Chapter Thirteen

Anna

Weeks have passed since we found out about the things Skid had going on. He left to go to Chicago to help his mother. His cut was burned the same night he gave the club his information. I’m not sure if the club did anything else to him just like I wanted. I never saw him after that night and I am happy with that. Turtle showed up a few days later with paperwork that Skid had signed giving up any and all parental rights to Cecelia. Once the papers came in, I asked Taz if he would want to adopt her. I have already gotten the paperwork filed thanks to some smooth moves Turtle made. After Taz agreed to adopt her wholeheartedly, my friend got Taz to sign them without knowing he did. I can’t wait to surprise him with the final court date. I know the club will have to throw a big party, it may just be for two announcements. I am just waiting for the test to come back.

Marie showed up in town a few days ago, so I know that some kind of showdown is coming. It seems she is spending her time with Gizmo, the treasurer. He brought her to the clubhouse one evening when I was not there. I don’t know how, or if, she was involved. There are a lot of questions that I have about the situation that may never be resolved.

Within a matter of a few weeks, I surprised Taz with the court date. All I told him was that he needed to dress up a little bit and that we had to go to court. No matter how inventive he was in trying to find out what was going on, I wouldn’t give in. And, yes, he did try a lot of ways to get information out of me. I enjoyed each and every single one of them.

I also got the guys to stay away from the courthouse on the day of the adoption. It will take quite a few favors until I’m square with them. Hell, you’d think they expected me to give them my first, and second, born child to ensure that I would make meals, pies that certain guys liked, and so many more things along the lines of cooking and cleaning for my family. But, it’s worth it if it means that I get to have this moment with just Taz and CeCe.

As soon as we walked in the courtroom, I could tell that Taz was nervous. Instead of his usual jeans and tee shirt, he was wearing a button-down shirt with long sleeves, a tie, and a dark pair of jeans. His nervous energy was palpable as we sat down at the table in front of Judge Osborne. I had a huge smile on my face that wouldn’t let up no matter what I did.

“We are here today in the matter of Mr. Charlie Blake adopting Cecelia. Do you agree to the adoption?” Judge Osborne asks, looking up from the paperwork in front of her.

“Yes, your honor, I do,” Taz says, looking at me as a slow smile spreads across his face.

“These are my favorite court cases to deal with,” Judge Osborne informs the courtroom. “It is my honor, and greatest pleasure, to grant this petition to make Cecelia Rae Blake your legal daughter with all the rights and privileges that come with this order.”

Taz stands up and wraps me in a hug that almost makes breathing impossible. He then picks up CeCe and gives her a hug and kiss as tears run down his face. We stand together as a family for a few minutes before its time for us to head towards the clubhouse. This is the first time I’ve seen Taz so many emotions and let them run free. He doesn’t care that he’s crying in front of anyone. He’s letting his happiness show in a way that melts my heart even more.

When we pull into the clubhouse, we see that the parking lot is full of bikes and cars. It would seem that they have gone all out and invited everyone we know to the celebration of CeCe becoming a Blake. While I am excited over this, there is a tiny piece of me that is sad that I am not a Blake too. I plan to tell Taz the news that he is going to have another child to share his name with in a little while. He won’t know what I’m talking about until I show him the stick. I have it in a baggie hidden at the bottom of CeCe’s diaper bag.

When I walk inside it is not Taz who is shocked, it is me. The clubhouse is decorated with flowers and candles. There is a table full of food and a giant cake. The common room of the clubhouse looks like it’s been taken over for a wedding instead of the party that was supposed to be taking place today. I turn to Taz with a questioning look.

“Peaches, I had no idea that you had planned such an amazing day for me, but it seems that great minds think alike,” he says to my bewildered face as he grabs my hand. “My life is nothing without you and our daughter. I want you to have the same name as our daughter and me. If you want this too, then go to our room here. You will find a dress, and the club girls waiting to help you get ready to become my wife.”

Before he has finished his sentence, I am tearing down the hall to our room to get dressed. I find that Stephanie and Lucy are going to help me get dressed and fix my makeup while Lucy is going to do my hair. Within about twenty minutes I am ready to make Taz not only my old man, the father of my children, but also my husband.

Scott meets me in the hall as I open the bedroom door. He looks at me with a smile that lets me know I look good. It means the world to me that he’s here to give me away when our father isn’t here to do it. I wasn’t like the other girls growing up, I didn’t fantasize about my wedding and spend countless planning the perfect day for myself. If anything, I figured I would become an old lady from being around the club so much. But, a wedding day was never in my plan. Now, I can’t imagine a more perfect day to begin the rest of my life with the man I love.

“Anna, I am so happy for you,” Scotts says kissing my forehead, so he won’t mess with my make-up. “I have been honored to call you my sister. I don’t know of anyone who could have gone through everything you have and still be the kind, sweet, and loving person you are.”

Together we walk to the common room where I see Taz waiting for me and Axel standing ready to oversee the ceremony. CeCe is wearing a cute little dress holding a small pillow, but I notice that there are no rings on it, either she has lost them already or Taz knew better that to give her the rings too.

“Brothers, we are here to give Taz and Anna our blessings as they become husband and wife,” Axel reads from the note in his hand. “Anna, do you promise to love, honor, and cherish Taz? Do you promise to not park to close to his Harley? Will you comfort him when she breaks down?”

“I do,” I say giggling the entire time.

“Taz do you promise to love, honor, and cherish Anna?” Axel says to him. “Do you promise to help with the dishes, draw her hot baths, and make sure she is satisfied every night?”

“Ab-so-fuckin-lutely!” He says with a sexy smirk.

“Then as President of Steel Bandits and by the Marry Me Now website, I pronounce you husband and wife.” Axel is quick to say, as Taz lowers his mouth to mine. “Kiss your old lady Taz!”

While the clubhouse rings with cheers, I get the life kissed out of me. Then I whisper into Taz’s ear. “You are gonna be a daddy.”

He looks at CeCe, then back to me and smiles. “I am?” he asks as I grin at him while gently placing his hand on my stomach. The look on his face is priceless. I wish someone had taken his picture.

“Listen up everyone.” He yells to be heard above the cheering. “This is the best day of my life. Not only did this gorgeous creature just marry me, she is going to give me another beautiful child!”

We wait for a few seconds as his words sink in. Then I hear Scott yell “Children? As in more than one?”

I just stand there smiling while Taz’s chest puffs up more. I nod my head at him and he lets out the loudest whoop I have ever heard. Life has been hard for the past year or so but it would seem that it is finally looking up. I know we will have more trouble in the future, but that is a worry for another day. Today is about celebrating life, love, and happiness. It’s the day that three people became a family for all the world to see. A day that is going to be the best we can make it because it’s what we want it to be.