“You’re his baby girl. I often wonder if it would have been different had I given Jameson a girl. Your daddy is just protective over you. And sweetheart, I can almost guarantee Noah will be worse with her. Not to mention poor baby girl’s got Creed, too.”
I chuckled, “Yeah...” Placing my hand on my belly, knowing what she said couldn’t have been more accurate. “The night I went to the clubhouse, I just wanted a night to be normal. Have fun and not worry about who I was disappointing... or what my parents’ wanted me to do. Noah was charming, handsome, funny... he was what I needed that night. One thing led to another and we made this baby girl.” I gestured to my belly. “Noah was my first... I hadn’t ever... and we used protection... but Creed and I weren’t together. I promise.”
“How did you meet Creed? You guys are nine years apart, right?”
I nervously laughed, breathing out, “Yes.”
She shrugged, relieving my worry. “Age is just a number. Jameson is a lot older than I am, too. I was eleven when I fell in love with him, and he was nowhere near my age. Didn’t stop him from claiming me when I was fifteen.”
“Huh, I guess it was something like that for Creed and me, too. Except, he pushed me away every chance he got, constantly telling me he was no good. When all I wanted was to be his friend. He always looked like he needed one of those.”
“Creed is his own worst enemy. My boy has been through so much, and I’m to blame for a lot of it. It took me a long time to accept that as well.”
“I met him in the parking lot of my momma’s restaurant when I was nine years old, but he was friends with my older brother, Mason. They actually went into the military together. Mason is still there. Over the years, I just saw him in passing. Until one night everything changed, and it kind of turned into a domino effect. Now... here we are... I needed you to know all this. The last thing I want is for you to think I’m some sort of hussy,” I divulged, feeling a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.
She lovingly smiled at me, seeming as though what I had shared didn’t faze her. Not any of it. She squeezed my hand in reassurance. “Listen, sweetheart. I’m no one to judge. Hell, I even know what it’s like to be torn between two men. I’m not a saint, not even close. You are far from a hussy, darlin’, and I knew that the first time I saw your innocent face.” She reached up and grabbed under my chin, speaking with conviction, “I have never seen my boys this happy, and I have you to thank for that. I couldn’t have asked for a better woman to have walked into both of their lives. Regardless of the circumstances and situation y'all are in. We’re all family now, and one day, I know I will be proud to call you my daughter. I am over the moon you are carrying my grandbaby.” She stood, kissing the top of my head. Leaving me to finish eating my breakfast.
We spent the rest of the morning sitting on the couch, getting to know each other. Giving me a little insight to her and the boys’ life. Telling me how she was a recovering alcoholic, and how she felt like the worst mother in the world for the longest time, but had spent every day since trying to make up for her past mistakes. It broke my heart hearing how Creed and Noah grew up, getting a small glimpse into their world, making me even more thankful I didn’t come from a broken family.
“You know, I always wanted a baby girl,” she admitted, grabbing my foot to paint my toenails.
My belly was becoming an obstacle these days. It was nice to be pampered for the afternoon, bonding with Diane. Having some much-needed girl time. Don’t get me wrong, I loved having the boys around, but I couldn’t imagine asking Creed to do this. I laughed to myself picturing my tattooed, alpha male biker, painting my nails pink.
“Oh yeah?”
“I even had a name picked out. Madison, which means a gift from God. We would have called her Maddie for short.”
“Oh! I love that! Madison Jameson. Well, now you will have a grandbaby girl to spoil and do all sorts of girly stuff with.”
She smiled, thinking about the possibilities. I could barely keep my eyes open as the afternoon kicked in, usually taking a nap around this time.
“Oh sweetheart, why don’t you head to bed and get some rest. I’m going to finish the laundry, cook you some dinner, and head out for the night. Diesel’s supposed to take me back soon.”
“You promise to come back, right?” I asked, dragging myself off the couch.
“Of course. I had such a great time with you today. Now you go take a nap.”
“Thanks so much, Diane. For everything.” I gave her a hug goodbye and went to lay down on Creed’s bed. Passing out as soon as my head hit the pillow.
By the time I woke up, Diane was gone. I spent the rest of the day by myself, dozing off sometime in the evening. When I woke up again, I yawned, stretching my arms above my head, craning my neck to see the time on the alarm clock. It was almost midnight and still no sign of Creed. Most of the time I would just lie in his bed, reading or watching movies. Snuggling up with his pillow that smelled like him, making me feel less alone. Waiting anxiously for him to return to the place I now called home. I hadn’t seen him in a few days, and I missed him terribly.
Time just seemed to drag on when he wasn’t around.
I took a hot shower and changed into some cotton shorts and a tank. The only time I ever wore revealing clothing these days was when I was going to sleep. There were too many men walking in and out of the house, day and night. The last thing I wanted was to start problems, knowing it wouldn’t end well with my boyfriend. Creed preferred my clingy fuckin’ clothes, as he called them. He said he loved the way I felt when he would slip into bed with me in the middle of the night when he made it back. Always coming home in the darkness, making me often wonder if returning so late had something to do with my family. Maybe it was easier to leave during the night, unnoticed.
I shook off the thought. Brushed my teeth, getting ready for bed, when my stomach began to rumble. After finishing my nightly routine, I walked down to the kitchen for a late-night snack. Baby girl wanted some ice cream like she did almost every night.
“Diesel, did you eat all my mint chocolate chip ice cream? I see you eyeing it every time I’m eating,” I giggled, hearing his loud, clanking boots descending down the hallway.