Chapter Seven
DJ
It’s been four days of us waiting on the results. There was a back up at the lab, only a day or so, but when you’re waiting on bringing a family member home, it feels like forever. Hatch has been a ball of nerves, and I’ve done everything I can think of to help him settle. This morning however, we got the phone call from Trinity that she has the results and has asked to meet with us. Our living room is full of family and friends who are just as impatiently awaiting Hatch’s impending fatherhood. Thankfully, the kids are still at school, so we don’t have their nervous energy bouncing around. If Hatch paces across the living room one more time, I’m asking Braxton to hit him and knock him out. His nerves are making me nervous and I never get nervous!
When the knock on the door finally comes, it’s almost anti-climactic. Hatch, shooting me a look, goes to the door and lets Trinity come inside.
Hatch
“Hey, Trinity, come on in,” I say. When she looks at the living room full of people, she shakes her head and smiles, causing me to continue. “None of them wanted the information second-hand and since they’re all family, I figured it would be okay.” As if I could have stopped Axe and Twisted and their women or Nan! Now if I could figure out why in the hell Chief is here, that would be fantastic. Then again, he seems to do what he wants.
“It’s okay, Hatch. Do you mind if I sit down?” she asks.
“Absolutely not,” Twisted replies, getting up from the chair he was in so she can sit down.
I’m standing here, my heart pounding, when DJ comes up beside me and wraps her arms around my waist, instantly calming me. No matter what that piece of paper says, we’re going to move forward with becoming foster parents so we can give other kids a safe place.
Trinity pulls out an envelope and I notice it’s still sealed. “You didn’t open it?” I ask her.
“No, I figured you would want to do the honors,” she replies, holding it out to me.
Walking across the room, I take the proffered envelope and pull in a deep breath.
“No matter what,” DJ whispers, coming alongside me.
“No matter what,” I reiterate before opening the envelope and pulling out the single sheet that’s inside. Here goes nothing! Reading the paper quickly, I glance at DJ and see tears in her eyes at what she’s seeing.
“Well?” Axe questions.
“According to this, Maysen Leigh Hatcher is ninety-nine point nine-five percent my daughter,” I finally say.
“Congratulations, Daddy,” DJ says, tears now flowing down her cheeks, “it’s a girl.”
Her comment causes laughter to break out easing the tension that was flowing in the room. I can see the other women crying, even Trinity. I exhale out a deep breath I hadn’t even realized I’d been holding until this moment.
“So what’s next?” Axe asks. Damn, I’m glad he’s here after all, I can’t seem to make my words work.
“Well, we need to introduce her to y’all, of course, but prefer a family-friendly environment. Is that possible?” Seeing the varying looks on our faces, she says, “What I mean by that is not at the office, maybe at a park or something?”
“Weren’t we doing a cookout for Cara’s cut ceremony?” Chief asks.
“We are, yes,” Axe states.
“Any way we can do that this weekend? I know it’s only a few days away, but you women seem to work miracles, so it should be possible.”
“I’ll make sure it’s all ready,” Nan states.
I know I’m looking at them all like they’ve lost their minds because Cara stands and comes up to me and lightly touches my cheek. “Hatch? We’ve got this and we’ve got you guys. Let us get this organized so we can get that little girl here and home with y’all.”
“I just don’t know if I can wait a few more days is all,” I state.
“What if I meet you and DJ and Ralynn for dinner this evening?” Trinity asks. “That way, y’all can meet her and vice versa and it will be in a somewhat contained place. Then, I’ll bring her to the cookout this weekend and if everything goes okay, she can stay overnight. With so many changes at once in her life, I want to move kind of slow, but I also know you’re anxious to get her here. I’ll go ahead and get a Judge and my supervisor to approve an overnight visit.”
I look at DJ and she nods at what she sees in my eyes. “What time and where?” I ask Trinity. “We like to have Ralynn in bed between seven-thirty and eight on school nights so she gets a good night’s sleep.”
“How about five thirty at the pancake house? I know Maysen is not used to fancy places, but they have good food and if memory serves, they have some kid-friendly entrees.”
“Breakfast for dinner? I’m down with that,” DJ states. “And you’re right, Ray loves the crazy kid pancakes they make.”
“Okay, let me get out of your hair then so I can inform her foster mother. I’ll see the three of you later today,” Trinity states as she stands. “Congratulations again, Hatch. I know a little girl whose life is going to be more than it would have been.”
With everyone now gone after we spent a bit of time talking about the cookout and made sure Nan has the money she needs to buy the ingredients, it’s just me and DJ. “Hey, gorgeous?” I ask.
“Yeah, babe, what’s up?”
“Wanted to talk to you for a little bit.”
“Is talking a euphemism for anything?” she asks me, a smile spreading on her face.
“It probably will be.”
“Then I’m all ears,” she states, coming and sitting on my lap. “What’s up?” she repeats.
“I know you know where we’re heading and yeah, I’m gonna do it up right, but first I want to know if you’ll actually be my old lady?”
“You’re serious?”
“Absofuckinglutely. You’re a beacon of light in my life, gorgeous, and I want everyone to know that you belong to me and I belong to you. You being my old lady lets the MC world know you’re mine. When the time is right, we’ll go the legal route as well.”
“Then yes, I’m proud to be your old lady.”
“I hoped you would say yes. I’ve already got your cut ordered,” I tell her, pulling her closer to me to kiss her.
“Pretty sure of yourself,” she murmurs, pulling back a little.
“Only where you’re concerned.”
The kisses soon ramp up and I find my hands wandering underneath her shirt. “Hatch?” she whispers.
“Yeah, gorgeous.”
“Let’s go upstairs and have a little afternoon delight.”
I burst into laughter at her using an old song even as I’m scooping her up to go upstairs. “What my woman wants, she gets.”
We get to the restaurant a little early so I get DJ and Ray settled into a booth and go back outside to wait for Trinity and Maysen. DJ is the one who suggested it, saying that even though she and Ray are part of my life, this first meeting is important and needed to be just us, plus Trinity, of course. I spot her car pulling in and walk over to open the door for her before I peek in the backseat, where I see a mini version of me as a kid. Same color hair, same color eyes. I’m about to say something when her little voice asks, “Are you my daddy? Miss Trinity said I was meeting my daddy today.”
I walk over to her door and open it and crouch down so we’re eye-to-eye before saying, “Yeah, sweet pea, I’m your daddy.”
Her smile lights up her face and she does a little shimmy in the booster seat she’s in, which makes me smile. “Let’s get you unbuckled so we can go in and eat pancakes, okay?”
Before I can help, she has the buckle undone and is wiggling to get out of the car. “Can I hold your hand?” she asks. I glance at Trinity who gives me a wide-eyed look. Based on what she had shared from the therapist, this isn’t at all what I was expecting.
“Any time, Maysen. You can hold my hand any time you want to,” I tell her, holding out my hand for her to take. I’m thrilled to feel her little hand in mind, but I would love to be able to scoop her up in a hug. Guess that will happen when it happens, right?
DJ
Ralynn and I watch as Hatch takes Maysen’s hand and starts walking our way. I can’t believe how much she favors her dad. I see how taken she is with him already and I silently pray for a smooth transition. Bringing her into our family isn’t a hardship on me, she’s part of him and I love him so much that I am devoted already to this little extension of him. I love the way she’s already communicating with him and how she seems to show no fear where he is concerned. I was concerned deep down inside that she would reject him and his heart would become shattered. My Hatch has a heart of gold, and loves all children, I can’t see his being the exception to that. Tears form in my eyes as I watch him open the door for Trinity and Maysen, she doesn't let go of his hand, so he has to reposition himself so that he can let Trinity in before them.
They come up to our table and I can see Maysen is apprehensive. “Hi, Maysen,” I say to her, “my name is DJ, and this is my daughter, Ralynn. It’s very nice to meet you,” I say to her.
“Hi,” she says shyly back to me.
“Wanna come color with me?” Ray asks her. And just like that, she climbs up into the booth and settles herself next to Ralynn.
“I’m Ray, I’m your sister,” she says and Maysen’s face lights up.
“I have a sister?” she asks, looking at Hatch.
“You do, how do you feel about that?” he asks her.
“I’ve always wanted a sister,” she tells him, “will you be my new mommy?” she asks me. I widen my eyes and look at Trinity and Hatch for help.
“Hatch isn’t my real daddy,” Ray starts telling her. “He loves me and takes cares of me. He’s gonna marry my momma so we’ll be a real family. Momma isn’t your real Mom, but she’ll love you and take care of you just like Daddy does me. Isn’t that right, Daddy?” she asks Hatchet inquisitively.
“That’s right, baby doll,” he says, pinching her nose and causing her to giggle. Maysen sends me a small timid smile which I return ten-fold.
“What should I call you?” she asks me. Wow! We’re jumping into the hard questions right away it seems. Her curiosity has gotten the best of her.
“What do you think you’d like to call me?” I question.
“You can call her Momma,” Ray suggests.
Maysen looks at me, her face serious, before saying, “Can I think about it?”
“Absolutely,” I state. “Now, I know they have some cool pancakes for little girls here. Do you guys want me to help you with your menus?” No matter what she calls me, I’ll treat her like she was my own.
“Momma? Can I have the pancakes with chocolates? And a face?” Ray asks, looking at the pictures on her menu.
“Let me see,” I tell her, leaning across to where she’s sitting.
“Looks, Momma! And it comes with scrambled eggs too!” My girl likes her eggs, that’s for sure.
“If you think you can eat all of it, then yes, you can have that one. Do you want regular milk or chocolate milk?”
“I wants chocolates milk!” Ray exclaims, her face breaking into a huge smile. “Does you likes chocolates milk, Maysen?”
“I... I don’t know,” she answers. “I’ve never had it.”
“How about we get you a small one and if you like it, we’ll get a bigger glass,” I suggest.
“Okay. Can I have regular pancakes?”
“Sweet pea, you can have whatever you’d like,” Hatch tells her. “Show me what you’d like.”
She points to the same pancake meal that Ray chose and then breaks my heart when she quietly says, “I think I’d like that, please. I’ve never been to a place like this before.”
Hatch catches the look on my face and shakes his head very slightly before he replies, “Well, sweet pea, we eat at home a lot, but I like taking my girls out to eat, so it’s something you’ll get used to.”
Her smile lights up her whole face and she says, “Okay. Then I want the one like Ralynn is going to have, please.”
While Hatch and I deal with the girls, I notice that Trinity is observing the interaction. I hope she can see that we will love and take care of this little girl as if she had always lived with us.
Hatch
Sitting here helping my daughter pick out a meal in a restaurant, my heart is breaking at the same time it is so full I feel like I’m going to explode. Not that fast food is that great, but most of the restaurants have healthier choices now and to think she’s never had a little happy meal? Guts me. I suspect there’ll be a lot of changes in her life. I smile and say, “Miss Trinity is going to bring you to the clubhouse on Saturday for a cookout. You’ll get to meet some more kids close to your age.”
“Really?” she asks. “I have a friend at pre-K. Her name is Betsy. But since I went to Mrs. Julie’s house, I haven’t seen her.”
I take a deep breath before saying, “Maysen, you’ll be going to a new school when you move in with us. I don’t think it’s the same school, but I know you’ll make lots of new friends.”
Her little lip trembles at my words and I want to hug her but being mindful of what the counselor has told Trinity, I merely pat her little hand and continue, “It’ll be okay, sweet pea. I promise.”
“What if nobody likes me?” she asks us.
“Ralynn will be there, and so will Lily and Luca,” I tell her, “Lily and Luca are our friends’ kids and they go to the same school. They are very good friends of Ralynn’s and you’ll love them.”
“Don’t forgets Tig, Daddy!” Ray states. “He’s Mr. Twisted’s little boy. I thinks we are all ahead of you, but we all goes to recess at the same time.”
Maysen looks at Ray and smiles before saying, “I hope nobody picks on me like my old school.”
DJ’s eyes flare and she asks, “Why would anyone pick on you, sweetie?
Maysen’s face falls and she replies, “Because I didn’t have pretty clothes and sometimes,” and here her voice drops to a whisper, “I didn’t get to take a bath, so they would call me smelly.”
Once again, my heart clenches but this time? It’s anger at Anniston and her lack of concern where this sweet little girl was concerned.
“Well, I think after the cookout, we’re going to be doing some shopping. I know two little girls who need new comforters and some pretty new clothes, don’t you, gorgeous?”
DJ looks at me and I can see the sheen of tears in her eyes before she nods. “Yeah, handsome, I think that’s a good idea. Maysen? Does that sound like fun?”
Maysen’s eyes are huge but she nods. Before anyone can say anything else, the waitress comes back and takes our orders, smiling at the girls and saying, “I think we have special cups in the back for little girls. I’ll be right back with y’alls drinks and get the orders put in.”
Dinner went well and both girls seem to get along well. As we walk out after I take care of the bill, I kiss DJ and say, “I’ll meet you at the car, gorgeous.”
“Take your time.”
As I walk with Trinity and Maysen to Trinity’s car, I feel a little hand grab onto mine. “Can I hold your hand, Daddy?” she asks, looking up at me.
“Any time, sweet pea,” I reply. When we get to the car, I open her door and she climbs in and then surprises both me and Trinity when she wraps her arms around my neck and hugs me.
“I had a good time tonight, Daddy,” she whispers before kissing my cheek.
“I did too, Maysen.”
“Hatch, what time on Saturday?” Trinity asks.
“Well, we’re doing a cut ceremony for Cara later in the day so any time mid-afternoon. We never get started until all the brothers and their families are there. Oh, and dress casual.”
“I’ll be sure to bring her overnight bag.”
“That’s fine. What about Sunday?”
“Why don’t you guys spend the day together and give me a call? I’m thinking things may go a bit faster than I originally anticipated.”
My heart swells hearing this because it means my girl will be coming home with us sooner than we thought. “I sure hope so. And you know we’ll continue with whatever you recommend.”
DJ
Once at home, I get Ray in the bath and listen to her chatter about her new sister. “Momma, when does her come to live with us?” she asks.
“As soon as Miss Trinity says she can.”
“We needs to get another bed!”
“Daddy and I will take care of that since she’s going to spend the night on Saturday.”
“I can’t wait!” she exclaims, splashing the water to make her point.
“I see that, my little mermaid. Now, let’s get finished so we can read a story. You’ve got school tomorrow.”
Once in bed, I turn to Hatch and say, “I think tonight went well, don’t you?”
“Yeah, gorgeous. But dammit, I’m fucking pissed at Anniston! That sweet girl has never had fast food? Gone to restaurants? Was picked on at school? What kind of piece of shit was she as a mother?”
“I don’t know, lover, but you know we’re going to change all of that for her. Tomorrow, can you get one of the prospects to go grab another twin bed like Ray’s so it can be set up? And we’ll need another dresser, too. Then Saturday night, we’re going shopping for both girls. I can get Cara to help me with a list of things as well since we’re going to look at houses tomorrow.”
“Let me know if you find one that you like. I want to get a move on this and get one as soon as possible. I want the girls to feel settled and stable, especially Maysen. I don’t think she’s ever had that before, and I want us to be the ones to give that to her.”
“You’ll be the first person I call, lover. Now, what can I do to help relieve some of the tension I feel radiating off you?”
“Hmmm… I could think of a few things, c’mere,” he tells me. I climb into his lap and he sits up and our lips meet. Our lips detach from each other’s as my nightgown is raised over my head, and his calloused hands soon have my nipples hard and desire pooling between my thighs. He pinches them and pulls on them causing a shock to run from my nipples to my clit. I throw my head back and moan, I love the small amount of pain that adds to the pleasure. He leans forward and grabs one of them with his mouth, he laves it, nips at it and pulls it lightly between his teeth. I lean over and grip his earlobe in my teeth and tug on it just the way he likes me to. He lets go of my nipple and grabs my panties in his hands and rips them from the sides. Whereas I know this shouldn’t be possible, it’s just another indication of his strength. His show of dominance turns me on even more than I was before. In a matter of seconds, he has me flipped over where I’m lying flat on my back. I gasp up in surprise at the quick way he moves, he gets off the bed and removes his boxer briefs causing my mouth to water. My legs start scissoring trying to relieve some of the pressure that has developed down there.
“Hatch, please,” I say when I notice the gleam in his eyes. He grabs his shaft in his hands and starts moving it up and down.
“This what you want, gorgeous?”
“Yes please, don’t tease me, lover, I need you.”
“Not any more than I need you, but I want to savor you tonight,” he tells me. “Play with that beautiful pussy of yours, DJ, I want to see how much you really do need me.” I was never one for masturbating in front of my ex, but I would do anything for my man. I slowly slide my hand down, starting at my breasts, where I play with my nipples. Then I descend over my stomach to my promise land. I gather the moisture that’s been gathering between my legs and bring it up to my hood where I spread it and use the lubrication to circle my clit. As soon as my fingers make contact I moan out in pleasure. I’m so sensitive and swollen that my libido is in overdrive.
“That’s it baby, just like that,” he says to me as his strokes begin to quicken. We sit watching each other, mesmerized by what the other one is doing. Seeing him tug and pull at his dick has me panting with want.
“Now, Hatch, please, I need you inside of me,” I all but beg him to give me the relief I desire.
“Lay back and grab the headboard, I need total and complete control tonight.” I love it when his dominant side comes out to play. I reach up and grab one of the slats that make up the design on our bed. I grab them tight to remind myself not to remove them. He leans over the bed and puts one knee down and I feel the bed compress next to me as he continues to climb up the bed and settles between my thighs. He leans over me and kisses me and I feel him line himself up to enter my body. He slowly and methodically makes his way inside, stretching me to my limit with his girth. Once he’s seated to the hilt, he gives me a second to adjust before he starts to move, oh so slowly, torturing me with want with every thrust and withdrawal he makes. I can hear my panting become more erratic as I wait for him to give me what I want.
“More, please, Hatch.” He looks into my eyes and I know tonight I will not be getting my rough and gruff biker. No, tonight he’s determined to make love to me slowly, and passionately.
“Take what I give you, baby, I’ll get you there,” he says to me on an inward thrust. He picks up his pace just a little, but his eyes never leave mine. “I love you, Donna Jo.”
“I love you too, Jayden.” I only call him by his given name during our intimate times.
“God, I love it when you call my name,” he says, leaning over and kissing me. I feel him hitting that special spot inside of me and tingles travel up my spine, I scream out his name as I find my orgasm. “Fuck yes, squeeze my cock, DJ, pull that come from my balls!” He still talks dirty to me when we make slow, passionate love, something I never knew I liked until him. I can feel him grow harder inside of me as his body tightens. He picks up the pace then as he chases his release. “God damn, fuck yes!” he pumps inside of me one...two...three more times before he stills over me. He grabs me and pulls me on my side where we’re lying facing each other. “Thank you, baby,” he whispers, leaning over and pecking my lips. Then he gets up and I know what he’s doing when he heads to the bathroom. I hear water running, and a few minutes later he comes out with a wash rag and cleans me up. He throws it into the laundry basket and climbs back in bed where he pulls me to him. We fall asleep draped in each other’s arms.