Taken by Rage: Rage Ryders MC (14 page)

W
e are finally pulling into my parent’s driveway after a long day of running errands for my parents, going out to lunch, we even went to the mall the guys wanted me to help then pick out a gift for a wedding present. It was for a friend of theirs from school, who was getting married. That was the highlight of my day, they were both anxious to get out of the mall. I guess crowds make them nervous, they had me squeezed in between them the whole time, if I was claustrophobic I would have had a panic attack with how closed in I was.

I made fun of them the entire time we had been waiting in our booth at my favorite Mexican food restraint waiting for our meal to arrive. I was taken back that Tumbler had agreed to The Ole Mexican Inn. He wasn’t one to come here on his own terms. One of his cousins ran the restraint and he stayed far away from his biological family as possible. He had a very bad childhood stemming from his parent’s alcoholism and his extended family’s ability to turn their heads to the issues and pretend nothing ever was wrong.

When we had pulled in I had told Ryder we should leave and go someone where else. Tumbler said ‘absolutely not, he was with his family and he was letting those people go and taking his life into his own hands.’ My sister has been good on Tumbler and allowing himself to let go of all the bad from his past. Once we had gotten out of the car I pulled him down to me and gave him the strongest bear hug I was capable of and told him I was proud and happy he was my brother. He held me tight and told me he couldn’t have chosen a better sister if she’d been dropped into his lap. I gave him a kiss on the cheek. He and Ryder made today a fun day, and I enjoyed hanging out with my brothers.

I’m brought out of my thoughts of the day when my name is called out by Ryder.

“Riley, come on sis, we’ve gotta get these supplies to your ma and she may need your help.”

I nod my head in agreement and take his offered hand in help getting out of the car and head toward the house where my dad is on the front porch with a huge smile on his face. The yard is nice, small and easy to care for. The driveway is two long strips of concrete leading to the back of the house. The house is made of limestone bricks and it is white and shimmers when the light hits it just right. There is about five steps leading up to the front porch and I run up them into my dad’s waiting arms.

“Hey sweet girl, I’m so happy my beautiful daughters have decided to join us celebrate your mom and my new home. We want you girls here as much as you can, I missed years of having you two under my roof. Please don’t be strangers here, I want to hold you girls in my arms as much as I can in my home so I can dream of what should’ve been for us as a family.”

I hear him choke up on those last words and I have a tear or two myself. I look up into his eyes and let him see the love I have for him even if it hasn’t been too long that he’s been back into my life. There are times it feels like he’s always been there when he gets protective and when he shows me the love he has for me.

“I love you dad, I will come home, here for as long as I am welcome. I will always be your daughter as you will always be my dad. Please don’t be sad and let the past taint our future. You might now have had Sadie and me under your roof, but think of the grandchildren who will one day grace your home.”

I can’t help but laugh at him when he moans at that statement, we turn to walk into the house. He has me under his arm and I swear I hear him mutter something about ‘being too young and good lookin to be a grandpa.’ We’ll, everyone better get used to the idea. I haven’t told anyone yet, not even my girls or Kid, but we will all be graced with a new edition to our family in seven months.

I’m so scared Kid won’t be happy and now with what I heard come out of my dad’s mouth I’m worried my dad won’t be happy either. I don’t care, this baby is mine and if they don’t like it, they can walk away because I won’t. I already feel like a mother, and I am already protective of my little ‘tadpole’ waiting to join the world. Everyone can step-up and support me, or move on and get out of my way.

This isn’t something anyone wants to test me on. Nobody will win on this one, my mom and sister will stand behind me, men be damned. I just need to get them away from the guys so I can tell them, so that tonight when I break the news to Kid before dinner and then to dad at dinner I have their support if things go bad.

Mom and Sadie girl come out of the back of the house as I am leaving those thoughts laughing and their eyes are bright with happiness. I hope this news doesn’t take that look away from them, I really need them right now. Mom sees me and her smile gets even wider if that’s possible and she comes up to me pulling me into her embrace. It always feels good to be in my mom’s arms, especially these days when it’s full of joy and happiness.

“Hi mom, I was hoping I could get a minute of your and Sadie girls time. I need some advice and since you’re the best at that, would you have a moment before it’s time to sit down to eat?”

“Always for my beautiful girls, no one would interrupt us in my reading lounge let’s head in there. Sadie girl! Come with your sister and me.”

“Geez mom, did you need to scream half-way across the room?” She just turns her head over her shoulder and smiles at me as she leads me to her reading lunge. What the hell is a reading lounge? She’s never had one of those before, is it the female version of a man cave?

Yep, it's a woman's cave alright, she's got a fireplace, bookshelves lined with books-my mom is an avid reader, recliner, couches, lamps, you name it she’s got it in here and it’s beautiful with cherry wood floors. Hell, I may move into this room and never leave. Set the baby bed in the corner near the fireplace and never leave unless it’s time to eat.

“Alright baby girl, what is it you needed us for, were all ears?”

“Well, you see, I- well.”

“Spit it out sis, your freaking me the hell out here!”

“I’m...umm... pregnant!”

“What! Oh. My. God, I’m going to be an aunt!”

“Say that again, did I hear you right? Am I going to be a Grammy?”

“A Grammy mom, for real? Riley just said she’s having the first baby and you’re already picking out what your being called?”

“Shut it! I can be called whatever I train my grand-babies to call me. Riley, come here sweetie. I want to hold you in my arms.”

I sprint into my mom’s arms needing her comfort right now. I feel Sadie girl’s arms come around me from behind. They are both telling me about how excited they are and how everything’s going to be alright. They know me well enough to know I have a little bit of panic going off inside of me. It’s why my emotions have been all over the place, I haven’t had the vomiting or any of that. If I hadn’t noticed the unopened box of tampons, I’d never had counted my last periods off and realized something was wrong.

“I haven’t told Kid yet; I want to tell him before dinner tonight. Do you think he will be upset with me? I don’t know how it happened mom, I always take care of birth control and have never, ever missed an appointment or missed a dose as it’s due. You don’t think he’ll blame me and think I’m trying to trap him to me forever do you? We haven’t been together long enough for me to hit him with this. What if he wants to leave me?”

“Are you kidding me right now sis, that guy is not going anywhere. If anything, expect his protective nature to kick up a notch or two where it comes to you. Don’t be surprised if he’s glued to your side through the entire pregnancy either, and also, be prepared you know how he is now if someone touches you, imagine what it’s gonna be like when someone touches your stomach to feel the baby.”

“Good point, my insecurities have been present the last few days even though I’ve worked so hard and have become stronger. I talked to the doctor when I went and he said it’s the hormones, their messing with my emotions that can mess with my progress. He did say however that I may come out of this pregnancy stronger than I went in. The mother in me will be dominant and in turn making me stronger, I will not only be protective but demanding where it comes to my child, myself and most likely Kid.”

“Oh sweetie, you have already grown leaps and bounds. He’s right, your child will bring out strengths within you that were never present before. Just remember when telling Kid, he loves you so very much. Don’t doubt yourself or his love for you. If anything, this baby is going to help that love grow and your bond will be strong and the two of you will become unbreakable. Your already so in love, that we all know it will take a Mack-truck to break through. Now, would you like your sister and me to go get your man so you can tell him he’s going to be a daddy?”

“Yes! Please, thank you.”

“Alright sweetie, wait here and get comfortable, don’t be stressing on this or he’ll come in and see you and jump to the conclusion that something’s wrong.”

“Your right, thank you both of you, I love you both so much.”

I get a hug and kiss on the cheek from both my mom and sister before they leave the room. I take the time grounding myself, breathing in and out in steady breaths and calming my heartbeat and nerves. He’s going to be happy, I know he will. We’ve already talked about children; he’s told me he can’t wait till were married so we can begin. I guess were just jump starting that a little earlier than planned.

A few minutes later, which felt more like an hour later, Kid comes in the room shutting the door behind him. He walks in my direction, where I’m sitting on one of the couches. It’s the one that faces the sliding glass doors looking into the back yard. He sinks to his knees in front of me, he has a worried look on his face.

“Riley baby, is something wrong? Your ma said you needed to talk with me. You look nervous, its, making me anxious. Please tell me nothing’s wrong, tonight’s special.”

Special? We’re only having dinner with the parents.

“Kid, promise me when I tell you this, you will take a minute to absorb it before you freak out.”

“If your tellin me I’m gonna freak Riley, you best spit it out.”

“Kid, you’re going be a dad in seven months.” I hold my breath while waiting for him to respond.

A
m I dreaming? Did that really just happen? Did the woman of my dreams, the love of my life, the woman I plan to ask to marry me tonight just tell me she’s carryin my baby in her womb? She’s carryin a piece of me and her! I didn’t know it was possible, how it could even be, that I just fell more in love with my baby doll in this moment than I was before I walked through that door.

I can’t help myself, before I even say a word to her, I grab her face in both hands. I feel a few tears escape my eyes, I can’t hold them back and I wouldn’t in this moment even if I could. Riley deserves to see how very happy she’s just made me. I pull her to me and meet her lips with mine. The kiss we share isn’t like any we’ve ever had before, this one isn’t hard, passionate, need or want. This one is slow and sensual, full of love and I’m showing her with this one that she’s made my dreams come true. First she gives me her, and now she’s sharing a piece of herself with me. I will forever be able to hold a piece of her and me in my arms and cherish our child that she is gifting me with.

I hope in this moment, in this kiss, this is exactly the message she is receiving from me. I want her to know without a doubt that she owns me, every damn piece of me. I am willingly handing her everything, my heart, my body and my soul. It is all hers, I have no claim to it anymore. I live, breathe and exist for her and our child, and for them alone. She is the best gift than anyone has ever given me. I’m not a man of words, and I’ve never given anyone my emotions except my baby doll. I hope that right now, I’m showin them right so she knows how I truly feel. I pull away from the kiss and just stare into her beautiful eyes.

“I never knew I could love like this. I knew I loved you very much when I walked through that door. I knew I’d lay my life down for you and take a bullet or a freight train headin for you. This baby doll, this gift you’re sharin with me, it’s just filled my heart with so much love. I hope that I love you the way you deserve and I want to show you every day how much you fill me with love and happiness.”

I was gonna propose to my girl tonight anyways, I wanted to do it with our families. I wanted to make them part of our moment, but this right here, what she’s shared with me. This is screaming at me, this is the perfect moment, it’s sayin that it’s our time. It should be a private, intimate moment meant for only the two of us. So that’s what I’m gonna do for my girl.

“I was going to do this tonight in front of our family, but somehow this just feels like the right time. I’m not good with words baby doll, but I’m going to give you my heart right now the best I can. Since I’m already on my knees in front of you I would like to take this time to ask you the most important question of either of our lives.”

I pull myself up where I’m up on my knees where I can reach into my jean pockets. I pull out the burgundy velvet box holdin my girls engagement ring.

“Sadie girl and I went searchin for the perfect ring to sit on your finger. It had to be perfect for ya, I wouldn’t accept anything less, than what you are to me. Riley baby, will you please wear my ring along with the cut that says your mine and I’m yours. I want that piece of paper that binds us together as one. I don’t just want you to be my Ol’ lady, I want you to be my partner in all things in our lives. Legal in the eyes of the citizen law and all things in our world. Please say you’ll accept this ring on your finger and take me as yours in all ways as I want you as mine?”

“Oh my Kid, I love you so much. Yes of course I’ll marry you. You and this little tadpole inside of me are my world. I would be happy and it gives me privilege to carry your name and your cut and abide by all laws. In our world and the legal world. I love you so much baby.”

I’m not sure who jumped up first to get to the other one, but we ended up in each other’s arms, holding each other tightly whispering words of love. I can’t wait to make this woman mine, to hold our baby in my arms and have our family complete. One day adding more rug-rats to the numbers of our family. Lord only knows I can’t get enough of this woman as it is. If we don’t do something about it at some point, we’ll end up with the Brady bunch. And by we, I mean her, ain’t no motherfucker comin anywhere near my nuts.

I love my girl, will do anything for her. I draw the line at anyone comin at my nuts with sharp objects! I’ll keep him covered before that will ever happen, she’s the one who hates the glove in between us.

“Okay baby doll, this is what’s gonna happen, we’re gonna go out and tell everyone that were getting married. We’re gonna have our dinner and then I have a surprise for you. Your gonna do this for me with no questions asked ‘cause you trust me and love me, and I’m askin you to do it. No stallin, tryin to get info outta people, I know you hate surprises and waitin on things. Tonight though, do it without reservation and givin everyone a hard time.”

I wait for her reaction by raisin my eye-brows and givin her my serious look tellin her I’m not gonna let her get away with arguing or whinin her way outta this.

“Deal baby doll?”

“Deal, but can we make it fast. Knowing there’s a surprise waiting for me drives me insane!”

“I know it does, so let’s go get it started then, come on.”

We walk to the door hand in hand and leave the room walking out to join the others in the living room waitin for us to join them.