I couldn’t hide my grin. This was my family, all I needed was right here in this room.
“Shit baby sorry what time is it?”. Sitting up he stretched his arms over his head a groan falling from his lips.
“Just past 10. You hungry. I saved you some dinner”. Walking further into the room I took a seat beside him. “Come eat something please”.
“She’s so precious Ava”. We both sat looking at the beautiful little human we made. “I’m going to do better, try harder. I want to be a good dad”.
“You will be”. I whispered taking his hand in mine. “Go get showered I’ll heat up some food”. Bringing his hand to my mouth I kissed his knuckles “We’ve got you”. I had to show him that I was here. He was the type of man that not only needed to hear it but see it too.
“Yes ma’am”. He smirked giving me a salute.
Putting his plate in the microwave I grabbed him a cold beer from the fridge. I needed to look after him for once instead of the other way round. My mom and dad had already left and there were only a few brothers hanging around.
Feeling his hands slip around my waist he pulled me against him his lips brushing against my ear, his hair still wet from the shower. “You look good in here it suits you”.
“Doing what I should have done from the start”. Placing my hands on top of his I let my head fall back against his chest.
“And what’s that?”.
“Looking after you”. I whispered just as the microwave pinged. Handing him a beer I went about fixing his dinner. He stayed quiet like he was thinking about what I just said.
This was it. It had all finally sunk in about what I needed to do as his old lady. We have had it tough and yes probably worse than anyone else, but we were here together and this time I wasn’t going to let anything get in our way.
We were in this together and I was going to show him just how much I was still in love with him. Our lifestyle was different I had seen how other old lady’s act and honestly, I didn’t think I had it in me to know my place but now I do.
It wasn’t all about being told what to do or being treated horribly because it wasn’t like that. I needed to show him that I knew when to shut my mouth and that I was going to be by his side.
“Ava”. He sighed. “I fell in love with you because you’re mouthy, stubborn and not afraid to speak your mind”. Rubbing a hand over his face I waited for him to continue. “You don’t need to change baby because I need you to be you. I need that confident girl I know you are to keep me on the straight and narrow”.
“I’m still going to be that girl I’m just going to look after you more”. Closing the gap between us I snuck my arms around his waist. “Whatever you need babe”. Brushing my nose against his I stole a kiss. “Eat I’m going to shower before bed”.
Turning off the shower I wrapped a towel around my hair as I dried off my body. Everything was falling into place or so it seemed. After all these years I was finally starting to understand what being part of this lifestyle meant.
I will never be a kept woman, but I could look after my family. Deep down I knew Blaze needed me more than ever. I didn’t fully know what was going on with him, but I trusted he’d tell me when he was ready. Slipping on fresh pyjamas I appeared from the room my eyes landing on Everleigh. Bending down beside her I kissed her forehead
“Mommy loves you little bear”.
Walking into the bar area I was glad to see everyone had headed home. Blaze was sat at the bar along with Cage and Jared.
“Okay boys time to head out”. I grinned as all three heads swung in my direction. “I want him to myself tonight and sober”.
“She kicking us out?”. Cage asked.
Jared smirked gave me a nod and swung his arm around Cages shoulder “Aye kid I believe she is”. Winking at me he pushed Cage towards the doors.
Locking the door behind them I walked towards him taking his hand in mine. “Let’s go to bed”.
..
“Mommy, mommy”. Feeling her little hands against my cheeks my eyes slowly opened a smile forming on my face.
“Hey baby”. Sitting up I lifted her into my lap. She was the reason I got up every morning. She made me a better person. Catching a glance of the clock it was already 9am.
“Blaze made pancakes”. She smiled her hand sneaking up into my hair. “Come mommy”. She was already pushing herself off my lap and running out of the bedroom. Everleigh was a little ball of energy, especially in the morning.
After taking care of business, I slipped on my housecoat and made my way to where all the noise was coming from.
They had made pancakes all right maybe even burnt a few too. Grinning I took the coffee he was offering. “Time has she been up from?”. Everleigh never was one for sleeping in she was always up with the birds.
“5am tried to bribe her into sleeping a little longer but then she pulled a face, stuck out that bottom lip and I was a goner”. Rubbing at his eyes a yawn escaped his mouth.
“She has that technique down to a tee”. I smiled sipping on my coffee. “Go get some sleep I’ve got her”.
“I’m fine sweetheart besides it’s nice to spend time with her even if it does mean 5am wake up calls”. Kissing my cheek his arms slipped around my waist “Gotta take care of a few things this morning but be ready for 12”.
“What’s happening at 12?”. I asked.
He bent down placing a kiss on Everleigh’s head. “Be good for mommy I’ll see you soon”.
“Blaze”. He knew I hated not knowing what was going on.
“Just be ready”.
So, we were. Both of us were ready and waiting outside the clubhouse but it was already 12. 45 and he had yet to show up.
“Mommy is Blaze coming?”. She asked her hand slipping into mine. Truth be told I wasn’t sure if he was coming but my guess was, he had forgot.
“I’m not sure baby”. As soon as the words left my mouth out came the petted lip. She had taken to Blaze far better than I expected. She didn’t know how special she was to him but in time she’ll know the truth.
“H-he not want to come with us mommy?”. My heart broke that little bit more when I heard the quiver in her tone. It made it worse when her little eyes teared up.
Bending down to her level I wiped at her eyes. “Course he does baby but sometimes he’s busy and he forgets things. How bout we go for ice cream?”. I didn’t want her to be sad not over something that I couldn’t control.
“With sprinkles?”.
“With sprinkles and sauce”. I smiled making sure her seat was secure. Closing the car door shut I jumped in the driver’s side but just as I was about to pull out of the lot several bikes pulled in.
“Mommy look it’s Blaze, he made it”. It amazed me at how excited she got when he was around but at the same time, I was grateful.
Watching him park his bike he lifted his helmet off placing it on his front handlebar. Searching through his cut he pulled out a smoke lighting it up. He was with Jared, and it looked like they were in deep conversation.
“I’ll be back in a minute baby”. Unclipping my seatbelt, I made my way towards them.
“Where’s my favourite girl?”. Jared asked as he placed a kiss on my cheek.
“She’s in the car ready to go get some ice cream”. I smiled.
“Fuck”. Blaze hissed catching both our attention. “I’m an idiot I forgot”. Sighing he ran a hand through his hair.
“That’s what I thought and it’s okay maybe next time. I’ll catch you both later”. Turning on my heel I made my way back to the car. He had forgot and it wasn’t a big deal but why did I feel a little disappointed?
“Ava hold up”. Running towards the car he grabbed a hold of my door just as I was about to close it. “Give me 5 minutes and I’ll come with you”.
“Blaze”. Everleigh squealed from the back seat. “We’re going for ice cream”. She grinned.
“Honestly Blaze we can do something another time. I know you’re busy and it’s okay”.
“5 minutes Ava”.
Nodding my head, I watched his back as he disappeared into the clubhouse. Closing my door, I waited and waited some more.
“Mommy”. She groaned.
I wasn’t waiting any longer. Sending him a message I started my car and took off. He was focused on club business, and I was okay with that. I could handle him forgetting plans which is why I was letting it slide. I just hope he wasn’t going to make a habit of letting us down.
Parking the car out front I lifted her from her chair. Taking her hand in mine we entered the ice cream parlour. This was my favourite part, watching her little eyes light up with all the different flavours.
“Mommy can I have chocolate with sprinkles?”. Everleigh wasn’t a greedy child. She never really asked for anything, but it didn’t hurt to treat her every once in a while, and an ice cream wasn’t going to hurt.
“Sure baby”. Standing in the queue I couldn’t help but feel that someone was watching us. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing along with the ones on my arms.
“Ava?”.
Oh god I knew that voice.
“Ava Mendez?”.
“Mommy it’s our turn”. Tugging on my hand she pulled us to the front of the queue. “Wow look”. Pointing behind the counter my eyes landed on the slush machine.
“Do you want one?”. I smiled bending down so I could lift her into my arms.
“Can I?”. She grinned her hand going where is always goes, up and into my hair.
“Sure honey”.
After giving our order I took a seat in one of the booths waiting until it was ready. I always knew there was a chance I would bump into him but for some reason I thought he would have moved away.
“Never thought I’d see you back here”.
Nate Thomas was standing right in front of me!!
And he hadn’t changed one bit.