Grandma Silvia steps forward. “Oh, Sweet Pea, I don't want to hear any of that. We are family, and if you need anything, you come to me or Grandpa Owen, okay?”
Bailey looks at them with tears in her eyes and does something that surprises all of us. She hugs Grandma Silvia tightly. Grandpa Owen wraps his arms around grandma who has tears in her eyes. Joker wraps his arms around me as we watch the sweet moment of the three of them whispering to each other. I think Bailey is starting to realize she has a lot of people in her corner who care about her.
They pull back and wipe their eyes, and I even see Grandpa Owen doing the same thing. “Would you like to join us for breakfast?”
“No, thank you, dear. We brought that over for you guys. We are going to head over to Colton's. My poor Flower has been having morning sickness like crazy, so we are going to bring her a few things. But we will see you guys later at the BBQ.”
“Oh, tell Willow to text me if she needs anything. Thank you again for everything.” I give her one more hug.
“What you and Joker are doing for Bailey is amazing. I meant what I said. We are family, and anything you need for that precious little girl, you let me know.”
My throat clogs with emotion as her words hit me hard. “Thank you, Grandma Silvia.”
They say their goodbyes and walk out the door. I lock back up and head to the dining room to see Bailey and Joker taking out the food. It seems they brought enough food to feed an army. Joker even made me another coffee. I smile as I take my seat. Joker plates the food as we dig in, everyone in a good mood. Bailey talks non-stop about bringing her art book to the clubhouse so Scarlett can teach her to draw better and how she made Uncle Hawk and everyone a picture. I think Hawkseems to be becoming one of her favorite people, which he’s going to love.
“Hey, I thought I was your favorite person, Bailey Bee?” Joker pouts, but I know he’s only joking.
Bailey knows it too, since she giggles. “You are. I made one for you as well. Let me go get it.” Before we can say anything, Bailey is out of her seat and running towards her bedroom to grab her sketchbook.
I take a sip of my coffee and turn to look at Joker. “Did you know Grandma Silvia and Grandpa Owen were coming over?”
Joker gets up, and together we clear the table, putting the leftovers away. “Yeah, Grandma Silvia sent me a text this morning asking if it was okay. I’m just glad Bailey has people in her life that love her.” Joker pulls me into his arms, and I sigh, feeling content.
“Me too. She deserves that and more.” I lift my head and stand on my toes as Joker meets me the rest of the way and kisses me slowly. It’s not rushed, just us taking this moment to pour our love for each other into this kiss. Before we can get too far, we hear feet hitting the stairs, making us pull apart.
“We will finish this later.” Joker winks at me, and we turn in time to see Bailey come into the kitchen with a paper in her hand, looking nervous.
Without saying anything, she hands Joker and me a paper. I gasp seeing what she has drawn; tears automatically spring to my eyes. A picture of me at the bakery and Joker on his bike — but it’s the words that hit me the most. My heros. The pictures are so lifelike; it’s like looking in a mirror. Pure talent is what this is. I will definitely get these framed. When she said she liked to draw, I never knew it was on this level. For someone so young, she’s truly amazing and just as good as Scarlett, if not better. It’s pure raw talent.
I pull her into a hug. “Oh, honey, this is amazing; thank you so much. You are an amazing artist.” I pull back and wipe my tears. I look at Joker to see his eyes are glassy as well.
She looks at me with a hopeful expression. “You think so?”
“I know so.”
Joker clears his throat, places the picture on the counter, and gets down on his knees, hugging Bailey. “This is the best gift I’ve ever gotten. Thank you, Bailey Bee. I'm going to frame them for everyone to see.”
“You’re welcome, Joker. Thank you for taking me in and loving me.” Her whispered words hit me.
They pull back, and Joker turns around, but not before I see him wipe the tears from his eyes. When he gets himself together, he turns around and clears his throat. “Alright, why don’t we get ready so we can head to the clubhouse.”
Bailey jumps around excited. “Yay. Can Thor and Loki come with us, please?”
“Of course. Head on up and finish getting ready, and we can leave.” With that, she runs back up the stairs, making us laugh.
“Jesus, this kid is something else. That’s some talent she has there. And the pictures are so lifelike it’s amazing.” Joker picks up both pictures and looks at them in amazement.
We walk up the stairs so I can finish getting ready. “I know what you mean.” We reach the bedroom, and before I can say anything else, I can see a box on the bed. I turn around and look at Joker to see he’s leaning against the doorframe with a smile on his face.
“What’s that?” I whisper as I point to the box.
“Go ahead and open it, angel.”
I walk towards the bed, and with shaky hands, I lift the lid and gasp. Inside is my very own cut with the property of Joker on the patch. Inhis world, this is everything; this is for life. I pick it up and slip it on, feeling the leather touch my skin. I turn around with tears in my eyes.
“Damn, my name looks good on you, angel.” Joker steps into the room and walks towards me, pulling me into his arms. “Don’t cry, angel.”
He wipes my tears, and more seem to fall. “Then stop doing nice things.”
