Page 57 of Piston

I feel her arms tighten around me, her cheek pressing against my back. "I love you, Piston," she whispers, her words carried away by the wind.

"I love you too, Jenny," I call back, my heart swelling with emotion. "More than anything."

We ride on, the road unfolding before us, the future filled with endless possibilities. I know there will be challenges ahead, obstacles to overcome. But with Jenny by my side, I know we can face anything.

The bikes around us form a protective cocoon, a symbol of the family we've chosen, the bonds we've forged. The IronReapers, more than just a club, more than just a brotherhood. They're a part of us, woven into the fabric of our lives.

As the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, I can't help but feel a sense of peace wash over me. This is where I belong, with Jenny, with the Iron Reapers. This is home.

We ride on into the gathering dusk, the rumble of engines a symphony, a promise of the adventures to come. And I know, with a bone-deep certainty, that as long as I have Jenny and my brothers by my side, there's nothing we can't handle.

The open road beckons, and we answer its call, ready to face whatever the future may bring. Together, always.

The waiting room's a goddamn circus - Iron Reapers sprawled out in the plastic chairs, bullshitting and trading stories to pass the time. Jenny leans into me, her fingers interlaced with mine, both of us waiting on pins and needles for news about Carlie and the baby.

"You think Mason's holding up okay in there?" Jenny asks, her voice barely rising above the chatter.

I nod, squeezing her hand. "He's tough as hell. Probably pacing like a caged animal, though."

We both chuckle at the thought. Mason, a man who instills fear with a single glare, now at the mercy of new fatherhood. The double doors burst open and Mason strides out, his face a mix of shock and elation. The room falls dead silent.

"Two," he announces, holding up fingers. "We got two boys, brothers!"

The Iron Reapers erupt in cheers and hollers, surging forward to clap Mason on the back. Pride swells in my chest - ourpresident's a father twice over. A new legacy for the club. Jenny beams at my side, caught up in the celebration.

Mason makes his way to us, clasping my shoulder. "Carlie's asking for you, Jenny. Wants you to meet your godsons."

Godsons. The word echoes in my mind as Jenny rises, pulling me with her. We follow Mason down the sterile hallway, my heart hammering against my ribs. The moment we step into the room, the world narrows to the sight of Carlie cradling two tiny bundles, her face aglow with exhausted bliss.

"Meet the newest members of the family," she says softly, her smile brighter than the sun.

Jenny moves closer, cooing over the sleeping infants. "They're perfect, Carlie. Absolutely perfect."

I stand back, taking in the scene - Mason's hand resting protectively on Carlie's shoulder, Jenny marveling at the twins, the love and unity that fills the room. This is what it's all about, I realize. This is the future we've been fighting for. A future where brotherhood isn't just about blood and bikes, but about the families we create and the bonds we forge.

In that moment, with the weight of new life in the air, I feel a sense of certainty wash over me. Jenny and I, we're ready for this next chapter. Ready to face whatever challenges come our way, together. We've gotten each other's backs, no matter what.

I wrap an arm around Jenny's waist, pressing a kiss to her temple as we gaze at the newest additions to our misfit family. Two more reasons to ride hard and stay loyal. Two more reminders of what truly matters in this crazy world we live in.

EPILOGUE

JENNY

"Breathe, baby, breathe,"Piston urges as another contraction ripped through me. His calloused hand grips mine.

I pant, trying to remember the breathing techniques from our half-assed Lamaze class we took a month ago. "Easy for you to say, asshole. You're not the one pushing a goddamn watermelon out of your-"

My words cut off with a groan as the next wave hit. The antiseptic hospital smell burned my nose. Fluorescent lights glared down, too bright. I squeezed my eyes shut, riding it out.

"You got this, Jen. You're the toughest bitch I know."

Despite everything, I barked a strained laugh. Leave it to Piston to keep it real, even now. I drew strength from his gruff encouragement, from the solid warmth of his presence. He'd been my rock these past nine months, stepping up in ways I never imagined.

The contraction eased and I sagged back against the pillows, sweat plastering my hair to my face. Piston brushed it back, his touch surprisingly gentle. "You're doing great, baby. Almost there."

Nurses bustled around, checking monitors, murmuring to each other. I tuned them out, my world narrowing to the man beside me and the life we'd created, eager to enter the world.

"Alright, Jenny, it's time," the doctor announced from between my legs. "On the next contraction, I need you to push."

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