Epilogue
EPILOGUE
WRENLEY
“ T his is your first official day. Are you excited?” Raya asked as she walked beside me to the childcare room in the compound. I eagerly gave up on the marketing course when Dusty had hinted that she, Lucas, and some of the other mothers in the club really wanted to turn Tech’s old computer room into a daycare, but they also wanted someone they trusted to run it. Stracey, a club woman, had said she had the qualifications to run it, but she wouldn’t want to do it forever. Which was why I offered myself up without really thinking about it. But as soon as I had, I felt like it was the right move for me. I loved kids. Raya and I used to take care of a lot of the children in our old neighborhood when we were younger. So, I got my childcare license by doing some online courses while Stracey helped set things up for the room. Then, in between my shifts, I would continue my education to get my ECE degree. Eventually, I would take over running things.
“I’m excited and nervous. But as first days go, I have it pretty easy with it only being Opal, until Wreck finishes at Polished, and Seth while Dusty does a cooking spree. The rest are after-school care.”
“You’ll have more soon,” Raya said.
I glanced at her. “Who?”
“Mine and Leland’s.”
I dragged her to a stop and squealed, “What?”
She nodded, smiling big as tears filled our eyes at the same time.
“Really?” I questioned again.
“You’re going to be an aunty in six months’ time.”
“You’re already three months?” I rested my hands to her belly and noticed she had a tiny baby bump under her blouse. “Oh my God, this is exciting!”
“And scary,” Raya admitted softly.
I hugged her to me. “You’re going to be the best mom.”
“I hope so.”
Pulling back, I shook my head. “I know so. Does anyone else know yet?”
She hooked her arm in mine as we started walking again. “No one. But I think Leland is telling his—” A loud, boisterous cheer went up from the common room we’d come from. “—brothers now,” Raya finished with a laugh.
Grinning, I bumped her hip with mine. “I guess you caught the baby bug after Seth was born.”
“It was actually more Leland. But when he mentioned how he’d like a baby, I was all on board.”
“That’s adorable. He got baby fever.”
“It really was. But even though Leland has permanently moved into ours, and we now have a baby on the way, I don’t want you to think we don’t want you living with us. We’re a family always, Wren.”
I smiled. “I know. But I like where I am, and it’s not like I’ve come back since being at Torch’s.”
She laughed. “True. You know I’m happy for you. We really won the lottery when it comes to our men.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” We stopped outside the room, and I saw Dusty coming down the hall to drop off Seth. I looked at my sister, and my heart gave a squeeze. We really were lucky with where we landed. “I’m happy for you, too, Raya. Love you.”
Tears formed. “Love you too.”
“I just heard Death knocked you up. This is the best news,” Dusty called, and we both laughed.
Our family had grown so much since we moved here. We had truly been blessed with the people in our lives, and I couldn’t wait to see where my life would lead with Torch at my side. I just knew it would be amazing.
Torch
I paced back and forth in the common room waiting for Wrenley to close the daycare and meet me out here before we headed back to our place.
Right then, I was more excited than I had been when, months ago in a video chat, I watched members of the Hawks MC beat on Plank, making his blood flow.
Yet, my nerves wreaked havoc on my gut.
I already knew she’d agree to my question. But there was always that doubtful voice in my head that told me otherwise.
Told me she was too good for me. That I should let her go for someone better. Told me I was a worthless piece of shit that didn’t deserve her kindness, her love.
But lately, I told that voice to shut the fuck up.
And since I was also a selfish bastard who was obsessed with my Wrenley, I would make sure everyone knew she was taken by putting my mark on her.
“Torch, you good?” Country called from the table he sat at with his woman, their baby, and a few other brothers.
Nodding, I kept pacing and watching the doorway.
She’d be in here soon. I just had to wait to get her alone.
I wasn’t sure why I picked today of all the days.
Maybe it was because she’d started her new job. A new beginning for her, and I felt it’d be better to have all the changes on the same day.
I didn’t know.
My mind buzzed with too many thoughts.
I tapped and rubbed at my temple.
She’d want me.
She’d accept.
She was mine. I was hers.
I couldn’t believe she hadn’t mentioned going back to her house. She’d stayed with me and never brought up moving back home. In fact, she’d gone to get more of her things.
She would forever live in my space now.
She couldn’t get out of it.
Not when I loved having her there. I loved waking and sleeping and drinking, eating, showering, fucking… everything with her in my home.
When I heard her sweet laughter coming from the hall, I stumbled to a halt while my heart crawled up my throat.
I just had to get her home, and then I’d ask her.
There she is.
She’d walked in with Stracey, one of the club girls, smiling.
She was happy.
Was always happy now.
When she spotted me, her head cocked to the side, and her words trailed off.
Fuck waiting.
I couldn’t wait.
I had to do it. The need to mark her clawed at my chest.
She was mine.
I deserved her. I made her smile, laugh, and love me.
My treasure would have my ring.
Striding toward her, I swallowed thickly from nerves and stopped when I was right in front before I dropped to one knee.
Stracey drifted away while my Wrenley covered her gasp with a hand as tears filled her eyes.
I didn’t like seeing them. But I guessed they were happy ones.
They’d better be happy ones.
“You’re the reason I finally have light in my life. I’ll always belong to you, heart and soul, my beautiful Wrenley, and I want to show the world you belong to me. Will you marry me?”
Pound.
Pound.
Pound.
My heart was about to burst.
There was nothing but silence behind me. Everyone watched.
I didn’t care, but I hoped Wrenley didn’t mind the audience. I hoped she didn’t care that I couldn’t wait. I pulled the ring from my pocket and held it up to her.
My hand shook.
I looked up and watched her tears tip over to her cheeks.
“I love you,” she whispered, leaning down to cup my cheeks. She pressed a soft kiss to my lips, where she said, “I’d be honored to become your wife, Chase.”
My chest filled with her light.
I slid the ring on her finger, stood, and picked her up to have her mouth, sealing the deal.
The room erupted in noise, but my focus stayed glued to the woman in my arms.
I placed her back on her feet, and she beamed up at me.
“Start organizing it,” I told her, fingering the glittery ring on her hand. “Want the second band to join with this one and want one for myself. Need everyone to know we’re each other’s worlds.”
Her smile turned wobbly as she nodded. “I love the sound of that.”
Before we could get interrupted, I said, “Thank you for lovin’ me like no one else could. Love you, my perfect, pretty obsession.”
“Love you, Chase.” She jumped and I caught her.
I always would.