Chapter Ten

ALIANA

The car came to a halt, jolting me awake. I scanned the surroundings instinctively, old habits die hard. We were at a gas station. The boys were still asleep, snuggled up on either side of me.

I hated that they were caught up in the mess of my life. If only I hadn’t gotten tangled up with Alex. But then again, who knows where I’d be.

I wouldn’t have my girls, I probably wouldn’t have Axyl after years of yearning for him, and I wouldn’t have these wonderful boys in my life.

I wouldn’t have my girls, and they’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

I’d always planned to return to my hometown after graduation, just without all the baggage. I wanted to break free and carve my own path. But things didn’t pan out that way.

Everything happens for a reason. That’s what mom always said. I couldn’t agree more. When I came home, I just wanted to start my own business and be close to my family.

I would have visited the clubhouse occasionally because I grew up in the club. Just because I wanted out didn’t mean I wanted to leave my family behind.

As I gazed down at the boys, I felt the girls start to kick. “Axyl! The babies are kicking!” I whispered loudly. “Give me your hand.”

I carefully placed Axyl’s hand, as best as I could from the front seat, where the kicks were coming from. His eyes sparkled, and a wide grin spread across his face.

“Wow. That always amazes me when it happens,” he said.

“Are we there?” Murdock asked sleepily, rubbing his eyes.

“Not yet, buddy, we have about two hours left. Need to fill up and get something to eat. You guys stay here. We’ll be back. Trigger, you’re with me. Reaper, stay with Ali and the boys.”

Axyl stepped out of the car, throwing one last glance at me.

“I’m glad you came back, Ali. I’m glad that you’re with my dad too,” Murdock said.

“I’m glad I came back too. I missed you all so much,” I told him. He rested his head on my stomach, and one of the twins kicked his head.

“Hey! That wasn’t nice!” he said to my stomach. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t worry, I forgive you. I’m going to protect you.” His words brought tears to my eyes.

This little boy, who stole my heart just like his father, was promising to protect my children. “Ali, are you going to be our new mom? Our real mom wasn’t very nice.”

“Is that what you want?” I asked. I would be overjoyed to call them my sons. They deserved a mother who would love them unconditionally and never harm them.

“Dad said that you’re his Ol’ Lady. Which means that you’re his wife. I’d like it if you were my mom. At least you wouldn’t hit us or call us names,” he said quietly.

“Well, I would be honored to be your mom. That’s also up to your daddy. I know your mom did some terrible things to you and your brother, and I would never dream of doing that to you.

“I will love you as much as I love the two little ones growing in my belly,” I said sincerely.

“So, you have two babies! Both of them are my sisters?” he asked.

“Yeah, buddy. They are,” I said.

“What are you going to name them?”

“Well, I haven’t decided yet, but I have been thinking about it. What do you think about Grace and Hope?”

“How about Jacey and Macey?” He suggested.

“I love it. I bet your daddy will too. How about we tell him when he gets back in the car?” He nodded and rested his head on my stomach again. “What do you think Reaper?” I asked.

He’s my best friend and I would love nothing more than to have his opinion.

“I like them. You are one lucky woman. I wouldn’t mind finding me an Ol’ Lady and settling down.” Reaper replied.

“You never know when it’ll happen. Just don’t lock yourself away for years like your VP did.” I said.

“Yeah, that was a little ridiculous.” He replied with a laugh. It wasn’t long before Trigger and Axyl returned to the car with food. I was starving.

“Daddy! We named my sisters and Ali’s going to be me and Danny’s mom.” Murdock announced.

“Is that so? Is that something you want? What did you decide on?” He asked.

“She’s going to treat us better than Lana did.” He said. It broke my heart that he referred to his mom by her name, but then again, I understood.

She put them through so much and they didn’t deserve that. “Ali, tell him what we chose.” He said as he began eating the chicken that Axyl handed to him.

“Jacey Grace Sullivan and Macey Hope Sullivan. Or I can give them the Carter last name. I don’t want you to think that I’m assuming you want them or anything.” I rushed out.

“Are you kidding? I love it. I wouldn’t have it any other way and if the boys want you to be their mom, then I’m okay with it. I know that you know they have been through a lot of shit with Lana and I don’t want that to happen again.

I know you won’t do that, but just don’t give them false hope.” Axyl said. I nodded and told him I wouldn’t dream of it before waking Danny up so he could eat.

Axyl passed me a chicken salad with French dressing, and we all dug in as he steered us back onto the road. I couldn’t wait for all this mess to be over so we could get back to normal.

I wasn’t sure how long we’d be holed up in this safe house, but I hoped we’d be back home before the twins arrived. The last thing I wanted was to go into labor while we were on the run. But with my luck, that’s exactly what would happen.

“How long do you think we’ll be at the safe house?” I asked, figuring I might as well get some idea.

“I’m not sure, but as long as my family is safe, that’s all that matters,” Axyl answered.

“I get that, but I don’t want to have to give birth in a safe house and not be able to get to a hospital. Knowing my luck, I’ll be huge and unable to run when everything goes south.” I shot back.

“I know, baby girl. Hopefully, it won’t come to that. We need to find the traitor before we can move forward. We need to figure out his plans and when he’s planning to act.

“We’ll be okay. Doc is on standby and he knows where we’re going. If it comes to it, he’ll be there when it gets closer to you having our babies.

“Just relax and think of it as our first family vacation…with strays.” Axyl added.

“Hey!” Trigger and Reaper protested in unison. I chuckled and glanced back at the boys who had finished eating and were now fast asleep. At least I had them and Axyl.

And my best friend. I knew we were safe with them around.

“Oh, hush it. You know he’s just teasing.” I laughed as they continued to grumble. I finished my food and leaned back against the seat. I was about to drift off when the twins decided they didn’t like what I ate.

“Axyl, pull over or give me a bag.” I managed to say through the watery mouth I get when I’m about to throw up.

He pulled over, and I was out of the vehicle in a flash. After squeezing my way past the two boys, I made it out and threw up. Axyl was right behind me, rubbing my back and holding my hair until I was done.

He handed me some mouthwash, and then we got back into the car. He gave me some crackers, and I was able to fall asleep without feeling sick. The next thing I knew, I was being carried out of the vehicle and laid on a bed.

“You get some sleep, I’m going to put the boys down and talk with Trigger and Reaper. I’ll be back, babe.” Axyl said, kissing my forehead before leaving the room.

I decided that I needed a shower and grabbed some clothes out of my duffle bag and headed into the bathroom.

I let the water heat up while I stripped out of my clothes and then stepped into the shower. The water felt amazing after being in a car for over five hours. I washed my hair and body after letting the water run over me for about twenty minutes, and then towel dried off after getting out of the shower.

I slipped on some panties and one of Axyl’s shirts and left the room to kiss the boys goodnight. After that, I went back to the room Axyl and I were sharing and climbed into bed.

Sleep came easily after the long car ride. I didn’t even notice when Axyl slipped into bed behind me.

I woke up to the boys running around and yelling. Axyl was still asleep, so I carefully got out of bed and put on some shorts before leaving the room.

I found the boys to see what they were arguing about. “What’s going on in here?”

“Danny won’t give me the controller back to my Xbox,” Murdock complained.

“Danny, give it back to your brother right now. Sit down on the couch, and I’ll turn on some cartoons.” I said firmly. Danny slumped his shoulders and stomped over to the couch, flopping down.

“Thank you. Now, Murdock, you go play your game and Danny, you watch TV. Try not to wake up everyone in the house while I make breakfast.” They both nodded and did as I said.

I decided to make bacon, eggs, sausage gravy, and biscuits for breakfast. It sounded so damn good, and these cravings were no joke. I was just glad we had stopped to get groceries before we arrived.

It didn’t take me long to make breakfast, and by the time the coffee and food were ready, all three men were up and sitting at the table. “Good morning,” I said cheerfully. “I’d cover your ears if I were you.”

They looked at me like I was crazy as I put breakfast on the table. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. DANNY! MURDOCK! BREAKFAST!”

“Damn it, woman. We’ve not been up five minutes, and you’re already yelling,” Reaper grumbled.

“I don’t want to hear it. I warned you.” The boys came running into the dining room and sat at the table. I plated up their food and gave them some juice.

“I’m not making your plates. You’re grown men and can do it yourselves,” I said as they looked at me expectantly. They grumbled under their breath before making their plates. After they were done, I made mine.

“After breakfast, we need to go over the plan for if anything were to happen,” Axyl said. I nodded in agreement and started eating. I could get used to this.

Not the hiding out part, just the meals with my family. If there’s anything I missed, it was this.