“Good, baby. Because I’m not leaving anything to chance. You’re mine.” He brushed his thumb over my knuckle. “With my ring on your finger, my property patch on your back, and my baby in your belly, I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my whole damn life.”
“Me, too,” I whispered before looking at my dad. “The only thing that would make me happier is if we had your blessing.”
My dad sighed again, his shoulders slumping. “The only thing I want in this world is for you to be happy. I guess I’ll have to find a way to accept your relationship before you walk down the aisle.”
“You better figure it out damn quick.” Garrison tucked me against his side. “We’re not taking forever to plan our wedding. It’s gonna happen soon. Like next weekend soon.”
My dad’s eyes narrowed. “A week? You don’t have to rush into getting married just because you’re pregnant, pumpkin. You should take a little time. Make sure you get it right.”
I shook my head, smiling so big that my cheeks hurt. “As long as I have a pretty dress and some flowers, the only thing that matters to me is that I’m marrying Garrison with you and Mom there.”
“Alyssa carrying my baby isn’t why our wedding is gonna happen soon.” Garrison brushed a kiss against the top of my head.
I twisted my head to the side to look up at him. “It isn’t?”
“Nope.” He stroked a finger down my cheek. “Just don’t want to risk anything getting in the way of me marrying the woman I love.”
My eyes widened as I gasped, “You love me?”
“With every fiber of my being.”
Today truly was the best ever. “I love you, too.”
His lips curved into a satisfied smirk. “I know, baby.”
My dad muttered under his breath, but I caught his small smile before he lowered his head to look at the floor.
Patch let out a low whistle. “Damn that was beautiful. Don’t think I’ve ever heard Bear say so much. If he’s gonna put on shows like this now that he has you in his life, we might have to rethink his road name. Maybe change it to Circus Bear or something.”
Garrison quirked a brow. “Joke all you want, Patch. Your day will come soon enough.”
Epilogue
Bear
“She’s beautiful, honey,” Alyssa’s mom told her softly as she stared down at her first grandchild. “I knew you two would make gorgeous babies.”
Jana had been ecstatic when she found out her daughter was not only engaged but also pregnant. It had gone a long way in improving the sheriff’s attitude. Jensen still struggled with the fact that his son-in-law was in a motorcycle club who made their own rules for justice, but we had respect for each other. In order to have a good relationship, we just avoided that subject whenever possible.
“You did good, pumpkin,” he declared with a proud smile before kissing the top of Alyssa’s head.
My wife laughed. “It doesn’t appear that way. She looks just like her daddy.”
“There’s plenty of you in there, baby,” I assured her as I cuddled her closer and gazed at the little angel in her arms. “And you were amazing today.” I’d been a nervous wreck when Alyssa had gone into labor. Luckily, she’d remained calm and ordered me to get my shit together and take her to the hospital.
I hadn’t done a whole lot better in the hospital room while she was having the baby, and I had no doubt I’d never live that down because Patch dropped by to check on us. Alyssa asked him to help me through this, and he laughed for a good five minutes. He was on call, and his pager went off a half-hour later, calling him to the ER. He said he’d be back, but Alyssa had been settled in her room for half an hour now, and he’d yet to return.
“What are you going to name her?” Jana asked.
“Celia Anne.” Alyssa had picked the name, and when she told me, it was the only time other than our wedding day that I nearly cried.
My parents had passed away when I was ten, and I’d been raised by an uncle—a Silver Saint. I’d had a great childhood, but my parents had been incredible, and I missed them every day. My mother’s name was Celia, and my father’s mother was named Anne.
“Perfect.” Jana beamed at us before leaning down to coo and baby talk with CeCe.
“Amazing how perfect, considering her ugly-ass father,” Patch announced as he strolled into the room.
I rolled my eyes, not in the mood to engage. Not when I had everything I could have ever wanted safe and secure in my arms.
“Where’ve you been?” I asked idly, distracted by my daughter’s tiny fist wrapping around my finger.
“Dealing with a patient.”
Something in his tone made me look up and scrutinize him. He was trying to hide it, but he looked a little shell-shocked and a whole lot frustrated. I recognized that expression.
“I need to get back to her—”
“Later,” I interrupted, waving my hand toward the door. “Go take care of your woman.”
He didn’t bother to deny it, just lifted his chin and mumbled congratulations before beating a hasty retreat.
“Uh-oh.” Alyssa snickered. “He had the same look on his face that you did when I walked up to you in the parking lot at school.”
“It worked out for me,” I said with a shrug and a crooked smile.
“True.” She winked at me, and I couldn’t help capturing her lips in a sweet kiss.
“Ahem.” Jensen cleared his throat, but I ignored him.
I vowed to send Jana diamonds when she chuckled and dragged her husband from the room because we needed some private family time.
“I love you, baby,” I told Alyssa when I finally ended the kiss.
“I love you, too,” she answered, her expression soft as she stared up at me.
CeCe drew our attention when she began crying and rooting around for her next meal.
Alyssa lowered her hospital gown and brought our daughter to her breast to feed her. It was a tender moment, but as CeCe suckled at my wife’s tit, I couldn't help feeling a little jealous. I couldn’t wait to have my turn when I got Alyssa home and back in our bed. I couldn't take her for six or so weeks, but that didn’t mean we couldn’t satisfy each other.
After CeCe finished and had fallen back asleep, in my arms this time, I was marveling at how gorgeous she was when a terrifying thought struck me.
“We need to have a boy,” I croaked. “Lots of boys.”
Alyssa laughed and shook her head. “How about we enjoy our firstborn for a little while before we go making anymore. And we don’t get to pick the sex, babe. That’s not how this works. Are you sure you know how babies are made?”
I was too caught up in my nightmares about all the little shits that would be flocking around my beautiful daughter one day to catch onto Alyssa’s teasing tone. “Right away. We have to have boys, baby. Look at her. She’s too fucking gorgeous. I’m going to need help.”
“Teach her to take care of herself, and you won’t need to rely on her brothers,” Alyssa stated.
“I still want more protection for my precious girl,” I insisted.