by BE Kelly
She pulled his hand free from her mouth. “How about we skip the argument part and jump right to the make-up sex part?” she asked. “I think we have a few hours to work with until the realtor’s offices open”
“Thanks for that, Baby,” he said, kissing her forehead. She leaned into his big body and wrapped her arms around him. “Now, about this make-up sex.” Ringer picked her up and cradled her body against his chest. “Let’s see if it’s all it’s cracked up to be.”
They spent most of the morning in bed and when Ringer’s realtor got back to him, they headed out to look at some houses. Honestly, it was almost all too much but being with him felt right. Sophie felt as if she needed to pinch herself because she couldn’t believe this was all becoming her reality. They were shown five houses and if she had to pick one, she knew exactly which house it would be. As soon as they pulled up to the little colonial about a block from where she was currently living, she felt like they were home. But, she didn’t want choosing a house to be only her decision. Ringer was the one paying for the place and technically, it would be his. He should decide on which house to buy.
“How about we go over to Tito’s and have a burger? We can talk about which house to buy and call in an offer before today’s over.” Ringer was driving his pick-up and she looked out the passenger window, watching the landscape go by.
“You think that’s a good idea?” she whispered.
“Which part? Going to the bar or buying a house together,” Ringer asked. She wanted to tell him both, but she had already agreed to move in with him. That was something she wanted so badly; she wouldn’t ever admit to having second thoughts about moving in with him. But, she did. Things were just moving so quickly, Sophie felt as though she needed to catch her breath.
“Going to the bar,” she said. “The guys didn’t seem to like having a human in their place. Besides, I don’t mind going home so you can go to Tito’s.”
Ringer’s growl filled the car, “No fucking way,” he barked. “The guys will be fine with you being there. Humans come in all the time. I think they were just a little confused by you, Honey. You smell like a combination of a shifter and a human. It’s probably because you’re carrying my pup.” Ringer shrugged. Sophie was still getting used to the idea of carrying a little shifter. The thought scared the shit out of her.
“Fine,” she said. “I’m too tired to argue with you and I could probably eat a plate full of burgers at this point.” She had been craving red meat since she found out she was pregnant. Burgers and steaks had become her staples and she was constantly hungry.
“I guess our son likes burgers like his old man,” Ringer said, rubbing his hand over her belly.
“Burgers, steaks, if it used to ‘moo’, he wants it. Beth craved sweets but this kid wants red meat. If I’m being honest, I’ve been known to polish off two to three burgers in one sitting with this kid.” Ringer laughed but she found the whole thing less funny. Her scale made a groaning sound every time she stepped on it and her doctor mentioned something to her about opting for a nice, healthy salad, followed by a walk.
“It’s not funny,” she protested. “I’m gaining too much weight and by the time this little guy comes out, my curves will have curves.”
Ringer shot her a wolfish grin, “I like your new curves, Honey. They’re sexy as fuck.”
“Well, you’re the only one who approves. My doctor told me that I need to lay off the burgers and opt for a salad,” she admitted.
“Your doctor is an idiot, Baby,” he grumbled, causing her to giggle.
“Thanks for that, but she is also a great OBGYN, so I’ll stick with her and pray your club’s bar has salads on the menu.”
Ringer barked out his laugh, “Nope,” he said. “Not a lot of bikers come in asking for a salad. Hell, most of the club is made up of shifters. They only eat red meat. I’m afraid your choices are going to be limited at Tito’s. You want to go somewhere else?” he asked. Sophie knew that as a prospect trying to patch into Perdition, Ringer needed to show up at his club tonight. She had been around the MC world most of her adult life with Reaper. His club, Reckoning, had taken her in and made her an honorary little sister. That meant that she had about fifty big, badass bikers who stuck their noses in her business. It was great when she needed back up and a pain in the ass when she needed privacy.
“Don’t you have church tonight?” she asked. Ringer shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal, but she knew it was. He had to attend or he’d be put on probation. “Ringer, you have to go,” she insisted. “Listen, I’ll go to Tito’s with you and we can grab a burger. You can stay for church and I’ll take my car and head back to my house. I’d love a bubble bath and you won’t have to miss your meeting.”
“What about putting in an offer on a house?” he almost whispered.
Sophie smiled over to him, taking his hand from his lap into her own. “I can tell you which one I like but ultimately, it’s your decision.”
“No,” he said. “It’s our decision. You get just as much say in this as I do,” he insisted.
“But, you’re the one buying it,” she said.
“Now I think you’re just trying to piss me off, Sophie,” he said. “I thought you agreed to being a part of an ‘us’.” She had but she also didn’t want to tell Ringer how to spend his money.
“I did,” she insisted. “But, the house will be yours,” she said.
“No,” he growled. “Fuck it—I’m putting the house in your name. There, now the house will be yours. So, which one did you want?”
“You can’t do that,” Sophie said. She thought for sure that he had lost his mind. “It’s your money.”
“Right—and the house will be your house. Sophie, I wasn’t asking you to be my roommate I was asking you to be my fucking wife,” he admitted. That was the second time today he used the “W” word and the thought of being his wife both excited and terrified her at the same time. Sophie knew that she would regret it if she turned him down just because she was being a giant chicken. It was time for her to face down her fears and take what she wanted. She had wanted Ringer for as long as she could remember and before she could stop the word, it was out of her mouth.
“Yes,” she whispered. Ringer pulled into the gravel parking lot at Tito’s and found an empty parking space. He parked and shut off the truck and she was sure he hadn’t heard her answer until Ringer turned to look at her. Sophie could see the emotion in his brown eyes and when he smiled at her, he nearly took her breath.
“Soph,” he whispered. Ringer freed her from her seatbelt and slid her across the seat to his lap. “Yes—as in yes, you’ll marry me?” Sophie shyly nodded.
“I will,” she said. “I never wanted to get married. I saw how my mom fell apart after my dad died. I swore I’d never fall in love with a man and let myself be as vulnerable as she was.”
“And now?” he asked. Sophie pushed back a strand of Ringer’s dark hair that had fallen onto his forehead.
“Now, I can’t imagine my life without you, Ringer. I know this all seems so sudden but I think I’ve loved you my whole life. Being here with you now feels right. This baby feels like he was meant to be.” Sophie cupped her belly, loving the way the baby squirmed, seeming to know they were talking about him. She gasped and Ringer put his big hand on her belly too. He smiled at her when he felt the baby’s movements.
“He’s an active little guy,” Ringer whispered.
“Only when you’re touching me. I think he can sense you if that’s even possible,” Sophie said. “We have so much we don’t know about this shifting thing, Ringer. I’m scared.”
“Me too,” he admitted. “I think it’s time we did some research and ask some questions. You up for a little trip?”
“A trip?” she asked.
“Sure, we can even call it a honeymoon,” Ringer said. Sophie was having a hard time keeping up with the change of topics. He chuckled and gently kissed her lips. “Don’t worry, Baby. I’m going to marry you and then I think we
should head west. I’m betting that park ranger knows a little more about the three guys who turned men then he let on.”
“Wait—when were you planning on us getting married?” Sophie asked.
“Tomorrow, I guess,” Ringer said. “Hell, if I could find someone to do it tonight, I would. How about we head down to the courthouse tomorrow and make it legal?” She hesitated and she hated that Ringer seemed upset by that. “Or, we can wait,” he offered.
“No,” she said. “Tomorrow works.”
“Great,” Ringer said. “Then how about we head out to Yellowstone and question that park ranger again?”
“What makes you think he was holding out on you the first time you questioned him?” Sophie asked. Ringer pulled his cell phone free from his pocket and scrolled through some pictures. When he found what he had been looking for he held up the phone for her to see.
“This guy here,” he pointed to the picture of a man dressed as a park ranger and she studied it.
“Yeah,” she said, “go on.” Ringer smiled at her and shook his head. He pulled the phone back and scrolled through a few more pictures.
“He was the park ranger I spoke to the morning after my attack. And, this is his profile picture on Facebook.” He held the phone out for her again to study the picture.
“Who are the other guys standing next to him?” Sophie noticed that they all resembled each other in different ways. The older guy looked to be their father and the three younger guys all had their arms around each other’s shoulders, smiling at the camera.
“The three other guys in the picture are the ones I believe attacked me. I did a little digging while you were sleeping last night. After I told you about my story, I realized I had more questions than answers. So, I started with what I knew—where I was attacked. The ranger’s station popped up in the pictures, while I was researching and I looked the guy up. I got his name and checked his social media accounts and well—there you have it. He knew a whole fucking lot more than he let on.”
“Shit,” Sophie cursed.
“You up for a road trip after I make you my Mrs.?” Ringer asked. Sophie would go just about anywhere if it meant that they’d get some answers. It was time to figure out the whole shifter world she had been thrown into. Their baby’s life depended on it.
“Yes,” she agreed. “To all of it.”
Ringer smiled, “That’s my girl,” he whispered.
Ringer
Ringer impatiently waited for his and Soph’s turn to talk to the clerk. They’d be able to get their marriage license and hopefully get hitched before heading out of town. He had called Reaper and left a message for him about them getting married. He hoped that would be enough for Sophie’s brother to call a truce and show up to be there for his little sister. Reap was the only family Sophie had left and since he had no one, Ringer was hoping he’d show up.
“We’re up next,” Sophie whispered. “Any last-minute jitters?” she asked
“Nope,” Ringer admitted. “You?”
“No,” Sophie said. “I just wish—well, it’s nothing.”
“You wish Reaper was here, don’t you?” Ringer asked.
“Yeah,” she breathed. “I called Beth to let her know about today. Reaper wouldn’t answer my calls and I thought that if anyone could get through to him, it would be Beth.”
“I left a message with Reap,” but he didn’t call me back either. “We can wait, if that’s what you want, Soph. But, I have a feeling he’ll never come around. I don’t want to wait forever, Sophie.”
“You’re right,” she said. “If Reaper wanted to be here, he would be. I’m just sad that it’s come to this. He’s holding the fact that I’ve fallen in love with you, against me. How ridiculous is that?”
“Pretty damn ridiculous,” Beth said, standing behind her. Sophie turned to find Beth and Reaper and she cried, wrapping her arms around her sister-in-law. “I’m so sorry, Sophie. Reaper told me everything that happened yesterday and how he acted like an ass.” Ringer was pretty sure he was going to like Sophie’s sister-in-law.
“Hey,” Reaper protested. “I never said that I acted like an ass.”
“No,” Beth agreed. “You didn’t. I just assumed, from what you told me, that was going to be the consensus. Am I right?” she asked, looking between Sophie and Ringer. They both nodded and Beth giggled.
“Fine,” Reaper grumbled. “We can just agree to disagree about me acting like an ass. Right now, I’d like to be here for you, Soph. I know we are at odds at the moment but I hope you’ll let me stay. Please,” he begged. Sophie looked up at Ringer and he shrugged.
“Your call, Honey,” he said.
Sophie shyly nodded, “I’d like that,” she admitted.
“Thanks, Sophie,” Reaper said.
“Now, let’s get you hitched,” Beth said. She rubbed her belly and winced as if in pain.
“You sure you’re all right, Honey?” Reaper asked.
“I will be but they’re coming closer together now,” she said. Reaper wrapped his arm around his wife.
“Wait, you’re in labor?” Sophie asked Beth.
“Yep,” Beth said. “So, we need to get this show on the road or you’ll have an extra guest at your wedding.”
“Shit,” Ringer cursed. “I’ll get the license and see if there’s anything that can be done to speed things up.”
“Thanks, Ringer,” Beth said. He didn’t miss the look of concern in Reaper’s expression. The clerk called their number as if on cue and Ringer and Sophie applied for their marriage certificate. The clerk asked them a bunch of questions—his favorite being if the two of them were related by blood. The clerk seemed satisfied by their answers and Ringer paid the fee and took the certificate from the clerk.
“Come back tomorrow and you can see the judge to make it all legal,” she said in her monotone voice.
“Wait—tomorrow?” Sophie asked.
“Yep,” the clerk said. “There’s a twenty-four-hour waiting period for couples to get married after getting the license. It was on the web-site,” she said.
“But, we have to get married now,” Ringer said.
“They all say that, Honey,” the clerk droned. “Next.”
“Please,” Sophie cried. “My sister-in-law is in labor and she and my brother are here to watch us get married. Beth doubled over and held her belly, as if on cue. The clerk looked around the pair of them to where Reaper held Beth to his side.
“There is something we might be able to do,” the clerk said.
Ringer nodded, “Whatever it takes—we’ll do it.”
“Wait here,” the clerk ordered. She disappeared to the back room and Ringer watched her through the glass window and felt as though he was holding his damn breath. Now that Reaper and Beth were there, he’d hate to have to come back tomorrow when they wouldn’t be able to attend. Sophie seemed so happy to see the two of them, he wanted that for her. She deserved to have her brother at her wedding.
The clerk came back to her chair behind the giant glass wall, wearing a triumphant smile. Ringer hoped like hell that meant she had good news for them. “The judge would like to speak with the two of you in his office.”
“Thank you,” Sophie said. She looked back at Reaper and Beth. “Will you two be all right? If you have to go, we’d understand”
“No,” Beth insisted. “We’ll be here waiting, even if I have to have this baby in this lobby.”
“Lord,” the clerk hissed. “Please don’t do that Ma’am.”
Sophie giggled and took Ringer’s hand. “We’ll hurry,” she promised. She and Ringer followed the guard back through two large double doors and down a long corridor.
“Wait here,” he ordered and disappeared into one of the offices. He came back out minutes later and held the door open for them.
“Hello,” a tall thin man said. He stood from behind his big mahogany desk and rounded it to shake both of their hands. “I’m Judge Jefferson. I hear you two have circumstances that
you might need to speed up the waiting process.”
“Yes,” Ringer said.
“My brother and his wife are having their first baby. She’s in labor out in your lobby and I’d hate for them to miss this. My sister-in-law is insisting she won’t go to the hospital until where married.”
“Well, we’re not equipped to deliver babies here, so how about I wave the waiting period?” Judge Jefferson asked.
“Is that possible?” Sophie asked.
“Yep,” the judge said. “I can waive the waiting period for extenuating circumstances. I’d say your sister-in-law threatening to give birth in the courtroom lobby qualifies.”
“Thank you so much,” Ringer said. “We appreciate this.”
“How about we get you two married and then you can all head to the hospital to welcome your newest family member?” Judge Jefferson asked.
“That sounds like a plan,” Sophie said. The judge motioned to the guard and he disappeared, returning to the judge’s chambers moments later with Reap and Beth in tow.
“You good?” Sophie asked Beth.
“As good as can be expected,” Beth grumbled. “We doing this?”
“Yep,” Sophie said.
“Great, let’s get this show on the road Judge. My water just broke. You might want to call in maintenance or something,” Beth said.
Sophie turned to the Judge, “Can we do this right here and fast?” she asked.
“How romantic,” Beth sassed, doubling over in pain. Reaper looked as if he turned three shades of white every time his wife had a contraction and Ringer worried that he was going to feel about the same way seeing his woman in that much pain.
“Yep,” the judge agreed. He began the quick ceremony, skipping most of the formalities and getting right to the point where they said their “I do’s”. He had to admit, it worked for him but he wanted to give Sophie so much more than a quicky ceremony in a courthouse. She deserved so much more than that.
“I do,” Soph whispered, answering the judge’s question.
When it got to be Ringer’s turn, he paused and shook his head. “I’m so sorry, Soph,” he whispered.