Epilogue
Ice
T HE LAST YEAR has been full of ups and downs in our lives.
Bridger is thriving with us and he learns something new every single day.
He’s walking now and it scares the hell out of Keaton because she’s worried he’ll fall and hurt himself worse than a simple scrape or cut.
He’s saying some words and has taken a protective role already over his sister, Adeline.
Bridger is a good kid and loves his Uncle Lock almost more than he loves Keaton and me.
The first time Lock saw him walk, he got him an ice cream cone to celebrate.
They shared the treat and somehow my son ended up covered in the sticky mess.
Keaton simply laughed at them and took a million pictures to document it.
Our walls are covered in pictures of our family and we’re always adding new ones. Soon, we won’t have room for anymore.
Keaton and Memphis did a mini tour with Wicked Angels and performed their three songs.
The crowd loves them together. It was another eye-opening experience for me because I did go on that entire tour with her.
Keaton was pregnant and I wasn’t about to let her out of my sight, entrusting her safety and care to Memphis and Jagger.
Yes, I know they would have done everything in their power to protect her at all costs, but I couldn’t let her out of my sight.
So, we left Bridger home with Logan and Tiffany while I went on tour.
They made it to a few shows so we could see our son and we had a blast with him.
My wife was exhausted by the time the tour was over and she told Jagger she wasn’t going on the road for the rest of her pregnancy.
He was surprised to learn we were not only married but expecting a baby.
Jagger agreed with her completely and told her they’d figure something out to promote her upcoming album.
The club is thriving as well. All of our businesses are doing better than ever and we haven’t had any issues with rivals or someone coming to our place of employment.
Zeus has come down with Sabotage and Jaelyn to spend time with me.
He went over everything with me and I now work with more confidence when I have to dig into things for the club.
I’ve also pulled back the nights I work at the strip club.
Tristan has taken on a larger role since getting patched in and he now manages the club more often than I do.
If Whittaker’s needs him, I step back into my position, but I’d rather be home with my family instead of seeing a bunch of women on display as they dance on stage.
It got really old really quick and the only woman I want to see naked is Keaton.
Something is going on with Agony. None of us know what it is though.
He disappears for hours or days with no word and refuses to tell anyone where he’s been once he returns.
Agony has lost weight and his skin color isn’t normal.
Vulture and Demolition have taken him out to a bar and tried to get him to open up, but Agony refuses.
He simply says he’s okay and dealing with everything on his own.
I won’t dig into his records and the club knows this about me.
It’s the one line I won’t cross when it comes to the ol’ ladies and members.
It’s all about trust and I refuse to break it to find out information someone isn’t ready to share with anyone else.
Right now I’m sitting on our front porch with Adeline in my arms as she sleeps while Bridger plays on the porch in front of me.
I look down at my daughter and think of the night she entered the world almost three and a half months ago.
Keaton’s water broke early in the morning and we rushed to the hospital.
Lock was staying with us because he didn’t trust me not to lose my shit when my wife actually went into labor.
Thankfully, I didn’t do anything embarrassing.
I was the calm one while Lock lost his shit and ended up in the truck wearing one boot, his shirt was on backwards, and he was missing everything including his cut.
I’m surprised he managed to get his pants on.
Keaton and I had a great laugh about it though.
Keaton was in labor all day long with no relief.
We thought she was going to end up having an emergency cesarean section because Adeline’s heart rate kept dropping to dangerous levels.
My wife ended up spending most of her time on her left side because it’s the only way Adeline wouldn’t be in distress.
Keaton was miserable all day long before they finally gave her medicine to help her contractions become stronger.
Still, she ended up being in labor for almost fifteen hours before our stubborn daughter decided to enter the world screaming the hospital down.
Our little girl definitely lets us know when she’s not happy.
It didn’t take us long to get in a routine that worked for Adeline and Bridger.
Keaton and I do everything together when it comes to our children.
We also have a lot of help from our family.
Especially Lock. I was right when I said he’d be here more than before once he learned Keaton was pregnant.
My best friend has practically moved in with us at this point and neither one of us cares.
He helps us with the kids and was the third person in town to learn of Keaton’s secret.
Everyone knows now, but it took my wife a while before she was willing to share the news with everyone.
Once we told them, they were understanding about why she chose to keep her Ruby identity hidden from everyone.
Now, they’re very protective of her and don’t allow anyone too close if we’re all out in public.
No one here knows she’s Ruby, but they aren’t willing to risk it for any reason.
“Mommy is workin’ hard today. She’s been in the recordin’ studio since Miss Adeline got up at five,” I say to the kids as I look down at my precious daughter sleeping against my chest. She’s such an angel and I love holding her when I get the chance to.
“I’ve never met a more hardworkin’ woman in my life.
Keaton is up really early to take care of the two of you before she cleans the house and then starts recordin’ or writin’ new songs.
I hope you both take after her when it comes to work ethic because she’ll definitely show you how it’s done.
“I knew the second I saw your mama she was the one for me. Not just as Keaton but when she was dressed up as Ruby. You won’t understand just how amazin’ your mom is anytime soon, but when you realize all of the sacrifices she’s made over the years, I hope you’re just as proud of her as I am.
Your mom is sweet, strong, independent, and knows exactly what she wants in her life.
Over the last year, she’s healed and now become a stronger version of herself.
She still misses Nora every single day, but she’s learned to live her life as her best friend would want her to—free and living in every single moment like it’s her last one.
I love watchin’ her sit down with both of you and be in the moment instead of worryin’ about her next song, album, or tour.
Your mom and I will always put the two of you first and there’s no doubt in my mind your mom will make sure you both have everythin’ you need and want without spoilin’ you.
“The one thing we agree on is that you’ll both be taught to earn everythin’ you get and that hard work really does pay off.
We’ll always provide you with the necessities and some of your wants.
However, we won’t hand you everythin’ on a silver platter.
It’s how your grandparents raised your mama and we’ll be the same way with you.
I think this weekend we’ll actually be goin’ to the farm for some time away from the world around us.
Bridger, you’re old enough to go for your first horse ride if I can get your mom to agree to it.
If not, we’ll keep tryin’. I was about your age when I got on a horse with my grandpa for the first time,” I say as I look out at the compound surrounding us and see Agony sitting at a picnic table at the back of the clubhouse.
He’s not alone as I squint and try to see who’s with him.
From what I can see, it’s someone I’ve never seen at the clubhouse before.
I believe it’s the same girl I saw with Agony once before.
She’s too young to be someone he’s fucking, but I’m not sure what their connection is.
Part of me wants to go over there and find out who the girl is, but I remain sitting on the porch with my kids.
Agony and the girl sit at the table for about another forty-five minutes before they disappear around the side of the clubhouse.
Again, that’s strange because they can walk in the back door if they really wanted to.
Unless Agony is hiding this woman for some reason.
Turning my attention back to my kids, Adeline starts to stir in my arms and I wait to see if she’ll actually wake up this time.
She’s been asleep for a while and I’m sure she’ll be up to eat soon.
Keaton will leave the recording studio in the basement before that happens.
She always manages to find us about five minutes before our daughter wakes up.
She’ll change her diaper and get comfortable in the nursery if we have someone over to nurse Adeline.
If we’re home alone, she’ll sit on the couch with me.
I love being a part of feeding time because it allows me to take care of my wife while she nurses our daughter.