Page 25

Six days. It seemed impossible that it had only been six days since I went from heartache and leaving the Pagans’ compound to being in a relationship with Bones.

I was grateful that Agony called him and let it be known I was going.

I could have done without Bones leaving for hours, but when he came back and made his confession, asked me to be his, and shared his past with me, I was ecstatic.

Our lovemaking was unimaginable for both of us.

We’d never experienced anything close with prior lovers.

Since I hadn’t had many, I didn’t have a big comparison pool, but I knew Bones did.

And he seemed to be telling the truth. Every time I turned around, the man was kissing me and then dragging me off to have sex.

My horny pregnant ass didn’t object. In between, we did have time to talk and get to know each other better.

It wasn’t all sex. And he had to work. I was eager to resume working for Alfred.

At the moment, I was at the clubhouse in the common room with the old ladies.

It was Thursday night, and the guys were at church.

While they did that, the ladies, kids, and I gathered to talk.

I loved those times. I hadn’t had a lot of friends, and after Deon ran the few I had off, it was lonely.

Sometimes, you just need another woman’s point of view.

As I enjoyed talking, I kidnapped Avenly from Jessamy. The last time we were together, I got baby love from Ransom. Avenly was dressed in pink and purple. I inhaled her baby scent. Lord, there was nothing like it.

“You wait, you’ll have your two before you know it. Then you’ll be sleep-deprived. I never knew how lack of sleep would affect me,” Jessamy confessed as she yawned.

“Until I return to work, I have time if you or Zahirah need a rest. I’d happily watch the babies if you trust me with them.” I told them.

“Of course, I trust you. But you need your rest, too. Thank you for the offer. If I get too deprived, I’ll call you,” Jessamy added. Zahirah said thank you, and essentially the same thing. I was curious, so I had to ask, but first, I added to my offer.

“I don’t mind watching any of the kids, not just the babies. And I’ve got to ask, but don’t take it wrong. Does Twisted and Mace help with stuff with the babies?”

“Absolutely, Twisted does. He’s very hands-on.

The problem for us was that I breastfed, so I had to get up every time until we finally got smart.

I would pump so he could feed Ransom sometimes.

He does diapers, baths, and all the other stuff, too.

Twisted hesitated at first only because he was afraid he’d hurt him, but he got over that quickly,” Zahirah replied.

“Same with Mace, though I took Zari’s advice and pumped from the start. Even when Mace gets up, I awaken, too. No matter how quiet he is, I hear the cry, and bam , I’m awake,” Jessamy confessed.

“I have been wondering how I’ll handle two crying babies at the same time.

Having them need food, diapers changed, and more all at once makes me feel like I’ll mess them up.

I can only pay attention to one at a time.

What if it screws them up?” I asked fearfully.

It might sound silly, but I did worry about it.

Tana, Agony’s grandma, smiled and shook her head.

“You won’t screw up your children by making one wait a little bit.

You can’t and shouldn’t grab them every time they cry.

Let them learn to self-soothe over time.

Agony was raised that way, and he turned out fine.

” There was a snicker from Eliana, which made Tana smirk before she continued.

“And you’ll have Bones to help. And if both of you need more, we’re all here.

That includes me, my grandson, the other dads, and the ladies.

I bet even some of the single guys would do it. ”

I was touched that she’d say it. The women were all smiling and nodding their heads. Tears smarted my eyes for a moment. “Thank you. I can’t tell you what that means to me. You think Bones will be hands-on?”

There was disbelief on their faces.

“Damn right, he will. I’ve got to say, it would shock me if he or the other members didn’t.

So far, the dads have been equal partners.

If Bones or one got lazy, they’d be whipped into shape by their brothers.

They’re their children, too,” Joli added.

There was a fierce scowl on her face at the thought.

“I didn’t mean to upset anyone. I meant I can see Bones helping in normal circumstances, but these aren’t his babies. He knows we’re a package deal and says he’s ready for it. But I don’t know if that extends to him being a partner in all aspects of raising them or just in general.”

I couldn’t say more, and they didn’t because they had heard the men coming.

Church was over. I waited for my man to appear.

It still seemed unreal to call him that.

As soon as he did, he scanned for me and then came right for me.

I smiled. God, every time I saw him, he made me feel alive.

When he reached the table, I was surprised when Joli spoke to him. I wish she hadn’t.

“Bones, you and Blythe need to talk now. She has some things she wants to share with you. They’ve been worrying her, and you’re the only one who can reassure her.”

“Joli, there’s no need,” I hissed.

“Yes, there is. Communication is key to staying together. Don’t be afraid or hesitant to ask or tell your partner what you need. You don’t need to be stressed, especially in your case,” she countered.

I slowly looked at Bones. He stood there frowning. My heart jumped.

“Firefly, is this true? You’re worried and need to talk?”

“It’s nothing,” I deflected.

After a pause, he replied. “Jessa, will you please take Avenly and excuse us? My woman and I have to talk,” Bones said nicely to Jessamy.

She nodded and took her daughter away. I felt cold and bereft. Bones pulled back my chair. As usual, I pushed up to rise, and his hand boosted me, even though I didn’t need it.

The women were giving encouraging smiles as I let him lead me out of the clubhouse and to his house.

The entire way there, I fretted about what I should tell him.

Did I ask and get his answer? Would he be truthful or tell me what I wanted to hear?

By the time we got in the house and on the couch, I was a hot mess.

“Blythe, you’re killing me, baby. What got you so worked up? Whatever it is, you thought enough about it to tell the old ladies. Talk to me. You can tell or ask me anything, Firefly.” His tone was kind.

I decided to tell him. The worst he could do was confirm my fears, and if he did, I would know I had to prepare differently.

“Alright, please don’t get upset. We were talking about babies and the lack of sleep. We ended up with them telling me how their old men help them with everything to do with their kids, whether feeding, changing diapers, bathing them, etc.” I paused.

“Continue,” he said.

“I was telling them how I was afraid that the twins would want me at the same time, and that I would only be able to attend one, then the other. I’m afraid that I might screw them up psychologically and make them feel unloved or something.

Tana and the others assured me it wouldn’t, leading them to say you’d be there to help.

I told them in normal circumstances, you probably would, but while you’re willing to take the twins to be with me, I didn’t know how far your involvement would go,” I finished in a rush.

I was sick to my stomach. His face had remained blank.

I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. I hated that look.

He remained mute, then he turned and moved across the room. My nausea increased. Damn, I’d fucked up. He must be upset. My heart was racing as he paced back and forth a couple of times before he halted and looked at me. He was frowning.

“Blythe, baby, why didn’t you ask me? I thought you knew you could tell and ask me anything.

Yes, as you call it, I accepted that twins come with you, but I don’t see them as a necessary compromise to be together.

They’re a part of my Firefly. I want them just as I do you.

I guess I haven’t been clear enough about my feelings for my woman.

Let me clarify. I will be their father. It’ll be in every way, except I wasn’t fortunate enough to donate half their DNA.

They never have to know they aren’t naturally mine if you want.

I’ll treat and do for them the same as our natural children if you grant me one or more of those.

I told you all this before. However, I’ll expand on it.

“I’m going to be a hands-on, drive-you-crazy, get-in-your-way dad.

Feeding, baths, diapers, laundry, being up when sick, taking them to school, going to games, and whatever kind of dad.

My name will go on their birth certificates.

We’ll be a family. That’s what my idols do.

I have dozens of them between here and in the other clubs, which you haven’t met yet.

I won’t leave it all to you. We’ll be equal partners.

You need to know I’d do this anyway, but I especially will when meeting the needs and caring for my woman.

It’s how I’ll not only show love for our babies but also show you that I feel the same way about you.

I haven’t said this clearly enough, and you need to hear it.

Blythe Ashton, I love you. You’re mine, and when you’re ready, I’ll ask you to be my wife. ”

As he finished, I barely saw him through the tears in my eyes.

He came back to me and sank to his knees.

He cupped my face, and then his lips found mine.

It was a tender kiss filled with promise.

I returned it, and as we kissed, I knew I had to tell him one more thing.

Pulling back, I let the tears fall so I could see him.

“Thank you so much for telling me that and for loving me, and I have to say, I’m overjoyed that you love me because God knows I love you, Jagger Phoenix, every tiny part of you.”

“Thank God,” he muttered before kissing me again. This one was passionate and told me we wouldn’t rejoin the club.