Epilogue
Skye
One year later
W ith a moment of calm where no one at the party is vying for my attention, I take the opportunity to look around the large open living area that once belonged to Brewer. Seeing the sea of smiling faces in the room, it’s hard to believe how much things have changed in the past year. I have two beautiful babies, four handsome men, and countless friends and family who love me. I’ve never felt more content and certain that everything is exactly how it should be.
With the Demon Riders disbanded, the Angels of Havoc are stronger than ever and there’s an overall sense of peace in our town. With several new recruits, the club is busier than ever most nights, they’ve had to hire several new bartenders to help Tammy. I never went back to work behind the bar again after the kidnapping, but Tammy and I remain close friends. After I recovered, I had to finish my degree which, thanks to the explosive exposé on Bill, I completed with honors. I’m taking some time off now to raise the twins, but I have already secured a part-time job writing a column from home.
Bill accepted a plea deal, trying to keep things as quiet as possible, but he won’t be getting out of prison for a very long time. Not until the twins are adults, probably with children of their own. I’m grateful that we won’t be subjected to a trial, it would be too painful, for Mom especially. Not that I think Bill gave his family a second thought when making his decision. That man’s only ever had his own interests at heart. I refuse to spend another second thinking about him.
I look over at my two gorgeous children. Fraternal twins, a boy and a girl, Thomas and Vee. Thomas is named after two men I wish I’d had in my life, Tommy ‘Gun’ Jackson and Thomas ‘Brewer’ Nelson. Vee is short for Veronica, the woman to whom I owe my life. She and I still keep in touch, although she was unable to make it back for the party. She’s doing well, bonding with her kids, and by the sounds of it, she’s found a nice man who adores her.
We still don’t know who the biological father of the twins is, and given that they’re fraternal twins, two eggs inseminated by two sperm, there’s every chance they have a different father each. Thomas has darker eyes and hair, while Vee is fairer with blue eyes. No matter who the biological father is, the twins have four daddies who dote on them. All four of my incredible men are amazing dads. Just watching them with the babies makes me smile. For four big tough guys, they don’t shy away from changing diapers, playing peek-a-boo, or being big goofs to make our babies laugh.
As I stand taking in the sight of all the people we love most in one room, celebrating our beautiful babies, I feel completely at peace. Buzz is holding Vee, who coos and gurgles happily in his arms while several of the wives fawn over her, and Drifter is bouncing Thomas in his lap, a look of pure contentment on his face. Drifter has perhaps been the one to embrace and adore being a father the most, just watching him with our children makes me smile.
I sense Gunner behind me, feel the warmth of his body as he hugs me from behind, he leans in close kissing me on the cheek and pulling me from my musings.
“Having fun?” he asks, nuzzling into my neck and swaying gently as we look at our guests.
“Mmm… you?” I reply happily.
“And yet you’ve not touched a drop of alcohol today. Is there something you need to tell us?” he murmurs in my ear.
As always, Gunner, ever the astute observer, has spotted something no one else has. Because he’s right, my period’s late. It’s so soon, the twins are still so young, and yet I think I might be pregnant again.
“Maybe, I’m not sure yet…” I whisper back.
“Well, if you are, you know we’ll be over the moon, don’t you? I love our big, unconventional family,” he replies, easing my unspoken worries.
“And I love you,” I reply, turning around to peck him on the lips.
“I love you too,” he replies. “So, you’ll take a test later?”
I nod, kissing him again. At that moment, we’re joined by Drifter and Buzz. Both give me a quick kiss in greeting, I hold my arms out for my children, and Drifter hands Thomas over. I hold him close, breathing in the sweet, milky smell of him.
“I think Miss Vee needs a diaper change,” Buzz says with a smile.
“I’ll take her,” Gunner offers, taking Vee from Buzz, “Be right back once we’ve cleaned madam up!” he quips, making me smile. I still love how much lighter, less serious, he seems these days. He hasn’t had a night terror since the twins were born.
I nod my head toward the corner where my stepbrother Ethan is chatting animatedly to Angel. “It seems that Ethan is still fixated on the idea of becoming an Angel of Havoc,” I say casually to Drifter and Buzz.
I was uncertain about whether or not to invite him today. Our relationship has improved but it’s still tenuous. Years of Bill pitting us against each other won’t be easy to forget. However, Ethan has become quite enamored with the club and the lifestyle of the Angels of Havoc. He’s been asking to prospect for months. Angel’s been holding him at arm’s length, wary that he’s simply seeking approval with his father now gone and his world turned upside down. But, to his credit, Ethan seems to have genuinely changed and his interest in the club appears to be real.
“Yeah, I think Angel has managed to convince him to continue studying law. Once he’s certified, he can aid the club as its lawyer, should he still wish to do so,” Drifter replies.
Buzz adds, “Things might be calm now but there’s always trouble that our boys need help with, having a lawyer on our side would mean a great deal.”
I’m wary of Ethan still, but without Bill egging him on or encouraging him to be a bully, Ethan’s become a lot kinder. With a father like Bill setting unrealistic expectations on him and praising him for bad behavior, it’s hard to not feel bad for Ethan. I just hope that Bill’s lessons aren’t too deeply ingrained.
“Mmm, let’s hope you’re right and he’s not going to become like his father,” I reply, unconvinced.
“I don’t think you need to worry about that, Drifter and I are proof that sons don’t have to become like their fathers. Ethan just needs guidance from an adult that isn’t a shitty role model. He’ll be alright. You’ll see,” Buzz replies.
“I hope so, but perhaps one of you could go rescue Angel from him? I’m sure there are lots of other people who’d like to speak with him,” I reply.
“Your wish is my command, my lady,” Drifter says with a bow, before bounding off to free Angel.
“Does your mom need rescuing too? She’s been sat talking to Diesel for an awfully long time now,” Buzz asks.
My eyes land on Mom, sitting and chatting with Diesel, a bright pink flush on her cheeks as she giggles shyly at something he said. Slowly, Mom and I rebuilt the trust between us. She doesn’t fully understand my relationship with the guys, but she knows how happy they make me, and that’s all that matters. A little bit before the babies were born, she finally decided to come back to visit the club to see the people she once knew so many years ago and the new faces that have joined since Dad died. Since then, she and Diesel have become close. I feel that their friendship is blossoming into something more and honestly, I’m happy for them. Mom deserves to find love with someone who loves her for who she truly is.
“No, leave them be,” I reply with a soft smile.
Angel comes over then, kissing me gently on the lips and Thomas on his head. “I think it might be time for us to head over to the restaurant,” he says, looking around as people start to talk a little bit more animatedly, throwing back yet more drinks.
“I think you’re right,” I reply, “I wouldn’t want our lovely new home getting too messed up. Besides, the twins need to go to sleep soon.”
Angel and Buzz nod, proceeding to start the task of herding the partygoers to our next destination.
Today we’re throwing the twins a christening party at the house with an afterparty at Brewer’s BBQ. Once Brewer’s will went through and I became the official owner of his farmhouse and surrounding land, we decided to renovate and add extensions onto it, making it into our official home. As it was always intended, Brewer’s BBQ went to the club, and it’s been thriving under the new management. It’s become the most popular spot for members and locals alike to hang out and have a good time.
The farm is an idyllic place for the kids to grow up. Surrounded by nature and plenty of space for them to play. Currently, they share a nursery but as they get older, they’ll have their own bedrooms. As for our adult sleeping arrangements, we had the biggest most ridiculous bedroom and an extra super, super king-sized bed made especially for us. This is the room where we all usually have ‘adult fun’ together—though with two young babies, the opportunities for all of us to enjoy sex together are less frequent these days—and on occasion, if we want to sleep in the same bed, there’s room for all of us. For those nights when we might want our own space, we have our personal rooms. Rarely, do I sleep alone though, usually, I enjoy a cuddle with one of the guys—–that is when I’m not being kept up for night feeds.
Being in a committed relationship and living with four men at the same time might sound odd to some people, but for us, it just works. There’s never any jealousy, nor does it feel like we don’t get quality time individually either. And I have to admit, having five parents to look after two, four and a bit month-old babies helps enormously.
Case in point, this party. With the help of Angel, Buzz, Drifter, and Gunner, the partygoers happily head onto Brewer’s BBQ, and we make quick work of tidying up the house and putting the babies down for a nap as a team. Only Mom and Diesel remain, still absorbed in conversation.
Seeming to notice how much quieter the room is, Mom finally looks up in surprise. “Did everyone go?” she asks me.
“Yep, they’re headed over to the restaurant now, you should be able to catch up if you go now. I’m gonna stay here while the twins sleep,” I reply.
Mom waves her hand dismissively, “Nonsense, you go on to the party with your fellas, Jim and I can stay here to keep an eye on the little ones.”
I hesitate, as do the guys, though I can see the hopeful expressions on their faces. As much as we all love parenting and being with the twins, a few hours to relax without worrying about feeds sounds divine.
“Are you sure? You’ll miss out on all the fun.”
“Rose and I are having all the fun we need in each other’s company,” Diesel replies and Mom blushes again.
“Okay, if you’re sure, we’re just down the road if you need anything at all,” I say as the guys bundle me out the door, before I can change my mind.
We decide to walk toward the restaurant as it’s such a nice night and only a short distance away. The partygoers who decided to go on foot are still visible up ahead, their retreating shapes silhouetted in shadows cast by the burning orange setting sun. The setting is peaceful, and I breathe in deeply.
Deciding that it isn’t fair for Gunner to know my suspicions and not the others, I start to speak.
“So… I’m not sure if any of you other than Gunner noticed that I’m not drinking today, but my period’s late and, well… I know we thought that it was unlikely I’d fall pregnant again so soon, especially as I’m still breastfeeding, but…” I say hesitantly.
They all stop to look at me. “You’re pregnant?” Drifter asks, his eyes bright with excitement.
“I think I could be…” I reply slowly.
Buzz lets out a whoop of excitement and they all crowd around me. Their words tumbling over the others so I can barely make out who said what.
“That’s great news!”
“We should take a test right away!”
“I want us to have an even bigger family!”
“Fuck yeah!”
“So none of you are worried about what this means for our family? We’ve already got two young babies to worry about… it’s going to make things that much harder,” I caution, my gaze landing on each of them in turn, looking for signs of concern.
Angel fixes me in his steely blue gaze, “There’s a lot of love left in this family to give. We love you, and our kids, together, we can face anything.”
The others all nod in agreement and my heart swells with happiness and excitement for the future. Our unconventional family is growing, and I for one couldn’t be happier about it. Accepting their hugs and kisses and basking in their shared enthusiasm, we make our way toward the party, agreeing to take a test later that night.
Angel is right. No matter what the future holds. I know that as long as we’re together, it’s going to be pretty damn incredible.
THE END