I suppose this Cordelia girl could do worse than a man like Mike. Ex-Military, the man Nova loves to spar with, in the boxing ring, because he's not afraid to fight the little assassin.
“How's your girl doing these days?”
“She's good, Trace. She's real good. In fact, she's perfect. Having her with me every day, knowing she's with me for good settles the monster within me.”
“When's the wedding?”
“To be honest, Ice, we don't have a date yet. Gabe's already two months old, so soon, brother. Brook wants the wedding at the end of June, so then, I guess.”
I don't know why we've waited this long, but I know how important this whole thing is to Brooke. She wants the perfect dress, and her sister to attend — not big demands in the grand scheme of things. The dress is easy, Brooke and my mother have been dress shopping a few times. However, Brooke hasn’t found her perfect dress yet. I have no doubt that she will soon.
Getting Brooke's sister here for the big day is a little more tricky. Her husband will never allow her to come here, not when we have so many different races of man and woman part of the club. Racist bastard. It won't stop me trying to contact her, in any case. If there's a way I can bring Marnie and Brooke together for the wedding, even if it's just for that day, I will.
* * *
Shepard had me working like a damn dog in the garage for the rest of the day. He came back from where he'd been – none of anyone else's goddamned business – in a foul mood. So foul, he smacked Cannon in the mouth for merely asking what was wrong.
I learned early on in life never to so much as look at Shepard when he's angry. Don't say a word when you hear him breathing a mile away; he'll kill you soon as look at you. Someone ought to have warned Cannon. It never hurts to find these things out first hand, however. Cannon is fine, though, nothing but a busted lip. He'll get much worse during his time with us.
Shepard gave everybody what for, then handed out shit jobs just to get us out of his face. Anyone felt like arguing, he'd put a bullet in our heads. At that moment, I believed he would.
He put me on a job with Mike, a job fixing up an old motorcycle. It's a pile of junk, and it'll take months of hard work to get up and running. I don't have time with everything else Shepard has me doing each day to complete the damn thing. I didn't point out the obvious. I didn't feel like having the Prez break my jaw. So, I stood in that garage with Mike, fixing up that damn bike, and hoping Red didn't walk in and kill us for messing with his shit for five hours straight.
It was all right for Mike; he's used to working in the garage with Red, I am not. Red runs the place and has for years. He's quite particular about whom he has working here. The club might own the place, but Red's in charge. I wouldn't say I'm terrible at mechanics, but it's not like I'm an award winner mechanic.
CueBall came bounding over in that way he does and told us to pack up and go home. Us and the four others working their fingers to the bone in the garage. CueBall said that Shepard had gone home, technically he hadn't told us we could go, but CueBall knew Shepard hadn't intended for us to be there for so long.
I hope whatever has been bothering the Prez doesn't last too long. It's not a very pleasant working environment when Shepard is pissed. The clubhouse is not a great place to be when he's like that either.
Brooke was asleep by the time I got home, that's how late it was. Who the fuck works on a damn bike until 11: PM? As if I hadn't worked hard enough all day as it was. I took a shower, then warmed up the chicken pasta dish Brooke made and left in the oven for me. I'd managed to put the empty plate in the sink just as Gabe started crying.
I make my way up the stairs to grab him when I fail to hear Brooke stir. That's never happened before; she must be exhausted. I look over at my girl while lifting Gabe from his crib. She's completely lost in sleep, and I can't help smiling. “I hope your mommy expressed some milk before she fell asleep, little man.” I don't want to wake her if I don't have to.
I'm in luck; two bottles of expressed milk are ready in the fridge. I grab one and out it to warm while rocking and gently shushing my son. Who knew babies could scream so loudly when they're hungry? Jesus, my boy, has a good set of lungs on him!
“There we are, little man.” I smile when his mouth seeks out the nipple. The second he finds it, he's quiet, the milk filling his tiny stomach.
Once he's done with his milk, which doesn't take him long, he takes after his old man for that, I lift him against my bare chest and rub his back. I'm still standing with my back against the kitchen counter, barefooted, and wearing sweats when Brooke walks into the room. She's wearing those tiny shorts I love so much, with that tight as hell tank top of hers, sleep still in her eyes. She stands to look at me for a moment with a smile on her face. “That's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.” I smile as she comes closer. She kisses Gabriel's head, then my lips softly. “I'm sorry I didn't hear him wake. I've never done that before. I didn't realize how tired I was.”
“I left you to sleep because you looked so peaceful.”
“Thank you.” I wrap my arm around her, and I kiss her again. “What time did you get home?”
“Couple hours ago.” I give her a quick rundown of my day.
“Do you think this woman could be Ghost's sister? I mean, there's no reason she'd have to pick him out of everyone and say they're related if they're not. She must have some proof?”
“That's what Trace is finding out.” Brooke smiles at me slightly when I kiss her head. “I'm not sure Cannon cares after the smack in the mouth Shepard gave him.” I chuckle.
“Well, at least he didn't smack you in your gorgeous face.” I roll my eyes and laugh. Brooke's chuckles to herself, and hugs me. “It's been a long day,” I nod in agreement. “Gabe won't wake for his next feed for a few hours, so let's go to bed. Tomorrow is a new day.”
So optimistic is Brooke. Always looking to tomorrow to be better than the day before. Life is what you make it, so my Brooke always tells me. I'm going to make our life amazing.
You mark my words.
Chapter Twelve
Ghost
It's a warm evening. Strangely for this time of year. Sitting on the porch with a bottle of beer is just what I need. I really should be inside helping Avery with the boys. I should be, but my mind is on other things. Shit, the only thing my mind should be on is my wife and young sons.
I never thought I'd be where I am today. I never thought I'd meet a man who'd take me into his heart, treat me like his son, give me a family. I definitely never thought I'd meet a woman who'd take my heart and keep it for her own. Avery is my world. My boys are my world. Hell, they're my universe. I fought almost to the death for Avery. I almost lost her when she tried to take her own life to be with me. If it wasn't for Hammer, I fully believe we'd both be dead by now. Draven Vidal would have killed me, no question about that. Avery would have taken her own life one way or the other. I own Hammer a lot for what he did. Letting his half-brother into his life to save mine.
Can't deny that Hammer and Draven have a close bond these days. He even came around to Maria being his sister. The man loves her like you wouldn't believe. If I'm honest with myself, there was a time I thought Hammer would off himself. Never thought he'd settle down with Willow and have kids with her. Like Avery and me, they have two boy
s. Funnily enough, their kids are the same ages as mine. Crazy how things work out.
“Hi, Daddy,” I casually turn my head and smile at Daniel, my eldest as he walks through the front door. He's in his little fireman print PJ's, fresh from his bath, his little sneakers on his feet. He shouldn't be out here without a jacket on; his mother will go crazy. However, Daniel is warm bloodied like his old man. He'll be fine for a few minutes.
I chuckle as he holds his arms out to me. I lift him onto my lap and kiss his head, stroking his dark hair at the same time. My boys mean the world to me, but this little man almost never was. It makes me appreciate him so much more. “You're supposed to be in bed.”
“But my wanted to see Daddy.” He lies his head on my chest and hums to himself. “My love Daddy.”
“And Daddy loves you, Daniel. Daddy loves you so much.” I honestly don't think he or his brother will ever understand what they mean to me. Before they were born, I had no blood relatives on this earth. It was only ever me. Then Daniel came along, and I had someone to share my blood. Of course, then came Vinny, and I was awed by the fact I had my own family, Avery, Daniel, and Vinny.
“Papaw!” Daniel yells while pointing. I roll my eyes. Daniel knows the sound of Red's bike from half a mile away. Please don't ask me how he knows the difference, but he does. He clambers off my lap and rushes towards Red. Red is off his bike in time to catch Daniel. “My papaw!”
“Little man!” Red loves my kids, and it shows in the way he holds them to him. He loves me like a son, my kids like his grandchildren. His sons are my little brothers, my kids their nephews, and I'll always love Red and Tammy for the family they gave me.
“My missed you, papaw. Where's Nana?”
“She's at home with the boys. Shouldn't you be in bed?” Red asks my boy while taking a seat beside me, sitting Daniel on his lap. I know why he's here, and I don't want to hear it. I've done nothing but think about it for days. It can't be true. I don't have room in my life for it to be true.