“Have you heard anything more about Rae’s funeral?” Shania asks softly.

“Yeah, it’s in two days. Nothing big, but enough for a few to be able to say goodbye.”

“How are you feeling with that?” Molly asks.

I shrug. “My heart is broken for her. I wish I could have done more. I think it’ll hurt for a while.”

Matilda leans forward and squeezes my shoulder. “We’re here if you need us. You know that, right?”

“I know,” I whisper. “Thank you so much.”

“We’re going to head out now, and let you get some rest,” Shania claps her hands together. “Call us if you need.”

I smile at them, and even though it wobbles, I keep it there.

“Love you guys. Thank you.”

They all give me a hug, and when they’re gone, I roll to my side and let a few lone tears slide down my cheeks. I’ll always be sad Rae never got the life she could have had. I don’t know what happened to York, all I know is he’s dead and that’s all I’m allowed to know. As for the little baby, I think of him the most. Wondering if he’ll have a good life. Wondering if he’ll end up just the same as Rae.

That breaks my heart even more.

A small sob escapes my lips, and I close my eyes, hugging my knees to my chest.

I don’t hear him come in, but I feel his big body slide behind mine, tucking me into him.

Jack.

The only person I’ll ever need.

I swore I wouldn’t let anyone in again after York, but Jack had a way of working himself into my heart, to the point I couldn’t imagine myself without him.

I couldn’t imagine my life without him.

“It’s going to be okay, beautiful,” he murmurs, pulling me closer. “I promise you it’ll be okay.”

And for the first time, I believe him.

I truly believe him.

~*~*~*~

“Goodbye, beautiful girl,” I whisper, running my fingers over the headstone. “I hope you find the peace you deserve.”

Taking a deep breath, I turn and walk away from Rae’s gravesite. Molly is waiting for me in the car because Jack had to leave a few minutes ago. We’re going back to the clubhouse for a cookout, which I’m looking forward to, to take my mind off the pain of the last few days.

Rae is at peace now. Which she deserves. More than anyone.

It’s finally time for me to take a step forward and move on with my life. And that’s exactly what I’m doing. I promised myself when I walked away from this cemetery today I’d do it leaving my past behind. I’d grieve for the lost girl, for the man I once loved, but I’d leave them here. I’d leave them, and the pain of my past, buried in the ground, and I’d start again.

Begin with the man I know will make me happy.

“Hi.” Molly smiles warmly when I climb into the car.

“Hi.” I smile back.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I think I just might be.” I smile.

“I’m glad. Come on, everyone is waiting for you. We’ll cheer you up.”

I reach over and squeeze her hand, and she gives me a warm smile. The drive to the clubhouse is quiet. When we arrive, I climb out, feeling a sense of home as I stare at all the bikes lined up. These men quite literally saved my life. I owe them everything. I could never have imagined I’d get so attached to them. They’re the best people I know.

Every single one of them.

“There she is.” Jaylah smiles the second I step through the front gates. “Come on in, honey. How are you?”

“I’m good, thank you,” I say to her, letting her hug me close as we walk into the house.

“I’m glad. So glad.”

We get inside, and everyone is sitting around, just seemingly waiting for something. I narrow my eyes and glance at all of them, before turning to Jaylah. “Is everything okay?”

She smiles, and there is something behind that smile. “Everything is perfect.”

I blink. Confused.

“You’re going to need to close your eyes for me now, honey,” she’s practically bouncing, she’s so happy.

“What’s going on?”

I glance at Matilda, then Molly, then Kaylee, but they all remain straight faced. All the other bikers are just kind of lounged around, watching.

“Close your eyes.”

I do as Jaylah asks and close my eyes, wondering what the hell is happening. I keep my eyes closed, squirming a little, as I wait for whatever it is that’s happening.

“Keep your eyes closed.”

Jack.

“Jack?” I whisper. “What’s going on?”

“Trust me, baby. Put your arms out.”

With trembling hands, I do what he asks, putting his arms out. A second passes, and then something warm is placed in my arms. I know what it is before I open my eyes and glance down. My lips are already trembling when I do. Wrapped in a tiny blue blanket, and sleeping soundly in my arms, is Rae’s baby.

“Jack?” I croak, trying to fight back the tears. “What’s happening?”

“We pulled some strings. The joys of having friends in all kinds of places. He had no family. And because you took care of Rae for so long, and were listed as her caretaker in some places, they agreed to give you guardianship. If you want it. You can adopt him as your own. I know how much it hurts you, that the option to have children has been taken away from you, and I couldn’t leave this little guy alone out there, not when you fought so hard for him. There is a reason he was placed in your life, and I think that reason is he’s meant to be yours. I know you might not be ready, and it’s a big thing, but I love you, Baylee. I love every single fucking piece of you. And I want this. I want you. I want him. I want us all together.”

Tears are running down my cheeks as I look up at him. “Jack,” I whisper. “You ... you ... you ...”

He steps closer, running a thumb down my cheek. “Don’t say anything, just tell me that you love me too and you want this. Because I want it, Baylee. More than anything in my life. I want all of it. And I want all of it with you. I know it’ll be hard, and we haven’t been together long, but I feel it, right here,” he slaps a hand over his heart. “I know you’re the one for me. So, tell me you’ll do this with me. And even if you aren’t ready to do it with me, tell me you’ll do it for him. He needs a person like you in his life.”