Part 32 (1/2)

I'd made her a promise to stay, and if I had to fight to stay, I would.

Or I would have tried if the nurse hadn't started shoving me out the door before I even realized that she'd done it.

When I tried the door, it was locked, and all I could do was sit there and stare through the gla.s.s as the team of nurses and doctors worked frantically at my wife and newborns side, trying to preserve their lives.

Blood was pooling at their feet, spreading quickly on the bright white floor.

My child, in the corner, had another team surrounding it, and I realized then that I never even heard whether it was a boy or a girl.

I hadn't realized I'd been screaming until somebody's arms wrapped around me from behind.

Those arms that used to mean the world to me twenty-five years ago meant nothing right now. The ache in my heart was multiplying, and I realized Baylee was going to leave me.

”You promised.” I whispered brokenly.

The last thought I'd had before my father dragged me away, in response to what she'd said right before I'd left the room.

I'll love you for the rest of my life, she'd said.

No, Baylee, I thought. You may love me for the rest of your life, but I'll love you for the rest of mine; you're it for me. Don't you leave me like this, you promised.

Epilogue.

There is a fine line between wearing makeup and looking like Crayola g.a.n.g.b.a.n.ged your face.

-Life Lesson Baylee I walked into the house cautiously.

Slowly, stepping over the pile of cars in the entryway of Johnny's room, around the half-finished bottle of Blaise's in the hall, and over a pile of clothes belonging to Sebastian.

Based on the white stain over the front of the s.h.i.+rt, I a.s.sumed Blaise had thrown up.

Again.

This is what happened when Sebastian watched the kids, however.

But f.u.c.k it, even if I had to clean up afterwards, it's worth getting my nails done.

”She's going to kill you when she finds out you did this without a s.h.i.+rt on.” Sterling said from the kitchen.

I froze and listened to what Sterling and my man were saying.

”Yeah, but I did it to show off the tattoo. It'll totally be worth it. Especially when she finds out where all the proceeds are going.”

”Yeah, she'll like that.” Sterling said dryly.

I rounded the corner, eager to find out what Sebastian would risk my wrath for, and came to a stop in my state of the art kitchen. Then, promptly, swallowed my tongue when I saw how much muscle Sterling had put on since I'd last seen him.

Sterling was a conundrum to me. He was a very sweet and docile person, and it took me around six months to figure out what the appeal of the MC life was to him.

Family.

He wanted a family.

And with us, he got that.

He'd yet to have a nickname bestowed on him, but I knew it was only a matter of time before he did something stupid in front of the boys, and he'd have one.

After patching in with the Dixie Wardens, Sterling had joined the military. The Navy, in particular.

He'd gone to boot camp a few weeks after Sebastian's accident, and then stayed for specialized training.

It'd been well over a year since I'd seen him, and the changes in him were staggering.

Then the fact that Sebastian was standing in the middle of our kitchen, stripped down to his boxer briefs, caught my attention, and my mind started to wander.

Until the smell hit me.

”What is that smell?” I asked worriedly.

Sebastian didn't waste any time pointing to a large pile of vomit in the middle of the kitchen floor.

For the life of me, I couldn't figure how that much puke could come out of one small child.

Surprised, I asked, ”Blaise did that?”

Sebastian shook his head. ”No, Johnny did. And then Sterling did. Apparently, they can't handle vomit, which is why they're going to be cleaning it up. Not me.” He said looking pointedly at the offending pile.

Which translated to Blaise projectile puking as she always did, and then Johnny puked, followed quickly by Sterling.

”Jesus Christ, I'll just puke again, that's what I keep trying to tell you.” Sterling growled.

”I'll get you a bowl.” Sebastian offered.

”Where're the kids?” I asked, finally realizing they weren't in the room.

”On the trampoline.” Sebastian answered.

Walking through the kitchen carefully, I stepped out on the back porch and had to laugh seeing Johnny stripped down to his tighty whities and Blaise in only a diaper on the trampoline with the sprinkler running.

Did I mention that Sebastian was the fun parent?

He did have the surrounding net zipped up tight, luckily.

The screen door creaked open behind me, and I looked over my shoulder at my husband and best friend.

”Could you at least clean up the puke?” I asked with a small smile on my face.