Page 19

ROCHELLE

Laughing out loud, I watched as Daisy and Samantha crept up on Lana and Bri before they pounced, all four girls falling to the ground laughing happily in a tumble of tanned arms and legs.

The children were playing on the communal playground that had been set up near the new clubhouse. A lot had changed over the years since I’d found myself part of the Crow MC, and I’d loved every single year that I’d been part of this crazy, loving, wonderful family.

Bond and I’d built our house next door to Rogue and Julia, with Skinny on the other side of us. As the years had gone by and the other brothers had found their ladies, they had all built their homes in the acreage set aside by Noni and Bull for just this reason. We were still a small club, but we had plenty of allies if we needed them.

The project I’d started with Noni all those years ago had grown from strength to strength, and we were one of the few hotels that were fully booked all year round except for the two weeks over Christmas. We lost revenue on those two weeks, but they were set aside for family only. Every year, the first generation of Crows would come out, leaving the second generation to run the businesses. It was what I loved most about them. The fact that it didn’t matter if you weren’t blood; if you were a Crow, then you were family. I’d also got to meet the O’Sheas. Now they were an interesting bunch, although at their core, their values were much the same as the Crows.

The wind picked up slightly and blew my hair into my face. With a frustrated mutter, I pushed it off my cheeks, stiffening slightly as arms enfolded me, then relaxing against the hard body behind me, knowing instinctively it was Bond.

“What are you doing standing here in the sun, baby? It’s too hot for you to be out in the heat.”

Shrugging a little, I reply, “Just restless, and I’m watching the kids play, thinking about how much my life has changed and how I’ve loved every second of it since you brought me here.”

Bond moved my hair away from my face so that he could look at me. Tilting my head back against his shoulder, I angled my face so that I could see his. My heart swells with love at the soft look on his face.

“I’m glad you’re happy, Rochelle; you deserve every moment of happiness that I can give you.”

Cupping his cheek, “And you have, and you do,” I assure him, giving him a soft kiss. It’s the one thing he should never worry about. I’ve been so happy living my life with him; even on the days that we get frustrated with each other, it’s still better than anything I could have imagined.

Turning so that I could wrap my arms around him, I winced slightly at the foot that seemed to be permanently pushed up against my ribs. Bond cupped my stomach, then rubbed his hand gently over the mound. We’d waited a bit before adding to our family; neither of us had been in a huge hurry, not when there were other babies around to get our baby fix from. But when Daisy turned three, I knew it was time. She was still just as much a daddy’s girl as she’d always been. It made me happy that this one was a boy, so she wouldn’t have to share that spot for a little while yet.

“He’s wild today,” Bond notes as our boy kicked me again.

“He is. Not much longer now though,” I remark, resting my head against Bond’s shoulder. Arms wrapped around him, I sighed softly, closing my eyes as he swayed me gently. Life was good.

“Love you, Bond,” I whisper.

Bond gently squeezed me, pressing his lips to the top of my head. “Love you too, baby. Very much. I’m so glad you’re mine.”

THE END