Page 70 of Property of Raider
“That’s my son!”I scream at the top of my lungs as Rusher launches to his feet, throwing out the player trying to steal second base.
The ocean of leather around me roars with excitement as that last out wins the boy's state championship for the third year in a row.Raider wraps me in a hug, kissing me hard as tears of joy run down my face, my emotions running high with the pregnancy.Raider rubs his hand over my belly, and the baby kicks at him.
“Go, he’s going to be waiting for you,” I whisper, my heart full.
In the last three years, life has been a whirlwind.The club’s construction company rebuilt Auntie Lynn's house, only on a smaller scale.Raider and I got married on the dock six months after that.Rusher and Raider's relationship is as if they have been together since the day Rusher was born.Now we’ve got a two-year-old little girl who has the club wrapped around her little finger and another baby on the way.
I watch as Raider makes his way to stand just inside the fence as Rusher and his team shake hands with the others.When he’s done, Rusher spins around, spots Raider and rushes over to him with a big smile.They high-five and do the man-hug thing before Rusher spins away from him, eyes scanning the stands.He finally finds me standing next to the stands, tapping his chest three times before pointing at me.I point back just as a little voice squeals, “Momma.”
I spin watching Mary Rose toddle to me as quickly as she can.Right behind her is a scowling MJ, just a year older than her but her biggest protector.He is an exact replica of his daddy, scowl and all.
The night we got back with Auntie Lynn and the others, Ainsley burst out the clubhouse door waving a pregnancy stick in the air.“Mercy, you asshole!I’m pregnant.You’re going to be a daddy!”
The man didn’t say a word.Instead, he picks her up by her ass and kisses her so fiercely I squirm.That man, though still scary as hell, doted on Ainsley and melted like I didn’t think was possible the day the nurses laid MJ in his arms.Now there’s Mary Rose, the first true club princess with an army of protectors.
She finally makes her way to me, and I pick her up, tickling her, loving how her giggles light up the world.Raider comes back to me, and instantly Mary Rose wants nothing to do with me.She is her daddy’s girl.He takes her from me and then throws her into the sky.MJ walks over to him, punching him in the leg.“Yous carful.”
Raider bends down, placing Mary Rose on the ground.“I promise, little buddy.I will always be careful with her.”
MJ gives a slight nod like his daddy before going off after a giggling Mary Rose.Raider stands cupping my belly and kissing me hard.I run my hands up into his hair, wrapping the short strands around my fingers and deepening the kiss.
“I need you, Tasia,” he whispers, kissing down my neck.
“Please,” I whisper.
He grabs my hand, pulling me towards the SUV.I stop mid-step as a pain grips my belly.Raider turns looking at me, concern written on his face.I breathe through the pain as it passes.I stand and take a step when I feel a trickle run down my leg.
“Change of plans, Raider,” I whisper as another contraction takes hold.
“Why, what’s wrong?Are you okay?”Raider’s voice rises with every question.
“He’s coming,” I whisper, smiling.
Raider picks me up, carrying me to the car.He sits me in the seat and lays a kiss on my forehead.
“Let’s go meet our boy.”He smiles, closing the door, yelling for Charlie to get Mary Rose because our boy is coming.
Charlie agrees just as everyone cheers.Raider jumps in the driver's seat, speeding away.I lay my head back on the seat, breathing through the contractions.Reaching over, I place my hand on Raider’s leg and squeeze.
“I love you, Raider,” I whisper.
“When you came back into my life, I never imagined I’d get to keep you.The road was rough.We’ve fought more battles than most will ever know, learned to forgive more than most ever could.I wouldn’t change a single moment of our journey.Every scar, every tear, every fight—it’s all a part of our story.I love you more every day, Tasia … and I’m never letting you go,” he murmurs, his hand tight around mine.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
