
“You don’t need to be carrying her,” I reply.
“She’s not that heavy, even with the casts, Elijah.” I realize that she’s right and I’m being too overprotective, so I hand her over.
“C’mon, sweet pea, let’s go potty,” she says to Emma.
“I’ll come and help,” DJ replies. “Lover, you know what I want to drink, right?”
“Sweet tea.”
“You know me so well,” she states, blowing him a kiss. I look and Emma is mimicking her, blowing kisses everywhere. Her parroting is hysterical, but I hold my laughter back not wanting to encourage her to keep doing it. One day, there’ll be something I don’t want her to repeat.
While we wait for the girls to come back, Hatch fills me in on more of the shit that happened during my time away. Nothing major, which is good news. I’m grateful my brothers had my back while I was gone. “That place is gonna be perfect for a salon,” Hatch says.
“Yeah, gotta bring it to the table, of course. It’ll be another RGMC business and she can pay the club rent.”
“Thinking it’ll be another one that is profitable, brother,” he tells me.
“Yeah, me too. Didn’t occur to me that the women in town have to drive out of town to get their hair and nails done. This will help our local economy.” We are interrupted when we’re told our table is ready. We go sit at the table and the waitress has already had a high chair placed and waiting for us. I’m thankful that they were thoughtful enough to bring us something because she’s not fully mobile yet, but I can’t stand seeing kids running around a restaurant.
Law_Rebel Guardians MC Page 9