(Not) written in the stars!

Chapter 24 (Ty) Family

I am sound asleep after a mind-blowing night with Alexia, and I slowly come to my senses when I feel her delicate fingers tracing my newest tattoo. She has never seen me completely naked before, so she is not familiar with my ink. They all have some symbolism, including one on my side in honor of Victoria and the baby and the one I have of a butterfly symbolizing Sammy on my right pec.

But the one Alexia is tracing now is the latest, and I know she is intrigued by it.

"Hey, my Pixie, good morning!" I said quietly, trying to avoid startling her. She lifts her head to find my eyes and moves to give me a chaste kiss on my lips.

"Good morning, my good dragon! Can you explain the tattoo?"

The tattoo covers my left pec, an intricate yin and yang dragon in black and white shades. Bold cursive words surround the balance symbol and read: "Property of," the only color in the design is in bright red name written on top of the half border: "Alexia."

I got it right after my conversation with GD when he told me she was my balance. This was after Alexia left me, and I realized I was utterly in love with her. 

I haven't confessed this to her yet, as it might be too soon for her, but I know in every cell of my being that Alexia has ruined me for everyone else. The way we came together last night, her surrender and trust, there is no way I would trade this for anything.

"Not much to explain, my Tiny Lady! I belong to you. You owe me. Every kind gesture you showed towards Sammy, my MC family, or me tied me closer to you. Without knowing it, you became the air in my lungs, and when I pushed you away, I realized I had been an idiot for not claiming you earlier."

"Is it not the tradition for women to wear tattoos or cut with the property of?" Alexia asked curiously.

"Yes, it is, but we have proven that we are not the typical MC couple. When I got this tattoo, I didn't even know where to find you, but I was certain of one thing. Even if you never returned to me, my heart and soul would belong only to you from that day forward. And, after last night, nothing will stop me from keeping you safely by my side."

Alexia's eyes were glistening with contained tears.

"Gabriel, I never thought I would find a home. When you rejected me, I felt so betrayed because I had finally started to dream of a happy ending. But now, I am no longer scared. Even if Dad continues lurking around, I know he won't be able to taint our story. You and Sammy are my family, along with the members of the Fire Bringers."

My chest expanded with a sense of pride, knowing Alexia had accepted all of us as her newfound family. We haven't exchanged the famous three little words, but I hope Alexia can feel it in the way I bear my soul to her. I have never been this open with any woman.

"We only need to convince Olson to move here, and your happiness will be complete."

"You know me so well, my good dragon! Let's go and wake up our little princess so we can have breakfast and spend a lazy day together before we head to the Institute tomorrow."

And that is exactly what we did. We finished the day watching a Pixar movie with Basi, the siblings, and Arman's family with his oldest son Jason who has become Sammy's BFF (the lil fucker better have good intentions with my princess). GD and Selene approached me when I reached the kitchen to grab a popcorn refill.

"Man, there is something about you and Alexia. You both are irradiating this energy. Your auras are matching and shining. I am guessing you two finally let all your walls down, huh?" says Selene with a sweet smile, genuinely excited for our newly found happiness.

I only reply with a huge, dopey smile. I have become such a softy for my woman.

"Oh, jeez, Prez has it bad, and I love this side of him! Cool, man. We are happy for you," said GD before switching to a more concerning topic. "But I also wanted to warn you. After reviewing the video footage from the Halloween party with Selene, she thinks the person who dropped the note is probably the same person who pushed Sammy at the park."

I looked at both, confused.

"It is a woman, and I think it is most likely Daisy. I mean, think about it. She knows our change of guard rotation and schedule. She figured out that she could get in and out undetected with the costume party in full swing while the guards passed reports to the next shift."

I still don't understand why Daisy will risk sticking around, knowing we won't play nice if she continues messing up with the club. But I can't deny Selene's working theory makes sense, so I signaled Basi to come with me. We planned to change critical routines at the compound and have two of my brothers escort us while driving to the Institute tomorrow.

By the time we finished our logistics meeting and returned to the living room, the movie was over, and Arman had left with his family. 

Selene and Marlene were cleaning up the kitchen and informed me that Alexia was putting Sammy in bed. I silently approached the bedroom and stayed by the door while listening to their conversation.

"Can you read the Giant book?" asked Sammy excitedly.

"Don't you want your dad to read it? I am sure he will be done with his meeting soon."

"No, it's OK; you are a strong warrior, like giants, so you can read the book as well."

"Oh, wow! I am honored, Your Highness. Thank you for such an important prestige," said Alexia reverently before proceeding to tickle Sammy. She was getting ready to read when Samantha interrupted her.

"Why do you need to go again? I don't like it when you leave," my little girl's eyes were sad now.

"Oh, my butterfly, come here!" said Alexia while pulling Sammy closer in a hug. "The doctors are trying to help me so I can get better and hopefully stop having those bad headaches. Hopefully soon, they will allow me to see them less often. But every time I leave, I take you in my heart, and trust me, I am always thinking of you, my love!"

"I always think of you too. Dad was really sad when you weren't here. Now, he is always smiling. I think he likes you!"

"Really? Can I tell you a secret?" Alexia said while Sammy eagerly nodded. "I kind of like him too, but don't tell him yet, OK? That will be our secret. Pinkie finger promise?" 

Immediately, my two girls locked their pinkies. My mind takes me back to the moment I saw them together in that hospital room, Alexia's defiant glare protecting my daughter. I never suspected these two would change me as much back then, but now I can't imagine my life without them.

If Alexia's treatment goes well, soon she will be back to have the seizures and migraines under control, allowing her to enjoy a healthier, stabler life. Maybe then I will be able to confess to her that I have never loved anyone like I do her and ask her to marry me.

After reading one more book and putting Sammy to sleep, we went to bed. Even though Alexia didn't initiate it per se, let's say she shyly asked if we could practice some more of what we had done last night. Needless to say, I happily complied. Alexia, trusting me is the most incredible feeling.

The next morning as we got ready to leave Alexia's gaze questioned why there were two brothers beside us, but she didn't voice her concerns, and I preferred to avoid sharing details. I wanted to ride my bike, but I knew that after treatment, Alexia would feel tired, so a car was my only option.

Everything was going well until I heard tire screeching and saw one of my brothers being hit by a car that didn't stop. I wanted to follow the fucker, but Alexia convinced me that I needed to turn around to help my fallen brother. 

Luckily, despite his bike being messed up, he seemed to be OK, aside from a broken leg. It could have been much worse. 

I don't want Alexia to miss her appointment because the doctor has explained several times that changing the timing in between shots can cause her brain to go haywire and prompt a bad seizure.

I called the Fire Bringers chapter near the Institute since we are closer to them than our compound. After a while, everything was sorted out, including taking care of the bikes and my injured brother and filing a Police report so they could try to catch the hit-and-run car. Given the early morning hour, they suspected that it could have been a drunken idiot. But I could tell Alexia was tense, probably thinking the same as I was, that it was premeditated. But why leave if they wanted us?

I would soon find out!