“Yeah, yeah. Now go. We promise to take care of her and we’ll even give her back when we’re through today.” The girls all turn at the same time to catch me watching his ass walk away.
“Jesus. I miss those days.” Ivy exhales as she turns to walk the last few feet to the Jeep.
“Whatever. You and Taron still do the same exact thing.” Eaven responds while she’s buckling her seatbelt in the back with me.
“Yeah and you and Talon are just as ridiculous. It’s like you’re all a bunch of sex crazed lunatics.” Macy speaks up and before long I’m a few minutes deep in relationship talk with some of the best women I know. To say I’ve missed them is a huge understatement and it isn’t until this moment that I realize just how much that is.
“Smitty is closing the bar down for all of us tonight. We’re gonna cut down a big Christmas tree and put it in that back corner where we always sit and instead of bringing gifts for each other, we’re all just going to bring toys for the toy drive that Macy’s been working on. I’m not sure if Aiden gave you all the details or not. Tomorrow night everyone in the bar will be bringing more to add to the collection, so we should have a great year for the kids at the center who wouldn’t have a Christmas otherwise.” Eaven changes the subject once again talking about tonight’s get together with the Rebel Walking crew and I let her words sink in. I’m to the point now that there’s no way I can say no to it and I especially can’t keep Aiden from spending time with his friends and being a part of something so huge for this community.
“I need to do some shopping for the toy drive today then, if you don’t mind.”
“That’s one of the things we had planned! We also have to make a stop by the center and organize a few things. I know it’s not ideal for a girls day, but I promise we’ll make up for it the rest of the day.” She reaches forward and touches Ivy’s shoulder and begins talking about something else before she reminds her where to turn up ahead.
My head is spinning with these women… and it’s so refreshing to interact with genuinely good people that have a great heart. I guess I could get used to this.
Aiden
I didn’t meet up with the guys like the girls expected me to. Using the time to finish getting the house ready sounded like a better plan. In fact, the guys would have my ass if I chose to waste time about getting Kimber to move in with me. I guess you could say they’re all tired of me hopping on a plane every time I get a day off.
This house will be perfect for us, not that I want her to spend any more time in it than I do. I have full intentions of taking her on the road with us on this tour coming up. She doesn’t have anything keeping her from traveling right now and that’s going to be my biggest argument if she tries to shy away from all of this again. Like I said, I’ve been patient… but I’m going fucking crazy with our relationship in limbo the way it is. Plus, I want her in my bed every night, so I can wake up with her each morning, like all the other couples do.
I walk through the house and check out the work the contract painter did, impressed by it all. My sister helped line out all of the details and it doesn’t surprise me that she made sure it was all done correctly.
The sound of car doors closing outside gets my attention quickly, since our house is out in the country, purposely isolated from most people. The sound of Talon’s laughter has me slowing my step toward the front door, now knowing who to expect when I open it.
I’m not surprised to see the whole crew… Talon, Taron, Luke, and Holden walking up, but seeing the twins both with their babies. Talon carrying an infant carrier and Taron holding his daughter on his hip has me smiling. “I see the girls left you in charge of the munchkins for the day.” The proud dads don’t stop smiling as they both show off the babies as if we all haven’t seen these two before.
It’s not that unusual to see Taron with his daughter, Heaven. She’s almost to that toddler stage and is always with the crew. Talon and Eaven have been more cautious with their baby boy being around the band. That’s the quiet and reserved personality of Talon shining through, ensuring that his private life stays as private as possible.
It hits me with a ping to the chest knowing I’ll never have this, but I refuse to let it linger for long. Kimber and I can always adopt and I know we’ll both love any child and take it in as our own. We just have to wait for the time to be right.
“Where’s your boy?” I grab a few beers from the fridge and hand them to both Holden and Luke since they’re the only two here today without a helper.
“Nah I can’t til tonight… Lilly will be by shortly to bring me Lake. Looks like we’re on dad duty until sometime late afternoon.”
“It won’t be long and this’ll be you too!” It hasn’t been but a few weeks ago that we got word that Holden and Lindsey are now expecting too. He gives me that shit eating grin before he takes a big swig of his beer.
“I can’t fuckin’ wait. We just had the ultrasound done… looks like we’re having a set of twin boys. Now I just gotta make sure they don’t turn out like these two fuckers.”
“You’d be lucky to have sons as awesome as we are and you know it.” Taron leans over the bar and grabs a bottle of water. I don’t even feel bad for not offering them something to drink; they know they can have anything they want. Our friendship is long past having those kind of boundaries.
“What are ya’ll up to today?”
“The girls sent us over to help you get shit done. They said they’re working on convincing Kimber that she needs all of us in her life and we’re supposed to make sure you have this house ready for the big party tonight after Smitty’s.” Taron thinks he’s funny adding in that last little part about the after party being here.
“Nah. I’m not having a party here tonight. I’m spending the damn night with my girl in our house for the first time. You fuckers can go the hell to your house and plan that shit another night.”
“Alright… I’ll let you tell Eaven and Ivy that you’re not opening your house to the crew on a magical night like tonight.” I watch as these two famous Rockstars fluff out a blanket to put the baby down for tummy time and then sit in wonder as they guide Heaven while she wobble walks her way through the living room.
“I have no problem telling them.” I swallow the rest of my beer and start to make plans to have that conversation soon with one of them. In fact, I should probably call and check on them soon.
“Is she doing okay?” Luke turns his back on the others, making his conversation more private than he has to.
“She’s doing great. I’ve never seen her happier.” His face turns to a frown as I imagine he’s thinking about the shit that happened between them. “You really gotta stop beating yourself up over it. Maybe it all happened for a reason. If Lilly hadn’t disappeared… you’d never have found Kimber and brought her back here. Then I never would’ve met the single most important person in my life.” I pull out a second beer before I continue. “Hell, I guess I should be thanking you for going through all that fucked up mess so I could meet her. She’s really fucking amazing and I can’t wait to spend every day with her.”
“I knew you were getting close to moving in together and I hope like hell she agrees.” I’m not sure why I open my mouth to say any more, but for some reason I do.
“I’m asking her to marry me tonight… here in this house.” His jaw grips tight just before he smiles; I’m not sure if that’s his way of reassuring me or what, but I take it as so even though I don’t feel like I need to have his approval. He’s happy in his life and she deserves the same.
“Well then I hope she agrees to that as well. It won’t be long and you’ll be just like all of us sappy ass Rebel Walking dads, spending time with the offspring any chance you get.” I don’t respond to him. I just allow the beer in my hand to close my mouth for me and take down the rest of the second one before reaching for the third.
Kimber
I’ve been at the center with the girls all day and I couldn’t have picked
a better way to spend it. There’s a little boy here that has my full attention and I can’t help but want to scoop him up and take him home with me. Jace is three years old and from what I’ve been told, both his parents are in jail and he’s awaiting foster care.
I look back and catch the girls watching over me as I play with trucks on the floor without a single ounce of shame. “I’ll be right back, okay?” Before I have the chance to stand, he’s climbing into my lap to stop me.
“You no leave me. You stay.” He wraps his little arms around my neck and holds me tight. And just like that my heart explodes in my chest and I can’t speak over the huge lump in my throat. Tears threaten to fall as I once again turn around to see the girls watching me.
The next thing I know I’m kissing the top of his head and holding him in a tight hug that he started, neither of us wanting to let go.
“Alright Jace, let’s let Miss Kimber go and we’ll get you some ice cream.” He doesn’t release his hold on me in the slightest and it takes every single thing in me not to stand up with him wrapped around my neck and walk out of here with him. He’s scared and misses his family and that’s obvious.
“That’s alright… we’ll go get some ice cream together.” I wave off the woman and even manage to stand, our hold never breaking. “Jace… what kind of ice cream do you like? My favorite is chocolate.”
“Trawberry.”
And with that little encounter I knew what I had to do. I knew exactly what my purpose in life was supposed to be and for the first time in over a year I was actually excited for something outside of the frequent times Aiden would come to see me.
I’m sitting in the small dining area about to help Jace with his ice cream when I look up to see Lilly walk in. She hesitates before acknowledging me, but still does. It just dawns on me that Luke had mentioned she was spending a lot of time working with foster children. I’m not sure why I never put two and two together that I might run into her here, but I didn’t.
With Jace in my lap, all the past seems insignificant and if she can help me get what I need to bring Jace home with me, then I’ll become her best friend if that’s what it takes. Like I said, I don’t have any hard feelings for her. She makes Luke happy and that’s all I ever wanted for him.
“What do I have to do to become Jace’s mother?” I don’t waste time on any of the irrelevant small talk, knowing she’s probably more uncomfortable than I am.
“He’s in the foster program for now. His parents are both going to be away for a very long time.”
“How long is a long time?”
“The mother is looking at fifteen years. The father was already convicted with thirty years.” I’m afraid to ask what for, so I don’t. Jace doesn’t need to hear any of it and I’m saddened just to think about what he’s seen in his short little life.
“What will it take for me to get him?”
“They can start the process of getting you approved immediately. You’d need to move here.”
“I’m already planning that.” I don’t miss the rise of her eyebrow.
“Good.” Her response is short and clipped.
“Look. I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable by being here and honestly that’s the only reason I’ve stayed away. I wanted you and Luke to be able to build your life with your friends and family without the constant reminder of what happened.” She sits down across from me at our table.
“We are very fortunate to be where we are today and you’re a part of the reason we have this life to be thankful for. You saved my life. You saved Luke’s life even though you don’t realize it. I’m just sorry you were caught up in all of it and both Luke and I wish we could do something for you to help lessen the hurt.” I sit back in my seat before I respond, thinking carefully about what I’m about to say and how I say it.
“My hurt was healed long ago. It’s easy to see that you two were meant for each other and now I’ve found my own soul mate. I love Aiden and even though Luke and I have a short past together… what we had was nothing in comparison to what Aiden and I have now.”
“I’m so happy to hear it coming from you. I always ask Luke to find out if you’re okay and you know how men are… his answers are always lacking detail. I’ve been dying to just call you myself and ask you all the questions. I guess it’s in my nature to make sure everyone’s okay around me. It’s what got us into that mess.” I have nothing but respect for this woman and I’m not sure how close we’ll be in the future, all of that depends on how the group takes to me moving here. It seems as though they’ll all be happy about my decision though.
I guess we’ll know soon enough because I have to tell Aiden what my plans are tonight so I can move forward with the process of getting Jace.
Aiden
“Did you have fun with the girls?” After a day of intense thought, I’ve just about mentally wore myself out thinking about what I’ll do if she says no. She must sense my turmoil because the first thing she does is question me.
“Is everything okay?” I wrap my arms around her and pull her against my chest.
“Yeah. I’m just ready to have you all to myself again.”
“Well, you have me.” I pull her in for a kiss and notice the passion is deeper in her kiss and the strength in her hug is even more noticeable. After a few minutes of kissing, I pull away to look at her face
“Did you miss me?”
“I did. Today has been very good and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. But first come help me bring in all the toys I bought for under the tree.” I look up and see the other couples already bringing in arm loads and I’m not surprised in the slightest. When these girls plan something… they go all out.
“Aiden… I met someone today that I want you to meet. It’s a little boy that needs a home. I know you’ve been asking me to move in with you and I may be out of line assuming that’s still an option, but I’ve been doing some thinking…” Before she has a chance to continue I stop her with a kiss while my heart begins to literally skip in my chest. She’s ready.
She’s finally fucking ready to start a life with me and just knowing she’s making plans to adopt or whatever makes me love her even more. She’ll be a perfect mom to any child and I can’t wait to watch her shine.
I finish the kiss as I lower myself down to one knee and reach into my pocket. I was hoping for the perfect opportunity to do this tonight… and it looks like the time came even quicker than I could’ve hoped.
She steps back a single step at the same time I hear a few gasps of excitement from all of our friends. “Kimber. I love you. I want to spend forever with you and I want it to start right now. I’ve built us a home and I want nothing more than to share it with you.” She looks at me through tears and a smile on her face, but doesn’t say a single word. I watch for any sign from her that she’s about to say no but it never comes.
“Say something.”
“Yes.” And with that I jump up and she wraps her legs around me, both of us kissing as if it’s the only way we can breathe. “I love you Aiden. I was trying to come up with something beautiful to say back… but my mind is so excited I couldn’t get the words out.”
“Yes, is the most beautiful thing you could say.”
“How do you feel about becoming a daddy? I want to bring a little boy home and I was hoping you’d be okay with it.”
“I can’t think of anything better.”
Kimber
It’s been six months since he proposed… and only a single day less that we got married. It was a courthouse wedding, but probably one of the largest the county had ever seen. The reception was a few days later at the Walker lake house with all of our family and friends.
Jace got to come home with us a few days after the New Year, and our life has been going non-stop since.
I love my life. I love my husband. And I love my little boy more than words could say.
Lilly has been working with the right people to get Jace set up for adoption. His parent
s have agreed to give up their rights… I’m guessing that came with a little bit of persuasion, but I’m not about to say anything as long as I can make this blonde haired little guy mine forever.
We’re supposed to meet today to sign the paperwork.
“Alright… I think I know why you haven’t been feeling well.” The doctor starts talking as soon as he opens the door. I’m here because I’ve been having a few issues. This is the first time I’ve seen him, so I’m not sure how he knows anything yet.
“Okay.”
“You’re pregnant.” I sit back on the table and let his words play over and over in my mind before I say anything.
“I was told I would never have children.”
“Well I’m sorry someone told you that. I looked at your chart. The better diagnosis would’ve been that the chances of you having children were very slim.” He sits on his stool while I stare at him with my mouth wide open.
“Can we get my husband in here? He’s holding our little boy in the waiting room.” The doctor looks at me weird before I clear it all up. “We’re in the process of adopting him.”
“Yes… let me get him in here.” The shock is taking my breath away and it’s not until I see Aiden that I finally lose it.
“He says we’re pregnant.” His surprise matches my own, but at least he’s sporting a huge grin on his face. I haven’t managed to get to that point because I’m terrified of something happening again.
“Is the baby healthy?”
“We will run some tests and make sure, but I’m guessing you’re in the early stages.” He looks between me and Aiden before he decides to leave the room. “I’ll get the nurse to make you an appointment soon and we will see where everything is at.” He’s not even out of the room before Aiden is in front of me, leaning in with the lips I’ve loved since the first day I saw him.
“Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better.”
Christmas with a Rockstar Page 27