Page 56 of Ryder

Neve proudly shows off my name and they hug. Mya hasn’t quite forgiven me for refusing to let her in on all the shit that was happening when Neve got taken. It was club business, something she didn’t understand. But having her and Harlee back seems to have thawed her ice heart a little towards me and she gives me a small smile.

Mary rushed past with a tray of food. “Do you need help?” asks Neve but Mary shakes her head, smiling wide when a few bikers help themselves to her food. She seems to have settled well, and she adores feeding us, taking so much pride in everything she does. And although I haven’t voiced it out loud, she’s been worth her weight in gold around here, keeping the place spotless and making sure there’s a home cooked meal on the table every evening.

Everything seemed to be slotting into place. Finn was facing life inside, Neve was back with me and settled. Harlee was back in school and loving her counselling sessions to help her understand what had happened. And he was having weekly visits with Alfie.

I place a kiss on Neve’s head, “Yah know, all we need now is a baby and we’re complete.”

She smirks. “I think you’ve already started working on that plan, don’t you?”

We haven’t used protection at all since her return but neither of us have brought it up. “A Christmas baby would be nice.”

She laughs, “Um, Christmas is exactly nine months away, what are the chances.”

I slap her backside, pulling her closer, “We better get to work now.”

Epilogue

Neve

“Ryder please will you just calm the hell down,” I hiss, rubbing my hand over my swollen stomach. “My bag is by the door. All you need to do is get the damn bag and call the hospital to let them know we are on the way.”

“You’re still in the bath, Neve,” snaps Ryder, his eyes wide in alarm.

“It helps with the pain, Mary suggested it.”

“Is Mary a nurse, is she a midwife? I think we just need to go. What if it pops out in the bath?” His voice comes out high pitched in panic and I laugh.

“Deep breaths, Ryder, take nice deep breaths.” Another contraction rumbles across my abdomen and I grab the edge of the tub, “Fuuuuck,” I groan.

Ryder crouches beside the bath, watching me closely. “That’s it, baby, breath, pant through it.”

“You pant at the end, when you’re pushing. You’d know that if you’d have been to more than one birthing class,” I hiss. We’d argued more than once about the issue. Ryder had attended the first class and refused to come to anymore because he hated how everyone looked at him. He’s right, they did, but as I pointed out, he’s a big ass biker covered in tattoos, it’s hard to picture him as the big softy I know he is. In the end I had to resort to taking Griff with me just so I wasn’t alone. Ryder had made his brother relay every detail after each session.

“Get Griff,” I bark, breathing through another contraction. They were definitely getting closer together.

“Griff is not coming in here whilst you’re naked!”

“Ryder, your brother is gay, he doesn’t find any of this attractive. And besides, he was my birthing partner in those classes that you refused to go to.”

“I’ll get him when you’re fully clothed and not before.”

I laugh at his jealousy. Secretly, I love how possessive he is over me.

I wait for the contraction to finish and push to my feet. Ryder grabs a towel and helps dry me off. We go into the bedroom and I pull on one of his t-shirts and a pair of knickers. He eyes me and I arch a brow, daring him to say anything. He presses his lips into a fine line.

“You realise the knickers will come off in the labour suite, right? Like I can’t get this baby out without people looking down there.”

He groans, “Let’s not talk about that.”

“Ryder, seriously, you need to stop. The doctor might be a male and he’s going to look inside my vagina.” He covers my mouth playfully and I laugh hard. “He’s going to see it all,” I continue.

Ryder slams his lips to mine, shutting me up as he swipes his tongue into my mouth. When he’s certain I won’t tease him anymore, he pulls back. “I love you.”

“I love you too, now go and find my birthing partner.”

Ryder

I’m a panicking mess. I can’t help it. No amount of Griff telling me to stay calm, is working. Knowing Neve’s in pain, rips me apart.

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