“What can I do?” I asked.
“I’ve got about twenty-five more gifts to wrap. The list is here,” she said, pushing it toward me. “Names and what they should get...just match the present to the kid, wrap, and label. Easy, peasy.”
I grinned, and we worked in tandem while we waited for the rest of the club to arrive. By the time the neighborhood kids filed in, the great room was chock full of bikers, lawmen, and civilians, all eagerly awaiting “Santa.”
“Ho, ho, ho. Merry Christmas,” Warthog bellowed as he strolled into the room. He looked great as Santa and I leaned against Hatch who had his arm firmly around me.
The kids let out an excited yell and started clapping while Warthog sat in the big red chair by the tree.
I had to bury my face in Hatch’s shoulder when Devon and Doozer walked in dressed as elves, complete with bells on their elf shoes, the whole shebang. Holy cow, they looked adorable in their tights, but they were so obviously not happy about it, although, they did try to smile.
“How did that happen?” I asked my husband.
“They lost a bet.”
“Why do I feel like the bet was rigged?”
“Shh, Sunshine, you’re missing the fun.”
I chuckled, focusing back on the festivities.
“Have you met my elves?” Warthog asked. “Jingles and Tingles are here to help me hand out presents, does that sound good?”
The kids yelled their excitement and Poppy snapped photos, earning her a few glares from her husband.
“Lookin’ good, Tingles,” Hatch called, and our nephew shot him a look that spoke volumes.
“Sleep with one eye open, old man,” he retorted.
I bit back another laugh and grinned at Poppy. Knowing my daughter like I did, I could see she was trying really hard not to laugh hysterically.
“Right, who’s first?” Warthog asked. “Tingles, you gonna pick a present?”
Devon forced a smile and grabbed the box closest to him. “Tamaya.”
“That’s me!” a girl about ten-years-old exclaimed and rushed for Warthog.
The next four hours were spent laughing, gifting, and watching this hardened group of bikers show generosity to their community. Our community. I couldn’t have been more proud of the wonderful clan of people I’d been invited into. It had been almost fifteen years and I still felt blessed beyond measure.
“Let’s get home so I can unwrap you,” Hatch whispered, kissing me gently.
I grinned. “Make it slow.”
“I can do that,” he said, and took me home.
I couldn’t wait to see what promises the new year held for all of us.
Hatch
New Year’s Eve...
“Here,” I said casually, tossing a wrapped package to my son, who was lying on his bed listening to music.
“What’s this?” he asked, pulling out his earbuds.
“What does it look like, numb nuts? It’s a present.”
“But Christmas is over.”
“Yeah, well I know Santa personally.”
“You know Warthog,” Flash replied dryly.
“From what I understand, that guy can make anyone, including reindeer, fly,” I said. “That reminds me. Never eat any brownies, cookies, or gummy anything from him. You understand?”
“Got it, Dad.”
“Good, now open your present.”
Flash tore through the wrapping paper and opened the plain white shirt box that contained his gift.
“Dad, I think you may have wrapped up the wrong package,” Flash said, looking at the contents of the box. “There’s no present in here. Just a stack of legal papers or something.”
“Why don’t you read the papers? Jesus, no wonder you’re flunking out of school.”
Flash shot me his best shitty teenager look and then focused on the papers in front of him. I watched as his eyes darted around the page and then back to me. A look of excitement washing over his face.
“Does this mean what I think it does?” Flash asked.
“Yup. Sadie’s aunt has agreed to foster Madison until the state can best figure out where to place her long term.”
Sadie Carsen was married to Ryder, a local bar owner, and he’d become an unofficial member of the Dogs. Sadie was an ex-nun and her aunt was not only a registered foster parent, she was the Mother Superior of the Beaverton abbey.
“Seriously?”
“Yep. Uncle Booker was able to get a family court judge to expedite the order, and by tonight she’ll be out of that house and away from her train wreck of a mom.”
“What about her stepdad?”
“Turns out, the club had history with this guy and he’s a real piece of work. I’ve had eyes on him since the minute you told me what was going on, and he’s never getting near Madison again. I called Jaxon at the FBI and he’s gonna investigate her stepdad’s web-cam operation. We’re gonna make sure this guy is stopped and can’t hurt anyone else.”
Flash looked stunned. “Wow.”
“Trust me, Madison will be well setup and safe with Sadie’s aunt.”
“But she lives in Beaverton, doesn’t she? What about school?”
“The club’s got that covered, too. I’ve assigned a rotation of guards that will drive her to and from school, as well as keep an eye on her from a distance, until we get her situation worked out permanently.”
Flash dropped the papers on the bed and hugged me super tight, like he did when he was little. My middle child and I had always had a special bond. Maybe because he was my first son, or maybe it was because I saw myself in him so clearly. Either way, he was growing up fast and I savored this moment with him as I knew it may be a while until we had another like it.
“Thanks, Dad. I don’t know what to say.”
“The only thing you have to say is that you’ll come to me right away the next time you, or any of your friends, has a problem. You understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Earlier you said something about my time being divided between my family and my club, but that’s not true at all, son. You and your brother and sister, and your mama are my family, but so is the club. And they’re your family too. A family that loves you and will always protect you and the
