CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN #2
“Thank you, all of you. I’ve just spoken to my bosses, and I’m going to do two days a week after the wedding. I want to spend more time with Ruger and Arabella. I want to spend time here too, making the house a home.”
Nodding and muttering agreement, the three of them continue what they were doing. I walk around and see the furniture has been placed as I’d asked. I smile because I thought they might just dump things and run, but they haven’t done that at all.
Upstairs, Arabella’s bedroom is a typical ‘Princess’ bedroom. She has the bedding, toys, lamp in the corner, and even the drapes. I love it. It’s like looking at Pink Paradise.
The ladies downstairs have worked hard, and I see that in the way the bathrooms all have towels hanging, soap dispensers on display, and the beds are made up.
Some of the rooms still need drapes hanging, but overall, the main mass of work is done.
I’ll be forever grateful to Ruger for bringing me into his world.
A world I didn’t know existed, but I’m more than happy to belong in.
Friday evening, and the party is happening.
All the ladies are excited, and we are gathered at Tilly’s house.
She has her kitchen and yard all decked out for the occasion.
Food is ready on the kitchen counters, and the cookout has started.
Heather is in charge of the grill, along with Destiny, who it looks like is more of an assistant as Heather orders her around.
I grab a hot dog from the patio table and stuff it into my mouth before anyone can stop me. I’m hungry, and it’s only going to get worse. I had a voracious appetite when I carried Arabella, and it looks like that’s going to happen again.
Kya walks over. “Come on, stop stuffing your face. We are out of here.”
I wave to everyone and sneak away, dodging Jack who is supposed to be keeping his eye on everyone. But is being distracted as they ply him with soda topped with vodka. Poor Jack is going to be plastered and not even realize it until it’s too late.
Walking into Rolling Thunder Tattoo Shop, I give a smile to ReUse, Hashtag and Siggy. “Come on in, Penny. We have a design for you to check out.” ReUse points at a chair, and I quickly take a seat.
Handing me the design, I feel tears collecting. Shit, I can’t burst into tears now. “That is perfect. I love it, and you know, it’s simply beautiful isn’t it?” I ask more than state.
Siggy nods as she replies, “I love it, Penny. I think it’s far nicer than just having someone’s name put on your body. It has meaning to you and your man.”
Looking at it again, I take in the weapon, a Ruger of course, which is sitting in a bed of roses.
It looks like it’s sunk in slightly at the front, but the way the weapon is laid shows it’s cared for and loved.
A tear tracks down my cheek, and I quickly wipe it away, but of course, it’s been noticed.
“Are you okay, Penny?” Hashtag asks.
“I’m pregnant!” I blurt.
“Oh fuck. Well, that means we won’t be doing the tattoo today with needles.” Hashtag looks at ReUse and then Siggy. Both are nodding in agreement. Kya has gone quiet but is looking at me wide-eyed.
“Please don’t any of you tell Ruger. I’m planning to tell him as a surprise,” I give each of them a look that’s begging them to keep my secret.
Siggy squeezes my shoulder. “None of us will say a word. Right, guys?” Now, Siggy says that in a threatening voice, and Kya giggles while nodding. I can’t help but crack a smile at the look on Hashtag and ReUse’s faces. Which says Siggy isn’t one who usually throws orders around.
ReUse recovers quickly. “Okay, we are not going to give you a permanent tattoo. It’s not recommended to use needles on a pregnant woman, Penny.
It can cause infections and shock to the skin, and we are not putting you or that babe at risk.
So, we’ll do a temporary one until after the kid is born. You okay with that?”
“Okay!” I reply not knowing what a temporary one involves.
“We’ll use henna, which is a natural dye, and it’s a paste that I’m going to draw the design onto your skin. It’ll last a few weeks, Penny. If you want when it starts to fade I can touch it up?” Siggy asks.
“Okay,” I reply more firmly this time.
Everyone jumps into action. Kya takes a seat next to me and is texting on her phone.
Looking up, she smiles as she shows me the phone screen.
Poor Jack, he’s plastered already. He’s trying to follow Tilly but is staggering all over the place.
“Poor Jack!” It’s all I manage to say before I’m dragged onto a tattoo seat and my pants are pulled down, top pulled up and my hip and belly are being cleaned.
I have to say that Siggy is being very careful around my belly, and she keeps giving me the sweetest look after she looks at my stomach.
I must have fallen asleep because Kya wakes me, shaking my shoulder. “Come on, sleepyhead, we have to get back.”
Jumping up, I check out the design, and I’m delighted. I hug Siggy, try to pay but am told to fuck off! I give everyone the largest smile I can manage and follow Kya out of the shop and head back to the party.
When I say back to the party, I mean bedlam.
The place is chaotic. Women are singing, dancing, drinking, and then singing some more.
We have line dancing going on, and Jack has been placed on a sun lounger.
He has his head back, which is going to give him a sore neck tomorrow, but he’s out for the count, snoring so loud you can hear it over the music.
I can’t help but look at Kya and giggle. “This has been one hell of a bachelorette party!”