(The Prologue is Lizbeth's and Switch POV and takes place the same Day as Inked Epilogue.)
With the foundation set work had finally started on the new clubhouse. Sitting to the back of the property the place was going to be a monster in size. Three levels, two of which spit into 45 bedrooms with the lower level being one giant bar. Also a larger meeting room to hold church. He and Ripper had agreed on the floor plan then showed the club who'd voted to start the build.
The old clubhouse would become more family friendly for the officers and their families. They'd attempted to switch over the kitchen too but the girls had cut that idea down. Queen B outright refused to give up her current kitchen and Liz , Sin and Cindy had been right there backing her.
At the thought of Liz, Switch couldnt hold back the grin he now wore while strapping on his tool belt. Like every brother he was putting in time on the build to keep the cost down. Just twenty minutes ago he'd been wrapped around his little firecracker. And yes she was his.
Before she'd entered his bed Switch had already been protective of the little redhead. Hearing what her and B went though had started it. Getting to know the fiesty yet still sweet women she was had just pulled him deeper in. Being her first had just sealed the deal even it she hadnt fully come around to the idea yet.
This morning while getting ready for work she'd asked to have a sit down talk. All he could figure is that she wanted to make things official like her best friend/sister had with Ripper. I mean isnt that how girls worked. Follow the leader kind of thing. Not sure what else they need to discuss Switch went to work glad he'd already ordered her cut.
Sweat dripping...well basically everywhere in the South Carolina heat. It had just passed four in the afternoon when Ripper apeared calling for him to get his ass to the clubhouse. Heading over to where his Prez waited he expected some kind of explaination. Instead Rip started heading towards the clubhouse.
"Dude! What's going on?" he questioned
"Not sure. Got told to track your ass down by my old lady. Said she'd meet up here" Ripper finally answered and instantly his brain went to Liz. Had something happened.
"Did you check in with Crow?" he ground out trying to keep himself calm.
"Tried. Went to voicemail before he texted he'd been gag ordered by his Queen. You know that guy is loyal to my little B. Didnt have the heart to put him in the dog house with her." Rip answered going around the bar to grab them both a beer then leading the way to one of the booths.
Anyway B would have told me if something happened so cool your freak out. I'm sure Lizzy's just fine" Ripper asured taking a seat and downing half his beer in one gulp.
"Talking about Crow, what do you think about making him the clubs Delta. Guys really stepped it up since the girls arrived. Watched over your old lady like a hawk" he offered up to break the silence and distract them as they waited.
"The tital fits in with wolves. We'd be the first but can't see the other chapters having an issue with it. Soul role as protecter of the exec old ladies. Ya I like it." Ripper agreed then talked about running it past Demon.
Ripper was just about to make the call when they heard the bikes and B's truck pull into the yard. Going to grab three more beer he was headed back to the table when Brinn entered. In her arms a car seat and her eyes zero'd in on him.
"Cole Mulligan" she stated stopping me dead in my tracks. Only a few knew my birth given name. Only Ripper and Wrecker the clubs tech nerd knew his surname. "Delivery made to Perky's this afternoon. Meet your daughter Ember" she offered turning the car seat to show a really tiny baby girl.
"What!" he blurted looking from her to the baby then back. Cause this had to be a fucking joke right.
"Jane or as you know her Reena being the mother. Perky connected those dots. Sweet Butt you were favoring about 8-10 months ago. Stripper. " B informed and in the back of his mind he could kind of picture the women. But if the kid was mine why hadn't she said anything.
"What!" came out of his mouth a second time and bless the laughing asshole behind him.
"Babe, he's in shock. Let it process a bit before you dig in K" Ripper offerred going to his old lady to give her a kiss before taking the car seat from her and headed back to the booth.
"Fine. Crow have the guys bring in the stuff then call Doc. I want him to give her a once over please" Brinn asked her soon to be Delta while Switch just stood there. Seeing he was struggling her face softened as did her voice "Hun, you have a beautiful little girl. We got you okay" she asured reaching up to cup his cheek gently "It'll be okay" she said like it was a promised and unknotted the ball of panic in his chest.
"Im a father" he whispered out testing the words "Ember is mine" he then said and damn if it didnt feel right. "I'm a father" he said more strongly turning towards the table only to freeze again as he saw Lizzy just inside the door.
"You what?" she questioned looking between the baby now in Ripper's arms, Brinn and himself. Then she turned before he could get his brain and body on the same track.
"Go meet your daughter. I got Lizzy" Brinn ordered then going the bar grabbed a bottle before heading for the door. "Crow track down Sin for me please" she called out then started running.
Lizbeth
All day she'd gone through the routine motions nervous as hell about the talk her and Cole needed to have. By end of day she'd been a nervous wreck but then B got called away. So she'd had to lock up the shop and she'd kept missing things. Which had lead to tripple checking before she's finally been able to head home.
The whole ride home she'd mentally been rehearsing what she was going to say. Then she'd walked in to her guy saying he was a father. And honest to god she'd been ready to hunt down and maim Doc until she'd connected the scene inside. And the realization that the baby in Ripper's arms was the child he meant. Not the one she carried.
Horror at what was about to play out she'd turned chicken and fled. Like seriously how could this be playing out this way. How did you process your baby daddy already having a mistery kid he'd never told you about. Hello Jerry Springer much.
"Lizzy.....slow down" she heard B call out but she kept going to the field behind the clubhouse to the only play equipment. Only yesterday she's been considering talking to B about having it updated. The thought being for her child, Brinn's future children.
Fuck she hadn't even told B she was pregnant yet.
Seeing the bottle Brinn held up was just the final bit to crack her. Manic laughter that quickly turned into sobs when she realized she couldnt even drink her way through this mess. Booze was her copeing tool and she couldnt touch the shit for another seven and a half months. Fuck.
Sinking down onto the grass she sobbed as Brinn wrapped around her.
"Liz, he didnt know babe. The sweet butt never told him." B kept repeating but finally it took hold and helped pull her back.
"He didnt know?" she quiestioned then listened as Brinn told her all that had happened right down to the note and birth certificate. Staring out into the field she processed it, let it settle in her mind.
Feeling jelousy creepy into her thought regarding Cole's daughter she squashed that shit fast. Not the little ones fault that her daddy was a slut before meeting her. And that was a fact. The baby had been concieved well before Cole even knew her. He was still a slut but the situation wasnt his fault. Damn him.
"Im pregnant B. Was going to tell Cole I mean Switch tonight." she confessed looking at her best friend and saw the news hit.
"But Doc...birth control...pull out game"B stuttered out
" Doc waited a week to prego test me right before my period. Didnt feel comfortable giving me a shot if there was a chance I was pregnant. Well guess what...two fucking lines. Confirmed by blood work." liz explained suddenly really tired. "I cant tell him now while he's still processing his daughter" she added knowing it really wasnt the right time. She's missed her window over the last six weeks.
"No but cant wait to long either. Give him a week to let it sink in for you both. Ember needs a mum Liz. If you love him that person she needs is you." B stated and that answer was easy.
"Call up the lawyer. I want the birth mother tracked down and her to sign off on all parental rights. I'll talk to Doc about a paternity test." she voiced her thoughts then stood up. "Next time bring ice cream" she stated pointing to the bottle of whisky.
"Will do. Now lets go meet your daughter"