Chapter 1 - Honeymoon surprise!
Apollo and Tori had a wonderful time on their honeymoon, laying in the sun, talking about anything and everything. He had shared his idea of starting a rescue center with her and had been very pleased by her reaction to it.
“I think it’s a great idea but I also agree with the other’s. We would definitely have to hire professionals to deal with the trauma these kids have been forced to endure. Not only the things like the Vipers put them through but ones who were abused by family. That’s the really damaging kind of abuse. Families should love and protect children, not beat on them or touch them inappropriately.
I know you can’t tell me details about Billy but I gather he went through more than just being beat on. It’s amazing that he turned out the way he did. Most boys would have a tree trunk on their shoulders and daring anyone to knock it off but he doesn’t. Granted I didn’t see him when he first came in but he’s not exactly small now, either.” Tori said.
“You should have seen him when he first came to us. So skinny I kept expecting him to get knocked over if someone sneezed on him. And scared of his own shadow. He’d jump and cower if someone talked too loud around him or moved too suddenly or fast near him and he was always shaking like he was cold but it was fear. He seemed to be afraid of everything until I sat down and had a long talk with him.
I explained that no one at the club was going to hurt him and that what had happened to him would never happen again. I also made it clear to him that he didn’t have to talk about it to anyone else if he didn’t want to and I promised never to tell anyone but I did encourage him to see the psychiatrist and he still goes to him when he feels the need to talk.
Sarge kind of took him under his wing a bit. Until Sarge had to leave to help Amos, he helped him learn to shoot and got him to work out and he started bulking up. Man, you talk about putting away some groceries! That kid can really pack it in. But he won’t ask for anything. It took him days and days before he realized he could have second helpings at every meal without having to ask permission.
He’s always grateful for what he gets and has really good manners and has something that is so rare, which is common sense. He’s developing a sixth sense for when something is not right. I think he’s going to be a good husband for Nicole.
Granted, I haven’t seen his temper yet but from what Justin told me about the day Brad started to try and grab Nicole at the diner, I dare anyone to try and hurt Nicole. He was training in martial arts with Atlas, who said he’s a natural at it and learned fast. But Atlas said he has a way to go before he’ll be qualified for a belt. Him going up to work with Aunt Nita has really cut into his training. Maybe while she’s doing the rebuild, he can come stay down at the compound more and work out, get more training.
Heck, he flipped Atlas in training one day and knocked the air out of him. Everyone was amazed and Billy looked like he expected to die right on the spot but Atlas praised him and the transformation on Billy’s face, well it was like someone had told him he just won a major lottery or something and it lasted for hours. I swear he grew two inches that day.
He’s been excelling on his shooting skills too and Scope says he’s coming close to being named a sniper.” Apollo shared with her.
“Well, I know he can move without making a sound. He’s startled me in the laundry room several times and I’ve threatened to put a bell on his belt.” Tori grinned at her husband. “When is he due to patch in?” She asked.
“Not for another year. He turns 17 in January. Nicole turns 17 in February. I’ve got a feeling that there will be a wedding in March or not long after that, when they turn 18. Clara is going to be fit to be tied!” Apollo said.
Tori already knew why Clara hated the club and felt like she was unjustly judging the men now for something their father’s had done. Granted the founding father’s sons had been somewhat involved in the beginning, they had also gotten out of it when Apollo took over. Tori knew for herself that if Apollo and the others had still been involved with running drugs, especially, she would have walked away from it. She couldn’t be involved with that.
They had been walking along the beach in front of the house they had rented and when it came time for them to go home, their conversation turned to Noah and Matty. They had both been thinking about it but so far had not shared their thoughts with each other.
On their last night on the island they had been staying on, after most of their packing was finished, Apollo led Tori out to the balcony to watch the sun go down. It was so beautiful to see the sun sink into the ocean, the rainbow of colors in the sky was reflected in the water, giving it a glittery effect.
Apollo was so glad that they had chosen a beach house over a hotel room. They had a lot more privacy because their house sat right up on the beach and their balcony faced the water. No one could see when they got “friskey” on their balcony, and they had every night they had been there. They both dreaded the trip home but at the same time were anxious to get home.
Apollo was still buried in Tori as she straddled his lap, both of them facing the ocean. “Babe, how long do you want to wait to start our family?” He asked quietly.
“Whenever you are ready. I thought you wanted to wait a little while?” Tori said. She was laying back on his chest as they caught their breath after a rather vigorous love making session.
“Well, since I’m not the one who will have to carry it for 9 months, go through all of the pregnancy symptoms and then give birth, it’s more up to you when you are ready for that. I know I love you with all of my heart and will do anything for you. You are the only woman I’ve ever had sex with without a condom so …………….” Apollo said but stopped when she gasped. “What?”
“Good lord, with all that’s been happening, I totally forgot! I was supposed to get the booster shot when I had my cycle ……… Oh lord.” Tori said and started to wiggle to get up but that just made Apollo harder and he pulled her back to keep her from standing up.
“Baby, are you saying what I think you are saying?” Apollo couldn’t help the huge smile that creased his face.
“Oh, Abe! I’ve already missed a period. I was supposed to have one the week before our wedding and come to think about it, I haven’t had one since right after I came to the clubhouse. That’s why I wanted the wedding to be at the end of the month. That left us time to go on our honeymoon without worrying about me having it while we were here.
But then everything got so hectic at home that I totally forgot about it. I’m sorry.” Tori said, on the verge of tears because she had her back to him and could not see the huge smile on his face but when she said she was sorry, his smile began to fade.
“Sorry? Does that mean you don’t want to yet?” Apollo asked and Tori may not be able to see his face, in fact she was almost afraid to look but she heard the note of sadness in his voice.
“Of course I want to but I don’t want you to feel trapped into becoming a father and having even more responsibility heaped on your plate. You already have so much to deal with. I never want to be a burden to you.” Tori said, near tears.
“Oh baby, you are not a burden to me and I do want as many children as you are comfortable with giving me. They will never be a burden but gifts from God. I love you Mrs. DuPonte and you and our children will always be my number one priority.
Sometimes it may seem like I’m putting the club first but believe me when I say, I make club decisions on what benefits everyone and you are at the top of that list, always.” Apollo said and turned her face to kiss her.
“I love you, Abe, with all of my heart.” Tori whispered then returned his kiss.
They were on a reclining lounge chair so Apollo had to let her go so that they could stand up. The sun had finally gone down and the moon and stars were now lighting up the ocean. Neither of them had been able to decide which was more beautiful, the sun setting or the moon coming up. The sun had created a beautiful sky full of color but the stars looked like someone had spilled diamonds in the water and the moon’s pale glow just enhanced it. Tori wished again that she had brought her camera. The one on her phone took nice pics of their trip but to get a quality shot of the view of the ocean at night, she really needed a more high end camera, one that could do panoramic views.
Apollo could tell something was on his wife’s mind. He asked “Babe? What’s going on up here?” He kissed her on her forehead.
“Do you want to go to the pharmacy and get a test to find out now or wait until we get home? Are you ready for the results no matter what they are? I might have just skipped it because of all the stress we’ve been dealing with.” Tori said, trying to prepare him for both situations.
“Of course I want to know. I will be okay with either one. I have to admit that I hope it’s positive but if it’s not, well there’s no rush. We’ll have our children when God deems the time is right for us. What do you want?” Apollo asked.
“I hope so too and I pray I didn’t skip it just because of all the stress.” Tori said, as she headed for the shower. “Come on, let’s go get a shower and then go to town. I know I’m not going to be able to sleep now until we know one way or the other. Plus we don’t have anything here for dinner and I’m getting hungry.” Tori said and then it hit her that she was hopeful that she is pregnant.
They went to shower in the huge glass shower stall in the luxury bathroom. They had made love in just about every room of the house since they had been here, especially in this shower and they didn’t pass up the opportunity tonight.
As Apollo buried himself inside her, emptying his seed deep inside as he found his climax, silently hoping that if she wasn’t already, she would be now. This is something that he would share with only her for the rest of his life and it made him feel not only powerful but complete.
They got out and quickly got dressed. They decided to have dinner at a restaurant they had been frequenting during their stay, after they stopped at the drugstore. Tori couldn’t wait and as soon as they arrived at the restaurant she went to the ladies room, quickly opened the package and peed on the little stick. She put it on top of the metal toilet paper dispenser, glanced at the time on her watch then clasped her hands together and prayed.
Tori’s legs bounced and her stomach felt like it had huge birds in it, trying to get out. “Is this morning sickness at night?” Tori wondered, thinking of poor Gloria who had seemed to suffer from the pregnancy ailment at all times of the day at first.
They had finally realized that it was certain smells around the clubhouse that would set them off. Some of the ladies had to stop wearing certain perfumes and they had to change the type of laundry soap they had been using and went for one with no fragrance in it.
Tori counted down the last 30 seconds as she stared at her watch, almost afraid to look at the little stick on the toilet paper dispenser. She finally stood up, pulled up her panties and let the full midi-skirt she was wearing fall into place.
The toilet was pressure sensitive but it startled Tori when it flushed on its own and she almost knocked the stick off the toilet paper dispenser. When she caught it, it was upside down.
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and turned it over. When she opened her eyes and saw the little plus sign, her heart jumped into her throat and then she felt it drop back into place and it seemed to be bigger than it had been before.
Now it was full of love for not only Apollo but for the child they had created together. Realizing that she was going to be a mother almost overwhelmed her and she had to lean against the wall for a moment, then suddenly she couldn’t wait to share the news with Apollo.
She quickly left the stall, wrapped the stick in a paper towel then washed her shaking hands. Her hands were shaking so bad that she was barely able to pull another paper towel from the dispenser but finally managed to get enough to dry her hands.
She picked up the stick, still wrapped in a paper towel, said a quick prayer as she put it in her purse that Apollo was going to be happy with the results and she took a deep breath then left the bathroom and hurried back to him.
He was sitting on a bar stool, waiting for her as he talked to a couple they had met a few nights ago. He had his back to the restrooms and when she slipped her arm around his waist, he turned and saw the smile on her face and she was not disappointed at his reaction.
“Yes?” Apollo asked and when Tori nodded, Apollo shouted “YAHOO! We’re pregnant!” He picked Tori up and kissed her hard and she clung to his neck as all of her fears just dissolved. She couldn’t process that she could be any happier than she had been on her wedding day but knowing she was pregnant and that he was happy about it had her heart so full of love now and her face showed it.
The entire restaurant erupted in cheers and calls of “congratulations” and many people nearby came to shake their hands and wish them well. Both of them were ecstatically happy and it showed on their faces.
Apollo decided to go all out and they enjoyed an excellent steak and lobster dinner with sparkling cider instead of champagne to celebrate before they went back to the house.
“Oh, I wish we could stay longer. This week has been wonderful but it has flown by!” Tori said as she packed away the last of their things. All that would be left to pack was their toiletries in the morning after they had a shower.
They went outside and enjoyed the last beer for Apollo and Tori finished off the orange juice they had in the fridge, then turned in for the last time in the luxurious master bedroom. The rooms at home were nice but this place was over the top!
The next morning, neither of them really wanted to get up but when the alarm sounded on Apollo’s phone, they knew they had to get up and get moving. Tori went and got their coffee ready while Apollo ran through the shower and then got dressed while she had hers.
An hour later, the kitchen was cleaned up from their coffee, the suitcases were packed in the trunk of the car and Apollo called the property manager to let her know they were leaving and that they had locked the house key back in the lock box by the front door.
“Thank you so much for renting us this place. We had a wonderful honeymoon and hope to come back one day.” Apollo told her before he hung up and started the rental car. They headed for the airport, returned the rental car then got checked in and then went to find a cafe for breakfast.
They had a 11 hour flight back so before they went to their gate, they loaded up on sandwiches and drinks to carry on since flights don’t serve food anymore. Crash and Evelyn had warned them after they had checked into flights from Philly to Portland. That was one of the reasons why they had driven instead of flying.
When the check in clerk saw how big Apollo was, she upgraded their flights to first class, at no extra charge, and it had made their return flight much more comfortable. Their flight down there had been torture for Apollo even though the flight attendant gave them fire row seats, the narrow chairs were very uncomfortable. On that flight, the plane was almost full. On their return flight, first class was almost empty so it was no hardship on anyone.
That night, they were so happy to finally be home. They had both been hoping that more of the brothers would still be up but when the Uber they had hired at the airport dropped them off, the house was quiet when Justin opened the door for them.
“Man, for as long as I can remember, my mom has harped on the wild parties that supposedly go on here every night of the week but since I’ve been here, there’s only been one where the clubwhores really got silly. Everyone went to bed about an hour ago and so far it’s been quiet.” Justin told them as he helped them move their luggage upstairs.
“Good deal, Justin. How’s Clara?” Apollo asked.
“Her cast is coming off soon. She’s chomping at the bit to get her house back in order but otherwise she’s been rather quiet. Dad putting his foot down to her has really made a difference. She’s warming up to Billy but it’s going to be slow going for her to fully accept him and it’s all because he’s a prospect for the club.” Justin said.
“Well, I’ll have to make a trip up there soon and maybe I can talk to her and make her see the benefits of Billy being with the club.” Apollo said.
“Good luck! Oh and welcome back.” Justin said.
“Justin, do you know how many kids are left from the Viper rescue?” Apollo asked.
“Well, all of their prospects have decided to stay and the 2 girls are still in the hospital. One of them has given Doc a couple of scares. Other than that, all of the rest of them have gone back to their family’s but we’ve still got Noah and Matty.
Those two kids are adorable and have everyone wrapped around their little fingers. Especially Matty. Except for her coloring, she reminds me a lot of Nicole when she was little.” Justin said. Apollo had a feeling he knew which girl Justin was talking about that had given Doc scares but would wait until tomorrow to find out for sure.
Justin left them to get ready for bed and went back downstairs. Tonight he was working with Cliff, who had been in the bathroom when Apollo and Tori got home. They would be on duty till midnight and then Steven and a new prospect by the name of Marcus would relieve them until breakfast. Having so many prospects in the house now made a big difference in how often they had to stay up half the night on guard duty.
The next morning, Apollo lay in bed, watching Tori sleep. He almost couldn’t believe that this beautiful woman was his wife and that she was carrying his child. He would have to make sure she made an appointment to see her OBGYN in town asap! He wants to know how far along she is then he wondered if she would want to know the gender or wait and do the surprise thing?
Flash and Gloria had started out saying they wanted to wait but now have decided to do a gender reveal party at their baby shower. Sally was the only one that knows what they are going to have. Almost everyone had been trying to bribe her into telling them and while it had been hard not to share, she knew all of them well enough to know that it wouldn’t stay a secret long if she told anyone. Sally was one of the women of the club that would take any secret entrusted to her to the grave!
Tori began to stir and Apollo pulled her close. He was really enjoying having her to wake up next to in the mornings, even if she did insist on putting on a nightgown before going to sleep when they were in the clubhouse. On their honeymoon she had willingly slept naked but here in the clubhouse, if someone came to the door, she had no chance to cover herself with anything but the bedcovers and she said it made her uncomfortable so he had given her one of his old t-shirts to wear.
He was going to get her several oversized t-shirts for Christmas that said things like “Apollo’s Queen” and “Property of Apollo, hands off!” and stuff like that. He had already bought her a nice chenille housecoat but so far she hadn’t worn it. It was always hung on the back of the bathroom door, just in case someone else was in the room when she came out of her shower.
“Good morning, my love.” Apollo whispered.
“Good morning, daddy!” Tori grinned up at him.
“Oh, I like the sound of that! I was just thinking about something. Are you going to want to wait to find out what we are having or do you want to know as soon as the doctor can tell us?” Apollo asked and held his breath, waiting for her reply.
“Oh, I want to know asap! I’ll go crazy if we have to wait. I want to know what to buy. We’re going to have to find some armoires for our clothes so that we can make the closet into a nursery. When we do the expansion, are we going to make some of the units family friendly?” Tori asked.
“I think we should come to think about it. We’re not the only ones that will be having children, I’m sure. Right now, Flash and Gloria are expecting but Gloria wants a house away from the compound. Flash is really stressing out about it. He’s always been very conservative about his finances and he’s worried about spending all of his savings on a house and not being able to have anything for Gloria to fall back on if something were to happen to him.” Apollo told her.
“He should get life insurance! That way no matter what, for a monthly fee, Gloria and their kids would be okay financially.” Tori said.
“Yeah, except the monthly fees for any of us to get life insurance is really high. The companies frown on insuring bikers.” Apollo grinned at her.
“So they buy it under their everyday jobs, like for Flash, isn’t he a mechanic most of the time? For some of these guys, who do a lot of the training, could be listed as teachers. Their rates are excellent.” Tori said. She had worked briefly in an insurance office as a file clerk but she had paid attention and learned a lot! It was one of just many jobs she’d had, just to keep the bills paid but she had learned so much!
“Come on. Let’s get dressed and go have breakfast! I can’t wait to announce that you are pregnant. I can barely believe it myself. Please make an appointment to see your OBGYN as soon as possible so we can find how far along you are and ask when we can find out what we are having!” Apollo said, then kissed her forehead before bouncing out of bed to go to the bathroom.
Tori lay on the bed watching him and had to smile. He was so excited about this and that made her happy. She couldn’t believe how much her life had changed since she had met him 4 short months ago but so far it has been wonderful.
Tori relaxed on the bed, thinking about their honeymoon, finding out she is pregnant and how happy Apollo seems to be about it. When he came out of the bathroom, practically dancing in happiness, Tori had to giggle at him.
“You are so silly! What’s got you dancing?” Tori laughed as he bent over and kissed her.
“I’m on top of the world today! I’m married to the most beautiful, wonderful woman in the world and she’s going to have my baby! I’m so happy this morning and to me, that’s a reason to dance!” Apollo said. He only had a towel on but the rest of his beautiful body was on full display as he cha-cha danced to the closet to get his clothes. Tori was tempted to follow him but decided to go get her shower instead.
Tori ran through the shower and re-entered the bedroom to find Apollo putting on the loafers he wore around the clubhouse. Tori always thought they looked rather out of place on this magnificent God of a man but she knew he was more comfortable in them than his boots or his sneakers and if he wasn’t going anywhere, they would be enough around the house.
His hair, which was getting really long now and hung well below his shoulders. It just enhanced the lion’s mane look that he owned without even trying. His broad shoulders and massive chest, narrow waist that fit so perfectly between her legs.
Oh she had to get away from thinking those thoughts right now or they were going to end up spending the whole day in bed again. They had done that the second day of their honeymoon and had spent the next day just regaining their ability to walk again. The jacuzzi in the luxury bathroom had helped. It had also been very stimulating. Pregnancy must be making her libido higher because she seemed to be hornier than usual but then Apollo had always done that to her.
Tori hurried into the closet and grabbed the clothes she was going to wear today. When she turned around, Apollo was leaning against the door frame watching her.
“What?” Tori asked, tilting her head to one side in a way that Apollo always found endearing.
“You are just so beautiful. You have a natural grace that I know you don’t realize you have but it’s just amazing to me. I love you, Mrs. DuPonte.” Apollo said as he took the steps to bring himself to her. He wrapped his arms around her gently, pulling her to him. He kissed her softly then put his forehead to hers. “Are you okay, baby?” He asked her when he felt her slightly shaking.
“I guess I’m just nervous. This time last year, I was alone, scared out of my mind that I was going to turn 30 and be alone and single for the rest of my life. And I couldn’t even imagine being a mother but I dreamed of having a child. I just didn’t want to do it alone.
Then I met you! You have more than just swept me off my feet but have shown me a love I never thought I would find in anyone, someone I know without a doubt that I can trust to always be there for me, who wants to share his life with me and won’t run out when the going gets tough and now we are going to have a baby! I guess I’m just feeling a bit overwhelmed but extremely happy at the same time. Understand?” Tori said, letting go of all of the emotions she had been feeling.
“Baby, when I told you this is a lifetime commitment, I didn’t mean it was just for you because that commitment works both ways. I will always be here for you and our children because I love you. You are mine and I am yours. Now, come on. Chin up, my queen. Let’s go let everyone know that we are expecting the miracle of our love.” Apollo told her, gave her another kiss then waited for her to slip on her loafers before they left the closet and then their room.
