"Okay everyone, take your places and make sure you're all showing your beautiful smiles." I say as I walk around and check everyone's form.

The curtain should be going up soon and I want to make sure they are all in their right places. This is the second showing we have done and the first one went down very well. After the first showing a week ago, I have had about fifty different sets of parents that wanted to be a part of my classes. It's been a successful few months and I couldn't have been happier with the success of the studio.

"Miss Shawna, your boyfriends here." Little Amanda sings as Max rounds the girls waving to them as he walks past them.

"Hey what are you doing here? I thought you couldn't make it."

"Like I would miss one of your shows? I managed to get the bike finished sooner than I thought. Plus I wanted to see you in that tight little leotard." I roll my eyes at him and take the dozen pink roses he hands over to me.

I lean in to kiss him, not being able to help myself and giggle when the girls start squealing. I look up at Max taking in his handsome features. He's still my Max. Tall, strong, blonde haired, blue eyed and a big goofy lug, but I wouldn't change him for anything. We've come a long way in the course of the last six months. We officially moved in together and I love my house as much as he thought I would.

I work full time at the studio and love every minute of it. After a much deliberated debate, I conceded to Max and got the surgery done on my ankle. I hated the recovery and hated that he paid for every dime of it, but I understood why he felt he needed to do it. It took Max a while to get over the pain of nearly causing me my dream.

I also still take light shifts at Sin when they need it. Max doesn't always like it, but appreciates it when I come home at two in the morning and have a tight black dress on with black heels.

"My mommy says boys are supposed to bring you flowers when they do something bad. What did you do wrong uncle Max?" Adrianna asks and I hide my laugh behind Max's shoulder.

Lyla came around the club a little more after what happened a few months ago. Her and Shane still have some animosity towards each other and something tells me it has a lot to do with the man Lyla says is Adrianna's biological father, but that's a story for another day. Adrianna has been in my class for two weeks and I already see so much potential in her. I also find it adorable that she has the entire MC at her beck and call. Most of them are here tonight for her, including Shane, whom I actually saw sporting a smile when he saw her in her white tutu and tiara.

Inette should be here too, although she said she may miss it because her flight was being delayed. She decided to give her father a chance and go out and see him. I haven't spoken with her about the whole ordeal but I was proud of her nonetheless. She and Torque have an unusual relationship, but they are making it work, and fortunately, that means even though I no longer live with her, I see her often enough at the clubhouse.

"This isn't me saying sorry but I'm glad your mama is teaching you to make em' work for it baby girl." Adrianna smile widely then turns back to her friends, not understanding in the fullest what her uncle Max is talking about.

"So, if these aren't you saying sorry, you want to tell me what they are for? You already gave me some last week for my first opening show."

"I think I'll tell you after the show, once we're alone. In the meantime, break a leg babe." Max smiles then heads back out to the left of the stage. I may or may not have watched his ass as he left.

"Alright girls, let's get into position." I call out once more and await my angels routine.

After the show I meet the guys over at the clubhouse. When I get there, I notice that all the bikes are out front. I hop out of the car and notice Candice is getting out of her car at the same time. I meet her half way and hug her, she and Austin just got engaged the other day and I swear the girl is still on cloud none about the whole thing.

"Any idea why everyone is here?"

"Austin called church but I wasn't sure why. He just text me telling me to get here as soon as I could."

"Weird."

"Yes, so weird in fact that I think we should have a shot of something." I laugh then lean my head on her shoulder as we head inside.

"Think I'll pass on the shot, but I will hang out with you and wait for Max."

The two of us head inside just as the guys are coming out of their meeting. Max finds me at the same time as Austin finds Candice.

"We need to talk babe, let's go outside." Max leads me outside and we sit on a small bench.

"What's going on Max?"

"Timmons left here a few hours ago. Said he's got some intel on an MC that may or may not have been working with Julian."

"What?"

"Yeah, makes sense in a way. He needed someone to help him with everything, including kidnapping Timmons's kid. What I don't get is why we haven't seen anyone with another color around here, or heard about one moving in. Timmons has decided to retire early. Too much on his family after his kid was kidnapped. Can't say I blame the man. Some asshole named Alberts is taking over for him and it happens to be the same guy that pulled me over not long ago. For some reason that angered the hell out of Chance but, we'll figure it all out."

"Are you guys worried?"

"Nah, Austin knows we can handle anything that thinks they can start shit with us. We're going to be speaking with Snake, see if he's heard of anything."

"It seems like you guys don't hate each other as much as you used to." Max has told me enough about the Warriors and Kings dispute to know not to ever mess with Snake, but if there is another club coming after them, they just may need each other.

"Guess not. Although I can't say the same for Shane. He isn't taking it too lightly that we may have to team up with the Kings sooner or later."

"Can't blame him." I lay my head on Max's shoulders feeling drained already from the news.

"So." He says bring his hand and placing it on my stomach. I jump up and look over at him. "When did you plan on telling me?"

"H-how did you know?"

"C'mon babe. Coffee is practically your best friend and you haven't had a cup in the last two months. You have had a few doctor appointments that you were pretty vague on, and lastly, Candice asked you go out with her the other night and you declined. My baby never gives up her mango margaritas."

Shit, what can I say? The man knows me.

"It's not that I wanted to keep the pregnancy from you, I just¡­..I didn't know how you would react." It's true. I didn't know if Max would be happy or worried. He's been taking anxiety medication but he hardly needs it. Speaking with the V.A. psych is helping one hundred percent but I know it's not something that will ever be completely gone. This is something Max will always have to fight.

"I'm happy Shawna."

"Yeah? Is that why you gave me pink roses?"

"Fuck yeah! I've got my girl, she's carryin' my baby, I couldn't be more excited. I'm whole baby, I'm finally whole."

"You're my forever Max Stone."

"And you mine baby, you're mine."

END OF VOLUME ONE