MC: LaPonte Read online

  "We can always build more another day. That reminds me did the Prospects get the stars up?" Ben asks. Tiny yells for them. They all come running. They pale when he asks about the stars. He yells at them again to get them up before the kids get here and they might as well pull all the fans out when they're done. Everyone is laughing. Fuckin Tiny. I watch the ladder make its way back into the house.

  "Gonna be a long fuckin day." Steve says.

  "An even longer fuckin night." I say. I know once Little Ben and Jessie see their beds they'll be staying tonight.

  "You know you're going to have to rebuild their rooms once they see this one." Ben says with a smile.

  I hold my face and laugh. "Nope, we're going to have to rebuild." All the Brothers say they’re in. We shoot the shit for a while. It feels good to have the Brothers here helping us out.

  The old ladies pull in. Patches gets to the suvs first. He gets the kids to go see the backyard with the Prospects and organizes a bag brigade into the house. I slap his back. "Brother, nicely done." I take Kate's hand and bring her up to the room.

  "They are going to freak. They have been excited all day waiting to see it. It's awesome. Thank you everyone for all your hard work." She walks around looking at everything. The women are getting the clothes put in the draws, Patches is hanging clothes in the closet. "Where are the beds for Little Ben and Jessie?"

  Steve walks over to the wall of bins and pulls a rope in the middle. The beds swing down from the wall. Kate, Tracy, Nancy and Jess crack up. "That is freakin awesome. Murphy bunk beds. You are a genius. I love it." She kisses me laughing. Steve lifts the beds back up.

  "I'm not sure we'll ever see our kids again. It looks like real tree houses. I love the walkways against the walls." Jess says.

  "Tiny’s got the grill going. He wants to send the kids up." Rob says from the doorway. "He said to get your asses down there unless you're family so the kids will fit." We all crack up. Everyone files out.

  I stop Patches. "You stay for your little brothers." He nods. The kids come up the stairs sounding like a herd of elephants. We stand back and watch. They go right to their beds, knowing them by color. Little Ben and Jessie stand with us watching. Darren signs for the boys to come and see. They run to different sides of the room and climb the ladders to the walkways. Jess cracks up. They look in at all the beds.

  Darren signs, 'friend’s bed'. I tell him to get them over to the bins. He has everyone follow him along the walkway. Steve pulls the rope again and checks the legs. The boys holler and jump on the bunk beds. Everyone laughs. "You made us beds Uncle Danny!" Jessie yells.

  "No Jessie we all made you beds. Everyone helped with this one." I tell him with a smile.

  "That makes it more special." Little Ben says.

  "Yes it does little men." Patches tells him.

  Ben walks over to the windows and pulls the shades. He goes to the light switch and flips it off. I crack up as everyone oohs and ahhs. All the lights are on sensors, the platforms have a light that gives a faint glow when it's dark. We hooked up mini LED's to light the bases and the stars show on the ceiling. There are lights around the walkway floorboards to keep accidents at a minimum. It looks awesome. The boys go wild. Running from bed to bed. Kate hugs me. "It's perfect." Ben flips the lights back on. We tell the boys we'll be downstairs.

  As we're making our way down people are going up to see how the boys like the room. Patches stays behind to keep watch.

  "You know they're all sleeping up there tonight right?" Kate asks.

  I nod. "I'm thinking I should have put a bed up there for Patches." Everyone laughs. Kate looks at me. I see she's thinking about this. I crack up holding my face.

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Two months...

  "We have a meeting with the school then I have a class to teach at Security." I tell him.

  His arms go around my waist, he rubs my belly. "Was hoping for an early day. The boys are with Patches today. They'll be home at seven." He kisses my neck from behind. I wiggle my ass against him. He growls at me.

  "I can be here at five." I shiver as his hands skim my nipples. Shit. "I'm going to be wet all day if you keep this up." He moans and drops his hands when we hear little feet closing in.

  "Mommy Kate. My coat won't work." Aaron says. I help him get his coat zipped. I'm so freakin happy with the boys, my husband, a baby on the way, my job and life in general. I really expected this to be harder. They've dealt very well with the transition and grief of losing their mother and the stress of Darren’s surgery. Counseling for all of us helped.

  I sign asking Darren if he has his homework. He signs yes. I'm so glad Ben got someone to hold sign language classes. It was funny seeing so many bikers and kids in the class but they went faithfully. It's taken a while but I can talk to him now without Danny. That was our biggest hurdle. At least for me.

  Everything has fallen into place and we have an almost normal family. Natalie is our receptionist and helps keep the kids schedules straight. The MC has stepped up and scheduled days for the boys to be watched so me and Danny have some time alone. Little Ben and Jessie keep watch over them and have at least one day a week with them. Aaron goes to Millie's daycare while Victor and Darren go to school with Little Ben and Jessie. Darren gets help but is mainstreamed with his age group. He goes to a program once a week for deaf kids. Little Ben goes with him, I have no idea why but Jess let's him and he seems to keep Darren calm. Victor plays soccer with Jessie and Little Ben. Danny and Darren help coach with Steve and Ben. Tiny had miniature bikes made for the boys, they all match Danny's but they're different sizes. We, of course, now have a shed for the boys. With all that the guys keep bringing, we'll need another one next week. If it weren't for everyone stepping up, I don't know how we'd make it through a week.

  Anita picks up the slack for me. I knew she'd be perfect for the job. We had an open house inviting everyone. The Baxter's we're happy with the changes in our program and our new social workers. The shelters are running great. We very rarely double up anymore.

  "Babe?" I look at Danny. "Where did you go?"

  I laugh, "Just thinking about how good everything is." I kiss him and laugh when Victor and Aaron make kissy noises.

  "Mommy kkKate Jessie says kissings not gross. He said moms and dads kiss to show they love each other. Yyyooouu love daddy?" I smile at him; he's talking so much better. Danny laughs. I noticed last month he hasn't been holding his face every time he laughs. He's not holding it now.

  "I love daddy very much. Almost as much as I love you three." I say as I sign.

  "Hey, I was here first. Almost as much?" Danny asks in mock horror. The boys laugh.

  Darren signs 'we love you dad, almost as much as mommy Kate.' I crack up as Danny chases him around the kitchen. The little guys laugh and run too. All I can do is laugh.

  Tiny comes to the door for Darren and Victor. He yells getting everyone's attention. I'm still laughing. "It's a fuckin circus in here." He signs without the swear. Victor holds his hand out for the quarter. Tiny reaches in his pocket. "Fuck! I forgot again."

  Aaron laughs, "That's two Uncle Tiny."

  "Shit!" He says as he pulls another quarter. I crack up when Victor holds his hand out again. "What? I didn't say fuck!"

  Danny cracks up. "Just stop talking Tiny."

  Tiny gives each boy a dollar. "I don't know why I agreed to that fuckin swear jar. You're bleeding me dry, you little fuckers." He smiles, the boys crack up putting the money in the jar.

  I look at Danny and shrug, "he paid." Darren and Victor get their backpacks and kiss my cheek as they leave with Tiny.

  Danny gets Aaron's bag and brings him to me for a kiss, then he kisses me. "Five." He kisses my lips again. They walk out and I hear the truck leave. I sigh at the quiet.

  I get the kitchen back in order. Even with the cleaning service coming three mornings a week I still pick up. I feel bad for them if I leave too much of a mess. Danny thinks I'm nuts, I just can't help it. />
  I grab my bag and waddle my butt to work.

  Checking in with Natalie she tells me Patches is taking the boys to the mall and dinner at the diner. My meeting at the school is at ten and class at Security at twelve. Len and Karen are out on deliveries and two out of county clients are sheltered in the city. This makes me happy because they pay for us to shelter for them. With Ben adding solar to the city shelters the landlords dropped the rent and gave the long term lease. Out of county sheltering helps our programs stay in the black even with the added people and programs. I thank Natalie and make it to my office. I'm in my chair for two freakin minutes when Anita comes in and sits down. "We have a high security client coming in. There's one open at Baxter's and one at the MC."

  Damn! "What do you know?" I really dread high security clients, they break my heart.

  "Husband is a politician, city but still. Wife is at the hospital now; transport will bring her right to court for an emergency order. Two daughters both sustained injuries nothing life threatening or sexual." I let the breath I was holding out.

  "Call Doc. Have him arrange for the Baxter shelter. We're spread thin right now with Devon on her honeymoon." I know Mitch likes to set up therapy and activities with the clients and kids. Her girls love helping the kids get comfortable.

  "I'll handle the meeting with the mayor. I want to get part of that grant money for self-defense classes." She looks determined.

  "I think it's a great idea and he'd be a fool to turn you down. There's that reporter that wants to do a story on the Center. Remind the mayor you have that meeting right after the luncheon." I give her a devilish smile.

  "Oh you know I will." She says with that attitude she's been growing showing through. I can't help my smile at the confidence I see in her. She gets up telling me that's all she has for now.

  I get to my paperwork. Mitch's computer programs are a breeze to get through. I finish the financials just in time to make the school meeting.

  Danny meets me at the front doors. Thirty minutes later we walk out smiling. Darren is adjusting well and his testing shows he is well above his grade level. They'll be giving him extra tutoring so he'll be ready to jump a grade when the new school year starts. His teacher tells us the school is offering sign language classes after school free of charge. They've had a good turn out since the start. I'm glad they're showing support for him and making it easy for him to feel accepted. Danny reminds me again about five. I smile driving back to the office.

  I run through the rest of my paperwork. I don't understand how Jerry took so long to do it. We have more programs to run, more people to pay and monitor, and more shelters to fill. I swear I have one full day of paperwork a week. I split it up but it's still fairly light. I shake my head and get to Security for my class. Doc is teaching it, I'm really just sitting in and answering questions if needed. Doc is awesome and answers everything right. He's become an important part of our team. He even goes to the security seminars and training with me. I tell him good job and give him a hug on my way out. He stops me at the door asking to take the boys to a ball game next week. I tell him to call Natalie. I have no clue what's on their schedules. He laughs but I'm not kidding.

  As I'm walking toward the front door Doc comes running down the hall. I stop but he keeps going. "Digs says there's a problem at the shelter house." He pulls me along. I waddle down the steps and get in his car before he peels out. Jeesh, you'd think a doctor would be a better driver. I see Danny's truck when we pull up. "Stay here until I know what's happening." I nod. Doc goes around the house. "Call an ambulance." He yells. I dial for an ambulance giving our location and ask them to keep the sirens off. We have a PTSD client in the next house. They agree and tell me to stay put. My door is opened and I'm looking at a gun.

  "Out bitch. I want my boys back. I know they're here. Where are they?" This man is not too bright, he knows they're here but where are they? He stinks, has a beard, dark hair, isn't as tall as Danny at six-one and his clothes are filthy. I'm trying to get all the information I can to stick in my brain. Doc comes around the house on a run stopping short when he sees the guy. He puts his hands up. The guy points the gun at him and shoots. Fuck! I jump and scream. Doc yells, “Steve, five." What the hell? He falls holding his leg. I start to shake. He freakin shot Doc. He pulls me over to Doc. Oh no, my brain keeps chanting oh no, oh no, oh no. He's going to shoot Doc again. When he raises the gun I elbow him, he shoots the ground. His air rushes out but he doesn't miss a beat, he flips me around and back hands me with the freakin gun in his hand. Fuck. I fall hard feeling fire burning my face. The guy is down. Danny is on top of him beating his head into the ground. Steve pulls him off. The Police and ambulance show up. Of course they couldn't show up before he hit me. Damn my face hurts. Danny lifts me up. He has blood everywhere.

  "Didn't I tell you no more fuckin blood dripping down your face!" I yell at him. He holds his face and laughs.

  "You're ok?" He puts his hand on my face; I swear to God it takes the sting away.

  "Yeah, I'm ok. But you're not." I tell him.

  “I’m fine Kate. I was checking the porch railing when the guy came up on my right. I saw the gun and kicked but not before the shot. Doc came up on the same side, I took my eyes off the guy, he pushed me into the porch and ran. The cut on my head is from the porch.” He smiles at me. Fuckin men.

  I look around. There are cops and the ambulance in the street but no one is moving. "What are they doing just standing around?"

  Steve and Danny look over at them. "Fuckin pussies." Steve says giving Doc a hand up.

  I can't help it I laugh. Then I can't stop laughing. Danny hugs me and I stop. I love this man. "Let's get you out of here baby." He turns me and walks to his truck. Danny puts me in the back and climbs in. Steve helps Doc into the front. I call Anita and tell her to get people over here to reassure the families.

  Casper pulls on the side of us. "Boy's father. Need him to sign off on the kids or I'll deal with him and get them another way." Steve tells him. Holy shit! Casper nods. "Clean this up." Casper nods again looking at Danny and me. He gets out and walks over to the guy on the ground. I see him kick the guy as Steve turns the truck around. Danny laughs holding his face. Fuckin guy making him hold his face again. I hope Casper kicks him again.

  "How come the police are just standing around?" I ask anyone.

  "They're afraid of Steve." Doc answers.

  I don't know what to say to that. "Oh." Is all I can come up with. Danny cracks up.

  “That kick martial arts?” Steve asks. It takes me a minute to realize he’s talking to Danny.

  “Yeah.” Danny says and looks out the window.

  Steve gets Doc into the hospital; the nurse looks at Danny and gets him in the bed next to Doc. Steve tells her I need to be checked out, she puts me in the next bed. She hands us all clip boards, Steve takes Danny's. I don't say a word because he's a little scary right now. Jess comes running into the room. Steve made them leave the curtain open so she sees us all at once. "Holy Crap!" She looks at Steve. "Where were you?" She's pissed. He puts his hands up.

  "It's my fault Jess. Steve would have had him if I didn’t take Danny’s eye away from him. I screwed the whole thing up and got Danny’s fuckin head cut too." Doc tells her. Oh shit. I don't say a word. "I don't know why Digs even said anything."

  Steve looks pissed at that. He's back to scary. Jess looks at him, "sorry honey." With that his face softens. He lifts his chin, hands her the clipboard and walks out. I smile at Danny and get off the bed. Now that Steve’s gone I don’t feel like he’s going to tie me to it. Jess hugs me and we go over to Danny. Two doctors come in looking nervous. One goes to Danny the other goes to Doc.

  Me and Jess sit on the edge on my bed watching and filling out the sheets. She touches my face and asks a passing nurse for an ice pack. Danny needs stitches on his head and arm where a bullet grazed him. At least that's what they said, it looks like a long damn deep cut that freakin hurts to me. A woman doctor
comes in to check me out. She hooks me up to all kinds of crap, closes the curtain and does an internal. She declares me and baby are fine. Jess helps me dress and opens the curtain just as the doctor finishes bandaging Danny up. A nurse tries to put something on Danny, he’s waving her away, she gives it to him with a huff, I laugh when I see it’s just a sling.

  Ben walks in and right up to me giving me a hug. Patches and Tiny are right behind him. Patches looks relieved to see we're fine. They all stand and watch but they don't say a word. The doctor that is working on Doc asks if he can close the curtain. Doc tells him no. The guy jumps. I have to hold my laugh in. I think the guys not talking is scaring him even more than Steve did.

  I get some gauze and wet it so I can clean Danny's face. He takes off his patch so I can get both sides. He looks at the patch. "Fuck, there's no way I'm gonna clean this one."

  "I'll order you more. You still have the black one and the original that the hospital gave you." I tell him as if it's just another day. I smile at him trying not to laugh, he still has the eye one too. I hear Anita yelling in the waiting room. Jess cracks up and goes out to calm her down. The guys still haven't said one word.

  Finally the doctor working on Doc bandages him up and orders the nurse to get him crutches. Tiny goes over to him and helps him stand. The doctor starts talking about how to clean it but stops when Tiny looks at him. Crap, I'd shut up too. Sometimes these guys are a scary looking bunch. Jess comes back in. Tiny walks to the hall with Doc, Patches stands beside Danny, Jess and Ben on the side of me. We walk out in that order. The whole damn waiting room is bikers, old ladies, some off duty cops, center workers and Detective Harris. He looks pale as he asks Steve questions. Danny sees him and laughs holding his face. Doc stands in the middle of everyone. "Kate is fine, her and the baby did not get hurt except for the backhand the fuckin pussy laid on her." The bikers growl. I step closer to Jess. "Danny has 17 stitches in his head and fourteen on his arm where a bullet grazed him." They don't growl for him. Jeesh! "I'm fine, they removed the bullet and I'll be good as new once it heals." Everyone starts talking.