Page 138 of Roses and Skulls

Later that night, I pull Dan aside and thank him for his unexpected gift.

He shrugs his shoulders. “You’ve proved yourself over and over, kid. Just thought it was time that you knew.”

Billie Rose walks towards us, a pained expression on her face. Dan and I both stand. She stops as a loud splash hits the tile. All three of us look down at the floor, our mouths falling open. Billie Rose and I slowly raise our heads, our eyes wide.

“Well, don’t just stand there, kid, get the truck,” Dan bellows.

That jump starts me into action, frantically grabbing the keys out of my pocket.

Billie Rose lets out a loud cry, halting me in my tracks, I turn back.

I place my hand under her belly as she bends over, bracing herself on Dan’s arm.

“Argh, it’s, shit, it’s too late. He’s coming,” she grits through clenched teeth.

Dan and I help her over to the rug, helping her to lie down. “Jesse!” I yell, hoping to god my mother-in-law hears me. Dan is shoving pillows under her head as I run down the hall, sliding into the bathroom to get some towels. Towels and water. We need water.

Just as I’m getting back. Dirk and Jesse are kneeling down beside their daughter.

“Ahhhhh,” Billie Rose screams.

“Oh my god, another little shit,” her mother announces, wiping my wife’s hair out of her eyes. “This one’s going to be worse than the last. He’s coming fast.”

My wife pants as I kneel between her legs and start peeling her wet pants off of her. Dirk and Jesse, work together to cradle my wife’s head and hold her upright, reminding her to breathe.

“I’m out,” Dan says, throwing his hands up in the air.

“Uncle Dan,” my wife cries, halting the big guy in his tracks. “Please stay.”

He runs his big hand over his head, but stays, dropping down beside me. I don’t know if this man knows how to tell my wife no.

Lily comes hauling ass around the couch, covering her mouth at the scene before her.

“Call 911,” Dan tells her.

My hands shake as I gently shove my wife’s knees apart. “Oh, shit, Rosie. I can see his head. Fuck this is so cool.” She lets out another loud wail. “Push baby, you need to push.”

And like the fucking queen she is, she pushes. It doesn’t take long and suddenly the baby is out and the slippery little guy is wailing loudly in my arms. Dan helps me wrap him in a towel as he tries out his new lungs.

I smile up at Billie Rose, her head resting against her father’s chest. “He’s perfect, baby,” I gently lay him against her breasts. The baby settles when her arms wrap around him.

Jesse leans down and presses a kiss to his little head. “So, precious,” she whispers.

Tears stream down my wife’s face as she turns her eyes to each one of us. I know what she’s thinking. We’ve spoke of it often. The guilt she feels for trying to push everyone away all those years ago. Time may heal but some kinds of pain always remain. “What would I do without all of you?” she asks, her voice broken and hoarse.

“What’s his name?” Lily asks, crouching down beside her husband.

Billie Rose looks at me and I nod my head.

“His name is Daniel.”

Jesse and Lily both let out little noises that tell me they are happy with our choice. The big guy stills beside me. “You guys shouldn’t give your kid such a fucked-up name,” he grumbles.

Dirk’s eyebrow shoots up, warning his brother, his VP, that he better switch gears, and fast.

Dan drops his head. “I love you so much, Billie Rose. Your grandpa would be real proud of you. I’m honored to share a name with the little guy,” he says humbly.

He pats me on the back and kisses the top of my head.

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