Page 59 of Knocked Up by Her Daddy's Friends

And I realized what I’d been running from all along. I’m in love with Skye.

At that moment, I swore that if Drifter and Skye survived. I would never let Skye go again. I would be happy to share her with my best friends. My love for them all is strong enough. But I couldn’t lose them. I also swore I would make Bill Anderson pay.

After some not-so-gentle persuasion, the doctor assured me that both Drifter and Skye would be fine, and our babies too.

I can’t believe I’m going to be a father.

Walking into the hospital room and seeing Gunner and Drifter chatting with Skye, all so at ease, made me feel more nervous than I had in my life. What if Skye decides she just wants to be with one of us? Or none of us? She didn’t react to me saying in a roundabout way that I love her. Is that because she doesn’t feel the same way? Or was she just distracted by the monumental news that she is carrying twins?

We stand there holding our breath waiting for her reaction to the news. Gunner, Buzz, and I already know and are over the moon. Drifter, having been unconscious, doesn’t know he might be a father yet. But we’re certain he’ll be overjoyed. He faced his biggest fear to rescue Skye today, there’s no doubt about his feelings for her, and though he’s never admitted to it, I see the way he looks at the other families in the club. I know he wants kids of his own.

Skye’s eyes light up as she breathes the word, “Twins,” in awe, gently touching her stomach. “I know it’s unconventional that we don’t know who the father is. But I want to keep it. If you want to find out who the father is, or you don’t want anything to do with me and the babies, I’ll understand. But I want these babies, more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life,” she says determinedly.

As if we’d let her out of our sight again after this.

We all share a look of agreement before speaking to Skye in turn.

“Skye. We want them too,” Gunner says earnestly, stroking her hand. It’s incredible how tactile he’s become with her, almost as though touching her is the cure to his previous phobia.

“We all do,” Buzz agrees.

“We don’t care who the father is,” Drifter adds.

“Really?” she asks, looking at them all before her gaze falls on me, the only one who hasn’t said how I feel about the babies.

Not because I don’t feel the same. Far from it. But because I’m shit scared. Running into gunfire and risking my life was nothing compared to the fear of rejection. If she doesn’t want me, I don’t know how I’ll survive it. I take a deep breath, it’s now or never. I have to tell her how I feel.

“We don’t care which of us is the father, as long as we can be in the babies’ lives. Didn’t you hear me just now, Skye? I was too pigheaded to realize it before, that’s why I didn’t want to hear you out. I was afraid because…” I pause here, trying to muster my courage, “Well… because I love you,” I admit, and her mouth adorably pops open in surprise. I glance at the others who nod their approval for me to speak on their behalf. “Welove you. All of us. We don’t know how it will work. But if you want us, too, we want to try to give this relationship a go. To be together for real and raise these babies as a family.”

The others all nod their heads in agreement and fresh tears spring to Skye’s eyes. Though this time, they’re tears of joy. I could swear time stops as I hold my breath, praying she feels the same.

“I love you too! All of you,” she says looking at us all, “Of course, I want to be with you,” she replies, and my heart soars.

We all move closer to the bed to embrace her but I hold back, waiting until last, feeling as though it’s a suitable punishment of sorts, I was the leader, the one who doubted her most. She smells of smoke from the fire but underneath it, she’s undoubtedly still Skye. I kiss her softly, relishing the softness of her lips and wondering how I ever breathed without her.

“Oh god please, stop with the lovey-dovey stuff. I must have died because listening to you lot is torture,” a familiar voice grumbles from behind the curtain on the far side of the room, though the tone is lighthearted, teasing.

“Veronica! You’re awake!” Skye cries out, extricating herself from me and getting out of bed, walking over toward Veronica.

Immediately, those of us uninjured rush to help her. She pulls Veronica into a crushing embrace. Veronica accepts it grudgingly, though it’s clear to me she doesn’t dislike it as much as she’s pretending. She might act tough, but Veronica’s a softie deep down. She’s had a hard life. She chose to come and turn tricks to send money back home for her Ma to raise her two kids for her.

I might not like the woman, but after what she did for us today, I can respect her.

“You saved my life. Thank you,” Skye says tearfully, tears in her eyes as she holds Veronica’s hand. “If you hadn’t shot Brute, he would have…” she continues, her voice pained.

I clench my fists, wishing I could have killed the bastard myself. I’ve heard what he does to women. I can’t forgive Veronica’s initial betrayal, but I will be forever grateful that she stepped up and saved Skye from Brute when it counted.

“Bastard had it coming,” Veronica replies, though from the haunted look in her eyes, I can tell she’s putting on an act.

“Thank you, Veronica,” I say honestly, feeling guilty for the love in her eyes as her attention turns to me, like a flower toward the sun. I could never love her back, but I don’t want Veronica to suffer. “The club will take care of your medical expenses and help you get home to be with your family,” I offer.

She looks at me gratefully, knowing that this is the most forgiveness and kindness I can offer, “Thank you. I know it’s more than I deserve for betraying you.”

“You came through when it counted. Let’s leave the rest in the past,” I reply.

Skye squeezes my hand, mouthing a silent thank you at me. I think sometimes Skye knows me better than I know myself. Forgiveness isn’t a trait I find easy, yet today I’ve managed to move forward from the hurt caused by both Skye and Veronica. I’m aware that this path Skye is about to lead us down will change me as a man, becoming a father certainly will soften me, at least around those I love. But I also know that Skye loves me for who I am, she won’t try to change me or make me leave the life of being an Angel of Havoc behind. And that’s pretty fucking awesome.

Looking at Skye and my best friends, my brothers, knowing they’re all safe and that we’re going to give it a go, this fucked up but wonderful family of ours we’ve formed, I feel like the luckiest man alive.

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