Chapter 9

Waking up the next morning, I am in bed alone. Walking out to the main room, to the bar, I take the stool next to Letti. "Morning Mami." she says. Kissing her temple I say "Morning Mija." Chucky puts a plate and some coffee in front of me and I thank him. I feel arms wrap around my middle and I lean back into him. "Morning mi reina." he whispers. "Morning mi rey." I say turning my head to kiss him. He steals a piece of bacon off my plate and pops it in his mouth. "What's the plan today?" I ask. "Just working the yard. You gonna help the kid get set up?" he asks. "Yeah. Gonna help her get started." I say looking over at her and you can see how excited she is. "I was thinking. With everything going on, might be better for you to do online classes for a while." I tell her. "Yeah. Okay." she says. I look at her and you can see she was looking forward to being around other people her age. "Let's get your GED done and then we'll talk to the local college and see what we can work out. Just want you to be safe but still don't want you to miss out." I tell her. "Thank you Mami. You too Papi." she says before kissing out cheeks and heading over to where the prospect is. I put my head against Coco's chest and feel his arms go around me. "I finally have my kid and now I gotta figure out how to let go." I tell him and we both start laughing. "I know the feeling baby." he says. I look at her and she's looking over some material that the prospect picked up for her for her GED and for college classes. "I'll help you study when you need it." the prospect tells her and I see her look at her dad and he nods his okay. "That'd be great. Thanks." she says as she looks back over the paperwork.

The day is done and I am sitting on one of the couches and watching Letti playing pool with Coco. Angel sits beside me and says "You know, since you and him got together, and Letti got here, he's a different man. Seems more sure of himself." he tells me. "He does." I say because I've noticed the same thing. "What about you? You seem more sure of yourself?" he asks. "I do. Still have my bad days but between him and Letti, they're getting better." I tell him. "Good. Just want you to be happy chica." he says and I just smile. I look up and see Coco look at me and smile. I mouth "I love you." and he mouths it back. I see Letti look between us and shakes her head. "What?" I ask as I walk up. "You two. Most kids would kill to have their mom and dad together. I'm lucky." she says. I walk over and pull her into a hug and say "I'm the one that's lucky. I got a good man, amazing kid. Family that loves me. I'm the lucky one Mija." I say kissing her temple.

We head to bed that night and I feel his arms go around me from behind. "You really feel that lucky?" he asks. I turn in his arms and face him and say "I do. Johnny, I love you. You and Letti. I never thought I'd find someone that loves me like you do. I never thought I'd have a kid. But I have both. I am lucky." I tell him. "I feel that way too. Not many women would take in a kid that's not their own. But you did and never once have you said she wasn't yours." he tells me. "I was raised that blood don't mean shit. Loyalty does." I tell him. "Guys are going tomorrow for a couple of days to Vickie's. Thought maybe, me, you and the kid could spend a couple of days at home, no distractions." he says. "I'd like that." I tell him.

The next morning, the three of us head home. The guys head to Vickie's and when we walk in the door at home, we all three pile up in the living room and Coco decides to order dinner. After dinner, we turn on a movie and it's quiet and relaxing. Halfway through the movie, there's a knock on the door. Coco walks to the door and opens it to see a pregnant woman standing there. "Is Luisa here?" she asks and I recognize her voice. "Darcy?" I ask as I run to the door. I pull her close and hug her tight and I feel her start to shake from sobbing. "Letti, grab a bottled water for her." Coco says as I pull her to the living room. Sitting her down I ask. "Are you okay?" She shakes her head no and Coco asks "How do you know her?" I look at him and say "Baby, this is Darcy. We used to work together. We were best friends." I tell him. "Darcy, honey, this is my husband Coco and our daughter Letti." I say and she nods. "Hi." she says. "What happened Darcy?" I ask. "I was seeing this guy named Jake. Things were good but then he started hitting me. He's kept me closed up at home and beating me. I couldn't let him keep hitting me. I don't want him to hurt the baby." she tells me. "Where is he now?" Coco asks and I look at him. "He's out with his friends. I wasn't supposed to leave the house but I took off after he left. I walked here." she tells us. "Were you able to get anything before you left?" I ask. "Just my bag. It's on the porch. I didn't know where to go." she says sobbing again. "You coming here was good chica. We got you and your kid." Coco tells her and I look up at him and smile. He moves to the door and grabs her bag and Letti says "She can stay in my room." Coco looks at her and says "No. We're going to the clubhouse where we know we can keep her safe." he says. We stand up and he tells her "Ride with the girls and I'll follow. When we get there, I'll call the guys and have them meet us there. You'll tell us what you know and we'll handle him." Coco tells her. "Thank you." she says and he nods. We all head out and head to the clubhouse and I realize even more what a wonderful man I have.