Storm the Night: An Iron Guardians MC Romance Novella

16. Epilogue

Valentine’s Day

Lily and I were standing inside a dress shop. Apparently, Sharon’s Diner was having some Valentine’s Day by reservation only dinner and she and Sawyer were going together. Lily worked at Sharon’s so it surprised me that she would want to have a date night where she worked but she loved her job.

“Ok, I’m coming out. Don’t laugh.” Her warning made me smile.

“I won’t. Stop. I’m sure you look fine.”

“Ugh! I never dress up. I hate dressing myself. Wish I could just wear my apron. How funny would that be? Sawyer shows up all nice and I’m in my apron. Ha!” She was absolutely ridiculous.

“Come on! Come out already.” I said to her. I could hear her blow out a breath. Finally, the door opened and she came out in these black gaucho pants paired with a lace reddish-purple top that made her boobs look amazing. “You look amazing! LOVE that top and those pants are amazing. Your boobs looks great! Sawyer”s gonna love it! What shoes are you gonna wear? And you need an over shirt or you’ll freeze tonight.”

She spun around and looked at herself in the mirror. “This outfit is totally me. I like it. I have a pair of shoes at home. I’m not worried. I have a sweater too.”

“You’re making me want to buy a pair of pants too!”

“Do it!! Ryder will love it. They are easy to take off too…if you know what I mean.” She laughed at her own joke hysterically.

“Oh my god, you’re hilarious.” I said and laughed because her laughter was contagious and made me laugh. Lily has become a really great friend.

“Let’s get out of here. Thanks for helping me. I know it ate up your lunch hour.” She said.

“Oh, you’re fine. Wouldn’t have wanted to spend it any other way! Have fun tonight! Don’t be a slut… or do…whatever floats your boat.” We laughed and headed our separate ways.

*

About a month ago, Ryder and I went shopping for my own car. I hadn’t had my own car in years, so it was like learning to drive all over again. Luckily, I still had an active license so Ryder took me out on some old country road so I could make all my mistakes away from the rest of traffic. I’m happy to report, I only hit a curb three times and only got stuck in a ditch once. It was a small ditch. Not bad.

It was nice to have my own car to be able to go hang with any of the girls if I just wanted to get out for a bit. I also got a job in a law firm locally as their legal secretary. I really didn’t want anything major. I didn’t have much debt because Colin had to pay me a sizeable amount during the divorce, and I was able to take care of all my stuff.

The job was so I had some independence, making my own money. Ryder was amazing and I knew he would never complain about helping me, but it was important for me to get back on my feet fully. I loved my new job.

Pulling into the driveway at home, I noticed Ryder was home already. I for sure thought he would be gone most of the day, but I was excited to see him. As cheesy as it sounds, I hate being away from him and look forward to getting off work and getting home to him each day. Our weekends are always full of club events or date nights. He hasn’t changed one bit and is still as sweet and caring as the first time I met him.

I’ve gotten to explore so many new sides of myself with him. I never dreamed I could have a life like this. Almost a year post divorce and it’s like my life has always been this way. I know it hasn’t but it’s like every good day makes one bad day fall further in the rear view. I don’t think about Colin at all. I don’t where he is or if he’s even still in the area. I’m almost certain the club is keeping tabs on him but I wouldn’t know for sure. I feel safe with Ryder. I always have and that hasn’t changed.

Being with Ryder has made me realize just how precious this life is and we only get it once. With each day that passes, I know I want to live it to the absolute fullest and being able to do it while being my most authentic self is a blessing that I’ll never take for granted. Ryder has given me that. We have an exciting future ahead of us.

I was looking forward to a quiet night at home for Valentine’s Day. Walking inside, the house lights were dim and there were flower pedals leading from the front door to the bedroom. What was he up to you, I asked myself. Ryder still surprises me and it’s always so special. I set my purse on the couch and kicked my shoes off along with my jacket and headed for our bedroom. We moved into the same room together right after our first time.

When I opened the door, there were candles on the window ledge, flower pedals on the bed and the room smelled heavenly and warm like vanilla and musk. Ryder was sitting in the chair across from our bed with flowers in his hand. Standing up, he came up to me and kissed me.

“Ryder, this is beautiful. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day, pretty girl. I keep thinking about how much I love spending every minute with you, talking to you, loving you, sexing you…” We laughed and then he continued. “I’ve memorized everything about you so I’m never without you during the day. From the way you cover your mouth when you chew your food, to how your teeth look like a little bunny rabbit when you’re trying not to smile too big but it’s so damn cute. I love how you toss your head back when you laugh. I catch myself smiling when I think about our future and kids…and I don’t even know if you want kids. If you don’t, it’s ok. I just imagine sometimes a little you running around to give me a heart attack and then I imagine that little version of you getting older and hitting curbs and getting stuck in ditches.”

We laughed again and I brought my hands to my face feeling flush, thinking about it all. “Ryder…”

“No, it’s ok. I don’t want to overwhelm you. I’m going down a hole. I just wanted to tell you I love you so much and…”

Cutting him off, I blurted, “I’m pregnant.”

He looked stunned. “Wait, what?”

“Iiii’m pregnant. So, you, um…won’t have to wait long to know if there will be a little me or a little you running around.”

“Are you serious? This isn’t some joke because of everything I said? You aren’t trying to freak me out here? You’re serious?”

I laughed and said, “I’m serious. I’ve known for a couple weeks, and I took five different tests because I wanted to be a million percent sure, and each one was very positive without a doubt. I’m pregnant, Ryder!” I held my hands over my cheeks and looked up at him.

Ryder tossed the flowers on the bed. “Fuck them flowers. We’re having a baby!” He picked me up and swung me around, making me laugh. “Oh sorry. Gentle. I should be gentle, right?”

“I’m not going to break, Ryder. I love you. It’s ok. We should start scheduling appointments soon though. I cut you off. What were you goin to say?” Smiling I leaned up on my tip toes to kiss him.

“Nothing really. Just that I love you and I”m looking forward to our future.” He was smiling but his smile faded. ”Wait… can we still have sex? We shouldn’t, right? Cuz, I don’t want to poke the baby in the head. I mean, I’m not a small guy.”

I doubled over and laughed so hard. “Ryder, that’s not how it works. Oh my god. I’m sure we”ll need to be a little tamer but let’s talk to the doctor about everything. Sex during pregnancy is healthy.”

“Right! Holy shit. We’re having a baby. If it’s a boy, I wanna name him Thor.”

“Absolutely not! Hard pass.”

“We gotta start negotiating.” He said.

Laughing, I reached up to wrap my arms around his neck. “Hush up and fuck me, daddy!” I gave him a sly smile.

“Woman! I’ll show you daddy. Come here.”

He wrapped my face in both of his hands and kissed me deep. I would never tire of Ryder’s kisses. He was end game and end game looked so much different than I could’ve ever dreamed. He’s my happily ever after.

The End