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 dothat?”
“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.
