Page 102 of Pooh

“No, it wasn’t, but maybe it should have been. What things have you been thinking about?” Lucy quietly asks.

“I don’t like some of the things that have been happening at New Horizons. I’m worried that something really bad is going to happen and you’re there a lot. I love that you want to help those women and kids, but I worry about losing you. I damn near did once and I can’t get past the thought that I still could. Love you to the end of time, Lucy.”

“I know you still worry about me over what happened. I get that, Chubs. But we can’t live our lives in fear that way. We both got a second chance at life–let’s live it.”

“You’re right and I know you are. I’ll try harder to let the past stuff go and enjoy the now. And speaking of the past, you shouldn’t use my other names at all, honey. I don’t want it to become a habit and someone overhear,” I softly reprimand her. God, I hate saying even that little comment, but she has to be reminded to be careful. One slip and it would be disastrous for me, her and everyone we love.

“You’re right, sorry, Chubs. I was just frustrated trying to talk to you and you not hearing me. Won’t happen again, baby. Promise,” Lucy swears as she leans over for a quick kiss.

“I know and thank you. What were you trying to talk to me about when my mind was in la la land?” I jokingly say.

Surprising me, Lucy slides to the floor and places her hands on my thighs. Looking into my eyes, she blows my mind.

“Will you marry me? Be with me for life? Make babies and have a beautiful life together? Be my Chubs forever? Please?” Lucy whispers to me.

“Absolutely! And, yes. to all of that with you!”

I lean down and pick up my woman and hold her close to me as I walk to the bed. I prove my answer to her throughout the night. Yes, Lucy, I want all of that too.

-*- -*- -*- -*-

Lucy and I decided to keep our engagement a secret for now. So many things are going on with Pooh and Pippa and we want to keep the focus on them. It doesn’t matter to me because I know to my bones that Lucy is mine and she always will be. I don’t need a ceremony to tell me that. Our commitment is strong and has been from the beginning.

For me, it was total and complete love at first sight. I never believed in that before, but then I met Lucy and I just knew. Knew she was the one woman that was placed on this earth just for me. It’s weird how the universe works when you think about it. Bailey crashed into Axel, knocking him off his bike, and that one incident led to them becoming a couple and Lucy and I meeting. I’m a firm believer that most often bad things have some good in them. I love Axel like a brother, but I’m damn glad he took a fall that day.

-*- -*- -*- -*-

Sitting in the courtroom, listening to little Craig, my heart swells with love and pride. He’s telling the judge how he and I are friends. Yeah, we are. I look around at the faces of my family and there are a lot of smiles and some tears. I look to Pippa and I can tell, even from here, she wants this so bad that it’s caused a case of the shakes. Her nerves have her wound tight but it’ll be over soon and she’ll be, legally, Craig’s mom. As far as I’m concerned, that makes him my nephew.

-*- -*- -*- -*-

“Are you okay, Bails?” I ask her after noticing how white her face is at the moment.

“Chubs, honey, could you call Axel and tell him to meet us at the hospital? It’s time. Actually, the baby is coming early, but no matter what, it’s on its way right now.”

Bailey and I are at the clubhouse while Axel is at work. She was working on the accounts with Gunner in his office and I was getting a snack. Don’t judge me, I was hungry. Again.

“I’ll call him, honey. Take a seat. Did you tell Gunner?” I calmly ask her while helping her sit.

“Shhh, Chubs! Hell no, I didn’t tell him. You remember how he was when Ava went into labor? I don’t want to see that giant man reduced to another panic attack. Just you and me, okay? We got this. Just call Axel and give me a ride to–oh God! Another one already? Owwwww whoo whoo whoo owwwww! Oh fuck, it hurts!” Bailey says all of this in a whisper shout even during the contraction.

I look at my watch and make note so I know how far apart the contractions are. I pull my phone out and call Pooh instead. Calling Axel could result in serious injury because I know he’s going to freak out. Everyone else knows this too regardless of how many times he’s told us different.

Pooh doesn’t answer his phone. I call Cash.

“Hey Chubs. What’s up?”

“Bailey’s in labor. We’re at the clubhouse. She wants Axel to meet us at the hospital. I’ll drive her there.”

“Holy shit! Okay. Vex and Trigger are here too and Pooh’s teaching a class. That makes enough of us to handle Axel when he loses his mind. We’ll meet you at the hospital. Give Bailey a kiss from me and we’ll see you two soon. Oh! And don’t tell Gunner if you can help it. You’d have him to deal with along with a pregnant woman!”

Bailey starts moaning and gripping her stomach. She’s doing her breathing techniques and keeping it together. I glance at my watch again and realize there’s a good chance that I’m delivering this baby.

“Bailey, the contractions are close. Do you want to make a run for the hospital or call an ambulance to come here? I’m worried about driving with you and having to deliver the baby somewhere along the road.”

“What the fuck? Is she having that baby? Here? Now? What the fuck! We have to get her to the hospital!” Gunner shouts and does so loudly enough to scare the baby back up inside for another eight months.

“I need to push! She’s coming now, Chubs! We don’t have time to go to the hospital! Owwwww ohhhhhhhhh shiittttttttt!”

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