Chapter Eighteen
Jade
Today is the day of the gender reveal, and I’m nervous. The party started about an hour ago. We have all the club members, prospects, and their women. Hell, even the nomads, as Gray calls them, showed up. Volt and Drift seem like amazing guys, but they also seem so closed off. Maybe it's because I’ve spent the last couple of months getting to know the other club members, or maybe it's the fact they lost someone so close to them not too long ago. I’m not sure, but it makes me want to hug them tight. Gray would have a bitch fit, but they just look so sad.
“Alright, Reckless Omens. As you know, we are gathered today to announce a new little member into the family. However, our brother Grim has other plans. Grim, why don't you come up here and speak?” Swift calls from the front of the group. Gray grabs my hands and starts dragging me up to the front. Oh shit. I hate being in front of huge crowds.
“Brothers!” Gray yells, and the guys all yell and stomp together. “Alright, settle down, settle down. As Our Prez said, I have a couple of announcements today. First, I’m sure you all know my woman, Jade, here is having my kid.” Hollers go up throughout the whole yard. “Yup, I knocked her up, so there's no way she could ever leave me.” We all chuckle at that joke. Although I’m not positive it really is a joke.
“Today, we will be finding out if it's a girl or a boy, but before we do, I have a very important question to ask,” Gray says as he turns to me, pulls something out of his jeans pocket, and gets down on one knee.
“Jade, you have given me the world. I swore I was put on this earth to save lives when I became a doctor. I wanted to protect and heal the people in this world that deserve it most. I didn't realize I needed saving, I needed healing just as bad, and there was no one I could turn to. That is, until I saw you on the side of that road. Instantly, I knew you were my everything. You were the one who would save me. You are the one that healed me. Will you marry me?” he asks as tears stream down my face.
“I’m surprised you're asking and not demanding,” I say through my tears.
“Well, I didn't want you to sass me and bust my balls in front of all my brothers. No mistake, you will marry me, woman, but I figured I could put on a show,” he says, making me throw my head back and laugh. He’s right, though. I would have said something smart if he had told me I was marrying him. This man that I love gave me the choice, and I will love him forever for that.
“Oh, girl, you better say yes to that man,” Tansy yells from the back of the group.
“Shit, if she doesn't, I will!” I shoot death stares over to Makayla, Tamara, and Tansy before turning back to Gray.
“Of course, I will marry you. And don't get it twisted. You saved me that night after I was attacked. You saved me then, and I know you will spend the rest of your life as my biggest protector,” I tell him as he slides the beautiful, huge, princess-cut diamond on my finger.
“Out of my way, young man. Move over, boy. I need to get to my baby.” I hear my mom yelling as she makes her way up to us. She gathers me into her arms, and I let the tears fall. My momma, my hero, it's been just us for so long. I’m so happy to be moving on with my life and finding my own little family, but I never want her to think I’m leaving her behind.
“I love you, mama. Thank you for the life you’ve given me, the strength, love, and support. You showed me exactly how to raise my baby, and I can't wait to see you as a GG,” I whisper to her. She pulls back and places her hands on my cheeks.
“I love you more than you will ever understand, and I’m so happy you found a man that loves you unconditionally. One that isn't afraid to admit his weaknesses and one that puts you first in his life,” she says, kissing my forehead.
“Can I give my present now?” Halle asks, bouncing up with two boxes in tow. One is big, and the other is half the size. I pull back from my mom.
“Ohhhh… Gimme, gimme. I love presents,” I say, taking the box from her.
“The big one is from Grim,” she tells me as I tear into it. I open the lid and gasp. It's my very own cut with “Property of Grim” on it.
“You're officially an Ol’ Lady,” Grim says, whispering in my ear. He takes the cut from me and slips my arms through. As soon as it slips on my back, I feel at peace—something in my life clicks, like a gear shifting into the perfect place. I feel… Home. A cheer goes up around the yard, and I can't help laughing through the happy tears.
“Alright, alright. Open the next one up,” Halle says, bouncing on her toes.
I wipe a hand under my eyes before bending and grabbing the next smaller box. I tear through it just as rapidly as the first, but when I get to the bottom of this one, a new wave of tears flood my eyes. In the bottom sits a baby cut with “Future Prospect” on the front, and on the back at the top says, “But for now,” and under the reckless omens patch says, ”Property of Grim”
I laugh until I nearly pee myself.
“Oh my gosh, this is the cutest damn thing I’ve ever seen,” I laugh, hugging the vest to my chest.
“That was all Halle. She’s going a bit crazy on the baby front,” Piper says, pulling Halle into a hug.
“Maybe I’m getting a bit mushy in my old age. But enough about me. Let's figure out what we are having! Will it be a prospect of a future Ol’ Lady? Maybe even both!” Halle yells out. The men look at each other and groan, but Gray is growling.
“If I have a baby girl, there will be no Ol’ Lady status to think of,” He grunts. I roll my eyes but follow the crowd out to the front of the compound.
“Alright, this is how this thing is going to go. Grim, I have added the correct color smoke to your tailpipe. All you need to do is rev up your bike, do a wheely, whatever you want. The dust thingy… don't give me that look, Loki, I don't know the logistics of how this shit works. I followed the directions,” Halle cuts off, turning on Loki.
“All I'm saying, pet, is I would rather not have to fight my brother because he comes after you for fucking up his bike. You don't mess with our bikes,” Loki shrugs.
“Yes, I know. Believe me! Miss Kitty is well fucking protected,” She spits out at him.
“Ahh, pet, you're starting to sound jealous there,” Loki smirks, grabbing Halle around the waist and pulling her into him. Things get heated as he whispers in her ear and then licks up the side of her neck. I clear my throat. Loudly.
“Uh, guys. These other fools might have come for the show we know you both like to give, but I’m kind of impatient about what I’m having,” I tell them before turning to Gray. “Hop on and Rev that engine, baby. I want to know what type of miracle we made.”
Gray doesn't need to be told twice. He smiles before bending down and kissing me hard. When he pulls away, I’m a bit dazed and a whole lot fucking wet. By the smirk and swagger, as he walks away, I have a good feeling he knows exactly what he did. He swings his leg over his bike and looks over at Halle, narrowing his eyes. She rolls hers at him and makes a ‘get on with it’ motion. Taking a deep breath, he starts the engine in the front of the driveway where everyone can see. He holds his hand out for me, and I walk up. When he grabs me around my waist, he leans in close to me so I can hear when he yells over the engine.
“You ready?” I look deep into his eyes, seeing the love, excitement, and pride shining there. Yeah, I’m more than ready to add to this story. I nod, and we both turn around as he revs the engine.
Pink smoke blows out into the breeze, quickly surrounding us. It’s a girl. We are having a baby girl.