Chapter Twenty-Five
Ice
I T TOOK LONGER than I thought it would for a nurse to return with the discharge papers releasing Keaton from the hospital.
Wren and Judge brought Bridger and a change of clothes for her up and stayed while we were waiting.
Keaton allowed me to help her dress after she got the IV removed because the use of her wrists is a little hard right now with the way they hurt.
I didn’t take advantage of her, quickly removing the hospital gown from her before sliding the loose dress Wren brought up over her head.
There wasn’t a bra in the bag with the clothes so we skipped that part, but I’m not sure I like the fact she’s moving around with no bra covering her.
I can see her nipples through the dress and that’s not a good thing.
I’m more than likely to beat the fuck out of some random guy for looking at her than leaving them alone.
There’s also no underwear. Keaton is going completely naked under the dress.
The only reason I’m not saying anything about it is because the material goes down to her ankles so I hope the risk of her flashing someone besides me is non-existent.
Judge just laughed when I glared at Wren and she shrugged her shoulders once they came back in the room.
“Are you okay with meeting my mom and dad today?” Keaton asks me when we’re in my truck and heading to her house while Judge and Wren return to the compound. Zach and Tristan follow us so Tristan can drop my bike off and then head to the clubhouse.
“I’m good, Songbird. I’d meet them eventually and I’m certainly not gonna disappear or make them wait to see you.
You’re their daughter and I’d be goin’ out of my damn mind if I had a kid and somethin’ happened to them.
I heard the fear in your mom’s voice when I first called them the night we brought you to the hospital,” I answer her as I lace our fingers together and rest them on her thigh so it doesn’t bother her wrist.
“They can be a lot to deal with on a good day, Tucker. Since I’m just getting out of the hospital today, it might be worse than I’m expecting,” she informs me as I laugh at her.
“Songbird, I can handle your parents. They’re important to you which makes them important to me. My parents raised me with manners so I can have a conversation with them for a few hours,” I assure her as we pull up to the gate of her house and I open my window to put the code in the keypad.
The three of us pull through the gate and come to a stop as it closes behind our vehicles.
I know we don’t have to worry about Dillon coming for Bridger and Keaton any longer since he killed himself.
Our conversation in her hospital room has really gotten me thinking about things though.
What if someone does discover Keaton is Ruby and they show up at her house?
Is the gate really enough to keep them out of her private space?
The sanctuary she’s created for herself?
I think we might need to talk more about this when she’s gotten some more rest.
I pull in the garage and motion for Tristan to follow me.
There’s more than enough room for my bike and truck in the same bay.
While I help Keaton out of my truck, Zach gets Bridger out and Tristan grabs the diaper bag.
We all head inside and I notice an older woman who closely resembles Keaton in the kitchen making some kind of salad.
“Sweetheart!” she exclaims the second she notices us entering the house.
I back away as the woman pulls Keaton in her arms and holds her close.
It doesn’t take long for a man to enter the kitchen as he looks at the three of us standing behind his wife and daughter.
Keaton is the perfect combination of her mom and dad so it doesn’t take a genius to figure out how they’re related.
“I’m okay, Mom. I promise. I’ve got a slight headache and my wrists hurt, but that’s it. Mom, Dad, this is Tucker, Tristan, and Zach. Guys, these are my parents, Logan and Tiffany Jones,” she introduces us all as her dad steps up and holds his hand out for each of us to shake.
“It’s nice to meet you both,” I say as Tristan and Zach give them each a nod of recognition but nothing more.
“You’re the one who called us to tell us what was going on,” Mrs. Jones states as she releases her daughter and steps closer to me.
“Thank you for taking such great care of our daughter. I’m glad she wasn’t alone in the hospital after being kidnapped.
Would you like to stay for dinner so we can thank you properly? ”
“Mom, Tucker will be staying with me. We’re together now. He knows everything,” Keaton says and it doesn’t take long for her parents to understand her words as they both smile at me.
I finally take Bridger from Zach and head for the bassinet in the living room as Tristan and Zach leave us alone in Keaton’s house.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones fuss over Keaton, bringing her in the living room and getting her set up on the couch.
Mrs. Jones covers her daughter with a light blanket while Mr. Jones brings in a large bottle of water, crackers, and some other snacks.
“You just stay right in here and try to get some rest, Sweetheart. Let your dad and I make you guys dinner,” her mom says as I get Bridger laid down in the bassinet and cover him with a blanket.
“Why don’t you guys hang out here with your daughter and I’ll prepare dinner for us all?” I ask everyone as they look at me with surprise. “I can cook really well and I don’t mind. I know Keaton has a grill out back and I can use that for part of dinner.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind? I don’t have a problem cooking for us all,” Mrs. Jones asks me as she looks between Keaton and me.
“I’m positive. You haven’t seen your daughter in a long time. Relax and I’ll take care of dinner,” I assure them, making my way in the kitchen with the empty bottles from Bridger’s diaper bag.
***
I ’ve been cooking for a while now and everything is finally ready for dinner.
I made ribs, potatoes sliced and seasoned before being cooked on the grill, finished the macaroni salad Mrs. Jones was preparing, and grilled asparagus.
Mr. Jones came out when I was grilling our food and we had a good talk.
He asked me a lot of questions about myself and I answered every single one honestly.
I’m surprised he didn’t ask more about the club, but I’m sure he knows we’ve all taken turns with security work when his daughter has been on tour.
The last thing he tells me before we carry all the food inside is to be patient with Keaton and don’t let her hide away when things overwhelm her.
He also informs me that I’m important to her since she told me the truth about Ruby and it’s a first for her.
We all sit down for dinner together and Bridger joins us at the table since he woke up.
Mrs. Jones feeds him baby food in his high chair, allowing Keaton to eat while her food is still hot.
I’ve talked to her several times and she’s too busy taking care of Bridger to worry about finishing her meal or taking care of herself.
I’m glad I’m not the only one willing to step up and ensure she puts herself first every now and then.
“So, Tucker, you’re a member of the Knight’s Rebellion MC?” Mrs. Jones asks me as we enjoy our food.
“Yes, ma’am. I’ve been a member since I was eighteen years old. I’m currently the Sergeant at Arms. I also manage the strip club we own,” I say and wonder what she’ll think of that piece of information.
“I see. You also work in security?” she asks, not mentioning the strip club part again.
“I do. We have a security firm through the club one of my brother’s run.
I was on your daughter’s security detail at the festival she played before everythin’ happened.
We don’t often get called in by Jagger but since it was so close to here, Sabotage asked for us to be included.
He’s the main contact of Jagger,” I answer her as Keaton offers me a small smile and takes my hand in hers as she continues to eat.
“You sound like you stay busy,” Mrs. Jones comments as she feeds Bridger more food.
“I love to stay busy. I grew up on a farm and there was always somethin’ to do. It beats sittin’ around doin’ nothin’,” I state as Mrs. Jones nods in agreement.
“How are you going to handle Keaton going on tour when Jagger gets another one lined up for her?” Mr. Jones questions me as I squeeze Keaton’s hand and set my fork down on the table next to my plate.
“That’s easy. I’ll do everythin’ I can to help her prepare and head out.
My President has a wife and kids of his own.
I’m sure Wren won’t have any problem helpin’ me take care of Bridger while Keaton’s on tour.
We can head out to certain dates dependin’ on where the tour is.
When I can’t be with her, we have phones.
The two of us can call and FaceTime. Tour won’t last forever and for the duration, I’ll stay here with Bridger so it’s one less thing Keaton has to worry about or focus on,” I answer Keaton’s dad as he smiles at my response and Mrs. Jones finally loses the tension in her shoulders.
“You’ve found a good man, Sweetheart,” Mrs. Jones finally says, giving me her approval as we continue eating our dinner.
As soon as we’re done eating, everyone thanks me for a good meal.
I cleared the table and put away all the leftovers.
After rinsing the dishes off, I loaded the dishwasher and started it before joining Keaton and her parents in the living room.
We talked, laughed, and I was told stories about Keaton growing up.
Her mom even threatened to send me videos of her childhood to which Keaton’s face turned a bright shade of red and she vehemently vetoed that idea.
Mrs. Jones gave Bridger his bath before putting him to bed while I helped Keaton wash up with a quick sponge bath before changing her into a pair of her pajamas.
“Sweetheart, Bridger is out and in his crib. You get some rest and we’ll check on you tomorrow.
If any of you need anything, don’t hesitate to call and we’ll get it taken care of,” Mrs. Jones says when she re-enters the living room and leans down to give her daughter a kiss on the top of her head very carefully.
“Thank you, Mom. Dad, make sure she rests once you get home. You know she’ll stay up all night washin’ the clothes from your suitcases if you don’t watch her,” Keaton says as her mom glares at her and her dad starts to laugh in response.
“I’ll make sure she goes to bed. In fact, I’ll leave our suitcases in the car until tomorrow so she doesn’t have a choice but to go to bed,” Mr. Jones responds as he gives his daughter a hug and they leave. I follow behind them and lock the door before rejoining Keaton in the living room.
“Are you ready for bed?” I ask her, taking a seat near her feet and pulling them in my lap.
“No. I’d like to watch a movie if you want to,” she responds and I nod my head. “I’m kind of hungry. Is there any ice cream?”
“Let me take a look. I know Tristan and Zach bought a ton of groceries this mornin’ while you were waitin’ to get released from the hospital.
The club paid for them because they didn’t want us to have to stop anywhere else before coming here,” I inform her as I carefully move her feet and head for the kitchen.
“Why would they do that? I don’t belong to the club,” she questions me as I listen to her grab the remote from the table while pulling open the freezer.
“They know you’re mine and I was gonna be here for you no matter what.
It was their way of helpin’ us out so I can focus on Bridger and you.
You heard the nurse when she was goin’ over your paperwork.
You’re to rest for the next few weeks and take care of yourself.
I’ll worry about Bridger. Sleep will be your best friend.
Tristan also picked up your prescriptions from the pharmacy.
Before bed we’ll have to change your bandages and apply more ointment to the wounds on your wrists,” I remind her as she pouts in response.
“That hurts,” she states as I pull out two different containers of ice cream.
“I’ll take the peanut butter cup,” Keaton says to my silent question as I put the second container away.
I grab bowls, spoons, and the ice cream scoop.
While I’m dishing up our bowls, Keaton asks for some kind of peanut butter topping.
Apparently it’s some kind of shell and gets hard once it touches the ice cream.
It sounds interesting as I look in her pantry and find what she’s asking for.
Keaton and I eat our ice cream while watching one of her chick flicks.
I honestly don’t mind watching them with her because it’s the two of us spending time together.
When Keaton finishes her ice cream and I take the bowl from her hands, it doesn't take long before she’s passed out again.
I carry her into her room and put her to bed before making sure the baby monitor is shut off and then making my way back to the living room to sleep on the couch for the night.
We still haven’t talked about sharing a bed so I’ll sleep alone.
I do check on Bridger before making sure all the windows and doors are locked and her security system is turned on.
Then, I put on a movie I’ve watched millions of times and fall asleep with images of Bridger and Keaton in my head.