Winter by Michelle Love (7)

The Compromise of the Billionaire and His Angel # 4

The smell of wet dog brings me around and I find myself lying face down on the hardwood floor in the dining room as Cuddles licks my face. I blink a few times to try to focus as everything is dark and blurry.

I guess I need to get up and figure out what’s happened to me.

Everything’s a big blur. I went downstairs to get something. I can’t really remember what it was.

Hey!

I’m tied up. My arms are behind my back and my wrists are tied with something. And so are my ankles.

Shit!

Cuddles takes a few steps back and I can see she’s kind of wobbly.

Oh yeah! Now I remember.

I saw Cuddles asleep in the laundry room. I was going through the trash to find the key for the cuffs I put on Angel.

My eyes focus and I see that Cuddles’ face is all wet. I have no idea why she would be wet. But I have no idea why I’m lying here on the floor with my feet and hands bound either.

Then a face flashes in my mind and I do recall seeing a woman in the house. A tall, kind of heavy-set blonde.

The blonde from the bar that night! The one Angel decked and knocked out!

What’s she doing here? Is she the one who did this to me?

She had to have help!

Looking back and forth and listening very hard, I hear nothing and see nothing. So, I start to roll over and make my way to anywhere but here.

If they left me here, they’ll come back here to do whatever else they have planned for me. So here is not a place I want to be.

Cuddles follows me as I roll over and over and I find myself in the great room. Cuddles walks in front of me, her gait is way off. She must’ve been drugged by the big chick.

I guess I was too. I don’t feel where I was hit to get knocked out. And now that I’m becoming more and more aware of things, I can smell something odd.

I suppose they used some type of thing to knock me out. Maybe chloroform or something like that. Cuddles begins to whine and I try to see what she’s whining about.

A dark figure is lying on the floor in front of the fireplace. I roll over to it and find it is not moving and I think it might be a man. And he seems to be tied up too.

One more roll has me close enough to see. Cuddles licks the man’s face and I can see that it is Gage.

Great! The only two viable males in this house who could possibly protect the rest and we're both tied up and one of us is still out!

How much worse can things get?

I bite my tongue as the thought crosses my mind. I shouldn’t have even thought that.

Angel’s still handcuffed, up in our bedroom, naked as the day she was born and completely vulnerable. I have to get up and get to her. But how?

I roll over and hit Gage with as much force as I can and hiss, “Gage! Wake up!”

Nothing.

Cuddles is licking his face like crazy and it’s not doing a thing to wake him up. So I lean over and bite his shoulder. I give him a good bite and he stirs a bit.

“Ow!”

“Gage, wake up!” I whisper as loud a whisper as I can.

I don’t need us getting found.

“What the hell?” he mumbles. “Why am I tied up?”

His eyes flutter open and his pupils are dilated.

“Gage, someone’s in the house. I need your help to get untied. Angel’s alone in our bedroom and I have every reason to believe it’s her they’re here to hurt.”

He shakes his head to clear it. “Fuck!” He coughs a little.

“Shh,” I hiss at him. “We have to be quiet.”

With a nod, he says, “Yeah. It’s Melissa and some blonde woman here. I remember now. I came down to grab a bottle of water and found them with Cuddles. Melissa was holding her and that other chick was holding a rag over her little face.”

“Then they got you, huh?”

He nods. “Only, I ran out of the kitchen and they caught up to me in the great room.” He looks around. “Yep. Right about here is when the big one tackled me and then something was placed over my nose and mouth and here I am.”

“How good are your teeth, Gage?”

He looks confused. “They’re okay. Why?”

“I’m going to move around and you try to get my wrists free using them.” I start to move around the best I can and manage to get my bound wrists near his face.

I feel him trying to loosen the bond. Then he stops and whispers, “It’s a bungee cord, Blaze. Try to pull against it. I’ll never be able to bite through that rubber.”

“If I could get on my feet, I could hop over to a door and use the handle to stretch the cord then I might be able to get out of it. I’m going to need your help,” I tell him as I roll around to try to use his body to help get my ass off the floor.

Together, we manage to get me off the floor and I start hopping to the closest door knob. My robe is all messed up and parts of me are hanging out that I’d rather not have doing that. Hooking my wrists over the door knob, I pull and the cord stretches but it hurts like hell.

I have to keep thinking about what the hell they’re doing to my Angel to keep pulling them against my skin and finally I can get one hand free.

That’s all I need. I pull the cord off my wrists then my ankles and rush to set Gage free.

“We need something to level the playing field against these bitches, Gage. Maybe a couple of long knives. And something to hit them with,” I say as we hurry to the kitchen and I adjust my robe to properly cover myself again.

I grab a couple of knives out of the wooden block on the counter and Gage goes into the laundry room and brings back a broom and a mop. “These will work to knock the shit out of them with.” He looks down at Cuddles who still looks kind of loopy. “We should put her up. She might get hurt.”

“Stash her in the laundry room,” I tell him.

After he puts her up, we take off to go upstairs to see if the women have found Angel yet. I have no idea how long I was out so I’m worried about what we’ll find. Or won’t find.

I notice all the bedroom doors are closed as we pass them. All except Gage’s.

“Gage, is your cell phone in there so we can get the police coming this way?”

He nods and we go into the room. He grabs his cell off the dresser and calls 911. With a quick description of what’s happening and the address, I end the call and we leave the room to get to Angel.

I’m praying we make it to her before it’s too late. I have this terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach.

We stop in front of our bedroom door and I try the handle.

“Fuck! It’s locked,” I whisper and lean my ear against the door to try to hear anything.

My eyes go wide at what I hear and Gage leans in to listen too.

“God damn! What the fuck is happening in there, Blaze?”

“We have to get inside!”

Chapter 2

ANGEL

I can hear the two sets of feet making noise against the tiled floor of the bathroom as they take steps away from me. I have a feeling they’re about to push me into this scalding hot water they’ve filled our deep bathtub with.

Obviously, I can’t let that happen so I’m gearing myself up for a fight where I’m at a distinct disadvantage as my hands are cuffed in front of me and I’m also blindfolded.

Here they come, running at me and I duck just as they get to me and take a few steps back. I hear one of them shriek and some water splash as they must’ve hit the hot water.

The other has turned and I take a swing at her with my bound hands. They connect with what feels like her face and she makes a loud grunt as I knock her backward.

The other girl grabs me by the hair so I throw my hands at her and hit her in the face too. Then I hear the other girl running at me so I do a little hop and kick one foot straight out and it hits her in the stomach.

I can hear the air leaving her lungs as she falls back. The other girl isn’t letting my hair go so I give her three quick whacks with my bound hands in succession then she finally lets it go and I take off running as fast as I can to get to my bedroom door.

It’s not very fast as I can’t see and have to be careful not to fall down or they’ll have even more of an advantage over me. A sound comes from the door. It sounds as if someone has hit it.

Then I’m yanked back by the hair and a fist hits me in the face. It infuriates me and I manage to get my cuffed hands over her head and pull her over my shoulder where she lands at my feet with a hard thud.

The girl is big, and that was hard but I managed it and stand up to try to catch my breath. Then the other, girl, who’s smaller, runs up behind me and wraps her legs around me as she hits me in the head over and over with her little fists.

I move backward with her until I come to a wall and ram her into it then squish her between me and the wall. The big girl makes a sound like a bull and I can hear her running toward me.

The sound of wood splintering fills my ears then I hear Benny and Gage yelling, “Stop!”

I’m hit by the big girl as she mashes my body between hers and the other girl’s. The small girl shouts, “Fuck! You’re killing me, Donna! Stop!”

Then the big girl is pulled off me and the blindfold is removed and there’s Benny. “Thank God!”

He pulls me into his arms and picks me up and carries me into the bathroom. “I’m shutting you in here while I help Gage. Just wait here, Baby.”

I nod and he turns and leaves, shutting the door behind him. I sit on the closed toilet and try to catch my breath. My hands are still cuffed but at least I can see again.

After a few loud whacks and several screams, Benny comes back into the bathroom with my white robe. He pulls the little set of keys to the pink cuffs out of the pocket of his robe.

My hands are finally released and I throw my arms around him and start crying like a little kid. “Benny, it was horrible.”

He holds me and shushes me as he rocks me back and forth. “It’s okay. We have them tied up and the police are on their way.”

“I was so afraid,” I cry as he holds me. His strong arms feel safe and I’m not sure how long it will take before I can leave them.

Then I hear sirens and know the time is at hand for him to have to let me go. “Here, let me get this robe on you.” He lets me go and I find I’m shaking like a leaf.

I look at him as he puts the robe on me then runs his fingertips over the place on my face that’s beginning to hurt. “One of them got in a hit,” I tell him.

He smiles. “It’s amazing there’s only one. Want to see what they look like, Pumpkin?”

I nod then he takes my hand and leads me out of the bathroom. The first thing I see are the two bitches who broke into our home, lying face down on the floor. Their hands are behind their backs and tied with bungee cords.

It’s Sandy and the chick from the bar who I knocked out!

I stop shaking as I grow furious. Walking in between them I look them over as they lie there. Both have quite a few red and swollen places on their faces.

“I don’t know how I managed to do that much damage. But I’m glad I did.” I squat down next to Sandy and pull her back by her hair so she has to look at me.

“Fuck you, bitch,” she says then attempts to spit at me but I hold my hand over her mouth before she can.

“No, mam.” I press her mouth hard with my hand. “Now you listen to me. We’re pressing full charges on you both. Attempted murder is what you’ll be charged with amongst other things. You see, you dumbass, you broke into a house full of lawyers. Not just any lawyers either. The lawyers of the prestigious New York law firm, The Worthington Law Firm. So you can expect to be sent away for a very long time.”

I remove my hand to give her a chance to speak but she chooses the wrong words as she says, “Fuck you!”

“No, fuck you, Sandy. Now I need you to tell Gage the truth about things. Tell him how you are the one who ran him off the road that day,” I say and yank her head around so she has to look at Gage.

Her eyes go wild as she asks, “How did you know about that?”

I laugh and so does Benny. Then he answers her, “She didn’t. You just confirmed her suspicions.”

“Fuck,” she mumbles.

I look up at Benny as I drop her head and she face plants into the carpet. “So there’s two counts of attempted murder then.”

He smiles and takes my hand as the first set of police officers comes to our bedroom door with their firearms drawn. “Everyone okay in here?” the taller one asks.

The three of us nod then I see Benny’s parents, my grandmother with his grandfather, and the two drivers looming in the hallway behind the cops. “Maybe I should let them in on what happened,” I say and leave Benny and Gage to explain things to the officers.

One of the officers takes me by the arm and asks, “Are you okay, mam?”

I nod. “A little shaken up. It takes more than a couple of dumb tramps to take me out.”

He nods and touches the place underneath my eye. “When the paramedics get here, have them look that over, will you?”

“I guess so.” I walk away to talk to the people who I hope one day will be my family.

My grandmother hugs me as she whispers, “What happened?”

“Those women tried to kill me. No big deal, let’s all go downstairs. I need something to drink. A lot of something to drink.” I lead the way down to the kitchen and pull out a bottle of Jack Daniels from the cabinet Benny keeps it in and drink straight out of the bottle.

It burns going down but stops my body from the internal shaking it’s been doing for far too long now. Everyone takes seats at the bar and stares at me. I don’t know what to say or where to start so I just look back at them.

Finally, Benny’s grandfather asks, “Did you take both of those women on alone, Angel?”

I nod and take another drink then say, “I did. I had to. They were going to throw me into a tub of scalding hot water and drown me. Plus, I was handcuffed and blindfolded.”

My grandmother’s hand goes to her chest. “They cuffed and blindfolded you?”

I scratch my head and wonder if I should tell them. Then it dawns on me that I’ll have to tell the cops that too and possibly tell a judge and jury that as well. So I weigh my words before I say, “Not them.”

Benny’s grandfather rolls his eyes and his mother looks confused as she asks, “Then who did cuff and blindfold you, dear?”

I take another long drink and the whiskey is finally beginning to work as I answer her, “Your son.”

She kind of looks like she might faint and her husband wraps his arm around her and frowns as he looks at her and says, “That sort of stuff has to come from your side of the family.”

I laugh and shake my head then say, “What a night!”

Chapter 3

BLAZE

The Manhattan fall air is crisp in the open air section of the church my family attends. I wait at the altar with my grandfather. I never pictured this day would come, or that I’d be the one standing next to him.

The music wells up into the air, surrounding us all with the sounds of a harp and piano as an old song is played. It’s what she wanted and since my grandfather met her, she has always gotten what she wants.

On this day, my grandfather is making Angel’s grandmother his wife. Seems the two were smitten with each other from the first time they saw one another. Kind of like me and Angel were.

My grandfather moved a hell of a lot faster than I have, though. He asked Rebecca to marry him after only a week. She left her home and went back home with my grandfather.

Gage moved into her house and is taking care of her many animals. She told him he could have the small farm house and the animals. The man is in hog-heaven with them all.

We didn’t give him Cuddles but Rebecca had an old bloodhound and Gage loves the thing. They’re like best friends.

We go check on him once a week and hang out with him. I’m paying for him to get physical and mental therapy to help him make what all hope will be a complete recovery.

He’s making a living selling the fresh eggs the chickens lay and milk from the three dairy cows she has. I pay the bills for the house, so any money he makes is all his.

He seems pretty happy since he has his truck and now Angel’s old motorcycle that she gave him, since she rides with me on my bike or in her new truck. I look for things to go fine for the guy. And having somebody to take over her little farm has made Rebecca happy as well.

Rebecca’s presence in my grandfather’s life has certainly softened the old snooty fart. It’s made life with him a lot easier. And business too, for that matter.

With Rebecca’s gentle influence, Grandfather finally saw the wrong in helping that asshole, Bain, with his endeavor to keep the AIDs drug at the high price he set. The government was able to make him lower it so that problem is history.

I stand by his side, holding the wedding ring he’s going to place on her finger and watch as Angel walks down the aisle. She’s her grandmother’s maid of honor and I’m my grandfather’s best man.

I thought for sure he’d pick my brown-nosing brother to be his best man, but he shocked us both by asking me. I had to accept. At least that’s what Angel told me I had to do.

She’s helped me to see how much of a chip on my shoulder I really had. It’s made it a lot easier to do the things I want to without thinking I need to stick it to my family at the same time.

We still ride motorcycles. I’m still in the biker club and Angel and I still like to get rough with each other. But I don’t make any of it about showing my family that I can be who I want to be. I just am who I want to be.

Seems they have no problem accepting that now. I think Angel and her grandmother are the reasons why. They have an air about them that makes people comfortable.

It’s odd but a great odd.

Angel has on a peach-colored dress her grandmother picked out. Her long dark hair is put into a fancy up do, strung with tiny burgundy roses. She looks delicious and I can’t wait for this to be over so I can eat her up.

She gives me a nod when she makes it to her place then the music picks up as her grandmother walks down the aisle. I watch my grandfather’s lips curve into a smile. A thing I’ve seen more of since he met Rebecca than I have in my entire life.

Angel was more than surprised when her grandmother found my grandfather just as compatible with her as her first husband was. She’d thought her first husband was the only man who could make her feel so special.

Seems my grandfather can too!

The only thing bad about that is now Angel thinks we should take more time and see other people to find out if what we have is real. She’s making me nuts with her idea and I’ve yet to come up with the right words to make her stop being crazy.

She’s told me after today, she’s moving into her own place again and giving what we have a break. But there’s no way I’m letting that happen. Not ever!

I have two rings in my pockets. The right pocket holds my grandfather’s ring, and the left holds the one I’m giving Angel after this is over.

I’m not only going to make the engagement official but also extremely short.

ANGEL

As my grandmother gets to me, she hands me her bouquet and I take it and hand it back to my younger sister who’s gotten up to take it from me. She’s very pregnant with her third baby and has already been hounding me that her kids need some cousins.

But I think I’m going to put things like that off for a while. My grandmother thought there was only one man in the world for her and boy, was I surprised when she told me she felt the same magic she’d felt with my grandfather when Benny’s grandfather touched her.

So there is more than one person for us after all it seems. What if I marry Benny and the other man for me shows up after that? Then what would I do?

As I turn back around, Benny’s eyes catch mine, and he mouths the words, ‘I love you,’ to me.

I do love him so I mouth the same words back to him.

It’s not that I don’t love him. It’s not like I don’t think I’d be happy forever with him. It’s just that the new knowledge that there could be more than him who’s out there for me has me confused.

Everything is so confusing!

Benny’s trimmed his beard down to a very nice manicured look. He still has those whiskers but they’ve been tamed and his tassel of waves at the top of his head has been trimmed and tamed too.

He’s really a sight to see. Tall, handsome, and all decked out in a gorgeous black tux. Last night at the rehearsal dinner, I was the envy of all the New York and Manhattan females who’ve long held torches for the man who loves me.

He winks at me and purses his lips then licks them slowly as he looks into my eyes. My body goes hot and my little, white, silk panties get wet.

What he does to me is amazing!

So why do I feel like I need to move out and give what we have a break?

Sometimes I think maybe I have something wrong with me. Like I can’t believe things can go right for any real period of time. Always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Like almost getting killed by those two broads. Their trials are coming up soon and it looks like they’ll both get what they deserve. Sandy a bit more than the other girl, who ended up being her cousin.

Things like that have me thinking that what Benny and I have could end. The other man in this world who is also meant for me could show up and ruin everything. Or worse, the other woman in this world meant for my Benny could show up and ruin everything!

Life might well be spent alone rather than waiting for that shit to happen and blow my perfect world to smithereens.

I feel a tug at my dress and turn back to see my three-year-old niece holding her arms up to me. So even though this is not how rehearsal went, I pick her up so she can get a better look at her great-grandmother getting hitched again.

A bunch or people make that aww sound people make when things are cute. My niece looks a lot like me and when she runs her arms around my neck and hugs me, then lays her little head on my shoulder, I kind of go all melty inside.

I find Benny looking at me and he mouths, ‘That looks good on you, Baby.’

The urge to shoot the finger comes over me but all the people watching us has me not going through with that.

Benny has made no secret one day he wants to marry me. One day!

Well, I think a girl should get a bit more than that. I mean, sure he bought a house and my name is on it too. And that should be better than any engagement ring. But the fact is, it’s not.

The snooty bitches here have very rudely pointed that fact out too many times to count. I’ve been introduced as Benjamin’s girlfriend and nothing more than that.

I’ve spotted a few of the women talking in hushed tones about me being far too average for a man of Benny’s social stature. And that’s true. If he was all about his social place in New York circles, then he wouldn’t ever be happy with me.

That’s not my cup of tea so to speak.

But Benny isn’t about that life. He’s about freedom. The outdoors. The open road. That kind of stuff.

Not sitting around a country club, gossiping about what the wanderers did on their European trip that cost them gazillions of dollars.

No, my Benny is a man who likes the smell of an open fire and to sit underneath a blanket of stars in a desolate part of the country. Listening to the sounds that the night creatures make and holding me in his arms as he sings a song to me.

That’s my Benny!

I sway with my niece back and forth and find myself gazing at the man who stands across the aisle from me and he looks back at me.

He makes me smile as he runs his hand over his stomach then makes a gesture of it all rounded out and nods at me. I shake my head at him and he smiles at me with those pearly whites of his.

Suddenly, I realize we’re at the part where I need to hand my grandmother the ring she’ll slip onto her new husband’s finger and I have to maneuver my now sleeping niece so I can pull it from the little pouch that’s hanging from my right wrist.

I manage to get it out and place it in my waiting grandmother’s palm as she smiles at me with infinite patience only the elderly have.

My attention goes to her and my new grandpa as they seal the deal with the rings and then they kiss. It’s a long and very smoochy kiss for such old people.

It makes my heart skip a beat as I think about loving someone so completely at that age.

I wonder if I’ll still love Benny when I’m as old as she is?

They end their kiss as their guests clap and my side of the family cheers like a bunch of second-class citizens. But Benny’s grandfather smiles, and it seems to make him happy.

I don’t know how Benny grew up with these people and didn’t see this side of them at all. He always talked about how stuffy and snobby they all are. But they’re nice.

Do they have little eccentric ways?

Well, yeah. But who doesn’t have little idiosyncrasies?

My gran and new gramps walk down the aisle hand in hand then I feel Benny’s hand slip over mine as he leads us down the aisle behind them. His lips press my neck near my ear. “I love you, Princess.”

I’m pretty sure I’m blushing as heat fills my cheeks and I whisper, “I love you too, Benny.”

My sister’s husband catches up to us and takes his sleeping oldest daughter out of my arms, thankfully as she was getting very heavy. Then Benny spirits me away to a small room off the main church.

“Benny, what are you doing? They’re about to get in the car and leave,” I say as he drags me inside the little room and closes the door behind us.

He presses me against the door and kisses me. It takes my mind off my leaving grandmother and all I can think about is running my arms around him and pulling him closer to me.

When he ends the kiss, I’m light headed and when he gets on one knee, I’m close to fainting. “What are you doing, Benny?”

“Shh,” he says as he pulls a shiny thing out of his pocket. He takes my shaking hand and looks up at me. “Angel Jennings, my life began when I laid eyes on your beautiful face. I didn’t even realize I was living life as a zombie until I met you. You helped me integrate my two sides and I’ve never felt more whole. Only I’m not complete yet. Without you, I’m not the whole enchilada that I can be.”

I giggle a little with his words and then stop as it all gets very real when a tear falls over his cheek. My heart stops and I want nothing more than to kiss it away. “Oh, Benny.”

“Shh,” he says to me again. “Let me finish this. My life will never be complete until you become my wife. So I’m asking you, Angel Jennings, if you will do me the great honor of becoming Mrs. Benjamin Franklin Worthington, later on this evening in Las Vegas?”

“Today?” I ask in complete surprise.

He nods. “What do you say, Baby?”

My knees get weak and I go down on them to get on the same level he is. “I say yes, Benny. Yes, I’ll marry you tonight in Vegas.”

He slips the ring on my shaking finger then pulls me into his arms and kisses me in a way he’s never done before. Soft and sweet yet hard and permanent.

This is all about to be permanent and here I was only a few minutes ago preparing myself for moving out of our house tomorrow.

Things can change so quickly!

Chapter 4

BLAZE

Little feet pound the pavement as a horde of small children run past us and jump all at once into the swimming pool of the Vegas hotel.

“My God!” Angel says under her breath as the parents of the little munchkins come up behind us. “It’s past midnight!”

One of the mothers walks up next to her and says, “I know. That’s why we’re letting them swim off some of their inexhaustible energy. We all have husbands we’d like to spend a few moments of time with on this vacation.”

Angel looks suitably embarrassed by getting caught and apologizes, “Sorry, it’s just that I’m beyond exhausted. My grandmother got married this afternoon, and I was her maid of honor then this guy here asked me to marry him and we just got done with that and now we’re going up to our hotel suite and I’m kind of crabby.”

The woman frowns at Angel then looks at me. “Don’t worry. That’s how most wedding nights end up, anyway. Both people falling asleep without even touching each other. It’s to be expected after such a long day and it sounds like she’s had a hell of a long day.”

Angel nods. “And I’m so damn hungry for some reason. I’ve been snacking like non-stop all day and I’m still hungry. My stomach has been so weird feeling. I was thinking it was because of being in my grandmother’s wedding but now I’m thinking it might be a virus. A really weird one that makes you hungry.”

Another one of the mothers walks up and says, “You know I was that way through my entire first pregnancy. Hungry all the time. Never could get enough to eat.”

“Well, that’s not my problem.” Angel looks at me with a little bit of horror on her beautiful face. “Right? It can’t be that! Right?”

I shrug my shoulders. “Wouldn’t bother me one little bit if that was the case, Mrs. Worthington.”

Angel’s eyes move over the kids who are all swimming and jumping off the sides of the large swimming pool. She looks over the one mother of the pack who holds a sleeping baby in her arm like a sack of potatoes. Then she bursts into tears.

The women all look at her with understanding in their eyes and one of them says, “You better get her to the room. She’s had it for today.”

“Milk and cookies should do the trick,” another offers as I take my brand new wife inside the huge hotel.

She’s crying softly, but she’s still crying as we go inside and get on the elevator. There’s one other couple in the elevator who look at her then me. The man asks, “Hard night?”

I shake my head. “Nah, not really. We just got married and this one here just had the idea that she might be pregnant put into her head. That’s all.”

Angel turns to me and buries her face in my chest to hide her tears. Then the woman offers, “You can call the desk clerk and they’ll send up a pregnancy test. I had to do that on our last trip here. I took one drink of a rum and coke and puked everything up. John told me I needed to take a pregnancy test before I put even one little bit of alcohol into my body. So we went to the room and made the phone call, and thirty minutes later I knew that trip to Vegas was going to be alcohol-free.”

Angel gulps back her tears. “Did you cry?”

“Sure,” the woman says, as if every woman cries when she finds out that kind of great news.

“So, I am normal?” Angel asks.

The woman nods as the elevator stops and just before they get off she offers a word of encouragement, “Don’t worry if you are. This man loves you. Anyone can see that.”

The elevator doors close and she looks up at me with red-rimmed eyes. “You do, don’t you?”

I nod and kiss the top of her head then pick her up as the elevator comes to a stop at the penthouse then I take her to our suite.

Laying her gently on the bed, I ask, “Should I call and get you one of those things, Baby?”

“I’m on the pill,” she says and gets up to go pull them out of her bag. She shows them to me. “See, I’ve taken them every day just like I’m supposed to.”

I take the pack out of her hand and look at the back and my nose wrinkles up instinctively. “Angel, these are a year past the expiration date.”

“What?” She grabs the pack out of my hands. Her eyes go round as she looks back at me. “Oh my God, Benny! That means I could be a couple of months pregnant! I didn’t even notice the damn date and I got these and last months at the same time from my doctor. The idiot! Call the desk. Call them now.”

She runs to the bathroom and I hear her throwing up. I laugh and shake my head as I pick up the phone in the room. “Hi, I need a couple of things. One pregnancy test and one bottle of non-alcoholic champagne, please.”

Just as I hang up, she comes out completely naked and pointing at her stomach. “I thought I was bloated. I thought maybe I was getting a little tummy because I’ve been snacking so much. Feel this.” She takes my hand and places it on her stomach that is a little bit bigger but not much.

“I can’t tell, Baby. But we’ll be fine either way. You know we will.”

She falls backward onto the bed and looks at the ceiling. “This is awful. If I am pregnant, then everyone will think you only married me because of that.”

I lean over and kiss her cheek. “Who cares what anyone thinks?”

“It’ll make the New York Times. I know it will. I can see the headline now, ‘Benjamin Worthington married a nobody because he got her pregnant.’ It’ll be everywhere.”

I have to laugh. “Okay, first thing, that’s no kind of headline. Second, it will never make the news. Third, who gives a fuck?”

A knock comes at the door and she sits up quickly. “Go get it and bring me the thingy to the bathroom.” She shoots into the bathroom as I go to the door.

The man at the door hands me a discreet brown paper bag and the bottle of champagne and a basket of fruit. He has a big grin as he asks, “Are we happy about this?”

I nod. “Very.”

“Great!” he says as he places the things on a small table near the door. “I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you guys then.”

After reading the directions to make sure she does this right, I take the test to her. She’s chewing at her fingernail as I walk in. “Here, Baby. Pee on this then lay it on this tissue on the counter top. Then I want you to put on one of these fluffy robes and come out to me. In ten minutes you and I will come back in here together and see what it says.”

She nods. “K.”

I leave her alone because I know she needs a bit of space to do what she has to. Grabbing two champagne glasses, I fill them up and leave them on the table. I sit on the sofa and in no time she’s coming out.

A white robe is covering her now, and she looks nervous as hell. I wiggle my finger at her and she comes to me.

Taking her hand, I pull her to sit on my lap. I pull her hair out of the bobby pins that are holding her hair up and run my hands through it to make the long waves hang down.

“You’re really beautiful, Angel.” I push the robe back and kiss her shoulder.

She smiles at me and runs her hands over my face. “And you are too, Benny,”

I pull her to me and take her lips with a deep kiss. A kiss that lets her know I love her with everything in me. A kiss that tells her everything will be okay. A kiss that tells her I’m happy no matter what.

The kiss gets me hot for her and I lay her back on the sofa and move my body over hers. Her legs wrap around me and I grind against her. A low moan comes out of her, making our mouths vibrate.

One breast finds its way into my hand and I squeeze it as our mouths take us to places only they can. My cock is straining inside the tuxedo pants and I somehow manage to kick my shoes off then her hand finds my zipper and the button keeping my pants on and she frees me up.

Opening her robe, I push it back and press my aching cock into her as she arches up to me. “Benny,” she moans as I enter her.

I move my mouth to kiss her neck as I move inside her and make gentle thrusts. “Angel Worthington, you taste delicious.” I suck her sweet skin and make her moan and writhe underneath me.

She unbuttons my shirt and runs her hands under it, all over my back. “Your body feels even better now that you’re all mine, Benny.”

I look at her with a smile and kiss the tip of her nose. “I am all yours, Angel. And you are all mine.”

She’s so gorgeous my insides ache knowing I get to look at her every day and every night. The way her legs wrap around me has her holding me to her and my thrusts are short.

She runs her hand over my head and looks at me intensely. “We’re married, Benny. That’s so weird.”

“I wouldn’t use the word, weird, my Angel.” I kiss her cheek. “I’d use fantastic.”

She bites her lower lip and says, “Yeah, it’s that too.”

“You know you’re a very rich woman now, Mrs. Worthington. What’s the first thing you want to buy?” I ask, as I pump slow and easy into her wet depths.

“I think my first purchase is going to be a tattoo of my name right over your heart. What do you think about that?” She runs her hand over the empty spot on my chest and I run my fingertips over the same spot on her.

“If I can see my name right here, then you can put your name right there,” I say then kiss the place just above her plump and juicy left breast.

She nods, “Deal. And I’m putting my new last name across the top of my wrist. Like a built in bracelet.”

I smile and kiss her and know I married the right one for me.

Our bodies move together like they were built for this. And suddenly I want all of our clothes off. I pull away from her and pull my clothes all the way off as she watches me.

Then I pick her up and carry her to the bed. I place her feet on the floor and take the robe all the way off then lay her back on the bed and look at her for the longest time.

This woman is mine. To love, care for, and take care of. She is my responsibility and always will be. Instead of feeling a weight on my shoulders, I feel an energy I’ve never felt before.

Her blue eyes look up at me and her face is void of any emotion as she holds her arms out to me. I go into them and her face fills with light. “I love you, Benny.”

I kiss her and know all is right with us.

ANGEL

The day finally took its toll on us and after we made love, we fell asleep. The light peeking in from the heavily curtained window wakes me up. Benny snores next to my ear as he holds me in his arms.

It’s the best sound I’ve ever heard.

Then the fog clears and I remember what’s waiting for us in the bathroom. I nudge him in the ribs and he grunts as he wakes up.

His warm lips touch my shoulder. His voice is scratchy as he says, “Good morning, Mrs. Worthington.”

“Good morning. Do you think you’re ready to go see what that test in the bathroom has for us?”

He moans a little as he squeezes me. “I completely forgot about that. All I could think about was you. And how happy I am you’re mine now.”

I turn in his arms and look at him then run my hand through his dark blonde hair. “I’m happy too. More than I knew was possible. Funny how a little piece of paper makes things feel so permanent.”

He pulls my left hand from underneath the blanket and kisses the wedding set on it. “And the rings help too.”

I nod and bring his left hand to my lips and kiss the one on his finger too. “Yes, they do.”

“Okay,” he says as he looks into my eyes and runs his hand over my cheek. “We’re happy no matter what the outcome of that test is. Okay?”

I nod. “What else can we be?”

“Well, you could get all weepy again. That’s no good,” he says with a frown.

I smack him in the arm. “Hey, I might not be able to help that!”

He rubs his arm, “Ow!”

I raise my eyebrow at him and give him that look that says not to mess with me. “Well!”

“Okay. If you have to cry for reasons I’ll never understand then do it and I’ll try not to laugh at you. It won’t be easy, but I’ll try.” He gets out of bed and puts on the fluffy white robe that’s lying over the chair near him and I get out of bed and pick up the one he pulled off me last night from the floor and put it on.

“Come on, Big Papa,” I say as I hold out my hand for him.

He laughs and smacks my ass. “You come on, Big Momma.”

I shake my head. “Baby, there’s not a woman on the planet that likes to be called big anything.”

He laughs again. “Got ya. Come on, Lil’ Momma.”

So into the bathroom we go to see what we’re doing here. Partying like rock stars or like pregnant people.

My heart’s pounding so hard that’s basically all I can hear as my pulse fills my ears. And I close my eyes as Benny opens the bathroom door. He flips on the light switch and we lean over the counter top and I open my eyes.

“What’s that mean?” I ask as I didn’t read the directions, and he did.

“What does a plus sign usually mean, Baby?” he asks me with a smile.

“Positive,” I answer. “But, is that like a positive sign I’m not pregnant? You know, like this test is positive you are not pregnant.”

He shakes his head. “Come on, Baby. You know what a positive result is. Don’t act dumb.”

His arms surround me and he leans his forehead against mine. I run my arms around him and we just hold each other like that for a long time. Like longer than I ever recall holding anyone like this in my life.

Finally, I can speak without the threat of crying, “Benny, we sure hurry up and do things, don’t we?”

“We sure do, Baby,” he says then kisses my lips with a light kiss. “We sure do.”

Chapter 5

BLAZE

The squeaking of the rocking chair as it moves back and forth over the hardwood floor in the great room makes a comforting sound that’s not only putting our six-month-old son to sleep but also his very tired daddy.

The fireplace is in full blaze and the warmth it’s putting out is making things way too comfortable not to take a well-deserved afternoon nap. It’s quiet since Angel’s in her shop creating a masterpiece of artwork on the gas tank of the bike she’s putting the finishing touches on.

It’s her very first design, and she’s doing all the graphics by hand. We’re taking it to Milwaukie to the Harley Davidson plant next month to see what they think about her design.

It’s too lightweight for me but men like me are not who it was designed for, anyway. Angel designed it for people who weigh less than a hundred and fifty pounds. And are not terribly tall in stature either.

And she’s making it pretty. This first one is designed for a woman. She’s going to make another one of the same body style and frame but use graphics and colors for a man.

To say I’m proud of her just isn’t enough. She’s managed to make a baby inside her while finishing her degree and starting her first motorcycle design. Then she built it with her own two hands. She had a little help from me and a couple of men I hired to help with the heavy lifting, of course.

Then she had our son after twenty-seven hours of labor. To be honest, I’m not sure how she did that at all. She’s like a miracle woman!

After only four weeks of recovery time, she got back to work on her motorcycle while I took over most of the care of little Woodrow Wilson Worthington. We call him Woody. Grandfather came up with the name and Angel thought it would be a great tradition to keep up.

I wasn’t so keen on it, but we’ve learned how to make compromises. I get to name any daughters we might have. Although, Angel said it’s going to have to be a few years before we try for another kid so she can get the horrible labor she had with Woody far out of her mind.

Cuddles comes into the room, jumping and acting like a young puppy which means someone is here. The front door opens and I hear people walking inside. Then Angel’s voice floats out of the entry room and into the great room, “He’s going to be so surprised.”

Picking my head up off the back of the chair where I was resting it in hopes of a nap, I see Angel coming into the room with Gage walking next to her and carrying a little box that seems to be making a cheeping noise.

A wide smile covers his face as he looks right at the sleeping baby I’m holding. “Uncle Gage brought little Woody a friend.” He puts the box down where I can see inside of it and I see the thing making the incessant cheeping sounds.

Woody stirs and is fully awake within seconds as he hears the sounds too and has to see what it is. Gage picks the little yellow chick up and holds it out to Woody.

He nearly climbs off me to get away from the thing as he looks terrified. “It’s a baby chick, Woody,” I say quietly to him.

He looks at me as if my words alone make it safe. I’m like a God to this little guy!

I pet the little thing on top of its fluffy tiny head and my son follows me. Then he giggles and my heart fills with that crazy stuff that makes it feel wiggly and full of happiness.

One little giggle out of him does it to me every time. I hope it always does.

Gage is beaming. “I knew he’d love it. What are you going to call him, Woody?”

Angel rolls her eyes. “Gage, he can’t talk yet. He’s smart but not that smart yet. So let’s call it, Yellow Chick.”

Gage rolls his eyes right back at her. “No way. That’s a lame name. How about, Pecker?”

I let out a laugh, “Ha! No. I’m not going to have my son going around calling out, here, Pecker. Has anyone seen my Pecker?”

“Oh, yeah. Didn’t think that one out,” Gage admits.

His physical therapy is coming along great and he’s a hundred percent back to his former self like he was before his wreck. But the mental therapy is taking a bit longer.

Although Angel did have to admit he wasn’t up there in the high points where intelligence was concerned before his wreck. She said it was his muscles and handsome face that got to her, not his brain.

So he may be back to normal for him, anyway.

The baby watches the little chick peeping like crazy and he starts popping his mouth, making a little popping sound. Angel and I look at each other and we both say, “Pop Pop!”

Gage nods. “I like it. Pop Pop it is.” He holds his hand up as he’s managed to teach our baby how to high five.

Woody holds up his hand and they both laugh as they do a little baby version of it. Woody laughs like it’s the funniest thing in the world and it makes Angel and I laugh too.

This kid has been more fun than I ever knew a kid could be. Oh, he’s also been a horror show. Especially the diapers in the beginning. My God, those were horrible!

Angel really put it to me with those awful things. Seems like the smell was so awful it was always about to make her puke. So she’d shout out that she needed help and would quickly abandon me with the terrible task of finishing the diaper change.

She really is a little bit of Heaven and a little bit of Hell, in more ways than one!

But I wouldn’t have her any other way.

Gage holds his hands out for Woody to come to him and as always he does. He loves his Uncle Gage. And their friendship which started right off the bat has been a huge help to Angel and me.

We have a reliable babysitter anytime we ask for one and I think it might be the right time to ask so I can take my wife out on a little motorcycle ride.

As I rock back and forth in the rocking chair, I reach up and pull Angel down to sit in my vacated lap. She giggles and runs her arms around my neck. I kiss her lips as Gage takes the baby and sits with him on the floor to play with Cuddles and the new baby chick.

“What do you say to a bike ride with your old man, Baby?”

She leans her head on my chest and sighs. “You gonna let me drive this time?”

“No,” I say with a chuckle. “You’re going to ride bitch like you always do. And you’re going to like it.” I kiss her lips again and she kisses me back a bit harder.

She pulls back and says, “Damn it, I love your ass.”

I run my hand along her side and over her hip. “I love your sweet ass too, Lil’ Momma.”

She gazes up at me with those deep blue eyes and flutters her thick dark lashes at me. “Can we stop at the Tasty Freeze for an ice cream cone?”

I nod and she smiles. And I have to wonder if just her smile alone will always make me feel this way.

ANGEL

The wind is cold on the sunny yet cold, late November afternoon. I ride behind my husband and use his body to shield my face from the freezing air. But he wanted to take a ride with me and I rarely tell him no to that.

Plus, he said he’d get me an ice cream cone and I rarely say no to that too!

But I find myself thinking back to the summer and I do recall bitching about how hot it was then. Seems I like spring and fall and that’s about all.

It’s hard to believe we celebrated our first wedding anniversary last month. The year flew by. Even being pregnant didn’t make it feel like forever although the pregnancy itself did feel that way.

Odd how time works.

Benny takes a turn to the left instead of the right and heads away from town. And in no time I see he’s taking us out to a little-known spot, one that we found when we went riding when we first got together.

The trees get thick and the road narrows as we pull into a small park. No one’s here, like usual. He goes through the entrance and heads to the back of the park where the secluded area is and my heart starts to race because I know what Benny likes to do in this little secluded area we found back then.

He stops the bike and holds his hand out for me to take and get off first. Then he gets off and pulls something out of the compartment at the back of the bike.

“A blanket, huh?” I ask. “Nap time, or what?”

He shakes his head and takes the blanket and my hand and leads me through the thick woods until he finds the spot we found that’s perfect. A tall pine tree shoots up in the middle of the mix of Aspens and looks surreal against the tiny bits of blue sky that can be seen out of the thick canopy of the evergreen.

He spreads the blanket and sits on it, pulling me down with him. He has me on my back in no time and his body is next to mine as he looks at me. I run my hand along his muscular arm as he holds himself up on it.

“I love the way you look in this light,” he says in a husky whisper.

“You do, huh?” I pull him to me and kiss him.

He twirls his tongue around mine for a few moments then pulls back and looks at me again. He runs his hands through my hair and just gazes at me. “You know you’re extremely special, don’t you?”

“I think you are,” I say and move my hands up over his wide shoulders.

My eyes close as he moves in and takes my lips with his. The instant they touch a fire rips through me and my arms move over his broad shoulders then through his hair.

He pulls me tighter to him and my breasts press against his hard chest. His heart is pounding so hard in his chest I can feel it on my own.

Mine speeds up and matches the pace of his. Heat seems to be whipping through my veins.

When his lips leave mine, I keep my eyes closed, savoring the way his mouth mingled with mine. Loving the taste that lingers on my tongue. Uniquely Benny and me.

I want this man like I have never wanted anything in my entire life. My body is so drawn to his, even now we hold onto one another as if the other is a life preserver in an ocean full of dangerous waves.

My mind spins and my body heats as his lips touch mine again and his tongue touches my bottom lip. I part my lips and his tongue pushes through them and slides along mine.

A pulsing sensation begins in my crotch as he moves his body so I can straddle him. He presses his growing erection to my core. I feel myself growing wetter by the second.

His makes a deep moan, igniting a desire in me I didn’t know could be so raw and powerful. His body grinds into mine and I grind right back. The rubbing back and forth on my leather pants has me shaking with need.

Now he really starts grinding against me and I can feel his hard cock pulsing and growing with every move he makes. His kiss grows hungry and frantic as if he needs me to live or something.

I wrap my legs around him and rake my nails over his back then run my hands over every leather covered muscle and try to memorize this whole thing for a future reference for my daydreams.

I need him now. I need all of him. This making out isn’t going to cut it this afternoon under this tree. And by the way he’s breathing hard and heavy and pulling at my body, I can see he needs me too.

His mouth leaves mine, and he reaches under my shirt and around me to unclasp my bra. “I just want to feel you breasts freed from this thing. They’re so soft and supple and amazing.”

Benny pushes my T-shirt up and takes a tit in his hot mouth as his hand rubs the other and I moan with how it feels. His touch is sending little volts of electricity through me and my insides begin to pulse.

The way he’s sucking my tit makes my stomach clench with each hard pull he makes on it. I groan in ecstasy as I look at the sky through the tree tops, “Benny.” It’s all so intense and unreal.

My body begins to shake as he continues to grind into my core and the way he’s moving has my clothes moving over my clit and I shriek as I orgasm.

His mouth leaves my breasts, and he trails kisses up my neck. “I love you.”

I feel terrible that my body was able to finish in a sweet climax and his is left wanting more. Needing more.

“Turn over. I want to finish you, Benny.”

He looks at me with lust-filled eyes and he makes a low growl as I push him back and move my body over his. I kiss his chest and down his stomach then unbutton and unzip his leather jeans and release the beast inside.

Although I’d like to take a minute or two to admire the long length as it stands at attention for me and the girth of it as it pulses with impatience to feel my mouth, I know that it is cold out and waiting could be uncomfortable for him. So I press my lips to the bulbous tip and he lies back with a loud groan, “That feels amazing!”

And I haven’t really done anything yet!

As I slide my mouth over him, I run my hands around his cock. Up and down I move them right behind where my mouth leaves.

He tastes like Heaven and the way his soft skin feels as I move my mouth over his hard as a rock cock is a mixture of sensations I like very much.

I find only half of him is fitting into my mouth so I push myself a bit more and take him down my throat. I gag a little then it slips on down and the sounds he makes lets me know he’s kind of enjoying it.

Moving up and down his cock, I run my tongue along the underside and move one hand to touch his balls.

They feel wonderful in my hand as I gently squeeze them and play with the little hard ball-like things inside. They instantly swell in my hand as a bit of juice comes out of the tip of his cock.

I love the way it tastes and moan. Benny moans too and his hands tangle up in my hair. “Your cock-sucking skills are amazing.”

A little more juice comes out and I speed up the process and before I know it he’s shouting curse words and his hot juices are shooting down my throat.

His groan of appreciation makes the leaves shake on the trees it’s so loud and deep. I pull my mouth away from his cock and give him a smile.

“Now for that ice cream, I was promised.”

He laughs. “I’d have thought what I just gave you filled you up. You sure you have room for ice cream, Baby?”

I get up as I nod and hold my hand out to help him up.

“Benny, Benny, Benny, there’s always room for ice cream. Now come on, and take your wife to get some of that creamy goodness.”

He gets up and pulls me to him and kisses me with a soft kiss. His tongue thrusts through my lips and he makes a low moan as our tongues run over the others. Then he eases the kiss and says, “I love the way my creamy goodness tastes in your sweet mouth, Princess.”

I have to giggle and feel a blush heating my cheeks. “Me too.”

I wonder if it will ever stop being this good. I hope not!

Chapter 6

BLAZE

“I don’t like this one bit, Gage,” I overhear Angel telling her old boyfriend who’s finally found himself a girlfriend after two years of staying single and us being his only friends.

His past with the crazy Sandy chic, who now resides in prison along with her cousin, Donna, had him gun-shy for far too long. And now it seems that my wife isn’t a fan of this new chick he found on the internet.

I mosey on over to the kitchen where I hear their voices coming from and find them looking at each other with scowls on both their faces as our little toddler walks around trying to open all the child-safety-locked drawers and cabinets.

Easing into the kitchen, I pick up our now one and a half-year-old, Woody, and he immediately pulls my beard. I’ve been letting it grow again, and he’s kind of mesmerized by it and keeps wanting to see if it can come off.

“Blaze, would you tell her that lots of people meet on the internet now?” Gage asks as he looks to me for some kind of hope.

“Angel, lots of people meet now on the internet,” I say but I know my wife and it doesn’t really matter what anyone else says about things she’s sure of. And she’s sure this woman, who’s about to be here, is some kind of a kook.

“Lots of people get killed by crazy women too. And Gage was almost a statistic, as was I and you for that matter, Benny! No!” She stomps her little boot covered foot. “No, Gage!”

“She’s already on her way, Angel. She’ll be here any minute. I gave her this address so you can meet her before I take her to my place. And I expect you to give her the same kind of welcome that I gave Blaze here,” he says then crosses his arms.

I laugh and look out the window and see Cuddles running around the yard with the chicken who’s now full grown. He turned out to be a rooster who’s mean as hell. And upon closer inspection, I see they aren’t playing as much as the rooster is chasing the poor dog.

I breathe a sigh of relief as Cuddles ducks under the fence, leaving the rooster alone in the backyard. We really need to set that bird free!

Then Angel’s shrill voice fills the kitchen and Woody holds his little hands over his ears, “I will do that then. I guess you don’t recall nearly getting into a fight with him the first time you two met.”

Gage looks a little shocked.

“Blaze and I have always been the best of friends. I don’t know how you remember it but he and I got along from the get-go and that’s what I expect from you.”

“I keep forgetting about your memory problems, Gage. Sorry.” She looks at me for a little help and all I can seem to do is shrug my shoulders.

“Give the chick a shot, Angel,” I say as I bat my eyelashes at her. “For me. Please. Gage needs a life too, sweetheart.”

Ever since we found out just how much irreversible damage was done to Gage’s brain a few months ago, Angel has become his fierce protector. And God help anyone who thinks they can attempt to pull anything over on the man.

The doorbell chimes and Angel races Gage to the front door. I come along behind them, holding Woody and making faces at him to make him laugh. I love this kid’s laugh!

Gage manages to beat her and he opens the door and there stands a woman. Not a chick, a full grown older woman. Pretty and nice looking but at least twenty years older than Gage.

Angel stares at her as Gage reaches out and takes her hand. “Dana, it’s nice to finally meet you face to face.”

She smiles, revealing a really nice set of dentures. She has to be in her early fifties, I think. A bit early for dentures but who am I to judge.

I wonder if he realizes how much older she is than him.

He pulls her into a hug and she squeals with delight. “Oh my, Gage! You’re even more handsome in person!”

Angel steps back and looks them over as they hug and she looks kind of shocked as she mutters, “Um, hi.”

Gage lets the woman out of his tight hug and holds her hand as he looks back at Angel. “Angel, this is the woman I’ve been telling you about. This is Dana Braxton. Dana, this is Angel, my self-proclaimed guardian.”

Angel doesn’t even attempt to conceal her thoughts from the woman. “Hey there, Dana. Did Gage’s ad on that dating site say he was twenty-eight?”

“It did,” she says as she pats his hand. “We talked over the phone too and he told me. He also told me his sad story and my heart just went out to him. I’m a bit of a nurturing soul. My last kid just left for college in the fall and I’m an empty-nester. When I found Gage here, well, I knew I’d found the man I’m supposed to take care of. My husband died three years ago and I’ve been very lonely.”

“How many kids do you have, Dana?” Angel asks as she crosses her arms.

“Six,” the woman says without blinking an eye. “I love having a big family.”

“You like kids, huh,” Angel asks adding a little tap of her boot on the hardwood floor to accent her words and how she’s really not cool with this.

But she’s not looking at Gage who’s beaming at the woman. She’s shorter than he is. Her hair is shoulder-length, blonde, and cut into a bob-like hairstyle.

He likes her a lot from what I can tell. She’s okay for her age, but damn!

The woman nods enthusiastically then looks at Woody. “Is that your son?”

I walk up to her. “Hi, I’m Benny and this is Woody.”

Our son holds out his arms to her, which is not a thing he does with strangers. She takes him and coos and he coos back at her. And all the while Gage looks at her with adoration.

I wrap my arm around Angel’s shoulders, and she looks at me with such a scowl on her pretty face. I give her a little squeeze and whisper, “Invite her to stay for dinner.”

She shakes her head a little and I squeeze her shoulders a little more and nod. Her eyes go narrow and she finally says, “We’re having a roast for dinner. I don’t suppose you like roast.”

Dana looks away from Woody and smiles. “I love roast.”

“Oh,” Angel says then frowns. “I don’t suppose you’d like to eat with us?”

“I’d love to. If you’re inviting me.” Dana looks at Gage. “Is that something you want to do, sweetie?”

He nods. “Angel makes a good roast.”

Dana looks back at Angel. “If you’re inviting me, then I’d love to stay for dinner.”

With a deep sigh, Angel says, “Great. I’ll be in the kitchen.”

Dana hands the baby to Gage and winks at him. “I’ll help you, Angel. Gage has told me all about you and I think it’s fascinating that you make motorcycles. I ride too.”

“You’re shitting me!” Angel says, making me cringe.

Gage just laughs and looks at me. “She’ll have Angel wrapped around her finger before you know it.”

I nod and wait for the women to get all the way out of earshot then say, “She’s a little older than you, you know.”

He nods and follows me as we move along to join the women in the kitchen at a slow pace. “I know that. But there’s something about her. I don’t know what it is.”

“I doubt she can have kids,” I say and watch his reaction to see what he thinks about that.

Gage stops and looks sheepish for a second. “I’ve been keeping something from you guys. It is part of the reason I hang out with Woody so much. In the accident, some real damage was done to my private area. I’m sterile. No kids are in my future, anyway. And I really do like Dana.”

“Why didn’t you say anything to us about that, Gage?” I clap him on the back and feel terrible for the man.

“It’s not a thing I like to talk about. I’m sure you can understand.”

When we get into the kitchen, he puts Woody down and the kid goes straight to Dana. He’s a great judge of character so I think Gage may be onto something with the woman.

Dana picks the baby up and keeps on doing what she was doing like it’s not a problem at all rinsing off baby carrots as she holds him. And after six kids, maybe it’s not a problem.

Angel looks at our son and shakes her head and I know she’s thinking he’s a little traitor. She asks Dana, “Guess with six kids, you have a lot of grandkids, Dana.”

“You’d think so,” Dana says with a nod. “But do you know, every one of those dang kids of mine are going to medical school and waiting to start their families until they’re finished? My oldest son got married last year to another dang doctor.”

Angel stops peeling potatoes and looks at the woman with skepticism. “Do you expect me to…?”

Gage cuts her off. “Look, Angel, here she is at the oldest one’s wedding.” He takes his cell phone to her and starts showing her the pictures of Dana with her apparently very intelligent kids.

Angel taps her foot as she looks at picture after picture of the woman with her family. She doesn’t bother to look at Gage and see how his face is all lit up as he looks at the pictures.

Angel spins around and looks at Dana. “Okay, I have to say something.”

“Please do,” Dana says. “I’m an open book, dear. And I’m very pleased to see Gage has someone who looks out for him so well. His own family doesn’t do half the job you’re doing.”

“Wait,” Angel looks at Gage. “How does she know your family? You never ever took me to meet them. Damn it!”

Gage laughs. “My mother cleans her house, Angel.”

Angel narrows her eyes. “Oh. Well, you said you met on the internet.”

“And we did,” Dana says. “His mother told me about her son and his tragic story and told me he was on this dating site. And when I put in my information into the site, he was one of the ones it said I’d be compatible with.”

“But you’re so much older than he is,” Angel says very bluntly.

I find myself cringing again and hiss, “Angel Worthington!”

She looks at me with an incredulous expression. “Well, she is.”

Dana nods. “I am. But he and I have not only similar experiences in life but also interests too. I love to play video games and ride motorcycles too.”

“You like to play video games?” Angel asks as if there is no possible way that could be true.

Gage laughs. “She does like to play games. We’ve played a lot online. She’s totally cool. You’ll see.”

Dana’s cheeks go pink as she says, “Oh, Gage! You, flatterer.”

Gage gets off the barstool and goes around and takes her up in his arms. His lips touch her cheek and Angel’s mouth drops open as he says, “You are cool. And gorgeous and sexy and I’m so damn happy to finally get to actually touch you.”

Angel goes to the fridge and pulls out a few beers. She pops one open and chugs it then opens another before she offers, “Anyone else want a refreshing beverage?” Then she burps and we all laugh.

Seems like my Angel is having problems letting Gage just be Gage.

ANGEL

I climb into bed with Benny after putting the baby to bed and still can’t wrap my head around Gage with the old lady. “Benny, why would he want her?”

“Come on, Baby. He has his reasons. I get that you don’t understand that but the woman checks out. She’s very wealthy. Maybe the whole thing where she’s stable and can’t have kids either has him liking that about her.” He fluffs his pillows and lies back on them.

“What do you mean, can’t have kids either?” I stare at him and he freezes like a deer in the headlights.

“Huh?” He acts stupid.

“Benny, what do you know?” I pinch his shoulder and he lets out a yelp.

“Damn! Okay, stop torturing me!”

“Gage told you he can’t have kids?”

He nods. “It’s not like he told me not to tell you but I doubt that he wants me to.”

“Why wouldn’t he tell me that? And how long have you known this? And why haven’t you told me sooner? And…”

He grabs me and kisses me. I’m sure to get me to stop asking questions. When he releases me I’m a little out of breath because that’s just how badass our kisses are.

“He didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for him. It happened when he was in the wreck. I only found out today when you and Dana went to the kitchen and this is the soonest I could possibly tell you.” He holds me in his arms and looks at me.

“Poor, Gage.” My eyes go misty. “That fucking Sandy is so lucky she’s in prison right now because I would fucking kill her if she was free. Can’t you sue her for that?”

“Sue her? She doesn’t have anything,” he says as he lets me go and I fall onto his wide chest and hug him.

“Life just isn’t fair for him.” I run my hand over his naked chest. “I feel so responsible for not being more available to him when he and I were together. I should’ve done so many things different. I’m not saying I would’ve stayed with him or anything but maybe those awful things wouldn’t have happened to him if I had been different.”

“Is that why you became his crusader when you found out everything that Sandy did to him? You feel responsible?” he asks me and pulls me up to make me look at him.

I nod. “You have no idea what that feels like to know because you were so wrapped up in your work and school that you let someone hurt someone you love. It feels terrible. If I could go back in time, I’d change it all. Gage wasn’t a bad guy.”

“Life is life, baby. For whatever reason that happened to Gage isn’t for you to understand or take the blame for. He did mess with the chick. He wasn’t a complete innocent.” He pulls me back down to rest my head on his chest and runs his hands up and down my arms.

“And what if this woman is crazy too?” I ask as I nuzzle his chest.

“Then at least you and I are going to be around and we can watch out for that. He needs to make a life for himself instead of his revolving around ours.” He rolls me over onto my back and looks down at me. “I love the guy. I do. And that’s why I’d like to see him get to share his life with someone. Really share it. If you care about him, then you should want that too.”

“I do want that for him. But with someone more age appropriate. I like Dana. She’s funny and nice and damn it, she is cool too. But that age difference is ridiculous!”

“And if it were a fifty-something man with a nearly thirty-year-old woman, then what would you think? Because I’ll have you know that we not only hobnob with couples like that back in New York but also in the motorcycle club. You’ve never said a word about any of them.” He just stares me down and waits for me to say one word against what he’s pointed out to me.

“Damn it, Benny,” I whine. “You’re right. I’ll give this woman the benefit of the doubt. But I’ll be on top of this. If I see anything the least bit weird. Well, weird is going to happen with how I look at them. But I mean that looks like he’s being done wrong or she’s crazy. Well, she does have to be a little crazy to want to spend her golden years with a man nearly half her age. But I mean anything that…”

His mouth crashes down on mine and I get his drift. Stop talking and kiss him.

I can do that. I can do that for a long, long time.

Chapter 7

BLAZE

My hands run up her arms and I pull her in close to me as I gaze into her deep blue eyes. “You are so beautiful.” My lips touch hers and I’m lost.

On a mission of their own, my hands travel over her shoulders and down her back and then I take her sweet, plump ass in them and pull her to me as I press my growing erection against her soft core.

She shudders and wraps her arms around my neck. Her legs go around my waist as I pick her up.

She strokes my tongue as I stroke hers and it feels right. Angel in my arms always feels more than right.

Four years after Woody’s birth, Angel finally said that we can have another baby. This is our first attempt at getting her pregnant and I’m getting this woman primed and ready.

Her body is shaking as I lie her back on the bed.

I slip first one thin strap of her silky blue nightgown down then the other. Her breasts are bare and I take them all in. My eyes roam over them then I touch them using only the tips of my fingers.

Goosebumps raise across her flesh as her nipples grow and harden. She moves her fingertips up and down my arm and watches me as I take in her gorgeous body. A body I hope to see changed very soon as she grows our next child inside her.

My hands run over both her plump and firm tits. It sends heat through me as she gasps at the immediate reaction my touch gives her body. I climb up next to her on the bed and place my mouth on one as I play with the other.

My tongue makes lazy circles around her taut nipple. One long suck I make. “My God, that feels amazing,” she moans and runs her hands through my hair.

She hasn’t felt amazing yet!

ANGEL

Warmth spreads over me as his mouth leaves my breast, trailing kisses up my chest. His piercing blue eyes meet mine and his intensity has me quivering.

It’s been no secret he’s wanted to have another child for some time now. I can see it’s going to be his mission to impregnate me as soon as possible. And I have a feeling he’s going to keep me satiated until we see a plus sign on one of the dozens of pregnancy tests that the man has already bought.

A wildness in him comes out through those steely eyes and it thrills me. With one quick motion, he pulls his T-shirt off and I find myself gazing at his perfectly muscled chest.

My hand moves over the tight muscles. A six-pack and pecs that won’t quit, ripple as my hand moves over them. His pecs are large and look powerful. A thing I know they are as I’ve seen this man pick things up that weigh crazy amounts. He’s so strong and virile and it makes me so wet for him.

“My God, you’re gorgeous, Benjamin Worthington. You sure you want to have another baby? You know a little one takes away a lot of our sex-life.”

He nods and makes a deep growl. “I’ll deal with that. I want to see your stomach filled with my seed.”

“Okay, Conan! That didn’t sound barbaric at all,” I say with sarcasm-laced words.

He grins and gets off the bed, dropping his pajama bottoms, releasing his huge gift. My eyes go wide as it seems larger somehow. He must really be excited about having another kid!

He pulls my nightgown the rest of the way off and slides my silky panties off me. I lie naked in front of him as he looks me over and I chew on my bottom lip in anticipation of what he plans on doing to me next.

His fingers trail lightly over my chest, down my stomach and it makes the muscles tighten. An electric current flows in the wake of his touch and my body is on fire now.

My brain starts to spiral and I can only focus on the way he’s making my body react to his touch. Only the tips of his fingers are on my skin yet I can feel it all over my body.

He makes another deep growl. “You are beyond gorgeous, baby.”

My heart pounds and my body quivers as he climbs back onto the bed and spreads my legs and gives me a smile before his mouth is on me. My hands fist the sheets with the intense reaction my body has to him.

His tongue taps my clitoris and I nearly fall apart. “Oh, hell!” My breath is already coming in gasps.

The heat of his mouth on me and the wetness of his tongue are insanely good. He has my legs pulled up so my knees are bent and then his hands go to my ass and he squeezes it.

Pulling me up to take more of me in, his mouth goes ravenous on me. It has my insides a liquid mass of intense pleasure.

All too soon I find myself screaming out as my body falls apart under his mouth and my hands go to his hair. His tongue goes inside me as he laps up the juices my body has released. He moans and growls and seems to love it.

The way he’s being so animalistic has me going crazy for him. I should’ve let him get me pregnant a long time ago.

He’s very good at it!

Benny’s eyes go soft, and he changes his entire demeanor as he kisses me with a gentle and sweet kiss. My arms move around his neck on their own. My heart skips a beat with his soft touch after being so rough before.

He lies on the side of me and moves his fingertips over my stomach, trailing down until he finds my still pulsing clit. He strokes it and makes his way down my heated and wet folds.

I arch up to him as he continues to stroke me softly while he kisses me. The fire inside me builds and his gentle touch is making me crave so much more.

His tongue flows smoothly over mine then he pulls his mouth away and looks into my eyes. “I love you, Angel.”

I stroke his cheek and gaze into his eyes. “I love you, Benny.”

He moves his body over mine and slowly enters me as I pull my knees up to allow him to move in deep. Then he kisses me again as he makes gentle strokes into me and it makes me moan, wanting more from him.

Slow and easy he shows me only gentleness and I feel so loved by him.

His body is all over mine and moves so slowly I can feel the fine hairs on his chest as they graze me. My breasts squish under his hard muscles with every stroke he makes.

His mouth leaves mine then he trails kisses down my neck and gives me a little nip then more kisses. It sends a wave of heat all through me.

Inside me, a wave is cresting. His body moves back and forth over mine and his hard cock moves in and out so slowly it’s tormenting me. “Faster,” I moan.

His growl makes my insides quake, and he moves faster as he takes one of my legs and pulls it up so he can go into me deeper. His teeth graze my neck then he bites a bit harder, and it sends me right over the edge.

I cling to him as my body climaxes and scream his name over and over.

He grinds into me as he continuously growls low and steady as I buck underneath him. Then his body stiffens and liquid heat pours into me.

We both make low moans as our bodies take what they need from the others. And I feel amazing with him like this.

He’s brought more to my life than I ever knew I even wanted. I wrap my arms around him and hold him tight to me. Then tears start to fall over my cheeks and I’m silently crying.

He must feel the wetness on his cheek as his face is touching mine. He pulls back and kisses the tears away. “Why the tears, Pumpkin?”

“That was beyond beautiful to me, Benny. The whole thing was so completely amazing. You’ve made my life like something out of a fantasy novel and the way you touch me makes me feel more than human.” I run my hand over his face. “You are real, aren’t you?”

He chuckles and kisses the tip of my nose. “Oh yeah, I’m real.”

I laugh a little. I know I’m being crazy. “Okay, the romantic stuff is over. I can see it makes you uncomfortable.”

He holds me still underneath him. “I love the romantic stuff and you know it. I just don’t want you going to that place in your head where this is all too good to be true and stuff like you do from time to time. This is just life. Our life together. It’s not magic or fantasy. It’s just life.”

His cock makes one last jerk inside me and I have to laugh. “There you go. Got it all out now?”

He kisses my cheek then rolls off me. “Yep. Now let’s talk about names for our daughter. I like Penelope.”

“No way,” I say as I roll onto my side only to have him roll me right back onto my back.

“I read about this,” he says as he puts a pillow under my ass, lifting me up so my pelvis is tilted back somewhat. “You need to stay in this position for a while. I think thirty minutes should do it. We need my magic potion to sit on your basket of, could one day be people, eggs. You know, to ensure fertilization. Now, why don’t you like the name, Penelope?”

He props his head up on his hand and looks down at me as he strokes my stomach. I guess he thinks he’s mixing up the magic kid brew inside me.

“I think that name is perfect for a pet but not a kid. Not one of ours, anyway.” I put my arms behind my head and lay back and try to relax since he won’t be letting me move anytime soon.

“Well, how about Jax?” he asks as he watches his finger moving over my stomach.

“No. That’s a boy’s name. How about, Bonnie?”

“No.” He moves his whole hand over my stomach, lying it flat out on it. “How about, Serendipity?”

I shake my head and run my hand through his dark blonde wavy hair. “They’ll call her Sara. I’m not sure I like that. What are we going to do if it’s another boy?”

“Sell, him,” he says with a chuckle and I smack him upside the head. “Oww!”

“Don’t even joke about a thing like that.”

He laughs and says, “If I wasn’t worried about shaking the baby stew you have going on in your insides right now, I’d toss you over my lap and give you a good spanking, Mrs. Worthington.”

The thought makes my ass tingle and I say, “Oh, Benny. Start with that the next time then. You just made me ache to feel your strong hand on my ass.”

“Damn it, Angel. You just made my dick hard!” he growls. “And we need to let this baste for a while.”

“I think you’re trying too hard. Come on. I can lie still like this the next time. I promise I won’t talk naughty then. And you can make me be still even longer if you want.”

He looks at me for a minute as he rubs his palms together while he contemplates his answer. Then he smiles and says, “Nope. You have to stay still. But we can start with a spanking next time. And you’ll stay still after that too.”

I moan and run my hand over my tit to entice him. “Don’t you want a taste of this?”

He shakes his head. “Not right now, I don’t.”

Slowly, I ease my hand off my tit and down my stomach then over his and I touch only the tip of his cock, that’s not soft at all. “You sure, you don’t want to smack my ass a little then take me from behind?”

He closes his eyes and moans as I move my fingertip over the head of his cock. “You’re an evil temptress.”

I make an evil laugh. “And I need a good spanking to bring the good girl out in me and put the bad girl to bed. But not until you’ve shown that bad girl who’s boss around here.” His dick shoots up and I know I almost have him where I want him.

“God damn it!” he shouts as he flips me around and I end up lying face down over his lap. “But after this time, you have to lie back with your ass up on the pillow for a whole hour. Agreed?”

His hand comes down hard on my ass and it heats up and sends crazy heat through me. “Yes,” I hiss. “Again.”

He smacks my ass again and I go all wet inside. He does it again and I cry out for more. Over and over, he makes my flesh sizzle then he flips me around again and I’m on my knees with him behind me.

This baby making thing is going to be quite a workout it seems!

Chapter 8

BLAZE

The smell of alcohol makes my nose itch as I stand by Angel’s head while her doctor, an old guy who smells like coffee, has his head in her nether regions with some kind of thing that’s supposed to let us see our kid.

But he hasn’t managed to bring the image up yet and went back in to reposition the device. It’s not a pleasant thing to witness your wife being so completely open to another man. But it is an evil necessity in bringing kids into our world.

He comes back out from under the blue sheet that’s keeping my wife covered from my view, anyway, though I have no idea why. His face is a little red from the heat I guess and he looks at the screen that begins to de-fuzz and then some blobby stuff appears in shades of gray. “There we go,” he says.

I look really hard and I don’t know why he said that. There we do not go. “Doc, I don’t see a thing I recognize. And I’ve been down there a lot.” I laugh at my own joke and Angel smacks me in the ribs and frowns at me.

With a shake of her head, she utters one word that shuts my comedic line up of one-liners down, “Don’t!”

I nod to show her she’s won this round, but that just means she’ll have to listen to them all once we’re alone.

The doctor points to the screen. “You see that there?”

Angel and I make humming sounds as if we know what he’s talking about but neither of us does. So I ask, “What is that there, Doc?”

He looks at us as if it’s as plain as the nose on his face. Which is kind of bulbous and on the red side and I think my wife’s obstetrician might be a heavy drinker.

He taps the screen with his finger. “Right there! It’s a little round head.”

“I do see a circle but I see another one right next to that so I don’t think it’s a head, Doc.” I squint and try to see the rest of a body and do see something like that dangling off the round thing he said was a head but I see the same thing dangling under the other round thing and he didn’t call that a head.

“What do you think the other round thing is, Mr. Worthington?” the doctor asks.

I shrug my shoulders. “No idea.”

Angel starts crying and then she points at the screen. “They're twins and they look like they’re joined in the middle.”

I shake my head. “No, Angel. Not twins. He didn’t say that, Baby.”

The doctor looks at me with a no-nonsense look in his pale blue eyes with many wrinkles around them. “It is twins.”

“What do you mean by that?” I ask in complete confusion.

“There are two babies. And it does look as if they’re joined at the abdomen. I’ll have to send you to a specialist. But it looks as if you’re having conjoined twins.”

“Wait one minute here. There are two babies in there and they’re attached to each other?” I ask just to be really sure I understand this. “Because we only wanted one, and we didn’t want anything stuck to it. Especially not another entire person.”

Then the real waterworks start flowing from Angel and she’s bawling. “You had to make me stay in that damn position and let the juices simmer! And now look what’s happened! There are two of them and they’re stuck together. Oh, Benny! What are we going to do?”

The doctor pats her on the shoulder. “No need to cry, Mrs. Worthington. You’ll have the best doctors to care for you and these babies. And the simmering thing didn’t cause this. Don’t blame yourself.”

She sniffles and wipes her nose with the back of her hand. “I’m not blaming myself, I’m blaming him.” She sticks her finger out at me and I have to point at myself.

“Me! Why only me? I mean I didn’t hold a gun to your head and make you keep your ass up on that pillow for an hour after each time we had sex. You did have something to do with this fiasco, you know.” I begin to pace and have no idea what we’re going to do with a couple of kids who’ll be stuck together for the rest of their lives.

“Simmer down, guys,” the doctor shouts at us. “Whatever the hell you two did, didn’t have a thing to do with this. Now, I’m going to schedule you an appointment with the specialist and by next week you’ll have a plan of action. Okay?”

We both nod because what the fuck else can we do at this point. And as I look at my wife, I can see she’s never letting me get her pregnant again.

Well, fuck!

ANGEL

Now in my third trimester with the twins who are joined at the abdomen, Benny and I are at an appointment with the specialist who is going to be doing surgery on the babies while they’re still inside me. She says she’s done this type of thing before on a woman in Africa who had the same exact thing happen to her.

So I ask the specialist as my pale husband looks at me, “Okay, so you’ve seen this before. Can you tell me if the other woman also did this thing where she got her bottom up on a pillow after sex to let the semen essentially sit on top of the eggs?”

“You just sound ignorant, Angel,” Benny snaps at me.

We’ve had an ongoing argument about this since we found out and he refuses to take any kind of responsibility for it. But I’m determined to get him to see this is all his fault.

The specialist laughs a little. “That’s not even physically possible, Mrs. Worthington.” She looks at my chart and then back at me. “It says here that you hold a Master’s Degree in Engineering.”

I nod and smile. “Yes, I do.” I hold my head up high and look at Benny as I think she’s about to be the first person to finally back me up.

“Well, then you should know a little about human anatomy, I should think. There is no possible way to get semen to sit on the eggs. They’re in your fallopian tubes until your body releases them. Your body released two, and that’s how this happened.” She looks at me over her glasses and wrinkles her nose. “So, stop trying to blame this man for things which are not under his control.”

Well, fuck me!

I look over at Benny and frown, “This one is not about to let me get away with shit, is she?”

“I like her,” Benny says with a smile. “I like her a lot.”

I lie back and rest my head on the pillow and look up at the ceiling and try hard not to cry. I want so desperately for this to be someone’s fault. If it isn’t, then it means things are starting to go bad for us.

Just like I knew they would one day!

Several other surgeons join us in the small examination room and it feels really stuffy in here all of a sudden. Benny stands by my right shoulder as they pull the open in the front gown away from my huge belly and draw on it with a black sharpie.

They discuss how I’ll be cut open only a little and how a small camera will be shoved up inside me. The cameraman smiles at me as he says, “Hi, I’m Doctor Larson. You can call me, Shane. I hate formalities. Can I call you, Angel?”

“Sure, why not?”

His smile gets even bigger. “I think this is an exciting time in medical history and I’m so glad to be a part of it. Aren’t you?”

“Not really.” I look away from the idiot so I don’t say anything mean to him. He will have a camera inside me after all. I don’t need him taking pictures of me at any bad angles just to get back at me.

He just keeps talking even though it’s obvious that I don’t want to have a conversation right now, “I’m going to save all the video so you can see the whole operation when you wake back up. Isn’t that going to be so cool?”

“The coolest,” I say then Benny takes my hand and picks it up and kisses it.

He can tell by the tone of my voice that I’m getting more and more upset by the minute. “It’s all going to be okay, my Angel. You’ll see.”

If it’s all going to be okay, why do I feel so fucking scared?

BLAZE

With the complications of the pregnancy, I moved us to New York and we’re staying at my parents’ home until after the twins are born and stable.

We’re having girls so I get to name them both, per Angel’s permission, of course. But I want her to help me because I think she’s never going to have any more kids.

This is taking such a toll on her. The girl carries around so much responsibility on her narrow shoulders for anything bad or hard that happens in the lives which surround her.

Gage and Dana got married last year. She finally let Dana take over as Gage’s fierce protector. But that was only after giving her explicit directions on what it means to be his protector.

Angel still blames herself for what happened to Gage. No amount of talking can get her to stop. And now she’s blaming herself for the twins and their problems.

She’s going into surgery today and she’s sitting in our suite with Woody sitting next to her in the large rocking chair I bought her. I can see by the way that she’s holding her jaw so tight that she’s afraid this might be the last time she gets with our son.

As with any surgery, the doctors had to advise the patient there’s a chance she could die or one or both of the babies, which they call fetuses, could die during or even after the surgery. Angel signed the papers yesterday accepting that fact.

I’m trying to only think positive thoughts. Angel’s grandmother and my grandfather are going to be at the hospital with me as we wait for her to have the surgery that hopeful will lead to the twins being separated.

That gives them a better chance at making it through the surgery and leading healthier lives.

I listen as I hear Angel saying something to our son, “You know, Son, no matter what happens I love you and always will.”

“I know, Mom. You know what?” he asks as I see him run his little hand over her cheek.

She shakes her head and runs her hand over his dark hair. He looks so much like her, only a male version. “What, baby?”

“Everything’s going to be okay. My sisters are tough. I know they are. Because I’m really tough, Mom. Do you ‘member when I fell off the swing and scraped my knees all up and blood was everywhere?”

She nods. “Yes, I cried, and you didn’t.”

He nods. “Yeah, you do ‘member. Mom, why did you cry?”

“I cried because I had bought the swing set and I felt like I had done that before you were big enough to enjoy it safely. I cried because you got hurt and it was all my fault. And you were so brave with your little bleeding knees and it made me mad at myself for putting you on the swing you weren’t ready for.”

“Kids get hurt, Mom.” He reaches up and wipes a tear from his mother’s cheek and I try hard not to cry too.

“I know, Baby, but it’s a mommy’s job to do her best not to let them. You know what I mean. I made a mistake putting that swing set up too soon,” she says then kisses the top of his head. “I’ve made lots of mistakes and I’m sorry, Baby.”

“Do you think having my baby sisters was a mistake?” he asks her and I can see him searching her eyes.

She waits a while before she answers him. “Woody, of course not. I think I wanted something too bad, though. I didn’t think about what all could go wrong. And now there will be two little girls in the world who have to undergo life-threatening surgery before they even breathe their first breath. And that’s because I couldn’t manage to keep their bodies apart.”

“That’s not your fault,” I say in a whisper as I move in behind her. “Things just happen, baby. None of it is your fault or anyone else’s for that matter. Bad things happen, Pumpkin. I thank God we have the money and resources to do the best we can for our babies. What more could anyone ask for?”

I run my hand over her shoulder and can feel the tension in her body.

She runs her hand up and rubs it over mine. “I know you’re right. I do.”

“Woody, give Mommy kisses. I need to get her to the hospital. You’ll stay here with Grammy and Grampy while we’re gone. You can visit Mommy when she wakes up after the surgery, okay Buddy?” I ask as I lift him up and put him down on the floor.

He nods and wipes his eyes where a few tears have managed to escape the tough little man.

After I help Angel up, he grabs her around her knees and hugs her tight. “I love you, Mommy. You be good, okay?”

She runs her hands over his head and the tears start flowing out of her. She can only nod and look at me to help her not to freak the kid out.

I run my arm around her and she buries her face in my chest. “Mommy will be good and you be good too. I’ll call as soon as she’s awake and your grandparents will bring you down to the hospital.”

Staying positive is getting harder and harder to do as the time grows closer.

But I have to be strong for my family. Now more than ever…

Chapter 9

ANGEL

It is funny how no one tells you things might not always go according to plan when bringing life into this world. If this had been part of the plan, then I’d have said, no thank you, to it.

But I wasn’t given any idea this could happen. Planned or not, I’m getting prepped for surgery. My little babies are all snuggled up, holding each other inside of me.

The little things aren’t expecting sharp instruments to be cutting through their soft skins and stomachs, separating them merely an hour from now. They’re just a couple of peaceful beings right now whose world is about to be shook up.

I lie here and I can blame myself forever but it won’t change a damn thing. It won’t change the fact my daughters will be born with scars. It won’t change the fact one or both might not be born at all. And it won’t change the fact that all three of us have a chance of not making it through this surgery.

The surgery isn’t a necessary thing. This is not a life or death situation. I chose this. It was either to do it in the útero or do it after they’re born or not do it at all.

The scars will be less visible and they will have less chance of complications if my body and immune system can sustain them after the surgery. So I’m taking the chance to give them theirs.

I’ve bulked up on my vitamins and made myself as healthy as I can be to help give them the extra boost only I can at this point. So I can kick myself and blame myself but the fact is I have to get a hold of myself and stop doing that.

I have to be strong and brave for my little girls. And if something does happen to me, then I trust Benny to raise our son without me. I did pick a great man to marry and have a family with.

I just hope we get to continue on this journey together. And I pray our daughters will both be joining us.

The nurse leaves after getting me all hooked up to the lines and then I see my husband coming in, followed by my grandmother and his grandfather.

I smile as big as I can to let my grandmother know I can do this. Her expression is filled with worry and I’m glad that she has her husband to help her through this.

“Hi, Grams, and Gramps.” I hold out my arms and they both hug me.

Kisses are placed on each of my cheeks by them then there they are, looking at me like it might be the last time they get to see me. Gram’s bottom lip quivers as she says with a shaky voice, “You stay strong for me, you hear me?”

I nod. “I’m trying, Grams.”

“We’ll be right here until you three are alright and safe. I’ll take good care of Benny for you,” she tells me.

I notice Benny’s grandfather can’t seem to say a word. Which is highly unusual. He kisses my forehead and takes my grandmother’s hand and leads her out of the room.

Benny sits down on the side of the bed and takes my hand. I run mine over his and his thumb touches the place the needle from the IV goes into my hand.

I lick my lips and swallow back the lump in my throat. “Benny, if I don’t…”

He quickly puts his finger to my lips. “Don’t even say it, Angel. You know I’ll take care of Woody. So don’t even say it.”

“But I want you to know that I’ll be okay if you move on…”

His mouth stops me from saying another word as he kisses me. He always has known how to make me shut up.

My mind goes blank with his kiss and suddenly I realize the nurse put something in my IV and everything is going black. He kisses me still and away I go.

BLAZE

Sitting in between my grandfather and Angel’s grandmother, I can’t help but think about how far apart he and I were before I met Angel and how she brought me and my family closer than we had ever been.

If I had never met her, I’d probably be still hating this man who I’ve come to really love. If Angel and I had never, met my life would have been so different.

I don’t really like to think about such things but with her in such a compromised state, I have to look at things and really appreciate her being in my life.

She is stubborn and can be a she-devil at times. Then she can also be the sweetest, kindest, and loving person at other times. She’s a paradox of feelings and emotions and I never know what part of Angel I’m going to get at any time.

Sometimes she’s the rock in the family and other times she’s the drowning chick who’s screaming and calling out for help. Grabbing onto me with a panic that threatens to sink us both. She’s perfect!

And right now she’s asleep and our babies are being separated from each other. I wonder what they’re thinking. If they can really comprehend anything at all.

I find myself praying that they’re asleep and as unaware as their mother is, of what’s happening to them. The phone rings in the waiting room we’re in and I jump up to answer it.

A female voice says, “Hello, Mr. Worthington?”

“This is him.” I find myself crossing my fingers and hoping for great news.

“I’m calling to inform you that the surgeons have successfully separated the babies. Their vitals are nearly back to normal. Mrs. Worthington is taking longer to get back to normal. Her blood pressure has spiked.” She clears her throat and my chest gets tight as I wait. “She may have suffered a small stroke with the spike. We won’t be able to do a CT scan until the operation is completed. Once it is, though, she’ll be transported to radiology where that will be done. It means another hour longer than we thought. Someone will call you when that’s done.”

Then she hangs up and I stand here in shock.

“What did they say, Benjamin?” Grandfather asks me.

“Um, uh, she might have had a stroke,” I mumble then place the phone back down.

Her grandmother grabs her chest. “What? No!”

I nod. “Her blood pressure spiked pretty damn high, I guess. They’ll have to do a CT scan once the surgery is finished to find out if she did have one or not.” I have to go to the bathroom.

I try to walk out of the room but my grandfather gets up and grabs me by the shoulders and pulls me into his arms. “No, you don’t. I’m here for you, Son.”

His arms are so strong and so comforting and I find I’m crying like a little kid in them. “Grandfather, I can’t live without her.”

He sways back and forth with me. “I’m sure you won’t have to.”

“What if something happened to her brain? What if she’s not the same when she wakes up? What if she’s not capable of taking care of the babies? What will I do then?”

“We’ll get her therapy to get her back on track. That’s all we’ll have to do. You have a family who will jump in and help you both with your children. That’s what families do for each other after all, Benjamin. We’re here for you all.” He pats my back as I sob and cry so much harder than I ever have before.

Not even when I was little, do I recall crying like this. Then it hits me that I have to be strong for Angel and our kids now. So I suck it up.

I can fall apart later. Right now they need me to be their rock. I pull out of my grandfather’s arms and pat him on the shoulder. “Thank you, Grandfather. Thank you for being here for me and my family at such a hard time. Thank you for showing me what it means to be the man of the family. Without your influence, I’d have no idea of how to be a man, a husband, or a father.”

“You’ve become a man I’m proud to call my grandson, Benjamin. No matter what happens, I know you can handle it the best way possible.” He takes my hand and pulls me back to sit down between him and Rebecca.

I see how pale she is, and it suddenly dawns on me how frightened she must be for her granddaughter. I take her hand and hold it. “I’m sure she’ll be fine. I think that girl always runs on higher octane than most, anyway.”

She nods her head and looks at me. “I’m sure you’re right. She has always been a little high strung and quick tempered. Maybe that spike looked big to them but not so much to her.”

I nod and hope we’re right about that.

Because I don’t know what I’d do without her being her anymore.

ANGEL

A bright light flashes into my eyes as someone asks me, “Mrs. Worthington, can you see me?”

“No,” I answer in a scratchy voice that makes my throat hurt very bad. “There’s a light in my eyes.”

The light goes away and there’s a shadowy figure in front of me. “Good.”

“Her voice sounds clear,” I hear some man say from the corner of the room. “The scan is up on the monitor, Doctor.”

I watch the blurry figure move away from me and go towards a box with gray fuzzy stuff on it. I close my eyes to try to get the blurriness to go away as I listen to them talk.

“Okay, I see no damage,” the doctor says.

“Damage?” I ask. I open my eyes and blink and things start looking normal. “To what?”

He comes back to me and looks down at me then removes the strap that’s holding my head down. “You had a spike in your blood pressure. We had to check for signs of a stroke. How do you feel?”

“Like shit, to be honest.”

He laughs and moves the bed up just a little. “Yeah, that’s normal. Can you think and focus?”

“Yes.” I look around and can see everything clear. “So, how’d the surgery go? Are my little girls two separate kids now?”

He nods. “It all went really well. The interns are going over the video in the gallery right now. They’re excited to see the procedure. I think you’ll be really happy to see your babies when they arrive. I foresee little to no scarring. It’s amazing really.”

“What about my husband?” I ask. “And did you guys tell him about thinking I had a stroke?”

He nods and I feel awful. “You need to hurry up and let him know I’m fine. He’ll be worried sick. I can’t imagine what all went through his head. What torture.”

He looks over at the nurse. “Go get her family, will you?”

The nurse hurries out and I ask, “So when can I get the hell out of here?”

“After the babies are born,” he says.

“What?” I shake my head. “That’s like a month away.”

“Didn’t your doctor tell you that?”

“No. Damn!”

The door opens and Benny comes in alone. “Angel?”

I nod and he comes to me and leans over the bed, rubbing my shoulder and I see his eyes are all red and his nose is too. “Benny, you’ve been crying.”

“You’re damn right I have. I was worried sick about you.” His hand rubs my shoulder harder like he’s trying to tell himself I’m really okay.

“Sorry,” I say with a little smile. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

He kisses my forehead. “Well, you did. And I don’t want you to do that anymore. I’m never going to ask you to do this again. This will be our last pregnancy.”

“Hold up there, Big Daddy.” I take his hand in mine and give it a little squeeze. “That’s jumping to conclusions. We can see how things go. I’m not getting on that wagon just yet.”

“I thought you’d be the one telling me that, to be honest. I was just wanting you to know I’m onboard with that idea. My heart nearly gave out, and this thing isn’t even all the way over yet.” He kisses my forehead again. “I’m not cut out for this.”

I laugh then stop as it hurts pretty damn bad. “It’s just life, Benny. I had a dream while I was under. And in that dream, there was another son. He looked like you. I can’t think of not having another kid right now.”

He pats my shoulder and smiles. “Okay then. I’m leaving that all up to you, Sugarplum.”

“Good.”

Somehow I think everything’s going to work out fine.

BLAZE

“Hush, girls,” I hiss as Serenity and Harmony run into the nursery where I’m rocking the latest edition to our little family.

“Daddy, I want to hold him. You’ve been hogging him for over an hour,” Serenity gripes as she puts her hands on her hips.

The girls look just like me only with feminine qualities. They just turned sixteen last week and think they’re grown.

Harmony holds out her arms. “No, Daddy, give him to me. She held him last. Oh, and Mom wants you, anyway. Woody took your old Harley out last night and he accidentally ran over something. She wants you to see what happened before she fixes it.”

I set my jaw and get up out of the rocking chair. It’s the same large wooden chair I rocked all of my kids in. Harmony sits down, and I put little Ronald Reagan Worthington in her arms.

Grandfather has passed on, but he told Angel his favorite president was Ronald Reagan just before he died. She was adamant our last son would carry on the tradition he started. We call him Ronnie.

Her grandmother joined my grandfather in the hereafter only three months after he left us. I guess she just didn’t want to go on without him.

I make my way down the stairs and out to the shop to find Woody and Angel looking over the bike I had when I meet the mother of my children and love of my life.

“Gross!” I shout as I see blood covering the front fender. “What the hell, Son?”

Woody shrugs his shoulders. “I think it was a jack-a-lope, Dad.”

“It bent the rim a little, Baby,” Angel tells me. “I have one I can swap it out with. But I wanted your permission first.”

I look at her with a lopsided grin. “Baby, when will you understand that I completely trust your judgment where any bike of mine is concerned? You are the top designer of the lightweight Harley, you know. Your call is always great with me.”

She smiles back at me and nods. “Okay then. If you’re sure.”

I walk over and pull her into my arms as Woody makes a face. “Geez, when will you two get too old for this mushy crap? I’m out of here. Sorry about your bike, Dad.”

Angel cocks her head as she asks, “Are we ever going to get too old for this, Benny?”

“I sure as hell hope not, my Angel.” I kiss her and her sweet mouth still takes me to the place it always has.

Beyond this place and time to another world where only she and I exist. And hopefully, it always will.

And we all lived happily ever after…

The End