21. Melissa

Chapter twenty-one

Melissa

" W hat if he hates me?" I ask, as Earl places Jacey over his shoulder, patting his back to burp him.

"He won't," Earl states boldly as Jacey lets out a loud belch that has us all laughing.

After we got Jacey to bed, and had another round of mind blowing sex, Earl called Ashlynn and told her the news. To say she was ecstatic isn't the word, and when she asked if she could call me Mom, I broke down into tears. In my eyes, she was already my daughter, and this just confirmed she felt the same.

When Jax came back over to the kids' house this morning, we decided to do our first public outing as a throuple and came to breakfast at the diner. Jax places his arm around me, resting it on the back of the booth, as he gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "We're here for you, Mels. All you can do is tell him your story; it's up to him if he accepts and what he does with it."

"I know. It's just I want him in my life so badly." I let my finger circle around the rim of the coffee cup, the contents within having gone cold a while ago.

I look at my phone, tapping the screen to bring it to life. But there's no notification of a new message from him. I had hoped he'd tell me when he was expected to be in town so we could pick a place to meet where we could both be comfortable.

Jax kisses my forehead and I lean into his embrace, taking comfort in his warmth. The bell over the door jingles as it opens and in walks someone so familiar, yet unknown to me. He's about five foot eight with dark blonde hair. It's short but spiky on the top. He has a faint five o'clock shadow on his face and tan skin. His hazel eyes dart around the room until they land on mine.

It's him. I don't have to see a picture to know. He's the spitting image of his father, but with my hair and eyes. Earl catches my eyes lingering on something past him and carefully turns to look while feeding the baby.

He takes long strides in my direction, but his face is void of emotion. I can't tell if he's pissed, unsure, or excited to see me. He must know I'm his mom, because he's heading directly to me. He stops right at the edge of our table.

"Mom, I'm Harley." There's a slight quiver in his voice and Jax removes his arm, standing so I can slide out. I'm barely standing before Harley's embracing me, sobbing into my shoulder. That's all it takes for me to join him.

We stand there, hugging, not caring what's going on around us, or who may be staring. Fuck them. My son is in my arms, and I couldn't be happier. I feel no malice from him, only love.

"I've dreamed about this day since I gave birth to you," I sob. "I'm so sorry. I never wanted to give you up, but I had to. It was the only way I could keep you safe."

"I know you did, Mom." He halts as he pulls away. "I can call you that, can't I?"

"There's nothing I would love more. But I don't want to take that honor from the woman who raised you. Just tell me she gave you an amazing life."

I sit down in the booth, pulling him with me as Jax sits down beside Earl, who has once again placed the baby on his shoulder, gently bouncing him.

Harley takes my hand in his as he angles his body toward mine. "I had a great life and hope to tell you all about it. It was never a secret that I was adopted and she always told me about the amazing mother who gave her the opportunity to be one. Calling you Mom takes nothing away from her. I just happen to be lucky to have two, while others sadly don't even have one."

I gaze over to Earl and Jax, and I swear I see a tear in each of their eyes.

"Are you her husband?" he asks Jax. "It never came up that you were married during my research."

"She isn't, but she will be. She's my ol' lady, and she's going to marry this creme puff," Earl announces proudly.

Harley just sits there for a minute, looking between the three of us. "I've heard about multiples partners, even seen some shows about it. Never thought my birth mom would be so progressive." His eyes drop to the precious bundle in Earl's arms. "And the baby, is he my brother?" he asks with a raised eyebrow.

"No," I say quickly.

"Nope, he's my grandbaby, so technically, he's your nephew, seeing how you're my son now. Got me one of both finally, a boy and a girl." I can see the pride beaming in Earl's eyes. I gave him a son. It was something I always wanted to do and now I have.

"I need to tell you why I gave you up," I speak up, needing to get this over with so we can proceed with whatever relationship he wants with me.

"Okay. I know a lot, but I want to hear what you have to tell me."

Over the next hour, I spill my story from start to finish. Every horrible detail of the abuse I endured and what I hoped to protect him from. By the end, I'm emotionally drained.

"Thank you." Two words is all Harley says, before he hugs me. "I had two parents who loved me and gave me the world. When I lost them, I knew I needed to find you. I heard tales of what my father was like, but I needed you to confirm them for me."

"How long are you going to be here?" I ask, curious how much time I have to get to know him.

"My truck's packed, and I was hoping to make a home here. If you want me?"

"I do."

The door chimes again as Ashlynn steps in, followed closely by her four men.

Earl's head turns and his face lights up.

"What the hell are y'all doing here? You're supposed to be makin' me another grandbaby," Earl barks, not missing a beat in his soothing of Jacey.

"Dad, how do you expect us to stay away after the news you dropped last night that you and Melissa are finally together and she has a son?"

"Hey, I'm in there too. Don't forget about me," Jax interjects playfully, sending everyone into laughter. Harley raises his eyebrow at first, then quickly joins in.

"Harley, this is my daughter Ashlynn and her husbands, Colin, Mack, Kaleb and Ryker. Ashlynn, this is your new brother, Harley."

I wait for him to flinch at the words husbands, but he never does. The guys pull over a table and we sit, getting to know each other. The boys talk and joke with him as if they had known each other since they were kids.

A family. I finally have one and it's large and loud and diverse. I couldn't dream of a better life. When I was young, I thought this was a dream, a fairytale, a figment of my imagination. But dreams do come true.

I'm living mine and can't wait to see what the future holds for us.

THE END….