Chapter 12
Lena
The next morning was Sunday. One of my days off.
And I didn’t even try to fight the smile that formed on my face when my eyes opened.
I stretched, my hand going to Storm’s body... only not to find it lying there beside me.
Lifting my head, I called out, “Storm?”
He called out, “Kitchen, Precious.”
Throwing the covers off my body, I headed to the bathroom to do my early morning skincare routine, then I pulled on some pajama bottoms and a tight-fitted camisole.
When I made it to the kitchen it was to see Storm’s naked back at the stove.
Smiling, I made my way over to him, and then wrapped my arms around his middle, pressing my face to his back, “Morning, handsome.”
“Morning, Precious. Like you there. Love it, but need you to step back, cooking bacon.”
I did as he asked but not before I pressed a kiss between his shoulder blades.
Once I was sitting on a barstool, Skylar sauntered over to me, rubbing her nose on my thigh. I gave her some good morning scratches, then asked, “So it’s okay for you to be doing that shirtless, but my arms aren’t safe?”
He looked over his shoulder at me, winked, and said, “Don’t give a fuck if I get hurt. But I will give a fuck if you get hurt.”
My heart swelled.
My face went soft.
And my man didn’t miss it.
Once everything was done, he plated the food and asked, “What are your plans for the day?”
I said, “Usually on Sunday mornings I clean my house. I might do some early Christmas shopping. You?”
“Gotta head to the clubhouse once we eat,” I nodded.
After we ate eggs, bacon, and toast, I cleaned the dishes while he showered.
He came out just as I was tidying the kitchen and said, “Loved seeing your face being the first thing I saw when I woke up.”
“Well, you owe me that experience,” I winked.
He shook his head, walked over to me, and pressed a kiss to my lips, then one on the top of my head, “Call me later.”
Then I watched his fine-assed self, walk out of my house.
***
Since Storm had been called to the clubhouse, I spent the morning cleaning my house and doing laundry.
The majority of the cleaning was all centered on the dog hair I had to get up. Shepherds shed a lot and then once you think you have it all, nope it tricks you.
I also spent the morning and midafternoon Christmas shopping; I hated waiting until the last minute for anything.
I made it home by four o’clock and was pulling into the driveway when Storm pulled in behind me. Not only did he pull out a duffle bag, but he also pulled out a few grocery bags.
“Do you need any help?” I asked.
He looked like he had his hands full.
I knew it was going to be a no without him telling me by the look he shot me.
So, I just hurried to the front door and unlocked it.
I held it open for him; he took the groceries to the kitchen and then came back into the living room.
“So, I ain’t trying to rush shit but would you mind if I washed my clothes here. I fucking hate using the shit at the clubhouse.” I could barely hold in my laugh at the disgust on his face.
“You know where the laundry room is.” I called to his retreating back and said, “Hey Storm, I’m not trying to rush things, but do you think you might wanna spend the night tonight?”
I stopped him dead in his tracks; he turned and said, “Are you sure?”
I looked at him with my straightest face and said, “No”.
He looked crestfallen. Oh my.
And at his look, I knew I couldn’t keep my grin in check; therefore, I didn’t even try, I said, “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want you here Storm. And seeing as you’re mine, only seems right for you to start leaving some of your things here.”
His smile lit up the room. And I watched smile as it came at me, I was up in his arms, my hands circled his neck, and his lips crashed down on mine
After he threw his laundry in the washer he headed into the kitchen. I planted my ass on a barstool with a can of Dr. Pepper and watched my man cook.
What he made had my mouth watering.
He made fettuccine alfredo from scratch.
When I asked him where he learned to make it, he told me his grandmother.
Then he said something, and I wished more than anything, that I already had this man’s last name, “Wish she could have met you. She’d have loved you.”
“When did she pass away?” I asked as he dished out the plates and carried them to the living room.
From the living room, he called out, “When Raine was six months old. Cancer.”
“Fuck cancer,” I piped up.
He winked at me, as I passed him with forks, napkins, and our drinks.
Once we were settled, I started the movie. Terminator 2: Judgement Day.
“Storm, this looks and smells delicious. Thank you for making this.” I told him.
“My pleasure, Precious. I hope it tastes as good as it looks.” I was sure it would. This man... my man didn’t do anything half-ass.
And I was right as I savored the taste on my tongue, “So good.” I mumbled through a mouthful.
He shook his head, that smile I loved on his lips.
And now... since he was mine, I swallowed my bite, then leaned over and pressed a kiss on his lips, “Delicious.”
As I pulled away, I caught the heat in his gaze, he knew I wasn’t only talking about the food.
Once we were done eating, we both cleaned up. I headed to the bedroom to take a quick shower.
Once I was done, he was lying on the bed with the covers turned down.
I had never slept with a man before or anyone else in my bed before last night, so this was going to be interesting.
He had his arm out to the side, so I did what felt natural. I climbed in next to him and placed my head on his chest. I guess that was right because he wrapped his arm around me and pressed a kiss to my forehead.
“Good night, Precious.” He already sounded sleepy.
“Goodnight, honey.” First time I have ever said that word to anyone. It felt perfect, and for that, I received another kiss on the forehead. I was soon asleep right after that.
The next days that followed, ended up the same way, he or I cooked after I got off work and he was done at the clubhouse and the garage. both got off work.
The MC was having a club Christmas party that was for everyone on the fifteenth.
I have gifts for all the guys; I am saving my fathers and Storms for later. We both got ready and headed to the clubhouse in my truck. The weather has dropped to almost nineteen degrees.
I love Storm but no way in hell am I riding on a bike in this cold ass weather. We made it to the clubhouse and tons of cages were in the parking.
We parked in my spot. He wrapped me up in his arms to keep me warm with his body heat. When we finally made it inside, I felt tens of thousands of tiny pricks hitting my fingers.
Seeing everyone, and since it’s been weeks since I made it to the clubhouse, I missed it.
I was smiling as hand in hand, Storm and I walked into the clubhouse, but when my eyes caught on an all too familiar form, I stopped dead in my tracks.
That too caused Storm to come to a jarring halt and immediately I felt his eyes on me.
I’m sure my face turned white as a sheet.
Standing at the bar in my place of safety was Byron, wearing none other than a prospect kutte. I turned to Storm; his eyes were nearly glacial because of how my body tensed.
“Storm, can you get my dad over here? Please?” My voice was shaky, and I was trembling. That man made me so mad. Storm whistled for my dad’s attention, and he came over.
“Doll face, what the fuck is wrong? You’re white as a damn sheet.” He said as his eyes trailed over my body, looking for something that seemed off to him.
I swallowed, “Dad, do you remember our very first phone call?”
“Of course, how can I forget it?” he looked down at me with confusion marring his brow, “What about it, doll face?”
“Do you remember what I told you about that boy and my half-sister?” I didn’t know this but my dad had already relayed some of the things I told him so they would understand.
“Which one is in here?” His lips thinned; this was not going to be good for Byron.
“He’s the one standing by the bar with the perfect hair and the prospect kutte on,” I said.
Before I could even get the rest out Storm was already at the bar. He grabbed Byron by the neck, lifted him, and threw him to the ground.
“Flint? You have three seconds to tell me your real name before you really find out how I got my road name.”
Bryon’s mouth opened like a fish. He tried to play it off like he didn’t know what they were talking about.
That was until Byron looked around the clubhouse and locked his eyes on me.
And with his gaze on me, for as long as it was, I could see Storm’s face tensing up even more. So, I did the only thing that would work. I came around my dad and looked at Byron. His face completely changed.
“Ha. Ha. Bitch……” That was all he got out because Storm slammed his boot onto his throat and cut off all his air supply.
“You disrespect her again in my presence and you won’t live another fuckin’ second. You better start prayin’ boy ‘cause you're going to need something.” Storm said.
My dad moved to my side and said, “Now start talking. Why the fuck are you trying to be someone you ain’t and why the fuck are you here.” My dad was keeping it cool, a lot better than Storm was.
Storm finally lifted his boot so he could talk. He wasn’t worried about his breathing though.
“She should be seeing her sister soon; she has a few things left to say to you. Dumb ass bitch….” And those were his final words... because Storm slammed his boot so hard on Bryon’s head that a crunch could be heard.
My dad moved then and with Clip’s help he ripped Byron’s kutte off and they carried him out.
I had been feeling my phone vibrating, but I hadn’t answered it yet. Finally, when I did answer it, I was not prepared for what I heard on the other end of the phone.
“Lena, you need to come to the hospital. Now.” Raine said on the phone, she sounded pissed as all hell.
“Okay, what’s wrong?” I’ve never known Raine to be this pissed off.
“You won’t believe who has been brought back to the hospital. The baby girl from a few months ago. The one we called Angel then later found out her name was Krys.” My hands began to shake before she even said that name.
I don’t remember hanging up the phone, nor do I remember telling Storm we needed to go, I also don’t recall how we got from the clubhouse to the hospital.
I do recall the last time I heard that person’s voice that I saw standing in the birthing center.
I gaped, “Karly, what are you doing here?”
Once she turned around Storm was right behind me, he recognized her too.
And what he said, I didn’t know about, but I would find out, much later.
“You dumb bitch why the fuck did you put cameras in the clubhouse?” While she was paying attention to Storm, I texted Dad and told him exactly what was said. My phone buzzed immediately with his reply.
Dad – On the way.
“I wanted to see what I was up against. I tried to get into your house, but your damn dog wasn’t having it. So, I set up those cameras to find you and try to hurt everyone closest to you. Just like you did with me.”
She looked strung out on something, while she was talking, I noticed Raine trying to motion to me something over Karly’s shoulder, but I couldn’t see.
So, I started to get closer to her and came in at an angle where I was far enough away from her but could see around her, and what I saw had tears pricking my eyes.
She had Krys, strapped down in some kind of car seat. She had her arm ready to receive something in a needle.
We had to get them apart somehow. I looked at Storm and saw something similar in his eyes.
So, I started talking to her, even though I wanted to get Storm’s gun and kill her, even though I was raging inside, I calmly asked, “Karly why did you say I hurt those closest to you? I never did anything to you.”
“Oh yes, you did, cunt. When you came along after our dear Precious sweet mother cheated on my father with that piece of shit you call a father. She wanted nothing to do with me and everything to do with you.” While she was talking, I was busy clenching and unclenching my fists. I noticed Storm was so close to the little girl, I had to keep her talking.
“Okay, I’m sorry for that Karly,” bullshit.
Come on Karly, keep talking.
She threw her hands up in the air and began again “And if that wasn’t bad enough, you even took my father away from me. He was so obsessed with your hair, and he wouldn’t ever stop touching it. So, I shaved it all off. Oh, you were so eager to please, you just wanted to play with your big sister, and you were so dumb.”
I looked slightly left and noticed that Storm had placed his body in front of Krys. Yeah, I love that man even more.
I didn’t need to hear any more from her. I charged her now that Krys was safe. I threw an uppercut with my whole body in that one punch.
She went down hard and hit her head. I didn’t feel any pain in my hand. That was good. Right?
My father and the guys came around the corner and grabbed her up, while I rushed to Krys, her little eyes were wide until she saw me and then she began to scream.
I got her out of that car seat and cuddled her close. She wrapped her hand in my shirt, laid her head down and fell asleep. I looked over and all eyes were on me.
I looked at Storm, and he was intently watching us.
I knew he could read what my brain and my heart were telling me.
He nodded at me.
I looked at my father and said those words I’ll never regret. “I don’t give a damn what happens to her. I wanna know where Krys came from. I want her birth certificate and I want her to sign a termination of rights document. She’s never getting near this baby again” I vowed.
My dad nodded at me. “It’ll be done, doll face.” They all left, Storm kissed me on the forehead and said he’d be back.
And he was right back after he got me and him a change of clothes, and together we cuddled around Krys in the too-big hospital bed.
We had her admitted so they could run tests, and we also found out that the syringe she had poised to shove into Krys’s arm was none other than heroin. That. Fucking. Bitch.
It wasn’t until two days later that I got the best gift ever.
I was still at the hospital because Krys would throw an absolute fit if I wasn’t near her where she could see.
My father, Storm, the club lawyer, and two other people, two women in business attire approached us. I was asked if I wanted to be Krys’s legal guardian, I thought they were joking.
When I looked into Storm’s eyes they held the truth.
“Yes, I would love to be her legal guardian.” I again had tears coming out of my eyes.
I was told to sign on the dotted line, as well as a few other signatures. It turned out my sister was Krys’s mother but never filled out her birth certificate. She had given birth at home.
And no one knew who the father was.
Combine that, with the fact that I’m the closest relative and the termination of rights she just happened to have on her I was given full and legal custody of Krys.
The next day she was cleared by the doctor; after she had received a full panel work-up.
Thankfully, she was perfectly healthy, albeit, dehydrated when she came in, and massively underweight.
Once I got her dressed in the things Raine had purchased, we headed out to where Storm was waiting for us with the heat cranked to full blast.
Krys had her head resting on my shoulder, and asked sleepily, “We go home?”
I smiled, pressed a kiss atop her head, and said, “Yes, baby. We are going home.”
When we exited the hospital, it was to see Storm leaning up against my truck with what looked to be tons of baby things, resting in the back.
I shouldn’t have been surprised.
Krys was already loved and would be protected by my fierce giant. We all loaded up in the truck and headed home.
I again shouldn’t have been surprised when we pulled up to the house to see all kinds of cars, trucks, and bikes on my road.
As soon as we stopped the brothers began getting things out of the truck and carrying them into the house.
Storm grabbed Krys and we both headed inside.
When I left my home three days ago, it wasn’t filled to the brim with baby things, nor was it filled to the brim with Storm’s things, and it certainly wasn’t filled to the brim with Christmas things and a Christmas tree that needed to be decorated.
While we walked to the room that was designated for Krys, my dad came down the hall, “Gimme my grandbaby you baby hog!”
I would have thought Krys would have pulled away but no, she giggled and squealed in her little girl voice.
That was something else, seeing a man feared by many caring around a baby girl who looked at him like he hung the moon.
Krys’s room was the last room on the right, closest to my, well, our room.
They did her room in nothing, but Harley’s and it looked awesome, all her furniture was black with black and pink bedding.
Above her crib was a picture of Storm and me on his Harley when he kissed my forehead.
Guess who was posted up as a guard for Krys?
Skylar. She had to sniff each hand that got near her to make sure they were ok.
I had a feeling instead of sleeping with us she was going to be sleeping in Krys’s room.
I looked at Storm after everyone had left while we were decorating the Christmas tree, “So, you think you’re moving in too?” I put my hand on my hip to try and give him some attitude.
Instead, he walked over to me, wrapped me up in his arms, kissed my forehead then got down on one knee.
He looked up at me with tears forming in his eyes and said “Lena, you’re my best friend; you’re the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. You’re my rock and you’re my home. I want to ride around forever with you; I want to be the man who stays by your side. Will you please marry me and be my ol’ lady?” When he finished, he opened the box.
I was speechless for a moment then came to my senses. And I said the most important word of all, “Yes.”
He stood up, placed a princess-cut diamond on my finger, then placed his mouth on mine.
His huge hands went down to my ass, lifting me, and with our mouths still fused together he carried me to our bedroom.
Carefully, he laid me down while he took his time peppering me with kisses.
“Are you okay with this? With Krys I mean?”
“She a part of you?” He asked as he moved down my stomach.
He said one word, “Yes.”
“Then yeah. Told you, a while ago. I want everything with you. That diamond on your finger should say it all.”
He then laid me down and he made nothing but sweet, passionate, love to me all night long.
When I awoke the next morning, it was to find his mouth working its magic, he brought me to the edge of extinction.
Before I could return the favor, we both heard Krys in her room.
Storm grinned, and said, “Damn but I missed that shit. Can’t wait to change her name to Lowman when I marry you.”
At the soft look I knew was on my face, he winked, slapped my ass, and then went and got Krys.
Thankfully, I had my phone in my hand when he walked out of the hall and into the kitchen.
Seeing him shirtless, cuddling Krys to his chest, I snapped a picture, then said, “You're making my ovaries explode right now.”
Then without hesitating he said, “Then go toss out your birth control, Precious. Give you as many babies as you want.”
I grinned, then as I headed to do just that, I stopped, looked at him, and asked, “What happened to Karly?”
“She’s somewhere where she will never bother a living soul again.” He told me.
I smiled, “Good. Fucking. Riddance. Would it be bad if I danced over her grave?”
“If she had one, then nah. It wouldn’t be.” I smiled the entire time I headed to the bathroom and flushed my birth control tablets down the toilet.