I won't be stuck with my father though, because I'm not going back there, not for anything. I'm staying right here with Hawk and Gabriel.
I knew the moment I held Gabriel for the first time that I would never give him up, never keep him from his father. My little boy has the best daddy there is, and they deserve to know each other.
“Does this mean you're home for good, darlin'?”
Home.
I like the sound of that.
The truth is, when I was with these people, they were my home. They made me feel like I was one of them, and I was so comfortable with them that I never wanted to leave.
I smile at BlackJack. He's always been a sweetheart to me, more like a father than my own. These big, bad biker outlaws are so much more than the reputation they've acquired. Yes, they do bad things, illegal things, but it's usually for good. Mostly.
Hawk's arm slides around my shoulder as he scoots a little closer to me on the bed. “Yes, Dad, she's home for good.”
I keep my eyes locked with his. A small smile spreads across my face. That's exactly what I want, to be home with him. The fact he's forgiven me so easily shows what an amazing man he really is. I am so lucky to have him in my life, in Gabriel's life.
I've now been awake for almost forty hours, and I don't think I can keep my eyes open much longer. I'm exhausted, and now that I know everything is okay with both Gabriel and me, physically, and that Hawk is going to let us stay with him, I can sleep.
“I'm so tired,” I mumble with my eyes closed.
When did I lay my head on his shoulder?
I sense his smile right before he lowers my head to the pillow below me. “Sleep, baby.”
“Don't leave Gabriel alone. Please.” I won't be able to sleep unless I know Hawk keeps Gabriel with him. I don't ever want my son out of either of our sights. I don't trust my father as far as I could throw him. He might not know that I'm here, but that doesn't mean I want to take any chances.
“Sleep,” He kisses my head. “I won't leave Gabriel, I...” His voice trails off as I lose myself to some much-needed sleep.
* * *
Don't be nervous, baby.” I nod at Hawk.
He's brought me to the clubhouse, even though he informed me that we wouldn't be staying here. His room isn't ideal for a baby and us, but I begged him to let us stay here just for a couple of days. I don't feel safe anywhere else right now. This place is like fort knocks no one can get in without being noticed and shot on sight if he or she, are deemed a threat. Hawk sighed but agreed that we could stay for a while.
I know he has an apartment a mile or so away. I know there is plenty of room for Gabriel and me there, I've been there before, but I am terrified that my father will find me there. All it takes is Hawk to step out the door, just one moment for my father to find me alone and drag me back to the farm with him.
There are plenty of places there that he could hide me away from the world. Believe me, he would keep me a prisoner in his underground shelter for years and years, and no one would ever find me.
BlackJack said we could move in with him and Taylor until we're ready to go back to Hawk's apartment, but Hawk shut that down right away. He said moving back home with his parents would be like walking through fire shoeless.
Hawk said it would be nice if we looked for a house that our own. A place we can start from scratch. So that’s what we’re going to do real soon.
I thought after spending the night in the hospital we could come back to the clubhouse and get settled in. Unfortunately for me, Taylor has called every member of the club and their other halves to throw a welcome home party for Gabriel and me.
As touched as I am, I don't feel comfortable with the way I look right now. I'm covered in bruises that seem to have gotten blacker overnight. However, I don't want to sound ungrateful; the woman has gone all out for my son and me. She bought me new clothes, clothes for Gabriel, diapers, blankets. She didn't have to do that, but she told me she was only too happy to do so. Gabriel is her only grandson, after all.
“Let's go through the back entrance. There's something I want to show you before we meet with everyone.”
I nod and take Hawk's outstretched hand.
I love how he holds our son with such ease; my baby looks so tiny in Hawk's massive arms, yet so perfect. He belongs there. He'll always be safe there.
Hawk leads me through the back and down the long hallway that leads to his – our – room. As soon as the door is open, I gasp in shock. I let go of his hand and clasp mine over my mouth. “Who did this?”
“Maria, Nova, Willow, Coral, and the rest of your friends here.”
I can't believe they did this. There's a beautiful blue crib next to the bed, a baby changing unit against the left wall next to the bathroom door. There's a baby bath beneath it, and more diapers than I've ever seen in one place.
The dresser next to the changing unit is filled with clothes piled high. There are even baby toys in a small box. Bottles next to the bed, brand new and ready to use. The crib is beautiful, blue blankets, musical mobile with small animal figures hanging from it above the crib where my baby will sleep. Gabriel and I are so lucky.
“We'll move everything over to our place as soon as we’ve found the right house for us. No matter where that it, I just want you to be happy, Brooke.”
I turn to look at Hawk; he's smiling at me while gently rocking our son. “As long as I’m with you, I’ll always be happy. I can't believe they all did this.” I really can't.
“They love you, Brooke, and they are so excited to meet this little man.”
I can't wait for them to meet him either. Nova and Willow are the President of the Snakes Henchmen MC, Shepard's, daughters.
Maria is married to the Vice President, Jett, who just so happens to be Willow and Nova's big brother.
Willow is married to Maria's big brother, Hammer, the Sergeant-At-Arms. Nova is married to Hammer's younger brother, Tank, who incidentally, is not Maria's brother, but he is her cousin. Their mothers were twin sisters.
Yeah, it can be confusing. It was for me at first, but I soon got used to it.
“Brooke!” Nova's piercing voice literally made my ears feel like they were bleeding for a second there. Damn, that girl can shout! I've only just walked into the bar, and I hadn't even noticed her standing there.
I laugh loudly as she wraps her arms around me excitedly. “I knew you'd come back.” She holds me at arm's length. “Damn, you look like you've been in a car crash.”
“Geez, Nova, way to make a girl feel good. Hey, babe,”
“Hey,” I smile as Willow hugs me.
Maria pulls me away from Willow, and I swear, the woman is trying to choke me! “I've missed you so much.”
The truth is, I've missed her too. She became my best friend while I was here. We were as thick as thieves, or so her husband used to tell us.
Wrapping my arms around her tightly, I say, “I've missed you, too.”
“I can't believe you have a baby!”
I laugh at the smile on her face. “I didn't even know I was pregnant, Maria. Just knew the moment he was born that I had to get away from that place, and bring him here to Hawk.”
“You did the right thing. God,” She grabs me again. “I'm so happy you're here,” I cling to Maria for a moment, she has always been like a sister to me, and I love her so much.
It doesn't take long before the guys are all hugging me and welcoming me back. It's so nice being back here. Here is where I belong, with these men and women, my family.
“Aunt Brooke!” I laugh and scoop little Ember up in my arms.
This beautiful little brown haired, blue eyed girl belongs to Nova and Tank, four years old and so amazingly loving. However, I guarantee that she will one day be a woman to be reckoned with.
“You came back.”
I can't even believe she remembers me. I've been gone for six months.
“I did, and I'm not going away again.” I laugh, and she hugs me
tightly.
I'm then rushed by Noah, Willow and Hammer's little boy. They have two little boys, Noah and Connor. Connor isn't as outgoing as his big brother. He's firmly planted his one-year-old backside in his daddy's arms.