~𝙼𝙾𝙳𝙴𝚁𝙽 𝙳𝙰𝚈 𝙱𝙾𝙽𝙽𝙸𝙴 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙲𝙻𝚈𝙳𝙴~

𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕣𝕥𝕪 𝕥𝕨𝕠

Bellatrix was in the midst of a sleep deprivation episode from hell.  Her newborn son, seemed to fight sleep like he was getting paid to do it. Every night was a battle, and every night felt longer than the last.

Tig tried his best to help, but he was at a loss. Bellatrix paced the floor with Stetson in her arms, trying to soothe him. But Stetson just cried harder, his tiny face red with frustration.

Bellatrix felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. She hadn't slept in what felt like an eternity, and she was at her breaking point. She needed a moment of peace, a moment to collect her thoughts and gather her strength.

"Alexander, if you don't take this screaming baby, I don't know what I'll do," she said, her voice cracking with emotion. "Every fucking bone in my body is telling me to hurt him or you."

Tig looked up, shock and concern written all over his face. He knew Bellatrix was struggling, but he had never seen her like this before. He quickly took Stetson from her arms, cradling him gently.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," he said, trying to calm both Stetson and Bellatrix. "I've got him. You go rest, okay? I'll take care of him."

Bellatrix nodded, tears streaming down her face, as she headed for the bedroom. Tig heard drawers opening and closing, before he heard the zipping of jeans, and the 'THUNK' of Bellie's beat-up steel-toed cowboy boots. Instead of sleeping, she was going for a ride.

Bellatrix entered the hallway where Tig and Stetson stood. "Alrighty Boys, Mama is going for a ride, she'll be back in a few hours, there's breastmilk in the fridge! Love Y'all!" she said, walking to the dining room, grabbing her Kutte off a chair, and heading out the garage door.

*

The curly-haired man heard the Electra Glide Harley Davidson rumble to life as he watched his wife cut a quick three-point turn, burning rubber as she left the driveway. Fifteen minutes after she left, Tig's phone rang, the caller ID telling him Happy was calling. Tig hesitated for a moment, glancing at the closed bedroom door where Stetson lay finally asleep. He answered the call, holding the phone to his ear.

"Yeah?" he said, his voice tired and rough.

"Hey, brother," Happy's voice came through the line, calm and steady. "Just checking in. How's everything going over there?"

Tig sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Not great, Hap. Bellie's at her wit's end, and Stetson's been a handful."

There was a pause on the other end of the line before Happy spoke again. "Do you need me to come over? I can take a shift with Stetson if you need a break."

Tig considered the offer for a moment, grateful for the support. "Nah, it's okay. I've got it under control for now. Bellie needed some time to clear her head, so she went for a ride."

"Alright, just let me know if you need anything," Happy replied. "And tell Bellie to take her time. We've all been there, she's not alone in this."

Tig thanked Happy and hung up, tucking his phone back into his pocket. He glanced towards the closed bedroom door again, hoping Bellie would find some peace on her ride. As Tig stood there, the sound of another motorcycle engine caught his attention. Happy was calling back, and this time, it was urgent.

"Tig, did you see which way Bellie went?" Happy's voice was tense.

Tig frowned, stepping out onto the porch to get a better view of the road. "She went towards town, why?"

"Because she just ripped past Teller-Morrow doing 120 miles an hour," Happy replied. "I've never seen her ride like that before. Something's not right, man."