Page 62 of Benga's Rise
“Fervent time is done. Let’s get a drink. I can’t take any more emotional shit right now.” Cort has everyone moving. I’m glad but can’t move. My crutches are gone.
New Daniel tells us it’s his name from now on. We all agree. He has hiscuton and goes to talk to Caelan. He corrected me so I won’t get laughed at saying vest. Raid carries me to the kitchen, kisses my lips and says he needs a beer, he’ll be on the porch. Seren checks on dinner, Freedom and Juanita sit at the table with me.
I finally take a breath. Juanita laughs. “He’s quite the man for you and Daniel. I’m happy for you.”
I shake my head. “It’s like living at warp speed sometimes, but it all feels right.”
Freedom smiles. “He’s a good Brother and you were meant to be together. Take it all in and keep going. You won’t regret it.”
Seren puts wine glasses in front of us. “She’s pretty good with the advice. It worked for me.”
“I’ll take it, she hasn’t been wrong yet.” I smile at Freedom.
Juanita hits my glass. “I take no offense and think she’s right too.”
“Since Raid is dad, I guess Daniel starting tonight is okay. Did you know Raid’s real name is Daniel in English?” Seren asks.
“Yes. My new Daniel told me. Tanielu means Daniel in English and Malosi means strong.”
Freedom laughs. “You two and the photographic memories.”
I shrug. “How does it feel being claimed?” Juanita asks.
Seren laughs. “I was in shock. I had no idea what it meant. I was biker-married and didn’t even know I got biker-married.”
“Not quite that shocking. Raid explained it, but I didn’t realize it was official once he told everyone.”
Freedom laughs. “Just wait for the party. At least Falcon calmed down.”
I laugh. “Don’t tell me. I like the surprises that keep happening. I think it’s a daily thing with Raid.”
Freedom nods. “With all of the Brothers. They never cease to amaze me.”She would know.
The men come in and everything happens fast. People are sitting and food is being dished out. I love Seren’s lasagna, so it’s a great meal and everyone is talking about the Club, me and Raid, Daniel and Caelan. I love being part of the family. They’ve accepted us like it’s an everyday thing for them.
Watching them I think, that’s just what they do.
Everyone helps clean up and I’m proud of my new Daniel, he’s right there with them. Part of the family. This is so right.
Everyone sits and Seren hands a file to Raid. “When you told me Doc pulled blood, I knew something wasn’t right. You’re taking more time than usual to heal and he took blood.”
I nod. I had the same thought. “Cort came with me to see Doc and find out why. He was looking at your X-rays when we walked in. We had to just about threaten to kill him, but he explained his concern. You have osteopenia.”
Oh shit. “Osteoporosis?”
He shakes his head no. “Osteopenia. It’s like a warning before osteoporosis. We wouldn’t have known if you didn’t break your leg.”
Daniel stands up looking at the papers. “Is she gonna be okay?”
Freedom answers. “We’re all going to make sure she is, Daniel. Your new name and new life need a new mom. We’ll make sure you get that.”
He relaxes and sits down. My new Daniel needs me to be okay.“What do I need to do?”
Cort laughs. “That was almost too easy.”
Raid keeps looking at my eyes so I keep looking at his. Right now, they’re smiling at me. “You’re underweight, so we’ll feed you, you need a high calcium diet, so we’ll shop for that with the list.” He slides a page over. “You need to stay active, so we have your training schedule.” He slides it over and tears are blurring my vision. “This is part of your family’s medical history, so we’ll keep doing that for Daniel too. For you, I have these,” he takes a bottle out of his pocket and puts it in front of me. “Vitamin D. And sex is a given so it’s not a concern.”
I laugh and he smiles. “That’s it.” He shows me the empty file.
