Chapter 67

Lug Nut


Mrs. Reven looks at Ailee for the first time. “ I’m sorry but who are you?” I expect Ailee to get mad but she doesn’t. She calmly answers “ I’m Ailee O’Sullivan. Travis’s fiancee.” Mrs. Reven’s eyes go wide “ O’ Sullivan? As in the O’Sullivan Foundation?” Ailee nods “ Aye.” Mrs. Reven turns to a briefcase on the table “ Oh course Miss O’Sullivan.” She pulls out some papers and hands them to Ailee. Ailee looks over the paperwork thoroughly. “ What about the father?” Ailee asks.

Good question. My brain seems to have stopped working. My cousin is dead and she left behind a child that I didn’t even know she had. I should have tried harder to get back in touch with her. I should have gone down there to find her. “ There wasn’t one listed on the birth certificate. The police talked to a few people Megan knew but no one knew who the father was.” Mrs. Reven said. I just nod. What else can I say? “ Mrs. Reven, could you give us a minute?” Ailee asks. “ Of course. I’m sure this is a lot to take in.” Mrs. Reven.

Ailee pulled me into the hall and pushed me against the wall. She wraps herself completely around me. My arms automatically go around her and I lay my head on her shoulder. “ How are you holding up?” Ailee asked. “ I’m shocked. Meg and I weren’t really close but I tried to look out for her. I can’t believe she is gone. But I’m grateful it wasn’t an overdose.” I said. I told Ailee about Meg’s drug addiction and how I tried to help her out. Meg had a boyfriend when she was sixteen that got her hooked on Meth. Ailee holds me tighter as I tell the story. “ I’m sorry for your loss, Travis. But for a minute you need to put that aside. There is a wee lass out there that needs you. I need to know what you want to do.” Ailee said.

I’m brought back from my thoughts of Meg to the baby out in the main room of the club. “ Honey, I honestly don’t know what to do.” I told her. “ Travis, I read over the paperwork. I’m very familiar with these kinds of things. You have options.” Options, good. I need to know what I’m dealing with. “ What are they?” I asked her. “ One is ye could forfeit any right to the lass. She will go into foster care until she can hopefully be adopted.” she said. Right away I’m not liking that idea. I have heard some horror stories about foster care. And the baby could stay in foster care her whole life if she isn’t adopted. The system will throw her out when she hits eighteen.

“ What is option two?” I asked. There has to be another option. “ You take the lass and raise her.” Ailee said. I snap my head up. “ Ailee, I don't know the first thing about raising a baby.” Ailee places her hands on the sides of my face and lowers my forehead to hers. “ Travis, you are a great uncle to the other kids. I have no doubt that you will be an amazing father. And you won’t be doing it alone. You have an entire club at your disposal to help.” she told me. Ailee takes a deep breath “ Travis, you have me. I’ll be right there with you. We talked about adopting in the future. So it happens earlier than we thought. But we can do this. You are the only family the wee one has left. I don’t think we can abandon her. She needs you. She needs us.”

I close my eyes and think about what Ailee just said. She is right. I would have the club behind me. And we did want to have kids. This is the last member of my family. An innocent child with no one in the world. Ailee would be right by my side. We would do this together. I know we can do it. “ Ailee O’Sullivan. I love you more than life itself. Let’s go meet our daughter.” I told her. Ailee gives me a light kiss and smiles “ I love you. Yes, let’s go meet the newest member of our family.”

We go back out and see Viper is now holding the baby. I walk up to Mrs. Reven. “ Ailee explained everything to me. We have discussed it and we will be taking custody of the baby. What do we need to do?” I asked. Mrs. Reven smiles “ This is wonderful news. With Miss O’Sullivan by your side I have no worries that Katrina is in good hands.” She grabs some more paperwork “ There are a few things you will need to sign.” she said. I figured as much. Ailee looks it over since she knows more about this stuff than I do. “ Mrs. Reven, does Katrina have any belongings? Also do you have any pertinent medical files for her.” Ailee asked as I signed the papers.

“ I have all the documents you need. Medical records, birth certificate, social security card and shot records. I do have some of her things in my car. I’m afraid I didn’t bring that much. Just a couple of boxes of clothes, toys and her diaper bag. I have a portable playpen as well. I have extra formula, bottles and baby food for you.” Mrs. Reven said. We are going to need so much more than that I’m sure. And a room for the baby to sleep in. We are not prepared for this. “ My guard Callen will transfer everything to my car. Just give him everything you have, including paperwork.” Ailee said. Man am I glad she is taking charge. I have no clue as to what to do. Ailee turns to Viper “ Cousin if you are done we would like to meet our daughter.” Viper laughs and hands Katrina to Ailee.

Ailee cradles her close and smiles down at her. “ Hey, wee one. I’m your new ma.” Ailee moves Katrina to look at me. “ And that man right there is your new da. We are going to take the very best care of you. We are going to make your ma proud.” Ailee says in a soothing voice. She is a natural. She even has Kartina smiling already. I really look at Katrina. She has a head full of curly dark brown hair and bright blue eyes. She looks around taking everything in. I get close to her and run my finger over her cheek. “ Hey, sweetheart. Welcome to the chaos I call family.” I said. Katrina grabs my finger and babbles away like she understands everything I’m saying.

“ How old is she?” I asked. I didn’t pay attention to her birthdate. But I will in the future. “ She is eight months old.” Mrs. Reven said. “ You have lots of cousins to play with. One is a little younger than you and the rest a little older. You are going to love it.” I told her. Still holding my hand Katrins claps her hands and laughs. I guess she likes the idea of having cousins. This is not how I thought my night would go. I have to mourn my cousin and I became a father. Life keeps throwing things our way but I have Ailee with me so I know I can handle it.