Page 40 of Nomad
That was the truth. When she showed up in Windhaven and then Junior a few days later, nothing had ever felt so good as holding them in my arms. And when she’d told me we were going to have one of our own, my world was complete. We were a family.
“I’m so tired, William.”
Her confession hadn’t come to me as a surprise. She was like a super mom on steroids. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for the kids, no matter how it affected her. We had talked about it a lot during the pregnancy and after. I helped her, but it never was enough, and she still never slowed down. Something that would definitely need to change.
“You have every right to be, Angel.” She laid her head on my shoulder, and I kissed her head again. “Rayne is only a month old. Give yourself a break. It’s not easy being a mother of two, but I’m here. You got to let me help you, baby.”
She’d had the baby early, and it wasn’t an easy birth, but she’d been a trooper. After twelve hours, our little girl was born, and I couldn’t have been happier. Although there had been a little scare with Rayne being premature, she’d stayed in the NICU for a couple of weeks. Now she was home, and as healthy as could be. The love of my life had given me a daughter. Someone else I’d protect from the horrors of this world with my life.
“Yeah, I know.” She sighed. “But it’s so different from when I had Junior. You know, Aaron was always on deployment, and I’m so used to doing it all myself.”
“Well, you’re not alone. I’m always here.”
“I love you, William.”
“I love you too, my angel.”
We sat in silence until light snores escaped her. I sighed, loving her being in my arms and appreciating this was my life now. Just being together, in our home, life couldn’t get any better. I wished days like this never ended.
I raked my hand through her curls as I thought about our future together. We’d spent years apart, and my journey to get back to them had been full of heartache and loneliness, but I’d done it. It had only taken one step, and now my life was finally complete.
The buzzing of the burner cell sounded from the end table, breaking the peaceful moment. I gently lay Jade down and covered her up with the throw from the back of the couch. I grabbed the cellphone and walked out to the patio, gently closing the sliding glass door behind me.
“Yeah?” I gazed at the desolate landscape, enjoying the cool air against my skin. Peace engulfed me as I fiddled with the ring box in my pocket. I had everything I could ever want, and now, I hoped she’d married me.
“Sandman?” the voice on the other end of the receiver pulled me from my thoughts.
“Who’s asking?”
“A brother needing someone put to sleep.”
“Hmm… that’s what I’m here for.”
“You’re needed in Georgia. I’ll send you the address.”
“No need.” I sat down on the lounge chair. “I know where you’re at. Give me a few days, and I’ll contact you at this number,” I said ending the call.
I knew she was there before she had the chance to say a word. It was strange how my body hummed whenever she was around.
“Come here, Angel.” I motioned for her to come to me. She didn’t hesitate.
Barefooted, and with the baby monitor in hand, her curvy frame slinked over to me. “You have to leave?” she asked when I pulled her onto my lap.
Tension radiated off her. The club hadn’t called since Samuel Allen, but this was my job, and she knew there was no changing it. We had already discussed this would happen sometimes. This was the price we both paid for me being a one-percenter, an outlaw.
“No worries, Angel.” I kissed her shoulder. She shivered and sagged against me. I loved how she responded to my touch. “I will always come home to you.”
“You promise?”
“I promise. I love you, Jade. Heaven nor Hell can keep me away from you.”
“I hope you live up to your promise, William.” She leaned back against my chest and rested against me as we got comfortable in the lounge chair.
The stars blanketed the night sky in a million tiny lights. The cool breeze, howls, and sounds of night crawlers filled the sky.
I wrapped her in my embrace, loving the feeling of her being in my arms.
“Marry me, Angel?”
