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“Uh Cotton, hate to say it, but you need to go to the doctor. You have chugged so much Pepto that your tongue is black. You need to make sure it isn’t a bleeding ulcer.” I say as I study his profile.

‘’ Already ahead of you there. I made an appointment earlier. I go next week. I know everyone is worried, but this is just an ulcer, I’ve had them before.” Cotton says. He sounds so adamant. I pat him on the back and let it go. He’s made an appointment. Saige will be happy. We both look up when the bell over the door rings and the inspector walks in. We both get up and shake his hand, then take him through the building.

“You guys have added a lot on, made it bigger. I read the reports from the electricians, went over the wiring, and everything looks good. I say you boys are ready to reopen. Good luck fellas.” He signs off on the papers, hands them over, and leaves.

“Thank goodness that’s done with. I’m so damn nervous about tonight.” I say.

Cotton looks at me and smirks. “What are you nervous about? You know that Bex loves you, and she will say yes.”

I punch his arm, “Dude you were worried when you asked Sis and you knew she would say yes. Give me a break. You ready to get everything locked up and head out. Grand reopening next week.”

Cotton grins. “Yeah, I’m ready.”

We close up shop and ride back to the clubhouse.

* * *

The bar-b-que has been a blast.Bexley and Natalie have been talking about the baby with Saige and mom. She is really starting to show now. She and dad went the other day and found out they are having a girl. Veneda Marie. Named for her grandmother who raised her. Saige has been giving her clothes from Nellie that she has outgrown or never even worn where she had so many. Veneda will not need for anything. Sis has been giving us clothes from JD as well. Lachlan has everything he will need for the first year of his life. At least I think he does. Saige and Bexley both laughed at me when I said that. They both said I was in for a huge surprise.

I look at dad and see him motioning to me, so I know that it’s time. I go grab up the cut I have for Bex and Cotton brings the cake out of the kitchen sitting it up on the table behind her. I stand between her and the cake blocking her view. “Bexley?” I ask.

She turns around to see me on one knee, the cake showing over my shoulder, and me holding her cut. “Will you do me the honor of riding with me forever, being my wife, and whole life?” I watch as she starts crying and she is on the floor in front of me on her knees, hugging the life out of me.

“Yes, yes, I will marry you. I love you Cooper.”

I pull her to me and kiss the breath out of her. Everyone is hooting and hollering. I hear the alcohol being popped open. I get up bringing Bex with me, and show her the ring on top of the cake. Her intake of breath can be heard over the noise in the background. The ring I got her is special made. A carat diamond heart, with little ruby foxes on the side holding the heart up. I take it off the cake and slide it onto her finger as I kiss her again. “I love you Foxy. You are my world, and so is Lachlan, even though he isn’t here yet.” About this time, we hear Natalie cry out and a light splashing sound. Holy shit, her water just broke!

Bexley runs to her side and starts to help her out to the car. We already have a bag packed. Iheardad and mom, Sis and Cotton run out behind us. Alivia and Loki are staying behind with the kids. We all get into our vehicles, Bexley helping Natalie breath and stay calm. I floor it out of the driveway and head to the hospital.

Nineteen

Bexley

We pullup to the hospital emergency entrance, and there are two nurses with a gurney waiting. I help them get Natalie on it, and she has a death grip on my hand as she screams out from another contraction. “They’re three minutes apart now.” I tell the nurses as we roll Natalie up to the birthing floor.

“Bexley, it hurts so baaad!” She screams through another contraction. This labor started fast and is moving fast. I’m hoping that is a good thing for Natalie. We get into the room and the doctor rushes in, checking Natalie out.

“Natalie, I’m afraid that we can’t do the epidural. You are already crowning. Next contraction, I need you to push. Ready, now push!” He says.

A few pushes later, and a screaming baby boy enters this world. The nurse takes him to clean and weigh him. He weighed in at eight pounds and ten ounces. Twenty inches long. He is a chunky lil thing. Natalie doesn’t want to hold him, just passes him straight to Cooper and me. I make sure she is okay. “Yeah, I just want his first contact to be y’alls. He’s your son. Bond with him.” Natalie says.

I kiss her forehead. “Thank you Natalie.” She smiles as I go over to Cooper and hold our son.

6 weeks later.

“Natalie,are you sure you have everything you need?” I know I have asked this a dozen times, but I want to be sure she has everything she could need or want.

“I’m sure, Bex. This apartment is stocked with all the food and junk food I could ever want. I have all my clothes, school things, and then some. Thank you and Cooper so much for all of this. I don’t know what I would have done without y’all. Lachlan has gotten so big and just adores you. And I can see the love pouring out of you for him.” Natalie says.

I pull her into a huge hug. “I can never thank you enough. You have given us the greatest gift ever. Can I ask you a question? You and Bacon seemed to be on the way to a relationship, and now he never comes around, nor do you talk about him. What happened

Natalie sighs as she pulls out of the hug. “We were supposed to go on a date, and I was to meet him at the clubhouse. When I walked in, I found him at the bar with a whore bent over the pool table pounding into her from behind. He looked up and saw me, pulled out, tried to talk to me about it, but I left. I haven’t talked to him since. He really hurt me. Not only did he do that, but the way he talked to me about how I was with Lachlan, not holding him much and all…He was so hardheaded and wouldn’t listen to how I felt.”

“I’m so sorry hun. Let’s change the subject then. I know you know Mitch. He is the prospect that is going to school here also. His apartment is next door to yours, so if you ever need anything let him know. You have your car, money, and can go where you want. Just let someone know, just until Richard is caught.”

Natalie nods at me in agreement. I stay just a little longer, then head back home. It’s going to be weird with her not around anymore. The occasional weekend, parties, the wedding. I head back to the house as fast as I can. I promised to help with the kids tonight. Alivia and Loki are going out on a date. The guys are having a little bachelor thing for Coop tonight. So it will be Saige and I with the kids. I promised my lil princess to help cook something yummy.

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