"Come on," Rachel finally says, pulling back and wiping her eyes. "You need to shower and get some sleep. And I need to check on our daughter."
I follow her upstairs, moving slowly so I don't wake our daughter. But when we pass her nursery, I can't resist peeking in.
She's sleeping peacefully in her crib, one tiny fist curled near her face. She's wearing the onesie that says "Daddy's Little Shadow" that Chaos bought as a joke but that I secretly love.
My daughter. My perfect, innocent daughter who will never know the darkness I came from. Who will grow up surrounded by love and protection and a family that would die for her.
"She's beautiful," I whisper.
"She is." Rachel slips her hand into mine. "And she's going to need her daddy around to teach her how to throw a punch and intimidate assholes."
I look at Rachel, surprised. "I thought you didn't want her growing up in this life."
"I don't want her growing up without her father more." She squeezes my hand. "Besides, she's a Savage Rider's daughter. Might as well teach her how to handle herself."
God, I love this woman.
After I shower and clean the rest of the blood off, I slide into bed next to Rachel. She immediately curls into my side, careful of my ribs, her hand resting over my heart.
"Ryan?" she murmurs sleepily.
"Yeah?"
"Promise me something."
"Anything."
"Promise me that no matter what happens, no matter how many fights or threats or dangerous situations come up, you'll remember you have a family waiting for you. That we need you."
I press a kiss to her forehead. "I promise. You and Beatrice are my reason for everything. For fighting, for coming home, for trying to be better than I was."
"You're already better. You've always been better than you thought you were."
I hold her closer, feeling her breathing even out as she drifts toward sleep.
Two years ago, I was convinced I'd spend my life alone. That I didn't deserve connection or love or happiness. That I was nothing more than a weapon to be pointed at the club's enemies.
But Rachel saw through all of that. Saw past the shadow to the man underneath. She took a chance on me when she had every reason not to. Stayed when she could have run. Built a life with me when most people would have walked away.
And now I have everything I never knew I wanted.
A wife who challenges me and loves me and isn't afraid to call me on my shit. A daughter who makes me want to be the man they both deserve. A home that's more than just walls and a roof. It's laughter and tears and messy diapers and exhausted 3 AM feedings and stolen moments of peace.
It's everything.
From down the hall, I hear our daughter starting to fuss. Rachel stirs, but I gently extract myself from her arms.
"I've got her," I whisper. "You sleep."
Rachel mumbles something that might be "thank you" and immediately falls back asleep.
I make my way to Beatrice's room, my bruised body protesting every step. She's awake now, her little face scrunched up in that pre-cry expression that I've learned to recognize.
"Hey, princess," I murmur, lifting her from the crib. "What's wrong? Bad dream?"
She settles against my chest immediately, her crying stopping as I start the gentle rocking motion that usually soothes her. I walk to the window, looking out at the quiet street, at the life we've built in this small town.
"You know what?" I say softly. "Your daddy used to be a pretty dark guy. Did some things I'm not proud of. Spent a long time thinking I didn't deserve good things."
