Restricted MC (The Nighthawks MC Book 14) Read online

  So, another baby was out. Gregory was very worried about the toll that having babies was having on her body. She scoffed, but he was right. She could not have babies forever. But, she thought she could convince him that she would be well enough for one more round. Until then, she had a paper to write. She dictated the paper as she researched it, and soon had ten pages done.

  She stretched, using the tennis balls in the sock to push on her spine. She had been having cramps for hours, but thought nothing of them. Then, she felt it, a great rolling cramp, and she doubled over as water pooled at her feet.

  “Shto,” she said. “Shit.” She cleaned up the floor, stripped down. She took a shower, and then called the midwife. She worked on her paper, pausing to breathe through the contraction, and finished all the work she could. She let her professors know she was giving birth, and sent in her segment of the group project.

  Another contraction made her moan and double over. Tatiana, the midwife, breezed into her bedroom, stripped the bed, put on the special rubber sheet, put the bed back together with the older sheets, and laughed as Katya tried to dictate another paper. Tatiana put the rubber sheets with a soft, well-worn sheet over it on both chairs, and then checked Katya.

  “Two, maybe three hours. It is time to call the couple.”

  “No,” said Katya. “I will wait until we are closer. They must have time to finish their shifts.”

  “Katya, you are a fool. They must also have time to get someone to cover for them.”

  Katya cursed rather inventively in Russian. “You are right.” She then paced around the room, stopping to hold onto the bedframe or a chair when she felt the fierce contractions.

  In between contractions, she called both Ben and Valentina. Ben arrived first, and was delighted to find things well at hand. He fussed a little, as a paramedic, but Valentina arrived and settled him down at once with a single glance. That is why I chose them, thought Katya. She is so much like me.

  The midwife put rubber sheets on the floor under both chairs, and at the foot of the bed where Katya paced. Ben and Valentina stood on either side, helping her walk and walk. Soon, she was ready to bear down. Katya ignored the bed and sat half-on and half-off the chair. She pushed twice, and the midwife caught the baby and Valentina cut the cord. They weighed her, washed her, took umbilical blood for the stem cells and stored it in a special container, and did the genetic tests. Then, Valentina took little Liliya into ther arms, and Ben and Valentina cried.

  Tatiana helped Katya deliver the afterbirth and get Katya into the shower. When she came back out, there was no trace of rubber sheeting. The original sheets were back on the bed. There wasn’t a trace of the baby. Even Tatiana was gone; a text in Russian said she went out to another birth. The only thing she had from the event were beautiful flowers, a dozen yellow and white roses, and a gorgeous note from the couple. Katya texted Gregory and the Wolfpack downstairs, and then went to sleep.

  When she awoke, Gregory was there. He rubbed her back, kissed her tenderly, and brought her soup, bread, and tea. He brought in the boys, one at a time, and let them both in with the promise that they would play quietly, and not jump on Mom. Ivan had both promises broken within fifteen minutes, and he was taken away, shrieking. Luka kept his promise, and played quietly next to his mother as she gazed at him and stroked his back. He cuddled with her, and touched his tiny hand to her face. He climbed down and went looking for his brother as Katya slid back into sleep.

  Elena came by, joyous with news about her day. She made friends easily, and kept Katya entertained with stories about how her jock friends attempted to interact with her geek friends, with mixed results. Katya held Elena’s hand, and was able to sit up a little. Elena turned on the television in her mother’s room, and they surfed channels until they found a comedy, a remake of an older comedy, that they both enjoyed. They binge-watched until a wet Gregory from the boys’ baths brought in Harry Potter, and all three of them took turns reading. Gregory made Elena shower and go to bed, and then went to kiss her goodnight.

  He came back, and slid in bed with Katya. “I get why you do it. I really do. They came by Desert Security to show their little girl to me. Ben and Valentina remind me so much of us, and little Liliya is so precious.” He rubbed her back, stroked her hair. “I so wish that we had met back then. That I was Elena’s bio-dad. She’s so damn precious.” He had tears in his voice. “She’s smart, and funny, and joyous, and she sees the world through this filter of happiness. Like the world is a thousand times better than it is, and she’ll put right what’s wrong. Your ex was a sadistic asshole, and I’m so happy we’re free of him.”

  Katya sighed. “I want to do one more, love, but I will wait six months or a year. I want to finish when I’m finishing my degree. Then, one more, for us.”

  Gregory nodded, sighed. “I’ll have time to add onto the house by then.”

  “Thank you,” said Katya. “For understanding what I do and why I do it.”

  “You do it for love,” said Gregory. “For the love of people you haven’t even met.”

  “I do,” said Katya. “I do. Also, I do it to put aside college funds for our children, even the future ones. And to pay for my university without taking away from the money for the universities they will attend. I charge far less than what other surrogates charge, and I use a midwife, and not expensive hospitals. The children are beautiful and happy.” She sighed. “But only one more, I think.”

  Gregory rubbed her back. “Whatever you choose, love,” he said. “I will always be here for you.” He rubbed Katya’s back, and held her gently, and Katya slid into sleep.

  Bao watched the girls streak out of the house and across to Ivy and Callie’s house to pick up their sister Grace before heading to Henry’s. They had a ride-horses-with-Damia plan. Jie was becoming quite the horsewoman. At night, Bao told her stories of famous generals —including the female ones, all riding across the Chinese countryside on horseback in wartime. The stories worked. Jie worked hard to do well, to show the horses the same love and appreciation Damia showed them. She sat up straight as if she were Fu Hao, or the thirteen-year-old Xun Guan, riding to save her father’s soldiers by gathering allies, sneaking by the enemy’s sleeping soldiers at night. Bao was beyond pleased, and called Jie Honored Daughter and Heavenly Flower. Jie was stunned that she went from an orphan to an honored daughter in a big house with two sisters. The adoption of Jie’s friend was in motion, but the wheels of an adoption journey usually turned at the pace of snails sliding around the garden.

  Bao smiled as the driver, one of Gregory’s people, rode up. The young woman got out and opened the door for Bao, made sure she was safely belted inside, and went back around to drive. Dino rejected all of Bao’s attempts to ride in taxis or Ubers.

  “Let me indulge you,” he said. “Besides, it’s training for them to pretend to be chauffeurs when they have mad skills.”

  Bao had seen the results of these skills, after the invasion by the racially-motivated mercenary force just a few weeks ago. Nico had talked to Gregory before the concrete was poured, and Bao had jumped right in to suggest a crawlspace under the house and a hidden room. Gregory had found a company to design and install it. It wasn’t a full panic room with monitors everywhere, but it had space for everyone, and it was armored, too. They would survive a fire or even a small blast in there. Bao had hoped she would never need such a thing, but she was on Nighthawks land, and the Nighthawks had enemies. She’d been dealing with Dragon Mother for years. She knew the terrible price of misjudging one’s enemies.

  And so, the girls and babies were safe with Callie and Bao. Ivy had snuck out and ridden to her bar, certain it would be attacked next, like Xun Guan sneaking past enemy troops. She was right, and had arrived just in time.

  It worried Bao, the effect on her girls. But, they seemed to take in their stride that the Nighthawks would be attacked from time to time, and that they must be well-prepared and vigilant. All three girls took tai chi and wing chun. The
ancient monks knew how to defend themselves, and that was one segment of Chinese history she felt her children should know.

  They didn’t tell any of this to the adoption agency, of course. They also didn’t have plans to move. Henry worked with Gregory and Bannon to put more security measures on the grounds. “I’m getting damn tired of repelling invaders,” he’d said. “We need a lot more warning.” So security cameras ended up hidden in trees all along the road, which had the added effect of the teens at the greenhouse becoming surveillance operatives. They also began learning from the Valkyries, who came from time to time to spar in the back pasture.

  Bao kept an eye on Jie and Hu, but, raised on stories of female Chinese generals, they seemed to be dealing well with the attack. Damia was as calm as ever, and more and more open every day. She even cracked jokes at the dinner table.

  No, it was impetuous Grace that had the most trouble. She had nightmares and slipped into old controlling behaviors before Hu and Jie told her in imperious Mandarin that they were not her subjects, and that she was no empress. To her credit, Grace didn’t slip into sulking, but instead she worked on her school projects and became quite the piper with Gregory.

  The time at the doctor went well. The baby boy was good, fat, healthy, and sinking lower and lower. Bao was overjoyed. Her back, legs, and feet screamed for the release of the baby. Nico rubbed her feet and back, washed her body, even bought her shoes that slipped on without ties. He loved her, and treated her like his own empress.

  She was driven like an empress in a sedan chair to the restaurant. The nice young woman helped her out of the cloudlike seat of the armored sedan, and helped her to step out. The operative watched her walk in.

  Bao was quite early, and so she used the restroom for the ninth time that day, and sat down to enjoy a cherry water and eat an appetizer. The restaurant was beloved by moms because it was nestled right in-between a Passport to Baby Fun, a youth gym and play center, and an adult gym that specialized in women.

  A stay-at-home father, Henri, saw Bao, went over, and exclaimed, “Mon ami! You look more beautiful every day! And how is the little one?”

  “Fine,” said Bao, gesturing to a seat. “Would you like some shrimp puffs?”

  “But of course! And crab wontons.” He placed the order, and held her hand. “Tell me everything, mon ami.” And so, she and Henri spoke in French, English, and a little Mandarin. Henri’s little boy (Louis) was doing well, aggressively climbing plastic walls and building enormous buildings with giant blocks. “Soon, your little one will be doing the same.”

  “They grow up so fast,” said Bao, wistfully.

  Henri was very careful. “Did you and your husband decide upon a name?”

  This was a sore spot. Dragon Mother had earned Bao’s fury when she came into the doctor’s office with a list of names for the baby based on the ancestors and how many times that name had been used within the family.

  Bao had said, “Thank you for all the research, but Nico and I will decide upon a name that is a nice blend of Chinese and Italian.”

  Dragon Mother drew herself up. “The baby is the first boy! And he is Chinese!”

  “I already have a firstborn,” said Bao. “I remember choosing her name over your objections as well. I also remember your lamenting over the fact that she was a girl. My husband loved her more than his own breath, and you tried to make this less of a joy than it was then. You’re now acting as if this boy were destined for the Heavenly Throne itself. Neither reaction is good.” She narrowed her eyes at her mother. “At all. If you want a place in your grandchildren’s lives, then you will start treating them equally. You will not hurt your granddaughter’s feelings by doting on one child and ignoring the others.”

  Dragon Mother raised her chin. “A son is a precious gift.”

  Bao sighed. “So is a daughter. More precious than gold and tea, and jade. Either you understand this, or you will see a lot less of them.” She raised her finger at her mother’s grunt. “And if I see one, one time, one instance, of your treating Dante Jiao better than you treat the girls, you will be seeing them outside the house a few times a year.”

  Dragon Mother huffed and puffed. “You are crude and cruel,” she said.

  “It is you who is cruel,” said Bao. “Either you treat all the children like the blessings they are, and heap love upon all their heads, or you won’t get the opportunity to make one feel less than, dying on the vine, and the other growing up arrogant and acting without concern for others or having any remorse.”

  “I would never…” said Dragon Mother.

  Bao glared at her mother. “Like you. Your mother loved you more than your sister, and never stopped telling everyone about how wonderful you were, and how stupid and selfish your sister was. Your sister wilted, and you were cruel to her as well. Now she’s dead and you cannot make it up to her. You will not make the same mistakes with my children. Do you understand me?”

  Dragon Mother’s jaw dropped. “I am your mother. How dare you…”

  “Please leave this doctor’s office, and come back when you learn to be loving and kind,” said Bao. She narrowed her eyes until her mother finally stood and walked out the door, head erect, mouth tight. Her mother hadn’t gone to a single appointment since then, not even an ultrasound.

  “Dante Jiao,” said Bao, returning her mind to the present moment.

  “How wonderful!” said Henri. They finished their appetizers, and Henri exclaimed. “I must go get my little Louis. I worked out and showered, and since I’ve done my high-intensity interval training, I have indulged as well.” They kissed each other’s cheek twice, and Henri was out in a cloud of understated French cologne.

  Ivy and Callie arrived first, Aiden and Kiya safely next door with their cousins Rose Ivy and Colin, and Luka and Ivan. All six of them loved to play in the plastic ball pit, and took turns throwing the balls against a screen projected against the back wall of the pit. There, projections of fat imaginary purple animals that tumbled end over end now righted themselves. The kids would be served healthy snacks and drinks as well, so they had awhile.

  “I am so exhausted,” said Ivy. “Putting the club back to rights took almost no time, but Grace is so fearful of being left alone.”

  “The nightmares aren’t fun, either,” said Callie. “She didn’t even see anything that night. They all went to sleep in the panic room.”

  “I think it’s the idea of a lack of safety, more than anything,” said Ivy. They ordered hot chocolates, and Bao ordered one for herself. “Skuld even came down to train the girls. But she still wants to slip back into old behavior. She can’t even see or hear herself doing it. I feel like an evil witch pointing it out, too, because sometimes she cries.”

  “David,” said Callie. “Or Inola. Someone needs to sing over her.” She sent a text to David and Inola.

  Katya came in, looking much smaller, but very pale. Ivy rushed to pull her out a chair. “How do you feel?” asked Ivy.

  “I feel like the train hit me, no?” said Katya. “I am sleeping all the time, very sore, and I cry sometimes. It is so embarrassing.”

  “You had a baby for someone else. That’s wonderful!” said Callie. “I want to do it, when ours are a little older. Chasing toddlers while pregnant… I’m not the strong Russian peasant woman you are.”

  Lily smiled. “Same for me. I want them old enough to be in school so I can take naps! Not that I can much now, even with child care. Tax season is fast upon us, and I won’t sleep for a month! I’ve already hired two tax specialists, and we’re starting all the groundwork now.”

  “Bet you miss bar backing at Dirty Rock,” said Ivy, taking a sip of her drink.

  “Not on your life,” said Lily. They all laughed, then ordered soup, salad, sandwiches, and garlic knots.

  Bao felt sick to her stomach, so she went to the bathroom. She went into a stall to use the restroom for the tenth time, so that way when something came rushing out between her legs she squealed, looked down,
and texted Ivy.

  “Oops,” said Ivy, as she checked her text messages. “Wardrobe malfunction.” She ran out to her bike, and came back with her gym clothes. She ran back in, went to the women’s restroom, and passed the clothes over the stall door to Bao. “Too tight,” said Bao.

  “On it,” said Ivy.

  She went three doors down to a maternity shop, and bought underwear, pants, a long-sleeved top, socks, and low boots. She came back, and passed them over the stall door. Ivy then texted Nico that he’d better swing by the house and get the pregnancy suitcase. Nico texted back that he was leaving the job now, and would shower, and then meet them at the hospital.

  Bao returned to the table and sipped her cherry water as the rest of them ate; she hadn’t ordered lunch, because the appetizers had filled her up. She felt herself sliding into a tunnel, the women’s chatter about the babies, their businesses, and their amazing spouses flow over and around her like water. She held Ivy’s hand through the first two contractions, then Callie noticed and came around on her other side. They timed the contractions, which went from ten minutes apart to seven, to six, to five.

  “Okay, hospital time,” said Ivy, after eating the last bite of her caramel apple cake.

  “On it,” said Callie. “Brought the car.”

  Ivy called the Wolfpack, who were dispatched to take all the kids to Katya’s house in the Nighthawks van with the pile of car seats in back. Callie paid the bill while Lily and Ivy helped her ride out the next contractions. They got her to the car, and levered her in. Katya went to the kids’ play center to await the Wolfpack. Ivy and Lily followed, making a little caravan.

  Nico was standing in front of the women’s hospital, grinning. He got his wife into a wheelchair, and they had her in a labor/delivery/recovery room in no time. The Chinese acupuncturist came, and soon Bao’s moans turned into gasps. Nico, Callie, Ivy, and Lily took turns helping her to walk, one of them on each side, rubbing her back, and fed her ice chips. A few hours later her feet were up, and Dante Jiao arrived a few minutes later. He had a thatch of dark hair, liquid brown eyes, and a spectacular yell. He came out hungry, but relaxed once he was fed. They passed him around. Henry and David brought the girls, and David sung over little Dante. Then the nurse chased everyone out.