Property of Striker
Lilah
T hey say there are no accidental meetings between souls.
As I sit back in my chair and watch my husband walking toward me through the field, I can't help but smile. From the moment we first saw each other as children, we always knew we would be together. There was always that natural pull, that easygoing, safe feeling anytime I was near him.
Striker was the person who I knew in my heart would be the man I would marry someday. Yet, all at the same time, I felt wildly unsure about it. It was this intense, scary feeling that one person could break my entire existence. And that's how I knew Levi Walker was the man for me.
He grins as he steps up onto the porch, those baby blue eyes full of lust. "See something you like, Little Lark?"
I giggle as he scoops me up and carries me inside our home.
Our home.
Who knew that after all these years, and all the heartbreak, Striker and I would live in my childhood home on the ranch?
He carefully places me on the couch and sits next to me.
"Mama should be back anytime now. You think she went easy on the guys?"
Striker laughs. "There's no way in hell. That woman knows what she wants, and she is not letting go." I lay my head on his shoulder as he strokes my hair. "How's our boys doin' in there?"
I rub my heavily pregnant stomach. "Kicking the shit outta me. I'm ready for these babies to come out."
"Soon enough."
I wince as one twin kicks me right in the ribs. "Yeah, well, that ‘soon enough' can come now. Baby feet in my goddamn ribs are not fun."
Striker gently pushes the baby's foot back down, yet all I feel is pain.
We could have just one. But no, the Crawford twin genes had to be strong. Two thickheaded baby boys, just like their father.
The front door opens and my mama comes through. "Lilah? You home, dear?"
"In here!" She comes bustling around the corner with a worried look on her face. I sit up with some assistance from Striker. "Mama? What's going on? Is something wrong with your cottage?"
"The cottage is coming along just fine. But…something bad is gonna happen. I can feel it in my bones."
Striker stands up and sweetly guides my mother to the couch. He kneels in front of her. "Is it the babies? Or something else?"
She shakes her head. "I don't know, dear. I just…"
He nods. "I know, Mama Crawford. I'll call church and we'll all just be a little more vigilant. I'll make sure there are always two guys with my Little Lark as well."
My mama nods. "Okay. Let's all be as prepared as possible." Sighing, she stands up. "I'm going to get some sleep."
Striker takes her hand and slowly walks her to her bedroom. "You just rest. I've got this."
She smiles at him before closing her door. Striker walks back over to me, helping me get off the couch. "And you, Little Lark. You need to get some rest, too, with those growing boys."
We head up the steps and into our bedroom. As I strip down, Striker's hands reach out and wrap around me. "I love seeing you like this."
"Blown up like a whale?"
He chuckles. "No. Carrying my babies. Creating our family. You are fucking beautiful, Lilah. Now lay back and let me love you."
Striker walks me back to our bed and gently lays me down.
His lips tease over my breasts, wandering across my chest. Striker closes his lips around one of my nipples and I cry out, his tongue flicking across it as his other hand grips my hip.
He moves from one nipple to the other until I'm pleading for him.Striker's cock bumps against my center and I mewl, knowing I'll have his cock in me.
Striker slowly enters, both of us happily sighing as we meld as one. He pumps his hips, my legs wrapping around him.
"Fuck, so tight, baby girl."
He grips my hips as I throw my head back. Striker thrusts harder, my legs wrapping tighter.
"Don't stop, oh god, Striker!"
I go crashing over the edge, a cry spilling from my lips as my orgasm spreads like a wildfire. Striker follows soon after, rolling to the side of me.
"I love you, Little Lark."
"I love you so much, babe."
Striker
The sun beats down on us as we nail the decorative trim into Mama Crawford's little cottage. We've got guys inside putting the finishing touches while we wrap up the outside.
Mav is planting flowers while Goose is spreading the rock down in her driveway. It's been an entire club effort here and I'm so thankful for my brothers to be here and help.
The roar of a motorcycle makes us all stop and look up. I see Moose flying up faster than he typically drives. He haphazardly parks his bike, ripping his helmet off.
"Pres!"
I rush over and place my hands on his shoulders. "What's wrong?"
His brow furrows, eyes turning dark. "We got a problem. You need to call church now."
"Tell me what the fuck is going on. Now!"
"The Devil's Spades. They're back."
I can feel the blood drain from my face. The Devil's Spades are a minor break-off faction from the original Devil's Highwaymen. They were club members who couldn't be controlled, men who took pleasure in hurting women and children.
"All right. Let's, uh, let's get to the clubhouse. Spread the word. I want everybody in church in half an hour."
Moose shakes his head. "No. We need to move now!"
"Fuck!" I turn to Goose. "Get the guys to the clubhouse, now. Moose, send the location to him. The rest of us, let's go!"
We all hop on our bikes, Moose leading the way. I know Goose and the rest of the club will be right behind us soon. Moose leads us up the mountain to an old logging road. We wind our way until we get to the old ranger station.
Moose stops and we all get off and head inside. We turned this place into a lookout and safe house, but haven't needed it in a very long time. I hear the rumble of more motorcycles and pop my head out the door. The rest of the club is riding behind Goose and park their bikes along with ours.
"Moose, fill us in."
He stands in front of everybody and clears his throat. "The Devil's Spades are coming up the other side of the logging road. Word is they plan to take over this place and then wreak havoc down on us."
Goose nods. "Hide the bikes and we camp out and wait for them to come."
The guys all look to me, and I nod in agreement. "Let's get moving then. Get the bikes under the tarps, lay 'em flat, cover 'em with leaves. I want the curtains all down, the door blocked. Ghillie suits are upstairs, get some guys in the trees and down low. Surround them at all angles."
We all rush around, each knowing without a word what our jobs are. It's chaos, but controlled chaos.
Goose comes rushing up the road. "Go, go, go!"
Heading to our spots, we lie and wait for The Devil's Spades to appear. Two minutes later, I can see them crest the hill and I whistle low, letting the others know.
They're oblivious to the trap set as they park their bikes and get all fucking chummy with each other. I look over at Goose, who's hiding up in a tree. He smirks, and I know it's about to go down.
My men slowly and quietly move through the woods. The Devil's Spades are completely unaware of what is to come. Raising the barrel of my gun, I am for their tires, a surefire way to keep them trapped.
I let the first pop off and they start to scramble… but it's too late. Tires are popped, and bikes are kicked down the side of the mountain as my brothers surround the group.
I step out, and their president, Rocky, takes a few steps back. "Levi fucking Walker."
"You fucked up coming here. Did you really think I would allow you to come anywhere near my fucking family?"
He scowls. "This was our territory."
"Was. Key word there. I think we made ourselves pretty clear last time."
I can feel my phone vibrating in my pocket, but I ignore it. I can't let my sights off Rocky or any of the other guys.
"Hmm. Don't remember that conversation."
Reaching for my gun, I sneer at him. "Looks like you all need another reminder."
Mav comes rushing out of the building, his face white as a ghost. He whispers in my ear. "Pres. You gotta get outta here. Lilah is having the babies."
I turn to him. "Right fucking now?!"
"Yeah. You go, we got this."
"I…"
Goose nods. "We'll make this quick and meet you down there."
Without a second thought, I hop on my bike and rush down the mountain.
I'm about to become a father…
Lilah
I'm in the barn when pain shoots across my stomach.
No. This can't be happening right now. I have too much to do. I'm not ready for the babies yet.
I sit down on a bale of hay, taking deep breaths. I'm only thirty-seven weeks. I need those extra weeks to get ready!
Standing again, I make my way up to the house. "Mama! Mama?"
She comes rushing around the corner. "It's time?"
"No. It's just Braxton Hicks."
My mama sits me down on the couch as another shot of pain comes. "I think those boys have a mind of their own. Let's get you over to the medical center and have the doc check you out."
I nod, taking my phone out to call Striker. His phone rings over and over, but no answer.
"I swear to god, I'm gonna kill him if he doesn't answer."
Another contraction hits me, and I groan. Mama comes rushing back over.
"Let's go get you to the car." She helps me in and climbs in the driver's seat, phone in hand. "Silas. Your sister is in labor. Okay. Yup. You tell him to get his butt in gear or he'll see the ugly side of me."
She smiles as she looks over at me. "Striker is a little caught up, but he's leaving now."
"Where the fuck is he?"
"Something about club business."
I nearly growl like a feral animal. "I swear…"
"I know, sweetheart. Let's just focus on you."
As we speed down the road, I focus on my breathing and time the contractions. My mama pulls right to the front doors and hops out.
"Let's go." She tosses the keys to one of the nurses. "Would you mind parking for me, dear?"
The nurse grins. "Anything for you, Mama Crawford."
Mama helps me into a wheelchair and pushes me toward the maternity ward. Doctor Tickner meets me at the door with a huge smile.
"Are you ready to bring these boys into the world?"
"Not without my husband."
He chuckles. "I'm sure he'll make it right on time. Striker wouldn't miss this for the world."
I'm wheeled into a room and slowly get onto the bed. The nurse hands me a gown and helps me get changed. My mama holds my hand as another contraction hits.
"Where the fuck is Levi?"
Mama looks down at her phone. "He'll be here any minute now."
The nurse puts a monitor on my stomach, a cooling rag on my forehead, and a cup of ice chips beside my bed. "Here we go. Just breathe through the pain, Lilah. You got this."
Doctor Tickner comes over and checks a few of the monitors. "You're doing great. Slow, easy breathing."
He turns to the nurse and whispers something, and I can feel the fear rising in my body. My heart is beating incredibly fast. "What's wrong?" They both turn and look at me with fake smiles. Before they can say a word, I scream. "What is going on?! I know something is wrong!"
Doctor Tickner comes to my side. "We're just having a hard time with the boys' heartbeats."
"Then flip me. Find them. I need them to be okay. And where the FUCK is my husband?!"
Mama brushes my hair out of my face. "He'll be here soon. It's okay, baby."
"Ahhhh! I. Need. Him. Now!"
The nurse helps me turn onto my knees, moving the monitors around my stomach. "Lilah, we may need to do an emergency C-section. I just want you to be prepared for that."
"I don't care. Whatever they need, do it."
She nods as she rolls a tennis ball on my lower back.
An hour goes by and now there is a team of nurses in my room. Doctor Tickner pulls my mama aside, whispering more things to her.
I'm on my back when he hands her a set of scrubs. "No! I am not leaving this room until my husband is here."
"Lilah, it's just a precaution as—"
"I'm pushing these damn babies out. Do you hear me?"
He nods, brow furrowed. "Then do it."
Striker
I haphazardly park my bike in front of the medical center, not caring about anything but my Little Lark. Rushing through the hospital, I push through crowds to get to the maternity ward.
A nurse steps in front of me with a clipboard in her hand. "Sir, I need you to sign in before you can go into the maternity ward."
"Fuck off, my wife is in labor!"
I try to go around her, but she steps in front of me again. "Again, all visitors need—"
Pushing her out of the way, I slam the doors open. One of the nurses comes rushing over. "My wife—"
"Lilah is right through here. Come on, those boys don't want to wait any longer."
I follow her to the end of the hallway and step into a room on the right. Lilah glances over and scowls. "If you don't get over here and hold my hand…"
Rushing over, I take her hand in mine. She looks up at me and her eyes soften. "I thought… I thought you were going to miss this."
I bring her hand to my lips. "I wouldn't miss this for the world. Let's get our boys in our arms now."
Doc Tickner smiles. "You told me you were going to push, Lilah. Now is the time to shine."
Mama Crawford is on Lilah's other side. "You can do this."
I watch as my wife pushes with everything she has, amazed at what her body can do.
Doc grins as she lets out a feral scream. "Baby A is out! Good job, Lilah. Take a small break."
He hands my son to a nurse who puts him on this large cart. Other nurses rush over and he screams out. Lilah smiles through her tears. "Is he okay? Oh god, Levi."
"He's okay." I look over to the nurse who smiles. "He's okay, baby girl."
Doc nods his head. "Get ready to push again. We still have baby B to bring out."
Lilah's head lolls to the side. "I'm so tired…"
"Little Lark, you can do this. Come on, baby. One more big push and you're all done."
She shakes her head. "Levi…"
"Come on, Lilah. Show everybody how strong you are. One more, for our boys."
Lilah sits up a bit, gripping my hand as hard as she can. "Ahhhhhh!!!"
I look down at Doc who is nodding with a smile. "Keep going, Lilah! And there we go!"
He hands my other son to a nurse who brings him to an identical cart with another team of nurses surrounding him. I turn to my wife, kissing her cheek. "You did it, baby. Two beautiful baby boys."
Two nurses come over and hand the boys to Lilah. I feel the tears rolling down my face as my boys lay on their mother's chest. Lilah smiles as her own tears flow down her face.
"You did it, baby. You fucking did it."
Lilah nods her head. "I love you so much, Levi. Oh my god, we have babies."
Mama Crawford is right on the other side, babbling with tears. "Oh, baby. Your daddy would be so proud of you."
Doc grins. "Do we have names for the newest club members?"
Lilah chuckles. "Oh, don't you start that. This one is Colton Daniel Walker. And this little guy is Knox Charlie Walker."
Doc wipes a tear from his eye. "Charlie would love that." He looks at me. "And your father will be thrilled. Now, if you'll excuse me. I need to let the waiting room full of people know you four are all good."
We chuckle as he steps out of the room. Mama Crawford smiles. "I'll let you two have some alone time. Good job, sweetheart."
I lean down and stroke Colton's head, then Knox's. "They're perfect, Lilah. Just like you."
Softly kissing Lilah's forehead, I lean back in my chair and smile at the sight before me. My wife and perfect baby boys.
Life can't get any better than this.