Page 139 of Roses and Skulls

Yeah, the big guy is an old softie.

Jesse brings the kids in before we head to the hospital to get both mom and baby checked out. Tate wraps his arm around his baby brothers head, bringing him close. “My brother,” he says quietly, staring into little Dan’s eyes. Aurelia is busy studying his tiny feet, asking my wife a million questions.

The club is gathered round as the EMTs haul Billie Rose and the baby out of the warehouse.

As we’re riding to the hospital, I lean down and gently place a kiss to her lips. “Always have to be the life of the party, yeah?” I tease.

She smiles up at me, our baby suckling at her breast as the ambulance ride jostles us around. “Just trying to keep it interesting,” she jokes back.

Her thumb brushes over our little dude’s dark wet hair.

“I hate seeing you in that much pain,” I tell her honestly, the EMT smiles at me as he leans over to wrap a cuff around her arm.

Billie Rose tips her ring finger, staring at it. “Every time your heart cracks for me, I imagine it sealed with gold,” she says wistfully, tipping her head like she’s listening for something.

Then I hear it too.

As I find the source of the noise, a miniature windchime hanging from the rearview mirror, she rubs her face against my hand. Murmuring sleepily with a beautiful smile on her face, she whispers, “You are the knight in shining armor that Sir Bill told me would come.”

Her eyes fall closed, our baby’s tiny fist rests over her breast as he sleeps too. My heart damn near explodes. I turn back to the windchime, happy that I can finally hear him too.

The Skull creed rolls in my head, and I make a vow to Bill. “I will always protect what’s mine. Thank you for telling her that I was coming. I was always on my way,” I say quietly over my girl.

Her tired eyes open a fraction, and she smiles at me. “I’m glad I’m not the only crazy one.”

I laugh lightly and press my forehead to hers. “Crazy in love,” I say against her lips.

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