Lyla

It's been a week since the day of the custody hearing. Everything has been really good between Shane and I, but there are times when I feel like he is keeping something from me. Shane isn't necessarily a secretive person, but with club business he has been lately. I've asked him about the guy that shot at us or if Alberts has done anything else to threaten the club, but he simply shrugs my way and changes the subject. I understand my role in their boy's club, I get the dynamics, but I don't feel comfortable with Shane keeping something from me that could very well affect Adrianna's life.

You're one to talk Ly.

I haven't exactly told Shane about the custody hearing, nor about what I plan on doing today. He believes I am meeting up with Adrianna's teacher to discuss next year. Instead, I am on my way to the house Rory has rented while here in New York, with Adrianna.

When I got the call from the social worker assigned to our case, saying that Rory's house was deemed fit for Adrianna, I knew I had to come clean to her. Hearing she has a father and that he wanted to meet her was the hardest thing I have ever had to tell my sweet little girl. I hate that I must do this, but I know it's the only way to not break the law. Rory could easily turn things over on me and with my involvement with the Warriors, it could turn ugly.

Adrianna was excited at first, but as we near the house, slowing down as we drive through the neighborhood, I can see she is much more reserved. The drive was nearly an hour out of the city and judging by the size of the house and yard as I pull into the driveway, Rory has once again used his money to get ahead in everything.

I park and turn in my seat to observe Adrianna. She is looking up at the house in awe and then looks back over to me with a look of anxiety.

"Ready love bug?" She nods her head and holds her little Princess Elsa doll a little tighter as I get out of the car and open her door.

After getting Adrianna out of the car, we head to the front door hand in hand. Rory's house is a large mansion type. It has about fifteen different windows all facing the front. I can see clear inside and notice a colossal black piano under a dim light on top of a large circular marble piece. It's a two story with a brick exterior and massive bright green front yard. I can see two black BMW's in the curved driveway and a large fountain centering the yard. As we make our way closer, Adrianna stiffens, and I look up to see Rory standing outside the house with what seems to be a camera crew. There are two men holding camera equipment while a woman stands at the forefront with a microphone in her hand.

Asshole.

We approach slowly, Adrianna holding onto my legs as she moves behind me and watch as Rory walks over to us practically running over to where we are.

Already putting on your perfect little mask eh, Rory?

"Rory, what the hell is going on?" I ask through my clenched teeth. I knew this jerk was up to something, he's always wanted to run for mayor, I have a feeling his sudden outburst to see Adrianna has something to do with that.

"Mr. Mitchelson?" The woman asks shielding her eyes from the sun.

"Rory." I nearly shout, losing my patience. I won't let him do this to my daughter. I won't let him treat her like some trophy.

Rory finally meets my eyes but glances back a few times at Adrianna. I flick my wrist over at the crew and he turns to look over at them. I see his indecision get the better of him and it doesn't surprise me when he turns around with a giant fake smile on his face as he bends down to face Adrianna whom has hidden behind my legs.

"Hello there sweetheart. I'm your daddy." He says then glances back at the camera crew that are now filming. My mom instincts kick in and I shield Adrianna from this media frenzy.

"No one told me about this Rory." I say through cringed teeth.

"Yeah? Well no one told me I had a goddamn daughter either." He sneers then turns around grabbing Adrianna and pulling her from me.

"Where would you like to do this Mr. Mitchelson?" The woman asks walking over ignoring both Adrianna and me.

"In the house is great. Let's go, shall we?"

Everyone piles into the house where I notice a prestige model home. The inside is what dreams are made of, expensive and grand. The luxurious walnut hardwood flooring is shiny and clean, there are deep red designer couches sitting over near the wall in front of the largest coffee table I have ever seen.

The crew circles around Rory and Adrianna and he stops right before the enormous coffee table where there are about a dozen wrapped gifts in pink shinny paper and brightly colored bows.

"Adrianna, these are for you. I know how much you like arts and crafts, so I got you a few things you can take back home with you." Rory announces loudly then turns to the reporter now perched on the couch straitening her small microphone located on her dress shirt.

Interview. It's a goddamn interview.

"T-thank you." My daughter shyly says then slowly walks over to the gifts. I stand a few feet away but close enough for her to be able to see me.

"Rory how does this feel for you right now?" Rory stares over at Adrianna then shakes his head and walks over to sit on the couch.

"Well, Anita. I feel closure. She will be four years old soon and my heart finally feels complete. I may not have been there before, but I promise to make an impression in her life now." I roll my eyes at his palpable answers and shake my head at the fact that he isn't even acknowledging his daughter.

The interview goes on for about twenty minutes. Anita doesn't acknowledge me or Adrianna and for that I'm grateful but disappointed in Rory. We may hate each other, but he had an opportunity to change and make a difference in her life. This is exactly why I didn't want him around her.

Nothing has changed.

"Thank you for your time. I appreciate all of this, but I really just want to spend some time with my daughter alone now."

"Of course, we understand. Thank you for the exclusive and we hope to see you in the running." Anita announces then stands, shakes his hand, and walks out with her crew.

I cross my arms and stare over at where Adrianna has begun playing with some elaborate gift meant more for a ten-year-old. Anyone who knows my daughter after speaking with her for ten seconds knows she hates arts and crafts.

"So, do you like these toys Adrianna?" Rory says startling Adrianna. "There are more than where those came from. How about we take some pictures of you and your new toys?"

Adrianna shrugs and I stand in anger while he takes pictures with his phone of her half playing with her toys.

"Rory, may I speak with you in private please?" I say and watch as Rory's whole demeanor changes.

"Yeah, sure we could go into the kitchen."

"Hey love bug. Mommy will be right back, come and find me if you need to." I wait for her to nod her head then walk in line behind Rory.

"What the hell was all that about?" I nearly shout once we reach the kitchen.

It's enormous. There are stainless steel appliances with black granite countertops. The island in the middle is long and has a large farmhouse sink located right in the middle.

"Look, the moment you think you can dictate my life, is the moment I surrender all my rights as her father over to you. She's my goddamn daughter, the DNA test should have told you enough, but just in case you still don't believe it, because let's face it, whores normally don't, I will be bringing her back to Texas with me as soon as the judge deems it."

"She's not some bargaining chip to be played with only when you're in front of a camera Rory. She is a child, your child. Didn't think you would want to be exactly like your pathetic father."

Rory's anger shows but he refrains from hurting me. I stand tall, ready for him to do whatever he feels necessary, because now that I know his angle, I plan on exploiting him for what he truly is.

"I know that Lyla, and believe it or not, I care about my child, but rest assure, I won't stop until you no longer have her. It's time you knew what that felt like."

I shake my head in anger and walk out.

"Adrianna, baby, let's go."

"Okay mommy." My daughter begins walking towards me but stops mid step between me and her father. She turns back at him and gives him a small wave. I notice Rory's eyes glaze over then bends down and gives her a small smile and wave in return. I take Adrianna's hand and walk out of the house and straight to my car.

ùùù

"Mommy is that really my daddy?" Adrianna asks halfway through her cup of strawberry ice cream. She's been quiet since we drove off and I was worried she may develop a new behavior for not talking to me about her feelings. We had decided to stop and get some frozen yogurt so that she could have some kind of happy moment from today.

"Yes."

"Oh." She looks back at the traffic and I take the time to take in my little girl that seems to be growing at the speed of light.

"Is that okay?" She lifts her head quickly to my question causing her little ponytail to swivel.

"Yes, but.is it okay if Shane is my daddy?" My heart breaks for the little girl that deserves more than what she is receiving.

"Honey, Shane loves you very much. He may not be your daddy, but he acts like one, right?"

Adrianna nods her head then continues to eat her ice cream. "Mommy, can we go see Shane now?" I give her a sad smile then nod my head enthusiastically. We stand in unison, throwing away our frozen yogurt in the nearby trash, then walk to my car together.

I think we both can't wait to go home and cuddle with someone that has quickly become everything to us.

ùùù

It's a busy day in the hospital. Candice had some wedding things to go over, so I decided to cover for her and began regretting it ten seconds into my shift.

"Nurse, I need some pain medicine, right now." Miss Toller calls out for the hundredth time. She was admitted about three hours ago and has been a thorn in my backside since the moment she was assigned a room.

A car accident brought in ten people causing our emergency room, and Ben, to be extremely busy. I was able to release two of the patients, but eight more are still in critical condition. Miss Toller is one of the one's that was recently released from surgery.

"Now." She shouts, and I stand from my nurse's station and head to her room right across the hall.

Opening the door, I spot the seventy-four-year-old woman attempting to sit up in bed. I run over to her side, but she shrugs my help right off.

"Don't need your help to go pee little missy. Just need you to get off your fat ass and get me some more pain meds."

"With all due respect Miss Toller, you aren't supposed to be out and about and if I have to, I will tell them there is a cranky old lady that has a history with drugs in room fifteen, so no one can get you your pain meds." I say crossing my arms with a smirk. It's not something I would ever do, but she needs to know who's boss here.

Hint, it ain't her.

"Well now, see you finally grew a backbone. Now, when am I able to get the hell out of here?"

"Dr. Toring will be in soon to give you an update. Until then, you are to lay down right here and not move. If you have to pee, just go, you have a catheter in anyhow."

She looks genuinely alarmed by this news but shrugs it off and waves me away. After I head out, I walk over to the next patient on my list and see how he is doing. A young man named Ryan was the main person injured in this accident. He was the first car that was hit and hit the car right in front of him. He's lucky to be alive but has lost his leg in return.

"Nurse?" He calls out moving a few inches then groaning in pain. I rush over to his side and place my hand gently on his chest. "What's happening? Why can't I move?"

"Easy Ryan, easy. You were injured in a car accident. Do you remember anything?" He lays back down and blinks a few times. I bring over the water and tell him to drink in small sips.

"There was a chase I think. Some asshole was running from the cops. He ran into me." I nod my head not giving him any info but writing everything he remembers down. Ryan had suffered a concussion after he ran into the car in front of him. Since there is an investigation going I'm not allowed to give him any information.

"Where is my wife?" I look up at him and place my hand on his chest once again when I see him attempting to get back up.

"Ryan, your wife is fine. She was still at work when she got the call. She's in the waiting room with your mother and father.

"Shit. She's probably worried sick. Please, please go and tell her I'm awake and okay."

"She already knows. You woke up when you got here right after surgery. I'm going to go and get the doctor now, so he can go over everything with you alright?" I hear Ryan whisper the word surgery a few times as if confused, then begins moving his body a little more. It's only a matter of time until he discovers what he is missing, and I know Dr. Toring and the surgeon need to be in here with him when he finds out. "I'll be right back Ryan, and as soon as Dr. Toring tells me it's alright, I can send in your wife."

I head out of his room and place his chart on the door.

"Lyla is Ryan awake?" Ben asks walking by. I sit up a little straighter when I notice he is with his new little girlfriend, which happens to be our resident surgeon.

"Yes, he is much more alert now. Asking for his wife and knows what occurred. He's waiting on you." Ben nods his head and walks inside leaving me and Dr. Sun alone.

"You shouldn't be just wasting important time by slacking off in front of the patient's door. We have many, many things to do, and the last thing we want to show our staff, is that it's alright to be lazy." Dr. Seals says then attempts to walk inside. I place my foot out and watch as she trips but catches herself enough not to fall. She turns to me with a menacingly sour face.

"Oh honey, don't you worry, not a bone in my body is labeled lazy." I smirk then walk away.

I walk back into the nurse's lounge and head to my station to drink my third cup of coffee. I check my phone and see a message from Shane saying he misses me. I respond with a wink face and place my phone back down. I had told Adrianna not to say anything when she saw Shane about meeting her father. I didn't want him to find out through her. I promised myself, and Lisa, that I would tell him tonight. I can't prolong it anymore.

Just as I'm about to slide into my chair, Max comes running through the building screaming. I jump up on instinct and run over to him. I've never seen him this way and when I look down I can see why. Shawna is there, and she looks like she is about to pass out.

"Shawna?"

"Ly please, we need your help. Shawna is in labor, but she keeps screaming that something is wrong. She's way too early." I look between the two and get into gear. I run over to my station telling the other nurse to prep a room for them immediately.

"Shouldn't she be in labor and delivery?" She snarks nearly causing me to slap her.

"No. I don't think she will make it." I have seen women in labor. Hell, I was in labor for thirty-one hours with Adrianna because she refused to come out, and Shawna looks like she may be ready to blow at any moment.

The nurse runs over prepping a room while I run back over to Max and help him carry Shawna into the room while she screams louder and louder.

"Max, I think something is wrong with the baby. I'm so scared. This doesn't feel right."

"Don't worry babe. Everything is going to be fine. Not gonna let anything happen to you or the baby."

I stand back as I watch as Max comforts his girlfriend. They place their foreheads together as Shawna lets out another growl of pain gripping Max's hand in a tight grip.

"Listen guys, I'm going to go page the doctor, he will be in shortly and then we can get this going. It's going to be alright Shawna, I promise." I say then grab the chart and walk out quickly paging Dr. Somerson, our on-call midwife.

It takes her a few minutes to reach us and when she does I am helping Shawna with some breathing exercises while another nurse takes down her medical information. Max has called in his brother, so I'm sure Candice will be on her way here as well. Shawna is dressed and prepped with her feet up laying back on the small bed when Dr. Somerson checks in on everything down there.

"Okay Miss McBride, do me a favor and sit back up. I'm going to have nurse Lyla get an ultrasound machine over and get everything checked out for your baby. After that, we will get a heart monitor set and check in on you."

Doctor Somerson nods her head at me and I walk out of the room to get the machine. On the way back, I see Candice walking in and meet her halfway.

"Hey, is Shawna alright?"

"Candy, I can't tell you too much, but I don't think she is. Dr. Somerson is in there and wants to check on the baby. I'm not sure what it is, but something does seem right. I can feel it." I didn't want to say anything in front of Shawna or Max, but usually when an expecting mother tells us something doesn't seem right, they are normally correct. Shawna knows her body better than anyone else.

"Oh God. I can't believe this is happening." She says covering her mouth with her palm.

"Don't worry. Whatever the outcome, we will make sure she is alright. We're her friends and family, we won't let her, or Max, go through this alone." Candy nods her head in my direction and I open the door and head inside to drop off the machine.

After a few nob changes and a very uncomfortable Shawna having to move around a few times, Dr. Somerson looks up at me and shakes her head. My gaze swivels to Shawna and I lean in to hold her shoulder. Tears build in my eyes as I watch the doctor deliver the news to Shawn and Max.

"Miss McBride, it appears that the baby has no heartbeat."

"What?!" Shawna screams cradling her belly. My hand automatically moves to mine remembering the pain and joy of delivering Adrianna.

"These things do happen. There is nothing that you have done wrong, but unfortunately your body is still attempting to deliver the baby. We need to get the baby out or I'm afraid it could lead to an infection in your body."

"Waitwait please, maybe the machine was wrong. Just check it. check it again. Please." Shawna begs, and Dr. Somerson looks over to me with sympathetic eyes. I take that as my cue to comfort someone who doesn't deserve this in the slightest.

"Shawna, we checked three times honey. The baby isn't responsive. There are a few options we have to getting the baby out so that there isn't permanent damage. It won't be an easy road, but I promise, you will be able to get on one to recovery." I place my hand gently on hers, struggling not to break down, and look up at Max, who has been quiet this entire time. His eyes are blood shot and I can tell he is trying with everything he has, not to break in front of his girl.

"No, please Lyla. Please, just check again, please." This time, it's Max that takes his large hand and places it on her still enormous belly. His sniffles a few times but allows the tears he has to flow their natural course. This is something they will have to get through together.

"Baby, it's okay. We're going to be okay. I promise you, we will get passed this." Shawna begins breaking down and the doctor administers something to help her not only calm down but will help ease her through the now still birth she must deliver.

Six hours later, I walk out of the room, my eyes filled with tears and sobs while I leave my friends to say goodbye to their unborn child. I see the entire Nightmare Warriors MC in the waiting room as I make my way over to Shane. I don't see Adrianna and I'm thankful that she is most likely with Lisa.

Austin stops me before I can reach Shane and as I look up at him I notice his red blotched face. This is affecting him as much as any of them. They are a family, and this crushing news will leave a heavy toll in their world.

"Want to thank you for bein' there for them Ly. Glad you were here with them babe." I collapse into his chest and begin heaving. Knowing Shawna and Max have this group of amazing people is a little more comforting but watching as they took out a lifeless child and placed it in Shawna's hands, was too much for me.

I feel the arms around me shift and the chest I was once on is now a familiar scented one. I look up to see Shane looking down on me with a puffy face as well. He leads me outside where the cool air hits my stiff face and immediately chills it. We find a bench just outside the automatic doors and take a seat.

"I'm s-so sorry Shane." I say, then sob some more on his chest. He leans into me so that I am protected against the cold air. It's dark outside, not sure of the time but if I could guess by the dark purple glow of the sunset, it's sometime around eight pm.

"Nothin' for you to feel sorry for darlin'. I know they are gonna go through some tough shit now, but you were there for them and it couldn't have been easy. You're their family babe, and family is what this club is all about."

I wipe at my tears and watch the lights from the cars turning into the parking lot illuminate the dark area we are in. I wonder, as I watch people flow in with balloons and teddy bears the size of Adrianna, if they know of all the heartache that goes on within this hospital as well. I manage to calm down after a few moments then sit up away from Shane. It's time to let him in on some things.

"Shane, I need to talk to you." I wait for him to look at me and I tell him what I should have told him weeks ago. "Adrianna met her father the other day." He looks genuinely stunned and I hurry and get the rest out.

"He's not someone I would ever want to raise a child, but I didn't have a choice because he went through the courts to get visitation rights. I was able to go with her due to the circumstances, but she met him and of what I could tell, liked him well enough." I don't mention that she asked mere minutes after meeting her biological father if Shane could just be her dad. I can tell this is hard enough on Shane.

"That the guy that interrupted our date that day? Abercrombie and asshole?" I smirk at Shane's description.

"Yes. Rory is from my past, a past I never wanted to bring up, but since he intends to move out here and seek out partial custody, I have to face the music. I won't bore you with the details of why, but he was right when he accused me of never telling him about Adrianna. I never wanted her to know him, he's not the best of guys, but of what I can tell he seems to be trying, and I don't think I can fault him for that." Rory had messaged me a few times asking for pictures of Adrianna and wanting to know more about her. As much as I figured it was for publicity, a part of me had a feeling he genuinely wanted to know.

"Ly. I'm sorry you had to go through this babe. I hated how I reacted and how I spoke to you that day. I was so fuckin' angry that I lashed all my resentment towards women out on you." I nod my head and let a few more tears flow. Shane's enraged words that day were enough to scar my heart. Calling me a terrible mother was just one of the hurtful terms he threw at me that morning.

"I'm glad I finally told you. I needed to get this out and your deserved to know."

"Gonna get passed this darlin'." He says then looks up as Max comes out and gets hugged by all his brothers. "We all are."