Page 73 of The MC's Surprise
“I think we broke her,” I muttered to Xander, who watched on with a smirk.
“Nah, she does that when she’s happy. She cried like that when Mattias bought her a puppy too.”
Mel didn’t cry often, she was one tough cookie most days, but naming our kid after her seemed to be enough to do it. She cried quietly on Wraith for a few minutes before spinning around and clinging to Sierra instead. When it was my turn, she cuddled against my side, giving Melanie a watery smile.
“Hey, baby. You and me are gonna be twins, aren’t we? There’s no way Rooster can beat me for favorite with you.”
“Hey! I haven’t even gotten a shot yet!” a familiar voice complained from the doorway.
When I looked up, Rooster, Circus, and surprisingly enough Mojave stood just outside the door. All three had presents in their hands, and waited until I beckoned them inside to join us.
“There’s no way you can claim favorite already,” Rooster grouched at Mel.
“I can when her name is Mel,” she shot back.
Rooster’s jaw dropped. “That’s… You can’t just… Oh, come on!”
I put Melanie back in her bassinet so the others could visit before returning to Sierra’s side. She’d gotten some rest the night before, but she woke up every time the baby did, and I could tell she was uncomfortable. Watching her walk for the firsttime after surgery had nearly given me a heart attack. I didn’t even want her lifting a cup of water if she didn't have to.
“Tell me what you need,” I murmured in her ear as I wrapped my arm around her shoulders.
She thought about it for a minute, which I always appreciated. She never expected me to read her mind, nor did she brush off my attempts to take care of her. It was refreshing to not have to question every move I made around her and whether or not it was welcome.
“I think in about five minutes, I’m gonna need more baby cuddles. But for now, I’m okay.”
She leaned her head against me, watching as the guys tried to guess her weight while Mel kept the information tucked away for later. Skylar mentioned bets on her weight and length and all that. I was never one to turn down a betting pool, so it was fun to watch the chaos.
“I’m so torn right now.”
Looking up at me, she cocked her head in question. “About what?”
“She’s so cute and perfect, I never want her to grow up. But when she turns five, she can ride on the back of my bike and I kind of want to do that too.”
That made her snicker. “Just enjoy the moment. I want a turn on your bike too.”
Not right now, that was for damn sure. Not until I knew she wasn’t in any more pain. But as soon as I could, hell yes I was getting her on the back of my bike. It was where she belonged as my old lady. Which reminded me.
“Hey, Secretary,” I called to Rooster.
He glanced over his shoulder. “Yeah?”
“Need you to make an announcement. Once we’re out of here, I’m claiming my old lady.”
I heard Sierra gasp and when I looked down at her, she looked close to tears. I’d told her before she was mine, but telling my whole crew sealed the deal. We were as good as married once I claimed her. Not that I’d be skipping that step either. She’d get the wedding of her dreams whenever she was ready for it. I’d even throw one tomorrow if she asked.
A slow grin passed over Rooster’s face. “Hell yeah, brother. I’ll let the crew know. We’ll save the party for after your old lady is all healed. Really make a show of it.”
“Sounds good to me.”
They stuck around for a little while, handing off their gifts and taking turns holding the baby. They said it was so they could have better guesses on the weight betting pool but I knew better. The crew loved babies since the day Ellie showed up. They could pretend all their wanted that they were cool, but they all wanted cuddles if they could get it. I wouldn’t have been surprised if Killian showed up at one point. Dude was a cuddle slut.
“This is beautiful, Mojave. Thank you.”
I turned to where Mojave was standing by the bed, his expression tinged with a familiar stubbornness. I wasn’t sure what for until he explained the gift.
“It’s got a tracker in it. Wraith will show you how to use it. That way no one can take her and get away with it.”
Sierra looked a little shell-shocked at that announcement, but I appreciated the gesture. We were all there when Butch’s baby mama stole Ellie right out from under our noses. If I had a way to watch over my little girl even when we weren’t in the same room, I’d take it.
