Page 40 of Chelsea’s Knight

Now my heartbeat’s accelerating for a completely different reason altogether. “That motherfucker took my old lady’s life away from her so it wouldn’t cause me to lose one fucking second of sleep if he lost his,” I snarl out. I may not have known her before she was injured, but I know what his actions cost her as far as living what others would consider as being a ‘normal’ life.

“Then you’ll be thrilled to know that about three weeks ago, he managed to piss someone off enough that he was knifed in the yard and is now hospitalized and on life support. He’ll never get out, and will never hurt anyone else again, brother.” Specks delivers his news while we all pound the table, cheering and whistling.

“Good riddance to bad rubbish,” I declare, uncaring that he’s still breathing. Because it’s not without assistance and that plug could always come loose.

“If there’s nothing else, meeting adjourned,” Poseidon calls out. When we all shake our heads, he whips out his gavel, hits the table dismissing us, and we all depart, heading for our day jobs.

I honestly can’t wait to see Chelsea later and tell her the wonderful news we were just delivered, that’s for damn sure. But I also know I’ll want to celebrate and there are tattoo clients waiting on my arrival, I’m sure.

Chelsea

“I can’t get over how much she looks like her sisters,” I muse, looking at Alexia who is currently sleeping in my arms while Gia bustles around the kitchen making fresh bottles.

“I know! It means I have to be intentional about labeling their damn pictures too,” Gia grumbles, causing me to laugh. Maybe I’ll get her a label maker for Christmas to help her out with that.

We’re in the clubhouse right now, since everyone stayed over last night, so she’s hunting things down that she needs. Granny, Kaya’s grandmother, comes in and shoos her away. “Go, sit and enjoy visiting, I’ve got this, child.”

Gia practically snatches her youngest daughter from my arms, causing me to huff out an annoyed grumble and I displeasingly scowl at her. “Gianna Louise Storm, I’ve had the least amount of canoodling time with Alexia. Give her back to me now.”

“I didn’t know your middle name was Louise,” Tessie, who just sat down at the table, states.

“It’s not,” Gia and I reply in unison.

“I call her that when I want her full attention,” I tease, sticking my tongue out at Gia who returns the action. “It lets her know I’m being dead serious.”

“Using my full first name does that, Chels,” Gia retorts with a raised eyebrow, now rocking her daughter since Granny has given her a bottle.

“Whatever. Maybe I just need one of them,” I muse, my voice slightly quieter.

“You know there are other ways to be a mom,” Gia remarks, her hand now over mine in a sisterly fashion as it sits limply on the table while I woolgather, as my nonni would’ve said.

“I know, and I’m sure when it’s the right time, we’ll explore things further. I mean, I’m going to call the DFCS to check into foster parent classes for me and Canyon to take,” I confess. “I just, well, I guess I wish there was a way I could safely have one that was a combination of the two of us is all. Wishful, stupid thinking, thanks to my stepbrother.” I would love to know what it feels like to carry one in my womb and feel it kick and move as it grows while I nurture its life.

“You could always get someone to be a surrogate for you,” Tessie suggests, her fingers flying as she crochets. She’s always working on something or another, and since we’ve had an influx of babies, my guess is a blanket for the latest two to grace our presence.

“Aren’t they hard to find though? And what if they had our concoction growing in them then decided they didn’t want to part with the baby?” I question, my curiosity now roused. There’s no way I could live in a world where a child carrying my DNA was being raised by a virtual stranger.

“I’d be willing to do it,” Tessie quietly offers. “As to your second question, well, we’d make sure the legal documentation was all filed and stuff so there’d be no way I could do that. Besides, the baby wouldn’t have my DNA, it would have y’all’s. My body will do the incubating, but you’ll do all the hard work by raising the baby. I’ll just be the kid’s favorite aunt.”

“Why would you do that for us?” I ask. It’s not every day someone offers up their body to carry a child for someone they only know on a nuclear level. “Not that I’m saying we’re going to go that route, especially since he and I haven’t even talked it over, but don’t you want your own kids?”

She shakes her head at my question. “I’m thinking you don’t know how I first came to be around the club. In the beginning, I was what some would call a club whore, or a muffler bunny. My days of a happily-ever-after have passed me by, Chelsea. But since Poseidon gave those of us who were left a choice, I chose to stay here and work for the club in a different capacity. But I’d completely understand if you and Canyon didn’t see me as a viable option nor want to use me for something so important.”

“Why wouldn’t we?” I query, now confused. “It’s not like surrogates are a dime a dozen, right?”

“Because of who I used to be,” she solemnly whispers, her face now tinged with a pink undertone in embarrassment.

“We’ve all got pasts, Tessie. Some are more well-known than others is all,” I tell her. “How about I make the call to DFCS first and get that ball rolling, then talk it over with Canyon? Because it would be a huge commitment for all parties involved so I’m sure he’s going to want to do some detailed research on it as well.”

“At least take it under consideration,” Tessie suggests.

“Oh, I will, I most definitely will,” I admit, smiling at her, letting her know how thankful I am that she’s willing to make this sacrifice for us.

Granny walks over and appraisingly states, “Your willingness to do this for the people who are now your family shows the kind of person you truly are, Tessie. Your past is just that, your past. The lessons you’ve learned have shaped who you are now.” Looking at me, she continues. “Chelsea, you’d be a beautiful mother, no matter how that comes about. Explore all the avenues and know you’ve got a ton of support behind you both.”

By now, tears are slowly streaking down my face and Smokey is leaning comfortingly against my legs. “I’m good, boy,” I whisper, leaning down to ruffle his ears. “Just a bunch of emotional women nattering, and of course, me crying.”

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