Chapter 34 #2
Putting my gun away, I turn around and leave, unable to be around that monster for another second.
All I feel is numb. Like everything inside me shuts off.
Getting on my bike, I ignore Nova calling my name and speed out of the compound.
I drive for hours back and forth across the coast of St. Marys, not able to bring myself too far from Nova.
After a while, I pull up to the house and park my bike.
The lights are on, but I don’t go inside. Instead, I head down to the beach and sit on the sand.
Hours pass, just the sound of the water crashing against the beach as I think. And think. And fucking think.
Even when I thought I got rid of her, she came back. She found a way to hurt me again.
I don’t remember much of that night, just waking up in the hotel room naked. I thought I drank too much, had a one night stand with some random girl, and that was it.
Never in a million years did I think that girl was Julia and that I was drugged and raped.
Was what she said a lie? Rica can’t be my daughter. She just can’t be.
But what if she is? What if that beautiful little girl is mine?
Leaning my head against my arms as they drape over my knees, I cry. I just sit there and cry because I don't know what else to do.
I feel so lost and helpless.
“Hey.” Nova’s soft voice sounds next to me. I don’t lift my head as she sits down on the sand. “We don’t have to talk. I just want to make sure you're not hurt.”
“What if she’s telling the truth?” I ask, still not lifting my head. “What if she’s right and Rica is mine?”
“Then that amazing, funny, kind little girl is yours.” She puts her hand on my back.
“Even years later, she still found a way to hurt me.” I lift my head, looking at Nova. I must look like a mess to her right now but she smiles at me like I’m her favorite person.
“She’s gone now. She will never be able to hurt you again.”
I’m glad she doesn’t tell me how sorry she is for what Julia did. I don’t want her to be sorry. Nova didn’t do anything to me. I just want her. Her love. Her support. Just her.
Grabbing Nova, I pull her into the space between my legs and wrap my arms around her, resting my chin on her shoulder. We sit for a while, watching as the sun starts to rise.
She says nothing, just holds my hand, being the strength I need.
“I want a DNA test.” I tell her.
“Yeah?” Nova asks.
I nod. “I need to know for sure.”
“And what will we do if it turns out she’s yours?” Nova asks. “Because we already adore that little girl. Whatever you decide, we will support you.”
“I don’t know yet. But thank you.” I grip her chin, lifting her face up to press a kiss to her lips. “Let’s get you to bed.”
Standing, I pull Nova to her feet and we head inside. When she pulls me into my room, I almost start crying again.
She helps strip me down and gets me into bed where she cuddles me. I’ve never felt so vulnerable, but Nova does all the right things, and I’m so fucking thankful for it.
I fall asleep in her arms, her scent settling my soul, and pray whatever the results are, I can overcome this.
***
“They’re in.” Nova says, sitting in the chair next to me.
Pulling my eyes away from where Rica is playing with the other kids on the compound, I look over to the white envelope in her hand.
My stomach drops but I take it from her anyways. I don’t open it, not yet, just sit back and bring my attention back to the kids.
It’s been two weeks since the incident with Julia. Two weeks since she was removed from our lives for good. And two weeks since I was told that the little girl I’ve come to love so damn hard as my little sister, could very well be my daughter.
I’ve thought a lot about what I’m going to do if the results show she's mine, I just haven’t told anyone yet.
Rica runs by, her laughter like a punch to the gut. She’s so pretty, so smart, such an amazing little girl.
Looking down at the envelope, I rub my thumb against the paper, debating if I want to see the results or not.
“You don’t have to open them if you don’t want to.” Nova says, placing her hand on my knee.
“I do.” Before I lose the nerve, I rip open the envelope and pull out the piece of paper inside.
Opening it up, I take a deep breath then read.
Most of it I don’t understand, and I don’t bother to look at. It’s the percentage at the bottom that matters.
Probability of paternity 99.9%.
Closing my eyes, I lower my head as I digest what it says.
Nova takes the paper from me and a moment later she’s sitting in my lap.
“Hey.” she cups my face. “Look at me.”
I open my eyes, tears swimming in my gaze.
“It’s going to be okay.” Nova smiles. “It’s all going to be okay.”
“She’s mine.” my voice rasps. “She’s my little girl.”
“Yeah she is. She’s an amazing little soul. Just like her daddy.”
Rica’s giggle gets my attention again and more tears fall. My heart races as she runs over to us. “Look look!” Rica says, holding out a caterpillar. “Don’t worry, this one doesn’t jump.” She giggles.
“Wow.” Nova says. “It’s pretty.”
“It tickles.” she giggles again and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to not start sobbing like a baby. She’s my daughter. My little girl.
She looks up at me with her big blue eyes and frowns. “Why are you crying?”
“I’m not.” I chuckle, wiping at my eyes.
She doesn’t believe me. “Tyler, hold my caterpillar.” she tells the teenage boy who’s nearby. He’s always there, her shadow. I’m not sure how I feel about that now. Tyler fumbles, but takes the caterpillar from her.
“Here.” she climbs into my lap, sitting on the other thigh from Nova. “Hugs always make me feel better.” She wraps her little arms around my neck and squeezes me tightly. It takes everything in me not to break the fuck down.
Nova gets up, giving me the room to wrap my arms around her.
I hold onto her longer than I should, earning a sound of protest from Tyler.
“Your caterpillar just shit on my hand.” Tyler growls.
Rica bursts into giggles as she pulls away from the hug and climbs off my lap. “Shit is a bad word Tyler."
“So are half the things people around here say, sugarplum." he rolls his eyes.
"Doesn't mean we should say it too. It’s not lady-like.”
“Good thing I’m not a lady.” Tyler hands her the caterpillar back.
“But I am.” she lifts her chin.
“Nova swears and she’s a lady.” Tyler throwing my Omega under the bus and Rica’s little eyes widen.
“No swearing, Nova.” she huffs.
“Of course, of course. No swearing. Nothing but nice words from me from now on.” Nova is trying not to laugh.
“Good.” Rica nods then looks over to Tyler. “See.”
“Whatever. I’m going to wash my hands.” Rica trails after Tyler, chatting away.
I watch the two of them go, my heart so damn full.
“Are you going to tell her?” Nova asks, sitting back down on my lap.
I nod. “Yeah. Eventually. First, I want to build a house on the compound. Big enough for not only Rica, but a room for Tyler if he wants to stay over. And rooms for our future babies.”
“You want to move?”
“We can keep the house on the beach, but yeah.” I look around. Ian is playing with the kids, running around like he’s a big kid himself. Nick is over by the grill, Tucker helping him cook some steaks. The two of them smile at one another and Tucker shakes his head as Nick slaps his ass.
This place is filled with family, the one we built ourselves. It’s a life I never thought I’d have but damn glad I do.
“I think a house on the compound, close to family, is a good idea. And you know Tyler won't want to be away from Rica.”
He’s going to hate me when I take Rica to come live with us. But that little girl is mine and I’m not wasting any more time without her.
I’m so damn fucking happy I have a supportive Omega who’s willing to welcome her with open arms, and a pack to do the same.
Since Julia’s sister Robyn started caring for Rica, Tyler moved into the house with them. Tyler was living with Rafe, but since he was never home, because he always wanted to be with Rica, Rafe and Robyn agreed to work together to take care of Tyler.
If you ask me, I think Rafe has a thing for the pretty young Omega. But I warned him not to start anything with her if it’s going to cause issues. He swears he doesn’t feel anything for her, but I don’t believe him.
I see the way he, Marshall and Bo look at her when she’s not watching.
“I think that’s a good idea, not to take her away from what she already knows. It will help with the changes to come.”
I nod, holding my Omega in my arms.
We’ll tell Rica who I am after I can provide something stable for her. I won’t force her if she doesn’t want to move, and we’ll work something out with Robyn if needed. But I can’t let that little girl grow up not knowing the truth.
She doesn’t need to know how she was brought into this world, but she will spend the rest of her life knowing how loved she is. And that me and her uncles would do anything to protect her.
“I’m excited.” Nova says.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” She smiles up at me. “I’ve always wanted to be a mom.”
“Lies.” I chuckle.
“Okay, fine. But now I want to be.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” she bites her lower lip and nods.
“Then maybe we should get started huh?”
She gets to her feet and grabs my hand. “Maybe we should.”
Who knew that all I needed to do was rob a mall and have this feisty little Omega kidnap us?
It wasn’t what I’d have chosen as the start of our story, but I'm damn glad it happened.