Page 47 of Vex

Even with everything that’s going on with Tessie, I can’t help the smile I get from seeing Axel’s expression of fear. He’s lost this round and he knows it.

Trudy steps to the side of Axel and holds her hands out. With the biggest pout I’ve ever seen, Axel carefully removes Alex from her sling and hands her over. Trudy places the baby against her chest and instantly starts cooing to her. Axel aims his pout my direction, and I brace for whatever he’s about to say.

“When you and Vex’s baby’s born, take my advice and keep it away from these two baby hounds.”

I freeze and hold my breath hoping nobody else is paying attention to him, but it’s all in vain.

“You’re pregnant?” shouts Freddy.

The entire room goes quiet, and I can feel every eye looking my way. I use my eyes to shoot daggers at Axel, but he just shrugs his shoulders, pout still in place.

“I don’t know yet, Freddy. It’s possible. What I do know is that Axel has a big mouth! And you told me you weren’t a gossip!” I spit in Axel’s direction.

“I’m not a gossip. I was just giving you sound advice. You can’t hold this against me. I’m under duress from having my only child stolen from me!”

“Does Vex know it’s a possibility?” Ava asks with both eyebrows raised.

“Yes, he does and he said he’s fine with it if she’s knocked up. He actually sounded kind of excited about the possibility,” Axel answers before I can.

“Wow! Really? Vex?” questions Trudy.

“You know how he’s been acting kind of off for a while now? Sitting in front of you is the reason. I think Vex has decided to join the land of grownups and calm down his old lifestyle. Gunner did. I did. Pooh did. It was inevitable that Vex would at some point too. He’s seen how good Bailey has it now and wants that for himself, I think,” Axel continues spewing his thoughts.

“Oh my God, shoot me now,” I mumble.

“I have noticed he’s not chasing skirts at Dreams anymore,” Freddy muses out loud. “Maybe he has decided it’s time to settle.”

“That, or he’s run out of women to f…” Axel starts to say.

“Finish that sentence and you’ll never get your daughter back, Axel!” bellows Trudy. Turning her eyes my direction, she goes on to say, “Don’t listen to anyone but Vex. He isn’t going to lie to you, that I do know. And he’d make a great dad because he’s a great guy to begin with. We’re just a little shocked because none of us knew he’d found someone he might be serious about.”

“Look, I don’t know where this is going with Vex or if it’s going anywhere. We became friends and things grew from there. He’s perfect, of course I’m attracted to him, but time will tell how this is going to end. He may not even realize it himself but his only interest in me could simply be that there’s a possibility of a child. A sense of responsibility that he’s misinterpreting as feelings. I don’t know. In a few days, I’ll know for sure about a baby and we’ll have to figure things out at that time,” I explain.

“If there isn’t a baby, would you want to continue a relationship with Vex?” Ava asks quietly.

“Yeah, I definitely would,” I answer just as quietly as I watch Ava’s eye light with warmth.

“And if there is a baby? Then what?” questions Trudy.

“Then, together as a couple or not, we’ll raise the child. He’s not going to bolt or leave me hanging. Worst case scenario, we co-parent.”

“Sounds like your head’s on straight either way this turns out. No matter which way this falls, you have a job for as long as you want it with me. I have no one left in this world, other than the club, so I’m claiming you and Tessie as family. You two need something? I’m your first call,” Freddy states emphatically.

“Thank you, Freddy. That means the world to me.”

“Can I have my daughter back now?” Axel interrupts while standing up next to Trudy.

“No. It’s Ava’s turn to hold her,” Trudy says nonchalantly as she carefully hands the sleeping baby to Ava. Ava’s face breaks out in a huge smile before she sticks her tongue out at Axel.

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

Sitting in a lawn chair outside the main door enjoying the feeble sun, I’m trying to keep my mind calm. My stomach has finally settled, but I’m sticking to only crackers to nibble on and hot tea to sip. I smile to myself thinking back to earlier when I had the pleasure of meeting Bailey. She came looking for Axel and her baby but found me first. We had a nice chat with her explaining how Chubs delivered little Alex and how Axel declared Chubs his hero. When Axel entered the room and spotted Bailey, he tried sneaking away but was spotted. Bailey took off after him and I knew who was going to win that race. I listened to Axel hollering that Alex wasn’t hungry yet and Bailey responding that her boobs were ready though. Between pets and humans, this place is never quiet.

“Taja?”

Looking up, I see Bella approaching. She takes the chair next to me and sits on the edge, turning to face me.

“Hi, Bella. Nice to see you again.”

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