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“Yes, ma’am.”

“I have to say, Hawk, since you’ve been around it seems that Rose has been making an effort to get her life back on track. She’s improving health-wise, and her mental state is just about back to normal. She’s even talking about the future and what it has in store for her. I think seeing you, and you being here for her, has given her what she’s been missing all these years.” She places her hand on top of the one that’s gripping the counter.

I’m glad my mother has some sort of drive to improve her life, but I’m not going to always be here. New Mexico and the club are my home. Tessa and Sam are keeping me here, and that’s only because I haven’t been able to convince her that her life would be better for her back home. I understand Tessa’s fears, the fact that she’ll have to face her past, but the truth is that most of the men who attacked her are already dead, and the one who isn’t will be very soon.

“I’m glad Rose is improving, but I can’t have the weight of her recovery on my shoulders, not when I don’t plan on always being here. My life is back in New Mexico.”

Martha takes her hand from mine and leans in closer to me. “And where do Tessa and Sam fit into all of that? You can’t pick up and leave, not when that girl has finally come out of her shell. She’s living for the first time since I’ve met her, and if you leave, you’ll be taking her spirit with you.”

“I plan on her and Sam coming with me. I’ll get her to see that’s where she needs to be.”

She leans back and shakes her head. “I don’t think that will ever happen, son. Do you know what you’re asking that girl to face by going back there?”

“I know exactly what I’m asking, Martha. For her to live her life with me and give Sam a family. Things aren’t the same as they were when she was there. Her life wouldn’t be lived in danger, not anymore.”

“You’re still a part of a life that took so much from her. You can’t expect anything from her.”

“The MC will always be a part of me, and me of it. There’s no way I’m walking away from the only family I’ve ever really known.”

“And you expect her to walk away from her friends, the only people who’ve stood by her over the past seven years? What makes your life so much more important than hers?”

“It’s not about that. I have commitments back home. I have loyalties and responsibilities.”

She purses her lips. “All of which she has here. You need to watch how you approach this, Hawk. It may not play out how you have planned. And if that does happen, then you need to respect her decisions.”

She grabs a chart from the counter and heads in the opposite direction of my mother’s room.

* * *

As soon as I open the door, my mother gives me a smile, and my worries about the future with Tessa seem to lessen a bit. There are too many things up in the air, too many decisions that need to be made, and one of them is what my future with my mother looks like. But her smile, and seeing the recognition in her eyes, makes me think that everything will turn out the way it should.

“Hawking.” She stands from the chair where she’s reading a book. “You’re here.” She pads over and wraps her arms around me. This is the first time she’s greeted me like this. “Oh, how I’ve missed you.”

I wrap my arms around her tiny body and place a kiss on the top of her head. Her hair smells just like I remember. It’s crazy that I remember things like that. “I’ve missed you too, Mom.”

She pulls her body from mine and places her hand on the side of my face. Her eyes are full of unshed tears. When she blinks, they fall, rolling down her face. “I never thought I’d be able to spend this time with you. I’m so grateful for Tessa.”

I take her hand off my face. “Tessa?”

“Yes. I know she’s the one who called Bianca. I know she’s the reason why I have my son back in my life. She was always such a sweet little girl, and now she’s a beautiful and kind-hearted woman. So understanding.”

“Understanding?”

“Oh, my boy.” She pats my stomach. “There was no reason for her to call Bianca, not when I’ve done nothing to deserve it. I abandoned you, and yet she felt that it would be better for you and me to reconnect rather than for you to go on thinking I left you because I didn’t want you.”

I squeeze her hand. “You didn’t abandon me.”

The light in her eyes dims slightly as her smile falls. “Yes, well, I didn’t quite put up a fight either. I ran because I was scared.” She lets go of my hand. “And look where that got me.” She walks back towards her chair and sits down.

I take a step towards her. “Mom–”

“Mother?”

I turn my head at the voice. I’m expecting to see Rhea, but it’s not her. This girl resembles nothing of Rhea. She has a light complexion, and her strawberry blonde hair is straight and smooth held back by a headband. She’s wearing a skirt that hits right above her knees and a shirtsleeve collared button-up shirt. She’s the exact opposite of Rhea which means this must be Loa.

“Loa, dear.” Rose raises her hand towards her daughter but doesn’t get out of the chair. “It’s good that you’ve finally come by for a visit.”

She takes a few strides over to Rose and bends down to give her a one-armed hug. I can feel the indifference she has for our mother. She’s here out of obligation, not because she wants to be. Rhea may have issues of her own, but when she’s here visiting, even when Rose is asleep I can tell it’s because she wants to be. She wants to be there for her mother.