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PAPA BEAR
The day before I leavefor my vacation with Lady Bug and Kat, I stand on the front porch of my house overlooking the heart of the Sanctuary. My mind reels with all the changes over the last few months.
I’ve put off this long-needed vacation for years. I figured we’d go away after I retired. Yet, I worried about leaving Overlord before he was ready. Then, the Sanctuary suffered the deaths of Connor, Virginie, and Caroline. I used that as an excuse to remain here.
With the Horned Angels finished and the Texas problem handled, I have no more excuses. I need to get my ass on a plane and go see Australia with Lady Bug and Kat.
My wife joins me on the porch. Her fingers brush against the back of my neck, making me smile.
“You should make your final rounds and check in with everyone,” Lady Bug says, knowing I’ve gotten myself wound up over leaving.
I wrap Lady Bug in my arms and hope she knows how much I love her. I doubt I could have survived the last decade without her at my side.
Leaving her to do last-minute packing, I walk around the Sanctuary, checking in with people. At the park, I see Bomber and Pumpkin watching Collin goof around with their new puppy. Nearby, Duchess sits with Care Bear who rubs her growing baby bump. The ultrasound showed she’s having a boy. Rumor has it, Care Bear and Blunt are leaning toward the name Parker.
As I wave at my granddaughters playing nearby, I wonder if Duchess and Overlord might have a child together. Four under the age of eight is a lot of work, so I don’t blame them if they don’t want more. But I wouldn’t be too surprised if I got another grandchild out of the couple.
Walking past the park, I spot Blunt riding by with several of the younger members. He slows down to wave at Care Bear and Clark. The little boy calls out to his daddy. Blunt grins at his son. Though the paternity test answered the question of Clark’s biological father, Blunt already had the boy wrapped in his heart.
As I approach Tobosa Road, I spot Twinkle Toes and Bo Peep pushing their strollers toward the park. I wave at Amelia who points at the other stroller where newborn James is hidden. The little redhead comes out of her shell a little more every time I see her.
Following behind her sister, Celine seems fascinated by her new cell phone. The former Dolls have only now gotten accustomed to technology, eating freely, and moving easily around the Sanctuary. A few of them still need to be escorted everywhere or they’ll get stuck at their homes.
Overlord moved the two women from the Stockade to Sister Sass’s former cottage. None of the seven women seem interested in leaving the Sanctuary.
So far, Celine is the only one with a boyfriend. I’ve seen her riding with Thorn a few times, and I know they go with the other couples to the Sanctuary’s movie nights. However, I don’t imagine they’ll be living together anytime soon.
As I loop around the neighborhood on my way to see Sister Sass at the townhomes, I spot Hope sitting on the front lawn of her house. She lifts her face to the sun and enjoys its warmth. She’s been calm since her last attempt to flee her demons.
Luca walks outside and waves at me. She recently learned she’s pregnant. Ghost seems nervous about that fact, but Luca can’t seem to stop smiling. Right now, she settles next to Hope on the grass and enjoys the quiet day.
Arriving at the townhomes, I think about how Sister Sass and Luca will deliver only a few weeks apart. The Sanctuary seems especially vibrant with so many new babies joining the community.
Once Sister Sass answers her door, she blocks my entry. “Jester’s gone native and given up pants.”
“I’ve seen worse.”
