Chapter 15
It was Friday night again. I was at Eden as usual, ensuring everything went smoothly.
This time, there were no bunch of old ladies here.
However, there was one. Since she wasn’t working yet, Astrid had gotten into the habit of coming to work with me several times a week.
Sometimes, she’d stay home and either do something with the other old ladies or relax.
Some people might feel smothered or upset that their significant other was with them so much.
I didn’t. I wanted it. If she hadn’t offered to come with me, I would have asked her.
Even just working together in the office, not saying a word, was made better by her.
She had a calming effect on me. However, I’d have to get used to her not doing it as often.
Yesterday, after we’d talked a few times about it, Astrid called Sean to let him know she would accept the pilot position with the Dark Patriots.
We’d had a lengthy call since he got the other three to come to his office.
We ended up changing to a video conference.
He filled her in on what to expect, and she would start in just over a week, after the Fourth of July holiday.
I was happy for her. The glow on her face told me how much she needed this.
Anything that brought her joy, I was behind.
During her days or nights with me at Eden, if Aubrielle was dancing, Astrid made time to talk with her. I knew my woman genuinely liked the dancer, but I suspected it was for a different reason as well. She wanted to ensure Cherisse wouldn’t and couldn’t cause trouble for Aubrielle.
At church this past Monday, I updated everyone on the argument that had occurred in the dressing room last Friday night.
Ratchet, Sandman, and Riot knew to keep an eye and ear out when they were there, and I wasn’t.
As protective as my old lady was toward Aubrielle, if Cherisse or anyone dared to upset or put a hand on her new friend, Astrid would kick their asses to the next county.
Seeing Astrid as the protective mama bear, I couldn’t help but wonder what she would be like if we had children.
This thought led me to wonder about kids.
With all that had been happening, I hadn’t asked her about them.
Other than that short chat about birth control, we hadn’t talked about children.
Glancing over at her, I thought the time might be now.
She was filing for me, but it could wait.
“Fury, I need you to come over here,” I told her.
Without argument, she stopped what she was doing and came to me. When she reached the desk, on my side, the way I liked it, I latched onto her hips and pulled her to stand with her back to my desk and her between my legs. She hopped up to sit on the edge of it.
“What’s up, Jamie? You look serious. Is something wrong? No one is hurt, are they?” she asked apprehensively. I’d been reading messages on my phone before I asked her to come to me.
“No, everyone’s good as far as I know. I’d like to discuss something important with you. It popped into my head, and I thought, Why not now?”
“Alright, tell me what it is. I’m listening.”
Making sure her gaze was on mine, I went for it. “I was thinking how close you seem to be getting to Aubrielle. You’re like a momma bear protecting her cub.” I paused at her frown.
“Is there a reason why I shouldn’t? She’s endearing and I think lonely.
I haven’t gotten her to tell me about her home life, but I think it’s not a great one.
She needs people who are in her corner and will help her whenever she needs it.
Plus, I genuinely like her. She’s like the little sister I never had. ”
“Baby, I think it’s great. And I agree, she does seem to need others to look out for her.
It’s not the fact that you befriended her that I was thinking about.
It was your protectiveness, and I wondered if you’d be the same way with our kids.
Then I recalled we hadn’t spoken about kids in depth.
I believe we should. I’m asking, do you want children, first of all?
Don’t be afraid to tell me exactly how you feel.
And then if it’s yes, I want to know how many and when you thought we should try for a baby. ”
I saw I’d stunned her. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened slightly. She was staring intently at me. I waited for her to say something. I would give her time to make a decision. I needed her to be sure of her answers. It was several moments later before she found her voice.
“Jamie, my answer to children is yes, I would like them. But would you? If you don’t, then I can say I want you more than I want children. I’ll just spoil the ones everyone at the club has. So, do you want kids?”
“Yes, I want them. I’m so damn glad you do too. But know that if you had said no, I would still want to be with you, regardless. How many? Any idea? I dislike the thought of having an only child. I was one and I hated it,” I admitted.
“I agree, no single kid, if possible. I was one, too. Which reminds me, you haven’t told me anything about your family.
But then again, I haven’t told you about mine.
Let me start. My parents died several years ago when I was barely into my twenties.
It was age-related diseases that took them.
I was their miracle baby, and they had me very late in life.
Mom was forty-five when she had me, and Dad was fifty.
What about your parents? If you would rather not talk to me about them, I won’t push you,” she said softly.
God, how had I gotten such an amazing, caring, and warm woman with a core strength of steel? I must’ve done something spectacular for God to give her to me.
“I don’t mind talking about them. May I ask, were you happy overall? Did they treat you well?” I asked.
“They were very loving and attentive to me. They loved me so much, and I loved them in return. I was spoiled, yet I would’ve given up so much to have a brother or sister. It wasn’t a bad childhood. Now, it’s your turn. Tell me about yours,” she said.
“I was the opposite of you. My parents had me when they were very young. My dad was twenty and Mom was eighteen. They’d been high school sweethearts.
When Mom found out she was pregnant, Dad insisted they get married.
He’d been in college working on a degree, and she was about to go to the same college in the fall.
They were married two weeks after she told him she was pregnant.
My grandparents, on my dad’s side, weren’t thrilled.
They thought my mom was beneath their son.
On Mom’s side, her parents were concerned about her marrying so young and having a baby.
They liked Dad, but would’ve preferred them to wait until they were at least both out of college.
“Dad had to drop out of school so he could work full-time. Mom worked as long as she could before stopping and having me. Afterward, she stayed home with me. Their parents, although neither of the mothers worked, refused to help out or even babysit so she could work part-time. My parents couldn’t afford a babysitter.
“My folks struggled a lot. It wasn’t until I went to school that they were able to go back to school.
Dad went first and finished his degree. He worked full-time while he did it.
Mom got a job to help out. Then it was her turn.
I was fourteen by the time they were both done, and working better jobs.
Our lives improved, and they were all for me going to the Army after I graduated, but they made me promise not to neglect my college education. I promised them I wouldn’t.”
I paused to take a drink of my soda before continuing.
“They were very proud of me doing well in the Army, though they worried like crazy when I became part of Special Forces. When I turned thirty, and I was already in the club for a few years, they moved to Hawaii. Dad’s company had an opening there.
They love it. I visit them once a year, and they come here at least once a year.
We’d love to see each other more, but it’s not possible right now.
Maybe when they retire, I can convince them to come back here.
If we have kids, it’ll tempt them to move back.
You’ll like them. I told them about you, and they can’t wait to meet you. ”
“What? You told your parents about me?! When? Oh crap, in-laws. What if they don’t like me?” she asked anxiously.
“Babe, if I love you, then they will too. If you’re concerned, I’ll have a call with them soon, and you’ll be on it with me. You can start to get to know each other then. I told them two weeks ago. Now, back to numbers. How many kids?”
“You drop the parents on me and then expect me to be able to think about numbers,” she playfully grumbled. Then she quieted and smiled at me.
“I’d love to have four. Even numbers make sense to me, and it gives them a playmate, so no one is left out or feels like a third wheel. But I’m willing to go lower. Just two or more is my wish.”
“I can handle four, but I’ll go lower if we decide after the first two that we have enough. Okay, last question. How soon would you want to start trying to get pregnant?”
“Hmm, that’s a hard one. A part of me wants to have you to myself for a while longer.
Then the other is greedy and screams now.
Let’s face it. I’m thirty. My eggs are getting old.
Unlike you, who can father kids until you’re a hundred, I know the older I get, the lower the chance of pregnancy.
I worry about how hard it was for my mom to have me.
What if I’m like her? I don’t want to wait if we have to work on it for a long time. ”
I stood and wedged myself between her legs. I wrapped her in my arms and stared into her eyes.