Page 33 of Rebel

Saying that, I stand on my tippy-toes, kiss his cheek, then I go back to bed. As I’m trying to fall asleep, I know Atlas is it for me. Just need to know he feels the same.

TWENTY-FIVE

‘REBEL’

MYA

I’ve been up most of the night and now I’m just waiting to hear someone else is up, so I can get up and get some much-needed coffee. I know I’m going to forgive Atlas. It hit me last night, everything that has been going on, it all involves him so I just think he’s on overload. Stress and anxiety can fuck a person up, I know that. Today is going to suck, trying to function with a hangover, but got to remember stupid actions always come back to haunt you. My feelings for him are real and we just need to be a bit more open with each other and need to talk stuff out.

I’m in the bathroom when I hear the initial pounding. Then the yelling and screaming. Finally my name is being said loudly. Oh shit, I don’t need Atlas to wake up either of the kids which, apparently, I’m too late for when lil’ Mickie starts to cry. I grab a Devil’s Handmaidens sweatshirt to put over my tank and shorts, open the door, and run toward the front of the house. What I see when I turn the corner is Enforcer and Teddy barring Atlas from coming down the hallway toward the spare room, Konstantin, Thanos, Stefanos, and both of Atlas’s parents are behind him. My eyes are only on him because he looks like death has taken a permanent residency with him. When he sees me, he immediately stops yelling, which, as Taz walks by me, underher breath she says, “Thank Christ.” The only person who looks unfazed is Mickie, who is in her mother’s arm, babbling, hand in her mouth, drooling down her face. That’s when I hear my bestie tell her ol’ man to quit being a moron and let the folks do what they want. The boys run right to me, all hugging on me like they’ve not seen me in a year. Athena is behind them while it looks like Apollo is holding up his son. Enforcer stays close to Atlas as my protector, Teddy, pushes his way so he’s standing kind of in front of me, arms crossed just like his daddy. If this wasn’t such a clusterfuck, I’d think he’s beyond cute. When Atlas, along with his dad, makes his way to me quietly, he asks to talk to me. As I’m thinking about it, to my utter shock Enforcer tells me to use their office, and that he’ll start breakfast. Every boy’s head jerks up except Teddy, who when seeing that, laughs.

“What, doesn’t your dad cook breakfast? If Dad doesn’t have club duties, he’s the one who cooks because he’s really good at it.”

Thanos and Stefanos look at each other then Enforcer. The man in question stops and stares at them. Then he smiles.

“Boys, something to remember. As you grow up, it’s no one’s responsibility but yours to do things for yourself. Taz and I got together when we were grown, so I had to learn how to cook, clean, and wash my clothes. You know, all the shit that needs to be done. Now, when my ol’ lady and I built this house, we talked about it and knew we had to share the workload as we both have jobs and responsibilities. Teddy over there does chores that he gets a weekly allowance for. Don’t ya have chores at home?”

The boys shake their heads, which has Enforcer looking at Atlas with a frown.

“My man, you are doing a disservice to your kids but looks like you got bigger issues you need to fix. Now come on, kids, you can all help me make breakfast. Mr. and Mrs. Giannopoulos,please take a seat. We’ll get ya both some coffee; how do you take it?”

I turn and make my way to the office with Atlas behind me. Once in and he’s closed the door, we look at each other. I know I’m stubborn, but this is his shitshow not mine, so I wait. Finally I move and take a seat on the leather love seat; he follows and sits on the table right in front of me. When he hesitantly reaches for my hands, I remember my first thought when I woke up. I love this man and every relationship has bumps in the road. I let him hold my hands as he struggles to explain.

“Sweetheart, fuck, I don’t know what to say except I’m sorry. Something snapped in my head and the more I tried to ignore it, the worse it got. After the shit with my folks and the kids we found, then finding out Mindy was dead, I don’t even know how to explain it. My mind started playing tricks on me. I’d have nightmares that instead of Mindy dead it was you in that wooded pasture. I couldn’t risk something happening to you, so I started to push not only you but the boys, Mom, and Dad away. Not to mention all the new people in my life. Oh, guess who showed up at my house last night? Of all the people in your life, I opened the door, half blasted off my ass to see a very pissed-off Avalanche. And get in my face, he did. I will tell you, never want to piss that man off ever again.”

I’m grinning when Atlas’s eyes get all squinty.

“Did you send him to put the fear of God in me, Rebel? Because that’s what he did, well, until Panther and Shadow showed up, and that’s when I truly thought I was going to die. Not Panther, he’s the quiet one. Nope, it was your sister who walked right up to me, looked up into my face, and very softly told me to fix what I fucked up, or she’ll make sure I don’t upset you ever again. Then she walked away, calling for Big Bird to follow them. I had all night to try and figure out what happened, and it hit me around four this morning. I was so afraid of losingyou, either like Mindy, or during one of your club missions breaking up a circuit, unconsciously I figured it was better to push you out of my life, and the boys. Well, they also reamed my ass yesterday, along with my parents. I’m here begging you to forgive my stupidity. Generally I’m not a dumb man. I already called the therapist to apologize and set up another appointment for the family session. Please tell me you’ll come with the boys and me? I didn’t mean to hurt you, sweetheart. Mindy’s death brought a lot of feelings and emotions to the surface, right after my parents’ situation, that if I’m honest I wasn’t dealing with too well. Tell me, Rebel, do I have a chance or did I blow it?”

Knowing he’s punishing himself more than I could ever do, I lean forward and grab his head and drop my lips to his. Right before mine touch his, I whisper while staring into those beautiful sapphire eyes, “I love you Atlas Giannopoulos.”Not sure how long we are making out when a knock on the door startles us.

“Is it safe to come in or do you both need a minute to put your clothes back on?”

I can hear the laughter in my bestie’s voice. Thank God she always is there for me.

“Come on in, Taz. We’re decent.”

She walks in with a smirk on her face, taking us in. Then her face gets serious when she looks Atlas’s way.

“So, Doc, did you get your head out of your own ass? Because there is a group of people just waiting to see if they’re going to have to beat your behind or maybe call for an intervention. Now breakfast is ready, so come on, let’s eat. Oh, Rebel, did you hear from Tink yesterday?”

Just like Taz, she’s all over the board. I take a second to think but when I checked my phone, I didn’t listen to any of the voice messages, so I shake my head no.

“Oh, sister, wait ’til you hear. Nope, not my story to tell. So seriously, are you two good?”

I glance at Atlas, who’s looking down at me. I smile at him, grabbing his hand then look at my bestie, sharing the same smile with her.

“I recall a woman a few years back who shared with me that relationships are work, and if you put your best effort into it, the rewards are so worth it. Well, Raquel, you were right. Not only is Atlas worth it, but so are his three boys. Now feed me, sister, I didn’t eat last night, was more worried about getting drunk with your crazy ass.”

When the three of us walk out and everyone sees us holding hands, they all start to clap. Leave it to the children to know what’s best for the adults in their lives.

It’s been a long as fuck day. I skipped work, well, with Glory’s blessing. After breakfast the kids played for a bit with Teddy’s two dogs, while Enforcer showed Atlas and Apollo his new car project. A 1967 GTO. I don’t know who was drooling more, father or son. We finally left, me following Atlas to his house. Konstantin drove my car and he did a great job. It took a bit for us to straighten up the mess Atlas left and the boys gave him smack throughout the cleaning process. We decided to make today a movie lounge day, so I go upstairs to find some comfortable clothes and when I come back, all four of the Giannopoulos guys are waiting on me. The boys are sitting on the sectional, while Atlas is on the ottoman. He pulls me on his lap then looks to the boys who nod vigorously.

“Rebel, we’ve come to a decision and need your thoughts. Stefanos brought it up, while Thanos and I agreewholeheartedly. Kon said it’s totally up to you, but he’s on board. Mya, will you do us the honor of moving in with us? No, not asking you to marry me yet, though just a heads-up, I will one day. Today though, as a family, we all realized that without you this house is definitely not a home. It’s a place to eat and sleep. Each of the boys has fallen in love with you, as I have. Why keep your place at the ranch when you’re here most of the time? And this way you’ll be closer to the clubhouse and your office. What do you say?”

My mind is doing a fast spin through my life and there is nowhere else I’d rather be. So with a huge smile, I tell them a most definite yes. As we celebrate, I’ve never felt so happy and secure. That’s what they give me and I hope I return that back to them. After a long day of junk food and movies, I excuse myself to go to the office and check my messages. There were quite a few so when I get to Tink’s, I’m thinking she’s going to tell me something about the club or one of our sisters. She surprises me twice. Once when she tells me she and Noodles are going to foster Mercy and Faith with the intention of eventually adopting both girls. I’m beyond thrilled for the two of them as they’ve wanted to start a family for a long time. I’m already trying to think of some things to buy the girls who have lost so much. What my prez says next stops me dead-on. Tink tells me that she and Noodles have been trying IVF and after four tries, it finally took and they are expecting a baby. She goes into detail saying she’s high-risk and will be watched closely by her OB/GYN. She tells me they are slowly letting the “family” know. I finally can accept that all those years ago, when I came up to Montana, what I was looking for was right here in Timber-Ghost. I’m so glad I took that opportunity and gave the Devil’s Handmaidens a chance.

As I’m reminiscing, something Tink said has my head throb. Son of a bitch, he knew and didn’t tell me. I stomp back to thefamily room, hands on my hips, glaring at Atlas. That’s when the boys all get up and go to their rooms and my man stands and walks toward me.

“What has you ready to kill me this time, sweetheart?”

“Forget to share something with me, Atlas?”

I watch him try to think about what it could be and I can’t wait, I put him out of his misery.

“Tink and Noodles’s news?”

“Rebel, come on, you know I can’t talk about my patients. Don’t go there because, sweetheart, there are some boundaries I can’t cross, even for you. Now are we fighting or celebrating their phenomenal news?”

Laughing, I jump into his arms, knowing that life in the club is definitely changing, that’s for sure. And when the boys walk in a little bit later, we tell them the news and they are super excited. Then we do what I guess “normal” families do to relax, eat dinner and then go to bed. And I wouldn’t change it for the world because I’m sure in the near future we will be dealing with degenerates who want to destroy what a family means.We won’t let them, I think as I cuddle with my ol’ man in, I guess, what is now “our” home.