Page 20 of A Christmas Surprise for the Biker

He gets up for the late-night feedings, doesn’t shy away from changing dirty diapers, and does all the other stuff in between.

I apply the final coat of Rocket-Fire Red lipstick just as Legend returns with Ryder in his arms. My lips turn up as I take them both in.

Pete and Re-Pete.I chuckle at the thought.

“You like playing dress-up with him, don’t you?” I point between the two of them. Our son is dressed in a onesie that saysMy First New Year'swith the little leather cut over it that his daddy got him for Christmas.

My man cocks a brow. “Babe.”

I roll my eyes at him, then soften my face for my baby boy. “Look at my handsome boy,” I coo, pulling him into my arms. “Are you ready to party, little man?”

Ryder gurgles in response, his tiny fist reaching for my earring. I laugh as I gently move his hand away. “I'll take that as a yes.”

“You look beautiful, baby.”

“Thanks.”

“Are we ready to head out?”

I look around the room for anything I might have forgotten. Diaper bag—check. Extra clothes in case Ry has an accident—check. “Yeah, I think we’ve got everything.”

As we drive to the clubhouse, I think about the hopes I have for the New Year. Last year, I was alone and pregnant, working two dead-end jobs to make ends meet. And now, I'm sitting next to the man I love, our son safely buckled in the back seat, heading to a New Year's party to celebrate with our family, which happens to be outlaw bikers.

When we arrive, the clubhouse is already hopping with people. Legend helps me out of the SUV, his hand on the small of my back as we make our way inside.

“Legend! Braelynn!” Kierra calls out the second she spots us. In all her badass glory, she sashays over and starts cooing at Ryder. “It’s only been a few days since I saw him last, but I swear he’s grown a foot,” she gushes. “Can I hold him?”

I smile, handing Ryder over carefully. “Of course.”

Legend wraps an arm around my waist. “You good?” he asks, his voice low in my ear.

I nod, leaning into him. “Yeah, I'm good.”

As the night wears on, I find myself relaxing. That probably has a lot to do with the fact that Legend is never too far away.

We dance, we laugh. He throws back a few beers while I sip on soda, and even without the buzz, I'm riding high.

When I look up and see there’s only an hour until the ball drops, I decide to head upstairs to check on Ryder. “Babe,” I whisper, trying not to interrupt the conversation he’s having with Thorn, but not wanting to take off without him knowing where I went either.

“Yeah?” He looks down at me.

“I’m gonna go look in on Ry.”

He starts to set his beer down like he’s going to go with me, but I shake my head. “Stay and chat, babe. I’ll only be a minute.” I smile.

His eyes soften. “You sure?”

“Positive.” I peck a quick kiss on his lips and head up the stairs to the nursery the girls set up for tonight. It’s a little wild how many babies have been born in the last few years.

“Hey,” Candy, one of the club girls, whispers when she sees me poke my head around the doorframe. “How’s the party?”

“Loud.” I chuckle softly as I step into the room, going to the crib Ry’s and peek over the railing. He’s out like a light.

There are several cribs set up for all the babies, and the older kids are lying on their bellies watching a cartoon with a big blue monster and a green guy with a big eye. All of them just as content as can be. Whoever set all this stuff up had a great idea. Knowing he’s up here safe has put me at ease.

“He's been an angel,” Candy says softly from beside me.

I lean over and brush a soft kiss on his forehead. “Thanks for watching him.”

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