Chapter Thirteen
Jackson
I stood there, arms crossed as I leaned against the bar in the Savage Raptors’ clubhouse, the weight of my decision bearing down on me. Mia stood beside me, Poppy cradled in her arms, their presence a reminder of what I’d found and what was now at stake. Returning home to Alabama meant facing my family, especially my father, Cowboy. It wasn’t going to be easy, but I had to do it for Mia and Poppy -- my wife and daughter. They deserved a stable home, and I was determined to provide that for them, no matter what it took. Deep down, I knew my parents would accept Mia. What worried me was the fact they might be disappointed in me. I’d kept silent for so long, and pretty much ghosted them. I knew it had to have hurt them. I didn’t think they’d be upset over me stepping up to claim Mia. But I also didn’t want to admit to them Poppy wasn’t mine biologically. However, the moment they did the math and realized Mia had gotten pregnant at seventeen, my life would be over because they’d both murder me.
“Are you sure about this, Jackson?” Mia asked, her eyes mirroring my own uncertainty.
“Yeah, babe,” I replied, forcing a smile. “We need to be with family, and the Dixie Reapers are our family too. Besides, Poppy deserves to know her grandparents. They’re going to love the two of you.”
“Okay,” she said, nodding. Her trust in me both humbled and terrified me. I couldn’t let them down. No matter how pissed-off my dad might be, I’d have to face it. I knew Danica had been right back at nationals. I should have told my family long ago.
Taking a deep breath, I pulled out my phone and dialed Wire’s number. The line rang twice before he answered.
“Hey, Wire,” I said when the call connected.
“How’s my favorite cowboy?” Wire replied, his lively tone bringing a slight grin to my face.
“I need your help. Again. Mia, Poppy, and I are moving back to Alabama, and I want to make sure everything goes smoothly. Can you handle the logistics? No one knows about them except you and Lavender. I know a lot of people are going to feel hurt and even angry, but I don’t want them taking it out on my wife and kid.”
“Of course,” Wire assured me. “You just focus on getting your family settled in, and I’ll take care of the rest. Head straight to your place. I’ll get Lavender to drop off some groceries.”
“Thanks, Wire,” I said, my gratitude evident in my tone. “I appreciate it more than you know.”
“Hey, we’re family,” he replied. “That’s what we do.”
Hanging up, I turned to Mia and Poppy, determination settling in my chest. It was time to face the challenges that lay ahead, but with them by my side, I knew we could handle anything. And as long as we had the support of our Dixie Reapers’ family, we’d find our place in this new chapter of our lives.
I hoped I’d be able to give Mia and Poppy the home they deserved. They both needed stability, and people who cared. I knew I was the only one who’d ever loved Mia, and it broke my heart when I thought about it. Her parents should have been there for her, not used and abused her.
“Ready to go home?” I asked. “This time will the last… Unless we outgrow the house.”
She nodded. “As I’ll ever be. Let me just change Poppy once more.”
Thankfully, Meredith, Lynx’s wife, had found some clothes for Mia, as well as the basics Poppy would need until we made it back to my parents’ ranch. I’d driven here, so I had my truck, which meant I was out of reasons to delay the trip any longer. I helped Mia get Poppy settled in her infant seat, then buckled Mia into the passenger seat. Leaning in, I brushed my lips against hers.
“Everything’s going to be fine. I love you,” I said.
“I love you too.” She kissed me again.
“Give me just a minute to ask Lynx something, then we’ll head out.” I backed away and shut the door.
Lynx watched me with a raised eyebrow, and I shoved my hands into my pockets, suddenly feeling like a kid approaching the principal’s office. “Something on your mind?”
“Mia’s parents, Carter and his… I know your club is handling them, but I need proof they won’t come after my family again. Otherwise, I’ll be sleeping with one eye open for a while,” I said.
Lynx pulled out his phone and sent a text to someone. Not long after, he got a reply and the images he showed me nearly made me throw up. I knew the club would be brutal, just like the Dixie Reapers, but I hadn’t expected them to dismember the bodies.
“What the fuck?” I asked.
“The girls had it easier. At least they were dead when they were cut up. Looks like they had their teeth knocked out, and I see some bruising along what’s left of their necks. Want me to find out all the details and give you a definitive answer as to what happened?” he asked.
I lifted my hands. “Hell no. I’m good. Although, I may not eat for a while.”
“Get your family home, Jackson. Don’t think about those people ever again and do your best to forget those images I just showed you. You may be a Reaper’s kid, but that’s not your lifestyle and you know it. Let the rest of us handle the gory details.”
I thanked him again and got into the truck. It was going to be a long-ass drive, and I wasn’t looking forward to it.
We drove for several hours before pausing to stretch our legs, and I could tell my girls needed a break. After a bite to eat, we’d gotten back on the road. After roughly twelve hours since we’d left the Savage Raptors’ clubhouse, I could see the fence line for my parents’ place.
The stars shone brightly overhead as we pulled down the long drive of my parents’ ranch. The familiar sight of the white wooden fence and weathered red barn filled me with a mixture of nostalgia and trepidation. I could see the house in the distance, its wraparound porch a warm and comforting embrace that held memories of laughter and family gatherings.
Mia’s hand gripped mine tightly, her knuckles turning white with tension. I knew she was just as anxious as I was, if not more so. We’d talked about this moment countless times, but the reality of it weighed heavy on our hearts.
“Time to get this over with,” I said.
Mia glanced at Poppy in her car seat, gently brushing a wisp of hair from the baby’s forehead. Together, we stepped out of the truck, my boots crunching on the gravel as the sounds of the ranch enveloped us -- the distant whinny of horses and the soft rustle of leaves in the wind. It felt like both an eternity and a heartbeat ago since I’d last stood here. Mia got Poppy out of the truck and held her close.
As we approached the house, I couldn’t help but recall all the times I’d run up those steps, eager to share stories of my rodeo triumphs with my family. This time, however, I wasn’t bringing home trophies or tales of victory -- I was bringing a wife and a child they’d never met, born from less-than-ideal circumstances.
My heart pounded in my chest, my lungs constricting with each breath. I felt the weight of their potential judgment bearing down upon me, threatening to suffocate me. I wanted nothing more than for my family to accept Mia and Poppy, to welcome them with open arms and understanding. But the fear of disappointment gnawed at the edges of my mind, threatening to consume me whole.
“Jackson,” Mia whispered, her eyes searching mine. “No matter what happens, we’re in this together. Remember that.”
I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves. I knew she was right -- our love and commitment to each other was what mattered most, and together we could face anything.
“Let’s do this,” I murmured, my resolve strengthened by her unwavering support.
With one last look at the home that held so many memories, I squeezed Mia’s hand and led her up the porch steps, my heart racing with anticipation and anxiety. My hand hovered over the doorbell, hesitating for only a moment before pressing it firmly.
As the chime echoed through the house, I braced myself for the unknown, praying that my family would find it within themselves to accept the new life I’d built with Mia and Poppy.
The door swung open, revealing my father’s imposing figure. His icy blue eyes narrowed as they took in the sight of me, Mia, and Poppy nestled in her arms. I could feel the tension radiating off him like heat from a bonfire.
“Jackson,” he said gruffly, his voice laced with both surprise and disappointment. “You’ve got some explaining to do.”
My throat tightened, and for a moment, I struggled to find the words. Mia’s fingers dug into my hand, a silent reminder of our strength together.
“Dad, this is Mia, my wife,” I began, fighting to keep my voice steady. “And this little one is our daughter, Poppy.”
His gaze shifted to Mia, then to Poppy, before settling back on me. The silence hung heavy between us, each passing second stoking the fire of his disapproval.
“Inside,” Cowboy ordered, stepping aside to let us enter. As we crossed the threshold, I could sense the storm brewing within him.
Once we were all gathered in the living room, Cowboy finally spoke, his voice dangerously calm. “You think just because you went out there, playing cowboy and starting a family without so much as a word, that you can waltz back in here and everything will be fine?”
“Poppy is your granddaughter, Dad,” I replied, trying to keep my emotions in check. “Isn’t that enough?”
“Enough?” He scoffed, shaking his head. “You left us, Jackson. You abandoned your family, your responsibilities. And you know damn well I don’t mean because you were gone. You’ve done the rodeo thing for a long-ass time, but you were always in constant contact with us, and you came home between events if you were close enough. But now you come back with a wife and a child, expecting us to pick up the pieces?”
I flinched at his words, feeling the sting of truth behind them. My own doubts and fears echoed in my mind, mocking me. Was I really worthy of their forgiveness, of their acceptance?
“Maybe it’d be better if we just left,” I choked out, the weight of my father’s disappointment crushing me. “We can find our own place, make our own way.”
“Jackson, don’t,” Mia whispered, her eyes pleading with me to reconsider.
But as I searched my father’s face for any sign of acceptance or understanding, all I found was a cold, hard wall of resistance. Maybe it was better this way, I thought. Maybe I didn’t deserve their love after all.
“Fine,” Cowboy said, his voice tight with barely restrained anger. “If that’s what you think is best, then go. But know that you’re walking away from more than just your family, Jackson. You’re walking away from everything we’ve built together, from the life you could have had here.”
As his words sank in, I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces. The weight of my choices, my responsibilities, pressed down on me, threatening to crush me beneath their burden. And for a moment, I almost let them.
Just as the last word left my father’s lips, my mother appeared in the doorway, her eyes soft and kind. She took one look at the scene before her and instantly understood the gravity of the situation. With a grace that only she possessed, she stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Cowboy’s arm.
“Enough,” she said firmly, her voice steady but soothing. “This isn’t helping anyone, least of all Jackson. I understand why you’re angry. I’m upset too, but it looks like we have more important things to consider right now. Our boy may not have kept in touch, and lied his ass off by omission, but we have a new daughter-in-law and grandbaby to focus on.”
Cowboy clenched his jaw and looked away, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. But even he knew better than to argue with my mother when she took that tone. It was the voice of a woman who’d spent years nurturing and guiding our family, a voice that demanded respect and obedience.
“Jackson,” my mother continued, turning her gaze to me. “Your father is worried, as any parent would be. But we are your family, and we will always be here for you, no matter what. You don’t have to face this alone.”
Her words were like a balm to my wounded heart, easing some of the pain and doubt that had taken root there. I wanted so badly to believe her, to trust that my family would stand by me despite everything.
But before I could respond, Poppy’s cries pierced the tense silence, her tiny voice a desperate plea for comfort. The sound seemed to jolt Mia into action.
“Shh, it’s okay, baby girl,” Mia whispered, her voice a soothing lullaby as she rocked Poppy gently in her arms. “Mommy’s here.”
I watched as Mia’s love for our daughter shone through every movement, every touch. Despite everything she’d been through, she was strong, resilient, and fiercely protective of our little girl. And in that moment, I knew I would do whatever it took to give them the life they deserved, even if it meant standing up to my own father.
“Thank you, Mom,” I murmured, feeling a newfound resolve settle in my chest. “I know this isn’t easy for anyone, but I’m not walking away from my family. Mia and Poppy deserve better than that.”
My mother smiled at me, her eyes warm and proud. She reached out and squeezed my hand, a silent promise of support and understanding. And as I stared into her loving gaze, I felt a spark of hope ignite within me, a fragile flame that refused to be extinguished.
Poppy’s cries echoed through the room, drawing everyone’s attention to Mia and the tiny baby cradled in her arms. My mother was the first to move, stepping forward with a soft smile and guiding hand. “Here, let me help,” she murmured, gently adjusting Poppy’s position in Mia’s arms.
“Thank you,” Mia whispered, her eyes filled with gratitude as she looked up at my mother. I could see the relief in her expression, and it warmed my heart to know that she was beginning to feel welcome here.
“Would you like a bottle for her?” my mother asked, already heading toward the kitchen. “I can heat one up.”
I started to ask why they had stuff like that already but decided to keep my mouth shut. Either Mom had been helping out single mothers in the area again, or someone had tipped her off I’d be bringing a baby home, and she’d just put on the best act of her entire life.
“Please,” Mia replied, returning her attention to our daughter as she continued to rock and soothe her.
“Jacey, why don’t you show Mia where the nursery is?” my father suggested, his voice softer than before. It seemed that Poppy’s arrival had shifted the atmosphere in the room, reminding everyone of what truly mattered.
“Of course,” my mother agreed, leading Mia and Poppy down the hall.
As they disappeared from sight, my father turned to me, his expression unreadable. “Jackson, I’m sorry if I came across too harsh earlier. It’s just… hard to see you like this, with so much responsibility on your shoulders. This is different from helping out around here. You have two people who will be relying on you from now. And that girl…”
“Thank you, Dad,” I said, swallowing the lump in my throat. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, but I couldn’t deny the truth in them. I had changed, and so had my life. But I wouldn’t let that hold me back -- I would do whatever it took to make things right for Mia and Poppy. “I’ll tell you more about them later. Just know, I married Mia because of your influence in my life.”
“Your mom wants the three of you to stay in the house the next few days. Your place needs to be aired out and properly prepared for a family. She saw Lavender heading over there and stopped her. Guess that means you asked her or Wire for help in setting your place up before you got here.”
“I did, and I don’t want to be an inconvenience. I know I should have told the two of you about Mia sooner, but… I was scared. I didn’t want to disappoint the two of you.”
“Your mother and I are here for you, son,” he continued, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “We may not always agree on everything, but we want what’s best for you and your family.”
“Thank you, Dad,” I replied, my voice thick with emotion. “That means more to me than you know.”
As we stood in the living room, our differences momentarily put aside, I felt a strange sense of belonging wash over me. It was as if, for the first time in a long while, I truly understood where I fit within this family. I’d spent so much time doubting myself and my parents. Not that I had ever worried I’d never be able to achieve my dream, but there had been times I’d worried I wouldn’t be enough for Mia and Poppy. Even though I had a great example of what being a father was all about, it didn’t mean I’d be any good at it. And though the road ahead would be filled with challenges and uncertainty, I knew that, together, we could face it all.
My mother’s laughter drifted down the hall, accompanied by Mia’s responding giggle, and my heart swelled with love and gratitude. This was the beginning of a new chapter in my life -- one filled with hope, healing, and the promise of a brighter future for Mia, Poppy, and me.