Chapter 2

Chapter Two

Aiden

W hen I decided to retire from MotoGP racing, it was a bittersweet decision. On one hand the injuries were piling up on me, and my recovery times aren’t as fast as they used to be. But on the other hand, I’m still winning races. Riding is something I’ve been doing since I could walk. Up until I met my wife, élodie, racing was everything to me. I lived, breathed and loved only racing. And now that my boys are racing with me, I feel like I don’t want to miss out. But again, it’s time for my boys to take over the O’Connor legacy.

“Why can’t we go with you and Mama?” my baby, Eden, grumbles at me.

“We take you guys on every vacation. Mama and I have never gone on one alone. Don’t you think it’s time I took her on one?”

She frowns at me. “Maybe.”

I laugh and grab her in a hug. My daughter is just like her mama. Beautiful and tough—she’s had to be with four older brothers. The other day I overheard my boys telling Eden that she can’t date or have a boyfriend. When she asked them why, they told her because she’s too young. So she asked how old she needs to be and they said fifty. When I told élodie, she couldn’t stop laughing.

“Besides, you’ll be staying with Aintín Graínne. You love staying with all of them.”

Eden sighs. “I know, Da. Where are you taking Mama?”

“It’s a secret. But I promise after your mama sees it, she’ll send lots of pictures.”

I hug my daughter again. I never thought about having a family until I met élodie. I never even considered a relationship before her. But now? Now I can’t imagine my life without her and our babies.

“Okay, Da.” She smiles.

My answers must have satisfied her because she’s run off somewhere. I chuckle as I look around for my wife. I need her to start packing. We leave in the morning. And I’m having a really hard time keeping this secret from her.

“Have you seen your mama?” I ask Ezra.

“Yeah, I saw her outside with Aintín Graínne.”

“Thank you, son. So you all need to behave while we’re gone, yeah?”

Ezra nods at me. “We will, Da.”

I give my son a hug. I definitely hit the jackpot when it comes to my kids. They’re not perfect, but they are good little humans.

My heart beats faster as I see my wife through the sliding glass doors. Fuck, I’m a lucky man.

élodie

Something is going on and I don’t know what. Aiden likes to surprise me, and I think that’s what’s going on. He’s always thinking up things to do for me and the kids. The last time he surprised us, he took all of us, including his sister and her family to Hawaii for two weeks. We had the best time and it was really nice to be able to relax before his season started. That’s why I think he’s planning something again. We have two weeks before testing in Spain. And he’s been walking around smiling more than usual.

I feel his arms circle my waist and his lips on my neck.

“Hi.” I giggle softly.

“My love. Are you ready for your surprise? I know you know something’s up.” He chuckles.

“Yes,” I say as I turn to face him.

Aiden is gorgeous, with bright, baby-blue eyes outlined with a ring of sapphire, and dark brown hair. I constantly see women taking a second look at him when we’re out. In the beginning, I was insecure about that. I was always waiting for him to say that he didn’t want to be with me anymore. I know he sees the women, they’re always coming up to him even now, twenty years later. But he always makes sure to take my hand or put his arm around me as he talks to them. He never fails to make me feel like I’m the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen.

“Are you going to tell me?”

“Nope. But I will tell you to pack a suitcase. We’ll be gone for a week. And the weather can be unpredictable.”

I frown at him. “Am I packing for the kids too?”

“No. It’s just you and me. Seven days. No kids, animals or racing.”

I don’t think we’ve ever taken a vacation without our babies.

“Are we okay?” I ask as I stare into his eyes.

“We’re always okay, M’anam,” he says as he kisses me. “I love you. You are everything to me. That will never change. I told you that when we met and I’ll tell you with my last breath. You are my life, you and our babies.”

I wrap my arms around him and hold him tight. I’ll never know what I did to deserve my beautiful Irishman. But I know I’ll never take him for granted.