Falling For The Biker: The Vice President's Girl Chapter 139

Ezra

"Dear Hannah girl, I'm sorry," Wren reads. "I'm sorry that I couldn't be the mother you deserve, I'm sorry that I never got to meet you, but I also didn't want to disrupt the happy life you already have going on.

I was young, I was stupid, I didn't know any better but that doesn't excuse the years I've missed with you. If you're reading this, then I'm gone. And I regret not seeing you, so, so much." She pauses.

Our eyes lock on each other and on Hannah who's sitting between us in the front of the car, silent. I had parked at the nearest landmark so Ray can meet us.

We left Benjamin's place twenty minutes ago after he talked to us about Diane, and her last moments. He also gave us the letter and a medium sized wooden box.

A while after I got used to Hannah back then, I'd sent Diane pictures of Hannah on every birthday until I stopped reaching out when she never responded or returned my calls.

Deep down, I regret stopping. I shouldn't have.

I nod at Wren. "Go on."

The paper crinkles as she continues.

"You're a beautiful little girl Hannah and I know you're going to grow up into a fine young woman. I don't know when you'll see this, or if you'll ever see this( I really hope you do) but I want you to know that I love you, Hannah.

Leaving you with Ezra was the best life I could give you at the time. Whenever you're ready, you can open up the box that comes with this letter, and you could know all about your momma.

I love you, Hannah. And I'm leaving with so much regrets, but one thing I don't regret is having you. I hope you meet your dad, and I hope you love him more than I did.

Love, Diane—your mother."

When Wren folds up the letter we both turn to Hannah. She's quiet, much more quiet than usual.

"Hey, sweet girl." I pinch her little chin. "That was your momma."

She shakes her head. "No. I want aunt Wren."

"I know baby, but—"

"No, daddy."

And I shut up.

Quietly, Wren takes her to the back seat and buckles her in the car seat. I don't know what's going through Hannah's mind, I don't know if we did the right thing by reading the letter to her.

But the way she stares out the window, I have a feeling she understands it. Of course she does, she's a smart girl.

Wren slips back into the front seat. "Let's give her a bit of time," she murmurs. "My phone beeped though, must be Ray."

I take her phone and swipe through the text. Sure enough, it's Ray.

"They're almost here," I tell her.

"Okay."

I look back at Hannah through the rear mirror. "Hannah?"

"Yes daddy?"

"We're also going to visit your uncle Mitch, and your...your real daddy."

Her lips wobble, and her reply comes really quiet. "Okay, daddy."

And it breaks me. She understands, she knows what all this is. She knows I'm not her real daddy too.

I know how heart breaking this is for her, but I hope she also knows just how much of a daughter she is to me. She may not have my blood running through her veins, but there's no doubt that she's mine.

Wren and I exchange a look and before I can speak again, she gets out and into the back seat.

"Hey darling, are you okay?" She asks.

Hannah sniffles and shakes her head. "No, aunt Wren. I'm having...I h-have really b-big feelings right now."

My baby.

"Oh sweetheart..." Wren takes her out of the car seat and just holds her.

My throat tightens as silent tears roll down Hannah's face. She's having big feelings...I am too.

God, I remember when Beth taught her that. When Noah's dad had just up and left, Beth was distraught, broken.

And little Hannah went up to ask what was wrong. Beth told her she's having really big feelings, and since then, Hannah uses the phrase occasionally.

Never thought I'd one day be the cause of her big feelings.

"Daddy doesn't w-want me anymore," Hannah sobs.

I whirl around immediately, the horn blaring from my surprise. "That's not true," I say firmly. "Do you understand me, sweetheart? That is not true. I love you, and I want you."

"B-but you're sending me away."

"Never. I just—" I swallow thickly, "—I just want you to meet your real family. They w-would love to meet you."

"But I don't wanna."

"What do you want, then?"

Her watery eyes blink up at me. "I w-want to go home," she cries. "I want to stay with Noah and aunt Beth and Grandma Andrea, and Uncle AJ."

Everytime she mentions all their names, it does something to me. And I turn to Wren— lips pressed into a thin line— then back at Hannah.

"Okay." I nod firmly. "We'll go home."

I just blurt the words out. Because frankly, I want to go home too. I can't do this...I physically cannot do this.

Wren gives me a long look. I don't know what she sees in my gaze, but she nods. "Alright."

Hannah sits up on Wren's lap, eyes wide, tear streaks on her cheeks. "Really, daddy? Really, aunt Wren?"

If I wasn't sure about that impulsive decision, the hope in her wide eyes solidifies it for me.

Anything to make my girl happy.

"Yes," I reply. "But...I'm going to call your uncle Mitch and tell him about you, okay? If he wants to visit, or asks us to visit, we have to, alright?"

Hannah nods, wiping at her cheeks, and when Wren smiles at me, and I know that without a doubt, I've made both my girls happy.

I take my phone and make the call.

The longer it rings, the harder my heart pounds. This will be first time—since that day at the pit—that I'm calling Mitch.

My leg gives a small throb, almost like a phantom pain as I remember the day he ruined it. I hope to god I don't have an episode right now, it'll be horrible.

Just when I think he's not going to pick up, he does.

"Yes?" His strong, bored tone comes in.

I swallow thickly. "Mitch," I say. "This is Ezra Jax."

It goes quiet for a solid minute before he speaks again. "What do you want? I thought we weren't supposed to contact each other again?"

"How's Pete?"

He snorts. "What the fuck is this? Look, If you have nothing to say—"

"I have something to tell you, if you'll just hear me out."

"Well, fucking spit it out and stop wasting my time."

The phone is on speaker, Wren and Hannah are quiet, listening in. And just then, I see and hear the rev of bikes closer and closer.

Relief washes over me, and quiet strength seeps into when Ray's form comes into view followed by Torch, Kendall and some others.

"I wanted to come visit," I say. "I...stopped to see Diane but..."

"Diane?"

"Pete's ex girlfriend."

He inhales sharply. "The girl that fucking left when things got tough," he scoffs. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Diane's dead, Mitch. Did you know?"

"What?"

"Yea," I huff, running a hand down my face. "I met her husband."

"So she got married." He tsks. "Pete would've wanted to marry her. He was in love with her, and she just left him. Not one call, no visit. Nothing. Ezra?"

"Yea?"

"I'll ask again. Why the fuck are you telling me this? I'm not going to tell Pete. He wouldn't even understand it."

Ray and the bikers park by our car, and Ray slides into the passenger seat, brows raised. I turn the phone so he sees who I'm talking to and he nods.

A deep breath leaves my lungs and I look at Wren and Hannah for a second.

How do I say this? What words do you use to say a thing like this?

"I'm telling you because there's something, or rather, someone I've kept from you and Pete for years."

"Jesus, Ezra, what is this? A game of 'guess who'?" He scoffs. "Would you get to the fucking point? We're not friends, hell, I still want to break your other leg."

Ray's lips twist, and I swallow.

At least he didn't suddenly have a change of heart towards me, it would've been weird.

"I have your niece," I finally blurt, "Pete and Diane's daughter."

And the call ends.