Chapter 313: Celt the Calf
*If she ever asks if you want to help deliver a calf, just say no. – Celt*
The Monday after the new school year started, the old ladies and their kids sat in the common room of Pops Place. They were all talking about the first week of school. Not just for the kids, but also for the several teachers that were associated with the club. Two of the brothers and three of the old ladies were teachers.
Alana had retired from teaching but was still working as a substitute at the junior high. According to her, the little kids were too whiny, and the big kids were already turning into assholes. Junior high was the perfect age. No longer whining about everything, hadn’t quite become assholes and the awkwardness made them all cute and adorable.
Mia’s twins were in seventh grade at the junior high. It was their first year not at the parochial school and they were thrilled to be in classes with cousins and other Saints kids. Although they were already quite a bit ahead of the rest of the class, they were still enjoying attending public school. Especially not having to wear uniforms.
Sid was holding Michael commiserating on the fact that she didn’t have any little grandchildren anymore. Nine of her own grandchildren were running around the clubhouse while a few of the others who were present were still trying to master crawling or walking.
Three of her adult daughters were doing rock paper scissors to determine who would be next.
They eliminated Charlotte since she was already pregnant. They eliminated themselves because none of them were ready for more diapers. Allison was eliminated because none of them liked her husband and wanted to get rid of him.
They finally settled on the sister that was now attending LSU on a full ride scholarship. Camille had always been a quiet girl, preferring to get lost in a book in the corner or computer program than interact with actual people.
It had gotten worse after her boyfriend and his friends attacked her at prom. Dom had come to her rescue and put the fear of God, the Devil and every deity in between into the boys. Camille’s insomnia had only gotten worse since then.
When she got the scholarship, Trigg and Sid were not comfortable with her being that far away. They went to Evie and asked if the Cajun Renegades would keep an eye on her. The sisters had seen several of the Cajuns when Evie got shot and then again with her wedding and the birth of her twins.
They even picked out which Cajun could be the father. It was a toss up between Peanut and Red.
With that settled, the sisters burst out laughing.
“You realize that for Camille to have a baby, she would have to interact with real people, right?” Mia teased.
“My Camille?” Sid asked as the men began to walk down the hall.
“God, mom.” Bambi laughed. “You are so oblivious.”
“What’s going on with Camille? Is everything okay?” Trigg asked concerned.
“She’s fine dad.” Claire rolled her eyes. “Mom is saying she needs another grandbaby and we voted that it was Camille’s turn.”
“Be nice to Camille.” Repo said.
“You’re just jealous that she left you.” Celt said of the girl who had run the shops back office before leaving. “Now you have to figure out the computer yourself.”
Repo began to complain about computer systems and billing programs. "And don't even get me started on inventory!"
Rye looked at Chance who gave her a big smile and tilted his head to his friend.
“Hey, Celt.” She said innocently. “I saw a bull the other day with your name.”
Celt groaned as the room burst into laughter. Rye looked around confused.
“Did I say something wrong?” Rye asked quietly as her laughing husband pulled her into his arms.
“No, beautiful.” Trigg said wiping tears from his eyes.
“Celt helped to deliver the calf.” Mia explained swiping away her own tears. “He came home and spent an hour in the shower and was going to just burn his clothes.”
“It was disgusting!” Celt complained. “There was all this… liquid goo and blood and shit. Actual, honest to God, fucking literal shit!” He gave an involuntary shudder as he made a gagging face. “And I got no sympathy for the horrors I experienced.”
“He didn’t get any when he passed out when his son was born either.” Preacher added.
“None!” The room agreed with another round of laughter.
Once the room settled down again, Trigg surprised Rye with his question to the still disgusted Celt.
“How is the fundraising going for the new North Star facilities?”
“Hoping for a good turn out over the holidays.” Celt replied. “The developer that bought the land agreed to give them another year to move off the property. But he won’t extend it any further.”
“They’re moving?” Rye asked quietly.
Chance kissed the top of her head. “They have to. The property they’re on is leased and recently got sold.”
“Where are they moving to?”
“The land over next to the Shack.” Mia said leaning into her husband who sat on the arm of the chair she was in. “They still need about a million dollars for everything, and Carly would like more acreage.”
The conversation around Rye faded away as she got lost in her own thoughts. She was vaguely aware when Chance loaded them up and drove them home.
“What’s on your mind, Duchess?” Chance asked as they lay in bed.
“I think I know what I want to do with my trust fund.”
“Yeah?” he held her close and buried his face in her hair. “What’s that?”
“I want to give it to Carly. But I want to do it anonymously.”
“I love that idea. And I love you, Duchess.”
“I love you, too, Timothy James.” She smiled up at him.
“What is that look for?” he asked, playing with her gray streak.
“If I got pregnant around my birthday, the baby would be due at the beginning of summer break.”
“Are you saying that you want a vanilla baby in your belly?” he asked rolling over and trapping her under him.
Instead of answering, she wrapped her arms and legs around him, pulling him down for a kiss.
