Claimed by the Biker Giant (Maxine and Tank) novel Chapter 273

Cloe POV

Storm was patient with me, as I explained what happened over the past few weeks, unloading my grief that hit me harder than I had expected, I hardly knew the woman, yet I felt closer to Grams, as if I had known her for years, Grams treated sometimes like a granddaughter and other times like a close friend, sharing secrets and together we had a great laugh, sure it was not always me, that she saw, but I didn’t care, it was a good few weeks.

As far as the will and what I had gained out of it, I felt like I didn’t deserve it; they hardly knew me, didn’t even know I existed not that long ago. This fast change in my life was mind-blowing, and I was having trouble keeping up.

After a long chat, whilst still in the warmth of the bed, snuggled up in Storm’s arms, it was decided some redecorating of the home was needed before I could move in. The master bedroom needs a complete change, and the bathroom needs to be adjusted to accommodate my special needs. A new Chair lift for the stairs, like they put in this house, that I have yet to use, because Storm was always close by to carry me up. More can be added to the list of changes once I have more time to digest all this and get feedback from Fixer, who was my go-to woman for advice.

“Time to get up, we are wasting daylight.” Today, Fixer said she would take me out on the bike, a small family ride, blow the cobwebs away, and even Gramps was going to join us. A sort of bonding ride, for Grams, Gramps has some locks of her hair that he will scatter in the wind. When will he release them? He won’t say, but sometime on our ride, Grams will be set free on her final ride.

A quick breakfast with all the immediate family here. Ten or so bikes will ride out on an all-family-only ride.

Storm helped me onto the back of Fixer. We are taking out my trike; it looks and sounds amazing. A small seatbelt has been attached until I get used to not having the legs to support me.

I am ready.

The sound of all the bikes leaving the driveway was awesome, and I was in the middle of it all. Tank and Gramps led the way, followed by Fixer, Storm, and then the rest of the family fell in behind. We took the long, winding back roads, enjoying the lush, green countryside after some recent rains. The air was fresh, except for the occasional roadkill that scavengers will soon clear away. The sky was clear and blue, with only one or two wisps of cloud that looked like a painter flicked the wrist and left a sliver of white on a brilliant blue canvas. The bike vibrated between my thighs, and the wind blew in my face. This was the greatest feeling, and for a few hours, I was free.

“You doing okay?” Storm’s voice reached me through the headset. He didn’t want me to be out here without communication; they all do it, looking after each other.

“You bet, I missed this,” I shouted into the mic.

“No need to shout, I can hear you loud and clear. Speak in your normal voice.” He chuckled. It was then that I realised that they must have switched channels, because I was no longer listening to Fixer about the controls and handling.

“Oops, sorry. I am just excited to be out here, and Fixer has been great, teaching me the bike hand controls, although it must be hard for her to use them, when she had working feet, some habits stick to you even when you no longer need them.” I giggled, using a sound that you would rarely hear before this family found me.

“We will stop soon, and have something to eat and refill our tanks, and for the lack of a better word to use, stretched out legs.” I get it, I do, they will walk around, and I will what?

The stop was a small roadside service station. Storm removed my wheelchair from the back of the truck, something else that made this so much better: having my own wheels so I could secure them on the back. The wheelchair was lightweight and had no armrests, a lot like the ones you see racers use in the Olympics and basketball players use. It was super easy to roll, and I made it to the bathroom with little trouble. Even used it, washed my hands and left, with no help from anyone, and no one in the room, hovering around waiting for me to make a mistake. I felt like I had passed some personal test.

Storm was leaning against the wall, coffee and snacks in hand, in the walkway, waiting, but at least not standing right outside the door. That would have been annoying if he were right outside the door. He has to let me fail, or at least ask for help, and this was, I guess, a first test, and it feels like we are both passing it.

“Coffee, and a chicken burger.” Storm offered once had followed him to the table, where they had moved a chair so I could sit with them, they had pulled a number of tables together, making one huge table, with us all seated around.

Family, this family, got to love them, they think of everyone’s needs, all of them do, even Pe came and handed me a napkin, since there were none left on the tables, I guess you need to one yourself when you receive your food,

“Of course she is, Mum, that’s my girl.” His voice sounded full of pride.

Slowly, the pace picked up, till we were doing the speed limit and a bit more. It was different, I don’t mind admitting. When corners come, I need to slow a little. As Fixer demonstrated, I guess my place is at the back of the pack, so the bikes don’t have to slow down because of me. I feel a hindrance now; I hadn’t felt that way when Fixer was in control, but now I am super aware of what’s happening around me.

“I should be at the back; I am spoiling the ride for the rest of you.” There I voiced it. In the past, I would hold back my thoughts, but sometimes I make that mistake and end up with a black eye from Dad for my trouble. I doubt this family would do that to me.

“You are exactly where you should be. We can adapt; it’s the enjoyment of the ride and the journe not speeding to get somewhere. We are in no rush. Tank’s voice came over the intercom. Everyone must have heard me, I thought this was just Storm, Fixer and me.

I didn’t say much after that. What could I say?

Today gave me thoughts, when I move out, will I get to join rides again?

Will they want me to?

Still haven’t heard if Storm would move with me, or if this was a goodbye run.