Chapter 72

Lug Nut

Ailee and Anna sat on the floor playing with Katrina. Cormac and I were sitting on the couch talking about what room we were going to change into a nursery. “ Anna, do you think it is too late to find a dress for Katrina for the wedding? Something that matches the flower girls.” Ailee asked. It was sweet that Ailee was trying to include Katrina. We could have dressed her up and had someone hold Katrina during the ceremony but that wasn’t enough for Ailee. She was trying to include as many family members as possible. She had Jace and Jax as mini ushers to be helped by Finn and Callen. Ford is too young to help out. Kadance, Kassidy and Alana as flower girls. Bastian is the ring bearer. Merigold, Lilly, Speed and Gretchen are bridesmaids. She has most of the club included in one way or another. Ailee hasn’t said it outright but I know she is doing most of it for me. She wants the wedding to be equal parts for both of us. I personally don’t care as long as at the end of the day Ailee has my last name.

While the girls take and change Katrina Callen, Cormac and I go to Ailee’s office. It is the room next to ours and is easiest to change into a nursery. We just need to move a few things. Ailee’s office is now going to be off the kitchen near Callen and Finn’s bedrooms. I look around the room to get an idea of what we need to do. First we need to clear out all the furniture, the computer and file cabinets. Ailee wants a deep clean and she wanted to paint it something cheerful instead of the beige walls that there are now.

Moving everything isn’t going to be a big deal. The four of us guys can have it moved in under an hour. The deep clean won’t take long either. But the painting and getting baby furniture is where it is going to take the longest. A day or two at least. Katrina can sleep in our room until this one is ready. It will put a hold on mine and Ailee’s sex life but I can hold out a few days to make sure our little girl has everything she needs.

I will probably have to put the crib together. And Ailee said something about a changing table and bookshelf. Callen starts shutting down and unplugging the computer when we hear the doorbell ring. I know we are expecting anyone. Cormac and Callen go on alert. Their bodies stiffen as if they are ready to attack an unseen threat. We all walk to the living room where I see Ailee has Anna and Katrina hidden behind her ready to use her body as a shield to protect them if it is needed. I’m thinking they might be going overboard but watching how Ailee, Finn and Callen move it seems like they have done this before. There is still a lot I don’t know about the O’Sullivan world.

Finn looks behind him to us before he goes to the door. He looks out through the peephole and I see his body relax. She shakes his head and laughs when the doorbell rings three more times in rapid succession. “ It’s clear. Just some very impatient friends.” Finn says as he opens the door and steps aside. Probably a good thing he did because Merigold, Lilly, Speed, Gretchen and Trina came piling in. “ About time, big guy. We have been waiting forever.” Speed says. I have to laugh. They couldn’t have been out there more than a minute. Axel, Tank and Thor follow in behind the girls. Since I don’t see the kids I’m going to guess that Brick and Rowdy have them.

Ailee relaxes and Anna sits down with Katrina on the floor to let her play again. “ Ladies, not that I’m not happy to see you but what are you doing here?” Ailee asked. Merigold steps forward and puts her hands on her hips. “ Not that you called us to tell us we had a new family member. We had to find out from Viper. So we came over to see for ourselves.” Lilly steps up next. “ We also figured you might be a little overwhelmed with suddenly having a baby with no time to prepare so we are here to take you shopping. We will help you get everything you need for the nursery and for the baby.”

“ The guys are here to help get the room ready and put together the furniture we get.” Speed says. “ Just consider us your personal pack mules.” Axel laughs. Ailee looks surprised and shocked but I don’t understand why. I know the O’Sullivan crew would have stepped up and the club has shown Ailee that we have each other’s backs “ Wow, really?” she asks. “ Of course. That’s what family does.” Merigold said. “ I don’t know what to say. Thank ye.” Ailee said. “ No need to thank us. Now let’s get down to business. We need to look at where the nursery is going to go. We also need to see what the baby has and what they still need. But first things first. I want to see the newest addition. Where’s the baby?” Merigold asks. Since she keeps saying baby instead of Katrina’s name I’m guessing Viper didn’t give her too many details.

Anna picks Katrina up, placing Katrina’s back to Anna’s chest. She comes to stand in the middle of all of us. Katrina is looking around at everyone in wonder and curiosity. “ Everyone, meet Katrina.” “ Katrina, this group of crazy, loveable people are some more of your family. They came over to meet you.” Anna said. Katrina looks at all of them before looking back at me. “ Ba?” she said like she was confirming what Anna had said. “ It’s ok, Katrina. The guys may look scary but they are big teddy bears.” I told her. She looks back at the crew and claps her hands laughing.

The ol’e ladies melt and I see the guys have smiles on their faces. Yea, Katrina has that effect on people. She is just such a happy baby. Even with all the new faces and surroundings she rarely fusses or cries. “ Oh, Lug, she is adorable.” Gretchen says. Katrina seems to like that because she babbles like crazy at Gretchen causing the girls to laugh. While the girls ohh and aww over Katrina I take the guys to the nursery and show them what we are doing.

Axel slaps me on my shoulder “ So how are you doing with this fatherhood thing?” “ It is a little unreal. When I was doing the concert last night I never imagined I would also become a father on the same night. But Ailee is right. Neither of us would be able to live with ourselves if we put Katrina in foster care. We have the means to take care of her. I just hope I won’t screw Katrina up too bad.” Tank laughs “ We all are hoping the same thing about our kids. But we all have great ol’e ladies to guide us along the way. And we have your back brother if you ever need us.” “ Tank is right. It is a good thing you are doing for Katrina. We are proud of you man.”

“ Thanks brothers.” I said. We were joined by the ol’e ladies, Katrina on Speed’s hip playing with her kutte. Ailee was showing them the nursery so they knew how much space they were working with. “ Ailee, did you want to paint the room?” Tank asks. “ Aye. I can do designs later on but I do want to at least paint it so it doesn’t look so plain.” Ailee said. She pulls out her phone showing Tank the light lavender color we chose.We didn’t want to go with the traditional pink but still doing something girly.