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“Here we go,” she says, pushing a few more buttons before the screen fills with a grainy image.
I still have no clue what the fuck I’m looking at. I’m not really sure any of us do. Doc moves around the bed so she can get a better look at the screen. She takes in every detail the technician is showing but doesn’t say a word. We all remain silent as we wait to hear what’s going on with the baby.
“Everything looks really good,” Doc finally says as the technician presses some more buttons on the machine.
She hands over some pictures that I immediately give to Ricochet and Paige. This baby is theirs and I’m not going to keep the ultrasound pictures from them. They deserve to have them since they’re the baby’s parents. I’m doing this for them and there’s no reason for me to keep any of the pictures. Paige just looks at me with a smile on her face. Doc remains in the room with us as the technician leaves us alone. When the door closes once again, Doc moves to the end of the bed before speaking.
“As I said, everything looks really good. I don’t see any reason to believe you’re going to lose the baby. For now, I’d like to keep you on light bed rest. I don’t want you moving around a lot until I can get you back in for a follow-up appointment with me in a few weeks. You can go from the bed to the couch, the bathroom, and maybe a chair at the clubhouse. No work right now. I want you to take your antibiotics as directed along with your prenatal vitamins. I’m going to warn you now that the antibiotics might mess with your stomach. Eat bland food if you have to. I’m going to keep you here long enough to finish this round of fluids through the IV. Once that’s gone, you’ll be discharged. Don’t leave her alone for any reason,” Doc says, looking at us all when she finishes speaking.
“She won’t ever be alone,” Brax assures her. “When can she go back to work? I know she wants to ask but isn’t right now.”
“After I see her in a few weeks, we’ll discuss her return to work. I don’t want to rush anything. I know you just opened your shop. You have the best coffee by the way. I’m sure everyone from the club will be willing to help you out with keeping it open. If any of you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call for me. I’m not going anywhere until I discharge you,” she says, giving us a smile before leaving the room.
Paige and Ricochet don’t leave the room after Doc. They move around so we’re not so crowded together. I close my eyes as Brax holds me closer to his body. I feel completely safe with his arms wrapped around me. Safe enough to close my eyes and not worry about nightmares infecting my sleep. He’s going to keep them at bay and slay any demons that try to haunt me. Brax won’t let anything hurt me and I have no doubt in those words. He’s my fierce protector and will always do what’s best for me.
“When she gets out of here, I’ll cook dinner for us all. Maybe Lyric and Kevlar can join us. I’m sure Tank and Maddie won’t be too far away either. He’s pacing the waiting room like a caged animal waiting to hear what’s going on. Chance, why don’t you go talk to your parents? Let them know everything is good?” Paige says, looking at her man as he nods his head and leaves the room.
“You two should know the guys in the club know about the baby. Ricochet and I both lost our shit and it came out when we were goin’ off on everyone. They had to know we weren’t just comin’ for you, sweets,” Brax tells us, guilt in his voice as he looks between Paige and me.
“It’s okay. I mean, it was gonna come out sooner or later. We know the baby’s okay so there’s no real reason to hide this shit from everyone,” I say, looking at Paige for confirmation.
“I agree. There’s no reason to keep the secret between the six of us anymore. We’ll answer any questions they might have. However, right now, my focus will be you. Until you’re off bed rest, you’re not gonna be able to get rid of me,” Paige says, laughter filling her voice. “I’m gonna be your shadow and watch every move you make.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less, Paige. I’m not going to do anything to put your baby in jeopardy,” I assure her, opening my eyes again.
“It’s not about the baby, Tara. This is about you and the fact that you were taken by our mother and the fucking bitch she chose as her man. I feel horrible you were put through any of this shit because of us. I know Lyric is really upset too. You’re so good to us and this shit happens to you. You’ve done nothing to deserve the pain they caused you,” she says, emotion filling her voice.
“This ain’t on you, Paige. You and Lyric have done nothin’ wrong. This is on your mother and that fuckin’ bastard she chose to shack up with. Neither one of us will ever blame Lyric or you. Those two are responsible for their own actions” Brax states, sitting up on the bed after letting me go.
Paige doesn’t say anything in response to that. I know deep in my heart that she’s gonna blame herself no matter what we say. Lyric will be the same. Ricochet comes back in the room and we all spend our time talking about anything other than Lucifer, their mother, or what happened. The topics are kept light as the fluid flows through my IV.
When the fluid finally disappears, Doc comes back in to discharge me and remind me of what I’m supposed to do. I listen to her very carefully because I’m not about to do anything to mess this up or hurt the baby. Ricochet and Paige leave the room to let everyone know I’m about ready to leave as the nurse unhooks the IV and Brax helps me out of the hospital gown before getting me in his shirt. He doesn’t want mine back on my body with the blood covering it.
I’m wheeled out in a wheelchair as we’re followed by the entire club. They walk us to the truck Tank pulled up and I’m lifted into Brax’ arms. He doesn’t set me down on the seat as I expect. Brax keeps me in his lap and holds me close to his body. Paige and Maddie get in the truck with us. They keep up a steady stream of conversation during the short trip back to the clubhouse.
Tank pulls up to the house and I’m again lifted in Brax’ arms. He carries me into the house and sets me on the couch in the living room. I’m covered by a blanket and handed the TV remote. Paige makes sure I don’t need anything else before she disappears. She’s going to cook dinner for all of us. Tank and Maddie stay at the house with us while Brax sits on the end of the couch and pulls my feet into his lap. We watch TV and talk while Paige and Ricochet cook everyone dinner. It’s not long before Kevlar and Lyric join us.
Our night is spent with Brax’ family. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much in my life. Maddie and Tank share so many stories of the shit the boys got up to when they were growing up. Brax never once lets go of me as I relax on the couch. Paige and Lyric get me anything I need without hesitation. They’re both trying to fix what their mother did and there’s no reason for it. I’m not going to be able to change their mind though. No one can.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Hawkeye
RICOCHET AND KEVLAR have been down to see Lucifer over the last week. I have yet to go down and see him. My entire focus has been on Tara and being here for her. She knows I’m itching to go spend time with the fucker though. Whenever my brothers come back from beating the fuck out of him, they’re always covered in blood and sporting smiles. They’re getting their payback for what was done to Lyric and Paige when they were being held. Today, it’s my turn. There’s no questioning him or anything. We all know he’s been working alone since we took out the other assholes who were following him before. It’s no surprise no one wants to work with him. We also know what his endgame was. He wanted Cedar Bay and to take us all out. Well, now, he’s the one who will be taken out and I’m gonna savor every fucking second of his pain and suffering. There will be no mercy for him.
“Brax, get out of here,” Tara says, smiling up at me as I pace in the living room of our house.
“What do you mean? I don’t got anywhere to be,” I question her, knowing that’s a lie as well as she does.
“Yeah, you do. You want to be at the clubhouse and to take out all the rage you’re feeling on Lucifer. Go. I’ll be here when you get back. Your mom is here and it won’t be long before Paige shows up. Take your brothers and go bond over beating the hell out of him,” she says, her voice washing over me as I realize just how fucking lucky I am.
No, it’s not the first time I’ve realized I’m a lucky bastard. Tara is an amazing woman and she chose me so long ago. I’m the one who gets to hold her every fucking night, wake up with her in my arms, and spend countless hours with her just talking or doing nothing at all. We talk, laugh, and do everything we can together. Tara was fucking made for me and there’s no way I’m ever letting her go.
“I love you, sweets. Do you know that?” I tell her, crouching down in front of where she lays on the couch.
“I do know that. I love you, Brax. I’m so lucky to have you in my life,” she returns as she rests her hand on my cheek.
“Nope. I’m the lucky one, sweets. You give me everythin’ you got to give on a daily basis and when I think you have nothin’ left to give, you give me even more,” I tell her, pressing a kiss against her lips.
