I take her hand in mine, dropping to my knee to talk to her. “Mila, it’s important to always stay near us.” She is tipping her head to the side, looking at the twins and pointing. I pull her hand down. “Listen to me, Mila. You can go sit with Carson and Cole in a minute.”
“Mommy,” she squeals, yanking out of my grip with a force I did not know she possessed.
Everything around me quiets as I slowly stand and turn around. Time freezes, and I’m caught in a moment I wasn’t expecting.
Mila is in Serenity’s arms, and it’s as if my heart feels every tear they cry, every smile, all the joy, and all the sorrow. It’s an overwhelming mix of emotions, and suddenly it jolts me awake.
The world picks up seemingly where it left off, but something is different. Everything seems familiar, but nothing looks the same.
Serenity turns to face the wall, clearly uncomfortable with everyone seeing her raw emotions, but she doesn’t let go of Mila. She hugs her tight.
“Carver,” I say, not turning to look at him.
“I won’t fail this time,” he says.
I chuckle under my breath as his footsteps retreat behind me.
Wolfe turns to face me and my brothers. “Well, men, we sure did get it wrong.” He looks at each of us. “We’ve got a lot of amends to make with that one.” He shakes his finger her direction.
Everyone nods.
“That’s the kind of woman we need in this club. I suggest none of you settle for less,” he adds, and I appreciate it.
He’s absolutely right. I’m so glad I didn’t settle for less. Serenity is my saving grace.
“Go on. Get your girl,” Wolfe says, pushing me toward her.
Carson and Cole toss me a couple of shit-eating grins as I approach them. I give them each a hug, because fuck, they are my goddamn brothers for life. Both on and off the road. I owe them everything.
The courtroom opens, and everyone begins filing inside to get a seat. My lawyer motions us over to him.
“We need to go,” I say, gently touching Serenity at the small of her back.
“Just five more minutes,” she pleads in a broken whisper, still refusing to look at me.
I step away to let him know we’ll join him in a bit. “She just needs a minute.”
His eyes bounce over my face. “So, this is highly unusual but …” He directs me over to the corner, away from prying ears. “She spoke to the judge earlier this morning.” He scratches his head. “When I arrived, she was just stepping out of his office.”
We watch as she sits down on the bench, settling Mila on her lap.
“Can you trust her? We don’t know what she told him.”
I realize now she didn’t come back to Cheyenne to play the imaginary role of Mila’s mother or my fiancée. She came to set the record straight.
Mila is showing Serenity the little stick-on earrings Shelly put on her this morning. Serenity smiles wide, hanging on every word.
“I trust her,” I say, walking away. “I’ll meet you inside.”
“And these Mila’s new boots,” Mila tells Serenity.
“Let me guess. Did Cowboy buy these for you?” she asks.
Mila nods. “And Daddy painted my nails.”
Tears stream down Serenity’s face. “Aw, they’re so pretty. He did a good job, didn’t he?”
I let them have their moment. They both need it.