Once they move Rora from the delivery room and into her own private room, I call for Sledge to come and sit with my new family. My entire world now consists of two tiny females. My heart hammers against the walls inside my chest as I take another look at them, both resting so peacefully. Once Sledge enters the room and I fill him in on the news, I hesitantly leave and go search out my brothers. I feel confident in her safety because the nurse promised not to leave her side until I could make my way back to her. Between Sledge and this nurse, I think they’re both in good hands. They’d better be because if one solitary thing happens to either one of them, there will be nothing but a shell of this place once I’m through with it and their families.
As I’m complaining about a girl mentally, I have an epiphany of sorts as I venture down the hall. She needs me. She will need me to guide her and protect her. I can spend time with her teaching her what I do know. I pray she isn’t so girly that she won’t accept any of the wisdom I offer, and will enjoy spending time with me as her old man.
A feeling of resolve settles over me and for the first time since it’s been official that I have a daughter, and I exhale deeply. I continue on my path of informing my brothers about my daughter’s birth and that Rora is doing well. Marx and Bane are the first ones to jump up when I enter the room. “It’s a girl!” I proudly declare, and there are a lot of cheers, whoops and hollers. We all thought Rora was full of shit when she pronounced it was a girl in her womb and wouldn’t let any of us refer to her as anything but.
“What’s her name?” Marx asks me.
“Rora wants to announce it to everyone all at once, follow me,” I instruct, as I turn and rush back to my girls. I don’t look back to see if they’re following at my back because I can hear the heavy-footed sound of boots as they connect with the tile flooring. They follow with an eager stride behind me. Not only because I’m their president, but because they’re my oldest and closest friends and not only respect me, but Rora as well.
When we make our way to the room, I knock once to let her know we’re coming in. I still peek my head in and notice that she’s holding our girl in her arms with her eyes alight with love. The sight of the two of them would bring a weaker man to his knees, but I have a group of men I lead standing in witness. There’s no room in my life for me to show any type of weakness. When you show what could chop you off at the knees, that gives someone something to hold over you and use against you. In this world, that isn’t anything you let others become aware of. Although, I’m sure my brothers with children are already painstakingly aware of this. It suddenly dawns on me; our daughter is the only girl born so far into the club. The rest of my brothers all have boys. I grimace briefly at the thought, before silently cursing up at a god I’m not sure I believe exists, but if he does, this is some sort of karmic lesson I’m certain.
“Hey, Rora, the guys would like to meet our girl. Are you up for visitors?” I ask her quietly, not wanting to stir our daughter as she rests peacefully.
“Yes! Bring them in and let them see our beautiful girl,” she eagerly replies, as her face lights up. I open the door wider and allow my group of misfits to follow me in.
“Wow! She’s gorgeous, you two are gonna have your hands full,” Bane states with wide eyes before he pans them toward me and I just shrug. “Don’t worry, brother, we’ve got your back and plenty of stock in ammo to help ward off any of the fella’s that come snooping where they don’t belong.” I nod my head in agreement before the harsh reality of his spoken words slam into me like a freight train.
Boys! Eventually, men! Oh, fuck no!
This conjures up thoughts of an entire new set of problems. Are chastity belts still made? Looking up, I rest my chin on my hand as I ponder what is still humane versus inhumane these days. I could put bars on her windows, and a lock on her door. I feel the upward pull on my lips as a grin takes formation. Now, that might be an idea worth looking into. I mentally picture some young punk attempting to make googly-eyes, or coming to the clubhouse to pick my girl up. Every one of us having our piece out, either lying on the table in front of us, or cleaning our weapon of choice. The mental vision of where my thoughts have taken me causes a chuckle.
“Let me guess,” Rora begins, “you just imagined running any boys off that even think of coming anywhere near our daughter?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely,” I reply, as there’s certainly no shame in my thoughts.
“Figures,” she mutters, then turns to our daughter. “Your dad and uncles may be a little unstable at times, but they mean well,” she coos as she gently strokes the cheek of our girl.
“So, enough suspense already, what’s this little beauty’s name?” Streets asks us.
“Guys, I’d like you all to meet Harmony Aurora Price,” Rora announces, and all the guys get up closer to get a better look at our girl.
“She’s gonna be trouble,” Marx tells me. “You can see it in her eyes,” he jokes with me.
“That’s okay, she can be my little outlaw,” I respond, but the name Outlaw gets stuck in my head. Yes, I think she’ll most definitely be dubbed that name and wear it well. With Rora and myself as parents, she won’t stand a chance to be anything but rambunctious and a free spirit. I won’t encourage anything less.
“You leave our girl alone, Marx,” Rora states, wagging her finger at him.
He ducks his head like a scolded child before saying, “I don’t mean anything by it, Aurora, but she’s the prettiest baby I’ve ever seen, and that alone spells trouble with a capital ‘T’.” All the guys agree with him by grunting and Rora just smiles mischievously at me. See, even she knows we’re going to have our hands full with this one. She thinks that shit is funny. She likes to see me squirm which is why I work my hardest at not doing so in front of her.
“Don’t even start,” I warn her. “She’s an hour old and we’re already getting way too far ahead of ourselves. Fuck, I’m gonna have to take this one day at a time, ya know?”
“I’m not saying a word,” she replies, still smiling at me.
“Maybe not, but after all these years together, I can read your looks like an opened book. You’re already planning shopping trips, prom dresses, which usually consists of the opposite sex, might I remind you. Hell, you’ve probably already thought about helping plan her wedding.” The way she peeks up at me through her lashes tells me I’m correct. “I knew it!” I say, pointing my finger accusingly at her.
“Whatever, I’m tired, it’s time for you boys to say your goodbyes now,” she says, pointedly looking at me. I scowl at her but it causes her to smile brighter in my direction. I give up! There is no winning when it comes to my old lady, might as well just walk my men out and do as I’ve been requested to do...say goodbye.
Why is it I have a feeling these two ladies are going to gang up on me, walk all over me, and my commanded no will somehow always mean yes to them? I have a feeling I’ll be spending a lot of time checking to make sure my dick and balls are still in place while juggling to keep the club balanced and in order...my order. Why is it I can rule over my men with no one challenging me, but Rora has a way of undermining me, and making me change my mind without me realizing it? Damn woman has me wrapped around her finger, and I don’t even want to know what my daughter will be able to accomplish where it comes to me.