Page 41 of The MC’s Surprise (Bikers and Babies #4)

Vegas

A fter sending a picture of my daughter to Rooster to share with the crew, I was bombarded with messages of congratulations and promises to buy me a drink to celebrate.

If I actually let them, they’d get me hammered, but I still loved how they all cared enough to message me and check in.

And then came the requests from the old ladies.

They wanted to visit, but they didn't want to overwhelm us, so I spent some time working out a schedule with Skylar, who shared it with the rest of them.

Prez and Maggie showed up first, both of them hugging Sierra and congratulating her first before coming to me, as they should have. She was the one who did all the work. If she hadn’t told me to stop thanking her because it kept making her cry, I’d still be smothering her with my appreciation.

“Congratulations, brother,” Prez said, pulling me into a back slapping hug. “I should’ve known your kid would cause me as much stress as you do. Glad everything turned out okay.”

I chuckled, hugging him back. “Yeah, she gave us a hell of a scare, but the doc said she’s totally healthy. 6 pounds two ounces, nineteen inches, and apparently she’s a champion eater. All the nurses keep talking about it.”

He chuckled, leading the way over to the bassinet where my daughter slept. She had reddish brown hair like her mama, but her pale blue eyes were all mine. I still hoped she’d grow to look just like Sierra, but I loved seeing that piece of me whenever she blinked open those big blue eyes.

“Think you’ll have another?” I asked Prez quietly, both of us staring at the bassinet.

He hummed, his smile soft. “We’re going to try, but Maggie’s had issues getting pregnant in the past. It might take some time and effort for her.”

If their next kid was anything like the first, it’d be worth it. Zoey was a sweetheart and she loved babies. She was always begging to hold Ryder. She deserved a sibling.

“If you need anything from me, let me know,” I offered.

“I think you’ll be a little busy,” he chuckled. “I was actually going to offer my help first. Mel told me you were going to buy her house. How about we move you in while you’re here? Let you focus on your girls.”

I wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth. “I appreciate that. Did you see her name?”

He looked back at the little card taped to the top of the bassinet. “Melanie. That’s cute.”

“Yeah, we’re gonna call her Mel.”

He sucked in a breath, taking it in for a moment. Mel was his sister after all. “Does she know that yet?”

“Not yet.”

He huffed a laugh. “Can I be there when you tell her?”

Prez didn’t stick around all day, he’d had to go home to his kid at one point.

Mel was actually the last old lady to come for a visit.

She’d worked a forty eight hour shift when she stayed to help us, so she needed the rest. She showed up with pizza and a box of chocolate donuts for Sierra, Wraith and Xander following behind her.

“I bring treats,” she said brightly. “How are you feeling?”

“Hungry,” Sierra answered honestly. “I thought once I had the baby, I wouldn’t be starving all the time.”

That made Mel snort as she set the pizza on the table and plated a slice, handing it off to Sierra. “Nope. You’ll actually be more hungry because you’re feeding two of you. So eat when you need to. You’ll burn off a lot with breastfeeding.”

Once she made sure Sierra was comfortable, she swung around to coo at the baby. “And how about you, sweetie? Have you been eating well?”

“Every two hours,” I replied, lifting my chin in greeting to Wraith. He did the same, moving close enough to quietly pass off the gift I’d had him pick up for me for Sierra. I slipped it into my pocket, squeezing his shoulder in thanks.

“Sorry I stole your old lady for a little while. She was a godsend.”

He smirked and shrugged it off. “I knew when I claimed her I’d have to share with the hospital. We’re good.”

I jerked my chin toward the little card, catching Mel’s attention. “We finally picked her name. What do you think?”

She’d missed it, too busy scooping up the baby for cuddles. She glanced at it and smiled, which was the same reaction I got from everyone else until I explained our reasoning.

“We’re going to call her Mel.”

Mel froze and sucked in a breath, staring at the name card like she couldn’t comprehend what I’d said. When her bottom lip trembled, I had to take the baby from her so Wraith could pull her into his arms.

“I think we broke her,” I muttered to Xander, who watched on with a smirk.

“Nah, she does that when she’s happy. She cried like that when Mattias bought her a puppy too.”

Mel didn’t cry often, she was one tough cookie most days, but naming our kid after her seemed to be enough to do it. She cried quietly on Wraith for a few minutes before spinning around and clinging to Sierra instead. When it was my turn, she cuddled against my side, giving Melanie a watery smile.

“Hey, baby. You and me are gonna be twins, aren’t we? There’s no way Rooster can beat me for favorite with you.”

“Hey! I haven’t even gotten a shot yet!” a familiar voice complained from the doorway.

When I looked up, Rooster, Circus, and surprisingly enough Mojave stood just outside the door. All three had presents in their hands, and waited until I beckoned them inside to join us.

“There’s no way you can claim favorite already,” Rooster grouched at Mel.

“I can when her name is Mel,” she shot back.

Rooster’s jaw dropped. “That’s… You can’t just… Oh, come on!”

I put Melanie back in her bassinet so the others could visit before returning to Sierra’s side.

She’d gotten some rest the night before, but she woke up every time the baby did, and I could tell she was uncomfortable.

Watching her walk for the first time after surgery had nearly given me a heart attack.

I didn’t even want her lifting a cup of water if she didn't have to.

“Tell me what you need,” I murmured in her ear as I wrapped my arm around her shoulders.

She thought about it for a minute, which I always appreciated. She never expected me to read her mind, nor did she brush off my attempts to take care of her. It was refreshing to not have to question every move I made around her and whether or not it was welcome.

“I think in about five minutes, I’m gonna need more baby cuddles. But for now, I’m okay.”

She leaned her head against me, watching as the guys tried to guess her weight while Mel kept the information tucked away for later. Skylar mentioned bets on her weight and length and all that. I was never one to turn down a betting pool, so it was fun to watch the chaos.

“I’m so torn right now.”

Looking up at me, she cocked her head in question. “About what?”

“She’s so cute and perfect, I never want her to grow up. But when she turns five, she can ride on the back of my bike and I kind of want to do that too.”

That made her snicker. “Just enjoy the moment. I want a turn on your bike too.”

Not right now, that was for damn sure. Not until I knew she wasn’t in any more pain. But as soon as I could, hell yes I was getting her on the back of my bike. It was where she belonged as my old lady. Which reminded me.

“Hey, Secretary,” I called to Rooster.

He glanced over his shoulder. “Yeah?”

“Need you to make an announcement. Once we’re out of here, I’m claiming my old lady.”

I heard Sierra gasp and when I looked down at her, she looked close to tears.

I’d told her before she was mine, but telling my whole crew sealed the deal.

We were as good as married once I claimed her.

Not that I’d be skipping that step either.

She’d get the wedding of her dreams whenever she was ready for it.

I’d even throw one tomorrow if she asked.

A slow grin passed over Rooster’s face. “Hell yeah, brother. I’ll let the crew know. We’ll save the party for after your old lady is all healed. Really make a show of it.”

“Sounds good to me.”

They stuck around for a little while, handing off their gifts and taking turns holding the baby.

They said it was so they could have better guesses on the weight betting pool but I knew better.

The crew loved babies since the day Ellie showed up.

They could pretend all their wanted that they were cool, but they all wanted cuddles if they could get it.

I wouldn’t have been surprised if Killian showed up at one point. Dude was a cuddle slut.

“This is beautiful, Mojave. Thank you.”

I turned to where Mojave was standing by the bed, his expression tinged with a familiar stubbornness. I wasn’t sure what for until he explained the gift.

“It’s got a tracker in it. Wraith will show you how to use it. That way no one can take her and get away with it.”

Sierra looked a little shell-shocked at that announcement, but I appreciated the gesture. We were all there when Butch’s baby mama stole Ellie right out from under our noses. If I had a way to watch over my little girl even when we weren’t in the same room, I’d take it.

Joining them, I took the tiny bracelet, just big enough to fit on an infant. It was lightweight, and if I knew Mojave like I thought I did, probably expensive as all get out. He didn’t fuck around with security. And while that was because of his history, I still appreciated it.

“Thanks, man. It means a lot.”

He nodded once, then took a step back. “I’m gonna go. Congratulations.”

He was gone before either of us could say a word to him. When Sierra turned to me, confusion etched into her face, I shook my head. “Not a story you want to hear right now, sweetheart. I’ll explain later. You look tired. Time for a nap?”

I could tell she didn’t want to be rude, but the room was getting crowded and she looked beat. Unlike her, I felt no shame whatsoever kicking them all out.

“Alright, time to go. We’ll see you guys later.”

It reassured her a lot when they all agreed easily.

Even her parents, who stayed by her side whenever I was distracted with the masses, kissed her on the head and said their goodbyes.

I knew her mom would be back bright and early, and she’d be bringing my mom with her next time, but for now, we finally got some privacy to rest.

I handed Sierra the baby when she put her arms out, moving back to my spot at her side.

“What was the box that Wraith slipped to you?” she asked out of the blue.

I hesitated for a minute, surprised, but eventually chuckled and shook my head, pulling the box out of my back pocket. “I’m not getting anything past you, am I?”

“Nope. You’re terrible at being sneaky.” She cocked her head at the gift. “What is it?”

“I read online that I’m supposed to get you a push present for having our kid. I picked this out earlier, but I was waiting to pick it up until I knew for sure when she’d come. I didn’t want to get the stone wrong.”

I opened the box for her since her hands were full showing her the delicate gold necklace with the charm of our daughter’s birth stone in the middle.

It wasn’t a huge thing, I knew how much she didn’t like me spending tons of money on her, but I wanted her to know how much it meant to me that she went through all this for me and for our kid.

“You gave me the world by having her. I just wanted to get you something small to show you how much I appreciate it.”

She hiccuped, eyes welling with tears for maybe the tenth time today. “I swear, you’re all trying to make me cry at this point.”

I chuckled, taking the necklace out and carefully fastening it around her neck. “No, beautiful. But if you’re going to cry, I’m going to be there to wipe your tears. Always. I promise.”