20
El Jefe
Three months later…
The timer on my phone rang. “Times up. What does it say?”
“Be patient.” She went to get the pregnancy test stick. “Do you want me to tell you the results, or do you want to read them for yourself?”
This woman was always giving me choices. Not once did she try to boss me around. She was a keeper.
“You tell me.” I pulled her onto my lap and placed my hand between her thighs. I was sitting in my new leather chair. Silvia had picked it out for my bedroom, our bedroom.
After Miguel attacked the clubhouse, I had bullet proof windows installed. It had taken several weeks to get all the repairs completed, but when everyone pitched in, we got things done faster.
Silvia helped pick out paint colors and flooring then decorated our room. I liked it. It wasn’t overly feminine or masculine. It was just right for us.
“I’m nervous.” She tilted her head at me.
“Why are you nervous?” I definitely wasn’t, but if she was, that was okay. She was only twenty-two.
“Because having a baby is a big deal and I’m not sure we’re ready.”
“We? Baby, I’m ready.”
“Are you, though? Having a child is a huge responsibility, Andy. Our lives will be forever changed.”
“Changed for the better.”
“Yes, of course, for the better. But we’ve only been together for a few months.”
“A few incredible months. The best few months of my life, Chiquita.”
She sighed. “Mine too, but still.”
I could tell she was struggling hard with the possibility of having a baby. Maybe she wasn’t ready. “You know what?”
“What?”
“Let’s not do this right now.” I took the stick out of her hand and put it in the pocket inside my cut.
She hiked her eyebrow. “We can’t just act like I didn’t pee on that stick to see if I was pregnant. I haven’t had a period since before we met. Something is going on with me.”
“True, but we can look at it later. The party is in full swing.” I put my hand to my ear. “Do you hear that? Musica is playing and I want to dance with my woman.”
She stood up and extended her hand toward me. “Then dance with me.”
“My pleasure.” I wrapped her in my arms and started humming “You’re the Only Woman.” The Ambrosia song used to be my dad’s favorite. Yeah, he was a scumbag for cheating on my mom, but he was still my dad, and he had good taste in music.
When I became a dad, I wouldn’t disappoint my child like my old man had done to me.
“When you dance sensually with me, it’s like we’re making love.” Her body melted into mine.
We were like two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together. Our crooked edges had been formed at the same time, seventeen years ago. We shared a dark past and understood the suffering we’d both been through. I believed it was why we meshed so well right from the start. We were meant to be together.
“Good, that’s what I am going for when we dance.”
“Like we’re having sex?” She belted out a sweet cackle. “You’re a dirty old man.”
“And you’re the only woman that I love, so that makes it okay.”
She stopped and looked at me. “What did you say?”
“I said I love you, Chiquita, more than life itself.”
“Oh, Andy.” She pressed her hand against her chest and exhaled. “I love you, too.” She reached her hand into the pocket of my cut and took out the pregnancy test.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m ready to look. It was silly to be nervous before. I couldn’t have a baby by myself, but with you by my side, I can do anything. Even have a baby.”
“We have a full house of people who will help us if we need it.” Not to mention, Mama Virgie would probably want to move into the clubhouse to help us with the baby. “But I know you’re going to be a wonderful mama. The best our child could ever ask for.”
“Now you’re going to make me cry.” Her eyes were tearing up. “You’re going to be a terrific dad, Andy.”
“Heck yeah, I am.” I kissed her nose. “Don’t cry, baby.”
She may not have known, but lately, she was a lot more emotional than usual.
There were other things I noticed that had changed with her, like she’d put on a little weight, what I affectionately called happy pounds.
Her breasts seemed heavier, and she slept through the night.
She thought her insomnia was gone because Miguel was dead.
It was possible, but I suspected it was pregnancy hormones.
“Whatever you want to do is fine with me. We can look at the result another time.” I didn’t want to pressure her. I already knew she was pregnant. There were too many signs pointing to us having a baby. Silvia had to notice, but she was probably in denial.
“I guess I’m just worried about my dark past. I wouldn’t wish anything like it on an innocent child.”
“That’s fair, but I assure you, I will protect you and our children.”
“I know.” She hugged me and I swayed with her, humming the melody of the song. She needed time, and I was happy to give her as much as she needed.
After a few quiet minutes, she slowly lifted the test up and we both read it at the same time.
Pregnant.
I lifted her off the ground and kissed her passionately, spinning her in a circle. “We’re having a baby, my love! You know what that means?”
“Morning sickness and stretch marks?”
“No.” I furrowed my brow.
“Sleepless nights and blowout diapers?’
“No.”
“Eighteen years of worrying if we’re screwing up our child or if they love us?”
“Aye yai yai, Silvia. Is that how you really feel?” I sensed she was screwing with me, but I wasn’t totally sure.
“I’m teasing, my grumpy man. I’m over the moon!” She kissed me hard. “So, what does it mean?’
“That it’s time to claim you in the club and put a ring on your finger.” I lowered to one knee and presented a diamond engagement ring.
“Andy, are you asking me to marry you before claiming me in the club?” She smirked, giving me a little attitude.
“Let me remind you that it was you who didn’t want to be claimed yet. I was ready to do it the day Miguel shot up the clubhouse. I mean, I did claim you to my crew.” I had to tell her the truth before one of my brothers did, most likely Quino.
“I knew you did. Yoli told me.”
“She has a big mouth.” I growled. The damn woman needed to find a man to occupy her time, so she’d stay out of everyone else’s business.
“She’s my informant. She knows everything that goes on around here.”
Lord, help me with this one. Silvia had earned the respect of every member of the club when she surrendered herself to Miguel, including the most difficult sweet butt, Yoli.
“Silvia Avila, will you marry me?” I stared at her, patiently waiting for her answer. “Yes or no.”
“You’re so romantic.” She rolled her eyes, giving me some of her sweet sass. Then she let me put the diamond ring on her finger and looped her arms around my neck. “Yes, Andy Garcia. I’ll marry you.”
“Excellent. Now the party can really get started. Let’s go make the announcement.” I stood and laced our fingers together.
“Wait. I thought this party was to celebrate GQ’s recovery. He’s walking again.” She put her free hand on her hip.
“Guilty. I was planning to propose and then celebrate you saying yes. I’m sure everybody is wondering what’s taking us so long.” I gestured with my thumb toward the door.
“You’re something else.” She laughed and bounced on her toes, excitedly.
“I’m your something else.” I kissed her, then led her out of our bedroom.
When we got to the entrance, I put two fingers in my mouth to wolf whistle. Everyone in the bar stopped what they were doing and turned to face us.
“She said yes!” I yelled and lifted Silvia’s hand and kissed the ring I put on her.
The room erupted with cheers, clapping and more whistling from Quino.
I raised my hands gesturing for them to stop and quiet down. “There’s something else.”
“She’s pregnant!” Mama Virgie hollered.
Silvia gaped looking at me. “How did she guess?”
“Vee, I think everyone knew.” I held our joined hands up. “Yes! We’re having a baby, too!”
Mama Virgie went nuts and ran toward us. “I knew it. I knew it a long time ago! First time, I met you, Mija!” She kissed and hugged us.
“You did.” Silvia nodded.
Everyone in the room congratulated us, which was exhausting. But that’s just how this group of people were. When they were happy for you, they showed you big.
“Come with me.” I took my beautiful fiancée, soon-to-be baby mama, to the middle of the dance floor near the stage.
“What are we doing?”
“You’ll see.” Dang, my nerves were freaking out. But I knew I could do this. I had the best damn musicians waiting for me.
I nodded at Corcoran, letting my little cousin know I was ready and to start playing.
“What’s going on Andy?” Silvia smiled, but she could tell I was up to something.
“I’m doing this just for you, my love.” I kissed her as the music began.
“Are you singing for me?”
“Yes, because I’ll do anything for you.” The words flowed from my lips and to her ears.
Once I started and moved onto the stage, it was easy to perform. I had sung “The Game of Love” hundreds of times, in private.
In front of my MC family, I hadn’t ever been shy, and I wasn’t about to start now.
Of course, there probably weren’t many presidents that would do what I was doing. That just made me more special. Adding in my suave dance moves, I was one in a million. And cockier than GQ.
Silvia’s expression made my efforts worth it. She danced there with stars in her eyes. Like I hung the moon for her, and if I had the power to do it, I would’ve
There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her, my child, Mama Virgie, or my club. I took my job as president very seriously. A lot of people counted on me, and I wouldn’t disappoint them.
As the song came to an end, I went down to my woman and took her in my arms. We would eat, I would drink, and I’d dance with her all night. Then take her to my bed for some good old-fashioned love making.
There was no one I wanted to live this crazy life with more than my Chiquita.
Viva la vida loca!