Page 83 of Claymore
Claymore
1 Year Later
There she was. Her little hands wrapped around my finger, her bright hazel eyes staring back at me with such wonder. I’d never seen anything so fucking beautiful in my entire life. She gurgled, smiling at me with such awe just as I felt a hand rest on my shoulder.
“I can’t believe it’s been three months already. She’s already so big,” said Ella.
Her blonde curls were long, cascading over her chest, and her flushed cheeks never failed to mesmerize me. She wore a long, flowy blush dress, her eyelashes thick with black mascara, and her lips painted the perfect pink shade.
“Everyone’s dying to meet her.”
“I know. Our little Willow,” said Ella, taking her into her arms.
“Our little Willow’s gonna be a serious badass someday, just like her daddy.”
“Oh, is she now?”
Ella let out that little giggle, and I brought her in close, kissing her. Willow babbled, playing with the toy bear in her hands. I never imagined myself as the kind of man to ever have a family. I used to look at Archer and Rose or Ripper and Ronnie wondering if I’d ever find someone I loved so much I could give up everything. When I first laid eyes on Ella, it finally clicked.
There was no one in the entire world that captivated me the way she did. She’d been through more shit than I could ever really understand and she still managed to get stronger every day. I admired that strength, that will of hers to make the world around us a better place for Willow’s sake. Our world was chaotic enough as it was, but I knew that we’d stop at nothing to make sure Willow had everything she needed to be happy.
The doorbell rang, jolting me out of my thoughts and Ella handed Willow to me.
“Jade, Rose, and Ronnie must be here. The guys are coming soon too. Think you can handle things here?”
“Of course I can! Unless she, uh, if she vomits on me again, the—”
“The towels are in there,” Ella said, pointing to the change table drawers.
“Got it. Go on. The girls are waiting.”
I bounced Willow lightly, hearing the front door open as high-pitched squeals erupted. It warmed my heart to know that Ella had found a place where she felt at home, with people that understood her more than anyone else did. I took another moment alone with Willow before I carried her out to the girls, all absolutely entranced by her.
“Hallie, Louise, and Derek are coming too, right?” asked Ronnie.
“Yes, they’ll definitely be here,” I replied.
Everything was set for our little dinner party. The cutlery was out, the plates were stacked, and everyone brought enough food to feed a small country.
***
An hour later, the party was in full swing. Archer and Ink were out on the grill, frying up some good ol’ burgers. Beer bottles clanked, laughter erupted among the guys, and the girls spent their time inside, chatting over vanilla cream cake while they all took turns holding Willow. I relished in it, pulling Ella aside when she had a free moment, pressing her back up against the wall.
“Hey, darlin’. Need anything?” I asked and she shook her head.
“Everything I need is right here. Thanks to you.”
She pulled me in by my dog tag necklace, pressing her lips to mine, and I savored how sweet she tasted.
“I love you, Claymore.”
“I love you too.”
“I don’t want to admit this, especially because I finally have everything I could’ve ever wanted, but I’m still terrified. Dani’s still out there. Tank’s cop friend has been looking for her for months and there’s no sign of her. I just worry that she’s going to be a problem. I worry about Willow,” she confessed.
“I don’t want you to worry, Ella. You relax, enjoy yourself. Let me handle everything else. After everything you’ve been through, you deserve a break. You deserve time to just be.”
“What if she comes back? What if she tries to hurt us? The baby?”
