I pulled up outside the school. Turning off my engine I got out and walked to Everleigh’s side.
“Come on pretty girl”. Lifting her from her car seat I placed her on the ground next to me. “Look daddy’s here”. I smiled as he pulled into the space next to me.
I could already feel the stares, but I didn’t care. My daughter had the same right as everyone else’s to be here.
“Mommy”. She whispered hooking her arm around my leg.
“She alright?”. He asked resting his arm around my shoulder.
Truth, was I didn’t know. She was so excited this morning and now I wasn’t so sure.
“You’ll be okay baby”. Bending down to her level I took hold of both her hands.
“I okay mommy”. Slipping her arms around my neck she squeezed her face against mine. “Daddy coming”. She grinned holding her hand out for him.
I could have cried right there.
“My girl”. He grinned taking her outstretched hand.
Walking towards the front gates I smiled as we approached Mrs McCall. Her smile was contagious.
“And who do we have here?”. She beamed.
“I Everleigh I go school here”. She giggled.
Mrs McCall laughed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Everleigh. I’m sure you’ll be a little ray of sunshine”. Stretching out her hand Everleigh dropped mine and took hers.
“Bye mommy, bye daddy”.
“Bye baby”. And just like that she walked up the path and headed inside. Never once looking back.
“She’ll be fine sweets”. Feeling his hand on the lower of my back I sighed. He was right I knew she would be fine it was just hard to see her go.
“I’m going into the hospital. You heading to the clubhouse?”. I asked as we began walking to the car.
“Yeah, babe got a little business to take care of. Drop by once you’re done”. Planting a kiss on my lips he held my waist tight. “Did I tell you how fucking good you look today”. He growled.
“You didn’t but I know I do”. I smirked pushing on his chest. “I’ll see you soon”. Kissing him goodbye I got in my car and took off down the street.
Blaze and I were good, I felt good, we were happy. Our baby was happy, and our little peanut was growing safely inside my tummy.
I hoped Ally was working today. I wanted to know Cages reaction to becoming a dad. I knew both were dying to become parents.
Parking near the entrance I turned my engine off and got out. Locking my car, I made my way into the hospital. Inhaling deeply, I smiled. This was home for me. Heading towards the front desk I smiled at the receptionist.
“Ah Ava I was wondering when you were going to come back”. Josh smiled at me as he waved goodbye to a patient. “We should grab some coffee and talk”.
“We should”. I smiled. I wanted my job back. My old job, my old position.
“Do you have a schedule for me?”. He asked taking a sip of his coffee. “You are coming back, right?”.
I opted for tea, I had yet to break the news about my pregnancy. Stirring in some sugar I took the seat in front of his desk.
“Everleigh has preschool Monday to Thursday so I’m free those days. I could also take up the odd bank shift at the weekend”.
“Great when can you start?”. He laughed.
“Am I coming back to my old position?”. I asked.
“Yes of course. You’re great at what you do Ava, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. So can you start tomorrow?”.
“There’s just one more thing”. Chewing on my bottom lip I glanced at him. “I’m pregnant”.
“Oh congratulations. How far along are you?”. He asked.
“I’m not sure but I’ll work right up until I can’t work anymore”. I laughed. It was going to be different this time around. I had Blaze with me. My mom was here also. I wouldn’t need to take another career break.
“I’m just glad to have you back”. He spoke.
“It’s good to be back. I have to go but I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow morning”.
“See you then Ava”.
…
Signalling into the clubhouse a groan left my mouth. It wasn’t even noon yet and the place was packed. The smell coming from the lit BBQ making me queasy.
Kids were running around, club girls were serving drinks, old ladies were scattered all around. Some huddled together, others with their men.
What a life to have. Although it didn’t surprise me that they were having some sort of get together. That’s what they did. I could put money on Marko and his lot showing up later.
Cuts everywhere. It was my dad’s laugh that caught my attention. Stood with a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other rambling on about something him and Tommy had done when they were first patched in. He had all their attention, everyone hanging off his last word.
He was feared by most but respected by all.
“Ava”. He yelled. “Get your ass over here”.
Approaching where he stood, he slung his arm around my shoulder. “Come with your old man for a sec”. Following him through the clubhouse I took a seat in his office as he shut the door.
“Where’s Blaze?”. I asked.
“Busy”. Taking his seat at the top of the table he lit up a cigarette. “You good?”. He asked.
Making a face I frowned. He would pull me in every so often to have a chat with me but this one felt different.
“I’m fine”.
“He treating my girls, right?”.
“Dad”. I sighed. Turns out it wasn’t that different from all the rest. Always wanting to know if Blaze was taking care of us.
“Fucking better be now he’s knocked you up twice”. My mom never could keep anything from him.
“I was going to tell you”.
“Aye fucking when. You gonna wait until he was born?”.
“He?”. I grinned. They always thought Everleigh was a boy, heck even I thought she was a boy.
“Got a feeling this time darling”. Taking a draw of his cigarette he smiled at me. “You happy?”. His question threw me off slightly. I wasn’t not happy. Another baby wasn’t part of the plan just yet, but it didn’t change anything.
“I’m fine, we’re fine”.
“Fine isn’t happy sweetheart. What’s going on with you?”. I always knew when I talked to my dad it didn’t leave the room. Could say it was a way for me to vent and someone to listen.
“I want him to be around more. Being a parent is challenging work and if I wanted to do it on my own, I wouldn’t have moved back here. It’s exhausting I’m exhausted. I shouldn’t have to still do it on my own”.
“You’re not on your own Ava”.
“You know what I mean. I get that’s he’s busy and a lot of shit happens but she’s three dad. I want her to know her dad, for him to be here. Not run away when he needs to clear his head”. I felt a little guilty because I knew Blaze was trying but he wasn’t trying hard enough.
My full life changed when I had Everleigh. I put my life on hold, my career on hold and I would never change that. She was and is my world and I would do anything to keep her safe and make her happy. I was her mom; I was always going to be her mom.
“He missed out at the beginning and that wasn’t his fault but we’re here now. I want him to know that we’re not going anywhere. It’s just hard”. I sighed.
“I don’t know what you want me to say kid”. Running a hand down his face he cleared his throat. “I’m stepping down real soon. Your moms on my ass all the time, getting too old to ride sweetheart. Blaze is next in line”.
“And I’ll be by his side when he does”. Of course, I would be. I would be there always. “I’m just venting and if I vent to you, it saves me an argument later”.
“You gotta be straight with him Ava. When he takes over-…”
“I already know dad. I’m all in and he knows this. I’m going to get a drink and cool down”.
“You sticking around. Marko will be here soon”. Scraping back his chair he got to his feet.
Called it.
“I pick Everleigh up at 4 but we’ll drop by. Where’s mom?”. I hadn’t seen her since this morning.
“Fucking shopping”. He sighed. “You need anything you give me a shout”. Kissing my cheek, I followed him out in the bar area.
“Thanks dad”. Going behind the bar I poured myself some water filling it with loads of ice.
“Grab me a beer sweetheart”. Opening it up I placed it on the bar for him. “I’ll be in the office”.
I had a few hours to kill and no energy to do anything. I had no idea where Blaze was. My dad said he was busy, and we all knew what that meant.
“Cage I swear to god”….
Finally, she made an appearance.
“You don’t have to follow me everywhere I go”. She sighed taking a seat at the bar. “Help me”. She cried.
“You’re my woman, you got my kid inside you”.
“Cage if you want to keep giving me children then I suggest you get out of my face”.
“Ava help me out”. He asked.
Shaking my head I poured her a glass of water. “No now go away and give her peace”.
“Fucking woman you’re all the same”. He growled before disappearing outside.
“He’s driving me insane”. She groaned. “He won’t even let me pee on my own”. Taking a sip of her water she sighed. “Is it hot I’m so hot and not to mention the spewing”.
“I hear you”. I smiled. I hadn’t been sick for a few days. I was counting my blessings. I was sick all day everyday with Everleigh.
“Did you tell him?”. She whispered.
“He found the test”.
“And?”.
“He was pissed I didn’t tell him; we argued a little and then we decided we’re having baby number 2”.
“Everything will be okay”. Placing her hand on top of mine she squeezed. “We got this A”.
“Sure, we do”. I grinned.
“Oh god I need the bathroom”.
I couldn’t help but laugh. I was so excited for her. She would be the best mom. Rounding the bar, I took a seat at one of the tables. It wouldn’t be long before this place was crowded and in full party mood. They liked to drink and celebrate for no reason.
“I swear he’s not getting near me again anytime soon”. Ally huffed as she sat next to me. “I have an appointment at the hospital on Friday just to make sure I’m really pregnant”.
“I’m pretty sure you are”. I smiled.
I still hadn’t been to see my doctor yet. I would of course make the appointment I was just waiting a little longer.
“I’m terrified”. She whispered. “Cage is so excited and I’m scared I mess it up”.
“You won’t”. Taking a sip of my water I felt the sweat on my forehead. It was too damn hot. “Enjoy being pregnant”. I smiled.
I loved having my pregnancy bump. There was no better feeling than knowing your baby was growing inside of you.
“Where’s Blaze?”.
“No idea”. I shrugged.
“You two alright?”. She asked.
“We’re fine I’m just overthinking”. The worst trait I had was I couldn’t stop thinking the worst. I didn’t have my dad growing up, I didn’t want my children to go through the same.
“I need to pee again”. She groaned. “But I want to know what’s going on with you and the overthinking”. As she left for the toilet I slipped back behind the bar for some more water.
I was sweating, thirsty and maybe even a little dehydrate. Pouring some more water into my glass I added ice.
“There she is”…
Great just what I needed.
“I hear my cousin knocked you up again”. He laughed.
“Always a pleasure Duke”. Gritting my teeth, I smiled sweetly at him. Blaze was going to get knocked out for sharing our news before I had even had my first scan.
“Grab us a beer darling. I need to go see your old man”.
“No”. I smirked taking my water and going back to my table.
“Bitch”. He muttered.
Rubbing a hand over my face I heard the roar of bikes from outside. My guess, Marco and his club had arrived.
“Constantly peeing”. Ally sighed as she sat down beside me. “I’m craving coffee so bad”.
“I want a cigarette”. I needed it, wanted it but no way in hell was I giving in.
“Could you not even have a sneaky one?”. She asked.
“He’d kill me”. He freaked out over a cup of coffee. Could you imagine what he’d be like if I smoked a cigarette.
“We’re doomed”. She laughed.
“Only for nine months”. I winked.