Chapter 71

Ailee

After breakfast we all went to the living room to chat. More Like Lug and I were talking grandda and Anna were focused on playing with Katrina. I was watching Katrina not that I would ever be worried about her with grandda. He helped raise me into the woman I am today so I know Katrina is in good hands. I’m also paying attention to the way Anna and grandda are behaving with each other. The easy Anna was snuggled up against Cormac’s side. Her head on his shoulder as they played with Katrina. The sweet smiles grandda keeps giving Anna. I know I saw something when I woke up in the cleanroom months ago but they avoided the question.

Everything got busy after that and since I didn’t see them together I have forgotten what I had seen. But not anymore. I want answers this time. And I’m going to get them. “ Are you finally going to tell me what is going on with you two? Or do I need to investigate myself?” I asked. It is clear they are interested in each other. I think it is wonderful. Why I don’t understand is why they are keeping it from me. Like it is a big secret. And right now they aren’t doing a very good job of hiding it. So what is the point? But as soon as I asked Anna jumped and separated herself from grandda. That isn’t what I wanted either.

Grandda was looking like he was going to brush off my question, I spoke again. “ You have taught me how to read people. Their body language, their mannerisms, even how they breathe. You taught me how to tell when someone is lying, even half truths. Anna just jerked away from you and looks like she was caught with her hand in the cookie jar. And you won’t look me in the eye.” “ Ailee.”he starts but I stop him. “ Even a blind man can see something is going on. What I don’t understand is why you are trying to hide it from me. You have never hidden anything from me. I know the inner workings of our family. The good, bad and ugly. But for some reason you are keeping this from me. Do you not trust me enough? Have I not proven myself worthy enough? ”

I didn’t realize I was crying until Lug reached up and wiped a tear from my eye. I stood up and said, “ Excuse me for a minute.” I turn to leave the room to compose myself. “ Oh, my wee lass. Wait. Sit down please.” Grandda asks. I quickly wipe my eyes and pull a little of the ice queen out. I don’t want them to see how upset I truly am. I sat back down next to Lug and placed my elbows on my knee. Lug reaches over and rubs his hand in circles on my back to comfort me. Katrina is sitting on the floor playing with some toys we found in her diaper bag. Anna and grandda are sitting behind her. Grandda looks at Anna like he is asking for permission. “ It is well past time, Cormac. You need to tell her. Look at how it is hurting her thinking you don’t trust her.” Anna said.

“ Aye, your right love.” grandda said. He turns to me “ Ailee, we kept this from you not because I don’t trust you. You are my most trusted person in the world. You were there when I met Anna.” He takes Anna's hand in his and smiles at her. If I wasn’t hurt right now I would think it was sweet. “ We became friends at first. Before I knew it my feelings for Anna changed into more. Luckily so did Anna’s.” he said while looking at Anna. Grandda looks back at me. “ Lass I wanted to tell you but I couldn’t seem to find the right time. At first I was going to tell you when we had lunch the day after the baby shower. But then you had to be rushed to the hospital. So Anna and I agreed to wait. We needed to focus on you.”

“ When you woke up and asked me about it. I wanted to tell you but I didn’t think it was the right time. And all this time Anna and my relationship turned serious. I fell in love with Anna. There were so many times I wanted to tell you. Then you got engaged. So I decided to wait.” Grandda said. “ I don’t understand why getting engaged stopped you from telling me. And there were so many other times. Like when I came home from the hospital. Or when I was healthy enough to go back to work. I just don’t get it.” I told him. Anna looked at grandda “ Let me try to explain. It was both of our ideas anyway. You shouldn’t have to explain all of it yourself.” Anna looks at me “ Ailee, you are right there were times we could have said something. Over the many lunches or dinners we had with you. Or even when you were visiting the club I could have said something. But I always made an excuse. I didn’t think you were ready. You needed more time to heal. You just got engaged, we didn't want to steal your spotlight.”

“ Finally we decided we would wait until after you got married. So you focus on the wedding details. And while all those things are true, some of it was I was nervous to tell you.” Anna said. Now I’m very confused. “ What? Why? Did I do something to offend you?” I asked. I couldn’t figure out why Anna would be nervous around me. And to be honest it hurt. I thought we had become close. Anna gets up and comes over to me. She sits on the floor and takes my hands in hers. “ Oh, now sweet girl. You have done nothing wrong. I was nervous for a couple of reasons. You may accept me as part of the club but I was worried you would accept me as part of Cormac’s life. I didn’t want you to think I was trying to take either your mother’s or grandmother’s place. And part of me was worried you would think I wasn’t good enough for Cormac.” Oh wow.

I squeezed her hands and said “ Anna, you welcomed me with open arms not caring that I was sick or that I was an O’Sullivan. You have been nothing but supportive of me. And of my relationship with Lug. I know you took care of my guards while I was in the hospital. Hell, you are even helping with my wedding dress. If I ever gave you the impression that you weren’t worthy then from the bottom of my heart I’m sorry. I never meant to do that. I wish you had come to me sooner. All this time hiding, it’s not good.”

What they must have gone through just so they wouldn’t upset me. All the times they have missed together. “ As far as me thinking you were trying to replace someone. I know you wouldn’t do that. You aren’t that kind of person.” I look at grandda and then back at Anna. “ All I have ever wanted is for grandda to be happy. And from the looks of it you do that. And he seems to make you happy.” I said. “ He does. Very much. I want you to know I love Cormac with all of my heart.” Anna said. Before I can say more I feel little hands slapping my knee. While Anna and I were talking Katrina crawled over and used my knee to stand herself up. I laughed “ Did you want to be included?” She slaps my knee again. I release Anna’s hands and pick Katrina up, setting her on my lap.

Anna sits back with grandda while I hold Katrina. Lug has scooted closer to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. I lean into him for support. “ Not that you need it, but I approve of you being together. As long as you are happy I’m good.” “ Thank you, Ailee. That means alot to me.” Anna said. “ Thank ye lass.” grandda said. I nod “ Is there anything else you need to tell me? No more waiting” Grandda wraps his arm around Anna. “ I have asked Anna to marry me and she has agreed. We were going to tell you after your wedding so all the focus could be on you.”

I jump up with Katrina in my arms and rush over to them. “ Are you kidding me this is wonderful news. We should be celebrating. Do you want to have a double ceremony? Do you want to go to dinner tomorrow to celebrate?” I wrapped one arm them keeping a hold of a giggling Katrina. “ Easy lass. Yes, we can do dinner tomorrow. No, we aren't doing a double wedding. We want you to be the focus of your ceremony. We just have a small one with friends when you get back from your honeymoon. And don’t argue. We have already talked about this.” grandda says.

I know there is no sense in arguing with him. It never got me anywhere before. “ Fine, but I’m helping with your wedding like you have helped with mine. And Anna, welcome to the family.” I said. Anna’s eyes went misty and she hugged me “ Thank you Ailee.” Lug comes over and shakes grandda’s hand “ Congratulations, Cormac. She is a good woman.” Then he hugs Anna “ Congrats, lady. You deserve all the happiness in the world.” After that we sit around and talk about my wedding. We talk about what we need to do for Katrina. And we even talked about the wedding Anna may want. She doesn’t know much but she wants it simple with just family. I can’t believe how this day has gone so far.