Chapter seventeen
Nicole
Pain like she'd never felt before burned all through her centre as another contraction built. She stared into Duke’s eyes. Letting the warm brown calm her as best it could. A new wave of pain, akin to a machete slicing through her came. She squeezed her eyes closed and pushed with all her might. Suddenly, the pressure eased. Her eyes opened to see their tiny baby boy being quickly wiped down and rubbed by Slam. A small cry sprung from her baby’s mouth and her whole body sagged in relief. She glanced at Duke to see him transfixed on the baby. Silent tears were falling down his cheeks.
A giggle escaped her as she saw Slam tying off the cord with a cable tie. Duke rummaged in his pocket and withdrew the band with an A on. He quickly and very delicately slipped it on the baby’s ankle and adjusted it to fit before Slam handed him his son. She thought he would be wary and fidgety but he was so gentle and steady as he accepted his son from Slam.
Her heart overflowed with love, seeing father and son together. She didn't even realise that she was sobbing. Duke turned to face her with a glowing smile gracing his face. Her arms stretched out to take her first son. It felt like she'd waited forever to hold him in her arms.
“Here, Anarchy Aaron Banks, this is your momma.” He spoke softly to the bundle in his arms as he passed her the most precious thing in her life.
She cradled him against her body and pressed kisses all over his face, the gunk and blood not bothering her at all. He was beautiful. He felt too small to be out in the big wide world. She stroked a finger down his super soft cheek as Duke embraced them both.
"Congratulations, you guys.” Slam choked out, unashamedly crying too.
A new pressure rapidly built between her legs again. She handed Anarchy off to Duke quickly.
“It's starting again!”
Just then, the apartment door banged open as Razor ran in, followed by a team of paramedics. She saw one trying to take Anarchy from Duke as she set about her breathing exercises again. He was reluctant and shouted to Razor to stick with Anarchy no matter what. Razor immediately agreed before stating that Anarchy was an epic name. Shel and Jewel ran around gathering her bag and the babies’ bags. They had so much stuff going with them, they would have to follow the ambulance in a car.
She grasped Dukes hand as two paramedics lifted her onto a stretcher. She wasn't letting go, she needed him beside her. No matter what. The pressure kept building.
“I need to push!”
******
Nicole forced her tired eyes open. She was exhausted but was finding it difficult to sleep without Duke next to her. Hearing a deep serenading hum, she turned her head to see Duke standing, looking over their sons. He was checking and re-checking blankets and hats, while humming what sounded suspiciously like ‘Highway to Hell’ by AC/DC.
She recalled his swearing and shouting at the paramedics when she gave birth to Justice Nate in the club bar, and then again when Rebel Lucas appeared before they could get her in the ambulance. She guessed he'd been waiting to take his frustrations out on someone. Fortunately, the paramedics had largely ignored him and the rest of the Fallen brothers as they administered care to her and her sons. She laughed to herself, recalling more than a few of the brothers retreating when it came time to get down to the nitty gritty. She had insisted that Slam go with Razor to the hospital with them. She knew Duke trusted him and he needed someone, besides her, to help him hold it together.
When they had all been checked and cleaned up, they were put in a private room. Nicole was very glad of that. No doubt the nurses didn't want a large group of bikers disturbing their maternity ward. She had loved them all visiting earlier. Razor and Slam had blushed and preened after her and Duke announced the babies’ names. They were ecstatic that their names had been given to their sons.
Slam, Razor and Duke had jokingly argued which had the best name. Each was adamant it was the one with theirs. Nicole had them stand together, each holding the baby with their name and took a photo. It was fantastic and was definitely going on the wall in the apartment and in the house when it was completed.
She then asked Razor, Slam and Hollywood to be godfathers, they eagerly accepted. At their frowned faces, Duke promised the Musketeers that they could be godfathers to the next three. Nicole had scoffed and joked, asking who he was planning on having babies with next, because it sure as hell wouldn't be her. Duke gave her a heart stopping kiss before whispering “we’ll see,” in her ear. She rolled her eyes.
Nicole cleared her throat, drawing Duke’s attention from the boys. He walked over to her and wrapped her in his warm embrace.
“Thank you, baby. Thank you for my sons and making me the happiest man in the world.”
Her eyes teared and she sniffed. She couldn't bring herself to speak, fearing she'd break down completely, so she just nodded and hoped he could see how happy and in love she was too.
She gingerly scooted over and dragged him into bed with her by his cut. Resting her head on his chest, she took a deep breath in, revelling in the scent that was uniquely Duke. She was just drifting off when a tiny squeak came from one of the boys and Duke was up and out of bed in a matter of seconds. She smiled to herself. He was already the best daddy any child could hope for. She rolled over and embraced her slumber.