And Back Again

Chapter 24

"Does it hurt?"

Angel winced as Zara gently dried his surgical incision before inspecting the wound a few inches below it.

"Hurt worse before," he explained, "I'm good."

"How's the head?" She asked casually knowing if she made it a big deal he'd clam up.

"Two kids, Z," he scoffed.

"So, not good?"

"I'm scared," he admitted.

"Hey, I'm the one who has to carry them and pop em' out," she joked.

Angel shook his head. "I'm more worried about everything that comes after. I don't want to fuck these kids up. I don't think my parents were trying to play fuckin' favorites. Maybe I won't even realize I'm doing it?"

"Hey, hey," she cupped his face. "You will be an amazing father. You will not pick a favorite either because I'm your fucking favorite."

Laughing, Angel relaxed and nodded. "You know it."

"It's going to be okay," she reminded him.

He nodded but changed the subject. "Bastian said he wants to come by."

Zara groaned. "I'm so sick of this shit, Angel. Bastian, Galindo, all of it."

"Yeah, you should quit your job and I'll leave the club, we can live like everyone else," he said mockingly.

"Would you?" She asked, drawing her head back in surprise "Could you?"

"No and maybe," he chuckled. "I'm sick of it too though, serving masters like this. Bastian is great, as far as bosses go, but Riz and Gabe, that's because of him."

Zara nodded. "I know."

"One day at a time, Z," Angel said. "Let's get through this," he touched her stomach, "Then we'll see where this shit lands."

—

*A few weeks later*

Hiding a pregnancy didn't seem too hard, in theory at least, and it was easy for the first few months. After the first trimester hiding twins, especially with Zara's short stature, was nearly impossible.

"Why don't I just come by?" Zara asked as she sat at her desk chatting over the phone with Angel. "I wanna see you, talk a little, and with the wedding coming up, it's not like this will last much longer."

"You good with that?" He asked quietly already stunning out his cigarette.

"Honestly, I'm over it," Zara groaned.

"Whatever you wanna do, Z," Angel said sweetly.

"Alright, I'll be by soon," she said, hanging up quickly.

"Everything good?" Hank aksed, noticing Angel's somewhat worried expression.

He nodded. "Yeah, wedding shit," he said by way of explanation.

"Don't get involved," Hank advised Angel. "Give her whatever she wants."

"I already fucking do," he complained.

It was only about 20 minutes later that she arrived which told Angel she'd been eager and ready when they spoke earlier.

Bishop just happened to be outside when Zara pulled in. He waited for her to open her door and then helped her out of her car.

"Look at you," he greeted new warmly, "Estás radiante."

"It's not a glow," she corrected him, "It's sweat but you're sweet, thank you."