Page 32 of The Secrets We Keep (Sovereign Sons MC: North Carolina #1)
GRAYSON
Two years later
I walk into the bedroom and chuckle when Lily’s smiling face greets me. Our one-year-old daughter is my wife’s twin. Her blonde hair is wild, curling in around her chunky cheeks. The only trait she got from me is my hazel eyes.
“Dada!” Lily coos as I get closer.
I smile and pull her into my arms. “Good morning, princess. Did you sleep well?”
She nods her head enthusiastically and then rests it on my shoulder, her little arms wrapping around me.
I kiss her head and breathe her in. Even more so now, I realize just how much I missed out on in Asher’s life.
I didn’t get these moments first thing in the morning.
I didn’t get to hear his first words or see his first steps.
But I won’t miss out on anything else with him.
It makes me appreciate these moments with Lily even more.
Lily wasn’t a surprise to us; we were trying the minute we got married. Sophie was pregnant a month later. These last two and a half years have been the happiest of my life.
We moved into our house after I proposed to Sophie.
We knew that we were ready for more kids, and now that Sophie is pregnant again, it’s perfect because there is plenty of room for our family to grow.
When we told our family last night, they thought it was hilarious how quickly we moved.
Rowan said, and I quote, “get off of her.”
We told the club yesterday, too, and everyone is excited for us. The club these days is more family friendly. I thought the guys would hate that, but they love having the kids around, and my kids love all their uncles.
I walk out of Lily’s room and down the hallway.
This house has five bedrooms and four bathrooms, so we won’t have to worry about our growing family fighting over the bathroom.
The main floor of the house is open concept.
Theres a large kitchen with stainless steel appliances and white cabinets with black countertops and hardware.
A large island sits between the kitchen and living room, where a large sectional is positioned in front of the stone fireplace with a large television mounted, encased with built-in bookshelves that we added after we moved in.
Asher is helping Sophie set the table as we walk in.
He rushes over and takes Lily from my arms and our chocolate labrador retriever, Smokey, follows them to the table.
He loves being a big brother. He’s eight years old now and is doing so well in school.
He even started playing peewee football.
He says he wants to follow in my footsteps and actually make it to the college level.
He’s eight, though, so I’m sure he’ll change his mind a couple of dozen times before then.
Either way, we’ll support him in whatever he decides to do.
I watch as Asher helps Lily into her highchair and then descend on my wife.
My hands wrap around her and find her still flat belly.
She’s in the second trimester now, so hopefully she’ll start showing soon.
There’s something primal about seeing the woman you love carrying your child.
I’d have a dozen more kids with her if she’d let me, but she says we’re stopping at four.
“How are you feeling today, baby?” I murmur into her neck.
“Good,” she says as she spins in my arms.
She’s been having morning sickness on and off this entire pregnancy, but so far, the second trimester has been good. I hope it stays that way, because I hate to see my woman sick.
“Good,” I reply huskily before planting my lips on hers.
“We’re trying to eat here,” Asher grumbles from his spot at the table.
We break our kiss with a laugh before taking our seats at the table. It doesn’t matter how much time has passed, Asher still thinks his mom and dad kissing is gross. It doesn’t stop me from doing it, though.
I sit and watch my family eat. This is something I never thought I would have, the simplicity of eating with the woman I love and our children. Now, I get to do it every day. I smile at the thought.
“What are you smiling about?” Sophie asks as she nudges me with her elbow.
“Just thinking about how lucky I am,” I tell her with a wink. And I am . So fucking lucky.
SOPHIE
Six months later
I arch my back as far as it will go as Grayson thrusts into me. I’m standing at the end of the bed with my chest pressed to the mattress. Gray stands behind me, his fingers digging into my hips as he hits that sweet spot deep inside me.
This has been our best position in the last month of my pregnancy. I don’t feel comfortable in any other position, but I’m desperate for my husband. I have been this entire pregnancy.
“You feel so fucking good, baby,” Grayson murmurs huskily as his chest covers my back.
“I’m so close,” I whimper as I attempt to thrust back into him.
He stands tall again as one of his hands leaves my hip and finds my clit.
He pinches the swollen nerves, and I shatter around him.
I shove my head into my pillow and bite the material to stop myself from screaming.
I feel Grayson still a few moments later as he empties himself inside me.
I stay like that. Boneless and sated. Grayson slips from my body but returns a moment later with a warm rag. He cleans me up and helps me to stand.
Fluid rushes out of me as soon as I’m standing and I look at Grayson with wide eyes. “I think you broke my water.”
Grayson’s wide eyes mirror mine. “Are you serious?”
I nod my head frantically. “Call your mom and dad. They need to come watch the kids. My bag is downstairs. We can leave as soon as they get here.”
Grayson jumps into action, calling his parents and setting out clothes for us. He helps me get dressed and leads me downstairs. When Lisa and Kurt show up, we get in my SUV and drive to the hospital.
My contractions start on the drive there. By the time we get to the hospital, they’re about five minutes apart. Grayson proves how good of a man he is once again by how he acts during labor. He doesn’t leave my side and is constantly asking what he can do for me.
We decided to go through this pregnancy without finding out what the sex of the baby was. We already have a boy and a girl, so all that truly matters is a healthy baby. Three hours into my labor, it’s time to push.
“You can do this, baby,” Gray murmurs as he wipes the hair away from my face. “You’re so fucking strong.”
I pant through the contraction, borrowing some of his strength. “It hurts,” I whimper.
“I know it does, but you only have a little bit longer until our baby is here,” he says with a pained look. “I wish I could take this pain from you, baby, but I can’t. The only thing I can promise, is that I’m right here with you.” He squeezes my hand firmly.
I nod my head with determination. When my doctor tells me to push, I do, and after five more minutes, the sound of our baby’s cries fills the room.
“It’s a boy!” Grayson cheers before kissing me on the forehead. “You did it, baby!”
Tears fill my eyes as I watch Grayson cut the umbilical cord and they place our newborn son on my chest. He is the spitting image of Grayson already with a head full of dark hair and hazel eyes that blink up at me.
“What are we going to name him?” I ask as I gaze up at my husband .
“How about Hudson?” He asks with tears in his eyes.
I look adoringly at our son and smile. “Hudson is perfect.”
“Welcome to the club, Hudson,” Grayson murmurs. “We love you so much already.”
My eyes mist over. I never thought that I would have this.
I thought that I would spend the majority of my life looking over my shoulder for my father.
I thought that it would just be me and Asher against the world.
But it isn’t . I’ve built this wonderful life for myself.
No, not just for myself, for my kids, my husband.
Every time I have delivered one of my babies, I think of my mother.
I wonder what she would have been like. I wonder if my life would have been different if she hadn’t died.
I wonder if she’d be proud of me. From what the old timers have told me; she would have been an amazing mom.
So, I decided to live that legacy for her.
I’ll spend my days making sure that my kids are happy and safe.
I’ll make sure they know that they’re wanted and loved.
And I know that my husband will be right there with me. Forever.
THE END
KEEP READING FOR A SNEAK PEEK AT ROWAN’S STORY.