26. ‘Wildcat’

FRANKIE

It's been two and a half weeks since Michael passed away. There was no funeral or graveside burial. His body was removed, and I have no idea what they did with it. Neither Malcolm nor I want to know, though a few days after he died Teddy and Olivia wanted us to come to their home.

When we show up, I can tell something is up. Enforcer pulls me over to tell me their dog, Tuna, isn't doing good at all. Teddy and Olivia come out holding hands, as usual, but Teddy's eyes are red. Taz follows her son with the same red eyes. Not wanting to intrude, we ask what Teddy wants us here for. We walk to their new garden area in the back of their house. Off to the side is a small bush or maybe, I guess, it's a seedling.

"Malcolm, your momma told us you lost a friend and you are sad. I'm sorry for your loss. Dad helped me pick it out and plant it. It's called the Michael Rose. So, when you're sad, you can come out here, sit in the chair we put there, and talk to your friend. I hope it helps."

That's when Malcolm totally loses it. He bends down, picks Teddy up, and walks to the chair, sitting in it. Malcolm has no idea the boy is autistic but for some reason Teddy doesn't fight. He pats Malcolm's cheeks. Olivia walks over and sits at Malcolm's knees. I turn to see Taz in Enforcer's arms. He just gives me a nod and walks her into the house. Wanting to go to Malcolm at the same time I want to comfort Taz, I let my gut tell me where to go and I'm so happy I do. Taz is in their great room, somehow on the floor, Tuna's head in her lap. Enforcer is almost lying next to the once big dog. One of the vets from the sanctuary is messing with filling some syringes. Oh, dear God, this is going to kill Taz, Teddy, and from the looks of it, Enforcer. The two German shepherds are off in the corner, their eyes on their sister, Tuna.

I feel like I'm intruding until Taz lifts her head, sees me, and puts her hand out. Immediately I walk to her, get down on my knees, then fall to my ass so I can be next to her.

"Goddamn, Wildcat, why does this hurt more than when you lose a person? We haven't had her that long and my heart feels like it's being pulled right from my chest."

I glance at Tuna, who has her eyes on her daddy. He's whispering to her which seems to calm her, though she's never been a nervous dog. Stoic. There are crystals surrounding Tuna on her bed. I smell the same scent Avalanche used on Malcolm the day Michael died. I don't know what to do, so I grab on to Taz. The vet comes over and asks if they are ready. Enforcer pushes up, wiping his face.

"What do you think, man, do we look fuckin' ready? Just do it."

Then he leans back down and cuddles with his dog. That's when I see Taz has her phone out just as she snaps a shot of her husband with their first fur baby. The vet says not a word about Enforcer's outburst. He proceeds to start an IV. Once in, he sits on his heels.

"Enforcer, Taz, the first shot I'm going to give Tuna is to relax her. It'll be like she's sleeping. The second one will slow her heart until it stops. I'm going to give her the relaxer then the second shot. Here we go."

Never in my life have I been present when this was done. There is no way in heaven or hell that Tuna doesn't know she is loved. Her parents are with her the entire time. When she is gone, the vet picks up all his supplies and garbage.

"I'm very sorry for your loss. When you are ready, please let me know. I'll load Tuna up in my truck and will take her to the crematory. I'll personally return her when everything has been done. Do you want an imprint of her paw?"

Both Taz and Enforcer nod but no words. Taz is now on the sectional above Tuna as Enforcer lifted her up and put her there. Just as the vet goes to leave, we hear their screen door open and the kids and Malcolm walk in. Teddy instantly takes in the scene and goes completely still. Olivia gets closer to him, but the boy only has eyes for his dog.

"Momma, is she gone? Did she cross over to the Rainbow Bridge?"

Taz nods as Enforcer moves to go to his son, but Teddy runs straight to Tuna. Lying right next to her, he starts to cry while petting her, telling her how much he loves her. He promises never to forget her. Somehow the pups feel the vibe and slowly make their way to Tuna and Teddy. One lies next to Tuna, the other next to Teddy. Again, I see Taz with her phone out snapping a shot.

Malcolm grabs my hand, pulling me out of the room, giving the family some time. Not even five minutes later Taz comes waddling out. She gives Malcolm a small tight smile but comes directly to me.

"Thanks, sister. We knew it was time, but were afraid how Teddy would take it. As you can see, all around that rose bush are petunias. His way of letting us know he was ready. Don't feel like you have to stay, you did something I'll never be able to thank you for. Love ya, Wildcat."

She kisses my cheek, grabs on to Malcolm's arm, then walks back to her family. We get back in our vehicle and head back to the cabin. This is not the way I thought today would go. Tomorrow Malcolm is heading back to New York. Lots has happened since he said goodbye to his friend. We've gotten to know each other again. And as I keep telling Shadow no, we've not had sex, and only God knows if we ever will. Though from the look and feel of it, we will when the time is right. Yeah, I love him, but once you're violated things are different. He feels the same. We've experimented with our limits and for now we're good where we are at. We need time and that's exactly what we'll have. Malcolm is going back to New York to give his notice, though he's already spoken to Judy. He's working with Shamonda, who's going to buy his townhouse. He's giving a lot of his stuff to my brother for his new place.

Once everything is completed, I'm going to fly out to New York for the first time since I left to drive back to Montana with him. Well, with Malcolm, Buddy, Chloe, Peanut, Buttons, and China. What a cluster, but it's my clusterfuck and I love it.

"Sorry, babe, didn't know that was going down. It was nice what the kids did for you. Think it helped little Teddy more than you. He adored Tuna. Why is life so hard sometimes?'

Malcolm reaches over and grabs my hand. Then he gives it to me like he always does, honest and to the point.

"Frankie, if life wasn't hard at times when the easy ones come, we wouldn't appreciate them. As hard for Teddy and his family as that is, they have good memories with Tuna 'til she—shit, what is it called, yeah—crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Now let's take a drive before we go back to the cabin. Something I want to show you that Avalanche shared with me a while ago."

We drive for less than ten minutes. Malcolm parks my Tahoe, turns it off, and turns to me.

"Trust me, Frankie?"

"Always, Malty."

He smiles, gets out, and comes around to my door. Once we are both out, I see some sticks in the ground with string or rope strung from one to the other. What the hell, this is part of Tink's ranch.

"Damn, going to have to let Tink know someone's out here fucking with her land."

"Don't worry, she knows. And it isn't her land, it's ours. Frankie Camano, let's build our forever home here in the middle of Bumfuck, Montana. Now that I'm an employee of the Devil's Handmaidens and Blue Sky Sanctuary, figured I need to find somewhere close to live. Talked to Tink and Noodles about some land. She told me to pick a spot and it was ours, so I asked Avalanche for his help. This land is fertile if we want to have a garden, large enough if we want to add our pack of fur babies and has the most gorgeous dawns and sunsets."

I'm in his arms before I can say a word. This is what was missing in my life. My Malty. Now everything is how it should be in my life.

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Rebel, Book Eight

‘REBEL'

Myra

Damn, these women are driving me bat-ass crazy. Yeah, I'm part owner of the Handmaidens Fitness she's having full-blown contractions. Since I've been her second coach in the Lamaze classes, I know we need to get her to try and relax and breathe through each contraction. We have to time how far apart they are too. First, I need to know how she got here.

"How the hell did you get here, Taz? If you tell me you drove yourself, when you're done giving birth to my godchild I'm gonna kick your ass before I kill you. Jesus Christ, what are you thinking?"

She starts to giggle then, holy shit, lets out a loud as fuck fart and doubles over again. The stench is killing me, though I'm trying to be a good best friend and not to say anything.

"Damn, Travis is right, those pregnancy farts really stink. Shit, Rebel it hurts so frigging bad. Damn, how did I do this with Teddy? I can't remember everything but I don't think it was this bad, though I had drugs back then."

I know we're in trouble because she doesn't swear all that often. I grab her arm and walk her to the room in question. Off to the one side is a smaller room for massage. I turn the light on, pull the weighted blanket off the table, grab a sheet, flip it open and on the bed, then lower it as far as it will go. I grab her purse, throwing it on the floor next to her bag of crystals. She waddles to me trying to bend for that bag.

"What do you want, Taz? Need you to get on that bed now."

"No, I want a water birth, you know that. It's better and more relaxing for me and the baby. Travis is against it, but that's what I want. Oh, forgot to tell you I didn't drive here, I called an Uber."

I knew bringing that modern-ass shit to our town was gonna cause trouble, though it helps folks make a living, sort of. Whoever picked up Taz doesn't have a clue how much trouble they are going to be in. Enforcer is gonna lose his fucking mind. And whoever was supposed to be on Taz duty will be getting an ass kicking from me. Told Tink that shit wouldn't work. We should have put both pregnant sisters together in a safe room. Don't care how crazy that sounds, at least we'd have eyes on them twenty-four seven.

Looking up, I see my bestie watching me with sweat on her forehead. She's pulling her rainbow hair up with a scrunchy. Damn, why can't I tell her no?

"Swear to Christ, Taz, you're lucky I love your rainbow ass. I'll go grab that big metal pool thing we use out in the back room. Gonna take me a minute or two so just breathe and try to relax. Oh yeah, text your ol' man and tell him what's going on right now."

With that I walk out, leaving the door open. When out of sight, I start to jog while pulling my phone out. I text Tink, Shadow, and Glory with a SOS then the words "Taz is in heavy labor at our gym. Need HELP."

Not paying attention, I plow into something hard and extremely huge. I drop my phone and when I go to reach down for it, my head hits something that feels like either a large boulder or maybe a bowling ball. It literally knocks me to my knees as I hear a deep gravelly voice saying, "What the motherfucking shit? Damn, woman, watch where you're going. Oh shit, are you okay? Hey, can you hear me?"

Trying to open my eyes, I feel like I was hit by a frigging freight train. Slowly I pry my eyelids up and see the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen in a scowl that makes Enforcer's and Shadow's look like a grin . Dark brown hair with just a slight scattering of gray at the sides. Those eyes are like a caramel with rings of gold and green around the pupils. He's leaning over me, literally shaking me by the shoulders .

"Hey, you trying to finish the job, you asshole? Never heard of Shaken Adult Syndrome. Let go of me before I seriously hurt you. I said, get your hands off me."

He leans his ass onto his calves, never taking his eyes off me, though with my words a sexy grin appears on his face as his eyes sparkle. Oh, one of those types. Just what I need, a confident, built, hot motherfucker in my gym. I don't recognize him, but kind of remember my part-timer telling me we had a hottie join the club. This must be him. Great way to meet, though he's good on my eyes, for sure.

"Just checking to make sure you're okay. Took a pretty bad hit when we knocked heads."

"No, you mean when not only did you plow into me, but instead of stepping back, you rammed me with that enormous ninepin you call a head."

His face tightens as his eyes narrow at me. Whatever. Just as I remember my sister, Taz, and what I was about to do I hear tiny footsteps coming our way. Before I can turn my head, I hear the Mickey Mouse voices of young children.

"Daddy, hurry a lawy is in pwain. Get your bag and come width us."

"Yeah, Dad, she's in labor, I think. Looks like she peed herself, I told these two to find you so I could stay with her, but they were fascinated with her hair, which looks like a rainbow."

Before any of them can move, I'm running back to the meditation room to find Taz on the floor curled up on herself. Oh, fucking shit.

"Taz, hey, I'm here. Taz, look at me. RAQUEL, look at me, please."

"As usual, you can never handle a delicate situation. Rebel, my water broke, and my contractions are like three to four minutes apart. I think the baby is coming now."

Hearing noise behind me, I see first the three kids: one older and two younger, all boys. Then Mr. Macho gently moves them to the side and walks in, kneeling next to Taz.

"Oh no, get the hell outta of here, mister. We don't need you here. You want to be useful call nine-one-one for an ambulance. Otherwise, get gone now."

His head lifts and, believe it or not, he winks at me. Then I hear the older boy start talking as he moves closer to us after he motions for the little ones to stay by the door.

"Lady, you should be glad my dad's here. He's a doctor, no, he's an obstetrician, which is a doctor for women and babies. Let him help your friend, he knows what he's doing. Dad, I'll take these two out front, maybe go to the kid's room and let them play. I'll call nine-one-one too."

Just as he walks out, Taz lets out a wail like nothing I've ever heard before. I look down to see she's biting her lip, which is starting to bleed pretty bad. Fuck. Then Mr. Macho stands then leans down and picks—yeah, picks—Taz up, and is getting ready to place her on the massage table as we both hear a herd of cattle running down the hall. First in is Enforcer, and when he sees his wife not only in pain but also in the arms of a stranger, his face instantly goes blank, which is not a good thing. I'm sure he's thinking about when Raven had her shit that started in my gym.

"Hey, brother, he's a doctor or something. She's close, Enforcer, so please don't upset her. Go to her."

I watch as the dude gently lays Taz down and Enforcer goes to the other side, grabbing her hand and using his other hand to push her sweaty hair back. Half my club sisters are trying to squeeze into this average-size room, so I start shouting orders.

"Need someone to get some water. Another, some sheets and towels from the storage room. Shadow, you can stand the sight of blood, go help him. I doubt Enforcer is going to be any help. Peanut and Kitty, go check on this man's kids, think they're in the front room. Give them some juice boxes and snacks."

At that the doctor guy turns around to look at us.

"No juice for the older boy. He's diabetic, Type 1, so maybe water or even a sports water. I'd appreciate it."

The smile that appears on his face has every one of my sisters, and if I admit it, even me, taking a breath then letting out a sigh. His eyes twinkle like he knows the effect he has on women, but those eyes are locked on me.

Again, Taz begins wailing and shit, I don't know his name, so I ask.

"Hey, Doc, what's your name?"

Turning, he looks at me and grins.

"If you promise not to laugh, badass, I'll tell you."

As I nod, he's checking Taz's pulse and asking Enforcer some questions quietly.

"My name is Atlas Gianopoulos. And you are?"

"Motherfucker, we ain't on some goddamn dating game show. Take care of my wife if you want to continue breathing. Rebel, where the hell is that ambulance?"

Taz reaches up and caresses Enforcer's face.

"Travis, honey, it'll be good. Can you grab my bag and place my crystals around the room? Give my sage to one of the sisters so she can smudge this room. Hurry, this little one is going to make their appearance soon."

"I'm not leaving your side, Que. Tink, Glory, you heard her, grab that bag and place her rocks around the room. Heartbreaker, can you get the dried weeds and blow smoke around the room, please?"

Taz giggles at his attempt to do what she wants. I hear Atlas tell Enforcer they need to get her undressed and Enforcer loses his mind. The doc never flinches, just calmly explains that for him to help deliver the baby she can't be wearing yoga pants and drawers. Taz is giggling so hard she passes wind. The room empties pretty quickly, except for Doc Atlas, Enforcer, Shadow, Tink, Glory, and me. Taz's face is as red as an apple, but Atlas just keeps explaining the ABCs of labor and delivery to Enforcer. Finally, he agrees and very carefully the two men slowly remove Taz's clothes. I just saw her the other day when I helped her take a shower but, man, her belly seems even bigger than that day, though now it's really dropped down. It is huge when they get her to move to remove her yoga pants, undies, and socks. Once she's naked from the waist down, Atlas puts her feet flat on the table and he flips the privacy blanket on top of her tummy so he can see underneath to examine her.

"Well, Miss Taz, you're right, this little one is on their way. Don't push until I tell you to. Can someone get me a clean sheet, preferably white? Also, that tray in the corner, push it next to the bed. Enforcer, before we get too involved, pull that T-shirt off of her. Bra too. Once the baby comes, we will need to put the child on her belly and chest. On second thought, take your shirt off too. No, don't argue, man, just do it. You'll thank me later."

Watching Atlas, you can tell the man knows exactly what he's doing. The confidence he has in himself is pretty sexy. So is every movement and his whispered words to Taz trying to keep her calm. The room now has crystals all over on the counters, floor, and even on the table she's lying on. Enforcer will do whatever she wants.

"Doctor, do we have time before the baby arrives for my sisters to set up the water bath so I can deliver the little one in there? I've researched it, and they say it's a better experience for the baby."

Before Atlas can even respond, Enforcer loses it.

"Que, goddamn it, told you that shit ain't gonna happen. Not having my kid drown before it takes its first breath. Let that shit go, please. I let you have the rocks and that smelly shit blown all over, let's be happy with that, woman."

I know it's coming, but damn, when it does, we all watch with our mouths open wide. With tears running down her face, Taz looks at her ol' man and lets loose. I'm totally shocked, as all my sisters are.

"Travis, get the hell out of here. I don't want your negative energy around me or my baby. Yeah, you donated the sperm but that's it. I've been growing and nurturing this child for nine months, so I should be able to decide how it makes its journey out into this fucked-up world we live in. My job as this baby's mother is to protect it, even from you if I have too. I said get out, until you can keep your energy down. Right now, I don't want to see you or have you in here. Please go."

Enforcer's mouth is open, eyes huge. Taz is now sobbing, trying to hide her face. He leans down, grabbing her hands and again shocks the shit outta all of us in the room.

"Que, shit, I'm so sorry. Please, Raquel, don't cry. You don't want our baby being born with you having sad energy. I'll personally go get that tub. Doc, what type of water should be in it?"

"Enforcer, usually lukewarm, not too cold or hot. If that's the plan, I suggest you move your ass. This baby isn't going to wait too long. Taz is dilated to just about eight centimeters, so I'd get moving."

At that moment more boots are hitting the floor as the rest of the Intruders make their presence known. Tank is the first in, followed by Yoggie with a huge black bag. Yeah, always a medic.

In no time at all, between the Intruders and Devil's Handmaidens, the tub is cleaned and almost filled by the assembly line Duchess started. The room is now almost empty. Atlas said he wanted it to be calm for Taz, so it's just Enforcer, Tink, Shadow, and me. Glory stepped out when she got a call from Momma Diane.

Shadow and I help Taz off the bed after we lowered it as far down as we could. Next, between all of us, we get her into the tub. She smiles when she's sitting in there looking at Enforcer.

"Come on, Travis, you know what I want."

He looks around at us with a scowl.

"If any of you say a word, I'll kill you with my own two hands, swear to Christ.

Then he takes his kutte off, placing it on one of the robe hooks, and then empties his pockets. Boots and socks are next. With his T-shirt already off, by the time his jeans hit the table Taz is panting through another contraction. Atlas is reaching in, trying to gauge how far along she is.

"Is there someone here who has some medical background? How about that man who brought in the bag? I could use a hand, no actually two."

Tink walks to the door and yells for Yoggie. When he walks to the door, she tells him he's needed.

Time seems to go quickly by as each contraction gets closer and closer. Enforcer is now behind Taz in the tub, holding her up. Atlas is scrunched down at the other end of the tub, doing what baby doctors do, I guess. He took his socks and gym shoes off. He was already in workout shorts, showing off his muscular calves. No, I didn't just think that. Yoggie is on the outside of the pool, right across from the doctor.

"Rebel, come here, I need you close."

Shit, just what I need, never done anything like this before. When I walk toward the tub, Enforcer smirks, so I flip him off.

"Keep it up, Dad, and you'll be sorry. Shadow, snap a picture of the Intruder's Enforcer in his boxers."

Just as Shadow snaps the pic, Taz screams and squeezes my hand so tight I think she might break it.

"That's it, Taz, doing great. Breathe, in and out. Come on, follow me. Take a deep breath, hold it for five, four, three, two, and one, release. Again, take your time and hold. Okay, we are there, so on the next contraction I need you to push as hard as you can."

We all wait for maybe thirty seconds when she lifts up a bit and bears down, moaning the whole time. Travis is holding her up and I'm letting her break one hand as the other is pushing her hair out of her face. When she leans back, I see Atlas and Yoggie looking at each other.

"What? Is there a problem? Come on, tell us so we can fix it, and let this little one celebrate their birth day."

"I think the cord is around the baby's neck, so just want Yoggie to be ready when the baby arrives. That's it, Auntie Rebel, so calm down. Shit, I mean, here we go. This time when she starts to push, Enforcer, lean down, push her forward so she bends more, which will help with pressure so the baby comes out. Everyone, get ready."

In my entire life I've never experienced anything like this. Taz breathing hard, face red, body tight, muscles all popping. Enforcer sweating as he helps Taz push their child out. Shadow is on the other side of Atlas, helping Yoggie out. Tink is the only one standing back and I know why. This has to hurt because she and Noodles have been trying to have their own baby. Damn it.

I hear Atlas yelling so I look down and can't believe it. The baby is half in and half out. Yoggie is pulling the cord off its neck, and Shadow is holding one shoulder. Meanwhile, Atlas rotates the baby one way then the other until the other shoulder literally pops out. In less than a second Atlas has the baby out, and instead of a crack on its tiny wrinkly ass, he's rubbing up and down its back. Then he looks to the parents and smiles.

"Congratulations. It's a baby girl. Dad, want to cut the cord?"

Enforcer looks at Atlas then me and shakes his head.

"Let Rebel do it. I'm good where I'm at."

Atlas gives me what looks to be some sort of scissors and shows me where to cut between some clamps. When I do, I feel them rolling down my face. Shit. When I look up, Shadow and Tink are wiping their faces.

"What's her name, Mom and Dad?"

Taz and Enforcer both look to Atlas for a second then she leans back, whispering in his ear. They look at each other and kiss first then look back to Atlas.

"Doc, her name is Michelle, but we're going to call her Mickie."

My mouth falls open as my eyes fill even more. No way, they're naming their baby girl after me.

"Rebel, didn't think taking your club name was right, so Travis and I talked and this is what we came up with. Hope you don't mind?"

I shake my head as I have no words. When Atlas gets done cleaning the baby and doing whatever he does, then he shows Enforcer why his shirt is off. This is after Taz has gotten out of the water and so did her ol' man. Atlas gives Mickie to her daddy, who then brings her on his bare chest. The look on his face is beyond priceless and when I look, Shadow is snapping pics. She looks my way and grins. Yeah, this is truly a once in a lifetime moment.

Finally, we hear the sirens and not too long after paramedics come running down the hall apologizing, saying they were stuck in traffic due to an accident shutting down the highway. Everyone in the hallway is waiting on news. No one says a word until Enforcer in his boxers leans out into the hallway and screams loudly for all to hear.

"It's a fuckin' baby girl. Our princess, Mickie, has arrived."

Seems like the paramedics know Atlas, well, at least the female one does. Once Taz and Mickie are all bundled up on the gurney, they wheel her out as everyone cheers. I look at the bloody water and the shit on the outside on the floor. Damn, I feel dizzy for some reason. What the fuck?

"Sit down, Rebel. Adrenaline can drop pretty fast. Hey, can someone grab me a bottle of water?"

I hear the little feet running down the hall. Atlas moves quickly to the doorway.

"Hey, guys, give me a few minutes then we can go. I'll take you for ice cream if you wait and be good. We got a deal?"

They nod and the little ones run back to the kid's room while the older one looks at his dad.

"All good, Dad?"

"Yeah, Son, she had a baby girl."

The kid smiles then turns and leaves. Atlas turns back to me with a bottle of water in his hands.

"Drink all of this. Now to even up. I did you a favor helping your friend out, so when do you want to go to dinner?"

I look at him like he has two heads. What the fuck is he talking about? So I ask. He smiles that sexy as shit smile my way. Bet he's gotten a lot of women with that one.

"Don't remember our deal? I help and you go to dinner with me. Can't back out now. I'll give you a day or two, but we are going to dinner, Rebel, or should I call you, Michelle?"

I feel nauseated when he says that name. No one, and I mean not a single soul, calls me that anymore. If anything, I go by Mya. I've even changed it legally.

"Atlas, don't ever call me that name again. And as grateful as I am for what you did for Taz, ain't no way in hell I'm going to dinner with someone who's head won't fit through any of the restaurants' doors in town. It's just too damn big."

He throws his head back and laughs. Then his eyes get serious when he leans close.

"We'll see, Rebel. Something you should know about me is, I always get what I want. See ya around, Feisty Rebel.

I watch him leave as a weird feeling takes shape in my stomach. I've come too far to fall for another good-looking, sexy guy who's full of himself. That ain't ever happening again. Though I did feel my nipples harden and my girlie garden start to tingle. Fuck it, not happening, no matter how gorgeous his eyes are. He's a dad of three boys and shit he could be married or have a partner. Besides I'm good by myself. I've got my club and sisters, which is all I need right now, or I try to convince myself as I get busy finishing cleaning up everything so I can go see my goddaughter. Mickie is probably the closest thing I'll ever come to my own child is my thought as I pick up all the soiled towels and sheets.