Extra Epilogue
EXTRA EPILOGUE
ELLERY
I used to think a biker clubhouse would be loud, chaotic, and more than a little intimidating. It turned out that I was right. But I’d never imagined one could also feel like home.
“Porter! Stop trying to ride that tricycle into the barbecue pit!” I yelled at our three-year-old son over the hum of laughter and conversations. “You are not a daredevil, no matter what your daddy says!”
Zane let out a snort behind me, his hand on the back of my jeans as he leaned in to whisper, “Kid’s got my genes. Of course he’s a daredevil.”
I side-eyed him before scanning the lawn behind the Iron Rogues MC clubhouse. It was more chaotic than usual with tricycles, kiddie pools, mini dirt bikes, and sticky-faced kids racing around every inch of space between picnic tables and barbecue pits. Zane’s club brothers chased giggling kids while their women lounged in fold-out chairs with plastic cups of hard lemonade. Except for the pregnant ones who were stuck with the non-alcoholic kind. And as always, there were plenty of them.
Our youngest, Grant, was tucked against my chest in a baby sling, fast asleep despite the absolute circus happening around us. Luckily, once he passed out, he could doze through just about anything.
Zane tightened his grip around my waist. “Love seeing you so happy.”
“I’m glad since you make it happen all the time.” I tilted my head back to meet his eyes. “And today is extra special since nobody’s bleeding—yet—and I got to eat a hot dog without someone stealing it out of my hand.”
He grinned and kissed my temple. “You’re incredible, you know that?”
“I’m tired,” I corrected with a laugh. “And sticky. And one nap away from being a little unhinged.”
He chuckled. “Still fucking awesome.”
Across the way, Phoenix crouched low to help Jett, Dahlia and Fox’s son, balance on a mini dirt bike. Nevada stood nearby, pretending not to keep his hands ready to catch him at any second. Blade had set up a sprinkler and was currently chasing a bunch of half-naked kids with a squirt gun, all of them screaming with delight.
Even Scratcher, who usually growled more than he spoke, was sitting cross-legged on the grass showing several girls, including Corinne, how to draw flames and hearts with sidewalk chalk while Porter zoomed circles around them on his tricycle. Julia and Chase, Molly and Maverick’s son who was only a few months older than her, toddled after him, tripping every third step but laughing as though it was the best game in the world.
“I don’t think I ever pictured anything like this,” I whispered, soaking it all in.
“What? The bikers and babies combo?”
“Growing up, all I wanted was to be part of a big family.” I gestured toward the whirlwind of activity surrounding us. “And you more than delivered on that dream.”
Zane’s expression went soft the way it always did when I said something that hit deep. “Only because I lucked the fuck out when Elise told me that I should ask you to be Corinne’s nanny.”
“I definitely owe her another night out while I watch the kids.” Which I knew she’d gladly accept, even though I’d just watched Toby Jr, Danny, and Emily last weekend so she and Blade could have a date night.
Zane took Grant gently from the sling and cradled him against his chest. Watching a man like him—gruff, tattooed, and fiercely protective—rock a baby with absolute tenderness? My ovaries didn’t stand a chance, which was probably why I kept getting pregnant.
Dahlia led a giggling Julia over to us. “Your wild child was trying to climb into the cooler again.”
I shook my head and grabbed the burp cloth from my shoulder to wipe some of the icy water from Julia’s shirt. “She’s persistent, that’s for sure.”
Dahlia winced and rubbed her lower back. “Twins while pregnant? I want a damn trophy.”
“I’d say the barbecue was a hit,” Molly announced as she joined us.
Corinne raced over to tug on Zane’s shirt, who grinned when he spotted the temporary tattoo sleeve made of marker scribbles on her arm.
I smiled at the other old ladies, my sisters-in-life, and raised my cup. “Cheers to surviving motherhood.”
Molly groaned and raised her lemonade. “Cheers to swollen ankles and ice cream cravings.”
Dahlia clinked her cup against her sister’s with a dramatic sigh. “Cheers to Fox thinking we’re naming this baby Axle because then he won’t need a different road name later.”
“Cheers to the rows of condoms at the store that one of us should probably eventually use,” I muttered, and we all burst out laughing.
After helping Corrine stick a straw in her juice box, Zane came up behind me again, resting his chin on my shoulder with Grant snuggled between us. “You know, I never thought I’d be the guy with four kids and a minivan.”
“You still refuse to call it a minivan,” I teased. “And technically, it’s mine.”
“It’s a tactical transport vehicle,” he deadpanned.
I laughed so hard that my eyes watered.
“You happy, baby?” he asked softly, brushing his nose against my cheek.
I looked around again—at our kids, our friends, the chosen family we’d built. And then at the man who’d made my every dream come true.
“The happiest I’ve ever been.”
He kissed my shoulder and growled, “Good. ‘Cause I’m already planning number five.”
My jaw dropped. “Zane!”
He smirked, pulling me tighter against him. “Told you we were gonna have a bunch of kids.”
“Can I at least finish this hard lemonade first? I had to put a lot of thought into the timing of this drink since I’ll need to pump and dump after.”
“Sure, baby.” He chuckled, his voice low in my ear. “But later, you’re drinking something else.”
I elbowed him gently and tried not to grin like an idiot. I definitely failed, though. Because I was the luckiest woman in the world.