Yes, Axel told me he was going to talk to his dad, Rooster, and Brick about the situation so we can have protection plans in place with the help of the club. I wasn’t about to say no when it comes to our son.
“Not yet. He’s had a few leads but they quickly turn into dead ends. We know she’s still close at this point. She really can’t afford to go too far away since she wants to get her hands on your money. That’s what makes the entire situation so hard. We know she’s close but she’s gotten good at coverin’ her tracks so no one can find her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s got help we know nothin’ about at this point. Plus, we can’t rule out the factthat there’s a real possibility Jess is workin’ with her. Not that Jess knows anythin’. I haven’t been to the strip club in weeks so I haven’t seen her,” Axel says, reminding me that he’s the manager of the club’s strip club. I hate it, but it’s his job and I do trust Axel to remain faithful to me. The main reason I hate it is because of Jess being there. She’s going to do nothing but stir up trouble and be a complete bitch about things.
Axel parks the truck close to the door so I don’t have to walk too far. He still doesn’t want me to do a lot to exert myself until I get cleared from Dr. Matthews. I’ve seen him overprotective more than a handful of times over the years when it comes to me, but this is crazy as hell. If I’d let him carry me everywhere I go, Axel would be happier but that’s not happening. So, I hold his hand as we make our way to the clubhouse door and he opens it for me.
The second I step inside, the common room is filled with so much blue. There are balloons, ribbons, streamers, plates, cups, a giant cake with blue flowers, motorcycles, and bears on it, and a table loaded with gifts wrapped in varying shades of blue and green. Another section has several tables loaded full of food the ol’ ladies are fussy over as we step inside.
“Sheridan!” Jolene hollers as she looks at us and rushes to our side. She pulls me into a tight hug as my dad and Janessa make their way over to us.
“What’s goin’ on?” Axel asks, confusion filling his voice as he looks around.
“Well, we know our little Leo isn’t home yet, but Sheridan needs a reason to be happy. She didn’t have a baby shower so this is a party to celebrate Leo’s birth. This is small compared to what we’ll do when he finally comes home,” Jolene answers as she moves so my dad can pull me into a hug.
“You guys really didn’t have to do this,” I say, feeling the blush cover my cheeks because I hate being the center of attention.
“Of course we did. We tried to get Shelly home for the party but she has a few more finals to take before she can come home. She was upset,” my dad says as he lets me go and allows Axel to pull me into his arms.
“Come in and get somethin’ to eat,” Hammer says walking up to us as he gives Axel one of those man hug things. “We’ve all been waitin’ on you and I’m starvin’.”
I can’t help but laugh at that because the food smells amazing and Hammer is always hungry. It’s one of the many things Axel and him have in common. They eat like crazy and each of their portions is enough for two or three grown ass men instead of the one person they are. I used to laugh when Axel would eat because for every bite I would take, he’d take two or three huge bites. The guy is a pig and I have a feeling it will be passed down to our son based on how he nurses already.
Axel and I head for the tables loaded down with food and he fills a plate for me along with two for himself. There’s so much food I’m not sure what to take and which to leave behind. Axel loads me up with a little bit of each food he knows I love. When I ask what things are, he adds a little bit to my plate so I can try. I know he won’t steer me wrong and choose foods I won’t like. Once our plates are loaded with food, he leads me to a table that’s been decorated with a baby themed tablecloth and has blue ribbons tied to the chairs. Hammer, my dad, Knuckles, and Janessa are already sitting at the same table with the kids. Axel pulls out my seat and helps me get close to the table before taking his own seat next to me.
While we eat the amazing food the ol’ ladies prepared today, we talk and laugh together. For the first time since beingdischarged from the hospital, my mind isn’t stuck on Leo not being home with us. It’s there as normal, but I’m not a complete wreck as I am every other day. It’s just slightly easier to deal with not having my son in my arms or looking over to see his dad holding him close and whispering about things he doesn’t share with me just yet.
“When you’re done eating, we’ll open gifts so your stomach settles and you can have the cake. We got it from the bakery a town over. I’ve been dying to taste it since it was delivered a few hours ago,” Jolene says, her voice full of laughter as we both look over at the cake. It does look delicious and I really want to have a piece of it now. If I could get away with not eating the plate full of food in front of me and going straight for the cake, I would. Axel won’t allow it though.
“Sounds good to me,” I tell her before digging into my plate as one of the Prospects brings me over a large glass of water.
Axel and Knuckles get in a conversation about the gym and I know they’re talking about something more but not giving anything away since my dad and I are sitting here. Or maybe it’s because we’re all here and I’m just starting to overthink things as usual. Hammer remains quiet as he pulls out his phone and answers a call. A ton of different conversations are going on around the room as I watch everyone. I thought I might be a little overwhelmed being in the clubhouse with everyone here. But it’s the exact opposite. I’m actually comfortable and not feeling out of place as usual. Though, I’m really not surprised considering the fact that I’ve been here countless times over the years when we were growing up.
The second we’re done eating our food, girls start moving around the room and cleaning off the tables. I look up to thank the girl grabbing my plate to find her glaring at me. Confusionfills me because I’ve never seen this woman a day in my life before. I don’t bother saying anything as I turn around and look at the table in front of me. Axel rests his hand on my leg and pulls my chair closer to his.
“Don’t let her get to you. She’s a jealous bitch,” he whispers after leaning in close. “They’re gonna test you, Little Fairy. You have to stand up for yourself and put them in their place. Don’t let them walk all over you.”
“I’ll try. You know I don’t do confrontation and all that shit. I’m surprised I stood up to my mom the last time I talked to her,” I respond honestly as Jolene and Janessa get out of their seats and head for the gift table.
For the next hour and a half, Axel and I open one gift after another. There’s so much stuff I honestly have no clue where the hell we’re going to put it all. Clothes, bath stuff, blankets, toys, books, pacifiers, bottles, a swing, bouncy seat, and anything else you can possibly think of for a baby. We’ve got a ton of diapers in a few sizes so we’ll have them as Leo grows. The one thing the guys all got excited for was the mini motorcycle he won’t be able to use for a few years. Omen and Homicide got it for him and were proud as fuck as they brought it out.
“How do you feel about Leo already havin’ a bike of his own,” Brick asks, a smirk on his face as if he already knows the answer.
“It’s not like I wasn’t expecting it. I’ve known Axel for a very long time and he always used to talk about getting his kids into riding from a young age. I’m surprised he didn’t rush out and get this kind of thing for the baby as soon as he learned I was pregnant. So, I’ll be right there by his side as Leo learns to ride the bike,” I respond with nothing but pure honesty.
“You spent hours out there with Axel as he worked on his bike. I remember a few times you figured out what was wrong with it before he did. He hated those days,” Hammer says as everyone laughs at Axel and I blush at the attention.
“It’s nothin’ but the truth. My girl grew up workin’ on bikes and other vehicles with her dad. She can figure out any mechanical problem without hesitation,” Axel says, his voice full of pride as he holds me close and presses a kiss to my cheek.
“I’ve taught my girl everything I know. She’s been at my side since she was a toddler and I wouldn’t change it for any reason,” my dad says as he turns his attention toward me with a smile on his face.
For the next few hours, I sit and talk with everyone as they come up and share a few words with us. By the time we head home for the night, I’m more than ready for bed. Axel helps me change into one of his tee shirts before tucking me in and sliding in next to me once he’s stripped out of his clothes. In no time at all, I’m asleep with Axel’s body wrapped around mine.
Chapter Seventeen
Tease
AFTER EATING AND opening the gifts, we all decide to head out back for the rest of the party. The Prospects have started several bonfires and made sure the speakers are working as usual. Music plays as they set up the bar we have outside with drinks for everyone. I stand with my dad and Knuckles as Sheridan sits with my mom, Janessa, Marie, and the rest of the ol’ ladies. She’s getting along so well with all of them and they’ve already accepted her into the fold. Sheridan has a place here with everyone and she fits in like I knew she would. The only person missing is our son. I just got an update from one of his nurses and Leo is doing amazing. His oxygen hasn’t dropped once tonight so far. He’s not on a single machine to help him any longer and he’s eating more than ever before. I’m so damn proud of him and know he’s going to be so strong. Stronger than any of us except for Sheridan knew he’d be—his mom has always believed in him even when she didn’t see the worst parts after he was born.
“Sheridan seems to be fittin’ in here,” Knuckles says, echoing my previous thoughts.
