Page 78 of Bleed Me

I couldn’t help it. I howled for some whiskey.

Justice researched the surrounding neighborhoods and found the best location for easy retrieval if we were to ever go into lockdown at the club. We needed to be able to get Saph and Grace to us as quickly as possible. Now that Grace was officially a Stallion family member, her safety was a high priority.

Standing in front of the little white, three-bedroom cottage that had a white picket fence around the yard, front and back, and so many planted flowers since Saph had a thing for gardens, water leaked from her turquoise eyes. “I don’t understand what you mean.”

Without any close neighbors, and woods for privacy, Justice ran up the front porch stairs, smiling epically, and unlocked the door. “We’re saying, welcome home!”

Sapphire’s belly was so big, her tiny body looked like it may buckle under the extra weight. “I have a… house?”

I was so proud of myself, providing for my baby’s mother. “I’m paying the mortgage and all your utilities. We also set you up an account for spending money. I’ll keep adding to it.”

“But, Giver, I will go back to work as soon as I can. You don’t have to pay my bills.”

“I know, but I sure hope you let me. This has been a blessin’. I really mean it.”

Saph whispered, “Thank you.”

“Be sure to tell any of your family the address so they can visit,” reminded Justice.

Sapphire squatted awkwardly to smell some of the flowers. “I don’t have any.”

My chest seized, and I eyed my Old Lady. This is something she would’ve known. No one stays in her club without a background check. Justice looked away from me. Yep! Guilty as charged. I guess it was knowledge she felt I needed to know.

Helping Sapphire up from the ground, I offered, “Want me to roll your ass inside?”

She smacked me. “Shut up! Don’t call me fat. It only reminds me of food, and that makes me hungry.” She waddled past me. “I would sell my left tit for a plate of spaghetti right now.”

Sapphire rarely sounded so… Justice-like, so I opened my mouth to tell Justice what we were eating for dinner, but she beat me to it. Tapping on her cell, she said, “I know the perfect place.”

All my brothers helped get Sapphire moved into the house. It was a rush job because she was about to burst. I kept begging her not to spit out the kid until she was settled. That house meant everything to me. It meant I was giving my kid a stable beginning.

Something Jenny never had.

Telling me she’d hold the baby in as long as possible, Sapphire would nod with her mouth full. “O’ay.”

I would rush off, gagging because she was eating a bologna sandwich with sliced green olives and bananas and so much mayo that she was leaving a trail everywhere she walked.

Jesus, it was gross. I was convinced my kid was gonna pop out with special dietary needs. Or puking like her daddy.

Sapphire was over the moon happy with her biker baby shower. The Barn looked like forty cases of Pepto Bismol had exploded. Elle didn’t miss a thing. She had the Barn looking so girlie, we were all pretty sure the party house would never be the same. That was confirmed when Sapphire gasped, and Meatball, who was sitting next to her on the couch, was sure he pissed himself.

Off to the hospital we went.

Only a few hours into labor, there were signs of trouble. The nurses called the doctor in early because they were concerned. He was, too. The word c-section drifted into my ringing ears. Up to this point, Saph’s pregnancy had been a breeze, minus the disgusting food choices. Now, I was facing the girls going under the knife? Fuck!

“It’s the baby’s heart rate dropping during contractions that has me highly concerned,” explained the doc. “We may have a cord around the neck.”

I grabbed Sapphire’s hand. She was in pain, her face wincing while lying in the hospital bed. “Saph, I think we need to do what he says. Let’s not chance it.”

“B-But, how hard will it be to take care of her if I can’t get up?”

Justice assured Saph, “Just in case, I already looked it up. You are up and moving the next day. And Giver and I will do whatever it takes to help you.”

Justice was right. The c-section went very well. I even got all gowned up and got to see part of the procedure. It was worse than Saph’s gross sandwiches, but that baby’s cry made everything else fade away.

A tiny bundle was placed in my arms. I’m not ashamed to admit that I cried like a little bitch. Couldn’t help it! Never had I seen anything quite so perfect. Sapphire cried just as hard as me. We simply couldn’t believe we had created the most beautiful baby the world would ever see. Justice was the third parent to hold the baby. She wasn’t allowed in the surgery room but patiently waited her turn. It was love at first sight for her, too. Happy tears fell… “Hello, Grace. It’s wonderful to finally meet you.”

We spent two weeks at the little cottage, helping Saph and Grace get settled. The spare bedroom really helped out. While mama slept, Justice and I fought over who got to hold Grace next. Sometimes, Justice and I laid in my brown leather captain’s chair, Grace on my chest. Snuggled, we just watched her sleep as if it was a miracle she was even here.