Chapter Three
King had sent Tianaup with Frog as her guard, knowing the prospect would make sure nothing and nobody fucked with his ole’ lady’s sister. He had everything set up to surprise Ayesha and wouldn’t leave anything to chance.
“Come on, let’s go in. I’m starving and thirsty for a little sustenance since you’ve done your damndest to wring me and my poor old body dry with all your demands of sex.”
He opened the door, knowing Traeger was there, and heard every word and didn’t give a shit. His friend and Sergeant At Arms was every bit as whipped as he was. As soon as they entered, his ole’ lady gasped, seeing the surprise he’d had set up after his morning meeting with the men from the other MC. Nobody looking around would ever know the shit that had gone down. Like it had been for Christmas, twinkle lights decorated the entire bar, but they were all white and red this time. There was a clear trail of red rose petals to the center of the room with a spotlight on a bouquet of several dozen roses. He was sure there were nearly a hundred red flowers on the table, but he only cared about the little velvet box in his pocket.
“What’s all this?” Ayesha asked, walking on her tiptoes over the petals as if she was worried about crushing them.
“This is me trying to be romantic.” King led her over to the table.
Ayesha smiled and fingered one of the roses. “These are so beautiful.”
King shook his head. “No, you’re the beautiful one. You can go to any garden or backyard and plant a rosebush, but you, Ayesha, are unique and much more special than even the most prized rose. You stand out amongst all the other flowers in any garden. You shine brighter than all these lights. You, and you alone, caught my attention from the first moment I laid eyes on you. Even though sometimes you’re pricklier than a rose with a dozen thorns, I’ll gladly get pricked by you. I’ll always treasure and handle you with care because you’re like these roses. You deserve to be handled like the softest pedals. I’m the only man who will ever shower you with the love and care you need and deserve. If you’ll have me.”
He pulled the velvet box out of his pocket and went down on one knee. “Ayesha Cappes, will you do me the honor of marrying me? It goes against the grain to ask, but fuck, baby, I want to hear you say yes because you want to be mine.”
“You don’t have to ask because I’m already yours, King.” She tugged him upward.
“Damn right, you are. I want you wearing my ring and my last name.” He looked over her shoulder to where Tiana stood. “You too, T. I had Keys get the paperwork all set up. Once Ayesha and I are married, it’ll be a matter of signing a few places and some other shit, but you’re my sister as much as you’re hers. If you don’t want to, that’s fine; you’re still family.”
Ayesha buried her face against his chest. “When? When can we get married?”
He held her tightly, feeling his heart pound erratically. “Do you want a big wedding or?”
“No, I’ve had that. Unless you want it?” She leaned back, looking up at him through wet lashes.
“Preacher is here now. I kind of already set shit in motion before setting this up. You know I have friends in low places. When I had you at the courthouse a few weeks ago, I might’ve slid a marriage certificate in there without telling you, just in case.” He grinned down at her.
He had no qualms about his little duplicity. They’d had to go to the courthouse because of Ayesha”s ex’s family bullshit. He and Keys had accompanied her along with their lawyers, ensuring the other man’s family realized she had people. They’d sat in a private office where she”d been signing a shitton of documents, and his team of lawyers had witnessed her signing. It was fucking legal since he hadn’t stood before a judge and married her like he’d wanted. She’d have had to say, ‘I do,’ and he hadn’t been prepared for those words yet.
“You did, did you? I don’t have anything blue or old.” She looked around like she expected the things to land at her feet.
King nodded toward Cosmo. Tai hurried forward with Palmer on her heels. Both women were holding little packages.
“Ayesha, I wish for you to wear this. I don’t have much from my home, but it’s blue and borrowed.” Tai held a small box out with a shaky hand.
“When Hollywood returned from his little overseas trip, he acquired an heirloom. It has special meaning to Tai.” King nodded at the delicate lace and silk sash.
“It’s beautiful, Tai. Thank you.” Ayesha draped the piece over her shoulders.
Palmer held her box out. “This isn’t an heirloom, but every woman should have one when they get married.”
“Don’t let her fool you. She likes to wear one now and again and swears when we have a little girl, she’ll be playing dress-up with her,” Keys said.
Ayesha opened the package, gasping at the gift inside. “I can’t accept this, Palmer.”
“Don’t be silly. Of course, you can. One day, it’ll be an heirloom you can pass on. Go on, put it on.”
“Dibs on that crown,” Tiana called.
“You’re not getting hitched for at least twenty years,” Ayesha said.
Tiana came over and helped Ayesha put the delicate crown on her head. “Alright, you have something borrowed, something blue, and something new. Now it’s time you say I do.”
“What about you? Do you want to change your last name to Royal?” Ayesha’s question quieted everyone in the room.
“I’d like that very much. Thank you, King.” She ducked her head.
“Hey, you don’t have to thank me for doing something that is just a formality. Ain’t a man or woman in here who don’t already look at you as a Royal.” King kissed Tiana’s forehead. “Come on, you can stand up with your sister while Duke stands up with me. Preacher, get your ass over here, and your ass best be fucking sober, and your dick best be in your pants...this time.” King shook his head.
“That sounds like a story I need to hear,” Tiana laughed.
“Nope, that story nobody needs to hear. Suffice it to say, Preacher is a very dirty boy to whom I’ve given strict instructions for today. He better not have fucked up my plans,” King growled, looking around for the man in question.
“Calm down, brother. I’m sober. My dick is in my pants, much to some ladies’ disappointment. And I even washed my hair today; you’re welcome, by the way. Let’s get you hitched so I can rectify the first two. Now, where’s that slightly illegal marriage license?” Preacher stepped into the center of the room wearing a suit and tie that looked like he belonged on the cover of GQ Magazine.
If King didn’t know that beneath the man’s attire, he was covered in tattoos; he’d think Preacher was a businessman who stepped into the wrong club or a fucking lunatic.
“You best be joking, fucker,” Duke warned.
Preacher reached inside his jacket and pulled out an envelope and a Bible. “You’re no fun. Let’s do this. I need a drink and some pussy. I’m not particular about the order.”
King shook his head and placed the velvet box on the table. He’d already slid half of the wedding set onto Ayesha’s finger, but now he looked at Duke for his matching set.
His brother Duke moved next to him with a wink. “I got you, brother.”
Tiana stood next to Ayesha, looking nervous as hell. Keys stepped forward, plucked several roses out of the vase, and gave them to Tiana with a wink. He whispered something to her as he did so. King figured he was also giving her a ring for Ayesha to give him. Many of his MC brothers were probably going to be shocked shitless when his ole’ lady slid a ring on his finger, but fuck all, he couldn’t wait to wear one.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to unite the Prez with his queen,” Preacher began, holding the well-worn leather Bible.
After their vows were spoken, King took Ayesha into his arms. The kiss he gave her wouldn’t have been polite in a church. But they weren’t in a church; they were in his place, surrounded by his brothers and family. With his hands on her ass, he lifted Ayesha, making sure he kept the fact her ass was bare, hidden from everyone else, and turned toward the door. He’d come to the clubhouse to surprise Ayesha with a surprise proposal and wedding. Now, he wanted to take her home so he could make love to his wife, his ole’ lady.
“Wait, you can’t just skip out on the party.” Duke stood by the door, grinning over at him.
“The fuck I can’t. I’m taking my beloved home to show her how much she means to me. Besides, it’s Valentine’s Day. I need to give her the gift I bought her.” King shouldered the door open, and cool evening air hit them.
“Pretty sure that huge ass rock is a good gift,” Duke hollered.
Ayesha kept her legs locked around his waist, her smile getting wider. “You realize you’re carrying me again, don’t you?”
“Yep, but you’re not over my shoulder this time.” King squeezed her ass, letting the tips of his fingers on his right hand slide down the crevice between her cheeks.
“That’s true. Duke was right, though. I don’t need anything else, King. I love you and this.” She waved her hand in the air. “Everything you did to make tonight happen is more than enough for the next ten Valentine’s Days.”
He could see she truly meant every word she said, but he would always give her things. Giving her things made them both happy.
Five months later...
“King,” she cried. Her stomach cramped, making her double over in agony.
The contractions were coming about a minute apart now, going from the seven earlier straight to two, then one, in an hour. Shit, she knew she shouldn’t have told Tiana it was okay to go to Los Angeles that morning. “First-time labor wasn’t supposed to be this quick,” she panted.
Ayesha held her stomach with one arm, making her way to the kitchen while she panted through the pain. A gush of wetness sent panic through her. “Oh, dear, sweet little one. You need to stay right where you are for a little longer.” She tried to remain calm while every part of her was freaking the fuck out. Her cell phone was on the kitchen table like a lifeline. Picking it up, she breathed out and then hit the unlock button. If her estimation was correct, she had fifteen seconds before another contraction, which would make it impossible for her to talk coherently.
Her hand shook as she waited for King to answer. With the speaker phone on, she sat down and took deep breaths like she’d been taught in Lamaze class. “I want drugs. Fuck this natural birth bullshit,” she said.
“What’s wrong, Little Dove?”
“King, it’s time.”
“What? Where are you?”
She heard boots hitting the floor like someone was running, which sounded like he was probably up at the clubhouse. “Home. Hurry and Oh, god. I need Doc or someone. Now. We’re not going to make it to the hospital. My water broke, and—King,” she cried, then bit her lip to stifle the next cry of pain.
“I’m coming, baby. Duke, get Keys and Doc and tell them to meet me at my house. Ayesha’s in labor,” King ordered.
She didn’t know why he asked for Keys and couldn”t care less. She panted through the pain, listening as King barked orders out.
A few minutes that felt like an eternity passed, and the sound of the front door slamming open heralded King’s entrance. She knew she looked like a hot mess. Hell, she hoped, like all get out, he didn’t slip and fall on the mess she’d made from her water breaking. Teach her to walk around with just a nightshirt and panties. Oh god, the others were coming, and she was almost naked.
“King, I need to put some clothes on,” she wailed.
“Baby, you look beautiful. Come on, let me get you back to bed. Doc is on his way down. He was up visiting his daughter, so we’re good.” King lifted her in his arms.
“Wait, my water broke. You’ll get all messy. Oh god, it hurts.” She buried her face against his chest.
Ayesha would never forget the day their son made his grand entrance into the world. Doc and Duke arrived, Keys following them with a bag he’d prepared for such an occasion. Her husband had been prepared, like always, ensuring each of his brothers had a bag with all the necessities they’d need if she went into labor. Doc was coming up daily, not only to see his daughter but also to be on hand in case she went into labor. Of course, his fiancé also enjoyed spending time with her son, Hollywood, and Talena. They called it an even exchange. She called it good fortune for her and their son.
“All right, Ayesha, give it one more push, and this big guy will be here, and you can hold him in your arms.” Doc’s instructions gave her the strength to do as he said.
The sound of running feet and Tiana’s shout that she was there drowned out her cry, but God, she was glad her sister made it. She gave one last push, and then there was the healthy cry of their son.
Doc placed the baby on her chest and handed the scissors to King. Ayesha had never thought her husband would ever balk at anything, let alone look as though he would pass out until he was shown where to cut the cord.
“Come on, Daddy, you can do it,” Tiana said from next to her head on the opposite side of the bed.
King gave a jerky nod, and then he cut. A shudder ran through him as he handed the scissors back to Doc and kissed his son’s forehead. “Fuck, he’s perfect, just like his mama. Thank you, Ayesha.”
Ayesha shifted the little boy until he was at her breast, laughing when he instantly latched on. Then, gasping at the slight pitch until he was in the proper position, she said, “You’re just like your daddy, you little monster,” she said with a tired laugh.
“He’s a smart boy already,” King said, running the back of his knuckles over the baby’s cheek.
She looked at her boy, then his father, and saw so much of the man she loved already, with his dark hair and eyes that stared up at her. “You’ve given us all so much, King. This big guy is going to rule the world one day.” He held her finger in one tiny fist as he nursed from her breast.
“Hell, yeah, he is.”
“What’s his name?” Doc asked.
King brushed Ayesha’s hair back from her damp forehead and nodded.
“Meet Legend Luke Royal, Doc,” Ayesha said with pride.
“That’s perfect,” Tiana sighed.
“Strong name for a strong boy,” Doc agreed.
Ayesha stared down at her son, then at King. She glanced over at her sister, seeing she was staring at the baby with adoration. They were all Royals now. Even if she and her sister weren’t by blood, they were every bit as much family as Duke, King, and now little Legend. No matter what happened or where they went, they’d always have a place to come home, with a family who would love and protect them. Tiana might want to test her wings, and Ayesha would have to let her fly, but she trusted T could find her way back home. Until then, she’d hold her family close and give them all her love.
The End!