Chapter 9 #2
The clubhouse was set up much like last year’s impromptu nativity performance.
Folding chairs were set up facing the staircase with the seating area’s couch, loveseat, and easy-back chairs also twisted around.
Beyond the club, there were family members, like Bear’s parents; Carlos, Zoey, and their kids; Tally’s best friend Simone, her husband Tom, who was also Keys’ business partner, and their two children; Dosia’s grandparents who were also Calliope’s parents; Chip, a veteran who lived on property but was not a member or prospect of the club; Jumper and Pirate’s parents; and Jasmine’s dad.
Sophia’s parents had declined their invite as they already had their own vacation plans set.
Ranger’s sister and her boyfriend had to cancel at the last minute due to him getting sick.
Even with the number of kids running around, Jack managed to bulldoze his way through, claim one of the comfy chairs, and have a prospect move it front and center of the seating area for him and Jenna.
Carter and Lucy were due any minute with Drew, and Jenna caught sight of Jordan talking with Aaron and Bree.
He waved to his parents and held up a finger, asking for a minute.
Jenna waved him off. He could come see them when he was done.
Jordan, for checking off all the middle-child stereotypes, was a good boy.
A number of the ol’ ladies were crowded around the kitchen door. Jasmine was there, having gotten over her bout of the flu over a week ago. She was still sad about having to miss SJ’s birthday party, but hadn’t wanted to risk anyone else getting sick.
Before Jack even had Jenna settled in the chair, the women were rushing over to share the good news. Sophia practically shoved a sonogram into Jenna’s face.
Jenna’s jaw dropped as she took hold of the picture to be able to see it better. “Sophia?” she questioned, wanting to make sure Sophia wasn’t sharing someone else’s news.
The newly married woman beamed. “I am carrying a mini pirate or piratess,” she announced proudly.
From the look of the sonogram, she was further along than just a few weeks. Ultrasounds had come a long way since Jenna was last pregnant, but she’d been with Lucy every step of the way through her pregnancy with Drew as well as many of the club pregnancies.
“Congratulations!” Jenna hugged her young friend. “How far along are you?”
Sophia made a face. “About eighteen weeks. And we had no clue! Which means, I got married when I was already pregnant.”
Jenna didn’t judge her for that, though she also was one of the few who knew it wasn’t Sophia and Pirate’s first marriage. It was just the one they counted.
“I’m so happy for you. When are you due?”
“End of May,” she answered with a smile. “Which means Dosia and I are going to be about a month apart, since she’s June.”
Dosia and Calliope were among the women now surrounding Jenna. After Jack encouraged Jenna to sit in the large chair, the others started to pull other chairs around her.
Jack leaned over Sophia’s head and kissed her hair. “Congrats, sweetheart.” Then he walked away towards Ghost and Lucky, who were standing near Jack’s office.
“Aww,” Sophia cooed. “He’s such a softie.”
Jenna wasn’t the only one who chuckled. Turning her attention back to Sophia, she asked, “How are your symptoms?”
Sophia shrugged. “Honestly, not bad. I don’t want to jinx it, but I’ve barely felt anything.
I threw up once, and that was after helping Jazz when she was sick.
I think the scent or something got to me.
I mean, my boobs feel more tender, and all of a sudden I’m craving everything spicy and salty, but that’s the worst of it. ”
Jenna couldn’t relate, and was frankly a little jealous. Her symptoms varied between pregnancies, but the one constant was vomiting. It was gross and humiliating, especially when she was out in public and couldn’t find a bathroom in time.
“Cherish it while you can,” Jenna advised. “It might hit you out of nowhere.” Turning to the other pregnant woman in the club, Jenna asked, “And how are you feeling, Dosia?”
“Well, right now, I’m kind of hating Sophia.” She sent Sophia an air kiss to lessen the harshness of her words.
Sophia caught the kiss and slapped her hand against her cheek with a smile.
Dosia shook her head at her friend. “In all honesty, I’m doing fine, but Pumpkin’s still milking me getting him snipped for all it’s worth.”
The women’s laughter drew several heads.
“Ladies, what’s all the ruckus?” Jordan asked as he approached. Sitting on the wide arm of Jenna’s chair, her son leaned over Jenna to kiss her head. “Hey, Mom. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas,” she replied with a smile. Then she pointed to the women. “We’re discussing pregnancy symptoms. Care to stay?”
Jordan made a face. “Um,” he frantically looked around. “Oh, look, it’s, uh—what?” he suddenly said louder, standing. “Sorry, Mom, I’m being summoned. Coming!” he called out to absolutely no one in particular.
Jenna shook her head at her son’s antics. He passed his Aunt Abby on the way, pausing to give her a kiss on the cheek before continuing to answer his fake summons.
“That boy gets more handsome every time I see him,” Abby said as she pulled up a chair. The others scooted closer together to make room for her.
Abby’s arm brushed Calliope’s as she took a seat and Calliope jumped like she’d been tasered. Turning to Abby, Calliope exclaimed, “You’re pregnant!”
The entire room froze. Even the kids seemed to realize something major had caught the adults’ attention.
Realizing what she’d done, Calliope slapped her hands over her mouth. “Oh, gods! I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
But Abby reached her hand forward to grab Calliope’s. “It’s fine. We were planning on making the announcement tonight, anyway.”
Louisa came rushing over. “Really? Truly?”
Abby stood to walk up to her mother-in-law. “Yeah.” The two women embraced tightly.
Jenna stood, impatiently waiting her turn to hug Abby.
After everything that poor girl had been through, the horrors she’d endured for sixteen years, the unspoken truth that she’d been forced to birth two babies fathered by her rapist…
Joy filled Jenna at the knowledge that Abby was finally starting to heal.
Many tears were shed as Abby was passed from person to person. It was bittersweet, and yet so heartwarming that it could only be counted as a beautiful moment. The club, even those who had not been present when Abby had returned to Bulldog, all knew her story.
Tally exited the kitchen with Scar on her heels. She and Abby had been closer of late, which was good because Bulldog and Scar had a history no one else shared with the silent man. Jenna had been hoping Abby and Tally would also start to grow a bond.
To everyone’s surprise, Scar stepped forward after Tally and Abby’s embrace.
He didn’t put his arms around her or touch her in anyway.
The two just stared at each other for a long moment before Abby reached forward and gently brushed a hand along Scar’s shoulder. Softly, she said, “Thank you, Julian.”
Angel, Bree, Ollie, and Aaron then claimed Abby next.
The backdoor opened, letting in a gust of cold air. Bulldog entered with Lila, Pumpkin, JJ, Cage, and Bear. After closing the door quickly, they came to a stop to the right of the stairs, pausing to take in the mood of the clubhouse.
“What’s going on?” Bulldog demanded, his eyes landed on Abby’s and Angel’s arms around each other.
Starbucks glared at his woman. Though there was no malice behind the look, the promise of retribution was very visible. “We know about the pregnancy.”
Cage put his hands on his hips. “Damn it, Angel! You said we’d wait until after the holidays! We haven’t even told my parents yet!”
It took a super long time for the club to calm down after yet another pregnancy announcement, and it was only for the sake of not wanting dinner to be ruined that they had to move things along.
Chairs were placed back into their staged position.
Jenna felt like she was on a throne with how big her chair was in the center of the other smaller, more uncomfortable folding chairs.
Jack stepped up to the front, standing on the bottom step to overlook the crowd.
“A lot of new faces this year. A lot of changes too. When Jenna and I started this club, we never imagined this.” He waved his hand around to all those in the audience.
“Yet, there’s not an ounce of me that isn’t proud to stand before you, one last time, as your President.
We’ve grown, we’ve had our ups and our downs, we’ve had our losses,” he gestured to the In Memoriam cuts behind the bar, “and we’ve gained so much.
And with the announcement of four new club babies joining us next year, I couldn’t be prouder.
I know that I am leaving you in capable hands,” he nodded to Ghost, “and there isn’t anything I can say to make this moment less monumental.
We’re all feeling the tides of change, and as my beautiful bride often reminds me, some good must always come with the bad.
Take her advice,” he said with a note of warning in his voice. “She’s the smartest woman I know.”
Jenna blushed as others chuckled.
“Now, my love,” Jack turned his attention to Jenna. “I know that you have been worried about all the holiday events you’re going to be missing due to our vacation. So I added an event to today’s itinerary.”
Jenna raised an eyebrow. She had assumed something was going on because of the chairs, but also thought maybe this was just how they wanted to do Secret Santa with the kids before dinner.