Chapter 68

Ailee

The feeling I kept having that something was going to happen increased as we got to the clubhouse. But when I set my eyes on the sweet face of Katrina the feeling vanished in the air. I could see my poor Lug was lost in his head after finding out his cousin had died. Then to find out he was the legal guardian to her baby was too much for him. So I did what any good wife would do. I stepped in and took charge. I did leave most of the decision on whether or not we would care for the wee lass up to him. If he wasn’t on board I couldn’t do it for him.I was happy he chose to take custody of Katrina. I couldn’t bear the thought of her going to foster care.

Don’t get me wrong I had the same fears as Lug on whether or not we were ready for kids or if we would be good parents. But I also knew we wouldn’t be alone. And we had wonderful role models to learn from and to ask questions. My grandda, Merigold, Lilly. Just to name a few. It won’t be easy, that is for sure. And we have nothing for a baby at the condo. But supplies can be bought. Books can be read. Advice can be asked. In the end it will be worth it. She needs Lug. She needs us.

When Viper placed Katrina in my arms all my worries faded away when she gave me a smile. I could see two little teeth, one at the bottom and one at the top. I’m sure she had more but those two stuck out making her smile even cuter. I introduced Lug and myself to her. I teared up when she grabbed Lug’s finger and babbled at him. I knew in that moment that we were a family. It may not have been how we planned it and we were woefully unprepared. But a family none the less.

I had Callen get the paperwork we needed and escort Mrs. Reven to her car to get Katrina’s things. He was also going to install the base of the car seat for me. When we got home we would go through what we have to see what we are going to need and go get it tomorrow morning. Mrs. Reven assured me there was enough to get Katrina through the night and the morning. But there is something else that needs to be done first. I look over and see Ace is still sitting at the bar. I walk over to him while Viper and Lug talk.

“ Da, I’m sure this isn’t the way you thought you would meet your grandkids. But Lug and I need to do this.” I said to him. I turned Katrina and balanced her on my hip. “ Da, I want you to meet your granddaughter, Katrina.” Ace stood up and took Katrina from me holding her close to his chest. Katrina grabs hold of the lapel of his kutte with her chubby little hand and looks up at him. He smiles down at her “ Welcome to the family, Katrina. I’m your grandpa.” I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I so badly wanted him to accept her. “ So you don’t disapprove?” I asked.

He shakes his head while still looking down at Katrina. She is smacking at the patches on his kutte and he doesn’t seem the least bit bothered by it. “ Why would I disapprove of you taking the sweet girl and giving her a home? She just lost her mother, so she needs all the family she can get. We aren’t the most conventional family but we are a family no matter how we got here. And now Katrina is part of it.” he says. I sniffled “ Thank you da.”

When Katrina tries to grab at Ace’s treasurer patch I move forward to pull her fingers back so she wouldn’t tear it off. “ No, lass. We don’t take patches off.” I told her. She turns her head to me and pouts. I almost cave and let her do it when she did that. I have to be strong. I hear someone laughing and I turn to see Viper behind me. “ If Kadance, Kassidy and Alana haven’t done it by now then they are coming off. All the babies have a thing for the patches. Anna has even reinforced the stitching on them so the kids don’t rip them off.”

Well, I guess I will leave her alone then. “ Brother, how about you let me hold my new niece?” Viper asks. “ You had her already. It is my turn. Grandpa outranks uncle.” Ace said. Viper shakes his head “ But Prez outranks treasurer, so it is my turn.” If I hadn't been around these guys for months I would have thought they had lost their minds. They are both huge guys who look pissed off most of the time even though they aren’t. Not someone you would want to run into on a deserted street. They are wearing biker kuttes and are covered in tattoos. But they are fighting over who gets to hold an eight month old baby.

Ace counters with “ I’m older.” Viper lifts his head and says “ I’m better looking.” Katrina is looking back and forth between them trying to figure out what is going on. Lug comes over and says “ Dad outranks all of you. Now let me hold my daughter.” Ace passes Katrina over and she starts to babble like crazy. Lug nods like he knows what she is talking about. “ I know they are crazy sometimes. But they are family, what are you gonna do?” Lug tells her. She babbles some more then laughs. And he thought he didn’t know anything about babies. He is doing a fine job right now. I don’t think Lug realizes it but he has picked up a lot of things hanging around the ol’e ladies and their kids.

Callen walked up to me watching Viper, Lug and Ace. He shakes his head at them. “ Ailee, I have everything in the truck when you are ready to go. Mrs. Reven said Katrina could sleep in the playpen until we can get a crib.” I nod “ We will get everything we need tomorrow. It is too late tonight. Is Mrs. Reven still here?” “ No, she left after she handed me everything. She gave me her card and said she will be in touch with you guys tomorrow. She said she will stay a couple of days in case you might need anything.” Callen said. I imagine she had a long drive back to Louisiana. It doesn’t surprise me that she is staying around. She wouldn’t be good at her job if she just dropped Katrina off and left without making sure she was settled and in a good environment.

I turned to Callen “ What do you think about all of this Callen?” He looks at Katrina and then at me. “ Ailee, you have always trusted your instincts. I’m guessing you are following that now. You have never made rash decisions. I heard what Mrs. Reven said. You are doing the right thing. I will support you in this. I know Cormac will as well. So they way I see it. The O’Sullivan’s just got a new princess. I pledge myself to her as I do you.” I slap Callen’s shoulder playfully “ Don’t make me cry ye feck.” Callen laughs.

I look at my future husband and our new daughter and I feel like my heart is going to explode with love. I see Katrina yawn and lay her head on Lug’s shoulder. “ Lug, I think it is time to go home. Katrina has had a long day and is tired.” I said. Lug looks down at her “ Are you sleepy baby?” in a child-like voice. Katrina’s eyes are already closing. “ Brother’s it is time to take Katrina to her new home.” Lug said as he carefully placed her in her carseat. Once she was in he took the straps as if they were going to bite him.

I don’t move to help him yet. He needs to know these things like I do. I’m sure he has seen the ol’e ladies do it. He can figure it out. He has her arms in but he can’t seem to get it hooked. Katrina is getting fussy and starts whining. “ I know, baby. Daddy has seen aunties do this all the time. I’m sure I can figure it out.” Lug says trying to sooth her. He gets the buckle across her chest done and moves the last. He looks at the buckle and laughs. “ I got this. It is similar to Auntie Speed’s harness.” Lug says as he snaps the buckle in place.