Chapter 26

Ailee
When Lug Nut comes back from washing up he takes a seat next to me and Merigold stands and says “ Since this is Ailee, Callen and Finn first time joining us for dinner. I did something a little different. I want this to be a welcome to the family dinner so I did a variety of southern favorites that I normally do. I also found some recipes online and made what I’m hoping are some Irish favorites. And I checked, Ailee, everything on this table follows your diet.” Oh wow. I’m touched that Merigold would go through so much trouble and effort just for us. Just to make us like we are part of the family. I’m loving my new cousin more and more everyday.
“ Merigold, this is very kind of you. Thank ye for this lovely gesture but you really didn’t have to trouble yourself on our behalf.” I say. “ Nonsense, I wanted to.” Merigold says. “ Before we eat I want to make a toast.” Viper says. Everyone raises their glasses or in some cases their bottles of beer. “ To family, the newest members and to the ones that have been here longer than others. It doesn’t matter how or when you joined our growing family. All that matters is that you are here. So I say again to my family.” “ To family” we all say even the kids got in on it.
“ Alright let’s eat. Dig in” Merigold says. With that heaping platter after platter gets passed around.I lose count of how many. Corned beef, steamed cabbage, fried chicken, barbecue brisket, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, corn bread, biscuits, potato salad, baked beans, soda bread, green beans, macaroni and cheese, gravy, and so many others I couldn’t keep up. I tried a bit of this and that. Callen and Finn had their plates so loaded I was worried they would overflow. I wanted to say something to them but then I noticed most of the other guys at the table were the same way so let it go. Let them enjoy themselves even if I have to roll them out of here afterwards. They deserved to relax and have fun. They never went anywhere without me and never had fun for themselves lately. It was good to see them kick back a bit. Conversations flowed around us. They kids were talking about what the best cartoons and movies were. Tank, Axel and Thor were discussing something about their motorcycles. Viper and Rowdy were talking about some new paint they need for something. Merigold and Brick were talking about some drawings. And Lilly and Lug Nut were talking about music and lighting. And once in a while someone would chime in to someone else’s conversation. Even Call and Finn got into a few conversations.
I didn’t understand any of it. But I didn’t feel excluded like you would think. I was enjoying watching the family dynamic they had. Suddenly Merigold says “ Alright Finn, you look confused and like you have a question you are burning to ask. Spit it out.” I look at Finn and
the poor guy looks a bit embarrassed. “ Aye, I do have a question but I do not wish to offend anyone. Or overstep.” Finn says. “ Just ask. We will let you know if we want to answer.” Axel says.
“ Fair enough. I know MC’s have road names for their people. But you lasses seem to have some yourselves. I have never seen that before.” “ And you are curious how we got them?” Lilly asks. “ Aye.” Finn says. I have to admit I have been curious about that myself and if anyone is allowed to use the nicknames. “ Not a problem.” Trina Thor’s old lady says. Then she tells us that her nickname is Swift because several years back a prospect had gotten handsy with her and she gave him a swift kick to the balls. Of course she edited it for the kids listening. When she was done explaining I was laughing.
Merigold explained that she has had her nickname Snow since she was a teenager. That her friends back in Alabama had given it to her after watching a movie about a badass Snow White. And the fact that Merigold has a lot of the physical similarities to the character helped. Kelly next explained how she got Speed as hers. Since a young age she has had a thing for racing. Running, bicycles, skateboards and then later cars. Then she helped explain how her brother Ratchet had gotten his. Though he may be deaf he is wicked fast with a wrench and can damn near fix anything.
Then Lilly explained that when she started playing with Lug Nut and his band at a local bar they didn’t want anyone to know her real name. The bar manager had started calling her his little Song Bird and it stuck. As I’m listening to the stories I see that each nickname is a perfect fit for them. And I liked the story behind them. “ Oh that reminds me” Lilly says “ We are playing this Thursday. You guys should come out and see us play.” Lug Nut wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me close. I lay my head on his shoulder “ Yea honey, if you feel up to it. I would love for you to come out and see us play. You can sit at the club table.”
I think about it for a second.I would like to see him play and see what everyone is talking about. I smile up at him and say “ I would like that. If Callen and Finn are good with it we will be there. Just tell us when and where.” Lug kisses the top of my head. “ That’s my girl.” Lilly starts bouncing in her seat. “ Great, I will make sure you guys are taken care of. You are gonna love it. Lug and the band are very good. And I’ll introduce you to the band. They are a great group of guys.” Lilly said. She was going on and on about the band and how good they were. And that they put on a good show. I know Lug Nut said that Lilly was in the band as well but never once did she say anything about it.
When dinner was over I helped clean up much to Merigold dismay. She wanted me to relax but I saw everyone else helping so I figured I should do my share. I sent Finn and Callen out back with the rest of the guys to relax and have what Trina called guy time. They need to make friends as much as I did. Their world couldn’t revolve around me all the time. If they aren’t taking care of me they are doing work for my grandda. They take me everywhere I need to go. I can’t remember the last time they had a night off. Or went out on a date. I’m walking outside, I see Finn and Callen cutting up with Brick and Thor. I rarely get to see this side of them. They are always so serious when we are out at the doctors and taking care of things with our businesses and charities. I need to fix this some how. I feel guilty for taking them for granted. They need to have a life outside of me and the family.
I was lost in thoughts on what I can do to give Callen and Finn some free time. I didn’t notice Lug come up from behind me. That is not like me. I am always aware of my surroundings. Lug wraps his arms around my waist pulling me to his chest. I melt into him, absorbing his warmth. I’m short enough that he can lay his chin on the top of my head. “ I can see the gears turning in your head. Want to talk about it?” Lug asks. I have felt like I can tell him anything and he would never judge me. I don’t trust easy, it comes from being in my line of work. But Lug I trust. “ I was just thinking that Finn and Callen have given up their whole life just to protect me and have never asked me for anything in return. They have been with me twenty four hours a day seven days a week since I was a teenager. They never have any time for themselves. And that isn’t right. I want to fix it. They need a life. They need free time to go out. Relax. Hell, even date. They are single and possibly lonely because they are my guards. And I don’t like it. They have given so much to me it is time I gave back.”
“ Ailee, I haven’t known them for long. But I do know this is the life they chose. They wanted to give it up for you. You are right. They do time to let loose and decompress. Do you have any ideas on what you want to do?” Lug asks. “ I’m going to talk to grandda and see about getting them a day or two each week. Maybe trading out my guards more often. Hell, give Callen and Finn a vacation. They more than deserve it.”I told him. That was all the ideas I had come up with so far. Lug kisses the top of my head “ Those are all good ideas, honey. Ithink talking to your granddad is a good idea.” Lug moves his head down to my ear and nips at my lobe. “ But that is for another day. How about I take you home and help you relax?” he says.I turn around in his arms `` Mr. Lug is that your way of saying you want to get in my panties?” I smirk.
Lug laughs “ Honey, I would love to get you naked and under me. But I will not pressure you. If you are too tired or not feeling it I’m more than happy to just hold you all night.” I love this answer. I’m not tired at all and while I enjoy having him hold me. Tonight I need more. “ Lug take me home. As hot as you look in those jeans I need to get them off you.” I said. In a matter of minutes we said good-bye to everyone and headed home. Merigold laughed at Lug’s urgency.