Chapter 9
STACY
After a slow, lazy love making session, Travis had Stacy on the back of his bike heading for home. Their morning was filled with decadent treats and pastries. Stacy hadn't eaten so many sugary concoctions in years.
Her stomach churned with anxiety as they rode closer to Travis' club. While she had met several members, that had been essentially on her turf. Granted in a hospital room, but still, to be a newcomer with a past was daunting.
Yes, the one's she met were cheerful and accepting, but how would they respond and act once she was at the lodge? It was a different atmosphere than a hospital room.
Stacy had always wondered what this building was used for as they parked. The lot was full of various vehicles, including tons of motorcycles. Which made sense.
“You ready?” Travis asked, holding out his hand. No, no she wasn't, yet she took his hand. If she wanted to make their future brighter together then she needed to embrace his lifestyle. His family.
Stacy held doubts deep within, afraid to voice them. Afraid to wake up. Maybe it was all a dream. Could it– would it – turn into the dream Travis had promised her years ago?
Two slightly scary looking bikers stood by the doors and Stacy found herself shifting closer to Travis.
“Don’t stress, baby,” he whispered to her. “These are brothers and they are here for your protection. For everyone’s protection. Promise you, baby, everyone here is a friend. A giant family.” Stacy noticed his cringe and squeezed his hand for reassurance. Knowing he felt it was a sore subject as well marginally helped her own doubts. “One day I may explain why we have guards at the door. Nothing horrible, I promise. Just to protect all the precious packages inside.”
Precious packages. The thought that she was precious to him made her smile.
Travis kissed her hand as they crossed the threshold and Stacy was transported into another world. In the lobby sat several groups of teenagers and adults, all chatting, laughing, and having a good time. Smaller children ran around chasing each other with smiles on their faces as Travis led her through the lobby and the cafeteria where tables were laden with a variety of food that tantalized her senses. Would their children enjoy coming to this type of gathering? Would Harry be okay in this sort of setting?
Through another set of doors, Stacy noticed a large playscape in the middle of a large fenced-in backyard. The space was larger than the parking lot. Spacious enough for all the children she saw running around. It made her miss the twins before Travis pulled her from her reverie.
“Are you hungry?” he asked after a few rounds of introductions were given. Stacy could remember meals and faces, but there were too many faces to put names with. At least for the time being. Perhaps if they came regularly, given the situation with Harry who knew.
Travis was correct that several of his brothers razed him for being a dumb ass and letting her get away. With each flirt sent her way, Travis growled and pulled her into his arms– a clear threat to his brothers who walked away laughing. As well as a clear promise to Stacy that she was his one and only.
Stacy just prayed that everything kept going in the right direction.
ECHO
A lazy morning with his wife was just what Echo needed. It was the best way to show his love to her. Just as he had all those years ago when he wooed her and won her over. He just needed to keep pushing forward. He knew it would be a slow process, winning her completely over, and getting to the point they were a strong couple, but he had faith. He couldn’t lose her.
The feel of her clinging to his back as they rode to the lodge brought back so many memories of their road trip. Which then turned into remorse for his actions that led to their time apart. He hated himself for it the more he thought about it. How could he have been so stupid?
Echo knew he needed to have a session with Josephine. Yet they had been so busy with Harry and Helen that it wasn’t in the cards just then. They were trying to be the glue to hold their little family together. And they would be. Echo would be whatever Stacy needed of him. Forever. For always. For anything and everything she needed.
Like protecting her from the leeches he called his brothers. He knew they were just giving him a hard time, but everytime one of them flirted with her and called him a dumbass for forgetting such a sexy fox, he wanted to throw her over his shoulder and run away. Echo knew they were harmless, but his heart hadn’t caught up.
“What I wouldn’t give than to whisk you away from all these handsy men,” he growled as he kissed the back of her neck. Echo had held her to him as they mingled with the Old Ladies. While they still razed him, they weren’t trying to flirt with his wife.
“I only see one handsy man,” Stacy teased, “and his hands are already on me.”
“Are you having fun?” he asked in a serious tone, whispering in her ear.
Stacy turned in his arms, her hand cupping his cheek. Her fingers raked his beard, his eyes closed at the intimate contact as he covered her hand with his. “I am. I was nervous and anxious to come here. Honestly, I'm still a little overwhelmed. However, I am enjoying myself. Especially the possessive man I’ve seen come out in you tonight,” she smirked at him. She leaned up, her lips touching his in the briefest of touches. “But I’m still a little out there with this entire situation. I just want to be honest with you. I’m willing to try. But Harry and Helen come first.”
Echo ignored the twinge of pain in his heart. He had no one to blame but himself. “I completely understand. But I’m not letting up. You are my wife and I will do whatever I have to to keep you in my life.”
“Good. I think I need that,” Stacy grinned at him, her eyes unwavering in her determination. “We do have one more night as adults before the real world calls.” Both her hands grabbed the sides of his cut and pulled him down for a kiss. Echo wrapped his arms firmly around her waist and cinched her to him. Their tongues grazed as he kissed her before releasing her and dragging her to his room. They could come back to mingle later. The party generally lasted all night long.