Chapter 11: Children
PRESENT
Kai Hyuga
I racked my mind, trying to figure out why she wanted to abort. I wasn't prolife by any means, but I knew Claudette. She wanted kids, two to be precise. Its why, despite being shocked, I was prepared to derail everything to get her out of the MC compound. Had she had a change of heart? Maybe our time apart made her realise she could do better than me. The thought left me as soon as it came but not before dropping a heavy weight on my chest. I gulped and waited for her to explain. If she wanted to get rid of the fetus I'd be fine but her reason behind it was important to me. I needed to know if she didn't want to be pregnant or if she just didn't want to be pregnant with my child.
"I can't bring a child into this." She crossed her arms as she explains. "My mother has proven to be capable of anything and I wouldn't put it past her to use my kid to get to me if need be." I mulled over what she said, relieved that she hadn't given up on the idea of kids or me, just the timing and the situation. I agreed with her logic too. Children are defenceless, Claw and I would be there for everything, or we wouldn't be there for nothing. She and I weren't the type of people to do things half assed and the idea of bringing something into the world, knowing that we weren't fully equipped to give attention, time and dedication in our current situation would have been the first selfish thing we would do. A good life was built on love, routine, discipline, stability, space and engagement, growth, support, finances and so much more. Many of these things would be unavailable to the child if she had it.
Sighing, I pull her in for a hug.
"I thought you might have decided against us." I choke out. Her arms tighten around me and like a million times before, my stress dissipates from her touch.
"No. I'd rather we bring children into this world when we know for a fact that we can provide stability. I have no interest in bringing a child when there's a very high chance they'll be orphaned and left alone."
Pulling back, I look down at her face. My girl is the kind of beauty you can't buy with all the money in the world. Warm brown eyes, cute little button nose, full ombre lips and tan skin that looked luminous in all lights. I'd imagined a thousand times what our children would look like, so I'd be lying if I said a part of me wasn't proud of knocking her up. I brush strands of hair off her face and kiss her. This would be the last time we saw each other in a while. I handed her the disposable flip phone I brought with me. It was ancient but it would do the trick.
"Take this with you. Hide it where no one will find it if they decide to look through your things, always keep it charged, my number is programmed on. Call only during an emergency." I instruct. When she nods, I go on. "I'm going to be out of the country for a bit, but you will be able to reach me. I need to find out what Celeste is up to and you need to identify Wilder for me. With that being said, I expect you to not gamble with your safety, Claudette. If a situation has the potential to alert your mother about your knowledge of who she is and what she does, I expect you to not proceed with it. Do you have plan on getting to an abortion clinic?"
She nods.
"I'm making a friend."
I raise a lone eyebrow at that.
"You might have to make more than just one."
"I will. Give me some time. I'll come through, trust me." I do trust her. Implicitly. But I also hate myself for putting her in this position. I never wanted her to have to do any of the leg work but here we are. I'd be lying if I said that her willingness to go the extra mile for me wasn't a turn on. I wanted to hand her a gun but that would get her into a world of trouble if she was found with one.
"Do you know where they keep their weapons?" I ask.
"On themselves?" she counters incredulously.
"They should have a weapons reserve. I think you'll do well to know where you can grab one should you need it." I look down at my watch and notice that we're running out of time.
"I'll make a note of it." She smiles sadly, knowing that it's time to say goodbye. She takes her bag and cups my face.
"I have to go." She whispers, kissing my cheek. "Leave after me. I have to ask you something first though." I nod for her to go on.
"Are we, like, still together?" she looks away, bracing for rejection. My heart breaks for her because that was not a question she would have asked if she wasn't confused herself.
Turning her face back to me, I reassure her with the whole truth and nothing but.
"You're my partner in everything. You have my sincerest apology and my deepest regret for letting you feel any other way."
And then she's gone.
A lady in a cleaning uniform with the nametag reading "Janice" enters five minutes later and I decide that's all the time I have to give her a head start. I smile at Janice in silent apology and get the hell out of dodge.
I'm in my car when I notice Claw walking to hers. She can't see me inside the tinted glass and there's a man who's a dead ringer for a biker accompanying her. I've never seen him before, but his posture made it obvious that they were familiar. What was he up to? More importantly, what was she planning?
***
Back in my apartment I was packing my bag. I made sure to pack things appropriate for tourists. My flight to Paris was in 5 hours and check in was 3 hours ahead of departure.
I couldn't stop thinking about the biker with Claudette. There was something about him that didn't sit right with me.
I decide to look into him after I returned. Right now, I had more pressing issues to worry about.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone