Stripping Callum (Last Hangman MC Book 6)(74)
Having a big family has never been something that appealed to me. I was good with Elijah, Gail, Suzie and Danny in my life. Along the way, I found Josie and then the MC. They all slowly became family. I might be closer to some than others, but they all mean the world to me. I don’t know what I would do without them in my life.
Bringing my men their plates, they dig in and if I didn’t know better, I’d really think that Callum is Elijah’s father. Besides the hair color and some physical features, they are two peas in a pod.
My life is complete. I’m finally content with it. We all struggle through life to find happiness, trying to achieve the perfect life you imagine, but sometimes, reality is very different than what you had in mind. Sometimes it’s that much more special to you even if it’s something you never planned to have.
Callum
December 14, 2016
It’s been a week since I’ve been out of the hospital, and it’s still a struggle to do some of the stuff I used to do. I still can’t work out or lift much weight. I have to be careful with Elijah, too. He likes to jump in bed and join Bella and me in the morning. We’ve had to shift sides in bed for the time being as he always cuddled me on the wrong side and was touching the tender place where they cut me open.
Elijah.
He is something. He brought me to my knees when I opened the door and saw his little face and the sign he was holding. I had seen it straightaway, but I wanted to make a big deal out of it for him. I could tell he was excited and how important it was to him, but I didn’t realize how important it was to me.
With the way things were, I wasn’t allowing myself to really feel. It’s been a slow process, but it started with asking Bella and Elijah to move in with me. I knew I needed them in my life daily and that going back and forth wasn’t enough anymore. I wanted a family again, and I don’t regret making that decision. I didn’t expect that hearing him call me daddy would affect me this much. I didn’t know I wanted it this much.
I’m just hoping we’re done with the drama for a few years. I don’t want it to send Bella running.
“What are you doing?” Elijah asks me as I’m looking at the state my motorcycle is in. After the crash, Gabe brought it back here, knowing I’d want to work on it as I recover.
“Trying to bring this beauty back to life.” I smile at him.
“Can I help?” He grins at me as he walks over and takes a good look at the bike.
“Are you sure you’re up for it?” I chuckle, seeing him study it with intent.
“Yes, Daddy.” He beams at me, and my heart skips a beat. I’m still not used to hearing it. Reading it was something special, but hearing it; man, it does things to me and my little heart.
“Okay then, son. Let’s do this.” We fist bump, and I get on the ground.
This feels like what I should have been doing fourteen years ago with Billy. Working on bikes, cars, anything; getting down and dirty doing boys stuff. In hindsight, I wasn’t doing anything like this with him. He was always with his mom, never with me. It makes me wonder if I was doing something wrong. With Elijah, it’s different. He might not be blood-related, but he’s my son. I guess he was the first time he hugged me. Something shifted in me then. I wanted to push those thoughts aside, but they kept coming back.
Elijah and Bella are my do-overs at having a happy life. Things aren’t always going to go well the first time around, but this is it. I know this is what I was meant to do with my life. Have a beautiful woman sharing it with me, an amazing kid and maybe more soon. It’ll depend on what Bella wants.
We haven’t talked about having a kid together, but I hope it’s something we can look forward to in the future.
After everybody left the day of my welcome home party, I took a good look around the house. The girls decked this house with Christmas shit all over. I should have known they would do something like that. Especially with what they did to the compound. I was expecting it, but I wasn’t ready for it. Even in our bedroom, they put Christmas decorations. I drew a line there and Bella took them down without whining. I think it was a test to see if I would just allow anything. Either way, we had fun that night with the tinsels; let’s just say she looked hot wrapped in just them.
Besides the Christmas decorations, they redid Elijah’s room also. I have to say, I love what they did with it. They painted one-half of the free wall in a chalkboard black so he can just draw on it and wipe it off as he pleases. He seems to love it and hasn’t attacked any other walls. The rest of the room changed a bit. They rearranged the furniture and put a new bed in.
It’s very different than what it was, and I’m glad they did it. It’s Elijah’s room now. I’ve accepted that fully, and this change has only helped me get on with things. I do wonder how Bella feels living in the house where Alina and Billy lived. I can’t imagine it being that easy for her. I know I wouldn’t like it, but then we’re talking about me. Bella is a lot more understanding and accepting than I am.
There’s one big issue to all of this. Even though I like this house, I don’t see it as a home anymore. In hindsight, I don’t think I ever did. Everything from my past seems forced now and doesn’t mean much to me anymore. It might be harsh, but that’s how I feel.
I want a fresh start with Bella and Elijah, and finding a new house—a home—is something I want to consider. I want it to be a surprise for the two of them, but until I can get back to doing my daily stuff on my own, that won’t be happening.