Chapter Eighteen
Aries found Charlie and Lucifer busy measuring the wall. She wondered what they were doing when Jewel tugged on her shirt.
“Mommy, they’re putting a door in for Charlie to come into our house. See that?” She pointed to the two men and wanted juice. Aries went to get her a cup and realized Lucifer was doing this for her friend to have a place to stay. He amazed her at times by the things he did to make her happy.
Life was changing again for her. Things were getting better even though she had the threat of Gunner gone; she now had his club mad at her. She took a deep breath and looked at the flowers hanging on the balcony. They were still blooming as she and Jewel were under Lucifer’s care. She loved him and she wanted to tell him so but those damn words, she didn’t know how to say them. He needed to hear them from her; she understood that, but it scared her to admit she loved him. So many what ifs filled her mind. She was afraid to be hurt again. What if he cheated on her? That would make her turn her love to hate, and she never wanted to hate him. Jewel couldn’t be hurt again either. Life was a big dance to her. You had to take a chance and just leap. Today was the day she would tell him.
***
Sleaze came storming into the apartment; he was almost breathing fire as he looked at everyone. He stood there, clenching his fists and glaring. Leigh snatched up Lizzy and Jewel and headed for the bedroom. Aries wondered if she should leave but this was her house now, and she wanted to see what Lucifer would do. She poured a glass of soda and leaned against the counter and waited for the explosion to go off.
Lucifer knew why Sleaze was angry. He’d told Leigh she could have the last apartment on the other end of the building. It was a front entrance with no back balcony. It was a nice apartment and Sleaze should be happy Leigh was nearby. At least he’d see his daughter each day if he chose to. He had to keep Aries where she was safe from Devil’s Grime MC and Frog. Sleaze was welcome to move if he wished, another bro would gladly move in with Rico if that was how he wanted to play it. The choice was his. He too waited to see what would happen next.
Finally, Sleaze spoke, “You had to move her in where I live? Christ, Lucifer why? You knew fucking I didn’t want my family here.”
Lucifer nodded at Aries to leave, and she did, heading to their bedroom.
“I did it because we have issues with two clubs. I thought it was best to keep Leigh and Lizzy safe and you weren’t gonna help them. Family? Fuck, you let Leigh support Lizzy with what? A few dollars here and there that you gave her? You call that being a family? You could afford to help her, but you barely did. She was always there for you, bro. Hell, move in with the best woman you’ll ever meet. Or let her the fuck go, bro. Deal with it or move out. Rico won’t care. I make the calls here, not you. I rented the last apartment to Siggy because we need bro’s here in case we get hit. End this shit now.” He was roaring by the time he was finished speaking.
Leigh walked into the room. “I’ve got something to say about this. Sleaze, you and I are over. That makes it easier for everyone. You can help with Lizzy when I’m working or just see her. I never asked you for anything and I never will, but you’re free to do whatever you want now. I love you, but I need to move on. I can’t wait forever, and Lizzy will always be your daughter.” She looked at Sleaze with sorrow in her eyes and turned and walked back to Jewel’s room.
Sleaze watched her go, pain written across his face. He didn’t say another word as he walked out letting the door slam behind him.
Charlie watched it all and shook his head. “Damn, I thought he’d come to his senses. Gotta admire Leigh for coming out and speaking her piece too.”
“Leigh is a good woman, and if Sleaze won’t see it, she needs to move on. She has known it, and I’m serious about the threat. He blames himself as much as you do about Della. He’s got to face the facts and doesn't take this wrong Charlie; nobody could have saved Della from her drug habit. I didn’t have any idea she was buying from the Filthy Fiends. We don’t trade in dope. Had I known, I’d have taken steps to get her off that shit. It sucks, but once you get addicted to that, it’s hard to quit. I had no idea she even used it or was buying from them. Why was Della killed by those scumbags? I don’t know, but one day we’ll find out and take em down one by one. Very painfully.” Lucifer ran his hand across his face, lines of worry showing on his forehead.
Charlie processed what he’d heard for a few moments. “I know. Nobody knew, and she didn’t want us to know. I blame myself for not being around, but I’m getting better. Fucking cops could have done their job, but she was nothing to those fuckers. Pigs sure as hell locked me up for dealing pot. It sucks all of it.” He walked to the fridge and got out a beer. He stared out the window over the sink for a few minutes before opening his bottle and taking a swallow. “It’s all good Lucifer, I’ve got my bros and now Aries and Jewel, and maybe at some point, an ol lady. Life goes on, and I can change. Aries taking me as her brother, it made me see things in a new light. I can go on or stay miserable. I’m choosing to go onward. One day, I’ll get those bastards, and I know you’ll be right there with me as will be Sleaze. I think I’ll head over to the lumberyard and pick up a door and everything we need. Siggy is outside with his truck. You got the cash for all the supplies?”
Lucifer pulled out his wallet and handed him a credit card. “Get whatever you need to do this and get some beer. Sending Dallas, Milo and maybe Sleaze to get Aries’ friend as soon as she calls. It’s all gonna work out, one way or another, it always does.” He watched Charlie leave and talk with Siggy. Suddenly, he felt arms around his waist. The heat of her body pressed into him.
“Hey, I need to tell you something,” Aries whispered. “Turn around and look at me.”
Lucifer turned and gazed into the face of the women he loved. He wasn’t sure what she wanted to say to him, and he felt a tiny bit of hope in his heart. “What do you gotta tell me, babe?”
Aries smiled, and her green eyes lit up. “Lucifer, I know it’s taken me a long time to be able to give you this. I love you so much. I didn’t want to say it because I’m scared it won’t work out. I love you, and I think I did from the day I met you.” Tears flowed down her face, but they were happy ones. Lucifer wiped them away with his fingers.
“I love you and Jewel, too. I never expected to fall in love so fast. Now about that tattoo… I think maybe up by your neck would be a good place, what do ya think?” He was grinning wickedly at her.
Aries laughed at him. No ‘property of tattoo’. I have your black heart, and that should warn everyone away. Anyway, I want to give you something better.” She smiled gently at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
He wondered what she had on her mind. “Yeah, and what’s that?”
She took a deep breath; she was taking a big chance here. “If you stop the drugs, why don’t we have a baby? I don’t want Jewel being much older than her siblings.”
Lucifer looked so shocked; it was as if she had gut punched him. He didn’t answer Aries right away. He kissed her instead, and it was a kiss filled with passion, watercolors, and light. Each of them put their love for each other in that kiss, and it was the best of all the kisses they’d ever shared. Finally, when their lips parted, he spoke.
“I think we’d make some cute babies. We stop the drugs today. Life is going to be beautiful for us, baby. I promise you.”
Aries slipped her hand into his, “I believe you and most of all, I believe in you. With you by my side, I’m beginning to think anything is possible.”
They kissed again, and this kiss blew the last one away.
The End