Chapter Two
Aiden
Daddy was leaving? Aiden knew there weren’t any missions planned in the near future so it wasn’t club business, and he hadn’t mentioned any trips to Aiden, so where was he going and was he leaving Aiden behind?
But now that couldn’t be, Daddy would never leave him. It was the one thing he knew for sure, Daddy would never willingly leave him behind. So, where was he going and why didn’t Aiden know about it?
Aiden was so deep into his thoughts that he almost missed it when Daddy cupped his cheek and said, “I would never go anywhere and leave you behind. That would be like leaving my heart on the foyer table. The whole time I was gone, it would feel like I’d left behind the most important part of me.
” Aidan‘s confusion must’ve shown on his face because Rocky answered his next question before he even had a chance to ask it.
“I was trying to plan a surprise trip for Christmas for both of us.”
“You were?“ Aiden was shocked and flattered that Rocky would like to do this. “Where are we going?”
“Well, it doesn’t look like we’re going anywhere now. But I wanted to give you Christmas in New York City.”
Aiden couldn’t believe his ears; the fact that Rocky even considered giving him his dream trip was more than anyone had ever done for him.
His heart pounded in his chest as he held both of Daddy’s cheeks and crushed his lips to Daddy’s in a kiss meant to convey every ounce of love and gratitude he felt for Daddy’s thoughtfulness.
Aiden didn’t consider the audience they’d drawn, or the fact that they were on a public sidewalk in the heart of their little town.
He let the kiss consume him, pouring everything into it as his tongue dueled with Daddy’s.
He wasn’t sure what he had done to deserve such an amazing man in his life, but he would never take it for granted.
When he finally pulled away, both he and Daddy were trying to subtly adjust themselves so the entire town wouldn’t know the full extent of the effect that kiss had on them.
“Daddy,” Aiden breathed, “it doesn’t matter if we actually make it to New York. The fact that you tried to give me that for Christmas is the best thing anyone has done for me. It might be a month away but it’s already the best Christmas ever, because I have you.”
Rocky
“It doesn’t matter if we actually make it to New York.”
Aiden’s words played in Rocky’s head over and over throughout the next few days. He tried to tell himself that Aiden was right but that wasn’t working because to Rocky it did matter if they made it.
Rocky had spent countless hours talking to Collin about what had happened. Now he stood on the sidewalk facing the one place he knew could give him what he sought.
Hope’s Haven was the shelter that the club used most when helping the women they liberated start a new life.
It had once been run by Raelynn, an amazing woman and a survivor of her own abusive relationship.
She’s recently left the shelter in the hands of a woman the club had rescued, having reunited with her first love in Montana during her summer vacation.
The shelter worked closely with many women who were survivors of traumatic experiences and was the most likely place to get an idea of what he needed. Taking a deep breath, Rocky stepped up to the door and rang the bell.
He didn’t have to announce his arrival but the women and children inside were often leery of men, with good reason, and Rocky liked to give them some form of warning before barging into their midst. So, he stood waiting patiently until the door finally opened to reveal the petite brunette who now ran the shelter.
Her wide gray eyes searched behind him as if she expected someone else to be there.
Rocky guessed he couldn’t blame her, he didn’t often invade this safe space unless he was bringing someone to get help.
This time though, it was he that needed assistance.
“Good morning, Diana.” He offered her his best smile but he was sure it fell flat. The only genuine smiles he’d mustered up in the few days since his panic attack had been for Aiden. But then, anyone should smile around someone so genuine and pure.
“Hi, Rocky. This is a surprise. Come on in.” Diana stepped back to allow him entrance and he ducked his head a bit to pass under the door frame.
Sometimes being so tall was inconvenient, but it made his boy feel Little having a Daddy so much bigger than him so Rocky could deal with some inconvenience. Anything to keep his boy happy.
The thought brought him back to his reason for visiting and as straightened up again, he assured Diana, “I’ll try not to take up too much of your time. I just need a little advice and maybe a reference.”
“I’ve always got time for you. Let’s head to my office.”
They didn’t speak as they made their way with Diana stepping around children who’d suddenly gone quiet when he came into view, or stopping to answer the occasional question from a resident.
They stopped for a moment longer as the chef who worked in the shelter’s kitchen approached with some minor meal emergency.
As Rocky watched Diana effectively offer up solutions without seeming nearly as ruffled by the change of plans as the chef was, Rocky thought he could understand how the club’s prez, Blade, could be so infatuated with her.
She was efficient, organized, and sweeter than honey.
Lost in his thoughts he didn’t notice that Diana had started off toward their destination again and had to quicken his stride to catch up.
When Diana’s eyes widened, her breath caught and she jumped a bit, Rocky also understood why Blade hadn’t acted on his feelings yet.
It hadn’t been all that long since Diana herself was brought here to find a new life after abuse.
Once they were in the office he took a seat in front of her desk, crossing his legs and trying to appear smaller than he was. He’d left the door open on purpose to help her comfort levels, but it never hurt to do a bit more to put her at ease.
“What can I do for you?”
Rocky took a deep breath and got right to the point of his visit, “I need to find a therapist with experience in trauma.”
A week later Rocky sat staring at yet another door.
This time, however, he had no idea what would be waiting for him on the other side.
He shifted in his seat as nerves grew. He’d never gone to therapy after Seth’s passing.
He likely should have but he had found a support group when he’d first arrived in Lilton.
The group had been a bit of a drive, as it wasn’t in town, but it was full of people who’d gone through what he had and understood.
He’d gone religiously to meetings for the first year, the second year he’d gone to fewer and fewer meetings as the year went on.
He probably should have continued but the club's mission started to really take off, with more and more women coming to their attention, until Rocky found himself not wanting to make the drive two towns over.
Now, here he was, about to step into his very first therapy session with no idea what to expect.
The door in front of him opened and out stepped a tall, blonde woman with big blue eyes and a megawatt smile, showing off perfect white teeth.
Before she even spoke Rocky had the feeling that Diana had steered him perfectly. Something about the woman already calmed his nerves. But when she came and sat beside him instead of calling him into her office, Rocky knew this was going to work out.
“I’m Crystal.” She reached out a hand for him to shake and he tentatively took the offering. “I assume you’re Rocky since you’re the only one in here.”
His head was bobbing before his brain caught up and he corked out, “Yeah, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise. Why don’t we just sit here a minute and get to know each other a bit before we get into what brought you here.”
Yeah, this was going to work out perfectly. It was like those words were the magic ones. His nerves settled completely as he leaned back in his seat and got to know his new therapist in the same way he’d get to know a new friend.
Rocky
“Hey, man, what’s up?” Collin’s voice held a seriousness that before Rocky’s panic attack had almost never been present in a greeting. He guessed Aiden wasn’t the only one he’d scared that day.
“I need a favor.” He decided to get right to the point because he’d be headed to the clubhouse soon to get Aiden and he wanted to know this was taken care of before then.
“Anything. All you have to do is ask.” That was the thing about Collin. He wasn’t a member of the club but Rocky still considered him a brother of his heart. From the day they’d met, they’d bonded through common grief and would do anything for each other.
“Not sure I can ask, honestly. But imma try.” Rocky took a deep breath and blew it out as his chest got that same tight feeling. He was determined to figure this out and his first therapy session gave him hope.
Rocky wasn’t a fool. He knew healing didn’t happen overnight and what he was planning to do wouldn’t be simple but it would be worth it to see his baby’s face lit up brighter than a Christmas tree.
With that thought in mind, he fortified himself and continued speaking. “That thing I was trying to do the day I panicked. I need it done.”
“Rocky…” Collin’s voice was laced with concern and Rocky rushed to reassure him.
“I’m not positive we’ll get there, but I got a therapist and the first session went well.
I have hope, man. And if there’s even the slightest chance I can make this happen I want to do that.
But as the agent said, it’s a popular destination.
I can’t bring myself to book it, so I need you to.
” When Collin remained silent, Rocky added, “Just in case. If I can’t do it, I’ll take the financial hit and not go, but I want the option open. ”