“The first one is my dad’s legal document giving up his parental rights. The second one is my custody papers, giving me legal custody of Darcy.” Cal’s voice broke, but he continued. “The third paper is me giving up Darcy for adoption to you and Drake. The fourth one is giving you and Drake permission to care for her and the medical releases while I’m in the service until the adoption goes through. If you want her, she’s yours.”
Bliss buried her face in Darcy’s sweet smelling hair. “I want her more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life.” She felt the little girl’s arms circle her neck as she laid her head on her shoulder.
Bliss carried her to Cal, who was manfully trying not to cry. “Are you sure?”
“I can’t offer her what you and Drake can. I can’t give her the forever home she needs. I wish I could, but I can’t. It’s not fair to make her wait.”
She turned to her fiancé. “Are you sure, Drake? We never talked about children.” She held her breath, waiting for his answer. Please, God, just this once, don’t let the happiness slip through my grasp.
“I knew I wasn’t capable of raising Darcy by myself, or I would have taken her when she went into foster care. I don’t know a thing about raising little girls. I thought you could help me with that part.” He wrapped his arms around both of them. “I’m going to enjoy having two pretty girls to come home to.”
Darcy raised her head from Bliss’s shoulder. “Did you get what you wanted for Christmas?”
“Yes, Darcy, I did.” Bliss placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. “Did you?”
“Yes. Bubby told me I’m going to stay with you and Drake.” Bliss laughed when Darcy reached out to pat Drake’s cheek.
“Is that okay with you?”
The girl nodded happily then frowned. “You won’t try to take my blanket away?” Darcy clutched it to her tightly.
“No,” Bliss reassured her through her tears of happiness.
“Then it’s okay. All the kids at school are going to want to come home with you, too, but I’m going to tell them you’re all mine.”
“You’re going to share her with me, aren’t you, Darcy?” Drake asked with mock worry.
“I can share with you, not them. She’s going to be my mama, not theirs.”
“No, I won’t be theirs.” Bliss’s voice wobbled. “Do you want to open our presents now?” Bliss had wrapped Darcy’s presents the day before. Cal was supposed to have taken them to her at her foster home after dinner. The men had planned the Christmas surprise so she could see Darcy open her presents.
The little girl clapped as Cal and Jace pulled out the presents for her to open.
“It wasn’t easy, but I managed to get everything on your Christmas list.”
Bliss looked away from Darcy ripping open her presents to Drake. “I didn’t make a list…”
Drake pulled out a colored piece of construction paper that had been folded and unfolded numerous times. “I sneaked it off the wall where it was pinned at the daycare.”
Bliss stared at the numerous pictures she had glued down: the home with a family smiling around the Christmas tree, opening presents; a large home with the Christmas lights shining; a cream-colored coat a pretty model was wearing as she shopped; a diamond ring; and a Christmas dinner on a large table surrounded by people.
“I think you missed one thing.”
“What?” Drake frowned, looking down at the picture.
“The Christmas dinner. I hope you’re not expecting me to cook it. If I did, it wouldn’t look like that,” Bliss warned.
“King is having it delivered this afternoon.”
Bliss laughed, pulling him to her. “Then I agree with Cash. This is the best Christmas ever.”
Epilogue
Drake leaned against his car, staring down at his watch and sighing impatiently.
She was late again. He fondly remembered the days when he used to text her and she came running. Now he was lucky to get a text that would tell him she was coming.
He knew she was approaching when he saw the men across the street come to a stop, gazing appreciatively at the woman walking down the street. A smile came to his lips when he saw his ladies holding hands. The little girl skipping happily next to his woman was talking animatedly as they neared.
Bliss was wearing the thick coat he had given her three winters ago. With her black boots, she looked sexy as hell. As he watched, Bliss reached up, brushing back her hair that the wind had sent blowing, giving her a sexy, tousled, I-just-got-out-of-bed look. It reached to below her chin, brushing her shoulders. If he had thought Bliss was eye-catching when she had short hair, with longer hair, she looked like a sex kitten.
The men who were staring at her looked away in disappointment when the diamond ring she wore flashed in the winter sun.
Bliss thought he had given her a big diamond to make her happy. She was wrong. He had given it to her to make him happy. He wanted any man who looked at her to know she was taken.
“What time will they be home, Mommy?”
“I don’t know. They’ll call when their plane lands.” Bliss’s voice was soft and happy.
Drake smiled. His daughter was anxious for her brother and stepbrother to be home.
“Daddy, do you know…?”
“You heard your mother. They’re going to call.”
“But it’s Christmas Eve. They promised they would be here yesterday. What if they don’t make it for Christmas?”
“They’ll make it. Cal and Jace both promised. Their plane was delayed. As soon as they can, they’ll be here. They don’t want to miss you opening your presents in the morning.”
“I won’t open them until they get here,” Darcy promised fervently as her father opened the car door for her to climb inside. Drake watched patiently as she buckled herself into her booster seat before closing the door.
After opening Bliss’s door, he took the packages from her hand, giving her a kiss that stamped his ownership over her for the remaining men who hadn’t moved on.
“Wow! What was that for?” Bliss grinned up at him.
“This morning … and at that asshole standing in front of the diner, whom I’m about to give a black eye.”
Her gaze went over the roof of the car to see who he was threatening.
“Oh, that’s just Silas, Ginny’s brother.” Bliss gave him a friendly wave.
“I know who he is. Get in the car.”
Bliss got inside the car, smiling. Then Drake went around the front of the car, giving Silas a glare that sent him on his way.
“That wasn’t nice,” Bliss said when he got inside.
“He was being a jackass.”
“Daddy, who was being a jackass?”
“See what you did.” Bliss snickered. “No one, Darcy. Daddy’s just in a grumpy mood.”
“Oh.” The little girl happily began swinging her feet.
“We’ll drop the packages off at home and get dressed for the party at the church tonight. All your cousins are going to be there.” Bliss chatted as they pulled out into the traffic.
“Is Logan going to be there?”
Bliss shot Drake a glance. Both of them knew what was coming.
“Yes,” Drake answered.
“I don’t want to go. I’ll stay home and wait for Cal and Jace.”
“You have to go. You’re not old enough to stay home by yourself.”
“Logan’s mean to me. He says I’m not a Porter.”
Drake grinned. His cousins still threw the same insult at him. The difference was Darcy really wasn’t, and the sensitive girl took it to heart when the boy made the claim.
“Just ignore him,” Drake advised. “That’s what I do.”
Darcy went silent, staring morosely out the window.
Drake pulled into the driveway and ushered Bliss and Darcy inside.
“What’s the rush?”
“If we don’t get there early enough, the turkey will be all gone. Between all The Last Riders and the Porter
s, it’s already slim pickings.”
“There will be plenty of food. Rachel made an extra turkey, and Willa made an extra ham.”
“Cal and Jace will probably be there before it’s over.”
“We better hurry, then, because once those boys start eating, nothing will be left.” With that, Bliss ran up the steps. The sight almost had him agreeing with Darcy about staying home.
Darcy followed her mother upstairs more slowly, sending him a pleading look over her shoulder. Drake gave her an encouraging smile.
“I’ll make sure Logan behaves.”
“Okay.”
Drake took his time getting dressed, knowing he would be ready well before his women. He wasn’t wrong. It took them a good hour longer than him before they were heading to Lucky’s church.
Darcy’s reservations about coming disappeared when John, Chance, Noah, and little Maggie came running to greet her. The children disappeared into the crowd. Drake didn’t worry, though. Each adult in the room would keep an eye on the children.
“I’m going to go help set the food up.” Bliss rose up on her toes to brush a kiss on his lips.
“Don’t be gone long.”
“I won’t,” she promised, giving him a bright smile before braving the huge crowd.
Drake found the punch bowl already surrounded by The Last Riders. He didn’t have to ask Rider if it was spiked since a smaller bowl had been set up at another table with Rachel pouring cups for the children.
He took a cup from Viper.
“Careful with that,” he warned. “Rider and Train made it this year.”
Drake took a small sip, nearly gagging. It was more liquor than fruit. At least the huge table of food should help with keeping the men relatively sober, if not from puking up the horrible concoction the two had made.
Shade caught his reaction. “It’s better than last year when Penni made it.”
“Or the year before when Greer did. The women didn’t even talk to any of us Christmas Day. That son of a bitch was responsible for all of us having to walk home in the freezing cold after the women left with the children,” Cash needlessly reminded them.
Drake had been one of them walking home. He had woken up the next morning with the worst hangover in history. He had waited for Bliss and Darcy to open their presents before driving to Greer’s house and beating the shit out of him. Drake was sure it was one Christmas present he would never forget.
“I’m going to tell my daddy!” Darcy’s tearful voice had Drake turning to seeing Logan standing next to his daughter. Her pretty green dress was drenched in punch. Darcy was holding an empty cup, the contents of which Drake assumed Logan had forced her to spill on herself.
Rachel had turned around to talk to Holly when she saw Darcy. She immediately began trying to wipe off her dress.
Drake was about to step forward when Greer came barreling toward his nephew, slapping him up against the back of his head.
“What’s wrong with you, boy? Porters never make a woman cry!”
Holly opened her mouth but snapped it closed when Greer shot her a do-not-interfere look.
Logan turned bright red from being the focus of so many adult stares.
“I couldn’t let her drink it, Uncle Greer.”
“Why not?” Holly asked before Greer could.
“Because Chance had switched that cup with one from the other table when no one was looking.”
The room went silent. The men went pale, and Razer went for Chance. Drake almost felt sorry for the young boy.
Chance and Noah were going through a mischievous phase, pulling jokes on each other when the opportunity was available.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I meant it for Noah.”
“Chance, you can spend the rest of the night by yourself in the corner, watching everyone else have fun.”
“I’m sorry, Dad.” Razer didn’t try to hide his disappointment in his son’s actions.
“Go, and don’t think that will be your only punishment. When Noah is unwrapping his Christmas presents in the morning, you will be writing letters of apology to both Darcy and her parents.”
“Yes, sir.” The dejected boy went to the corner where his furious mother had a chair waiting for him.
“That’s the last time you men get your own punch.” Winter picked up the big bowl, taking it into the church kitchen.
The men all glared at the boy while Drake burst out laughing, slapping Razer on the back.
“Don’t be too mad at him. He did us all a favor. That’s the worst punch we’ve had yet.”
The atmosphere lightened.
Greer ruffled Logan’s hair. “That’s the way you watch out for your cousin.”
Logan’s hand went to his hair to straighten it and he cast a shy glance at Darcy. “She’s not my cousin! We’re not kin.”
Darcy’s face filled with hurt and she started to turn to Bliss, who had come to see what was going on with her daughter. From her expression, Drake could tell another boy was about to be sent to the corner with his tail tucked between his legs.
“I brought you something, Darcy.” Logan reached into his pocket, pulling out a small wooden figurine. “I made it myself. Daddy taught me to whittle, and I know you want a kitten, but you can’t have one since you’re allergic.” He tentatively held out his gift in the palm of his hand.
Drake held back his gasp while most of the women couldn’t. The beautiful wooden figurine was a work of infinite patience and skill. It was a curled-up small kitten, sleeping. It had been buffed until it shone.
Darcy gave Logan a timid smile, reaching out to take her special gift.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
The children gathered around to see for themselves, complimenting Logan on his skill.
Bliss slipped an arm around Drake’s waist, leaning against him, and Drake placed an arm around her shoulder, tugging her closer.
“I think we’re in trouble,” she teased, nodding at Logan who was trying to manfully shrug off the many compliments while gazing at Darcy with puppy dog eyes.
“I wonder if Winter already threw out that punch.”
Drake winced when his wife shoved an elbow into his stomach.
“You need anything?” Drake asked, trying to make amends for his lame joke.
“Yes, hold me tighter.”
It never failed to pierce his soul when she would ask that of him. He wondered if she would ever feel the security of his love. Each time she asked him to hold her tighter, it was as if she were assuring herself he was still there.
“Why are you looking so sad?” Bliss asked, staring up at him.
Drake pulled her even more tightly against him. “Nothing, sweet Bliss.” He looked across the room before telling her, “Look over at the door.”
Jace and Cal had both just entered.
Bliss squealed in joy, taking off, whereas Drake waited patiently for his sons to make their way to him through the well-wishers.
“Dad.” Both Jace and Cal reached out to give him a bear hug.
“About time you boys got your asses here. Your mom and sister have been driving me crazy.”
“We hitched a ride with Santa.” Cal laughed, reaching down to pick up his sister and giving her a noisy kiss on her cheek.
“Bubby! I knew you would make it!”
“So did I!” Bliss joined in. “I new Santa wouldn’t disappoint me. All I wanted for Christmas was all of my family at home.”
Drake bent down to whisper in her ear, “You must have been a good girl this year.”
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hugging him tightly. “Santa will never forget which door our family is behind. We’re going to be there forever.”
Drake returned her hug. Bliss had just given him her greatest gift. It was a Christmas miracle worth waiting for—faith in their love.
“Ew … Mommy and Daddy are kissing again,” Darcy complained.
Bliss broke away, gasping. “Daddy was just
wishing me a Merry Christmas.”
Jace, Cal, and Darcy moved to the food table. When they were out of earshot, Drake grabbed Bliss back.
“Daddy will be wishing you a very Merry Christmas when we get home and everyone is asleep.”
Bliss giggled. “One, you can try to make me come. Two, I’m going to make you come first. Three … after we put together Darcy’s new bike.”
“Santa’s going to be coming tonight. Jace and Cal can put the bike together. That’s what elves are for.”
~Merry Christmas~
Enjoy an excerpt from Jamie Begley’s book
Hostage (Predators MC, #3)
Prologue
Friday
“Do you take sugar?” Penni waved a packet of sugar in the air.
“Yes, please.” Grace opened a drawer next to her, looking for a spoon. “Why do you only have plastic silverware?”
Penni dumped the package of sugar into the coffee cup then handed it to her friend. “I keep meaning to buy some more silverware. For some reason, they keep disappearing.”
She poured herself a cup of coffee, leaving it black, as she watched Grace take a sip then wince at the strong flavor. “Sorry. I like my coffee strong.”
“Now I know why you’re always so hyper.”
“I’m hyper without it. The coffee just makes it worse. I appreciate that you didn’t mind working here today instead of the office. I hate the smell of fresh paint. The building owners promised it should be finished by tomorrow, so we can go back to the office on Monday.”
The owners were in the process of renovating, and the smell of the fresh paint had given her a persistent headache. Thankfully, that part of the renovations was almost over.
“No problem. It’s a nice change of pace. I brought my laptop to go over the venues for the tour dates.”
As tour manager of Mouth2Mouth, it was Penni’s job to set the tour schedule. Grace had proven herself to be invaluable as her assistant, handling the office when she went on tour with the group.
“Let me grab my laptop, and we can work at the kitchen table. I’ll be right back.” Penni went into her living room then carried her laptop back into the kitchen seconds later. She came to a stop when she saw Grace about to open the sliding door to her backyard.