Chapter 7

" S o, today is the day," Tempest sings, walking into the hospital room with a huge gift bag. She hands it to me and takes Charity in exchange. "God, she's just so perfect. Those eyes and curls. I melt," she says dramatically and I laugh.

Pulling the tissue paper from the bag, my eyes widen. "Temp, what the hell?" I ask, while taking out the prettiest diaper bag I have ever seen. I mean, I think it's a diaper bag. It's a backpack, and it has my favorite Disney movie characters all over it.

"The moment I saw it on the clock app, I knew you needed it. I'm just glad it came before we had to move to the safe house," she mumbles, before nipping on my baby's fingertips.

I watch my best friend continue to fall in love with my baby girl. I hope one day she's able to move on from the men that haunt her and settle down.

She's an incredible mom to Romeo and my kids. I know she wants more eventually.

"Thank you. Bast is going to be so jealous. You will have to show him where you got it," I say with a laugh.

Taking Charity over to the chair, she sits and gives me her stern look. Ugh, I was hoping she would wait until we got to the house before hitting me with the hard questions.

Doesn't she know I almost died having my little miracle?

"Temp, please, don't," I whisper, begging her with my eyes.

Sighing, she leans back and cuddles Charity to her chest.

"He's going to be there at the house with all of us. It's time we made a plan about what you want to happen and what you don't want, Chas. You know I'm your ride or die, but he's Eli's father."

Leaning back against the pillow, I groan and rub my eyes. I never thought I'd see Ash again, and to know that he's been around since Snake took me, and Levi didn't tell me, was a huge shock.

I know he probably didn't want to upset me, but still, being blindsided didn't help.

"He may be Eli's biological father, but he's not his dad. Bast, Jonas, and Levi are his dads. Now, if he wants to have a relationship with him, that's fine, but it's going to take some time for Eli to be comfortable with him."

"I know, babes. I know, but from what I've heard, it wasn't Ash's fault. The Society ordered him into the job… Maybe just have a real talk with him when we get to the house."

I nod, then sigh. My eyes burn, and I don't want to cry anymore. "When is Grandmother supposed to arrive?" I change the subject, and slowly get out of the bed.

I am still extremely sore, and I need to hold a pillow against my stomach in order to bend. I hope the guys know that I'm going to need some help. This wasn't an easy birth like Eli's.

"She said that Jacob was going to pick her up and bring her to the house later today. I still can't believe how much she's changed over the years."

"Babies have a way of thawing even the most frozen of hearts."

"Wow, um, Chas, that was super cheesy, even for you." Tempest laughs and Charity begins to fuss.

"Let me feed her before we go," I say, holding my hands out for my little girl. She has the bluest eyes, and yeah, just like Temp said, I can't help melting too. Tempest reluctantly gives her to me after smothering her cheeks in kisses.

"I wish I could help you with that, but my milk dried up over six months ago," she says with a sigh and I laugh.

"We are close, but I don't think I could handle you being a wet nurse."

She's quiet for a minute, and she has a far off look in her eyes. "Maybe I just need to find a man and get married, and have like six more babies," she mutters, and my eyes widen.

"Six? I told Jonas and Bast I will have one more, maybe two. But six?"

"I always wanted a big family, full of love… I thought I'd found that, but you know the story. Bigoted towns and all that. Maybe one day someone will think I'm worth the drama and choose me and my son."

"Okay, let's get back to happier topics. We have enough doom and gloom on the horizon." I lift Charity from my breast and Temp hands me a burp cloth as I gently bounce her and rub her back.

"Will you change her and get her in the car seat before she falls asleep. I'm going to attempt a quick shower and get dressed."

Tempest sits next to me and continues to burp the baby, while I waddle like a penguin with a stick up its ass to the bathroom.

"Okay, how's my favorite patient?" Anna asks, bringing in a wheelchair and discharge papers for me.

"So ready to go home," I say with a groan. I just want a bubble bath and some food that's not processed. And a bed that doesn't make me stiff.

"I bet, but remember, you just had surgery, so make sure to take it easy. Have one of your many handsome men help you out."

Tempest laughs, rocking Charity before putting her back into her carrier. She shoots me a wink as I glare at her.

"Yes, I'm sure they will be more than accommodating. Chas is their princess. You have nothing to worry about there," she says in a baby voice, cooing to Charity.

Anna laughs as she hands me some papers that I need to sign before I can leave.

"Don't forget you have to schedule Charity with a pediatrician, so she can have her checkups, and I will see you in a week," Anna says with a big smile, then helps me into the chair.

As we roll out of the room, I notice three Society members standing guard.

"At ease, gentlemen," Tempest jokes, and the man at the end of the hall twitches his lips.

"I have always wanted to say that," she mutters while gently swinging Charity in her carseat.

"Where are the guys?"

"Outside. I was supposed to come get you while they kept the van cool. It's hot today, and they didn't want our princess here to melt."

Rolling my eyes, I can't hide my smile. Charity doesn't know what she's in for. I thought they were helicopter parents to Eli.

Laughing, I shake my head and chat with Anna a little more as she pushes me through the front doors, towards an idling van.

Levi is standing there with a smirk, and I raise a brow.

"When did we get this?" I ask, because this is not my SUV.

"Present from Jacob. More room and safer ratings." Moving over to me, he takes my hand and kisses my wedding ring, before placing a sweet press of his lips to mine.

"Ugh. I want that," Anna sighs and Tempest grunts.

"Join the club, babe. Imagine living with all of them. I swear, my ovaries explode on a daily basis."

Jonas hops out of the van, pulling me away from Levi and giving me a soft hug.

"How are you feeling, baby?" He checks me over, and I give him a smile. He has shadows in his eyes, and I know they are from Ash, but I don't say anything now.

We will have time to talk later.

"Sore. Starving. Can you believe they put me on some ridiculous liquid diet?" I roll my eyes and smirk as Anna begins to argue.

Jonas laughs and I soak up the sound. He moves past me and takes Charity from Tempest, though she tries to fight him.

"I think we are going to need to put a tracker on that one," Levi comments, nodding his head toward my best friend, and I burst into giggles.

"You know how badly she's wanted a little girl in the family. After the screaming in the middle of the night, and crappy diapers, the shine will wear off."

"Hmmm, still going to put a tracker in her shoes," he mumbles, and I turn into his arms so I can give him one more kiss.

"So, are we going to talk about the big elephant in the room? I know you're hiding something from me, Levi Madden."

Closing his eyes, he sighs and tips his head up to the sun. "Later. Let's get you ladies home and then we can talk about it over a medium rare steak and caesar salad. Bast has been planning dinner for the last few days."

My stomach chooses right now to growl loudly and he laughs. Taking my hand, he gently moves me to the backseat, handing me a soft pillow to press against my stomach.

I look up at him in surprise and he scoffs, before helping me into my seat. Tempest puts Charity beside me and then climbs in after her.

"I see Jonas gave you the baby back," I whisper and she gives me a huge smile.

"I told him I'm too delicate to grab your bags."

Laughing, we chat for the whole hour it takes to arrive at the new place. Levi warned me it's going to be a little cramped, but that's fine. I lived in a basement before.

Parking next to my missing SUV, Bast is waiting there for us with a huge smile on his face. He looks better than the last time I saw him, so I'm glad he was able to get some rest.

Now he can be on baby duty while I nap.

"Hey," he says as he opens the door and leans over me to grab Charity's car seat.

"Hi," I mutter, a little annoyed that he didn't even give me a kiss before grabbing our daughter and walking off.

Jonas laughs at my pout and offers me his hand. "He's mad that we left him here, so give him some baby snuggles."

"You guys are ridiculous," I say, but he has me smiling now. "When is Grandmother coming again? Do you think I have time for a nap? Want to join me?"

Jonas pulls out his phone, texting Jacob, I assume, and nods. "A nap sounds great right now. I think we have a few hours. Otto is watching the boys, and Levi and Bast can handle Charity."

"And…" I don't bother saying his name, but Jonas knows who I'm inquiring about.

"He's around here somewhere. Snake is too. They are working on some surprise in the garage."

"Damn, yeah, I almost forgot about my secret dad. Funny considering I bled all over his car," I grumble, then sigh. "Let's nap, and then we can have a chat, okay?"

Jonas looks me in the eyes, and I can see the hurt hiding behind his gray orbs. Pulling him into my arms, I hold him for a minute, then let him guide me to our master bedroom.

The place is crowded with shopping bags and baby items. "Tempest," I mutter under my breath.

Otto laughs from the doorway, holding my son. "He just wanted to say hi before you fell asleep. As for Tempest… I may have been an accomplice during her shopping sprees, but you can also blame your brother. He gave us access to the Black card."

I think my jaw would be on the floor if it wasn't attached to my head. "Dear Lord, why?" I gasp and Otto shrugs, holding Eli out to me, so I can give him a small squeeze and kisses.

He giggles as I blow a raspberry onto his neck. "Hi, Sweet Boy. Mommy missed you," I coo, then pull away with a wince.

"I won't be long, I just need to lay down on a bed that's not hard for a little bit."

Otto nods and they leave. Jonas brings me a pillow so I can get into the bed, and Bast walks in with a small plate of snacks and a bottle of this hydration juice that I love.

It's great for nursing, or if you need to boost your electrolytes.

"I love you," he tells me with a quick kiss, then leaves me and Jonas to snuggle and eat.

"So…" I start and he groans.

"I thought you wanted to sleep, baby," he mumbles, wiggling until his head is on my chest.

"I do, but I also want to know what's going on in that head of yours. You've been through a lot with your family and sister, and when Ash left, I wasn't the only one who had to deal with a shattered heart."

Sighing, I wait for him to speak. Tears drip onto my skin and he sniffles. Wrapping my arms around him the best I can, I hold him as he quietly breaks down.

Ash destroyed us by leaving, and now that he's back, I don't know how to move on.