I arrived at the bar and noticed that Throttle was just getting off his bike. He had just gotten there the same time I did. I was hoping that Ty talked some sense into his father's thick skull and also allows me to explain.

We both walked into the bar and sat down in the booth that was in the corner. The waitress came over and asked us if we wanted anything to drink.

"Just water for me, thanks."

"Root beer, if you have it."

"We have Pepsi only, sir."

"That'll be fine then."

The waitress nodded and left us to talk. I was hoping that he wouldn't walk out again. Hoping being the operative word.

"So, Ty told me what happened. If I had waited for you to explain, I wouldn't have put your things in bags. I am so sorry for being an asshole." Throttle reached across the table and grabbed my hands. He held them in his and lightly squeezed them.

"Apology might get accepted. I haven't decided yet."

"Fair enough. I deserve that."

Before I could say any more, the waitress came over with our drinks. She gave them to us then left.

"Maybe I shouldn't have gone to hang out with my former bandmates, then this wouldn't have happened."

"You didn't know that he would rape you, honey. What do you plan to do about the baby?"

"What do you think I plan to do about it? I can't love something that came from rape."

"What about your friend, Brian?"

"He's no longer my friend and I plan to press charges on him. I do feel for Jake though. That's his brother."

"What did Jake do about his brother?"

"He kicked him out of the band. I guess it's the only thing he can do. I know Ian would be disappointed in Brian for what he did."

While we were talking, someone came into the bar and noticed us sitting in the corner. This person had heard my voice and walked over to us.

I stopped talking and looked at the person standing at our table.

"Can I help you?"

"You don't remember me, do you, Mike?"

"It seems you know my wife's name. Who are you?"

The person looks at Throttle then back at me.

"It would be best if you answer my husband. Who the fuck are you? I don't know you."

"You don't recognize an old Marine Corps. buddy? Staff Sgt. Shawn Hawkins? Name ring a bell now?"

"Not sure. I don't remember him being a wolf."

"Yeah, I kinda went through some changes while overseas. I had been kidnapped while scouting the area I was in. When I was rescued and in the hospital, I started feeling strange. The Drs. that were taking care of me noticed patches of fur here and there. They tried to shave it off, but it grew back. They took some of my blood and ran it. Right before I was released to go back to the states, they gave me my test results. My DNA was spliced with wolf DNA and thus, the result."

"Very similar thing with me, but my blood was literally killing me. Throttle here, donated some of his blood to save my life. Thus, the result."

"I don't mean to be rude, but my wife and I were talking privately."

I looked at Throttle with a glare. He looked at me.

"What?"

"You're right, that was rude." Then I looked at Shawn. "I apologize for his behavior. He's normally not like this."

Shawn smiled. "That's ok, Mike. Here's my number. Call or text me anytime." Then he wrote his number down and handed it to me.

I took his number and stuck it in my shirt pocket, then watched Shawn leave.

After Shawn left the bar, I gave Throttle such a glare that he cringed and shrunk into the bench.

"I can't believe you did that! That was a dick move!" Then I got up and left. He had really pissed me off. I got in my car and went for a drive. I decided to drive along the Gold Coast where the trains run. I love watching the trains. I never got to do that when I was kid, so watching them as an adult is much cooler.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Later in the day, I decided to call Carbine and Morgan to see how they are doing. I pulled out my cell phone and dialed their number. After I hit the green phone button, I waited for it to ring.

While I waited for someone to answer, I decided to get out of the car and walk along the beach. I listened and watched the waves crash against the shore.

"Hello?"

"Richard?"

"Who is this?"

"My name is Michelle. I'm a friend of your parents. Either of them around?"

"My parents are dead."

"OMG! I didn't know. How?"

"Drive by shooting 2 months ago. They were out for date night."

"I'm so sorry, Richard. Have you planned anything yet?"

"I'm not sure I should be talking to you about that. I've never met you or heard about you. How do you know my parents?"

"Your mom use to date my husband back in the day. Your dad is a good friend of my best friend, Charley."

"I remember my dad talking about someone named Charley. He use to date her at one time, too, then use to drop by her business to see how she was doing."

"Yep, that's what he did. Your mom also helped me get my husband back from Mars when he was forced to leave. Your mom was an awesome friend. If you need help with planning their funerals, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you. Uhm…, by chance, is your last name Thornboy?"

"Yes it is, why?"

"I was told by my mom that if anything ever happens to them, I was to get a hold of Throttle or you. Guess they planned things out for me if something happens to them."

"What exactly did your mom say?"

"I'm to call either of you and see about living with you both. She even has adoption papers ready for when something happens to them."

"Let me talk to Throttle and tell him the news. I would love to have you be part of our family, Richard."

"Ok. Please let me know either way."

"I will. Again, I'm so sorry about your parents."

"Thank you." Then ended the call.

I dreaded the next call. I also knew I screwed up, but at the same time, he did too.

I dialed his cell number and hit the green phone icon, then waited for him to pick up. I waited for 10 mins.

Throttle finally picked up a couple of mins. later. I didn't like his tone of voice and told him so.

"I called to talk, not get yelled at."

I heard him sigh and apologize.

"So, I just got off the phone with Richard. He's Carbine and Morgan's son, in case you forgot."

"How are his parents doing? I had been thinking about calling them to talk."

"They were killed 2 months ago in a drive by during date night."

He couldn't believe what he just heard. "Are you serious?"

"Very serious. They have already made arrangements to have us adopt Richard. They have adoption papers ready and I'm guessing signed. They were preparing him in case something happens to them."

"He would be around the same age as Ty. Would you be ok with adopting Richard?"

"Of course I would. The question is, would you be ok with that?"

"Only if Ty is ok with having a new brother."

"I think he would be ecstatic to have another brother."

"I'll have to call Ty and find out."

"You're not home?"

"No. I went for a ride to clear my head and think about what I did when you and I were talking. I shouldn't have been so rude towards your friend. How about you invite him over tonight for dinner?"

"Really?"

"Of course. I screwed up and trying to fix the problem."

"You're off to a good start. Where are you if You're not home?"

"The Gold Coast, why?"

"That's where I am, too."

Throttle turned and looked out as far as he could see and saw me waving at him. He waved back.

"What are the odds that we thought of the same place?"

"Stay where you are. I'll ride over to you."

"Ok." Then I ended the call.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

A few mins. after I got off the phone, Throttle pulled up and parked next to the SUV. He walked down to me and hugged me.

"I'm so, so sorry for being rude to your friend. I was being an ass."

I hugged him back. "I forgive you, honey. I was also being an ass. I shouldn't have stormed off like I did."

"You're preggers, sweetheart. Your hormones are outta whack. It's to be expected."

"But it's not an excuse to tear into you like I did."

"True, but I understand why you did it. I don't admit this much, or at all, for that matter, but I deserved what I got."

I didn't know what to say. I stood there in complete shock. 'Deserved it?' I don't think shock even explains how I feel about what Throttle just said.

"Deserved it? You didn't deserve to get chewed out. Being preggers is the worst thing ever. I hate what it does to my hormones…and what it does to us."

"What do you mean? We didn't have any problems when you were preggers with the twins."

"You don't remember how much of a bitch I was with all the problems I had? Fucked up back?"

"You were a pain in the ass when your back went out, but that was it."

"Do I need to make a list of all the times I was a bitch? Cause I will."

"Naw, no need to do that, babe. I believe you. What do you say we go home and enjoy a hot dinner? Mom's cooking tonight."

"She doesn't have to do that. I had planned on cooking dinner tonight."

Throttle smiled. "She wanted to do the cooking tonight. She wanted to give you a break. You do so much for the family as it is. Mom's paying it forward."

"Mom's awesome! I'm so glad she accepted me into the family when she first met me. I was worried that she wouldn't cause of what I was."

"She's nothing like my dad. In a way, Karbunkle gave me my dad back to the way he was when I was kid. When he loved my mom and I and didn't abuse us."

"So, you're saying that you're thanking Karbunkle for it?"

"I guess I am. I know that sounds weird."

"Yeah, it does. At least your dad is more accepting of me and his grandsons. I just wish he had been accepting of me the first time he was here."

"I wish he had, too. Look at it this way, he gets to spend time with his grandson now."

"Tony only. Let's not get into this further. Its making me mad."

"Not a problem. Call your friend and see if he wants to come over for dinner tonight."

"Ok." Then I pulled out my cell phone and the piece of paper with Shawn's number on it. I dialed the number and waited for him to pick up the other end.

About 5 mins. later, Shawn picked up.

"Hey Shawn, its Mike."

"Hey Mike. How are you?"

"Doing good. I was wondering if you'd like to come over for dinner tonight?"

"I'd love to, but I don't have a sitter."

"You didn't tell me you had a child."

"I have a 4 yr. old daughter. Her name is Sierra Marie. I have full custody of her."

"What happened to her mother?"

"She was killed in a car accident when Sierra was 1."

"I'm so sorry. You're more than welcome to bring her with you, Shawn. I'll see if my son, Ty, will watch her."

"That would be great! What time?"

"Its 3p now, so how about 5p?"

"That's fine. Text me your address and we'll be there."

"Awesome! See ya at 5p." Then I ended the call and texted him my address.