Meeting the Mother-in-Law #2
Maureen waves a dismissive hand. "As if the school board for a fancy place like St. Patrick's will listen to the likes of us. That namby-pamby principal on the other hand. He listens to whichever parent is the loudest and my daughter and I can be very loud."
"They'll listen." I'll be there to make sure they do.
áine turns her mug in her hands, cupping the sides like she's trying to draw warmth from it. "Kara didn't tell me about the school board meeting."
"You were with the kids."
"I'm still not understanding how this led to you exposing your secret relationship to the girls." The emphasis Maureen puts on secret is an unmistakable dig at her daughter for keeping things from her.
By the look in áine's eyes, the guilt arrow finds its target. Even though she knows the truth: that the whole fake relationship and supposed secret months of dating is a necessary lie.
áine's heart is too tender for her own good, but she's obviously close with her mom and I don't want that bond damaged by our inevitable future.
"I was with Mick when he got the call from the school," I explain.
It's the truth. Just not all of it. I allow Maureen to draw her own conclusions from that.
Which she does. "And you felt it would be better for you to tell my daughter about what had happened to Sadie than for her to get a phone call from the school."
Maureen gives me a less grudging look of approval.
I'm growing on her.
"I had to get to áine," I agree with another partial truth.
Mick ordered me to pick up áine and bring her to the estate.
"Well, I may not have known about you, but you clearly care for my daughter, Kieran Lleshi."
The look áine is giving her mother and me is something between awe and horror.
Adding more credence to the relationship scenario, I pull áine's hand from around her mug to hold it in mine.
Despite having been holding the hot mug of tea, her fingers are cold.
Shit.
Sliding my forefinger and middle finger over her wrist, I check her pulse. It's too fast. And her eyes are dilated.
My fiancée is showing the symptoms of delayed shock.
I dump a couple of teaspoons of sugar into her tea and stir it. "Drink."
Maureen gives áine a look of concern. "Are you alright, a pheata?"
áine surges to her feet. "I need to check on Sadie."
"I'll do it." I guide her back into the kitchen chair and shove the mug toward her. "Drink."
"No, I…" áine looks around the kitchen, as if there are answers on the cluttered but clean countertops. "She needs…"
Maureen stands and rubs her daughter's back. "There, there, child. It will be alright. You've had a difficult day."
She doesn't know the half of it. Not only did áine find out her daughter had been attacked, but she'd been steamrolled into an arranged marriage by the Underboss of the Shaughnessy Mob.
"You let your young man check on our cailín and you drink your tea." Her mom continues to soothe her, pressing the mug of tea into áine's hand.
Strangely reluctant to leave my soon-to-be wife to the ministrations of her mother, I force myself to go check on Sadie.
I knock on the door I saw her disappear behind earlier. When there's no answer, I slowly push the door open so I don't startle my new daughter.
She's sitting in the middle of áine's bed, her knees drawn up, her head resting on them and her arms wrapped around her calves as she cries softly.
"Sadie?" I wait in the open doorway. "Is it okay for me to come in?"
She looks up, her blue eyes awash with tears. "Kieran?"
I nod.
"Why did they do it?" More tears spill down her already wet cheeks.
The need to comfort her propels me forward a step, but I force myself to stop and I ask her permission with a tilt of my head toward her.
She wipes at her cheeks with the back of her hands and nods. "Come in."
I quickly cross the room and kneel on the floor beside the bed, putting my hand palm up on the bed, offering comfort but not touching her without her permission.
I can't tell her that we suspect it was all part of a plan to put Mick's fitness to lead into question, but I can share another truth with her. "Because they are little assholes."
Sadie looks up at me with tear wet eyes. "You really believe that? You don't think I did something to make them try that with me?"
Fury pounds inside my breast, but I don't let it show on my face. "None of this is on you, zemra e vogel."
"What does zemra e vogel mean?" she asks, butchering the pronunciation.
"Little heart. It is an Albanian endearment my grandfather used to call my mother."
"I thought you were Irish."
"Mom was half Irish, half Albanian." I don't mention my sperm donor.
"Oh." Sadie meets my eyes, her own filled with courage I'd like to see in the soldiers who work under me. "I'm not a slut. I didn't want it, no matter what they said."
"I know that, zemra e vogel."
"Other people will believe them. The principal already does."
"If anyone believes that shit, I'll set them straight."
Sadie gives a watery little giggle. "You aren't supposed to swear in front of kids, but I'm twelve. So, it's okay. Just don't say words like that in front of Joy and Neeve or mom will wash your mouth out with soap."
"Thanks for the heads up."
She nods. "Will you really stand up for me to the school and the parents."
"I will."
"Because you're my mom's boyfriend?"
"Because one day soon, you'll be my daughter."
"That marriage of convenience thing."
"I'm marrying your mom because I want her for my wife and I want you, Neeve and Joy to be my family too." That's a long assed explanation. áine would be proud of me.
"Really?"
I nod.
"I'm glad mom was dating you in secret. She needs someone watching out for her."
"You all do."
"Maybe." Sadie sighs. "Will you give me a hug?"
I freeze at the request. She wants me to hug her? Me? Sadie's face twists with doubt and I get it together, stiffly opening my arms to her. She throws herself against my chest and I hold her tight, trying to make her feel the safety I promised her.
I will protect this girl, her sisters and their mom with my last breath. Hell, I'll protect their feisty gran too.
They're all my family now.