Chapter 36: Chapter 36

AVERY

Avery felt more human after a good night’s sleep and a shower. She still felt a little like she had been hit by a truck, but the nurse assured her that would be dissipating too.

She ate some scrambled eggs for breakfast and sat back on her hospital bed, nervous about her decisions. She knew it was the right thing for her; she just hoped everyone would be happy with it.

She closed her eyes and let her imagination run wild and didn’t hear when someone entered her room until she sensed that she was being watched.

Avery opened her eyes and saw Justin Mariner standing in front of her bed in his usual jeans that fit perfectly, a t-shirt, his cut, and boots, looking absolutely delicious.

He smiled as he sat next to her bed. “Hey, baby. How are you feeling?”

Avery felt the butterflies fly in her stomach just hearing his voice.

“Hi. I’m feeling better. It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep that is not drug induced, a shower, and a little bit to eat can do for a person.”

Justin chuckled as he listened to her, picking up her hand and kissing it again. “That’s good, baby…”

There was a heavy silence between them, but neither wanted to start anything in case the conversation didn’t go the way the other hoped.

They looked at each other for several minutes as if they were trying to imprint the other on their brain and never forget.

Justin couldn’t take it any longer and finally spoke. “So, baby, what’s the verdict? I know there is always a waiting period before the jury comes back with a decision.”

Avery gave a small smile. “I did a lot of thinking yesterday and I came to a few conclusions. I guess I should mention that my Aunt Tina chewed my ass something fierce before she left too.”

Justin smirked as he sat beside her. “And what are those conclusions?”

Avery took a deep breath. “I want it all, Justin, and I want it with you. I want the future you painted with Lexi, lots of babies, and the club.

“I want to be by your side and be your queen. I want to build you up and make each other better. I want forever.”

JUSTIN

Justin thought his chest was going to explode with happiness.

He jumped up and carefully pulled her into his arms for a hug as tight as he dared to, kissing her deeply and passionately until they were both breathless.

He pulled back and looked in her eyes, grinning. “Oh, baby, I can’t wait to get you out of here and take you home! I want you to move in with us and start our future together.”

Avery couldn’t help but smile just as broadly, laughing a little.

“Aren’t you moving a little too fast? I haven’t even met Lexi as her dad’s girlfriend. She only knows me as her former kindergarten teacher.

“I think we should at least meet on that level before you move me into your house.”

“Oh, I already have a plan for that, just wait! But for right now, I just want to hold my old lady and be happy,” Justin insisted, and smiled.

He had all kinds of plans running through his head and couldn’t wait to put them into motion. He settled next to her and let his fingers run up and down her arm, keeping their connection and talking softly.

An hour or so later, there was a knock on the door and Avery looked to see Gio and Tina stick their heads inside.

As soon as they saw the couple sitting on the hospital bed together, they broke out in big grins.

“About time you put your big girl panties on!” Tina exclaimed.

“Hey, I wasn’t that bad!” Avery protested.

“Oh yes you were, piccolo fiore. Stubborn and you know it.” Gio chuckled.

Avery stuck her tongue out at her aunt and uncle as Justin kissed her temple. They talked for a few minutes but were interrupted by Justin’s ringing cell phone.

He inwardly groaned but picked it up to hear that he was needed at the shipping office to sign a few things. He moved off the bed.

“I gotta run, baby. I have to take care of a few things. I’ll be back later this afternoon, okay?” he said. Avery nodded, and he kissed her forehead before saying goodbye to Tina and Gio.

“Justin, I have to get back tonight since our girl is feeling better and out of the woods. But if you need ANYTHING, just let me know, okay?” Gio said while shaking his hand.

“Sounds good, Gio. I will let you know if anything changes.” Justin smiled, then waved as he left the room.

AVERY

Tina smirked and said, “I told you so!”

Avery rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know. Can’t you just smile and be happy for me?”

“Oh, I’m very happy, sweetie, and even happier that I will be getting grandchildren of sorts too!” Tina gushed, making Gio laugh.

“Very true, love! We all know that it will be quite a while before either of my boys stop their ways.”

Avery smiled and leaned her head back on the bed, suddenly tired after the excitement and emotions of the day.

***

She awoke a few hours later to Tina and Gio drinking some iced drink and talking softly.

Avery watched and realized how happy she was for them and knew she didn’t have to worry about either of them now. They had each other.

“You know, Aunt Tina, you can go with Uncle Gio tonight. You don’t have to stay with me.

“The doctor said I could go home Thursday. They just want a few more days of the IV meds and fluids to make sure my kidney doesn’t have any other issues,” Avery insisted.

Tina raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? I can stay until you get out…”

“No, please. Go with Uncle Gio and get settled. I’ll keep you posted if anything happens or changes,” Avery pushed.

The two elders thought for a moment and looked at each other, then back at her. “Are you sure?” Gio asked.

Avery nodded. “Yes.”

Tina gave in. “Okay. I’ll go, but you promise to call if you need anything.”

“Absolutely. Now go start your life together!” Avery insisted again, and they agreed.

“Oh, and I had all your bills sent to my office. I will be paying for them,” Gio informed her and held up his hand when she went to protest. “Don’t want to hear it. End of discussion.”

Avery knew there was no point, so they changed the subject. They talked for a bit longer before they hugged her tightly and told her how much they loved her before they left.

Avery waved goodbye and turned the TV on to clear her mind and relax.

JUSTIN

Justin finished his business, then went to pick up his daughter from his sister’s and took her to get ice cream, knowing he had to have a talk with her.

He got her a hot fudge sundae, and they sat outside to eat. Justin was nervous and knew this talk could change his life if his daughter didn’t take it well.

She had to come first, but he wanted his life with Avery to be all he hoped and dreamed of. He threw up a silent prayer, then went for it.

“So princess, I need to talk to you about something,” Justin started.

“What, Daddy?” she asked, trying to eat all the purple sprinkles first.

Justin cleared his throat. “The last few months, I have been spending time with someone very special to me.”

Lexi looked up and said, “That’s good. Does he go on rides with you? Is he part of the MC?”

Feeling some dread, he continued, “Um, no, princess. The special person is not a boy... it’s a girl. Well, a woman.”

Lexi stopped eating and looked at him. “Like a girlfriend?”

Justin nodded. “Yes, a girlfriend.”

“Oh, okay,” Lexi said, and went back to eating.

“Do you know what a girlfriend is, Lex?” he asked cautiously.

“Yeah, Kelly at school told us that her dad had a girlfriend now. She likes her and says she is nice,” Lexi answered.

Justin nodded. “Okay, but do you know what a girlfriend does?”

Lexi took a big bite of ice cream and shook her head. “She is a girl that is your friend. Someone you can play with, I guess.”

“Well, part of that is correct.” Justin swallowed and continued. “A girlfriend is someone that is a friend, and you like to spend time with them and have them in your life.

“But my girlfriend is someone that I love, Lexi. I love her very much and I want her to live with us. I want you to love her and for her to be around you forever.

“I want to marry her, Lexi. I want her to be your mommy.”

He laid it all on the line. He had no idea if it was the right way to do it, but this is what he did, and it was too late to take it back.

Justin watched his daughter process what he had said and couldn’t really read what was swirling in her head.

“Does this mean that you love her more than me?” Lexi asked, tears already forming in her eyes.

“Oh, princess, no! I love you so very much and no one could take your place in my heart,” Justin reassured her, pulling her in for a hug, then continued after a few moments.

“I love her in a very different way than I love you. I love you as a daddy. I love her as someone that I want to be married to and to be my partner. Those are very different things.”

Lexi thought a few minutes about what her father had said and ate a few more bites of ice cream. “What if I don’t like her, Daddy? What if she is mean to me?”

“Oh Lex, I promise you, that will never happen! She loves you already and wants to be around to get to know you more,” Justin assured her.

He let Lexi absorb that information and after a few more minutes asked, “Do you think that maybe you could meet her and see if you like her?”

Lexi sighed. “I guess, Daddy. I will if you want me to…”

Justin knew she would be thrilled when she figured out that he was talking about Avery.

She talked about her nonstop and demanded that Justin get updates on her since she got sick. Lexi didn’t know that Justin had been with her; she thought he was out of town.

“Thank you, Lexi. Can we go after you finish your ice cream?” he asked.

Lexi shrugged her shoulders and continued to eat. Justin let her finish her treat and think about what they had talked about.

He really wanted to tell her it was Avery, but thought that seeing them together firsthand would be easier for her to understand.

Once she was done, he threw away everything and started for the car. Lexi asked to be held, and Justin gave in, knowing she needed the connection with him.

The drive to the hospital was quiet, and Justin carried her again as he wove his way up to Avery’s room.

“Daddy, why are we at the hospital?” she asked, finally paying attention to her surroundings.

“My girlfriend is in this room,” Justin explained. “She was sick and now is almost better.

“When the doctors say she can leave, I want her to come home with us. I want us to help take care of her and for us to be a family.”

Lexi looked at her father and knew that he was serious, and she sighed again. “Okay…”

Justin knelt before her. “Alexis Mariner, I love you very much and nothing will change that. Do you understand?”

Lexi nodded and hugged him tightly. When she let go, Justin stood up, grabbed her hand, and asked, “Are you ready to meet my girlfriend?”

Lexi swallowed then nodded. Justin pushed open the door and Lexi followed him inside, looking down at the floor.

She didn’t look up until she heard her father say, “Lexi, this is my girlfriend…” and another sweet and familiar voice say, “Hello, Lexi.”

Lexi’s head shot up to see Avery sitting on a hospital bed, smiling at her, and she gasped. “Miss Harper?!”