Chapter 8

Ailee

“ A couple of things actually. First, can we drop the Mr. Ripley shit. I know I haven’t earned the right to be called dad, father or anything along those lines, but how about we go with Ace.” I nod, “ I can do that.” He smiles “ Good. I’d like that. Second, I got the test results. I am a match for you and I’m going to give you the bone marrow.” I feel my eyes start to water and have to fight to keep the tears from falling. Fighting the lump in my throat I say “ Thank you Ace. You have no idea what this means to me and my family. I will forever be in your debt. I will make sure you are well compensated” “ Ailee I don’t want you to be in my debt. But I do ask that you let me get to know you. Get to know my side of your family. This.” Ace says waving his hand around the clubhouse “ is part of you too. When I met your mom I was young and full of myself. I wasn’t ready to settle down and have kids. I’m not upset that your mom kept you from me. She did the right thing at the time. But I have missed out on your life growing up but I don’t want to miss out on the rest of it. It is your choice. We will go at your pace. But I would like you to give me a chance.”

He wants to know me. He wants me in his life. This is way more than I could have hoped for. I would have been happy with Ace just donating to me. But to have a chance to get the man that my mother spoke so highly about and had fond memories of. I never wanted for anything in my life but to have a chance at having a da. This is a chance I won’t pass up. “ I” I have to clear my throat to keep from choking up. “ I would very much like that Ace.” “ Good. Now how about we go outside and meet the rest of the crew.”

We get outside the doors. I'm shocked by the amount of people. There has to be at least a hundred people. I see Jace and Jax running around. I see groups of women that are barely dressed. Large men with more leather than I have ever seen in my life. Then there is a group of women dressed in a conservative fashion like myself. There are picnic tables set up around the outer edges of the yard. Each is filled with chips, vegetable trays, fruit and an assortment of salads.As well as various other sorts of items that I can’t see from here. There are three grills going on the side of the doors close to the building loaded with burgers, hot dogs and ribs. This place is a lot bigger than I had originally thought. Just as we step off the steps a handsome man steps forward with a grim look on his face. “ This the little lady that Trixie is complaining about?”

I step forward. “ Aye that would be me. And I will not apologize for defending myself from her horrendous inflatable devices and despicable additude.” He doubled over laughing “ I like her, Ace. She is going to fit in well around here.” “ Ailee, Callen, Finn. Meet my nephew, Merigold’s brother and President of the club Viper.” Viper pulls me in for a hug. There are an affectionate group so far I’ll give them that. “ It’s good to have you.” “ Thank you for the warm welcome Viper.” “ I won’t take too much of your time. There are a bunch of people waiting for you. I just wanted to tell you that you and your boys here are always welcome here. You’re family. Think of this place as your second home.” Viper says. Addressing Finn and Callen “ Ailee is safe here. None of the brothers will let any harm come to her. Feel free to enjoy the party.” They guys shake hands and nod at each other in some unspoken agreement that I don’t understand. Must be some alpha guy thing.

Next Ace introduced me to Thor and his old lady which Ace explained to me was similar to a wife but deeper meaning. You can be an old lady and not be married, vise versa or both. Then I met Brick and his old lady Kelly who everyone called Speed because she is a race car driver. I also met Speed’s very pregnant wife Gretchen and their daughter Alana. I’m not sure how that works but it is not for me to question. I do notice that this group is very accepting of various types of relationships. I met Tank who would have been a scary and intimidating man if not for the little boy asleep and drooling on his shoulder. Then his old lady Lilly whose nickname was Song bird. Merigold and her husbands came over to join us. That’s when I found out her nickname was Snow. Jax told me it was because she looked like the princess Snow White. I took a good look at her and could see the resemblance from the jet black hair to her almost milk white skin tone. From an outsider’s perspective these couples couldn’t be more opposite if they tried. But they seem to work. You can see the love in their eyes. It is very sweet to see.

The men are big, burrely six foot plus bad ass bikers.But when you pay attention to them. They are actually perfect for each other. The women are on the shorter side by at least a foot and curvy. Much like myself. But for each couple it worked. You could see just by watching that the men are completely devoted to their women. I found I was curious as to how each couple got together.

Just as it was time for everyone to eat Callen and I had to excuse ourselves. We went inside to the bar so we were out of sight. I didn’t want anyone to see what I had to do. The prospect from before was there and was kind enough to get me a large glass of orange juice. Callen set the bag he carries with any medical supplies I might need at any given time in it on the bar. “ Which do you want to do first?” Callen asked while I sat down. I hold out my finger so he knows to check my blood sugar. We have a routine down from the last time I had cancer. Callen chuckles, “ Some things never change.” I look around then look out the doors “ And somethings change in unexpected ways.” I say. I hear the machine beep telling us the results are ready. “ A little low but the juice will help. Just make sure you eat when we go back out.”

Callen gets the items he needs to check my port. I have only had it for three days and we have to watch for infection. Just as I pull my top back for Callen to check Ace walks in. So much for no one seeing. “ Ailee, are you ok?” I nod, “ Aye just somethings we have to take care of.” Callen looks at me then Ace. “ Ailee has certain things she must stick to a schedule for.” “ Callen!” I shout. He knows I don’t like many people knowing about these things. “ Ailee, if he is trying to be part of your life he needs to know it all. The good, bad and unpleasant.” I know he is right but I don’t like it. Callen tells Ace “ Your daughter is quite stubborn. She doesn’t like anyone knowing about this stuff. Even her grandfather. Even when she was little. She finds it embarrassing and a sign of weakness. If she could completely ignore the cancer she would. I thought she would have grown out of it but no.”

“Ailee I know you don’t want to hear this from me. A man who is practically a stranger to you. But this looks like things I need to know. It is part of you, it's important.” Ace says. The poor man is trying so I relent. “ Fine,” I grumbled. Callen explains how the times never change but what has to be done sometimes does. Something may be added or stopped. He explains about my blood sugar. Then how to check my port. He even explains how to discreetly check my hands to see if I’m clammy or dehydrated. Then we move on to the medication portion of the evening. I'm being sarcastic just a little.

But Callen and Ace pay me no mind. Honestly the way Ace is looking I’m waiting for him to pull out a piece of paper and start taking notes. Callen explains each pill and what it is for. Even shows Ace the pain pills that I rarely ever take. “ She never has liked pain pills. They make her groggy and make her legs feel weak. If she takes one you have to monitor her for a while.” I grab my juice and get ready for what comes next. Callen puts the pills I need in his hand and holds it out as he explains to Ace “ I figured a long time ago to just let her pick the ones she wants. She always saves the large ones for last. And always has to have large orange juice to take them.”

Once I finished with my pills, Callen backs everything back in the bag and shows Ace what is in what Callen calls Ailee’s little black bag. “ Just before we go eat I think I should show you this.” Ace says leading down a hallway. He explains that most of the rooms are offices and the room is used for church or meetings. He tells us that upstairs are bedrooms for the brothers to stay in if they need to. When we get to the room at the end of the hall, Ace opens the door. “ This is our med room. I’m sure you know we can’t always go to the hospital. Or in Lilly’s case when she went into labor there wasn’t time to make it to the hospital. We have a doctor that has been with the club for years and has proven very trustworthy. His name is Ryans.”