Selah’s Wish (Imperial Knights MC #1)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Butcher

We’re all seated around the table, passing food around as parents fill the kids’ plates as well as their own. I feel a manifestation come up behind me which has my hair standing on end. I’m usually more on guard and know when there’s a foreign presence in the room, especially one nearing me. It’s the only way one can survive in our world. Be aware and cognizant at all times, even during a holiday feast apparently when I shouldn’t have to worry about such things.

“Merry Christmas, brother,” a feminine voice whispers into my ear. My entire body jars as I whip around and see my sister, Wyatt, and Willow standing there.

“Joce,” I choke out. “You’re here!” I gather her and the kids into my arms, my face buried into her stomach. “Are you okay?” I scan her over, and other than some old bruises that have turned an ugly shade of yellow, she appears to be whole and uninjured.

“I've been better,” she tells me.

“Nobody will ever hurt you again, sis,” I avow. “You hungry?”

“Famished,” she answers, her eyes swinging to Dragon. “Hey, big brother.”

“Hey, back at you, little sister. How about you coming over here and giving me some love too,” he commands.

With tears in her eyes, she abandons me and rushes over and buries herself in Dragon’s arms, weeping. Wyatt and Willow watch their mother with critical eyes, hoping that nobody here betrays her and raises a hand in her direction.

“She’s safe. You all are,” I assure them. “Come on, let’s get you two plates. Want to sit over there with Nitro?”

The kids decided they didn’t want to sit with us adults, they have more fun without us hovering over them, making them mind their manners. So we set up a card table a few feet away from us, still within our line of sight, but far enough away they feel grown up.

They nod their heads yes to my question, so Selah and I jump up and start showing them what’s available. The menu is vast, and their eyes shine when they’re given choices. Once we have them settled, I watch as Laney reintroduces Joce to the triplets since she hasn’t seen them in a year, she’s missed all of their milestones and they’ve grown by leaps and bounds.

Nearly unrecognizable.

Laney moves over, emptying her chair, placing Joce between herself and Dragon to make sure my sister isn’t feeling uncomfortable around all the new faces surrounding her.

“To family,” Selah says, lifting her wine glass and tinkling it against my beer bottle.

“To family,” I repeat, leaning over and giving her a kiss, one full of claims and promises. “Love you, Lah.”

“Love you too, Butcher.”

We decided against exchanging gifts with one another this year. Instead, we’ll give each other something each month, something that’s not necessarily a physical gift, but one that’s significant, monumental, and meaningful. Something that shows our true feelings—ones that can’t be expressed on one singular day.

Each month throughout the year, we have a date night planned. One that won’t include kids. We may give each other a token of our love, or we may just cuddle up in bed, talking. Those are some of the most insightful nights I’ve experienced with her.

She completes me in a way I never thought was possible. She’s shown me the error of my ways on more than one occasion. She’s not just my lover, my better half, she’s also my teacher. With her, I’ve learned what love and sacrifice is about.

She’s a breath of fresh air. She doesn’t bow down to me, she stands her ground and that’s a trait I respect. I don’t want a submissive partner—I want one who challenges me and makes me strive to be a better man. I’ll fight tooth and nail until my dying day for her and our children. After all, my life isn’t worth living without them at my side.

New Years Eve

My eyes narrow at Selah when she once again passes up another offer of a champagne flute. It’s New Year’s Eve, and she should be letting loose and having fun.

Having had enough of it, I march over to her and bend low, asking, “Why aren’t you drinking? Are you sick? Do we need to go home?”

“No,” she answers, peering down at the ground. Just as I’m about to get onto her, demanding answers, the countdown begins. Once we reach midnight, she kisses me with a passion that ignites my soul before lifting up on her toes and whispering words in my ear that’ll stay with me for the rest of my life.

“Congratulations, Butcher. Our family of six will be expanded to a family of seven by this time next year.”

It takes me a second for her words to sink in, and once they do, I whoop as loud as my throat allows before lifting her off her feet and backing her into the wall. “You going to have my baby, Lah?”

“Yeah,” she huskily replies, her eyes growing glassy. “I’m gonna have your baby, biker man.”

Unable to resist, I lean forward and grip her lips with mine. I pour every ounce of happiness I’m feeling into the kiss.

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Selah. You and our kids,” I say, reaching down and cupping her still flat belly, “are my entire world.”

“And you’re ours,” she rebuts. “Are you happy?” She chews on her bottom lip. We never discussed adding onto our family, I was content with it being just the six of us, but the thoughts of a little one running around, a blend of the two of us, makes me soar with exhilaration.

“More than you’ll ever know,” I confess.

“Happy New Year, Butcher.”

“Happy New Year, Lah.”

I cart her out of the clubhouse and toward our home. I’m not worried about the kids—they were staying overnight with Joceline. Tonight is going to be a night full of celebrations.

To a New Year.

To a new life.

We have enemies still out there lurking in the darkness, waiting for the right time to strike. But with the MC and our families standing beside us, there’s nothing we can’t overcome.

The End