Page 41 of Papa's Beloved

“Yes!”

I hear everyone chuckle as he bids me turn around so he can slip the cut on me. I look down to see the word Beloved stitched into my cut. I know without looking at the back, it says ‘Property of Papa’ on the back.

“I love you.”

“I love you more. Now get that fine ass up on that stage.”

Smiling from ear to ear, I hustle up onto the stage. Stormy is the first to embrace me, followed quickly by the others.

Gambit speaks again. “Hollywood, this is my ol’ lady Stormy. Our children Bastian, Geni, Remy, Acadia, Antoine, Xavier, and,” he puts his arm around Stormy with his hand on her belly, “an unknown brother or sister due this fall.”

Applause and whistles erupts around the room. Gambit waits until everyone calms down. He walks next to Lucia.

“This is Lucia. She’s with Nitro. These are their two boys, EJ and Benji. The lovely Red is next. She’s Brick’s ol’ lady. They come from Baton Rouge and settled with us last year. Olivia is with our brother Boomer. They’re expecting twins in a few weeks. Boomer, come get your woman off her feet.”

Everyone laughs. Boomer hurries up on stage and swoops Olivia up in his arms. While everyone hollers and catcalls, until he has her back in a seat.

“This is Lily and Dmitri. They are with Dakota and are expecting at the end of June. Our enforcer Smoke out did himself and him and this lovely lady, Sabian. They are expecting triplets at the end of June as well. Delta is with our brother Outlaw. No one knows the swamps and bayous as well. This is their daughter, Lila. They’re expecting their second in September. And this sweet mouse is Alena and her little one Alex. We’ve adopted them. And our newest members Tully, a prospect and his little sister Teagan. I believe you’ve met Nay, our VP’s ol’ lady. I promise not to quiz you on the names.”

Everyone laughs and we disperse from the stage. I take my seat in between Hollywood and Papa. We all dig into the delicious food.

“This is good. Do you ladies cook like this all the time?”

“We cook at least one meal a day for everyone. Usually two. Breakfast and dinner. On Sundays, we have brunch. Start times vary, but normally we start between eleven and one, depending on club business that week. I saw the look on your face earlier. Did you have a question?”

“I don't want to be rude, but...”

“I can clarify the earlier statements about bunnies and dolls. Stormy was our first ol’ lady. She embraced the bunnies and didn't look down on us. At the time, I was a bunny. I retired a few weeks later to finish my NP. I’m blessed that my man understands my past as well as my temporary chosen occupation. The club paid for my degree.

“The dolls all have apartments on the bottom floor. They cook and clean, in addition to taking care of the brothers when the kids aren’t around. They’ve also babysat a few times in emergencies and often help get the new members settled. The welcome wagon doesn’t have to have open legs.”

“Good to know. I have two little ones.”

“We recently finished construction on an indoor/outdoor pool, and a bodega within the gates. Jackson brothers construction breaks ground on the children’s playground next month.”

“This is the most kid-friendly club I’ve seen.”

“We still have more single men than married brothers. But all the guys love kids. Plus, when one falls, the others are like dominoes. We keep catching feels,” Papa adds.

I’m about to go back for dessert when Papa snags my arm.

“You’ve been through enough and you helped cook. I’ll go get your dessert.”

“You know me well.”

“I do, my Beloved. I do.”

Hollywood got up with Papa and came back with another plate loaded with food. We eat until we are stuffed. I’d just polished off my dessert when Gambit stood.

“Church mother fuckers.”

I watch the men get up and file out of the room, heading toward the room they held Church in. I did what I said I would and headed upstairs to get some rest.

Chapter 31

Papa

We all file into church, including Hollywood, Chief, and Trinity. I feel a twinge of guilt. I should’ve tucked my woman in. She’s been through hell and I hate I haven't been there for her today. I know she understands, but I still feel like hell.

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