Page 16

Ares

Five Months Later

The morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. A profound sense of peace settled over me as my hand instinctively found its way to the gentle swell of my belly. So much had happened since I’d returned home, but I was in a better place now. I saw Dr. Sykes once a week, or more often if I needed to, and I felt like I was truly a part of the club again.

“Hey, darlin’,” Prophet’s voice rumbled from the doorway.

I turned toward him, my heart skipping a beat at how sexy he looked with a half smile on his lips, and his eyes lighting up. He came closer, and I admired his ink as he sat on the edge of the bed, leaning in to kiss me on the forehead. He was also so gentle with me, even though I’d seen him beat the shit out of people multiple times. Even though he had that darker, rough side, I knew he’d never be that way with me.

“How are my girls?” he asked.

“We don’t know for certain yet. Remember, Dr. Myron said the baby wasn’t in the best position. It’s possible it’s a boy.”

He scooted closer and put his arm around me. “Yeah, but I’m hoping for a cute daughter who takes after her mom.”

“Why? So you can run off the boys like Foster? And considering the age differences around here…”

He growled. “Don’t even joke about that! I’d be fine if she wants to fall for Atlas. He’s the most levelheaded kid I’ve seen around here. Out of the boys anyway.”

“He’s not even old enough to drive yet. He could change a lot the older he gets,” I said. “I bet Foster wasn’t so bad when he was smaller.”

“Fine. She can have a girlfriend instead of a boyfriend. Wait. No, she could end up with someone like a club whore. Shit.”

I couldn’t help but giggle at him. “You’re too much. Come on. We’re going to be late.”

“Every morning I wake up next to you, I realize this is the closest to heaven that I’ll ever be. I love you so much, Ares.”

“I love you too, Hunter. Can you believe we’re going to be parents?”

He grinned. “Can you believe your dad is going to be a grandpa?”

“Yes, and you love reminding him of that every day. One day you’ll go missing, and I’ll discover he fed you to the giant koi in his pond.”

Dad had really outdone himself. Prophet had told me about the original plan for the house, but Dad had gone above and beyond. He’d ended up moving the pond farther to the side of the house and tripling the size of it. There was a bench beside it, so I could go and watch the fish whenever I wanted. Junie and Judd loved to sit there too, but Marnie was scared of the water.

He’d created a beautiful garden, even though he’d used part of the lot beside the house. One he’d intended to give to someone in the future. The club had convinced him to use it to create a safe space for me, and I loved all of them for it.

“Is Jackson back yet?” I asked. He’d left for a rodeo shortly after I returned, and he hadn’t been back since. It worried me because he should have been home months ago.

“No, but I wouldn’t worry too much. You know if something had gone wrong, Cowboy would have said something. Man seems chill as ever, so I think Jackson is okay.”

I hoped so. With his sister gone, the two of us had grown close before my abduction. I thought of him like an older brother.

I got out of bed and Prophet helped me into the shower. While I rinsed off, he got our things together. The club had set up a picnic near the clubhouse, and I couldn’t wait to go. It was near enough to the playground for the little ones to have fun, close enough to the clubhouse in case the men needed more beer or anyone needed a bathroom, and the pavilion provided ample shade. Although the weather would have normally been much too cold for something like this, we’d had an odd heatwave recently. Instead of the usual forty-degree temps, it was nearly seventy outside this week.

I put on one of my maternity dresses and slipped on my canvas flats. Prophet had already stored the potato salad I’d made and tossed a clean blanket in the back of the car. He helped me into the passenger seat, then drove us over to the picnic area. Before being pregnant, I’d have enjoyed the walk. But these days, my ankles were swelling and I felt like I’d swallowed a watermelon. Walking wasn’t my favorite thing to do right now.

By the time we pulled up and parked, it looked like half the club was already present and accounted for. I could hear the squeals of the little ones on the playground. I saw Lavender, Mara, Ridley, Isabella, Darian, and several others already setting up the picnic tables. When I got closer, I stopped in my tracks.

“Um, Prophet. Why is there an armchair here?” I asked.

“Because your dad wanted to make sure you’d have a comfortable place to sit. He said the wood bench wouldn’t be good for you.”

I sighed. Yeah, sounded like something he’d do. I would sit at the table to eat, but it looked like I’d be holding court in the only padded chair here. Some days my family was so damn embarrassing. Did he really have to go that extra mile in this particular instance?

“I’ll carry the potato salad over to the food table. Find a place to sit that gives you easy access to get up and down,” he said, kissing my cheek.

I took the end seat at the nearest table, and Darian came to sit beside me. She looked like she had something on her mind, so I waited for her to speak first.

I gave her a nudge with my elbow. “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. Just… my son being his usual self. He hasn’t caused you any other problems, has he?”

My brow furrowed. “No. He’s actually not spoken to me much since I returned. Why? Did something happen?”

“I’m probably seeing issues where there aren’t any. Bull thinks I’m overreacting. If you happen to see or hear anything, let me know? I just have this feeling he’s in trouble again.”

It wasn’t like I’d be the one Foster would confess to. If anything… “You should ask Owen. Those two are really close.”

She nodded. “You’re right. I’ll see if he knows anything. For now… How are you doing? Feeling all right?”

“Yeah. I’ve finally settled back into life here, and things with Prophet are going really well.” I smiled. “I’m not quite as broken as I was before.”

She patted my shoulder. “I’m glad. If you ever need anything, let me know. You have your mom, of course, and a lot of others but… just know you can call or stop by anytime you want.”

“Thanks, Darian.”

Of course, now that she’d brought up Foster, I scanned the area looking for him. What the hell had he gotten himself into now? I really wished, not only for his sake but for everyone’s, that he’d grow the hell up. How Bull and Darian had a kid like him was beyond me. He wasn’t anything like either of his parents.

By the time everyone else arrived, I was beyond starving. I ate my food, enjoyed good conversation, then moved over to the padded chair. A few of the ladies had packed folding chairs and joined me, so at least I didn’t feel quite so alone. I was still the only one with a living room chair at a picnic, but I was rather grateful for it right now.

I’d finally found a way to be at peace again. To feel like part of this big family once more. It wasn’t just thanks to Dr. Sykes and Prophet, but to all the amazing people in my life. Now that Dad had gotten his blood sugar issues under control, he was back to his usual self. Everything that had felt like it was upside down, was now right side up once more.

“What’s that smile for?” Ridley asked.

“I’m just happy. We have a really amazing life here, don’t we?”

She nodded. “We do. Can’t imagine living anywhere else. These men might be rough around the edges, and willing to kill if it’s needed, but they would walk through fire for us. That’s not easy to find in this world these days. They’re a special breed.”

“And all ours,” I said.

I might have walked through hell -- twice -- but I’d come out the other side much stronger. I couldn’t wait for what came next in our lives. The thought of being a mom scared me, but I also wanted to hold my little baby in my arms. My life was about as perfect as it could get.

“When’s the wedding?” Ridley asked.

“Actually, I decided to let Lavender use her skills to marry us before the baby arrives. Preacher offered to give us an actual wedding ceremony when I feel up to it.” I placed my hand over my baby bump. “But I don’t think I need one. I already have everything I could ever want.”

“Spoken like a true old lady,” Ridley said. “You’re going to do just fine, Ares. And we’re all here whenever you need us.”

“I know.” I smiled. “Thank you. I love all of you so much.”

Ridley hugged me. “We love you too.”

One chapter of my life was slowly coming to a close, but the next one would be even better.