Chapter 70

Lug Nut


Callen chimes in “ Ailee it is good you want to be prepared. But you can’t obsess. Just go with your gut most of the time. You have plenty of people around you that either have kids now or have had them, that I’m sure would be willing to answer your questions.” Ailee sighs “ I just don’t want to mess this up. I want to show Lug and Katrina that I can be a good ma. Not only to Katrina but to any other kids. I don’t want to let him down. I just can’t. So if I have to read every book on the market and buy everything the books recommend I will.I’m going to get this right. ” Now it is time for me to step in. I can’t let Ailee get worked up over something that is never going to happen.

I walk up behind Ailee, I place my hands on her shoulders and kiss the top of her head. She leans back to look up at me. I smile at her “ Ailee, you could never let me down. And you won’t let Katrina down. I have no doubt in my mind and my heart you will be a good mom. You don’t have to prove anything to me.” “ How do you know? I don’t even know?” Ailee asked. I lean down and kiss her. It is a bit awkward at this angle but I do it. When I pull away I look in her eyes “ I know because only a good mom would be freaking out like you are doing right now. You are reading and making lists to make sure Katrina has everything she needs. That’s what good moms do. But you need to relax and trust me. We have got this. And once the ol’e ladies find out about Katrina they will jump in to help.”

I watch Ailee’s shoulders drop and relax. “ I do trust you, Lug. I’m just worried.” I rub her shoulders “ I know. Most people have time to plan for a baby. We didn’t but you are handling it remarkably well. But we are allowed time to get used to this. We don’t need to know everything in less than twenty four hours.” Ailee tilts her head and smirks at me “ Who knew my future husband was so wise?” I stand up straight and lift my head up. “ Well, I do have my moments.” I said. Ailee, Callen and Finn laugh causing Katrina to giggle.

I go over and pick her up from Callen. “ And good morning to you too.” I told her. She babbles and waves what is left of her toast at me. “ I see uncle Finn gave you some toast. Is it good?” I asked her. She babbles some more before trying to shove the toast in my mouth. I pretend to take a bite. “ Mmm, it is good. Now you eat.” Katrina gnaws on the toast again, drool running down her chin. I laugh, “ You are a messy girl.” Callen tosses me a hand towel. I sit down next to Ailee and try to clean Katrina up. After three swipes of the rag I gave up. Everytime I wiped her she would just drool again. I’ll just wait until she is done. That seems a wise choice.

Finn sets a bowl of scrambled eggs in front of me and walks off. I turn Katrina around so she is facing the table and everyone else. When she sees the eggs she drops her toast in my lap and slaps at the table. “ You want your eggs. Don’t you?” Katrina slaps the table again. I laugh and grab the spoon to feed her. I lean her back so I can see her better. I wasn’t sure if this was the best way to feed her but it would have to do for now. I worried that I may have to coax her to eat but as soon as I got the spoon close to her mouth she opened up.

Finn set plates in front of all of us while I fed Katrina. I noticed Callen had gotten up but didn’t give it much thought. Honey, eat. I’ll finish feeding Katrina then eat myself.” I told her. “ Are you sure? I can take her.” Ailee asked. Even though Ailee was still cancer free I still watched to make sure she ate plenty.” I’m sure. You can do cleanup.” Ailee nods. “ Deal.

After eating a few bites “ Lug, careful. Don’t give her so much at one time. Ye don’t want her to choke.” Ailee scolded. I knew I was being careful and Katrina didn’t seem to have a problem. I made sure her mouth was empty before I gave her more. But Ailee was being protective so I didn’t say anything. I made sure to put a little less on the spoon next I fed her.

“ Spoken like a true ma.” I look up and see Cormac and Anna coming in. Ailee stopped eating and got up. “ Grandda, what are you doing here? Did you need me? ” she asked. “ No, lass. I came by to see my granddaughter.” Cormac said. He looked over at Katrina and said “ And my new great granddaughter.” How did he know? I know Ailee didn’t call him last night. She said she would do it later today and invite him over. I look over and see Callen standing behind him. He was there last night when we got Katrina. Callen must have reported it to Cormac. Not that I mind. We are hiding Katrina or anything. I know Ailee wanted to tell Cormac herself.

I think she was nervous as to what he would think. I don’t think he is going to have a problem with it. With the work they do for kids I doubt he would be upset at us for taking in a family member that had no one. Before anyone can say anything further Katrina whines and bangs on the table. I guess she is mad that her breakfast was interrupted. “ OK, sorry. Here you go.” I said and began feeding her again. She only had like five spoonfuls left anyway. Cormac sat down next to Ailee while Anna went to the kitchen. Anna was getting coffee but she kept trying to get a look at Katrina.

I know she was dying to come over and grab her from me but she was holding herself back. That woman loves playing with the kids. Or making them special snacks. Or doting on the ol’e ladies. She is a mother to all of us. It is a shame she never had any kids of her own. Anna came back, handing Cormac a mug. He smiled at her and kissed her cheek. The action had shocked me enough I almost dropped the spoon. I had only seen him show any affection towards Ailee. With everyone else it was all business. In the back of my mind I knew they were close but I just figured it was friendship. But the way they looked at each other was anything but. I know Ailee has seen it this time and once in the hospital. She never got any answers that time. But the look in her eyes she will get one today.

Ailee finished eating, got up and took her plate to the kitchen. She came back with a wet dish towel. I had just finished feeding Katrina as Ailee wiped her up. “ I’m sure Callen told you what happened last night.” Ailee said as she wiped Katrina’s hands. “ Aye.” Cormac said. Ailee nods and moves on to Katrina’s face. Ailee tries to wipe her mouth but Katrina keeps trying to bite the towel. Ailee just shook her head and laughed. “ Silly lass.” Katrina giggles and claps her hands. This kid is too cute for her own good.

Ailee picks her up putting Katrina on her hip and walks around the table to Cormac. Finn sets a plate in front of me. I thank him and watch Ailee and Cormac. When Ailee is in front of him “ So you understand we weren’t going to say no to the wee one. We are going to raise Katrina as our own. She was mine the moment I held her in my arms.” I have to smile at the conviction and love in Ailee’s voice. She is not going to be swayed from this, not that I think Cormac would try.

“ Ailee, I know your heart. I know you are making the right choice. I would be disappointed in you if you didn’t choose the lass. Now are you going to let me meet my great- granddaughter properly?” Ailee turns Katrina so she can see Cormac. “ Katrina, this is your great-grandda. One of the greatest men I have ever known. Grandda meet Katrina, our daughter.” Ailee said as she handed Katrina to Cormac. So far Katrina has been good with strangers holding her but Ailee and I both watch her to make sure she doesn’t get fussy. Cormac beams at Katrina as she takes him in. “ Welcome to the family princess. I’m happy to have you.” Cormac says with emotion that is usually for Ailee.

I can tell he is going to spoil Katrina. It pleases me to see his reaction and gives me hope for future children. Katrina must have liked what she heard because she waves her arms around and babbles to Cormac. Anna scoots closer to Cormac to get a good look at Katrina. When Katrina sees her Katrina waves her hand and babbles to Anna. And man does Anna eat it up. Ailee comes and sits next to me while both watch.

Cormac looks over at Ailee “ I have always been proud of you Ailee. Nothing could ever change that. But seeing the wee one smile. I know you are doing a good job and it makes me even prouder. I have faith you are going to be a great ma to her.” He turns to me “ And Lug what I saw when I walked in I have no doubt you will be a good husband to Ailee and father to Katrina. Congratulations to you both.” Coming from him that is probably the highest compliment I could ever get. And I will live up to it.