Page 79 of Pigeon

“You may have?” I question while crossing my arms across my chest.

“Okay, I did.”

“Would one of them be the reason you’re injured right now?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

“Maybe.”

“Maybe, Ivy?” I inquire while fighting back a smile.

“Definitely.”

“Serves you right that your damn wife is costing you money too,” Gunner mutters.

“When you’re done losing this argument, can we go see the foals?” Craig asks.

Trigger returns beaming and holding up a string of fish in time to add them to our meal. Sitting on the deck, surrounded by friends, family, and good food, I look at Ivy. She may never realize this, but her fight to keep this ranch has already soothed broken souls. Mine, definitely her own, and there will be more in the future. Luke will only be the first of the many kids she’s going to have an impact on.

Watching my club family interacting, enjoying their day, pets exploring, and racing around, I think about how all I ever wanted before Ivy was to party, sleep around, and generally cause havoc. I didn’t want responsibility and avoided acting like an adult because I believed that was boring as fuck and couldn’t possibly be any fun. I smile inwardly now because Ivy’s unknowingly taught me that age really is just a number and that I wasn’t too old to learn a new way. I fucking love this new way, being an adult and taking care of my responsibilities, being a husband to Ivy, and enjoying every second of it.

“What? Why are you getting stitches? Are you kidding me? Is Taja okay? The baby? Holy shit! I’ll be there as soon as I can!” Tessie shouts while jumping to her feet and looking around wildly.

Tessie listens to whoever is on the phone for a few moments while she paces, and we shout at her wanting to know what’s up.

“What’s going on, Tessie?” Gunner questions loudly several times before snatching the phone out of her hand.

Tessie slaps at his arm and chest, trying to retrieve her phone, but Gunner ignores her physical attack like he’s unaware she’s waging one. He listens and asks questions to whoever is on the line with him. Everyone is sitting on the edge of their seats but relax when Gunner’s face breaks into a huge smile, and he speaks into the phone.

“Congratulations, Vex! Give Taja and your little princess a kiss from us, and we’ll get Tessie to the hospital in an hour. Tell Freddy congrats on becoming a grandpa.”

Gunner disconnects and hands a glaring Tessie her phone before explaining to the crowd.

“Baby girl. Came a little early but with good working lungs from what I could hear. Taja’s doing great, but I think Vex may need a few days to recoup,” Gunner says with a laugh.

“You mentioned stitches?” Petey asks Tessie.

Giving Gunner an evil smirk, Tessie explains.

“Vex pulled a Gunner, lost his shit when Taja’s water broke, and smacked his head on an open cupboard door. Five stitches and he’ll still be gorgeous, but Taja had to drive them to the hospital. Head wounds bleed like hell. Don’t they, Gunner?”

“Pulled a Gunner? What the fuck, Tessie?” Gunner snorts in disgust.

“Quit poking the oversized man, Tessie. They have to protect their reps and manhood, so he’ll stand here all day arguing about the day the twins were born. I’ll take you to the hospital so you can meet your niece,” Lucy says calmly while holding her hand out to Tessie for the car keys.

The women leave, and everyone starts cleaning up while feeling relieved that all turned out great for the couple who most deserved it this time around. At Ivy’s questioning look, I explain softly about Vex and Taja’s first pregnancy. The look on her face is heartbroken for the couple but clears when I remind her that today had a different ending, thank God.

“Did Gunner really lose it when Ava went into labor?” Ivy asks quietly, disbelief clear in her voice.

“No, Gunner did not!” my club president snaps as he stalks past our chairs.

“I’ll explain later, honey. Like, when he’s not close enough to do great bodily harm to your husband.”

“He did it twice, actually. When Bailey went into labor, Chubs had to deliver our daughter at the clubhouse. Gunner was fucking useless,” Axel informs Ivy while laughing at the memory. “He brought random items to the room and tossed them at Chubs. Not towels or hot water, but gum and I think a porn video.”

Ivy’s laughing along with Axel and the rest of us when Gunner barks, “Quit gossiping like a little bitch and help us load shit so we can leave,” and then tackles a laughing Axel off the deck and onto the lawn.

“I’m not breaking those two up again. I’ve had a fucking lifetime of doing that,” Petey says while pulling out his wallet. “I’m putting $20 on Gunner winning this round, though.”

“I’ll take that bet. Axel’s tired of being called a gossip,” Trigger answers while pulling out his wallet.

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