Python: Soldiers Of Hades MC, #2

Python watched Peggy Sue for a moment before he joined her in the Infirmary. She had her eyes closed and was resting but she was looking better, her color was back and she didn’t seem so tired. When he came in, he sat down beside her and reached for her hand.

Her eyes came open and she gave him a timid smile but she didn’t pull her hand away.

“How you doing darlin?” he asked in a whisper.

“I’m doing, ” she whispered back. “What is happening?”

“We’re getting ready for Luis to show up.” He growled lowly. “Thanks to you, we had enough warning to make a plan.”

“I wasn’t sure you would trust me or what I had to say,” she admitted. “It has been a long time.”

“Seems like only yesterday woman.” He snarled. “But you’re right… it has been a lifetime since you were taken.”

“You believe me then?” She studied him.

“Yeah, we confirmed it. Mike Wheeler finally admitted what happened that morning. He never said anything because he owed the cartel for drugs and over the years he’s been dealing for them.”

She blinked at him. “M-Mike?”

He nodded. “He runs that store where you were taken. You don’t remember him?”

She shook her head.

Python snorted. “Well, you aren’t missin’ much. So, don’t fret over that.”

She closed her eyes again and when she opened them, something other than fear shone in them…hope, her eyes held hope. “I know something big is coming but I have to tell you something before it gets started. You and our boys were my whole world. When I was taken, I knew there was something outside that hell…was missing. It gave me the power to survive. Even as I prayed for death, I couldn’t give up on me. I knew there was something I had to come back to. I might not have known who you were, but I knew you would still be here. I knew you had probably moved on, but I still had hope in my heart that I could come home again. I had to believe that or my life would’ve been over. That’s the hope I had that kept me alive all these years.”

Python let out a heavy sigh and squeezed her hand.

“Well, I came home and I’m still alive. I at least, had to see you and our sons one more time. I have and now, I know that too much time has passed. I realize that I can’t stay here, as this is no longer my home. I just wanted t-to tell you that I-I still love you, you and the boys are still my world even if you guys don’t think so. After this is over, I’ll leave quietly. Please let me stay long enough to get my strength back and then, I’ll leave.” She reached out with her free hand and cupped his jaw. “But I thank you for giving me the memories I have left. I will always love you and our family.”

Python’s fingers tightened on hers as he slowly shook his head. For a long moment, speech evaded him. How could a person go through what she had and still feel hope? Then to feel like this? He knew it had been more than traumatizing, but she couldn’t be allowed to think the way she was thinking. “You aren’t going anywhere woman. This will always be your home.”

Peggy Sue didn’t say anything but she knew in her heart she couldn’t stay here. She couldn’t bear to see the hate in her son’s eyes or in Python’s eyes. Too much time had passed.

Later, after talking to the doc, Python had left her and she was sitting up in a chair looking out the window into the front yard. She could see everyone was busy preparing for the coming shitstorm. The door opened up behind her and she didn’t turn her head, not yet.

“Aren’t you going to turn and face me?” She heard his voice and knew it was Cobra standing there.

Peggy Sue closed her eyes and leaned against the cool glass of the window. She didn’t say a word but shook her head slowly.

“Why not Mother?” he asked her harshly. “Turn your head and face me.”

Peggy Sue sighed. “You always were stubborn weren’t you?” she finally broke her silence. “But then with parents like Python and me, you didn’t really stand a chance did you?”

“Look at me,” he ordered.

“No, I won’t.” she insisted. “I only want to remember you like you were  before.”

“Why?” he wanted to know.

“Because I mourned your death every day, for all these years. Nothing could fill the hole in my heart after Luis Brago told me he murdered you. You, your dad, and your brothers were everything to me and that bastard took it away. He tore me away from you all and took me to a place where I felt nothing but pain and terror. Then I found out he lied about that but I still can’t bear to look at you.”

“Why the fuck not? I’m still alive mother.” Cobra snarled.

“Yes, you are and for a moment, I felt nothing but joy. Then I looked into your eyes and saw the hatred there. I know you think you had cause but it still wounded me, almost mortally. I can’t bear to see that again.” She hung her head and tears dripped down to her lap. “The only thing I had was the promise that someone somewhere loved me and missed me and would someday, come looking for me. I stayed alive to wait for that day to come but it never did. Then I came back to Odessa and found my way here. I knew in my heart, I’d come home again. Only, it’s no longer my home and I have to face that now. I know I can’t stay here after the battle is over. I asked your dad to let me stay that long anyway, then I told him I would go again. He agreed to let me stay. But I don’t have to see the hate in your eyes and I won’t. You were the handsomest little boy, so sweet and I remember the love you had in your eyes for me. Memories are all I have to get me through the next few days and I won’t trade those for anything.

She didn’t hear anything for the longest time, then she heard the door close behind him. She sat there for a while, just staring out the window. Her tears finally stopped and dried on her face.

A few hours later, the door opened up again and a stranger came in. He had her coloring and she prayed this was her youngest son, Micah.

He stood at the foot of her bed and stared at her for the longest time. “Are you really my mother?” he finally asked.

“I am, if you are Micah.”

“I am.” He nodded. “But I don’t remember you very much.”

She smiled. “But I remember you. I remember you always snuck the cookie dough before the cookies were even baked. Your favorite was peanut butter, chocolate chips cookies. I remember you wanted to be just like your dad. You were so proud when Python gave you your own cut the day you turned seven. You couldn’t wait to get your own hog, as you called it. When you turned eight, your dad bought you a dirt bike and I thought you’d end up breaking your neck on it. You were a true rider your dad said. You would be just fine he said.” She paused and looked at him. “I guess he was right, you’re still alive, and you’re still wearing his cut.”

“I’m still alive and still wearing his cut.” He came around and sat down on the edge of her bed. “He told me about you coming back here and what you told him about Brago coming after him.”

Peggy Sue looked away for a moment. “I’m sorry I haven’t been here for you, your brothers, and your dad. It wasn’t my choice not to be here.”

Micah reached out and took her hands. “I know that Mom.” He patted her hand. “But you’re back now and that’s what counts.”

“Does it?” she asked quietly. “Does it matter to anyone?”

“Yes mom, it matters to me.” He hesitated then said, “I think it matters to dad too. At least, we know what happened after all this time. It was hard growing up without you. We made some mistakes back then, but we didn’t know the truth.”

“I wish…” Peggy Sue paused and shook her head. “I can’t change what happened. I am trying to be realistic about all this though. I Then she looked at him. “Do you know where Richard is buried? I’d like to visit his grave if no one minds.”

“Cobra put him in Hondo. It was where they started their own MC.” Micah told her.

They both heard Python bellow for Micah and she smiled. “I think your dad wants you, you’d better go. His temper is still terrible.” She chuckled, “At least, that hasn’t changed.”

Micah leaned forward and brushed is lips on her forehead. “Welcome home mom.” He got to his feet and left the room.

Peggy Sue leaned back and smiled slightly. At least, someone was glad she was home. She closed her eyes and slept.