Page 86 of Doc's Decision

Color blooms on Mandy's cheeks and she ducks her head, peeking at me through long lashes. "Behave, Doc. There are children present."

Chuckling, I loop an arm around her shoulders and tug her close, relishing her warm curves pressed against my side. "Never been much good at behavin', baby. You know that."

We sit like that as the chatter swirls around us, I take Kash from her arms.

Mandy's head is tucked into the crook of my neck while Kash dozes off in wonderland.

For the first time all day, the restless itch under my skin settles.

We settle in to eat, Mandy urges me to give Kash back to her.

I know better than to argue with her, so I hand him back.

Mandy deftly juggles Kash and her own plate with the skill of a mother who's learned to multitask like a pro.

The conversation flows easily around us, the usual loud bullshitting and crazy stories.

Jolt regales us with the story of this crazy bitch he hooked up with last week, complete with wild hand gestures and exaggerated facial expressions that has the table roaring.

Spark chimes in with his own exploits, him and Zoe sharing heated looks that tell me they'll be tearing up a room later.

For the first time in days, I feel myself relax, the tension bleeding from my muscles.

This is what I need—my brothers, my family, the familiar pulse and energy of the clubhouse wrapped around me like a worn leather cut.

Everything else—the shit with Mandy's stepdad, worrying about Ma, club business—it all fades to background noise for a little while as I let myself just live in this moment with my favorite girl and our beautiful boy in my arms and my chosen family surrounding me.

After dinner, Mandy and I retreat to the trailer we share with Shiver, Kash snugly tucked into my arms.

The rest of the club are down in the clubhouse, getting their fill of booze and bullshit, but tonight I just want to be with my family.

Our trailer is a sanctuary away from the chaos of club life.

It’s simple and clean, a big bed taking up most of the space with a small crib set up in the corner for Kash.

We finally traded in that bassinet for something a little more permanent.

I settle Kash in his crib, watching as his little chest rises and falls with peaceful slumber.

There’s something powerful about being a father, something primal that kicks in when you see your own blood sleeping peacefully under your protection.

I turn around to find Mandy already changed into a comfy oversized shirt of mine that barely reaches her mid-thighs.

My heart skips a beat at the sight of her looking so casually sexy.

Her eyes meet mine across the dimly lit room, her hazel eyes glowing softly under the moonlight that peeks in through the window. “Daddy, I just wanna sleep in your arms tonight.”

My chest tightens at the vulnerability in her voice, the raw need to be held.

"C’mere, sugar," I tell her as I pull back the worn cotton quilt on our bed.

She crawls in beside me, tucking her head under my chin and draping a leg over mine.

My arms wrap around her naturally, pulling her close against my chest.

As she snuggles into my warmth, I bury my nose into her hair, inhaling the sweet scent of her vanilla shampoo.

It's a comforting smell, familiar and homey.

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