“We haven’t formally met yet, but I’m Kash, this guy’s younger and more handsome brother. We didn’t get to meet properly last night with you being over his shoulder and all.” He smirks when Raegan’s cheeks blush and before I can say something, both Allison and Melissa slug him. “Hey!” Kash yelps and rubs his arms like it actually hurt. Annie, of course, just giggles with her sweet angel voice.
“It’s nice to meet you. Do you prefer Kash or Blaze?” she asks remembering his road name, and it make me feel even more appreciation for her that she’d make a point to try to immerse herself into our world.
He gives her a smirk, impressed. “Kash when we’re at home and Blaze at the clubhouse,” he tells her. He shifts his head slightly to me, and I see him give a quick nod, meaning his approval of my woman. I’m not sure what I’d do if my family didn’t like or accept her.
Rocky comes in front of everyone greeting Raegan, “You call me Rocky, never Kit,” he informs her then hugs her tight. If his sudden movements startle her, she doesn’t show it and she hugs him just as tight. Melissa sniffs watching them together, and I’m going to have to pull her aside and find out what has her so emotional and weird today.
“You got it, Rocky,” Raegan agrees to his terms once they pull apart.
“I’ll show you my room,” Rocky takes her hand to pull her down the other hall towards the bedroom, but Melissa stops him, telling him after we eat. He gives her his normal aggravated look then rolls his eyes.
We walk further in and I see Dad on his feet trying to stand upright. His legs are wobbly and he’s grunting a lot. Both Blaze and I rush over to him before he falls, but he yells for us to stop. Once he is upright, he stands there and places his hands on his hips breathing heavily.
“Dad?” I say in shock. He hasn’t been able to use his legs in over five years since his accident. How is this happening?
He ignores us and stares over at Raegan. Melissa is standing next to her with tears in her eyes holding her hands up in a praying like gesture. Now it all makes sense as to why she’s acting the way she has been.
“I’m Phillip, Kane, Kash, and Rocky’s Dad. Welcome to our home.”
Raegan knows about my family and everything that has happened with Dad and him being in a wheelchair. She gives him the most charming smile as she makes her way over to him and hugs him.
“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Stonewall. I’m Raegan Walker.”
“None of that Mr. Stonewall shit, call me Phillip, sweetheart.”
She nods and then steps back into my side where I wrap an arm around her shoulder. The room is still silent from him using his legs, and it’s Melissa that finally starts to speak.
“Well,” she starts and moves to Dad’s side and he places an arm around her shoulders. “As you can see the new therapy is working better than the others we’ve tried. If your father continues to work hard, he could be walking without assistance in no time.”
“When? How?” I ask still in shock.
I watch him tap Melissa’s shoulder and she helps him back down to the recliner. We all follow suit and sit on the couches, I grab Raegan’s hand and intertwine our fingers while pulling her close to me. This is like a miracle to our family. I think we are all stunned to silence.
Clearing his throat, Dad pulls Melissa over into his lap like they were young kids. A pang of sadness comes over me. I’m so happy to have Melissa in our life and family, but there are times when memories of Mom flash through my head and I remember them doing or acting in that same manner.
“Melissa went to a medical conference at UCLA a few months back and met with another doctor who specializes in some new injections and therapies. They’ve got this program that can help reawaken certain muscles and nerves of the body. She immediately showed him my file and said that I might be a prime candidate for the procedure.” Dad beams up at Melissa and gives her a peck on the cheek. “After threatening me within an inch of my life, the doctors flew in and did the procedure. I’ve been doing physical therapy for the almost two months now. The doctors were shocked at how great my body responded to the injection, and I’m getting stronger each week. I’m able to stand for short periods of time now and over time my muscles will build back up and hopefully be able to walk on my own.”
“Wow, Dad, that’s great!” Allison praises as she wipes some tears from her cheeks. Annie, not one to be left out, walks over and climbs up in her grandparents’ lap.
Allison has become really close with my parents over the years since hers kicked her to the curb. Dad and Melissa have taken her in as one of their own, and when she had Annie, they were there every step of the way. Just as if they were her real parents.
“Alright, alright let’s not get all weepy here. We have a lot to celebrate with Kash being home and Kane finally settling down and getting a woman who will put up his shit.” He pats Melissa on the ass, “Baby, can you go and get everyone a beer before we eat?”
“I’ll help, Melissa.” Raegan all but jumps up. Her, Melissa, and Allison all leave for the kitchen, leaving us men and Annie in in the living room.
“Good god, Kane. Where the hell did you find that peach?” Dad questions and even though I know my dad is severely in love with Melissa, I clench my fist. I can’t stand anyone commenting how beautiful my woman is and that includes family.
“I was thinking the same, Dad. When I saw her for the first time last night, whoa, she had on this little white number on,” Blaze chimes in.
“If I was about fifteen years younger, I’d ask her out for a drink.”
He and Blaze are trying to make it a game to see who can make my blood pressure rise. Dad must see me counting to ten because he and Blaze bust out laughing at my expense.
“Calm down, son, I’m just saying that my boys sure know how to pick the best-looking women as their wives.”
Wife? Do I want to get married? Would she?
Sure, I want to have Raegan by my side, but do I want to get married? It’s just a piece of paper, and after I ink her she’ll be bound to me for everyone to see. My name on her skin is worth more than a signature on paper.
