Chapter Thirteen
ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE
“Hand me that one, Nash,” I say, pointing to the socket wrench.
“This one?”
“Yeah, that one. It’s called a socket wrench.”
“Socket wrench,” he repeats, turning it around in his hands and inspecting it. I patiently wait for him to look it over. He was excited to come out here and “help.” I’m not sure if he and Viper did stuff like this, but he’s very interested in doing it now.
I try to keep a straight face when he drops to his belly on my spare creeper and rolls himself under the truck next to me.
“Now what?”
“Now, we’re going to get this bolt off so we can drain the oil out of this pan.” I know he’s only five, but I figure since he’s so into it, it’s never too early to start learning.
“Then we can put more in,” he states, handing over the wrench.
“Yep. Then we’ll put some more in.” He watches closely as I work the nut loose. When he hands me the drip pan without being prompted, a sense of pride comes over me at how smart he is.
“Good job, buddy.”
The sound of a bike pulling into the drive grabs my attention. Nash giggles as we watch a big pair of boots walk through the garage and on into the house.
“He doesn’t know we’re here.” Nash laughs. Playing along, I nod. There’s not a doubt in my mind that Knox heard my boy as he walked by.
“Where’s your old man?” Knox asks, coming into the garage. Realizing the jig is up, Nash slides out from under the truck laughing.
“Under there.” Figuring that’s as good as a summons, I roll out from under the truck too. I clean the grease from my hands before shaking Knox’s.
“What’s up?”
“Just stopped by to bring your woman a box of goodies G fixed up for her. You could have brought this to the shop, and I’d have done it for you.”
“Nah, my boy and I have it under control,” I say, scooping him up into my arms and kissing his cheek.
“Why don’t you sneak into the kitchen and grab us one of whatever Knox brought for momma.” Nash’s eyes widen in excitement as he wiggles to get down. Once he’s gone into the house, I give Knox my full attention.
“What’s up?” I know the shit going on with his ex-wife must be driving him crazy.
Knox is a simple man, and his ex, Crystal, is full of fucking drama.
They were always like oil and water, and if she hadn’t gotten pregnant with their first son, I don’t think he would have married her.
After their twin boys were born, things really started to fall apart.
“Nothing. Just tired, brother. So fucking tired. If it wasn’t for my kids, I’d fucking go Nomad.” Damn, I hadn’t realized he’d gotten that restless.
“Next long run to New York, it’s yours, brother.”
“Thanks. I’m going to head on home.” Looking over his shoulder, he grins and says, “Your boy must have gotten busted. You better go save him.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” I laugh. I shake his hand and watch him leave, wondering if there’s something more going on.
By the time Saturday rolls around, Birdie can hardly contain her excitement. Today is the baby shower. Kierra and G have gone above and beyond to make sure everything is perfect for my old lady. I don’t think there’s one thing they haven’t thought of.
“Having fun, baby?” I ask, stealing a bite of her cookie.
“Yes, and starting to get sleepy,” she states, handing me the rest of it and trying to cover a yawn.
“Everyone is about ready to head outside for the reveal. But if you need a nap first, I’ll tell them we’re gonna wait.”
“What!? Hell no. Let’s go.” I laugh at her enthusiasm. She’s been dying to know what we’re having just as much as I have. My gut tells me that she’s carrying boys. I’ll be just as happy if we have girls, though.
Grabbing Birdie’s hand, I help her out of the chair and lead her outside.
I chuckle, seeing that Knox already has a chair ready and waiting for her.
I’m not sure how it happened, but the two have become good friends.
It may have something to do with the bear claw he brings her every morning from the bakery G’s working at.
“Thanks, Knoxy,” she says affectionately. I growl at the nickname, making them both roll their eyes. I don’t like to share her with anyone but Nash. I’ve made no secret about that. After I help her into the chair, I kiss her cheek.
“Stop calling me that woman,” he scolds her. He’s threatened to stop bringing her sweets if she doesn’t stop calling him that. We all know he’s full of shit, though. Knox loves my Birdie like a little sister, and although I give them shit, I’m thankful my brother cares about her.
“Ready, baby?” I ask.
“More than,” she says, clapping her hands.
“Prospects!” I yell. Within seconds, the sounds of the two Harleys roar to life, and a huge cloud of blue smoke fills the air.
Boys, we’re having boys!
“Thank you,” I rasp, dropping to my knees and wrapping my arms around her. I bury my face in her side and thank the Gods for giving me all these blessings I don’t deserve. My emotions get the best of me as I splay my hand across her belly and feel my boys kicking.
“Momma! Brothers! I’m having brothers!”
“I know, baby! What do you think about that?” she asks excitedly.
“It’s good!” For the last couple of months, Nash has told anyone that will listen that he’s going to be a big brother.
“Nash, Momma needs a nap. I’m gonna take her upstairs and put her in bed. While she’s resting, we’ll go swimming. What do you think?”
“Yeah! Momma, I can take you.” My heart warms when he grabs her hand to help her up. It makes me proud to watch him. The more Birdie’s belly has grown, the more serious he is about helping to take care of his momma.
“Momma, the babies will be here soon?” Nash questions, dragging Birdie into our room.
“We’re halfway there, buddy,” I inform him as I watch her kick off her shoes. I slide my hand around the back of her neck and pull her into my chest. Sometimes, I just need to feel her to remind myself that she’s really mine.
“We’ll be downstairs if you need anything, yeah?” I whisper into her hair.
“Okay, babe.” I chuckle when she yawns into my chest. Tipping her face up, I softly kiss her lips.
“Gross!” Nash shouts, making me smile and his momma laugh.
“One day, son, you’re going to love a girl like I love your momma, and when you kiss her, I’m going to yell about how gross it is,” I tease. He doesn’t get it now, but one day he will.
“Grab your shorts, kid, and let’s get changed,” I say before giving Birdie one more kiss and helping her to bed. Once Nash and I have our trunks on, we race down to the pool and jump in, making a splash.
Legend taught him to swim last year, and ever since, the boy’s been like a fish in water. It’s always a fight getting him out when it’s time to go home, though. We race back and forth for about an hour before he ditches me to go swing on the playset with Mila.
Watching Nash as he pushes her higher, I listen as Viper tells Thorn about the latest shit with Hector Ramirez.
Our arrangement with the King of Cuba has been lucrative, but it’s not something we want to continue long-term.
It’s also complicated, considering Hector is Kierra and Sierra’s biological father.
Although calling him that to their faces is dangerous.
Viper has been subtly hinting about transferring the runs to the CKs, and I think we’re close to making it official with Hector.
“Fuck. Hold on, brother,” Thorn hisses, answering his phone.
Viper and I listen as he argues with Mila’s mom.
He needs to cut her loose, regardless of their history.
They were high school sweethearts. She was all about club life, but when she got pregnant, Thorn put a stop to her partying.
The problem is she’s a selfish bitch who refuses to grow up and take responsibility for their child.
Things fell apart after Mila was born, and he’s been raising her ever since.
Once he realized she wasn’t going to change, he made her leave the compound. Their relationship is complicated.
“Tiff, you can’t bail on her again. You haven’t seen her in months, and you’re teaching her that she can’t trust you. She’s asked me a hundred times today if you’re really coming this time. Don’t do this.” Thorn growls, “Fuck! She hung up.”
“You alright, brother? Kierra and I can keep Mila tonight if you need to go blow off some steam. You’re always keeping the kids for us. Let us return the favor, yeah?” Viper offers.
“Appreciate it, Prez. But not tonight. Don’t want my girl thinking both her parents bailed on her.”
“I hear ya, Thorn. The offer stands, though.”
“That goes for Sierra and me too. Just say the word, brother,” I promise.
“I’m going to run upstairs and check on Birdie. Can y’all keep an eye on Nash for a few minutes?” At their nod, I go. Unlocking my door, I quietly go inside and relock it behind me. Sliding into bed next to Birdie, I rub her arm until she starts to stir.
“What’s wrong?” she rasps, blinking rapidly as her eyes try to focus.
“Nothing, baby. You’ve been asleep for two hours. You need to get up so you can sleep tonight,” I say, rubbing her growing baby bump.
“Will you help me up, babe? I want to put my suit on and swim with Nash for a little bit before we go home.” Sliding off the bed, I hold my hand out for her to grab, then pull her to the edge of the bed.
“Love you, baby.” I thread my fingers through her hair and tip her face up for a kiss.
“Love you, Braxton.” She smiles against my lips. Fuck, I don’t know what I’d do without her.
It takes all my willpower not to fuck her as I watch her pull off her maternity dress and slip into her bikini.
I love seeing her belly on display, knowing a part of me is growing inside her.
Not to mention that her breasts have gotten bigger in the last week, and the sight alone makes me hard as granite.
“I know that look, babe, and we don’t have time for it,” she laughs.
“Can’t help it, woman. Looking at you makes my dick hard,” I tell her as I watch her ass sway in front of me. As we make our way back outside, I start to wonder how long it will take to convince Nash it’s time to go to bed tonight.
A chorus of whistles rings out when the fellas catch sight of Birdie.
Grabbing her hand, I pull her back and claim her mouth.
“Baby, you’re torturing me with that sexy body,” I growl against her lips.
The little smartass just smirks and sashays her fine ass toward the water.
Even with the bump, she’s the hottest woman in Miami.
“Whatever. I feel like a whale.” I frown at hearing that. She’s crazy.
“Girl, you look hot!” G shouts from her floating mattress in the pool. I hope she got a prospect to clean that thing before she climbed up there.
“Momma!” Nash shouts when he sees that Birdie’s come back outside.
“Daddy! When will my momma be here?” Mila asks.
I hate that he’s going to have to break her heart again because her mom can’t get her shit together. I watch as he takes her inside, most likely to explain without all the prying eyes.
I turn back to the pool just in time to watch my boy help his momma into the pool. I chuckle at him, holding onto her hand as if he could catch her if she slipped. He’s such a good kid.
I walk down the steps into the pool and move in behind Birdie. I wrap my arms around her and rest my chin on her shoulder, the smell of peaches making my cock kick against her ass.
Giggling, she wiggles her ass against me and asks, “Something on your mind, babe?”
“You, baby. Always you,” I confess as a three-foot, giggling cannonball splashes next to me. My cock instantly deflates when Nash bobs to the surface, kicking his little legs to stay afloat next to me. I grab him under his arm and swing him around onto my back.
“Mila!” he shouts, scrambling off my back when he sees her and Thorn come through the back door.
“Is she okay?” Birdie asks Thorn as he wades into the water with Mila in his arms.
“She’s good, ain’t you squirt?” he says, squeezing her and making her laugh.
“Come on, kiddies. I made y’all some cookies and hid them inside so these big ogres wouldn’t eat them,” G yells, sliding off her float. I grab Nash, lift him out of the water, and do the same with Mila when she swims to the edge.
Out of nowhere, Knox appears. He offers G his hand and lifts her out of the water before following her and the kids inside. A few minutes later, they come back with a handful of cookies.
“Uncle Sparrow, can I spend the night with Nash?” I look to Birdie to see if she’s up to it, and she grins.
“If it’s okay with your daddy, darlin’, it’s okay with me,” I tell her. She’s a good girl, and she and Nash have been best friends since they met a year ago.
“Daddy, I’m staying with Nash.” Without another word, she grabs Nash’s hand and leads him to the swing set.
Guess that settles that.