Where We Belong - RV.Elliott

Chapter 22 

Pouring myself another wine I heard her cry before I saw her. Rushing through the club house she was cradled in Blazes lap. Bending down beside her I took her off his lap and into my arms. 

"It's okay baby lets go get you cleaned up". 

"I bleeded mommy". She sniffled rubbing her nose on sleeve of my jumper. 

"I know honey but we're going to get you cleaned up and all better". Kissing the top of her head I didn't miss the stares I was receiving as I left the bar. 

Right now, I didn't care. I didn't care that they saw me grab her from him. He got arrested whilst looking after our daughter and that wasn't okay with me. He wasn't getting off the hook that easily and I wasn't going to throw a fucking partyam because he didn't go to jail. 

"Mommy you angry?". Sitting her on the counter I wiped the tears off her cheeks. "You frown, oh mommy angry". 

Chuckling slightly, I kissed her forehead. "Mommy's not angry sweetheart. Now let's get your cut cleaned and you can pick a Band-Aid yeah?". 

"Yeah". She grinned. 

Once I sterilised the cut and put a Peppa pig Band-Aid on she was good to go. "Okay Everleigh you go see papa while I check on dinner and no sweeties". Placing her on her feet she gave me that little smirk before running off. 

Yeah, she sure as hell was picking up all his traits. 

I knew dinner would be at least another 45 minutes, but I was happy with hiding out in the kitchen on my own. I hadn't faced him yet, but I knew it was coming I just didn't know how it was going to go. 

Yes, I was angry, but I was also relieved. What happened could have been much worse. I just wished he hadn't of lost it whilst she was present. 

"You hiding?". He smirked 

Rolling my eyes, I flipped him off as I continued to drink my wine. "How can I hide when you're constantly checking up on me?". 

"Harsh". He shrugged as he made his way further into the kitchen. "You really should go talk to him. I can already see the frown lines appearing on his forehead". Smirking he helped himself to a carrot stick. 

"I'm busy". I muttered turning my back on him to check the fries. "And besides-...." My words caught in my throat as Jared no longer stood alone. Blaze had joined him. 

"You staying for dinner?". I asked grateful my mom had bought enough for everyone. I tried not to look at him, but I couldn't help it. I wasn't angry at him but more his actions. I didn't even know if that made sense. Once our eyes locked, I noticed the half smile he gave me, and a sigh fell from my lips. 

He knew he wasn't off the hook just yet. 

"I ain't missing steak night". Jared grinned "Save me a plate I'll be back". 

And then there was two!! 

"Sweets-..." 

"Don't". Cutting him off I tried to make myself busy so I wouldn't do anything stupid. Like punch him in the throat. 

"You were right I fucked up just like you knew I would". Opening the fridge, he grabbed himself a beer. 

"Let's just-..." 

"Nah sweetheart let's get it done with now. I know deep down you want to tear my balls off so have at it". 

"Blaze". 

"I fucked it before we could tell her I was her dad. I don't-...". 

"Stop-..." 

"You my daddy". Came the sweet little voice in the background. 

How long had she been standing there? 

"Mommy Blaze my daddy?". She grinned running straight towards him. 

I didn't know what to say. I was stood my eyes glued to them as he swung her up and into his arms. I didn't want her to find out like this. She deserved better. 

"I have too-..." 

"Not a chance sweetheart. She knows now and yeah maybe it wasn't the way we wanted to tell her, but it's done". 

He was right she finally knew the truth and by looking at her she didn't seem to have a care in the world. All she wanted was Blaze to be her dad. 

"Hey Everleigh".... 

Leaning against the kitchen door stood Jared a massive lolly pop in his hand and a shit eating grin on his face. 

"Jared". I warned but she was already kicking her way out of Blazes arms and running towards him. I swear he was another one the was going to get punched in the throat. 

"Thank me later sweet cheeks". 

"He's going to ruin her bloody dinner". Rummaging through the cupboards I pulled out some plates. I hated that I never heard him approach. As his arms slipped around my waist, I was quick to react. Spinning around I pushed him off my hand connecting with his cheek. "That's for getting arrested in front of our daughter". I hissed suddenly feeling the anger from before. 

"I deserved that". Watching as he wiped the blood from his lip, I began to set the table. "No point sweetheart they're all out there getting shit faced". 

Gritting my teeth, I slammed the last plate down causing it to smash. I was well and truly done for tonight. "Don't come near me right now Blaze I'm not in the mood". I warned my eyes connecting with his. 

After disposing of the broken plate, I fixed Everleigh a small plate and left the rest. All the while he stood leaning against the counter watching me. Not one word was spoken. He knew this time I was serious. I was always serious when it came to Everleigh. 

"Eat something". Taking her plate and her cup I left him to it. I was still angry, but it didn't mean I didn'tyi care. 

The music wasn't as loud and there weren't many people hanging around. I couldn't see Jared or Cage, but my dad was sat beside my mom with Everleigh on his knee. I stood for god knows how long just seeing them. I knew they would always protect her with their life. 

"Eat baby and then it's bath and bed". Placing the plate in front of her I gave my mom a look and she gave me a nod. 

"Where you going and don't bullshit me, I know that little look and nod thing you do with your mom means your off out". 

"Dad I'm not-..." 

"Go Ava but don't be too late". He sighed. 

Kissing Everleigh I grabbed my keys, phone and purse and left without another word. I didn't need to go anywhere I just wanted time to think. 

As I left the clubhouse, I noticed the garage was open his truck parked up inside. All I could see was his legs poking out from underneath. As I got closer, I noticed he 

wasn't alone. 

Jared was never far behind when it came to Blaze. 

"She mad?". 

I really shouldn't ease drop, but I couldn't help myself and they had yet to notice my presence. 

As Blaze pulled himself out from under the car my teeth sunk into my bottom lip. It didn't seem like he had aged a day. I can still remember the first day I met him and even to this day he still had the same effect on me. 

"Fuck if I know". He sighed taking the beer from Jared. "Bitch burst my lip though". 

"You two need to sort your shit out. You'll lose her if you don't man the fuck up and put dibs on that". 

"She's mine". Blaze growled "She always has been and every fucker in here knows that". 

"She know that?". 

I wanted to know where Jared was going with this. As crazy as it might sound,nd he was the more level-headed one out them both. 

"I've been fucking chasing her since she was fifteen of course she knows". 

"And then you left her, and she had Everleigh. You're living-..." Before Jared could finish Blaze had already thrown the first punch. 

This wasn't going to end well. 

"You're living in the fucking past Blaze. Wake the fuck up and realise what you've got". As Jared left, I watched as Blaze threw the beer bottle off the wall. 

As I approached, he stopped pacing and stared at me. Yeah, he knew I had seen the whole thing. This is what he does, he uses his fists when he gets angry because he doesn't like facing the truth. Everything Jared said was true. 

"Tell me you love me". 

I was a little taken aback that's not what I expected him to say. He was pissed off, but he needed the reassurance. Just like he always did. Same old Blaze in the end. 

"Why?". 

"Cause I'm not sure if you do anymore sweetheart". 

A lump appeared in the back of my throat,md suddenly it was dry, and I couldn't speak. Did I do something to make him think that? 

"We've changed". I whispered. 

"I fucking knew-..." 

"But the one thing that hasn't changed is how much I love you". I walked closer. "The way you make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when you're close or how you stare at me when you think I don't notice. Or how to this day you still give me butterflies in my stomach". Resting my hand on his heart where my name lay, I looked up into his eyes. "Have I done something to make you think this?". 

|| 

"Nah sweets you're fucking perfect". Taking my hand, he brought it to his lips placing a kiss on my knuckles. "Fuck Ava I have it all and I keep fucking it up". 

Putting some distance between us I leaned against the truck. "Jared was right you're living in the past. You need to realise I'm not going anywhere not now, not ever. Think hard about whether you want us or you don't. I'm going to put Everleigh to bed". Kissing his cheek, I left without another word. 

It was his decision. He knew I was here and what I wanted. 

Walking back into the clubhouse I noticed it was a little fuller than earlier. Jared was sat alongside my dad and Cage. I could see the bruising start to form under his left 

eye. 

"Ava". My dad yelled his hand patting the seat beside him. 

"What?". 

"I need Blaze on a run for a few days with Cage and Jared". 

"Are you asking me or telling me?". 

"Telling you. I don't need you bursting his balls about going. It needs done". 

"Okay". I shrugged. "Is Everleigh in bed already?". 

"Your mom took her for the night you can thank me later. Now sit and have a drink with your old man". 

"No thanks". Kissing his cheek, I disappeared into the kitchen. To my surprise my mom had all the left-over dinner in small containers for the guys to take with them. 

She liked to look after them all. 

Lifting two containers I put them in my bag and left out the backdoor. I needed some girl time even if that meant hanging around the hospital for a good few hours.