by S Courtney
"You're not wearing your club vest?" She raises her brow.
"Nah," I kiss her forehead, "one, no one needs to know about my brothers or me and two, this is not a social visit, I need to get this off my chest to focus on the family I have, not the one that tried to kill me for money. I'll be back soon, okay?"
She holds my wrist that caresses her cheek and nods.
"I love you, kitten."
"I love you. Hurry home."
We walk out to granddad and Digi immersed in the movie.
"You ready?" He looks up and nods, he hugs Digi real tight.
"Until next time kid, just let me know when you want to visit, I'm sure your parents won't mind. You’d love a place like L.A., the sights, the sounds, and pretty girls." He nudges him and you can see Digi openly blush at the ‘girls’ part.
"Okay, grandpa."
He hugs and kisses Lyric and places his hand over her stomach giving her words of encouragement. She nods as the tears well, basking in the fatherly advice and touch.
I kiss her one last time while talking to Digi,
"Take care of your mother while I'm gone." He agrees and we walk out to the elevator.
The drive to the Blackraven Humphrey correctional facility is 20 minutes south of town. While he drives, we talk about me mostly and my life here, the good, the bad, and the ugly. But it’s the ugly that helped create me. I told him my plan to move to San Diego with the entire club and to get married on the beach in front of our future home and of course, I invited him and my grandmother.
"Have you thought about what you’re going to do about your mother's grave?"
I had thought about that for a while. "I'm going to move her to a nice plot somewhere in San Diego, I haven't looked into it much, but she will be moved somewhere with an ocean view, she loved the water." I smile reminiscing about us going to the water and how she enjoyed watching me play and she’d listen to the calm ocean waves and enjoy the salt-laden breeze.
He brings me out of my memories, "You miss her, don't you?"
"Absolutely, she was my first love and my only love for the longest and now...I'm in love all over again. I know my mom had something to do with that. My heart is big like hers and I was just protecting it from being hurt, from ending up like her."
He pats my leg, "You are certainly in love, it's all in how you look at her. It's genuine and pure, bask in it and hopefully, you'll have as many or more as me and your grandmother. Also, if you would like we have a family plot in L.A. if you want to lay her there, up to you, just know it is an option."
I nod while watching the landscape change from a vast barren desert to a cold metal compound in the middle of nowhere surrounded by mountains and miles of barbed and electrified fencing.
A TOUGH ROAD
LYRIC
"We're going to need to cheer your dad up after his visit to see his father. I know, let's properly celebrate his birthday! I still feel awful. Let's go all out and make him feel loved."
"Ummm...to be fair, you had been kidnapped and shot. I agree we should cheer him up, let's go to the party store down the street and get some stuff to decorate the room with, oh and the bakery across the street to get red velvet and lemon cupcakes, those are his favorite."
I grab my purse and we head out to make the night special for my man.
CUPID
Why did I agree to do this again? Ugh. I've been fondled and searched to ensure I'm not here to finish what I started.
If they knew me, they'd know I'd only need my hands but then I'd be taken away from my family and they are my life. He's barely worth this fucking visit but I'm here for my grandfather.
The guards lead us through where the general population was held towards the rear where they house the infirmary where each hospital space was still a jail cell but with the necessary equipment needed to sustain whatever condition the prisoner may have.
The guards stop at a robin egg blue door with a small window and a trap door. They open the door to which my dad's voice bellowed out,
"Why the fuck are you bothering me, I already ate! I don’t want to be fucking bothered by you assholes."
My grandfather tells me to stay back while he steps in, "Hello, son." If I assumed correctly, the color probably drained from his face. To face a parent after the despicable acts done and to try to get them to sympathize enough for them to rescue you is just sad and pathetic.
"Dad, you made it. I-I thought you were supposed to be here two days ago. What the hell took you so long, get me out of here!"
He had some goddamn nerve to talk to him like that, I wanted to march right in and pummel his disrespectful mouth but I took in deep breaths to calm my rage, if my grandfather needed me he would call for me.
"Oh, I was son, I spent that time fixing your goddamned mistakes! Doing what you should have been doing instead of disgracing this family. Come on in, Aleister."
I swear as I entered the temperature dropped 50 degrees when his eyes met mine.
"Why the fuck is he here?! I'm in here because of you, you bastard!"
Wow, the audacity.
I lost it, "No, you're here because you were willing to kill your own son for money, you sick son of a bitch, so excuse the fuck out of me if I don't show any sympathy. I barely recognize you as a goddamn human being! You'll never be more than a useless sperm donor. Guess those days are over, aren't they?" I arch my brow feeling victorious by that cheap shot.
His eyes went wild and the clink of the handcuffs against the hospital bed rattled the tiny space as he tried to seem threatening.
"Scare tactics from half a man? Sorry, the only thing I fear is becoming just like you, I’ll die before I let that happen. I have a woman who loves me and is carrying my child, a child that I wanted, a child conceived out of love.” A flash of guilt hit him before he drew back into his icy demeanor, and I continued, “Yeah, you sick bastard she was pregnant when you shot her and it’s a miracle my girl and my baby are alive! How vile do you have to be to shoot a woman, let alone one carrying life? So, you see I'll be fine without you. I already was. Grandpa, I'm going to wait in the sitting area, I have nothing more to say to this waste of life."
He holds my hand, "Wait, son. I want you to see this. Carey, I've been more than patient but what you did has shamed this family and I will not aid your behavior anymore. You are officially cut off from this family, you have no one to blame but yourself. I look forward to connecting with my grandson and his family, everything you didn't do. I hope you learn how important family is over money. Goodbye."
"Dad, wait! Dad, no, you can't do this! You're going to choose that dirty bastard over your son?!"
He turns back and it is whisper quiet until, "I have no son." He walks out and I follow behind never looking back. His pleading falls on deaf ears as we put more space between us.
I realize my grandfather’s last words to his son, those words were powerful, to verbally cut the family ties to your own flesh and blood. I know this hurts him so much. I give him a side hug as we walk out to the car, "It'll be okay, grandpa, maybe he'll understand after some time and make amends." He just nods, emotionally drained. I drove us back into town and insisted he have dinner with us before his flight in the morning.
We arrive at the hotel and take the private elevator up to my room.
"I wonder where they are, no one's been answering their phone, they must be shopping, probably baby clothes shopping you know, she already has the baby's first..."
"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
The light turned on and I saw birthday decorations everywhere, gold and blue all over.
"What's all this? My birthday has passed."
We walk further in and she wraps her arms around me, "I knew you'd feel some kind of way after visiting your dad and I wanted you to know that you are loved by your real family. You mean the world to me, Digi, and especially our little nugget. I can't wait to complete our family and make it official. I love you, Aleister."
She's just what I n
eeded; how could I not see it from day one? I think back to all that we shared and smiled.
"Thank you, kitten. I'm so lucky to have you and Digi in my life and our little nugget. And now I have my grandfather and a whole other side of the family to get to know. Most importantly I'm spending it with the girl of my dreams. I can't wait...let's celebrate my life and our future..."
TIME SKIP
Six months later:
CUPID
"Lyric, honey, go sit on the patio and rest while we finish moving the rest of this furniture. That's all I need is for you to go into labor."
She waddles away, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. Just make sure the glider and ottoman face the bay window and the crib opposite the closet."
"Yes, dear." I smirk as she turns to glare at me before enjoying the beachfront view of our new six-bedroom, four-bathroom villa.
We had a semi-private beach in a great secluded and gated neighborhood. We gave Digi the second master bedroom opposite side of the house to our deluxe master bedroom.
His first major purchase was an all-black Camaro and he treated himself to a new wardrobe, he planned to upgrade his bike once he found the perfect one. I was so proud; he was getting out more and becoming more social. Soon enough there would be a girl, maybe even two.
Jackal and the rest of the boys decided to stay together and found a fraternity style house near the pier and amusement park. It was an eight-bedroom, four baths, two-story home. There was a large two-story garage enough for their bikes and they turned the upper loft into their gym. The final touch inside the house was their bar like the one back in New Mexico. They still had their hangout nights at the house but spent a lot of time at popular local bars and chatting it up with other biker groups. They were fitting in so well, there was talk about getting new recruits.
Several hours later after the guys left, on their way to a rally, I was all alone with my girl. I find her still outside on the porch swing listening to the ocean. The squeak of the door makes her turn her head towards me.
"Hey sweetheart, are you all done?" I sit next to her and angle myself sideways so I can pull her to my chest and rock us steady as the ocean breeze gently blows. I couldn't help but kiss her temple and rub her belly. "I just got her to calm down now, don't rile up daddy's girl, please."
"Never, I want mommy as rested as she can be. You okay? Need anything, food, water, relaxing bubble bath?"
Her eyebrows raise, "Hmm, I think I will take you up on the bubble bath besides you need to relax too, you've been moving stuff all day. Come on papa. Hey, where's Digi?"
"Oh, he's out with the guys, probably will stay away tonight."
She eyes me, "Did you bribe him, to stay away from his parent's house, to get me alone? Haven't you done enough?" She notions to her full stomach. I smile devilishly and kiss her hand, "I may have suggested he go out and have some fun, that's all. Hanging out alone with you is a bonus."
She teeters up the stairs and goes into our giant walk-in closet to grab some clothes to sleep in, pajama bottoms for me and a sexy nightgown for her. She may be pregnant but that hasn't dulled her sexiness or her need to wear sexy lingerie to bed. That is what will get her pregnant again.
I poured in some Epsom salts and dropped one of her bath bomb things. They are super girly, but they smell amazing, I chose a blue-green one and was relieved not to see glitter. The last one was pink and I had glitter stuck in my beard for two days. That went well at the clubhouse.
I started the jets to get the water going when she walked in, putting our clothes on the counter.
"Unzip me please." She faced away as I gently pulled the zipper for her sunflower dress down and she let it crumple at her feet before she stepped out. She sits on the edge then swings her feet over and slides into the water with a satisfying moan.
I groan trying not to take her. I had to be honest, I was afraid I'd hurt the baby even though time and time again she reassured me that the baby would be fine. It could help aid in the delivery process.
Still, I find it a bit creepy, not that I haven't taken her, because I have, repeatedly. With the plan of christening every square inch of this house minus my son's space. I guess it's just first-time dad worries.
I remove all my clothing as she rests against the tub eyeing me and licking her lips. I just shake my head as I pull my hair up into a man bun.
"You look so damn sexy, baby." She winks as she sits back against the opposite side of the tub letting me sink in. She rubs my tired sore muscles and it feels amazing.
"Are you just as shocked as me at what it took for us to get here? To think I almost punched Johnny in the face at the bar. Had I reacted like I wanted, maybe everything would have been different but I like the path chosen, I have my son, my baby girl will be here soon, and I have my overly loving boyfriend."
I reach down outside the tub into my jean pocket and smile, "I would change one thing though and that is your last name." I open the box to a diamond and emerald princess cut ring.
"Lyric Celeste Pullman, will you become the future Mrs. McElroy? I swear I'll love you forever and beyond that. You've changed this stubborn love hating biker into a caring man filled with love and anticipation as we wait for little Xaria Lennox to make her debut. What do you say, kitten?"
I watch her lip quiver as she tries to hold in her tears. "Oh baby, it's what I've been waiting on. Yes! Yes, I'll marry you!" She jumps up, splashing water everywhere to wrap her arms around me and kiss me urgently. I kiss and caress her, I'd worry about the cleanup later, right now I was basking in the fact that this woman was now my fiancée, one step closer to being my wife.
She squeals in laughter, "Oh baby, I'm so happy! I love you, Aleister, my very own Cupid."
That I am, kitten, that I am.
REFLECTIONS
One year later:
LYRIC
What a year...well, more than a year, really.
14 months ago, we started a journey after being thrown into the most outrageous of situations. I mean, come on!
I went from abandoned to waitress to owner.
My honey bunny and I butted heads bad about the bar, but I guess it was a saving grace that it burned down, I'd never tell him that though... I'd never hear the end of it. Then I was a hostage, a gunshot victim, girlfriend, fiancée, and now mother.
Little Miss Xaria Lennox aka nugget made her big debut about a week after we settled into our home. Sneaky girl, too. My water broke while I was asleep, I was so exhausted carrying my baby girl around I barely noticed. Had he not felt it because he was cuddled up to me, I probably would have given birth at home!
It never stops amazing me to see grown burly men cry at the sight of a baby. I mean no holds barred, what's going on, type of tears but it was sweet to have her uncles there for her arrival.
And now:
"Cupid...Cupid! I'm never going to be ready in time!” I turned the corner to see Jackal and Ms. Alana all snuggled up. Ms. Alana is Jackal's new ol' lady and quite possibly the sweetest woman ever. She is like a mother to me and loves my kids to death.
Their love story is adorable, they met at a coffee shop.
I know right?!
And it was downhill from there. I know he still holds a flame for Ms. Paige, but I believe it was her who sent Ms. Alana to help him cope. He is completely smitten and seeing him smile with her just melts my heart.
"Ms. Alana, can you watch Xaria? I'm nowhere near ready and I can't find her daddy."
"Of course dear, you know you never have to ask me to watch my grandbaby. Come here, sugar, come to your grandma. Now go, you're going to give him heart palpitations if you're late!"
She shoos me off and I go and make my way to the parlor.
CUPID
I can't even fathom what has happened in the past year of my life. I swore I'd never fall in love, on a stack of bibles soaked in holy water but now...well I'm glad I was just a stubborn ass and she didn't take any lip from me, she dug her heels in and won my heart. I am prou
d to be a father to Digi and Xaria.
We made the adoption legal for Digi about six months after the move when we got a solid schedule down for Xaria. I now have a son and a daughter but most importantly a beautiful soul to spend my life with.
I watch the waves crash against the shore, I love the sound of the water, sometimes she and I just sit, close our eyes, and listen. She'd squeeze my hand and that was her silent way of saying how much she loved me.
"Cupid! Focus, man..." I come back to the present as Cheetah snaps his fingers in my view to get me to come back to the present.
"Huh? What?"
"Where the hell did you go? Get it together, we're on a schedule. Let me take a look at you."
I stand up but I'm still fidgeting while he looks me over.
"Perfect, man. Come on, let's take our places."