... and Forever (Next Generation: Chaos Bleeds 1)

“Hey, sweetheart,” he said. “What’s your name?” He knew her name but wanted to get her to respond to him.

“Jade,” she said.

“Hey, Jade, I’m Simon. This is my wife.” He crouched down, turning so Jade could see. Tabby held her fingers up and smiled.

“She’s pretty.”

“Yes, she is. That’s our son Nathan, and our little girl, Skye.”

The paramedics were standing there, watching, waiting.

Slowly, Jade pulled away from him but didn’t let him go.

“You won’t leave?” Jade asked.

“No, I won’t leave. My wife, she’d like to see if you’re okay. She has the softest hands and what’s more, she won’t let anyone hurt you.”

“She won’t?”

“Nope. She will kick anyone’s ass who tries to hurt you. She’s like a superhero.”

“Like you?” Jade asked.

He chuckled. “Better than me. She’s my wife and I get my power from her.”

Jade’s eyes went wide. He glanced at Tabby. “We won’t let anything happen to you. We promise.”

Jade wriggled out of his lap and went to Tabby’s arms. He watched his wife as she ran her fingers through her hair. “I’ve got to take a look at these hands, okay?”

Jade held her hands to her chest and then slowly eased them out.

Tabby held her hands, seeing the blood. “It looks like there might be a bit of glass. I’m going to call on my friend. She can take a look, but I promise you, if it hurts, you will tell her no.”

“I don’t want it to hurt.”

“I know,” Tabby said. “Will you trust me? We get this nasty glass out, and then I’ve got ice cream and chocolate sauce with your name on it.”

Jade’s eyes went wide. “I … can I?”

“Yes. You like ice cream and chocolate sauce, right, Nathan?” Tabby asked.

His son walked over to the little girl, putting his hands under hers. “I’m here. It looks painful.”

“It is.”

“Mommy and Daddy’s friends will make it all better.”

Jade nodded her head. Only one of the paramedics moved closer. She put her bag down, putting on some gloves.

“You’re a brave girl,” the woman said. “There are some shards of glass, but I can get them out. You didn’t squeeze your hands or press on anything did you?”

“No.”

“That’s good. Really good.”

Simon stood and he turned as Devil entered the clubhouse.

“I don’t know what you need to do, but I will protect her.”

Tabby looked at him and he pointed at Jade, letting her know his intention. She rolled her eyes and mouthed the words of course. She kissed Jade’s head.

“You know it can be difficult.”

“I also know the Billionaires can get shit moved. Make sure by the end of this week, Jade is mine and Tabby’s. We’ll take care of her. She’s one of us now.” There was no way he was going to let Jade be taken, put into the system, or even lost. She’d been through too much and she saw him as a hero. Well, they had room in their family for her.

“I’m proud of you, son, so fucking proud.”

It took the paramedic over an hour to check for glass. She shined a light to double-check. Once Jade was all bandaged up, Nathan joined her for ice cream. With them both sitting on the mat and Skye fast asleep, Tabby moved toward him.

“You don’t mind, do you?” he asked.

“What? Having a new member of the family? No, I don’t. The way she held you. She’s been through a lot. I love her already.” Tabby sighed. “But this means you’re going to work on two fronts to keep me here. You’re going to knock me up and bring in kids that I instantly love.”

“Is it working?” he asked.

“No. You can’t force me to stay when I’m already where I want to be. Bring all the kids you want, knock me up, I don’t care. I’m yours, Simon, always and forever.” She kissed his lips. “I never knew just how big of a family I wanted, but I love it. I love them all, Simon.”

“I’m the luckiest fucking hero in the world.”

He pulled her down, kissing her lips. This was his woman. The love of his life. His soul mate. It could only get better from here.EpilogueTen years later

Tabitha parked the car. “Who’s ready to party?” she asked.

“Mom, really?” Nathan said. “I can’t believe you made me come here. It’s so lame.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, coming to the town fair where you get to hang out with all of your friends is so lame. Next time you want to sneak out at night, I’ll tell your dad to ground your ass and have him come to the school to pick you up.”

“I’m sorry,” Nathan said.

She smiled. “You ready, Jade? Skye?”

She looked at her girls, who nodded. There was also Candice, Jackson, Petra, and Robin. In total, they had seven kids, and she was pregnant with her fourth.

Jade and Skye nodded.