Page 49 of Sinful Skulls (Rebel Skull MC #9)

“That’s what usually happens when you whistle for attention,” Jesse tells her.

“Oh, yeah, well …”

Elizabeth stands and walks over to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “She chose you. You can do this.”

Lexie wrings her hands and nods. “Okay, yeah, well, um, Rachel asked me to help her with a few things before she um, before she passed.”

She looks at Elizabeth and cringes. “You’re doing good, baby. Keep going.”

“One of those things was getting all her pictures and videos together. She had some pretty old forms of media. Some of it wasn’t even developed.

She said that wasn’t a bad thing. It just meant that her life was so full, she hadn’t found the time.

Anyways, she made time.” She grabs the box beside her and begins to walk around handing everyone a thumb drive.

“This was her birthday gift to herself.” She looks at Raffe. “She told me not to tell you how much it cost.”

The group chuckles, and Raffe shakes his head, leaning back in his chair.

“She wanted all of you to have a copy, but she also requested that you all watch it together.”

When I take mine from Lexie’s hand, I grab her wrist. “You’re doing good, Lex.”

Tears fill her eyes and she nods, going on to the next person.

Once everyone has one, she goes over to her laptop. “I guess it’s dark enough outside. We should be able to see it.” She sits down beside Ash after it starts to play.

Rachel appears on the screen. “I bet you’re all surprised to see me on this side of the camera. Usually I’m the one filming, not being filmed.”

Her laugh fills the night, and it makes me miss her even more.

“Don’t worry, I loved the role I played …

every minute of it. So, for my birthday, I want you to sit, laugh, and reminisce with me.

” She holds up a finger. “But, after tonight, I want you all to wake up tomorrow and begin making new memories.” She points to her eyes with two fingers before pointing them at us.

“I’ll be watching you. I love you all.” She blows a kiss to the camera, and then the show begins.

“Oh my god, these are priceless,” I whisper to Daisy as we all laugh at a video of Bill dancing on the bar.

Her eyes never leave the screen. She’s enjoying it as much as everyone else.

“Oh look, it’s you.”

I glance over at Jackson, and he smiles back. It’s a video of him and me chasing frogs out at the farm. We’re covered head to toe in mud.

Jackson and Willow eventually leave to get back to baby Aspen, but I’m sure Rachel would understand. They’ll have time to watch when they’re home cuddling their newborn.

The rest of us spend the entire evening re-living old memories. Our lives preserved by the most selfless woman I’ve ever met.

Elizabeth, JD, Lexie, Ash, Daisy, and I all stay to clean up. We watch as Dirk and Jesse help Raffe up to their room. No one says anything about it. They’ve always been close, and none of us want to see Raffe alone right now.

By the time we get home, it’s almost morning.

We shower and then climb into bed. “What a long day,” I say, brushing Daisy’s hair behind her ear. “Thank you for everything you’ve been doing for the club. I want you to know that I see all that you do.”

“I loved seeing all of the old photos and videos tonight. You were such a cute kid. I hope our baby looks like you.”

“Me too,” I joke.

Her gaze bounces over my face. “I especially hope our baby has your eyes.”

I chuckle lightly. “Are you trying to tell me you want a baby? Is Aspen’s cuteness giving you baby fever? She’s so fucking tiny.”

Daisy takes my face in her hands. “I’m trying to tell you we are having a baby.”

“Yeah, of course we’ll have a baby. I told you I want kids.” I lift an eyebrow and rock my hips against her playfully. “We should start trying right now.”

“Brody …”

“Come on. We’ve been so busy, and I’ve missed you.” I dip my face into the crook of her neck.

“Apple.”

Instantly I stop, pulling away slowly. What the fuck? She used her safe word.

“We. Are. Having. A. Baby,” she enunciates each word slowly for my dumb ass, and then she places my hand on her stomach.

“What? When?”

“Brody, what do you mean when? We haven’t used protection since the night of our engagement.”

“Yeah, but I thought it would take longer to stuff you full of little people.”

She laughs.

I sit up straight. “Oh my god. We’re having a baby. We’re having a baby! The house isn’t big enough. I’m going to need to add on. And we need diapers. Did you see how many fucking diapers Willow has? A kid can’t really shit that much, can they?”

She takes my hands in hers. “Brody, look at me.”

When I do, she smiles.

“All the baby needs is love, and from what I saw tonight, they’re going to be surrounded by it.”

My forehead falls against hers. “You’re sure?”

She nods.

I grab her face and kiss her. She laughs when I push her against the mattress and proceed to pepper kisses all the way down her body, stopping over her stomach.

“Hello, little one. It’s your daddy.”

Daisy runs her fingers through my hair as she looks down her body to watch me.

“I can’t wait to meet you, but until then, I’m going to take real good care of mommy. You’re going to be eating like a king … or queen.” I place a kiss on her stomach. “I love you. Okay, so I’ll talk to you again tomorrow. It’s time for the mama to get some sleep.”

She giggles as I settle into the bed behind her.

“Go to sleep,” I order, bucking my hips against her backside.

“Yes, sir,” she murmurs sleepily.

I wait until I hear her soft snores before letting my eyes fall closed. My thoughts drift to Rachel.

“When I get to Heaven, I’m going to ask God to make you a dad,” Rachel slurs as I’m helping Jackson put her to bed. “That way Jackson’s baby will have someone to grow up with.”

He leans over and whispers into my ear, “Sorry, bro. She’s been in a lot of pain today. We had to up her morphine.”

I go back to fluffing the pillow behind her head. “Oh yeah? You think he’d really trust me with a kid, huh?”

She smiles at me and rubs her nose. “I’m going to make sure he gives you an ornery little soul.”

Jackson shakes his head and laughs. “Well, I’m glad mine’s already in the oven. She’s going to come out sweet as cherry pie.”

His mom sighs happily. “I bet she’ll look just like Willow.”

“Let’s hope so,” I joke.

“Hey.” Jackson punches me in the arm playfully.

“I’m going to ask him to give you a boy,” Rachel continues. She’s used to our rough housing.

“No. Fuck no. If he has a boy, I’m not letting that little fucker anywhere near my daughter.”

I hold my hand over my chest, wounded. “My kid is going to be the most awesome little dude ever.”

Rachel laughs and pats both of our cheeks. “I love you boys. You’ve given me the best life.”

I slide my hand over Daisy’s stomach and stare at the ceiling. My fingers splay over her abdomen protectively. “You’re just trying to make a believer out of me,” I accuse quietly, hoping Rachel can hear me. “But if this baby comes out a boy, you might just have me convinced.”