Rebel (Devil’s Handmaidens MC: Timber-Ghost, Montana Chapter #8)

1. ‘Rebel’

ONE

‘REBEL’

MYA

Damn, these women are driving me bat-ass crazy. Yeah, I’m part owner of the Handmaidens Fitness she’s having full-blown contractions. Since I’ve been her second coach in the Lamaze classes, I know we need to get her to try and relax so she can breathe through each contraction. We have to time how far apart they are too. First, I need to know how she got here.

“How the hell did you get here, Taz? If you tell me you drove yourself, when you’re done giving birth to my godchild I’m gonna kick your ass before I kill you. Son of a bitch, what are you thinking?”

She starts to giggle then, holy shit, lets out a loud as fuck fart and doubles over again. The stench hits me instantly and, to say the least, is slowly killing me every time I breathe in. I’m really trying to be a good best friend and not say anything as my eyes water, but I can’t hold it in—my Christ—what did she eat last?

“Damn, Travis is right, those pregnancy farts really stink. Shit, Rebel, it hurts so frigging bad. Damn, how did I do this with Teddy? I can’t remember everything but I don’t think it was this bad, though I had drugs back then.”

I know we’re in trouble because she doesn’t swear all that often. I grab her arm and walk her to the room in question. Off to the one side is a smaller room for massage. I turn the light on, pull the weighted blanket off the table, grab a sheet, flip it open and on the bed, then lower it as far as it will go. I grab her purse, throwing it on the floor next to her bag of crystals. She waddles to me, trying to bend for that bag.

“What do you want, Taz? I’ll get it, need you to get on that bed immediately, lie down and breathe.”

“No, I want a water birth, you know that. It’s better and more relaxing for me and the baby. Travis is against it, but that’s what I want. Oh crap, forgot to tell you I didn’t drive here, I called an Uber.”

I knew bringing that modern-ass shit to our town was gonna cause trouble, though it helps folks make a living, sort of, I guess, and helps our seniors get around since nothing is within walking distance. I feel horrible because whoever picked up Taz doesn’t have a clue how much trouble they are going to be in. Enforcer is gonna lose his fucking mind. And whoever was supposed to be on Taz duty will be getting an ass kicking from me. Told Tink that shit wouldn’t work. We should have put both pregnant sisters together in one of the safe rooms at the ranch. Don’t care how crazy that sounds, at least we’d have eyes on them twenty-four seven.

Looking up, I see my bestie watching me with sweat on her forehead. She’s pulling her rainbow hair up with a scrunchy. Damn, why can’t I tell her no? It hits me why… she’s my sister of my heart. That makes me literally snarl at her.

“Swear to Christ, Taz, you’re lucky I love your rainbow ass. I’ll go grab that big metal pool thing we use out in the back room. Gonna take me a minute or ten, so just breathe and try to relax. Oh yeah, text your ol’ man and tell him what’s going on right now.”

With that I walk out, leaving the door open. When out of sight, I start to jog while pulling my phone out. I text Tink, Shadow, and Glory with a SOS then the words “Taz is in heavy labor at our gym. Need fucking HELP.”

Not paying attention, I plow into something hard and extremely huge. I drop my phone and when I go to reach down for it, my head hits something that feels like either a large boulder or maybe a bowling ball. It literally knocks me to my knees as I hear a deep, gravelly, husky male voice saying, “What in the motherfucking shit? Damn, woman, watch where you’re going. Oh shit, are you okay? Hey, can you hear me?”

Trying to open my eyes, I feel like I was hit by a frigging freight train. Slowly, I pry my eyelids up and see the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen set in a scowl that makes Enforcer’s and Shadow’s look like a grin . Dark-brown hair with just a slight scattering of gray at the sides. Those eyes are like a sapphire gem with a dark blue around the pupils. He's leaning over me, literally shaking me by the shoulders .

“Hey, you trying to finish the job, you asshole? You ever hear of Shaken Adult Syndrome? Let go of me before I seriously hurt you. I said, get your damn hands off me, mister.”

He leans his ass onto his calves, never taking his eyes off me, though with my words a sexy as hell grin appears on his face as his eyes sparkle even more. Oh, one of those types I think to myself as I rub my head. Just what I need, a confident, built, hot motherfucker full of himself in my gym. I don’t recognize him, but kind of remember one of the part-timers telling me we had a hottie join the club. This must be him. Great way to meet, though he’s excellent on the eyes, that’s for sure. Need to let the single sisters at the club know to come take a peek. On second thought, I’ll keep him my little secret for now.

“Just checking to make sure you’re okay. Took a pretty hard hit when we knocked heads.”

“No, you mean when not only did you plow into me, but instead of stepping back, you rammed me with that enormous ninepin you call a noggin.”

His face tightens as his eyes narrow at me. Whatever , I think to myself as it hits me; I’m on a mission. That’s when I remember my sister, Taz, and where I was headed when I hear tiny footsteps rushing our way. Before I can turn my head, I hear the Mickey Mouse voices of young children.

“Daddy, hurry, a lady is in pain. You got to get your bag out of the car and come with us.”

“Yeah, Dad, she’s in labor, I think. Looks like she peed herself, I told these two to find you so I could stay with her, but they were fascinated with her hair, which looks like a rainbow.”

Before any of them can move, I’m running back to the meditation room to find Taz on the floor, curled up on herself. Oh, fucking shit.

“Taz, hey, I’m here. Taz, look at me. RAQUEL, look at me now. Please, sister.”

“As usual, you can never handle a delicate situation. Rebel, my water broke, and my contractions are like three to four minutes apart. I think the baby is coming now.”

Hearing noise behind me, I see first the three kids: one older, one in the middle, and then the youngest one, all boys. Then Mr. Sexy Macho gently moves them to the side and walks in, kneeling next to Taz.

“Oh no, get the hell outta here, mister. We don’t need you here. You want to be useful call nine-one-one for an ambulance. Otherwise, get gone now, mister.”

His head lifts and, believe it or not, he winks at me. Then I hear the older boy start talking as he moves closer to us after he motions for the little ones to stay by the door.

“Lady, you should be glad my dad’s here. He’s a doctor, no, he’s an obstetrician, which is a doctor for women and babies. Let him help your friend, he knows what he’s doing. Dad, I’ll go grab your bag from the car after I take these two out front, maybe put them in the kids’ room and let them play. I’ll call nine-one-one too.”

Just as he walks out, Taz lets out a wail like nothing I’ve ever heard before. I look down to see she’s biting her lip, which is starting to bleed pretty bad. Fuck. Then Mr. Macho stands and leans down and picks—yeah, gently picks Taz up—and is getting ready to place her on the massage table as we both hear a herd of cattle running down the hall. First in is Enforcer, and when he sees his wife not only in pain but also in the arms of a stranger, his face instantly goes blank, which is not a good thing for anyone especially Mr. Sexy Mister. I’m sure he’s thinking about when Raven had her shit that started right here in this gym.

“Hey, brother, he’s a doctor or something. She’s close, Enforcer, so please don’t be a total dick. Go to her, she needs you.”

I watch as the dude gently lays Taz down and Enforcer goes to the other side, grabbing her hand and using his other hand to push her sweaty hair back. Half my club sisters are trying to squeeze into this average-size room, so I start shouting orders.

“Need someone to get some water. Another, some sheets and towels from the storage room. Shadow, you can stand the sight of blood, go help him. I doubt Enforcer is going to be any help. Peanut and Kitty, go check on this man’s kids, think they’re in the front room. Give them some juice boxes and snacks.”

The older kid dropped the bag off and went back to his brothers right before the crowd burst in. So when the doctor-guy turns around to look at us, I stop and listen to him.

“No juice for my older boy, Konstantin. He’s diabetic, type 1, so nothing with sugar if possible. Maybe some water or even a sports water with electrolytes. I’d appreciate it. No candy either, no matter what he says.”

The smile that appears on his face has every one of my sisters, and if I admit it, even me, taking a breath then letting out a sigh. His eyes twinkle like he knows the effect he has on women, but those eyes are locked on me.

Again, Taz begins wailing and, shit, I don’t know his name, so I ask.

“Hey, Doc, what’s your name?”

Turning, he looks at me and grins.

“If you promise not to laugh, badass, I’ll tell you.”

As I nod, he’s checking Taz’s pulse and asking Enforcer some questions quietly.

“My name is Atlas Giannopoulos. And you are?”

“Motherfucker, we ain’t on some goddamn dating game show or one of those computer fuckin’ apps. Take care of my wife if you want to continue breathing. Rebel, where the hell is that ambulance?”

Taz reaches up and gently caresses Enforcer’s face.

“Travis, honey, it’ll be all right. Can you grab my bag and place my crystals around the room? Give my sage to one of my sisters so she can smudge this room. Hurry, this little one is going to make their appearance soon.”

“I’m not leaving your side, Que. Tink, Glory, you heard her, grab that bag and place her rocks around the room. Heartbreaker, can you get the dried weeds and blow smoke around the room, please?”

Taz giggles at his attempt to do what she wants. I hear Atlas tell Enforcer they need to get her undressed and Enforcer loses his mind. The doc never flinches, just calmly explains that for him to help deliver the baby, she can’t be wearing yoga pants and drawers. Taz is giggling so hard she passes wind again. The room immediately empties pretty quickly. Well, except for Doc Atlas, Enforcer, Shadow, Tink, Glory, and me. Taz’s face is as red as an apple, but Atlas just keeps explaining the ABCs of labor and delivery to Enforcer. Finally, he agrees and very carefully the two men slowly start to remove Taz’s clothes. I just saw her the other day when I helped her take a shower but, man, her belly seems even bigger than that day, though now it’s really dropped down low. It’s huge when they get her to shift to remove her yoga pants, undies, and socks. Once she’s naked from the waist down, Atlas puts her feet flat on the table and he flips the blanket on top of her tummy for privacy and so he can see underneath to examine her.

“Well, Miss Taz, you’re right, this little one is on their way. Don’t push until I tell you to. Can someone get me a clean sheet, preferably white? Also, that tray in the corner, push it next to the bed. Enforcer, before we get too involved, pull that T-shirt off of her. Bra too. Once the baby comes, we will need to put the child on her belly and chest. On second thought, take your shirt off too. No, don’t argue, man, just do it. You’ll thank me later.”

Watching Atlas, you can tell the man knows exactly what he’s doing. The confidence he has in himself is pretty damn sexy. So is every movement as he whispers words to Taz, trying to keep her calm and in the moment. The room now has crystals all over on the counters, floor, and even on the table she’s lying on. Enforcer will do whatever she wants.

“Doctor, do we have time before the baby arrives for my sisters to set up the water bath so I can deliver my little one in there? I’ve researched it, and they say it’s a better experience for the baby.”

Before Atlas can even respond, Enforcer loses it.

“Que, goddamn it, woman, told you that shit ain’t gonna happen. Not having my kid drown before it takes its first breath. Let that shit go, please. I let you have the rocks and that smelly shit blown all over, let’s be happy with that, woman.”

I know it’s coming, but damn, when it does, we all watch with our mouths open wide. With tears running down her face, Taz looks at her ol’ man and lets loose. Probably all of her stress and worrying about this pregnancy. I’m totally shocked, as are all of our club sisters ’cause Taz is the calm one of the bunch.

“Travis, get the hell out of here. I don’t want your negative energy around me or my baby. Yeah, you donated the sperm, but that’s it. I’ve been growing and nurturing this child for nine months, so I should be able to decide how it makes its journey out into this fucked-up world we live in. My job as this baby’s mother is to protect it, even from you if I have too. I said get out, until you can keep your bad energy down. Right now, I don’t want to see or have you in here. Please go.”

Enforcer’s mouth is open, eyes huge. Taz is now sobbing, trying to hide her face. He leans down, grabbing her hands and again shocks the shit outta all of us in the room.

“Que, shit, I’m so sorry. Please, Raquel, don’t cry. You don’t want our baby being born with you having what do you call that shit… yeah, sad energy. I’ll personally go get that tub. Doc, what type of water should be in it?”

“Enforcer, usually lukewarm, not too cold or hot. If that’s the plan, I suggest you move your ass. This baby isn’t going to wait too long. Taz is dilated to just about eight centimeters, so I’d get moving.”

At this moment more boots are hitting the floor as the rest of the Intruders make their presence known. Tank is the first in, followed by Yoggie with a huge black bag. Yeah, always a medic.

In no time at all, between the Intruders and Devil’s Handmaidens, the tub is cleaned and almost filled by the assembly line Duchess started. The room is now almost empty. Atlas said he wanted it to be calm for Taz, so it’s just Enforcer, Tink, Shadow, and me. Glory stepped out when she got a call from Momma Diane.

Shadow and I help Taz off the bed after we lowered it as far down as we could. Next, between all of us, we get her into the tub. She smiles when she’s sitting in there looking at Enforcer.

“Come on, Travis, you know what I want.”

He looks around at us with a scowl.

“If any of you say a word, I’ll kill you with my own two hands, swear to Christ.

Then he takes his kutte off, placing it on one of the robe hooks, and then empties his pockets. Boots and socks are next. With his T-shirt already off, by the time his jeans hit the table Taz is panting through another contraction. Atlas is reaching in, trying to gauge how far along she is.

“Is there someone here who has some medical background? How about that man who brought in the bag? I could use a hand, no, actually two.”

Tink walks to the door and yells for Yoggie. When he walks to the door, she tells him he’s needed.

Time seems to go by quickly, as each contraction gets closer and closer. Enforcer is now behind Taz in the tub, holding her up. Atlas is scrunched down at the other end of the tub, doing what baby doctors do, I guess. He took his socks and gym shoes off. He was already in workout shorts, showing off his muscular calves. No, I didn’t just think that. Yoggie is on the outside of the pool, right across from the doctor.

“Rebel, come here, I need you close.”

Shit, just what I don’t need, never done anything like this before. When I walk toward the tub, Enforcer smirks, so I flip him off.

“Keep it up, Dad, and you’ll be sorry. Shadow, snap a picture of the Intruder’s Enforcer in his boxers.”

Just as Shadow snaps the pic, Taz screams and squeezes my hand so tight I think she might break it.

“That’s it, Taz, doing great. Breathe, in and out. Come on, follow me. Take a deep breath, hold it for five, four, three, two, and one, release. Again, take your time and hold. Okay, we are there, so on the next contraction I need you to bear down and push as hard as you can.”

We all wait for maybe thirty seconds when she lifts up a bit and bears down, moaning the whole time, sweat running down her cheeks. Travis is holding her up and I’m letting her break one hand as the other is pushing her hair out of her face. When she leans back, I see Atlas and Yoggie looking at each other.

“What? Is there a problem? Come on, tell us so we can fix it, and let this little one celebrate their birthday.”

“I think the cord is around the baby’s neck, so just want Yoggie to be ready when the baby arrives. That’s it, Auntie Rebel, so calm down. Shit, I mean, here we go. This time when she starts to push, Enforcer, lean down, push her forward so she bends more, which will help with pressure so the baby comes out. Everyone, get ready, it’s go time.”

In my entire life I’ve never experienced anything like this. Taz breathing hard, face red, body tight, muscles all popping. Enforcer sweating as he helps Taz push their child out. Shadow is on the other side of Atlas, helping Yoggie out. Tink is the only one standing back and I know why. This has to hurt because she and Noodles have been trying to have their own baby. And damn it, after all she’s been through, she deserves it , I think right before hell breaks loose.

I hear Atlas yelling so I look down and can’t believe it. The baby is half in and half out. Yoggie is pulling the cord off its neck, and Shadow is holding one shoulder. Meanwhile, Atlas rotates the baby one way, then the other, until the other shoulder literally pops out. In less than a second, Atlas has the baby out, and instead of a crack on its tiny wrinkly ass, he’s rubbing up and down its back. Then he looks to the parents and smiles.

“Congratulations. It’s a baby girl. Dad, want to cut the cord?”

Enforcer looks at Atlas then me and shakes his head.

“Let Rebel do it. I’m good where I’m at.”

Atlas gives me what looks to be some sort of scissors and shows me where to cut between some clamps. When I do, I feel wet rolling down my face. Shit. When I look up, Shadow and Tink are wiping their faces.

“What’s her name, Mom and Dad?”

Taz and Enforcer both look to Atlas for a second then she leans back, whispering in his ear. They look at each other and kiss first, then look back to Atlas.

“Doc, her name is Michelle, but we’re going to call her Mickie.”

My mouth falls open as my eyes fill even more. No way, they’re naming their baby girl after me.

“Rebel, didn’t think taking your club name was right, so Travis and I talked and this is what we came up with. Hope you don’t mind?”

I shake my head as I have no words. When Atlas grabs Mickie from Taz’s tummy and gets done cleaning the baby best he can and fumbles with whatever he does, he then shows Enforcer why he wanted him to take his shirt off. This is after Taz has gotten out of the water and so did her ol’ man. Atlas gives Mickie to her daddy, who then places her on his bare chest. The look on his face is beyond priceless and when I look, Shadow is snapping pics. She looks my way and grins. Yeah, this is truly a once in a lifetime moment that we are so totally blessed to be a part of.

Finally, we hear the sirens and not too long after paramedics come running down the hall apologizing, saying they were stuck in traffic due to an accident shutting down the highway. Everyone in the hallway is waiting on news. No one says a word until Enforcer in his boxers leans out into the hallway and screams loudly for all to hear.

“It’s a fuckin’ baby girl. Our princess, Mickie, has arrived.”

Seems like the paramedics know Atlas, well, at least the female one does. Once Taz and Mickie are all bundled up on the gurney, they wheel her out as everyone cheers. I look at the bloody water and the shit on the outside on the floor. Damn, I feel dizzy for some reason. What the fuck?

“Sit down, Rebel. Adrenaline can drop pretty fast. Hey, can someone grab me a bottle of water?”

I hear the little feet running down the hall. Atlas moves quickly to the doorway.

“Hey, guys, give me a few minutes then we can go. I’ll take you for ice cream if you wait and be good. We got a deal?”

They nod and the little ones run back to the kids’ room while the older one looks at his dad.

“All good, Dad?”

“Yeah, Son, she had a baby girl.”

The kid smiles then turns and leaves. Atlas turns back to me with a bottle of water in his hands.

“Drink all of this. Now to even up. I did you a favor helping your friend out, so when do you want to go to dinner?”

I look at him like he has two heads. What the fuck is he talking about? So I ask. He smiles that sexy as shit smirk my way. Bet he’s gotten a lot of women to spread their legs just with that. Sorry to disappoint, but it takes a whole hell of a lot more than a smile for me to open my legs.

“Don’t remember our deal? I help and you go to dinner with me. Can’t back out now. I’ll give you a day or two, but we are going to dinner, Rebel, or should I call you, Michelle?”

I feel nauseated when he says that name. No one, and I mean not a single soul, calls me that anymore. If anything, I go by Mya. I’ve even changed it legally.

“Atlas, don’t ever call me that name again. And as grateful as I am for what you did for Taz, ain’t no way in hell I’m going to dinner with someone who’s head won’t fit through any of the restaurants’ doors in town. It’s just too damn big and cocky.”

He throws his head back and laughs. Then his eyes get serious when he leans close.

“We’ll see, Rebel. Something you should know about me is, sweetheart, I always get what I want. See ya around, Feisty Rebel.”

I watch him leave as a weird feeling takes shape in my stomach. I’ve come too far to fall for a good-looking, sexy guy who’s full of himself. That ain’t ever happening. Though I did feel my nipples harden and my girlie garden start to tingle. Fuck it, not happening, no matter how gorgeous his eyes are. He’s a dad of three boys and, shit, he could be married or have a partner. Besides, I’m good by myself. I’ve got my business, club, and sisters, which is all I need right now, or I try to convince myself as I get busy with cleaning up everything so I can go see my goddaughter. Mickie is probably the closest thing I’ll ever come to having my own child is my thought as I pick up all the soiled towels and sheets.