Chapter 9 Epilogue - Four Years Later - Gage
Chapter nine
Epilogue- Four Years Later- Gage
Biker. Outlaw. Protector.
Over the years, I’ve been labeled so many things. But as I look at my beautiful wife, sweat dripping down her face. I realize my most important label is yet to come.
Dad.
When Olive said yes, and I earned the label of husband, I was nervous. Today, as I watch her grow into a warrior right before my eyes, I’m terrified.
“What can I do, my love? More ice chips?” I hover by Olive’s side, running ice over her dry lips while she labors. It’s not enough, and if I could take the pain from her, I would.
“Hold my hand,” she croaks, and I do as she says, hiding my wince when she crushes my fingers during a particularly strong contraction. In this moment, my comfort doesn’t matter—just hers.
“Almost there!” the doctor chirps from between her legs, and I want to kill the way-too-cheerful woman as a tear tracks down Olive’s cheek.
“Get her the drugs!” I shout, desperate for the pain to disappear from my gorgeous woman’s face. This is it, our only child. I’m never going to watch her go through this again. Nope.
“Sir, we’ve been over this. Your wife is all right. She’s not asking for medication—and besides, it’s too late anyway. Your son or daughter is about to be born.” The doctor has the nerve to admonish me, and I consider how bad it would be to end her after the baby gets here.
Okay, that’s probably overkill. Life-saving doctors don’t deserve to be on my kill list... barely.
“Ahhhhh. Fuck! It hurts. It hurts,” Olive cries out, gripping me tightly.
Her mom stands on the other side of the bed, getting a cold cloth and pressing it against Olive’s neck.
“My girl, you can do this. You have the strength.” Her calm presence is more than welcome.
After the coast was clear, we built Olive’s mother a house on our land. Far enough away to give her space, but close enough that the two get to spend as much time as they wish together. It’s been a strange, but wild four years. Made better by every minute I get to spend in my sweet wife’s presence.
And after today, I’ll be officially retired. No more missions.
My only purpose in life will be protecting my family and caring for their every need. We decided that my job was too dangerous; eventually, protecting others could put our own little family at risk. So, though Vance was sad to lose one of his best, he understood.
There’s nothing I wouldn’t give up for my family. For this life we’ve forged together.
“Okay. On the count of three, push.” The doctor is all business now.
With a grunt, Olive bears down. Brave. Strong.
“Give me another, just like that,” she directs, and I do my best to support my woman.
“You’ve got this, baby.” Her energy is flagging, but there’s determination glinting in her eyes. It’s been a lengthy, grueling labor, but the end is in sight. “I’ve got sushi and wine on the way.”
Olive laugh-snorts. She’s been craving both throughout the pregnancy. I lean over the bar, giving her a kiss on the forehead.
“And push.” Olive bears down, and seconds later, our baby’s tiny cry fills the room. My wife slumps back, completely exhausted, but she’s never looked so beautiful.
I know there’s a tiny human to take care of, an umbilical cord to cut, but I can’t tear myself from my wife’s side. My love for her is overwhelming.
“Meet your baby girl, Mom and Dad,” the doctor proclaims, placing her on Olive’s chest. My hand comes up, making sure they both remain steady.
Doctors and nurses buzz around us, but it all fades into the background.
“We did it, Gage,” she says, tears in her eyes.
“No, baby, this was all you. You’re the most amazing thing that’s ever happened to me. The gift I know I never deserved. Thank you.” I kiss my wife, keeping one hand on our squirming daughter.
“Fine. Then you get to do all the diaper changes,” Olive jokes, but I see how badly she needs rest.
“Every last one,” I promise, knowing it’ll be an honor. “Rest, my love. I’ll keep you both safe.”
From outlaw to chief diaper changer.
Four years ago, I never imagined quitting my job, starting a family, or falling in love. But I wouldn’t change a single thing.
THE END