a new beginning. ( complete)

chapter 9

piper.

sadie woke up running a slight fever, I'm thinking it's just her molars but I've called into work anyways. she's spent most of the morning crying and just wanting me to rock her.

I've had my hands full so I haven't even been with my phone, after she refused lunch I finally got her to take some medicine and we're rocking I grab my phone and notice I have a few text from neal and also addie.

neal- good morning gorgeous hope you and pea have a good day

neal- hope you don't mind but maddy is wanting your number.

neal- is everything okay kitten?

I smile at the new nickname and the fact that he's even worried I reply

piper- yes sorry sadie has been running a fever so I've had a cranky one today. it's fine for maddy to have my number.

neal- hope she isn't getting sick.

piper- no it's her molars coming in. she was like this when she was cutting her teeth it's rough and she refuses to eat.

after a few minutes he doesn't reply so I check addies

addie- let me know if you need anything for sadie, I've got some classes today but nothing crazy. I still need details of the date!

her message makes me giggle

piper- thank you. she's fine just moody you know how she gets. we will have lunch and catch up sometime this week I need help with sadies birthday also!

addie- yes! princess theme I can't wait! definitely doing lunch soon! love ya

piper- love ya too

as I'm sitting her rocking sadie and she's playing with some of my hair the doorbell rings. I look down myself I look a mess, tank top and shorts with my hair crazy but that's the realty of having a cranky kid who won't leave your side. I sigh it's probably just mama. I get up still holding sadie and make my way to the door but to my surprise when I open it it's neal standing there with his tight shirt, cut and dark pants looking sexy. ugh! I should've just ignored the door I look a mess I think to myself. sadie looks at him and smiles " hey pea heard you didn't want to eat, so I got ice cream" he says smiling back at her and she gets excited

I lead him into the kitchen where I set sadie on the counter

" you didn't have to do that I know you are busy"

he smiles as he sets down the ice cream and puts his hand on sadie head the he kisses it softly his beard making her giggle then he kisses my check " wanted to check on y'all. I'm sure it's been a long morning" I nod my head as I fix sadie some ice cream, Rocky road he remembers her favorite. he scoops her up and they take the bowl and sit on the couch as he feeds her some. I just sit in awe watching.

" can't believe you're getting her to eat even if it's junk" I say and he chuckles

" no one turns down ice cream little mama"

he such a natural you'd think he has kids, it's crazy to see this big man be so gentle with her. soon she's finished her ice cream and I figured she'd come back to me but instead she rest her head on his large chest he softly lifts her and removes his leather cut then lays her back down. I watch as her tiny fingers okay with his beard, just the way she plays with my hair when she's feeling down and I smile. he lifts one arm inviting me in so I cuddle up with them. her little eyes are starting to get sleepy but before she lets sleep take her she whispers out " daddy can I have a bike?" my whole body tenses she honestly hasn't ever called anyone daddy or in her little life had one I'm not even sure why she would. I mean he's been around to hang out with me and play with her a few times I'm sure he's about to flip out. before I can even correct her he says " of course pea" my heart flutters but I'm not exactly sure how to feel about this. I notice she's asleep so I decided to save the conversation for later in case he gets mad and yells at me. I don't want that In front of her.

soon sleep and worry over take me and I find myself falling asleep on his shoulder.

when I wake up I'm laying on the couch I stretch my body and realize I'm alone, great he ran and sadie probably in something. I hear her little giggle from the kitchen, pull my hair up and make my way to see what she's gotten into when I'm hit with the smell of food? to my surprise neal is in the kitchen with sadie on the counter watching whatever is on the stove. it smells delicious I stand there watching them until he looks up from her " look whose awake pea" he says smiling

" mama!" she says happily

I walk over and kiss her head

" figured y'all would be hungry so I threw together some chicken noodle" neal says and I smile " thank you"

he and sadie seem to be really bonding and the daddy comment has me on edge I don't know if im ready for that and I really don't know if he is. she is young and I don't want her getting attached.

we enjoy our chicken noodle which was amazing and even sadie ate some he helped clean up before it was time for him to leave.

" okay sadie bug tell Mr neal thank you and goodbye"

she smiles up at him and he bends down and gives her a hug ' thank you" she says sweetly and he kisses the top of her head. he also gives me a sweet kiss goodbye before saying' I'll call and check on y'all later" I just smile.

after he leaves and I get sadie in bed I call addie.

addie-hey how are y'all?

piper- good uh neal came by with ice cream and spent the day with us.

addie- well that was nice of him! I guess since you are calling something is wrong?

I let out a sigh.

piper- sadie called him daddy

addie-what?? like really what did you say? what did he say??

piper- he didn't say anything other than answer her question and I didn't say anything because I don't know what he's thinking or if he's gonna freak out on me. I made sure to call him mr neal before he left.

addie- well sounds to me like he didn't freak out so what's wrong?

piper- I can t have her getting attached when I don't even know what we are addie! hell he may not even contact me again for all I know

she sighs

addie- sounds to me like your the one getting cold feet. maybe take a step back and figure out what you want

piper- I like being around him and he's great with her. but I've seen where be lives there are half naked girls running around every where it's only a matter of time before he sleeps with one of he hasn't already.

addie- I really think you are judging him off of ryan sweetie and that's not fair. I haven't seen you happy in a long time.

piper- I know I know. ugh! I think I'm just gonna focus on her party and work and deal with the rest later maybe I just wasn't ready.

addie- whatever you say but I don't think he's going away

we talk for a while longer before I head to bed. neal texted but I ignored it because I really need to figure out what I want and what to do about sadie, I can't have men in and out of her life.

neal.

when I got back to the clubhouse I was on cloud 9 and of course blade noticed.

" so care to share what's got mr moody so happy" he asks

I shake my head as I sit behind my desk

" pea called me daddy and I don't know it just felt good" I say and he laughs

" look at you! all in love and s**t"

I glare at him but I know he's right. they both have me wrapped.

I send her a text checking on them as I finish my paperwork up and when I head to bed I notice she still hasn't responded. I hope pea isn't feeling bad again. I send her another asking if they are okay but still nothing.

I have trouble falling asleep but when I wake the next morning and check my phone still nothing so I send her a moron text as I get ready for the day. I've got a few things to do but I plan on hitting the bar tonight to keep her company at work and keep an eye on the bartender.

piper.

I didn't sleep great because I've got so much on my mind. I didn't open any of his text because I don't know what to say. ugh!

we go about our day as normal since sadie is feeling better when my mom gets here she sits down at the table

" so what's wrong sweetie?" she asks my mom always knows me so well and sometimes I hate it.

" I've been seeing this guy and he's been around sadie a few times." I pause trying to judge her reaction but she's just listening " yesterday he came by when she wants feeling well and she called him dad and I honestly don't even know what we are so I'm scared she's getting attached and he's gonna disappear"

she lets out a sigh and takes my hand

" stop hiding behind your daughter and being so scared of being hurt. talk to him and clear the air"

I shake my head

" mama you know it's not that easy for me. what if I'm wrong and say something to set him off and he finally shows me his true colors?"

" has he given you a reason to think like this" she asks and I shake my head no

" then it's for you to figure out. you can't keep hiding because of one guy piper ann"

I roll my eyes I know she's trying to help but it's not that simple to me.

" is he coming to her birthday this weekend?'

she asks

" I don't know mama we will see. that's another thing I've gotta get done. addie and I are going tomorrow to get the decorations I've sent out the invitation are you sure it's still okay to do it in your yard?" I ask trying to change the subject

" of course your dad is cooking and I'm sure everyone will have a great time. we'd love to meet this guy so invite him also"

I just nod. I love on sadie and tell my mom goodbye before heading into work.

once I get there I notice it's busy so I'm glad hopefully not much time to think.

as the night goes on snake comes in with a few other guys and I make my way over to take their order. once I greet them and place their menus he says " guys this is piper, gunners soon to be ole lady unless she comes around and decides to give me a chance" he sends me a wink playfully and I just laugh

" everyone want beers?" I ask

and they all nod and one speaks up

" prez should be here soon be was just finishing paperwork and dealing with April"

I just nod. I'm not sure who april is but I don't want to ask either so I go to get their drinks and bring them back as they order some food.

I place their order and make my rounds when I make it back to the bar gabe is standing there smiling with my coffee

" you are a life saver!" I say taking the coffee he kisses my forehead

" I already know. so does miss sadie want anything special for her birthday?" he asks leaning against the bar. I shake my head

" just princess things but you know you coming is enough"

he just waves me off and the bell rings letting me know my order is up. so I turn to get it when I'm walking back over I tense up because neal has joined the other bikers and he looks pissed off. great. I fake a smile and pass out the food before asking " so beer for you?"

he shakes his head " whiskey" I just nod and go back for his drink then when I return the table stops talking. weird. I set it down and continue to work

neal.

I haven't heard from Piper all day and I'm starting to get worried, I'm about to go finish my paperwork when I let the guys know I'll be leaving soon. hopefully she's working and I can make sure she's okay. snake let's me know him and a few guys will meet me there I just nod.

but before anyone leaves one of the other bikers comes in pissed looking right at me " prez we have a problem" I sigh " what is it?" I ask

be shakes his head " I f****d April and now I come to find out I have crabs!" he yells for the whole clubhouse to hear everyone is wide eyed

" okay what do you want me to do?" I say

" she needs to go. the girl is bad news when I told her all she said was she knew and that she's f*****g pregnant with my kid!"

I shake my head I hate this shit

" okay the two of you meet me in my office" snake pats my shoulder before heading out and I make my way to deal with this bullshit" if she's not really pregnant she's out this isn't the first time she's tried to trap one of the guys into making her an ole lady.

once it's confirmed that she isn't pregnant and I kick her out of the clubhouse not without her make a big deal I make my way to the bar.

as soon as I walk through the door my eyes such for piper and I find her behind the bar talking with the bartender I see him kiss her forehead and hand her her usual mug. dude really needs to f**k off. I make my way to the table and explain to the guys what happened while keeping an eye on piper. between april's bullshit and piper not responding to me I'm pissed off so I order some whiskey. she doesn't say anything to me and continues to work snake speaks up " you guys fighting?" he asks

I shrug " f**k if I know she hasn't talked to me since yesterday" his eyes go wide

" so you gonna talk to her?" he questions and I look around she's talking with the bartender again

I sigh obviously she needs the boy next door since she will talk to him

" nope I'm going home" I say and throw down some money before walking out I hear snake hollering for me but I ignore him and make my way out.

I don't know what I did? is it just because of my looks? I change direction and head to blades

I knock on the door and wait he answers

" hey man I figured you would be at the bar" he says but I ignore him and head to his kitchen

" I need a drink" is all I say and he nods putting some whiskey in front of me I take it and down some before explaining to him what's going on.

" okay sounds to me like she maybe a little scared. you've gotta give her a break you have told me the last guy messed her head up"

I let out a sigh and take another shot

" but I haven't done anything"

" okay but have you as actually asked her to be your girlfriend? you know like a normal guy or are you still just hoping she will gather the information by her self. she's a mom. with a bad history at love. the poor girl is probably freaking out because the one thing she cares more about in this world is getting close to you and let's be honest you aren't the best with words gunner"

I roll my eyes but I know he's right

" so what do I do?"

he laughs

" talk to her. let her know that you want to her to be your girlfriend. tell her how much she means to you because let's not lie you love her or you wouldn't be here freaking out"

I take another shot and shake my head. I look at my watch and i know she should be off by now.

" thanks man really"

we say goodbye and I race towards her house. once there my heart is racing, I reach her front door and think for a minute it's late and I don't want to wake pea so I knock lightly hoping she will hear. after a few minutes I start to think she isn't gonna answer, I turn with my head hung to leave. when the front door opens and I hear her Sweet voice whisper " neal?"

I spin around heart racing. she's standing there in one of my tshirts hair wild just looking at me but all the words I had are lost

" are you okay?" she asks worried