Page 50 of The MC’s Surprise (Bikers and Babies #4)

Vegas

I t looked like Sierra almost swallowed her tongue at Prez’s proposal. She shot me a wide eyed look, and I couldn’t ignore the fear there. I pulled her against my side, leaning to whisper in her ear.

“I didn't bring you to all those places today just to give them a chance to say thank you. I was showing you what you’ve already accomplished. By helping us like you did, you established a foundation for your business here in town. You’ve already got clients willing to work with you.

And I know I’m going to need your help, since I got a text this morning that Charlotte quit.

We run events throughout the year. I need your help too. ”

Tears filled her eyes and she shook her head minutely.

Turning her to face me, I took her hands.

“I know you’re worried. You’ve got every right to be after what happened.

But you’re amazing at what you do, sweetheart.

The town needs someone like you. And you shouldn’t give up on your dream just because some asshole tried to sabotage you.

He’s the one who fucked up. And he failed to take the one thing that made your business a success. ”

“What?” she croaked, still looking confused, but there was hope building in her eyes.

“You, baby. You’re the key to success in this business. And I promise, whenever you need it, I’ll help you along the way.”

I had my own business. I knew the ins and outs. I could steer her clear of any assholes looking to cause trouble for her and help her succeed. It was the least I could do after everything she did for me.

“What’s the name of your company, Sierra? We’ve gotta share it with everyone so they know who to call for their next event.”

Letting out a watery laugh, she lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. It doesn’t feel right to use the same name as before. Not after what happened.”

I could understand that. But I also felt like it was important to take back what that bastard stole from her. “Name it anyway. If you could fix our reputation, then we can fix yours as well.”

“Come on, Sierra! Give us the name!” Rooster shouted from the crowd.

The cheers picked up to almost deafening levels, and I was a little worried for our daughter’s hearing. I could see her just off the stage with her headphones on, but still.

Still laughing, she finally pushed past the fear, showing me yet again just how brave she was as she turned to face the crowd, tears on her cheeks and a smile on her face.

“My name is Sierra Martin, and I run Indulgent Events. If you need an event planner, I’m your girl.”

Nah. She was my girl. But for this, I’d be willing to share.

We headed off stage after a final round of applause for Sierra. Some of the guys mentioned wanting Sierra’s help as she passed by them, and she was all smiles as they patted her shoulder or gave her high fives.

She seemed to lose some of her excitement as she approached her parents. She’d told me before about how her parents felt about her business ventures. If they didn't support her in this, I was going to like them a lot less than I did right now.

Noelle handed off Melanie with a smile, though, and when she touched Sierra’s face, gently wiping the tears away, she said the one thing Sierra needed to hear.

“I’m proud of you.”

More tears welled in her eyes when Sierra asked, “Really?”

“Yes. You’ve worked really hard for this. Why do you think I called the news station? I knew you could do it.”

We both reeled at that admission. “Wait. You’re the one who called the news station?” I asked.

Sierra was just as surprised as me, her brows drawn down tight in a frown.

Noelle’s smile softened. “I’ve always supported you, darling girl.

It didn’t matter to me how many times you stumbled along the way.

I was always going to support you because you were doing what I never could.

You’re fearless and determined and if anyone could make a name for themselves, it’d be you.

I just wished you didn’t have to do it so far away.

This time, I know you won’t be doing it alone. I’m beyond grateful for that.”

When Sierra started sobbing, I stepped in to take Melanie, giving the two women time to hug it out. Graham stepped up beside me, patting my shoulder as he watched on.

“You did good, son. I was worried she’d admit defeat after the last time. I’m glad you didn’t let her.”

“She was already doing the job. She just needed to see it for herself,” I shrugged. Looking down at my daughter, I smiled at those big blue eyes. “Besides, she gave me this little one. It was the least I could do to give her back the job she loves.”

With Charlotte quitting abruptly, I couldn’t avoid going back to work any longer. Didn’t mean I had to be happy about it.

“What about bring your family to work day?” I hedged.

Sierra snorted from where she was relaxing on the couch, burping Melanie. That was usually my job, but Sierra wasn’t letting me use my daughter to stall like I’d wanted to.

“That’s not a thing. But I tell you what. If you go back to work, I’ll text you a picture every hour and we’ll video call at lunch so we can all eat together.”

It wasn’t nearly as good as having them with me, but it worked. “Fiiiine. But I go with great protest. I expect cuddles from both of you when I get home.”

“Deal,” she agreed with a grin, stretching to meet me halfway when I leaned down to brush my lips over hers.

“I love you,” I murmured against her lips.

“I love you too, my big teddy bear of a biker. Now get going. The faster you go, the faster we can have you back.”

She always knew what to say to put me in a better mood.

I stole another kiss and leaned to give a little one to the top of Melanie’s head before heading out the door.

Each step made my chest a little tighter, but right before I could turn around and change my mind, my phone buzzed with a text message.

It was a picture of Sierra and Melanie on the couch together, Sierra beaming at the camera.

My breath caught in my chest when I looked at Melanie.

She was smiling for the very first time.

The picture eased the ache a little and made me determined to get back to work so I could take care of them both. Until Sierra was ready to get back to work, those two were my responsibility and I wasn’t ever going to turn my back on that.

I made it all the way to work without turning around once. I sat in the parking lot after I arrived, looking at that picture again. I was going to frame it and put it in my office. To remind me of what I was working for.

It wasn’t just me anymore. It wasn’t just my crew who had my back.

I had a family, a woman I loved, who loved me back without making me question if she was truly interested.

A daughter who was the light of my life.

And when I headed inside and walked into my office, a sense of relief that I wasn’t going to be facing each day wondering if I’d ever be enough for the woman I loved.

Sierra told me every day how much she loved me.

Not just with words, but with her trust and her smile.

She loved my crew too, and was always happy to head over to the clubhouse to hang out.

And she was teaching our daughter to do the same thing.

Making me feel loved and valued with every smile and every cuddle.

I never thought I’d be so damn lucky. Things couldn’t get any better than this.

My phone rang and I frowned when my mom’s name covered up the picture I’d shamelessly been staring at. My stomach clenched, worried for a minute that she was sick again, but when she called, her voice was upbeat and I could tell she was smiling.

“Hey, honey. I thought I’d share the good news. The doctor said my bloodwork looks great. Lowering my stress helped a lot. She thinks I’m out of the woods.”

My breath left me in a rush and I sank into my chair, swallowing hard around the lump in my throat. “Really?”

“Yep. Apparently cuddling grandbabies is a great way to lower stress. I guess you’ll just have to keep giving me more.”

That made me laugh. “Mama, Sierra is not your personal baby making machine.”

“Of course she isn’t,” she chided. “But you’ve got a whole crew having babies, right? How much cuddling do you think I can get in?”

A grin stretched across my face, making my cheeks hurt. “I’m betting a lot.”

“I’ll take that bet. When can we come test it out?”

Silently laughing, I shook my head. “I’ll make some calls. Latest will be the weekend, I think.”

She chatted with me for a while, still gushing over her news. The last bit of tension I’d been carrying these past few months lifted and I sank a little lower in my chair. I told myself it couldn’t get any better. The universe decided to prove me wrong.

I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. With Sierra right next to me, I knew it was going to be good.