Page 137 of Roses and Skulls

Tate stares at his mother like she is the brightest star in the sky. “I hide in the trees, mama.” He rubs his little nose over her chest, snuggling against her, his eyes getting droopy now that he’s in his safe space.

“Your father had to climb up and get him.” Jesse kisses him gently on the cheek, she may grumble about his antics, but that woman loves him with a fierceness second only to his mother.

My wife looks at her father. He reaches out and cups her cheek, pulling her and my son into his arms. He whispers something and she smiles. I’m sure it has something to do with the time he had to climb up a tree to retrieve her.

“We’ll see you guys back at the warehouse,” Jesse says. “Don’t be late, the party starts at seven.” She takes my daughter’s hand. “Ready to help grandma bake some goodies for the party?”

Aurelia nods, her sucker stick hanging from her mouth. They walk out and Billie Rose goes back behind the desk, settling in her chair, our son draped over her big belly.

“You know, you can lay that kid down, yeah?” I nod over to the leather couch in the sitting area.

She runs her cheek over his head. “I know but he isn’t going to be the baby much longer.”

Dirk bops back in. “Shit, I almost forgot to give you this. Dan said it’s something for the new bike.” He pulls a curled up, manilla envelope out of his pocket, tossing it on the desk.

“Thanks, dad. See ya tonight,” Rosie says.

He waves, lighting up a cigarette on the way out.

Tate sits up, looking around with sleepy eyes. When he sees where he is, a dopy smile pulls on his mouth as his eyes fall closed again, his head drops back to my wife’s chest.

She giggles, her face lighting up as she stares at him. She’s right, the newest member of the Skulls will be here in three short weeks. It’s the reason for the party. Last one before the big event. Honestly, I think Jesse throws a party for everything just because she loves to have her family around. Period. She was alone for so many years it makes sense. I don’t mind because I love it. Party on, hell yeah.

My wife opens the envelope from Dan, awkwardly reaching around our son to do so. “I’m anxious to see what Big Dan has in mind for his bike.

“Yeah, that dyna wide glide was a good call for this custom. It will fit his fucking tall ass perfectly. I’m excited to get started on it.”

I run my finger over my wife’s latest sketch, looking it over again when her sniffle draws my attention upward. Jumping to my feet, I rush over to her. “What’s wrong? Is it time?” I ask, snatching my sleeping son off his mother and laying him on the couch before heading back over to her.

Her eyes are glued to a piece of paper in her hand. It’s shaking in her grip.

“Baby?” I drop to my knees in front of her.

She hands the paper to me, one hand covering her mouth to keep her sobs silent. I take it, sitting back on my haunches to see what made her so upset. I fall back on my ass when I see what it is.

It’s the paternity test we had done on Aurelia.

I can’t stop my eyes from reading on, even though I’ve always said I didn’t need to know, and I don’t. She’s mine. And I’ll kill any motherfucker who says differently. But now that the answer is here for the taking I… shit… I want to know.

Billie Rose slides down to the floor with me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “She’s yours, baby,” she whispers in my ear, burying her face in the crook of my neck.

Mine. I always knew it. From the moment Billie Rose told me she was pregnant, I knew.

My mind wanders back to the day she was born.

Her little chin wobbled as she wailed while the nurse checked her out and cleaned her. My heart exploded when I placed my finger against her tiny palm, and she grabbed on for dear life.

Mine.

We blinked at each other, and she quieted. I thought about my family and Rosie’s as I stared into her soulful eyes. I thought of all the blood, sweat, tears and pain that lead to this very moment. I’m sure everyone who suffered would agree with me that it was all worth it. For this one moment in time, it was worth it.

I glanced up to see both set of parents watching us through the glass. Choking on a sob, I gave them a thumbs up with my free hand. They all visibly breathed a sigh of relief. Aurelia was healthy and that was all that mattered. I didn’t waste time beating myself up, looking for similarities to myself. She was mine. I was sure of it because she had just filled my entire heart with love.

I bent down and kissed her dark fuzzy head. “I love you, baby girl.”

Billie Rose crawls on my lap, her belly the only thing separating us. “I love you,” she whispers as she presses her lips to mine.

My arms wrap around her, holding her close. “I love you too, Rosie.”

---