Chapter Fifteen
March
The rumble of my bike’s engine died down as I cut the ignition. Vi shifted behind me, and I swung my leg over to dismount, feeling her do the same. We’d been riding for hours, the wind and the road bonding us in ways that words couldn’t. I’d woken her early this morning to go for a ride, remembering how much she enjoyed our last one. It wouldn’t be long before she’d have to stay off the bike, at least until after the baby arrived. I trusted my driving, but not so much the cars on the road.
“Here we are,” I said, glancing at the neon sign flickering above the diner’s entrance. “Hungry?”
“Starving,” she replied.
We walked side by side, the heavy thud of my boots on the pavement echoing against the quiet buildings. The diner’s door jingled sharply as I pushed it open, announcing our presence with far too much cheer. As soon as we stepped inside, the comforting scent of coffee and fried food enveloped us.
“Table for two?” the waitress asked, her smile warm despite the fatigue showing on her face.
“Yeah,” I said, my eyes scanning the room out of habit, searching for threats in the corner booths and along the counter. Nothing looked out of place -- just locals and a few truckers mixed in with the smell of grease and the hum of low conversation.
“Follow me,” the waitress beckoned, leading us to a booth tucked away in the back. It suited me fine, offering a clear view of the exits and the faces coming in. I slid into the seat, the leather creaking under my weight, and watched as Vi did the same, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear.
“Can I get you something to drink while you look over the menu?” the waitress asked, her pen poised over her notepad.
“Water’s fine,” I answered, knowing Vi would nod in agreement. We didn’t come here for the drinks.
“Be right back with those,” she said before disappearing toward the kitchen.
Vi leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, her whiskey-colored eyes searching mine. There was a quiet strength in her gaze, one that hadn’t been there before. She’d grown so much since coming here. I was damn proud to call her mine.
The laminated menu felt sticky beneath my fingers. Vi traced the list of pies on the dessert section, a ghost of a smile dancing on her lips. I couldn’t help but mirror it. My girl and her sweet tooth! I’d noticed whenever Jo or Eliza baked cookies, Vi was the first to pilfer them.
“Ever had rhubarb pie?” I asked, breaking the silence between us.
“Can’t say I have,” she replied. “Honestly, it doesn’t sound appealing. What the heck is a rhubarb?”
“It’s tart, cuts through all the sugar. Like life, I guess.” I put the menu down. Analogies weren’t my strong suit, but with Vi, words flowed easier than with most.
“Sounds like something worth trying,” she said, her eyes locking onto mine with a bravery that belied her cautious nature. “Although, I think I’d prefer the apple.”
The waitress returned, pad in hand, ready to take our orders. “What can I get you two lovebirds?”
“Cheeseburger, medium rare, no pickles,” I ordered, folding the menu with a snap. My stomach growled in anticipation. Nothing beats diner grub after a long ride.
“Same for me, please,” Vi chimed in, her tone growing bolder, more assured with every passing minute.
“Two cheeseburgers, coming up!” The waitress scribbled quickly and collected our menus. “Anything else?”
“Rhubarb pie,” we said in unison, and shared a chuckle.
With our order placed, the background chatter of the diner wrapped around us. It was a comforting white noise. Vi fiddled with the salt shaker, spilling grains, then forming little patterns on the worn tabletop.
Our meal arrived, steaming and savory, and we dug in with silent gusto. The burger was perfection -- a juicy patty hugged by a toasted bun. Vi savored each bite like it was her first, and I watched her, fascinated by the joy she found in simple things.
“Good?” I grunted between mouthfuls.
“Amazing,” she murmured, her eyes closing briefly in culinary bliss. “Probably not good for me, but it sure hits the spot.”
“Heart attack on a plate for sure. Only live once. Might as well enjoy it.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “If you end up with high cholesterol later, I want you to remember this moment. It’s fun to eat like this sometimes, but we shouldn’t do it all the time.”
I smiled, thinking of her nagging me years from now about my diet. It wasn’t an unpleasant thought. Well, maybe the no cheeseburger part sucked. I’d never really thought about what my life would look like in the future. Now I had Violet by my side, and a baby on the way. Didn’t matter if I was the biological father or not. I planned to be the only dad the little one would know.
We ate, the world narrowing down to the booth, the food, and the company. There was just Vi and me, finding solace in a shared meal and enjoyment in each other’s presence. And as we finished the last bites, scraping our plates clean, a sense of camaraderie settled in my chest. This -- right here -- was a slice of normal I hadn’t known I craved.
I slid the last bite of pie across my tongue, sweet and tangy. Pushing the plate away, I caught Vi’s gaze. She seemed reluctant for our day to end, and so was I. I’d suggested this outing as a way for us to have some alone time that didn’t involve a bed. So far, it had paid off. We’d had an amazing day.
“Let’s walk it off?” I suggested.
“Sounds perfect,” she replied, a soft smile playing on her lips. We left money on the table, enough to cover the meal and a generous tip.
The bell above the diner door jangled as we stepped out into the sunny afternoon. It wouldn’t be long before dusk settled over the town, bathing the sky in pinks and oranges. The air was crisp, the kind of freshness you only get after a good meal and the promise of open space.
We made our way toward the park, our steps in sync. My hand found hers, fingers intertwining naturally. Her touch was warm, a stark contrast to the chill that was gradually claiming the day.
“Feels good to stretch my legs,” I said, breaking the silence between us.
“Definitely.” She squeezed my hand lightly. “And it’s nice… this calm. With everything going on, I’d started to think this town would never have something like this. But it’s finally over, right?”
I nodded. With the old sheriff gone, and now the mayor and Robert Lewis, things would settle down in Warren. No more girls would go missing off the streets. Sister Mary’s shelter wouldn’t have as many abused teens and women seeking her help. The town wasn’t perfect, and never would be, but at least we’d gotten rid of the worst of the monsters. I couldn’t think of a single place that was completely crime free. If someone claimed they knew such a place, I’d still be doubtful. It would be more like no one had discovered what had been happening in the shadows.
Yeah, I was a skeptical bastard. I knew it. Embraced it. Hell, it was part of what kept me alive.
The park was quiet, save for the rustling of leaves underfoot. We walked side by side, shadows growing long as the sun dipped lower. The wind blew through the leaves remaining on the trees, the sound tranquil. I could just picture coming here with our kid once they were old enough to run and play.
“I’m glad we’re here right now. Together. It’s something I never thought would happen, and now that it has, it’s like a dream come true.”
“Me too.” And I meant it. We didn’t need to speak. The clasp of our hands said it all.
We walked until the sun began to set, trailing ribbons of orange and purple across the sky. We trudged along the path that meandered through the park, gravel crunching beneath our boots. The silence wasn’t awkward -- it was full, rich with all the unsaid things hanging between us. And we’d have a lifetime to say them.
Ahead, there was a break in the trees. A pond emerged into view, its surface smooth like glass, reflecting the sky. Ducks glided across the water, carefree and unhurried. I marveled at the fact they weren’t freezing or hadn’t flown farther south for the winter. My heartbeat slowed to match the rhythm of their lazy strokes.
“Look at them,” Vi murmured. I followed her gaze, taking in the tranquil scene.
“Peaceful,” I agreed. They really were. I could easily sit here and watch them for an hour or more.
We stopped by the water’s edge, drawn to the calm it promised. She leaned closer to me, her shoulder brushing mine. Her warmth seeped through the layers of my clothes. Her scent teased my nose, and I realized this was what true happiness was. I gazed down at her and wondered if Ben was watching us right now. Was he happy that we were together? Or was he threatening to kick my ass?
Our eyes met, and something unspoken passed between us. We’d admitted our feelings for one another. Said we wanted a life together. And yet, I hadn’t taken the next step. Part of me worried if I would be rushing things. At the same time, I couldn’t think of anything I wanted more.
I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Let’s stay here a little longer.”
“Okay.” She leaned her head against my arm, and together we watched the day begin to surrender to night, finding solace in the stillness.
We left the pond behind, the ducks nothing but a fond memory now. Vi’s hand was still in mine, as we wandered down the park’s winding paths. Nature wrapped around us like a cloak, shielding us from the world beyond. Not that Warren was a bustling city by any means, but here in this park, it felt like we were miles from civilization.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” she asked.
I nodded in agreement, taking in the way shadows played across her face, softening the hard edges life had etched there. The night was creeping in, but the park glowed with the last vestiges of daylight, casting a golden hue over everything.
“Look at that,” Vi said, pointing to a cluster of fireflies beginning to flicker to life. The tiny lights danced between the trees.
“Nature’s own spark plugs,” I quipped, earning a chuckle from her. It felt good, natural, to make her laugh. To find a moment’s rest from the weight of my responsibilities.
“March, what’s that over there?” Her eyes caught something I hadn’t noticed -- a pet store, nestled between the greenery and the encroaching urban landscape.
“Let’s check it out.” The words were out before I could second-guess them. I steered us toward the shop, curiosity piqued. Even though we’d been in Warren for quite a while now, I’d never noticed this place before. Of course, until Luna showed up in my life, I hadn’t had a reason to.
“Could be fun,” she said with a playful nudge against my side, her eyes lighting up with the prospect of something ordinary, something normal.
“Never know what you’ll find,” I replied, feeling an unexpected thrill at the idea of stumbling upon hidden treasures within those four walls. There’s strength in the small things, the unplanned detours. They remind you there’s more to life.
The neon sign of the pet store flickered as we approached, its buzz barely audible. We stood outside for a heartbeat, looking through the window.
“Ready to be surprised?” I asked, but it wasn’t about what lay inside. It was about the possibility that unfolded whenever we were together -- unexpected, uncharted, unreal.
“Always,” Vi answered, squeezing my hand once more before we stepped through the door, ready for our next adventure.
The bell above the door jangled sharply as we entered. A chorus of barks and chirps greeted us, a wild chorus that set the cramped space alive. I scanned the familiar chaos of a pet store -- cages and tanks stacked upon shelves, the smell of sawdust and kibble thick in the air.
“Look at them,” Vi whispered, awe coloring her usually cautious voice.
I followed her gaze to a large tank where a bearded dragon sprawled lazily atop a rock, its eyes half-closed, indifferent to our presence. She chuckled softly, the sound cutting through the animal cacophony. Her laughter always hit me hard, like a fist to the chest -- a welcome punch.
“Let’s see the kittens,” I suggested. The tension that laced my spine began to ease with each step deeper into the store.
We turned a corner and there they were -- the kittens. Huddled together in a cardboard box, tiny bodies jostling for warmth. Their mews were desperate, high-pitched calls for attention. Calls for someone to care. Vi’s face softened as she watched them, and I sensed her urge to protect, to comfort. It mirrored my own instincts.
“March, they’re so small,” she murmured, reaching out a tentative hand. Her touch was gentle, and one braver kitten sniffed her fingers before letting out a hopeful squeak. I saw the pull in her eyes, the need to give these creatures a piece of the safety she’d recently found.
“Abandoned,” I said flatly, the word leaving a sour taste. Too close to home. Unwanted, left behind. The sign on the box said as much.
Vi nodded. “They didn’t choose this. I wonder if they were taken from their mom?”
“It’s possible,” I replied, my voice low, almost lost among the plaintive cries. Amid the mewling clatter, one little life stood out. A blaze of orange among shades of gray, black, and white.
Vi’s breath hitched audibly, her hand stilled in mid-air. “Look…”
“Fiery little guy,” I murmured, watching as the tabby batted at her outstretched finger with a paw, more playful than its siblings. Its fur was a bright splash of color, like sunshine fighting through storm clouds.
“March,” she whispered, her voice quivering with something I couldn’t place -- a mix of hope and heartache. “This one.”
“Sure?” My query was rough-edged, tinged with the gravity of what she was asking. To take this creature under our wing, to shelter it from the storm -- it wasn’t a decision to make lightly. We already had Luna at home, and a baby on the way. I wasn’t sure we needed the extra responsibility, but I also knew I could never tell her no.
Vi nodded, her eyes never leaving the kitten. There was no hesitation. Only certainty. A commitment forming without words spoken aloud. She understood the stakes, the responsibility. So did I.
“Let’s do it.” Her smile cracked through her usual caution, a rare beam of unguarded joy. “We’ll call him Shine.”
“Shine,” I echoed, a chuckle escaping me despite the tightness in my chest. It felt like a promise, a vow made not just to the tabby but to ourselves. To foster light in the darkness we knew all too well.
“Looks like you’re part of the family now, little one.” I reached into the box. The kitten’s bright eyes met mine, a silent acceptance in his gaze.
“Welcome to the family, Shine.”
In addition to the kitten, we grabbed some toys and two collars. After I paid, we headed outside. The jingle of the store’s bell faded behind us as I cradled Shine in my arms, his small body vibrating with purrs.
“Needs a bed too. Something soft. And a scratching post.” I knew we couldn’t fit it all on my bike, so we’d have to get some things delivered. For now, we had enough. The thought of Luna’s reaction sparked a rare grin on my face. I’d felt bad that we never seemed to be able to play with her enough. Now she’d have a sibling to torment.
Outside, the cool air embraced us. We walked side by side, the weight of the kitten a welcome one. I’d close him up inside my cut on the way home and drive slow. It would have been better if we’d been in Violet’s car, but I hadn’t exactly planned to adopt another cat.
“Think Luna will be okay with a little brother?” Vi’s question broke the silence.
“Guess we’ll find out soon enough,” I replied, the corner of my mouth twitching upward. I could picture it -- the wariness, the curiosity, and then acceptance. A bond forming, just as ours had. Or they could be like some siblings and fight constantly. We wouldn’t know until we introduced them. I definitely needed to get a vet appointment set for them both to get their shots and schedule their sterilization surgery. The last thing we needed was more kittens.
“Let’s head back,” I said, the engine roaring to life beneath me, the sound a familiar comfort. I zipped the kitten up and placed Violet’s hands over it once she’d wrapped them around my waist. Then I eased forward and headed back to the clubhouse.
The road unfurled before us as we rode back to the Underland MC to introduce Shine to Luna.
“Welcome to the ride of your life, Shine,” I murmured. I wondered if it would be possible to teach him to ride with us like this. Might be fun. Luna, on the other hand, would be too terrified. I could tell from her personality. But this one… he seemed different.
Vi snuggled into me, and my bike ate up the miles until we passed through the gates to the Underland MC. I had a feeling my brothers were about to give me shit for bringing another cat home.