Ride or Die (Rejects Paradise 4)

“Yeah,” she says so softly that even I feel soothed. “Meet Jackson Bryson Bates, the most cared for and loved child this earth is ever going to come across.”

I reach out and brush my fingers over his tiny little hand. “It’s absolutely perfect,” I tell her, knowing now more than ever that I made the right decision.

Bryson walks around on his knees beside Rebecca, having a few moments together as they celebrate their brand new family, and as they do, Colton moves in beside me, instantly pulling me into his arms as the bittersweet tears roll down my eyes. “You were amazing,” he tells me as his lips press against my temple. “So fucking strong. You’re a goddamn queen. I love every single little thing about you.”

I don’t say anything, just rest my head against his chest, listening to the sound of the ambulance as it quickly gets closer.

Rebecca glances down at me with a nervous expression on her face. “Would you like to hold him? Say goodbye?”

Tears instantly form in my eyes, and I look up at her. “Would that be okay?”

“Of course,” she says, leaning in and passing him to me before showing me just how to hold him.

Rebecca instantly takes a step back with Bryson and gives us this moment of privacy, and as I look down at the perfect little boy that I’ve created, I know that this is for the best.

I slip my fingers into his hand, and as I do, Colton discreetly brings out his phone and captures the moment on video. He knows that one day, I’m going to want to look back at this moment, and treasure it until my dying days.

I look down at his little eyes that look so much like mine. “I’m so sorry,” I murmur. “You don't know how desperately I wish that I could have the strength to be your mother, but you deserve so much more. You need parents who are ready to take on the responsibility and give you the life that you deserve. They’re going to love you so much, treasure you, and give you the world so you can flourish and become the best man this world has ever seen. You’re so strong, and I don’t need to see you grow up to know that.” Tears stream down my face, even more when I hear his tiny little cry for the very first time. “Please don’t grow up hating me for giving you up. I want you to know how hard this has been for me to make this decision, but I know that it’s right. And just know, that one day, if you’re ever curious about me, that I’ll be standing there with open arms, ready to tell you all about it.”

Colton’s arm slips around my waist, and as the ambulance pulls in behind the Veneno, my heart shatters into a million pieces. “I love you so much,” I tell my sweet little baby boy, fearing the moment that I have to hand him back to Rebecca. He squeezes down on my finger, and for just a small moment, I can imagine that he’s telling me that he loves me too. “I will always love you, my beautiful boy.”

The paramedics rush in and quickly check over Jackson before looking over me and then finally cutting the cord. They help me to finish delivering the placenta, and before I know it, it’s time to hand the baby back to his brand new parents.

I’m put into the back of the ambulance with Colton by my side. Rebecca and Bryson follow along with little Jackson, getting him straight to the hospital to give him exactly what he needs to have an incredible start at life.

As we drive, I know that this isn’t the end. I know that one day, I’ll see that little boy again and be honored to watch him grow up and become the guy he was always destined to be. Hell, who knows, maybe even one day, Colton and I might have a little bundle of our own.----------Dominic

Six Years LaterTwo thousand, three hundred, and eighty-two days.

I know it’s only been six and a half years in the slammer and technically, I still have just under four years left of my sentence, but fuck it. I’ve done enough time. I’m over this.

My Widows need me back. It’s time to get back on top.

At first, I was all good to spend a few years behind bars. I had too many enemies, too many people coming after me that being locked up was the safest place for me, but those enemies are gone now, and it’s time to take it all back.

Sure, it kinda sucked leading Ocean to believe that I had turned a new leaf and that she had somehow saved my soul, but it was a means to an end. I do love her though. I hate that she was hurting for being a part of putting me here, but she wasn’t wrong. The time in here did do me good. I was able to put my life into perspective and make amends for the crimes I’d committed, well, at least the bare minimum that I actually admitted to.