Chapter 73

Lug Nut

“ Alright. This is what we can do. We can start moving all this stuff and get the room cleaned. We will run to the hardware store and get it painted while you girls are out getting baby stuff. With all of us working we can have it done by the end of the day. But you won’t be able to move the furniture in until tomorrow after it airs out.” Tank said. “ I’m good with that. But Katrina will be wanting a nap soon so I can’t go anywhere.” Ailee said. Anna places her hand on Ailee’s shoulder. “ Ailee, I will watch Katrina. And help the guys out. You go with the girls and get all the items you want for your daughter. Enjoy it. Katrina will be fine.” Ailee looks unsure. She doesn’t like the thought of leaving Katrina even if she does trust Anna.

“ Are you sure?” Ailee asked. “ I’m sure. This is an important part of being a parent. Preparing for their arrival. You are doing it in reverse. Have fun with the girls and ask them as many questions as you want.” Anna said. Ailee nods “ Aye. I will. Thank you.” Merigold jumps up and down clapping “ Good. Let’s look through what she has real quick so we don’t double up too much.” I’m not sure who is more excited, Merigold or Ailee. Actually all the ol’e ladies look excited.

I go off to get dressed so we can get to work. Callen begins moving Ailee’s computer and filing cabinets. Finn grabs the cleaning supplies we will need. Cormac instructs two of his guards to go with Ailee and the ol’e ladies. Ailee puts Katrina in the playpen under Anna’s watchful eye. The girls go through what was brought with Katrina. It takes five minutes. Merigold decides that Katrina needs new everything since she doesn’t have much to start with. They will be going to the baby store and grocery store to get foods and formula for Katrina. Ailee informs everyone that according to the paperwork Katrina is allergic to soy so they need to be careful what they buy.

With that the girls are off. Two ride with Ailee and her two bodyguards. And two follow in a truck. I have flashes of the truck and SUV being loaded to the roof by the time they get back. Tank and Thor head off to the hardware store for paint and babyproofing things. They said since Katrina is able to crawl we need to do it now. The rest of us move everything out of the nursery and set it up in Ailee’s new office.

By the time Tank and Thor get back we have the room empty and sparkling clean. I go out to check on Katrina while the guys put up the painters tape and cover the floor. I find Anna sitting on the couch watching the TV down low. She puts her finger to her lips letting me know to be quiet and points to the playpen. Katrina is laying there holding a stuffed dog. She isn’t asleep yet but her eyelids keep dropping before she opens them again. It won’t be long before she is asleep so I back out of the room.

We were relaxing in the kitchen having a beer when the girls got back. Each one of them had at least four bags in their hands. The guards come in next and each has a large box in their hands and look like they have just gone to battle. A shopping trip with the ol’e ladies can feel like that sometimes. Not so much Ailee. She would rather shop online than go to a store. Ailee and Speed bring their bags to the kitchen and set them on the counter. Ailee pulls out bottles, sippy cups, plates, bowls and plastic silverware. “ All of this needs to run through the dishwasher before Katrina can use it.” Ailee says as she unwraps them all.

Speed pulls out formula, juice and what she called baby friendly snacks and puts them away. The guards have made another trip and are bringing in more boxes. When Ailee has the dishwasher loaded to the gills and started she goes out to make another trip before I stop her. The guys and I as well as Cormac go outside and finish unloading. I was right. Both cars are packed. The truck has all the furniture and the SUV has clothes, toys, diapers, and wipes. And that is just what I can see. There is no telling what is in the bags.

By the time we get everything unloaded and the bags emptied we have everything we need for a while at least. It will change as Katrina gets older. Tank and Axel have started getting the highchair put together saying we will need that tonight. They are probably right. The ol’e ladies have everything sorted and piles of clothes they say needs to be washed before Katrina can wear them. There is even a pile of just bath stuff like hooded towels, toys, baby soap and shampoo. Katrina is playing with a few new toys she got giggling up a storm.

I have been to everyone’ houses and around the club kids for years but I never realized how much it took to care for them. I have a much higher respect for my brothers and ol’e ladies. It is getting late and they have to get back to their kids. Tank told me they were going to trade off tomorrow so I should expect Brick, Viper and Rowdy to come over and help out.

The rest of us were beat so we decided to order in. After placing Katrina in her high chair and giving her some green beans and grilled chicken chunks we all sit down to eat. I’m grateful to Tank for putting it together. Katrina is having fun eating and making a mess. I laughed when she threw a green bean at Finn. He didn’t get upset with her and caught the next one she tossed at him. It turned into a game.

Bathtime was interesting. I let Ailee do it since I wasn’t sure what to do. But I stayed and watched. I figured I would have to do it some time. Katrina loves baths. Especially splashing. She soaked Ailee from herald to toe by the time they were done. She threw a rubber duck when she was waving her arms around. I picked it up and tossed it back in, causing Katrina to crack up. Yep, you guessed it, a new game was started.


After getting Katrina dried off, dressed in her jammies the poor kid was ready for bed and so were we. Once Katrina was in her playpen and asleep Ailee and I laid in bed and talked for a little bit. It wasn’t long that I could barely keep my eyes open and Ailee was drifting off. It was our first full day of parenting and we were exhausted. But you know what. I would trade it.