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“This man, I like. Straight to the point. My Billie won’t let any man dictate to her. She comes from a long strong stock of women,” my mom says proudly.
“I bet she does,” Reaper responds.
“Could you two give Billie the chance to say what she needs? You can flirt on your own time.” That makes my mom blush lightly across her cheeks.
“And she blushes too,” Reaper says, but Rager cuts his eyes to me. “This is me shutting up.”
“Okay, Billie, just say what you need to.” Rager gives me the floor. I let out a breath and then relax a little more. I have butterflies in my stomach.
“I came to ask you to give me away at my wedding.” This time, Reaper spits his coffee out. At least he had enough sense to turn his head.
“Sorry, didn’t expect that one,” Reaper says without a smile on his face. I look at Rager and he seems a bit surprised too.
“Let me explain,” I start.
“Just let me ask a question. You are marrying my son, right? This is his child?” That has my mom moving closer to the table and looking Rager straight in the eyes.
“My girl doesn’t lie, ever. Not even if it causes her pain. She wasn’t raised that way and she isn’t a slut. If you think any differently, then you and I have a problem.” Mom is raising her voice the more she talks.
“Mom, I have this. They don’t have all the facts yet. These men are my friends, please. Just chill a minute so I can explain.” My mom’s eyes don’t leave Rager’s, but she does sit back in her chair.
“When I left Honey at the hotel the other morning, I wasn’t feeling well and I wanted to talk to Raider. I thought it was because I wanted to make sure everything was alright between Raider and me. I was going to go and see him at the clubhouse. The further I drove, the sicker I felt. By the time I made it home, I was so sick, I was turning green. Anyway, long story short, I was sick the rest of the day and the day after that. Until last night, I could hardly keep anything down. I got sick a few more times. After getting sick the first time, I was getting a washcloth to wash my mouth out, and I saw my tampons in my bathroom closet. I hadn’t had my period in a while. With the things going on in my life, with having a new boyfriend, keeping up with my workload with the farm, my online classes, and getting ready for the signing, I just wasn’t paying close enough attention. My mom had some early pregnancy tests in her black bag and she had me take one that night.” I stop and take a drink of water. “You have guessed it by now, the test was positive and so was the next one the following morning.
“You told Raider?” Rager asks.
“Of course, I did. He came over that afternoon and he was so happy. We got in to see the doctor later that week. This is your grandchild.” I take out the ultrasound photos I still have with me. I point out where the baby is to Rager and Mom shows Reaper.
“You’ve seen these?” Rager asks Mom.
“I was there the day they were done. Billie and I have no secrets. Billie told me the first time they had sex. It was her first time, and that is something my girl wouldn’t keep from me. Billie has been an adult for five years, way before her time. She makes good decisions and I love Raider as one of my own. He's a good man. I think she chose well.” Mom and I never have secrets from each other. Our entire family is that way. If one member of our family is going through something, then we all are. We support each other. It makes us closer.
“I think they did this a little backward, don’t you think?” Reaper speaks up.
“They may have jumped the gun a little, but that boy had a ring in his pocket the day the ultrasound was done and he proposed to her while she was still lying on the exam table. He already had his own plan in motion. This just speeds it up a little. I couldn’t care less if they get married next week or in the next ten years, as long as Raider takes care of his little family. Our family usually stands by traditions, but these are new days. They’re a younger generation and how they do things is up to them. I dare someone to judge them and let me hear it.” My mom is always in my corner. “The only thing that I don’t like is his dad put bruises on him. In my book, that’s a shame. I don’t care what you were arguing about. That boy is not to blame for what two adults caused years ago. You need to remember that.” Mom points at Rager and then shuts up.
I ignore her words. I don’t want to cause another argument today. There’s been too much arguing, if you ask, me but they will know my opinion before I leave.
“Raider is talking to Honey today and showing her a picture like these. Raider and I didn’t know what was up between you and Honey since he received the text that she was going to be home today.” I look at my hands and then back to Rager. “When you’re both ready to share with everyone, know that I’m here, but I don’t want to know anything that Raider doesn’t know first. That is your family business, and I’m not a part of that. I also don’t like you or Raider acting aggressively toward each other.”
“The hell you ain’t,” Reaper speaks up.
“You got that right,” Mom says, but the only one I want to hear their opinion of is Rager.
“You’re our family even if you and Raider don’t ever get married. You’re carrying my grandchild. You’re under my protection from this day forward.” Rager puts his hand over mine.
“Thank you. I thought you might think I was trying to trap Raider.” I let my fear be heard.
“Billie, I think you’re too good for any damn man. I want to have a relationship with Raider because I’ve already missed so much, but even if that never happens, you’re my daughter from this day forward. I’ll make sure that you and all your family will never need or fear anything again.” I see the tears in Rager’s eyes. I won’t let my tears fall, not yet anyway.
“Ditto that,” Reaper says and I reach for his hand. The three of us hold hands for a few more seconds. “What’s with this giving you away? We just got you.” I feel a tear roll down my face. I quickly wipe it away.
“Like Mom said, Raider popped the question while I was still on the exam table and I, of course, said yes. I love that man with all my heart but I gave him a stipulation.” Mom muffles a laugh under her breath. Reaper and Rager both look at Mom.
“Don’t look at me. My daughter is as stubborn as the day is long. When she gets something in her head, she’s going to get her way. She won’t marry Raider until he’s old and gray unless he agrees to her stipulations and he hasn’t yet.” Mom is right, I am stubborn, but I come by it naturally. I want to marry Raider now, but I don’t want Raider to look back on our wedding and be disappointed his dad wasn’t there.
“Spill it, darlin’,” Rager says.
“I told Raider the only way I would marry him is if you give me away.” I raise my hand to keep Rager from talking. “The day you spent with me, walking around the MMM book signing event, meant something to me. It’s something like my dad would do with me. I mean, I know you had your own motives, trying to pump me for information on Honey and Raider, but it was like my dad was there. I guess that’s why I won’t accept no for an answer. I don’t care what the wedding is like—big, small, fancy, or everyone come as they are—but I have always wanted to share that with my dad. I want you to be the one who walks me down the aisle. I talked to my mom about it and she approves. Her only stipulation is that when the officiate asks who gives me away, you say, ‘I do. along with her mom, Francesca Nesbit.’ I can live with that.” I then look at Reaper. “I would like for you to walk my mom to her chair and then officiate the ceremony. You can get your license to marry people online. Cole is going to walk Honey to her seat,” I finish. I know my hormones are all over the place but this is something I need more than want, or that’s how it feels.
