Jerry's Passion: Insurgents Motorcycle Club (Insurgents MC Romance Book 6) (36 page)

“I love you, Dad.” She embraced him tightly. Then they parted, each of them going to their bedrooms, closing their doors.

*     *     *

At five in
the morning, Kylie heard a flurry of activity outside in the hall. She leapt from her bed and threw open the door, seeing her dad’s arm around Belle as he helped her down the stairs.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“The baby’s coming,” Banger said, his face taut and pale.

Kylie’s hand flew over her mouth. “Oh, no. Are you okay, Belle? What do you want me to do?”

“Stay calm. I already got your dad freaking out on me, so don’t you start. I’m going to be fine. I just need to get to the hospital. My water broke, and my contractions are coming pretty quick.” Belle smiled at Kylie, her eyes bright as she took unhurried, careful steps.

“I’m coming too.” Kylie turned around to go back in her room to change.

Belle shook her head. “No. It’s going to be some time until the baby comes. Tell Ethan and Emily, and then you can all come in a little bit.”

“Woman, stop talking and keep walking,” Banger snapped. “I gotta get you to the hospital.”

Kylie caught Belle’s eyes, and both women burst out laughing. “I’ll get everyone together and we’ll be there in an hour. Dad, call me if the baby starts coming out before I get there.”

He nodded and whisked Belle out the door. Kylie rushed to her room to shower and change before waking up Ethan and Emily.

Two hours later, Kylie sat in the waiting room, staring blankly at the pictures of rolling waves and idyllic sands hanging on the walls. Across from her was a rack containing health, women’s, and celebrity magazines. A television hung in one corner, the volume turned up too loud, which irritated the hell out of her. Ethan sat two seats down from her next to his sister, munching on a bag of peanuts while Emily yawned and sipped on coffee.

“How long is it gonna be before I get to see my brother?” Ethan asked.

Emily shrugged and yawned again. Kylie smiled weakly. “We don’t know. It could take a short time or a really long time.” She fixed her gaze back on the door leading to the delivery rooms.

When the third hour rolled in, the delivery room doors opened and Banger walked out, his eyes twinkling and a huge smile on his face. Kylie leapt up and ran over to her dad. “Is he here?” she asked. Emily and Ethan rushed over.

“You all have yourself a healthy nine-pound, three-ounce baby brother. It was fuckin’ something to see. Never thought I’d like seeing it, but it was awesome. Just fuckin’ awesome.”

Kylie hugged her dad, and Emily said, “When can Ethan and I see Mom?”

“We can all go up now. She’s in her room with Harley.”

Emily stared at Banger. “You got my mom to name my brother after a motorcycle?”

He smiled, nodding.

“How the hell did you do
that
?”

“The delivery room for the name.” He and Kylie laughed while Emily scowled and Ethan jumped up and down excitedly.

“Come on. Let’s go,” Banger said, and the three children followed him down the hospital corridor.

Seeing her little brother made Kylie’s heart swell; he was so tiny and so perfect, with his crop of dark brown hair and tiny hands. She was instantly overcome. “You and Dad made a beautiful baby,” she said to Belle.

Ethan had his head on Belle’s stomach and she stroked his hair with her fingers. “I can’t believe how short my labor was. This pregnancy was a breeze.” She grasped Emily’s hand.

Emily kissed her mom on her cheek. “The baby’s beautiful, Mom. I hate his name, though, so I’m gonna have to come up with a nickname.”

Kylie leaned over and hugged Belle. “I love the name, it suits him.”

Emily rolled her eyes. “Figures.”

They visited with the new mother for a while, but after seeing how exhausted Belle was, Kylie told Emily and Ethan it’d be best to let her and the baby rest. Belle’s doctor wanted her to stay in the hospital for two nights, so they’d have a chance to come back later in the evening to visit with her and Harley.

Later that night, Kylie heard her dad’s footsteps as he shuffled across the tiled floor in the kitchen. When she heard the fizz of the beer can as it popped opened, she smiled and set aside her book on the end table next to the couch. She waited for him to come into the family room. When he entered, he looked happy, but exhausted.

“How’re Belle and Harley doing?” she asked.

“Both sleeping soundly when I left.” He took a gulp of his beer and laughed. “He’s so fuckin’ small. I remember when you were born, you were all pink with a tuft of yellow hair. Tonight brought back a lot of memories. Fuck. I can’t believe I’ve got a son.”

Kylie leaned over and kissed her dad on his cheek. “You did real good, Dad. He’s adorable, and you’re going to be just great with him like you are with me. Mom would be proud.”

Banger looked at her, his eyes glistening. “I think she would. I know she was in that delivery room laughing her ass off to see the president of an outlaw club nearly choke when he saw the baby’s head coming out. Damn.” He took another swig of beer.

“I’m so glad you were in there. I think it’s totally cool that dads are part of the delivery. I know Belle was happy you were there.”

He chuckled. “The way she was cussing, I thought for a while she regretted her decision, but then the nurse told me it was the pain and to just go with it. I kept helping her and stroking her arms and wiping her forehead. She’s an amazing woman.” He fixed his gaze on Kylie. “I’m happy you’re coming around to accepting Belle. She’s a fine woman, and your old man is crazy about her.”

Kylie nodded. “I know, Dad. I’ve become used to the idea that she’s your wife, and we actually have had some nice conversations over the past couple of months. And I see how happy you are. Whenever she comes into a room, your whole face lights up. I love seeing you that way. I would never take that away from you by being snarky with her. And I know you want me to be happy too, right?”

“Sure, baby girl. I’ve always just wanted the best for you.”

Kylie debated whether it was the right time to tell Banger about her and Jerry, but she didn’t want to deflate the high he was riding on. There was time. She leaned against his shoulder and listened as he recounted the birth of his son.

Three weeks later

B
anger stood in
the middle of the great room, holding Harley and swaying back and forth as he sang along softly to
Sister Christian
by Night Ranger. The old ladies chuckled under their breaths as they ran around, making finishing touches to the party the club was throwing for Belle and Banger. Kylie grinned as she walked by her dad, making her way over to Addie to see if she needed any help. Her dad had proven he was nothing but a big old softie, kissing, hugging, and carrying Harley every chance he had, and Belle loved it because it gave her time to rest. Her baby brother had brought a gaiety to the household, and even Emily smiled more than Kylie had ever seen her do.

“Start bringing out the salads,” Addie said while she smoothed down the blue-checked tablecloth on the banquet-sized table. “Emily, if you’re not going to help, then can you please watch Paisley and Hope? Cherri’s in the kitchen warming up her chili, and I’m too busy to keep my eyes on the kids.”

“What about Chas and Jax? They should be watching their kids instead of drinking beer.”

Addie, Cara, Baylee, Doris, and Marlene stared at the young woman for a second, then burst out laughing. “Yeah. Right. Like that’s gonna happen.”

Emily walked over and scooped Hope up in her arms, then tucked Paisley’s hand in hers. “It just seems like the workload for these parties is very unfair. Why do we always have to do all the work? The men in this club need to bring their asses into the twenty-first century.”

“Most men need to do that,” Cara said, smiling. “I can’t tell you how many Thanksgivings, Christmas Eves, and birthday parties I’ve been to where the women planned, cooked, and cleaned up for the event.” She shook her head then placed the rolled napkins with utensils on the table.

“Yeah, you’re right, Cara. I can’t remember a Thanksgiving where Ruben helped me with the dinner. And afterward, all the men are glued in front of the TV watching football while the women tackle the dishes and greasy pans.” Doris pulled her hair back into a ponytail. “It’s just the way it is. If you think too hard on it or try to change ‘em, you’ll go fuckin’ crazy.”

The women laughed, but Emily twisted her mouth. “I won’t put up with that from any man. He either helps with the food and dishes, or he doesn’t eat. Are you with me on this, Kylie?”

Kylie shrugged. “I know what you’re saying, but I don’t think men are going to change. I mean, we do the cooking, and they do the protecting. I love knowing my man has my back and would fight to the death to keep me safe.”

“Your man? Are you holding out on us, Kylie?” Baylee said.

Kylie turned a bright red. Damnit. How could she let that slip out? She shook her head and opened up the large bag of pretzels Cara had given her to put in the bowls strewn across the tables. As she filled each one, she stole glances at Jerry, and each time she did, he met her gaze. How she longed to go over and kiss him in front of everyone. Jerry was right—she had to tell her dad. Jerry had wanted to come over and do it many times over the past three weeks, but her dad had been so happy with Harley and everything, she didn’t want to see him angry.

“How’s Harley doing?” she asked, standing next to Banger.

“Sleeping. Damn he’s fuckin’ cute.”

She smiled and ran a finger gently over her brother’s tiny hand.

“Don’t even think about helping,” Addie said loudly, causing Kylie to turn toward the table that had begun to fill up with food. She saw Belle holding a big pot of something, the steam dancing above it. “I’m not joking, Belle. Give me the pot of beans and go sit down. This is a party for you, Banger, and Harley. We’ve got everything under control.”

Belle began to protest when Banger’s baritone voice rang out. “Woman, come over here. Your man needs you.”

Emily sighed and rolled her eyes while she played with Paisley and Hope.

Kylie moved away when Belle came over, and Banger hooked his arm around her and kissed her on the lips. The couple stood close together with Harley in the president’s arms. As Kylie watched her dad, Belle, and her brother, a wave of longing came over her, and she yearned to be with Jerry in the way her dad was with Belle. She shuffled toward the kitchen to see if the old ladies needed any help.

“You can place this dish on the table,” Cara said as she handed Kylie a huge Pyrex pan. “Be careful—it just came out of the oven.”

Kylie breathed in the aroma. “Smells delicious. What is it?”

“Eggplant parmesan. I made it for one of the barbecues last summer and all the guys wolfed it down, not realizing it was eggplant. It was too funny. They thought it was chicken or something. You know, if I would’ve told them it was eggplant, they would’ve made a face and not tried it. So for the members, it’s chicken parmesan.”

Kylie laughed. She loved that Cara always brought a tasty Italian dish to family parties. She placed the dish on the table just when Addie went over and turned off the music. “Food’s on.” The sound of barstools and wooden chairs scraping against the floor filled the room as the brothers eagerly made their way to the food table.

Kylie grabbed a plate and stood in line, then turned around when she felt someone’s leg brush against hers. “Hey,” Jerry said huskily. Tingles ran through her. “You cook any of this?”

“No.” She licked her lips.

“You’re gonna have to cook for me sometime. You know how to do it, right?”

She nodded, then placed a large scoop of potato salad on her plate. “Do you?”

“Nah. The microwave is my stove, and the phone is my cook.”

She giggled “Do a lot of takeout, huh?”

“Yeah. Am I gonna see you later?” he whispered.

She nodded. “Try the chicken parmesan. Cara made it, and it’s so good.” She smiled mischievously. He took a large portion.

Kylie was thrilled that Jerry was sitting at a table with Axe, Baylee, Jax, and Cherri. Since the old ladies were there, her dad would be cool with her sitting with Jerry. Everyone talked, laughed, made toasts to the new parents, and ate too much. Kylie looked around the room and was filled with a deep sense of family, loyalty, and closeness that only the MC could provide. They were a family who struggled, cried, laughed, and partied together. Each of their worries was shared by the whole club. When Kylie was in danger, they all jumped to help her. The enormity of their love and respect for one of their own always blew her away.

After they’d devoured all the food and the women had washed and put away the dishes, some of the brothers played pool while others sneaked off to have some fun with the club whores who’d been relegated to their rooms. Club girls and old ladies never shared the same space at the same time. It was just the way the Insurgents’ world worked, and everyone knew their place and respected it.

Jerry sidled up alongside Kylie. “Where’s your dad?”