Page 20 of Paradox
Ellen forces her way between us, throwing her arms around my waist.
“I’m an aunt! Never thought I’d see the day.”
“They’re gorgeous, shorty. Can’t wait for you to see them.”
“Of course they are.” She winks up at me. “Excellent genes.”
I get lost in a crowd of my family and my brothers, everyone congratulating me and wanting to see Raven. Aunt Nita pinches my cheeks before kissing them. Chopper gives me a curt nod. He’s still pissed at me, and I guess he has every right to be. I put Raven and those babies in jeopardy and I’ll never forgive myself. I don’t expect him to.
“When can we see them?” Nita asks.
“Soon, hopefully. I haven’t heard anything since the nurses took them away.”
“I’ll go find out what’s going on,” E offers, patting my shoulder as he walks away.
“Thanks, E.”
I jerk my head at Razor, beckoning him over and moving to a quiet corner.
“Where is she?”
“Prospect’s keeping an eye on her.” He matches my hushed tone. “She’s at her mom’s.”
“How the hell did we not know she was pregnant?”
“No one’s seen her since she was banned. We figure she skipped town.”
“Why come back now? Why pull this bullshit?”
“No clue, Prez. What do you want to do?”
“I don’t know. The kid makes things difficult.” I rub my chin in thought. “Who’s the woman she came with?”
“Don’t know. Probably not from around here.”
“Put Tek on it. I want this buried before Raven and the babies come home.”
“Got it.”
I move back to the others, addressing all of them at once. “You guys can head home. I’ll call when you can come back and see the babies. Don’t know how long the tests are going to take.”
“Sure thing, brother.” Venom walks up, giving me a slap-and-grip handshake, touching his right shoulder to mine. Emily is right behind him, beaming up at me.
“Congrats, Gage! I have an idea for the perfect cake for their homecoming. You’re going to love it.”
“I’m sure I will. Thanks, Emily.”
I watch as everyone files out and then return to Raven’s room. She’s still asleep, so I pull up a chair as quietly as I can and sit by her bed. Even exhausted and out like a light, she sends my heart racing. Her jet-black hair is fanned out on the pillows, void of color for the last few months. She cut the ends off once the blue faded, not coloring it because of her pregnancy and fear of exposure to the fumes. Her tanned skin is flawless, pouty lips slightly parted in sleep. I can’t wait to see what our daughter will look like. I hope she looks just like her mom. Fuck, I’m going to have to do more than beat the boys off with a stick. I’ll have to shoot their asses. No one is coming near my princess.
Leaning back in the chair, I close my eyes and hope I can see my babies soon.
That bitch Britney better pray to whatever god she serves that they’re okay.
***Raven***
I’m a mother.
An exhausted one, but one nonetheless. If the evidence wasn’t in my arms, mouth latched on to my nipple, I probably wouldn’t believe it. I brought two human beings into this world, two tiny people who will be dependent on me for the foreseeable future.
