Page 5 of Spook’s Honor

“Of course we will, Honor.” Fern reassures me. “But, I promise that everything is going to be fine. Angel’s a wonderful woman, and while I haven’t met Axle, I know that Siera and our granddaughters like him.”

Near the clubhouse I can see a couple waiting and I know straight away they’re my biological parents. The woman and I could have been twins except I was much taller than her. The tall, blond-haired, tatted man was holding her like she was his reason for breathing. Tears pricked my eyes, and I wasn’t sure why.

“Is that them?” I whispered even though I know what the answer’s going to be. Jake turns to look.

He nods. “Yes, sweetheart. That’s Angel and Axle. Go on now. Fern and I will be behind you.”

Gulping nervously, I swiped my tongue over my lower lip. “Okay,” I nodded firmly. “I can do this.”

Jake pats my hand that’s wrapped around the door frame of his vehicle. “You can do this,” he agrees.

Loosening my hold on the door, I shake my hands as I step away and walk towards the couple. Angel has her hands clasped tight, and I can already see the tears in her eyes. I blink harder the closer I get.

Stopping a few feet away from them, I allow myself to take a minute to look at the two people who made me. Who made the hard choice to give me up so that I could have a better life…and what a life it’s been.

They’re silent; looking at me as if they’re worried I’ll disappear if they blink. Or that I will decide to turn and run away. Finally, I smile and speak. “Hi, my name's Honor. It’s lovely to meet you. If it’s okay, I’d really like a hug.”

“Oh,” Angel sobbed, reaching out to me. Wrapping me in her arms, she sobs so hard that I can’t help but allow my own tears to fall. When two firm arms encircle us, pulling us both into a hard hold, I know that Axle has us.

It feels good. No, it feels right. And deep down I know my parents would be thrilled I’d found my way to my biological parents. Family meant everything to my parents and it feels like it means everything to Axel and Angel too.

“It’s so wonderful to meet you, Honor. I’m so sorry to hear about your parents,” Angel whispered to me. I can tell she really means it too. I squeeze them both and reply with a heartfelt, “Thank you.”

Suddenly hearing sniffles and soft voices, I’m keenly aware that there are other people around us, but I want to focus on this time with Axle and Angel. Finally, we break apart, all of us wiping tears from cheeks and laughing softly.

The tears, for me, were both happy and sad at the same time. Sad for the time missed with Angel and Axle… for what could have been. Then there was the twinge of guilt for being happy when the parents who’d given me everything weren’t here to walk this milestone with me.

We stared at each other a little awkwardly, and I’m not sure where to go from here when the tension is broken by a deep, alarmed shout.

Something hits my legs, and I stagger back. Looking down, I see a gorgeous, little boy grinning up at me with a toothy smile. My heart tumbles headfirst in love with him. A smile breaks over my face, that turns into laughter when his little voice pipes up with a definite, “Mine!”

If I was going to be claimed by anyone, this little cutie would be one I wouldn’t mind. Still laughing softly, I bent down and picked him up, cuddling him close while wondering who he belonged to.

“Well, hello, handsome. And who are you?”

A tired, aggravated male voice called out, “Mason.”

My attention’s dragged from the cutie in my arms to the owner of the aggravated voice. Oh, wow! Was love at first sight really a thing? I wasn’t sure, but lust at first sight most certainly was. That was the only way I could describe the flutter in my belly and the way the hairs on my arms stood on end when I got a look at the guy now walking towards us.

Gorgeous in an almost nerdy way. Not at all what I’d expect from a biker. He is tall, with a beard, tousled brown hair, and glasses. And oh, he is built… no doubt about it.

He’s carrying the identical copy of the little boy I’m now holding like a football. It makes me smile, not that it’s bothering the little boy. He’s giggling his head off. His father, because I can only assume it’s his father, adjusts his grip and settles him on his hip. Wow! The muscles in his arms flex, as he adjusts the hold. That simple flex alone has my stomach clench. I quickly look back to the little one in my arms.

Apologising tiredly to Axle, as his stride eats up the distance between us, “Sorry Axle, he got away from me.”

Axle shrugs, but before he can respond, I smile and said, “Aww, that’s okay. What girl doesn’t like being knocked off her feet by a cutie? Especially one like this.”

I pat Mason on the back and lift my eyes to the biker. When his intense, blue gaze meets mine, I bite my lip and lower my eyes. I’m going to hate it if he has a woman.

Well, someone had to give birth to these cute boys, I grumble in my head. Feelings like I’ve never known flood through me. Great, I’m jealous of a woman I don’t even know. I hold back a shiver as his fingers brush my arm when he tries to take his son from me.

I chuckle softly and cuddle Mason closer when he firmly tells his father, “Mine.”

His dad sends me a resigned look.

“It’s okay,” I reassure him. I don’t want him to think I’m holding his son hostage, so I quickly follow up with, “I’m used to little ones. Besides he’s my hero; he broke the awkwardness we found ourselves in.”

He really is. I’d been wondering how we were going to break the tension. I look back to my parents and see the crowd behind Axle and Angel is growing the longer we stand out here. So I lean towards them and whisper, “There’s a bunch of people behind you, and not all of them are wearing leather, so I’m guessing they’re Jake and Fern’s family?”