Clarity

Three months later

I was nice and toasty with Damon pressed up against me, his arms holding me close as I slowly woke up. The sun was barely streaming through the window and as I became a little more alert, my stomach twisted and turned. I clamped a hand over my mouth and ran for the bathroom, barely making it before I retched into the toilet. I heard Damon stumbling around, and then he was holding my hair back.

“I thought you were calling the doctor,” he said, still sounding half asleep.

“I went to the doctor,” I said.

Taking a few deep breaths, I looked up at him. He still hadn’t put it all together yet, clueless man. Throwing up at all times of the day, my breasts were more sensitive than usual and a bit bigger, and I couldn’t handle certain foods or smells.

“I’m pregnant, Damon. Not sick.”

He blinked a few times, and then the light bulb came on. He fell to his knees next to me, pulling me against his chest.

“Pregnant?” he asked.

I nodded. “The doctor said I’m about two months along. Didn’t take you too long to knock me up.”

“Damn.” He placed a hand over my belly, and the look of awe on his face nearly made me cry.

“I was hoping you’d go to my appointments with me. I was referred to an OB-GYN and my first appointment is next week. I know you missed out on everything with Darian. I’d like you to be there every step of the way with this one.”

“I’d like that, kitten.” He kissed the top of my head. “You’ve made me really fucking happy.”

“Guess it’s a good thing the club arranged a wedding for us last week. Now the baby will have your name without extra paperwork. Do I even want to know how Shade got a marriage license without me having to go to the courthouse and apply with you?” I asked. “It’s not that I’m upset about it. Getting to marry you was the best day of my life, and I’m really glad we share the same name, and that you’re adopting Caleb.”

“Probably don’t want to know. There are things we just don’t ask when it comes to Shade. He’s good. Damn good. Whenever we go see Darian, I’ll introduce you to Wire. He’s with the Dixie Reapers and is way more badass than Shade. I think even the government is a little afraid of Wire. As for Caleb, now that we’re married, adopting him should be easy. Then we’ll all have the same name.”

I smiled. “He sounds like an interesting person to meet. I’d love an introduction to the Dixie Reapers. If they’re half as nice as Bull, then I think I’ll like them.”

“Bull is family, but the Reapers will treat you well, and I’m sure they’d all like to meet you. Darian has already told her friends about her stepmom who’s younger than her. Ridley, Bull’s daughter, thought it was fucking hilarious. She asked if Foster was going to call you Grandma.”

I nearly choked I laughed so damn hard. “Grandma?”

“Ridley had a lot of fun getting her kids to call my daughter Grandma. You should see the looks Darian gets when she’s out somewhere with all the kids. She’s given Ridley some death glares. Bull finds it amusing as hell, though.”

“Grandma,” I muttered and giggled again. “I think it would be funny to see the looks on everyone’s faces if Foster did that while we’re out in public, especially if Darian is with us when it happens.”

“Yeah, I picked the right woman,” he said, his laughter rumbling in his chest.

“Damon?” I looked up, all laughter gone. “There’s something I need to say. Should have said it before now.”

“What is it, kitten? You feeling okay? Baby’s all right?”

“I’m fine. We’re fine. No, it’s…” I reached up and ran my fingers through his beard, something I loved doing. “We’re married and have been living together a few months now, but I’ve never told how much I love you.”

“Love you too, kitten. So damn much.”

“I…”

Small footsteps thundered down the hall and Caleb came bursting into our bedroom, quickly finding us in the bathroom.

“Momma. Daddy. Want pancakes!”

Damon held me tighter. I knew he loved it when Caleb called him daddy. Over the last few months, Caleb had started talking more. We’d consulted a child psychologist and she’d helped us break through his shell. He went to something called play therapy twice a week and had improved so much. I only hoped that what he’d witnessed, and the abuse he’d suffered, wouldn’t have lasting effects.

I’d been assured the club had made sure Mary and the monster she’d been dating would never be found. I didn’t know the details, and I didn’t need to know them. Though I suspected the day Damon had come home with blood spatters on his jeans that he’d had a little “talk” with one or both of them. The violent side of him and the club might frighten some people, but it made me feel safe because I knew they would never hurt me or my family, but anyone who fucked with us was fair game.

“What kind of pancakes?” Damon asked.

“Mouse pancakes,” Caleb said, trying to squeeze himself between us.

“Mouse pancakes? You mean the pancakes with the round ears?” I asked.

He nodded enthusiastically. “Mouse pancakes!”

Damon nodded. “All right. Let’s give your momma a minute to herself and we’ll head down to the kitchen and get started. Think you can stir the batter for me?”

Caleb clapped and latched onto his daddy. Damon gave me a wink as he headed out of the bathroom and carried Caleb downstairs. I brushed my teeth and splashed some water on my face, then joined them.

Mornings like this one it was almost hard to remember what life had been like before I’d been claimed by the VP of the Devil’s Boneyard. I was happy, my son was happy, and we were both loved by so many people. Falling asleep in that shop doorway was the best decision I’d ever made, because it brought me to the love of my life and the father of my kids.

I couldn’t wait to see what the years would bring for us, but I knew the future held many happy memories for us. Now I just needed to find a way to bring that happiness to others in the Devil’s Boneyard. Jackal had Josie, and Scratch had me. Maybe it was time to find a happily-ever-after for the others. A little matchmaking never hurt anyone, right?